It's been a little while since I've written but I wanted to let you all know I'll be on my new site, Transparent Shepherding, really soon!
Make a note of the new address:http://www.transparentshepherding.com
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| Yes, He really, really does! |
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Monday, April 9, 2018
Do we love our fellow man (and woman)?
Love...
The word in itself invokes a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and wonder to each one of us. For some, it's a warm fuzzy feeling, perhaps likes butterflies in your tummy or somersaults in your heart. For others, love is a peaceful place of contentment, of rest and completeness. Still to others, love is a fleeting thought, a passing hope that is not attainable; to reach and experience it, simply costs too much.
In the US and other western cultures, it seems we throw around the word 'love' quite carelessly to the point where it has truly lost its meaning. We use the word love to describe infatuation, lust, familiarity of feeling or acquaintance. It's used to describe joy, happiness and pleasure without a second thought. And, while I certainly am not in a position to judge another, I can take a look into my own heart and how I say I love you.
To do this, however, I cannot omit what the Word of God, the Bible, says about love. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, going as far to say, "...I am bankrupt without love."
Jesus loves the unlovable, those ostracized by society and by us. The homeless, the downtrodden, the abused, the abandoned, young & old alike. He loves the sinner and the saint as equals. That, my friend, is hard to wrap your human head around! The soccer Mom is as loved and cherished as the one who gives herself away in the night, exchanging her worth for money. The loving family man is just as important to God as the man who sits on death row for taking more lives than he let live. The unworthy list goes on and on.
Your child, my child and the orphans in untold numbers across the globe are children of God. Why do we find loving people so difficult, so impossible at times? I think often times it is because we find it easier to cast aside someone full of wrong doings than to love them as Jesus demands of us. We reason that it is simply just too hard for us, they have done too much evil to others or whatever excuse we can muster. Truth is, its easier to judge them than to love them...that would require sacrifice.
Love. The most powerful thing in this life, isn't it? Some yield it as a way of control and manipulation, but that isn't true love they possess. That 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love is God-filled love that surpasses all our human expectations and assumptions. It is without error, perfect in every detail. Love does not 'play favorites' in whom may give or whom may receive. It reminds me so much of Grace, in that is it completely unmerited yet a gift waiting to be opened.
"For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (Passion Translation)
I want to love like that...
The word in itself invokes a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions and wonder to each one of us. For some, it's a warm fuzzy feeling, perhaps likes butterflies in your tummy or somersaults in your heart. For others, love is a peaceful place of contentment, of rest and completeness. Still to others, love is a fleeting thought, a passing hope that is not attainable; to reach and experience it, simply costs too much.
In the US and other western cultures, it seems we throw around the word 'love' quite carelessly to the point where it has truly lost its meaning. We use the word love to describe infatuation, lust, familiarity of feeling or acquaintance. It's used to describe joy, happiness and pleasure without a second thought. And, while I certainly am not in a position to judge another, I can take a look into my own heart and how I say I love you.
To do this, however, I cannot omit what the Word of God, the Bible, says about love. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13, going as far to say, "...I am bankrupt without love."
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force it self on others, isn't always "me first", doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back but keeps going to the end. Love never dies.....I Corinthians 13:4-8 (The Message)This is how Jesus loves. I am constantly amazed by His true, consistent, unwavering love for each of us. No matter what we have or will do, He loves us. You cannot run so far as to outrun the love of God for you. His love is uncompromising, unconditional and without end. It is impossible to comprehend the depths of His love but I want more and more to experience it. I want to be like Him in that I love despite anything else. I want to be consumed by His love and see others how He sees them. I want to love as Jesus loves!
Jesus loves the unlovable, those ostracized by society and by us. The homeless, the downtrodden, the abused, the abandoned, young & old alike. He loves the sinner and the saint as equals. That, my friend, is hard to wrap your human head around! The soccer Mom is as loved and cherished as the one who gives herself away in the night, exchanging her worth for money. The loving family man is just as important to God as the man who sits on death row for taking more lives than he let live. The unworthy list goes on and on.
Your child, my child and the orphans in untold numbers across the globe are children of God. Why do we find loving people so difficult, so impossible at times? I think often times it is because we find it easier to cast aside someone full of wrong doings than to love them as Jesus demands of us. We reason that it is simply just too hard for us, they have done too much evil to others or whatever excuse we can muster. Truth is, its easier to judge them than to love them...that would require sacrifice.
Love. The most powerful thing in this life, isn't it? Some yield it as a way of control and manipulation, but that isn't true love they possess. That 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love is God-filled love that surpasses all our human expectations and assumptions. It is without error, perfect in every detail. Love does not 'play favorites' in whom may give or whom may receive. It reminds me so much of Grace, in that is it completely unmerited yet a gift waiting to be opened.
"For now we see but a faint reflection of riddles and mysteries as though reflected in a mirror, but one day we will see face-to-face. My understanding is incomplete now, but one day I will understand everything, just as everything about me has been fully understood. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run." 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (Passion Translation)
I want to love like that...
Monday, January 26, 2015
Looking ahead by looking back...
As January draws closer to its end, I find myself playing catch up on putting away things from 2014. The file cabinet has gotten leaner and the shredder has been working overtime lately but, reducing clutter makes me a bit happier. This morning, I tackled the "Warranty" files. You know, all of the user guides and owners manuals that accompany every purchase these days? I laughed at finding all these mini-books for things that wore out long ago, those we sold, gave away or had otherwise met their end. Reducing three hefty folders by half was very satisfying!
Tucked between the manual for the gas dryer and burnt microwave was a copy of an email I had penned nearly 6 years ago today. It was written to the pastors of the church I previously attended upon my departure from a position. My heart had grown heavy for months before I left organized church and this was the email where a new journey began. Why on earth would I find this where I did? I have a feeling this is God's gentle reminder to me about refocusing on my task at hand so I felt this was probably worth a second read today.
I wanted to share this letter because much of the frustration of 'church as usual' remains as fresh today as it was then. The difference now is that I feel my love walk with Jesus is totally transformed. I have gained a better understanding of how much His grace covers me, completely and without stipulation of my 'performance'. It has not been easy. If nothing else, its been more difficult in certain ways because I can no longer depend on a routine church service to sustain me for the week. It has increased my dependence on God, in getting into His word myself and trusting Him to reveal His truths.
I share this letter to bring Light to the dark places that I know others are living in or have recently broken free from. These are believers who sense within them that there is something more than a weekly obligatory attendance or routine project-of-the- month. Its about the people they see in their every day lives, those that are hurting and wounded, who'd never set foot into a building. Or worse, those that have and have been rejected by those bearing the name "Christian".
This letter is not meant to judge another person's walk with Christ, especially not the pastors to whom it was written. Motivations of the heart are not something I am privy to. Christ alone is to judge. I know, without a doubt, that God's word is truth and "..everything works together for good.." (Romans 8:28). We must always examine things in the light of His word, testing all things and holding on to that which is good. The times in which we live do not allow us the luxury of pretending all is well in the Body of Christ when we know that it is not. Jesus will return for a pure and spotless Bride, His Church. We must continually place ourselves on the altar, at His feet for His work to be done. Let us be faithful as we run the race set before us.
Tucked between the manual for the gas dryer and burnt microwave was a copy of an email I had penned nearly 6 years ago today. It was written to the pastors of the church I previously attended upon my departure from a position. My heart had grown heavy for months before I left organized church and this was the email where a new journey began. Why on earth would I find this where I did? I have a feeling this is God's gentle reminder to me about refocusing on my task at hand so I felt this was probably worth a second read today.
I wanted to share this letter because much of the frustration of 'church as usual' remains as fresh today as it was then. The difference now is that I feel my love walk with Jesus is totally transformed. I have gained a better understanding of how much His grace covers me, completely and without stipulation of my 'performance'. It has not been easy. If nothing else, its been more difficult in certain ways because I can no longer depend on a routine church service to sustain me for the week. It has increased my dependence on God, in getting into His word myself and trusting Him to reveal His truths.
I share this letter to bring Light to the dark places that I know others are living in or have recently broken free from. These are believers who sense within them that there is something more than a weekly obligatory attendance or routine project-of-the- month. Its about the people they see in their every day lives, those that are hurting and wounded, who'd never set foot into a building. Or worse, those that have and have been rejected by those bearing the name "Christian".
This letter is not meant to judge another person's walk with Christ, especially not the pastors to whom it was written. Motivations of the heart are not something I am privy to. Christ alone is to judge. I know, without a doubt, that God's word is truth and "..everything works together for good.." (Romans 8:28). We must always examine things in the light of His word, testing all things and holding on to that which is good. The times in which we live do not allow us the luxury of pretending all is well in the Body of Christ when we know that it is not. Jesus will return for a pure and spotless Bride, His Church. We must continually place ourselves on the altar, at His feet for His work to be done. Let us be faithful as we run the race set before us.
"..there are some other
things on my mind of late that I need to share with you guys. Believe me when I
say I've began this email about 100 times, erased, deleted, saved, edited, etc.
only to begin over again. What I have realized through all of that is
I am not walking in agreement with {name of church}. I have become rather cynical
and wary; opting to pull away from everything altogether because of the
unending 'check' in my spirit that something is very much amiss. I
think {name of church} is a great place with great people but that alone does not
quench this pit in my stomach that we are indeed missing something: intimacy.
Much of what the Lord has shown to me over the past several months relates to the way of how we tend to ignore something long enough in the hope that it might go away. By avoiding an issue, we create a huge gap between fellow believers, thereby distancing each of us from one another, hence that sense of division. I am guilty of this. Over the past several months, there has been a steady urging within my spirit to get to the root of things. I certainly cannot 'diagnose' an issue with anyone else - that is clearly God's job. I do, however, recognize the pattern and it is very much the same in all of us. The scenario tends to be that we create distance between those who disagree with us. Our method may vary but often includes our expression of only wanting to be with people who are like-minded with us or who support our thoughts, ideas, etc. while avoiding those who do not. That isn't to say we aren't 'nice' or cordial and may not question our love for them. It's just that there is a wall of silence that develops and it is indeed quite subtle. Where once there was a sameness of feeling and a sharing of sorts with one another, it has now been replaced by coolness and avoidance. Cordiality and being nice is still present but the uneasiness never ceases.
Now this when we have a choice: either we confront the issues all together or we continue to avoid them, thus deceiving ourselves into thinking everything is fine. Some may call this 'cooling off' but its really nothing more of distancing to avoid pain, rejection, disagreement or ourselves being questioned, none of which are Christ-like. I so often look to Jesus in His example of how He continually hung out with those who rejected Him, how He continued loving them without regard to their words and actions (or lack thereof) and how He suffered so as to finally break down the barrier of 'distance' between us and the Father. Grace is something we eagerly receive from the Lord but seem to be much more reluctant to offer to one another. The Body of Christ suffers greatly by our avoidance to be direct with one another. When we are honest with one another, confessing one to another our faults and can finally become transparent with or fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, we might well be on that road to unity.
The local church is very much needed but I don't believe it’s centered around a building and the usual hierarchies of titles within, as most churches have remained. The Great Commission says nothing about going 'in' (as into a building) only going 'in' as in going INTO the world. I always thought the local church began first with salvation. Peter's words delivered in Acts 2 were followed by those who received his word and were saved. Then they continued steadfastly in teaching, breaking of bread, prayer, etc. Another key part was that they had all things in common, no one lacked because they shared all things. That sort of communitas is amazing to me. The word 'church' biblically refers to a local group of believers meeting in a particular geographical location. I find nothing supporting the whole building theory, which wasn't introduced until the times of Constantine to end persecution of Christians.
When I look at the need for the local church, I look at Paul's letter to the church at Corinth too: ICorinthians 14:26-33 So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions. I have only seen this in a few churches but it certainly sets the example according to scripture. I think our churches as a whole lean towards the avenue of safety by means of control in order to avoid any possibility of flesh rising up and things getting all wacky.
Christ certainly laid out the need of the local church and that should remain unchanged. I disagree with hierarchy, levels, positions, etc. simply because it is not the example I believe Christ set for us. Anything other than equality in Christ reeks of the priestly hierarchy that He died to destroy. That veil was rent to open access to God for all, not one person before another. We cannot say we believe this while still clinging to the notion of how one person(s) can hear from God before another or on behalf of another. It's either one or the other, not both simply due to the circumstances or the title/position we hold. I am reminded of Revelation and the letter to the church at Ephesus. They had lost their first love and were chastened accordingly. Interestingly, what draws me to this reading is about the Nicolatian's being a people whose deeds the Ephesus folks despised, as did the Lord. The Nicolatian’s - a people where their name is quite revealing of their beliefs. The word means, "Niko" to conquer and "Laos" the people. It means simply this: Their philosophy was to put a difference between the "laity" (the people) and the clergy (the pastors). This was an attempt to reestablish the Old Testament priesthood in the churches which led to a group of leaders being labeled as above or over the common people. We have re-established the old hierarchy by calling it leadership and have deceived ourselves.
I look at Christ's life and don't see the things we do in churches across the nation as really walking in his footsteps. He looked to the Father, to do His will alone, not His own. His obscurity and total separation from the things of this world, while being totally in the middle of the things themselves, amazes me. It pains me to look at my own life and see how much flesh I resurrect on a daily basis. When we live the life of being the Church, we continually take the Gospel to others. There is no requirement to meet first, and then do these things. That lifestyle of living out our love walk with Jesus comes to mind. I desire transparency and that is difficult to find in most Christian's. I've rarely even caught a glimpse of it in a church service anywhere. No one seems willing to open themselves up in total honesty before their brother's and sister's in Christ, sharing in our own short comings and faults, sharing our successes and our failures. When you look at the way traditional services are conducted, there is little, if any, room for intimacy, transparency or sharing.
As far as forsaking the assembly, I really feel most Christians have never done their homework. So often, we all take what's been handed down in tradition rather than with meaning and interpretation from the original texts. We are, after all, charged to be like the Berean's in examining of the words given to us, comparing to scripture. We are told more than once to test all things; hold on to what is good. I have begun to realize much of what has been handed down as truth is really quite far from it. It may be truth according to man with a Bible verse slapped on it but it's not Real Truth. In one of my previous 'drafts' of this letter, I had several paragraphs of examples in Scripture citing various verses, along with the Greek and Hebrew translations, etc. about 'forsaking the assembly' and what it really means to gather together. Debating about one believes is 'right' doesn't really make any sense if the intention is to solely prove the other 'wrong'. Those studies have simply called me to question and test what has been handed down as truth in the Light of His word and I find it lacking.
Much of what the Lord has shown to me over the past several months relates to the way of how we tend to ignore something long enough in the hope that it might go away. By avoiding an issue, we create a huge gap between fellow believers, thereby distancing each of us from one another, hence that sense of division. I am guilty of this. Over the past several months, there has been a steady urging within my spirit to get to the root of things. I certainly cannot 'diagnose' an issue with anyone else - that is clearly God's job. I do, however, recognize the pattern and it is very much the same in all of us. The scenario tends to be that we create distance between those who disagree with us. Our method may vary but often includes our expression of only wanting to be with people who are like-minded with us or who support our thoughts, ideas, etc. while avoiding those who do not. That isn't to say we aren't 'nice' or cordial and may not question our love for them. It's just that there is a wall of silence that develops and it is indeed quite subtle. Where once there was a sameness of feeling and a sharing of sorts with one another, it has now been replaced by coolness and avoidance. Cordiality and being nice is still present but the uneasiness never ceases.
Now this when we have a choice: either we confront the issues all together or we continue to avoid them, thus deceiving ourselves into thinking everything is fine. Some may call this 'cooling off' but its really nothing more of distancing to avoid pain, rejection, disagreement or ourselves being questioned, none of which are Christ-like. I so often look to Jesus in His example of how He continually hung out with those who rejected Him, how He continued loving them without regard to their words and actions (or lack thereof) and how He suffered so as to finally break down the barrier of 'distance' between us and the Father. Grace is something we eagerly receive from the Lord but seem to be much more reluctant to offer to one another. The Body of Christ suffers greatly by our avoidance to be direct with one another. When we are honest with one another, confessing one to another our faults and can finally become transparent with or fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord, we might well be on that road to unity.
The local church is very much needed but I don't believe it’s centered around a building and the usual hierarchies of titles within, as most churches have remained. The Great Commission says nothing about going 'in' (as into a building) only going 'in' as in going INTO the world. I always thought the local church began first with salvation. Peter's words delivered in Acts 2 were followed by those who received his word and were saved. Then they continued steadfastly in teaching, breaking of bread, prayer, etc. Another key part was that they had all things in common, no one lacked because they shared all things. That sort of communitas is amazing to me. The word 'church' biblically refers to a local group of believers meeting in a particular geographical location. I find nothing supporting the whole building theory, which wasn't introduced until the times of Constantine to end persecution of Christians.
When I look at the need for the local church, I look at Paul's letter to the church at Corinth too: ICorinthians 14:26-33 So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight. If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying. Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself. And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart. Take your turn, no one person taking over. Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other. If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak. When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions. I have only seen this in a few churches but it certainly sets the example according to scripture. I think our churches as a whole lean towards the avenue of safety by means of control in order to avoid any possibility of flesh rising up and things getting all wacky.
Christ certainly laid out the need of the local church and that should remain unchanged. I disagree with hierarchy, levels, positions, etc. simply because it is not the example I believe Christ set for us. Anything other than equality in Christ reeks of the priestly hierarchy that He died to destroy. That veil was rent to open access to God for all, not one person before another. We cannot say we believe this while still clinging to the notion of how one person(s) can hear from God before another or on behalf of another. It's either one or the other, not both simply due to the circumstances or the title/position we hold. I am reminded of Revelation and the letter to the church at Ephesus. They had lost their first love and were chastened accordingly. Interestingly, what draws me to this reading is about the Nicolatian's being a people whose deeds the Ephesus folks despised, as did the Lord. The Nicolatian’s - a people where their name is quite revealing of their beliefs. The word means, "Niko" to conquer and "Laos" the people. It means simply this: Their philosophy was to put a difference between the "laity" (the people) and the clergy (the pastors). This was an attempt to reestablish the Old Testament priesthood in the churches which led to a group of leaders being labeled as above or over the common people. We have re-established the old hierarchy by calling it leadership and have deceived ourselves.
I look at Christ's life and don't see the things we do in churches across the nation as really walking in his footsteps. He looked to the Father, to do His will alone, not His own. His obscurity and total separation from the things of this world, while being totally in the middle of the things themselves, amazes me. It pains me to look at my own life and see how much flesh I resurrect on a daily basis. When we live the life of being the Church, we continually take the Gospel to others. There is no requirement to meet first, and then do these things. That lifestyle of living out our love walk with Jesus comes to mind. I desire transparency and that is difficult to find in most Christian's. I've rarely even caught a glimpse of it in a church service anywhere. No one seems willing to open themselves up in total honesty before their brother's and sister's in Christ, sharing in our own short comings and faults, sharing our successes and our failures. When you look at the way traditional services are conducted, there is little, if any, room for intimacy, transparency or sharing.
As far as forsaking the assembly, I really feel most Christians have never done their homework. So often, we all take what's been handed down in tradition rather than with meaning and interpretation from the original texts. We are, after all, charged to be like the Berean's in examining of the words given to us, comparing to scripture. We are told more than once to test all things; hold on to what is good. I have begun to realize much of what has been handed down as truth is really quite far from it. It may be truth according to man with a Bible verse slapped on it but it's not Real Truth. In one of my previous 'drafts' of this letter, I had several paragraphs of examples in Scripture citing various verses, along with the Greek and Hebrew translations, etc. about 'forsaking the assembly' and what it really means to gather together. Debating about one believes is 'right' doesn't really make any sense if the intention is to solely prove the other 'wrong'. Those studies have simply called me to question and test what has been handed down as truth in the Light of His word and I find it lacking.
I
want Truth, not relevance. The Bible is fully able to stand alone all
by itself. Its Message transcends time and needs not be made more
applicable to culture. In essence, its Message is the revelation of our
sin and separation from God and our desperate need of a Saviour; that
God's own Son, Jesus, is this once-and-for-all sacrifice and gift of grace
through salvation, His gift to us. He does not need us to make Him more relevant
to anyone. Time, technology or culture does not change our need for a
Saviour nor does it change the One can save us from an eternal separation
from our Lord, which is through Jesus Christ.
If I have veered off- task, my apologies as I did not intend to preach, debate or argue. I just find so many questions biblically about what is being taught, especially in the charismatic churches. It is here where I find myself questioning a lot of what has been handed down as truth, when it really may not be according to the Bible. Over and over, I sense the Lord calling His body of believer's into deeper knowledge and real understanding of His Word but all the awhile an intense drawing to Himself first. A total abandonment of our own thinking, traditions and ways must end in order for Christ to really increase within us.
Right now, the Lord has brought me to place where I need to deeply examine my heart and especially my motivations. I do not want to be a part of something simply out of a sense of obligation to perform, nor risk becoming cynical or hardened of heart over "theology". Right now, it seems like I am merely going through the motions of attending church. With all of that said, I do not feel I can continue on the {title} at {name of church}, at least not for now. Amos 3:3 has been on my heart for a long time: "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (NIV). I have sensed this is something I have needed to do for awhile now and being away from practice, church, etc. has made that more clear than ever. I sense a great deal of difference in the way we are walking. Not in one being "wrong" but in we do differ greatly in our definitions of 'church'.
Honestly, I feel like I need to detox from church as I have grown accustomed. I hear the Lord beckoning to come away with Him. Matthew 11:28-30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Learning those unforced rhythms of grace is exactly where I want to be right now. While I still plan on attending (name of church), I want to remain sensitive to the Lord in where He wants me on every given day - not simply going out of obligatory attendance.
I love you guys and do pray for you all, along with the people at {name of church} ~ that God's will be done above all else. May our lives always be....All for Jesus
If I have veered off- task, my apologies as I did not intend to preach, debate or argue. I just find so many questions biblically about what is being taught, especially in the charismatic churches. It is here where I find myself questioning a lot of what has been handed down as truth, when it really may not be according to the Bible. Over and over, I sense the Lord calling His body of believer's into deeper knowledge and real understanding of His Word but all the awhile an intense drawing to Himself first. A total abandonment of our own thinking, traditions and ways must end in order for Christ to really increase within us.
Right now, the Lord has brought me to place where I need to deeply examine my heart and especially my motivations. I do not want to be a part of something simply out of a sense of obligation to perform, nor risk becoming cynical or hardened of heart over "theology". Right now, it seems like I am merely going through the motions of attending church. With all of that said, I do not feel I can continue on the {title} at {name of church}, at least not for now. Amos 3:3 has been on my heart for a long time: "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (NIV). I have sensed this is something I have needed to do for awhile now and being away from practice, church, etc. has made that more clear than ever. I sense a great deal of difference in the way we are walking. Not in one being "wrong" but in we do differ greatly in our definitions of 'church'.
Honestly, I feel like I need to detox from church as I have grown accustomed. I hear the Lord beckoning to come away with Him. Matthew 11:28-30 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Learning those unforced rhythms of grace is exactly where I want to be right now. While I still plan on attending (name of church), I want to remain sensitive to the Lord in where He wants me on every given day - not simply going out of obligatory attendance.
I love you guys and do pray for you all, along with the people at {name of church} ~ that God's will be done above all else. May our lives always be....All for Jesus
Come to Me, all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest
Friday, February 28, 2014
Neglecting the Gift
This morning, I had the heart wrenching task of finding a beloved sheep dead in my barn. It appeared that she had eaten grain way too fast and was not able to free it from her throat. Basically, she choked to death. While my husband had done the feeding chores last evening, he casually mentioned how this sheep was really gobbling down her food and had begun coughing some when he was leaving the barn. Sadly, I dismissed his comment ever so casually and went on to other tasks at hand inside the house. This was a grave error on my behalf.
When I began doing my chores this morning, I could not find this ewe. But, in the stir of a hungry flock, I completed the grain feeding and began to count the sheep at the trough. There was one missing. As I passed through the barn, I caught a glimpse of a sheep leg, lying in a stall to one side and my heart stopped. Sometimes, you just know and yet the hope of it not being too late still rises up. This was not the case today. It was evident she had died last night, unable to fully cough up the grain she had so eagerly welcomed just awhile before.
Through my tears, I hugged her and said how sorry I was. I should have asked my husband more questions about how exactly she was behaving and maybe I could have gotten there sooner. Better yet, I should have gone down to the barn to check on her, just to be sure. But I hadn't and now, there was nothing more I could do except to begin the task of having to bury my woolly friend.
And, it was in these very moments, God began convicting my heart, ever so gently and only as a Father can. You see, lately I have been content to just go the motions of every day and simply existing within it. I have neglected to see each one as precious yet full of uncertainty. Most of all, I have failed to look at things in the light of eternity. My eyes have so clouded with the hum-drum that life can sometimes throw at you. And it is during the boring repetition that I find it can be easy for me just to shut down emotionally, to flip that proverbial "switch" so that I feel nothing therefore I do nothing. Just trying to get through another day...Apathy breeds nothing but contempt for the Truth.
For so long, I have hidden behind the cloak of not knowing my place in this world, that thing I am supposed to be doing for the Kingdom -- you know, the one thing that seems so elusive to you and that if only you could somehow find it, life would be complete. Everything would be rosy and you could simply do what God wanted you to do. That is a mask I have hidden behind for the past year. A mask that simply has hidden a need for control. Not the kind of control where I would be able to somehow be able to change or manipulate things but simply the control of knowing. In my own mind, if you know that you are supposed to be doing, then things are so much easier, right?
Such little faith in what the Father can do if only I would trust Him. Isn't that what it boils down to? A lack of trust? For me, this is so apparent lately. Even as I questioned what had happened to my sheep this morning, my focus was more on what I could have done for her. It is very possible there may not have been anything that would have changed things. I guess for me it was more about my failure to do anything that was so difficult for me today. This is difficult because it seems to be a reflection on so many of my actions lately. Not that my doing anything would have an affect but the fact I felt nothing, no urgent need to double check, no concern really, just an "oh, she'll be OK; after all, she's done that before and nothing happened" attitude.
So, here I am in the barn trying to see through all my tears as I fill the hay troughs, wondering "What the heck, God???" And then, my mind is brought to the little sub-heading under this blog where it reads:
When I began doing my chores this morning, I could not find this ewe. But, in the stir of a hungry flock, I completed the grain feeding and began to count the sheep at the trough. There was one missing. As I passed through the barn, I caught a glimpse of a sheep leg, lying in a stall to one side and my heart stopped. Sometimes, you just know and yet the hope of it not being too late still rises up. This was not the case today. It was evident she had died last night, unable to fully cough up the grain she had so eagerly welcomed just awhile before.
Through my tears, I hugged her and said how sorry I was. I should have asked my husband more questions about how exactly she was behaving and maybe I could have gotten there sooner. Better yet, I should have gone down to the barn to check on her, just to be sure. But I hadn't and now, there was nothing more I could do except to begin the task of having to bury my woolly friend.
And, it was in these very moments, God began convicting my heart, ever so gently and only as a Father can. You see, lately I have been content to just go the motions of every day and simply existing within it. I have neglected to see each one as precious yet full of uncertainty. Most of all, I have failed to look at things in the light of eternity. My eyes have so clouded with the hum-drum that life can sometimes throw at you. And it is during the boring repetition that I find it can be easy for me just to shut down emotionally, to flip that proverbial "switch" so that I feel nothing therefore I do nothing. Just trying to get through another day...Apathy breeds nothing but contempt for the Truth.
For so long, I have hidden behind the cloak of not knowing my place in this world, that thing I am supposed to be doing for the Kingdom -- you know, the one thing that seems so elusive to you and that if only you could somehow find it, life would be complete. Everything would be rosy and you could simply do what God wanted you to do. That is a mask I have hidden behind for the past year. A mask that simply has hidden a need for control. Not the kind of control where I would be able to somehow be able to change or manipulate things but simply the control of knowing. In my own mind, if you know that you are supposed to be doing, then things are so much easier, right?
Such little faith in what the Father can do if only I would trust Him. Isn't that what it boils down to? A lack of trust? For me, this is so apparent lately. Even as I questioned what had happened to my sheep this morning, my focus was more on what I could have done for her. It is very possible there may not have been anything that would have changed things. I guess for me it was more about my failure to do anything that was so difficult for me today. This is difficult because it seems to be a reflection on so many of my actions lately. Not that my doing anything would have an affect but the fact I felt nothing, no urgent need to double check, no concern really, just an "oh, she'll be OK; after all, she's done that before and nothing happened" attitude.
So, here I am in the barn trying to see through all my tears as I fill the hay troughs, wondering "What the heck, God???" And then, my mind is brought to the little sub-heading under this blog where it reads:
Day to day thoughts and happenings often fall by the way-side left
untouched to reasoning behind it all. The book of Ecclesiastes says
"...there is a time and purpose for everything under Heaven...". To me,
this means nothing, NOTHING, goes unnoticed by our Heavenly Father, no
matter how large or small we may think it is. With that in mind, how
much more should we consider (and reconsider) our every thought, action,
reaction, etc. ?
How much more should we consider and reconsider our every thought, action and reaction? Think on that! Our action and reaction affects so much more than we can ascertain in this temporal life. Our failure to even take the first step in faith, without knowing what lies ahead can affect the outcomes of many. What if we never shared our faith? How many might perish without ever knowing Christ? What if we simply were faithful in those small things and didn't worry about the bigger things? What if we went forth in the planting of those seeds God has given us and not concentrated so much on watching them develop. Sometimes we are to plant, other times God allows us to reap the harvest. And its not always in the same field.
You see, sometimes doing nothing affects far more than we may ever realize. Doing nothing, while it keeps up in a numb state of existence, it wrecks havoc on our relationships, especially with Christ. Doing nothing is totally different than "waiting on the Lord" (a nice cover, by the way). It's the complete opposite. Doing nothing has no outcome, no goal, no set achievement to be made. When you are waiting on something, you have an expectation of something to happen. Doing nothing is a road full of regrets. It is a place of apathy, a state of numbness and lack of feeling. A sort of apostasy, if you will.
This is a dangerous place to be. Apostasy can be defined as "abandonment of previous loyalty; defection". The Bible warns us about the Great Apostasy, the great falling away that must occur before the antichrist is revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2-4 reads "Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t
be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the
Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have
had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t
be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a
great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction. He
will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every
object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that
he himself is God."
This is a scripture I have been reading for several mornings lately and it wasn't totally clear to me as to why until today. God loves each one us way too much to leave us in a place we are not meant to be. This state of apathy, void of feeling and desire to do His perfect will, is not a happy place. It's a place of existence but without true life. I have been walking this fine line of going through the motions of life to avoid feeling its disappointments and I have been robbed of its joys in the process. I have allowed apathy to invade my life in various aspects and its numbing affect is quite apparent lately.
God showed me this morning that I have concentrated more on knowing His plan than in seeking His plan. I have wanted to see the result before taking the first step. I have wanted to get to the end of the road rather than simply walk with Him along the path. And I've missed out on the journey itself. It is in the journey that we find His joy.
We are not promised a life free of disappointments. In fact, scripture plainly tells us "...in the world, you will have tribulation..." John 16:33. This is an inescapable truth: Trials will come, tribulations will test our faith. But Christ also says, "...but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" again in John 16:33. We must faithfully take each moment of every day, fully trusting Him to lead and guide us, not jumping ahead into next week to see what lies ahead. Faith must drive us, it must guide us in these last days in which we live. Without faith, do we have any hope of the life Christ has for us?
In closing, God brought me back to 1 Timothy 4:14-16:
"Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take
heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing
this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."
Let it be so, Lord, let it be so.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
God's infinite knowledge of me...
Psalm 139 ~ God’s infinite knowledge of man, and also one of my most favorite books of the Bible. David was a man after God’s own heart and his acknowledgement of God’s sheer awesomeness and divinity is present in the words of this scripture. David poured out himself before the Lord on many occasions, in good times and in bad, yet his heart remained in a continual state of yearning for truly knowing the Lord.
I am convinced that God knows the depths of my very being and there is no use in trying to hide feelings, frustrations or other emotions from Him. He knows me intimately and yet He loves me anyway. I find this amazing! Despite all my short comings, my failures and even in my meager successes, He still loves me deeply. Before Him, I can be naked and not ashamed. Transparency does not come easy but it really is the only way to approach His presence. Anyone who knows anything about the presence of God knows that anything impure or unholy will burn up before Him. God cannot look upon sin and I am so thankful the blood of His precious Son, Jesus, covers me in grace and restores my fellowship with The Holy One.
Some time ago, God gave me a marvelous revelation at an old Coke bottle I found while on a mission trip in Honduras:
People filter in and out of the room daily, yet no one notices the empty bottle.
To them, it is a shell of what is left of a former good thing, no longer with any use.
It used to be filled with an intoxicatingly sweet, sparkling drink. It used to could claim it was the “real thing” but that was when it had something of itself bottled up inside.
Now, the empty bottle has nothing remaining, only a scratched glass frame. This bottle reminds me of how God needs us to be. To the casual observer, this is merely an empty, worn out, fragile remnant of former greatness. To God, it’s a perfect vessel merely waiting on His Divine touch.
The emptiness of our former selves allows God to fill us with His Living Water to an overflowing that we can no longer contain. He alone is the Real Thing. Everything else is just a sticky, sweet liquid that is all happy and bubbly when you first try it but always goes flat when left to its own ability. The tiredness we experience is a daily reminder that we cannot function within our own abilities or strength. We cannot serve both God and man just as we cannot please both God and man. It is only in our weakness that He is made strong. And only then can He increase because we are decreasing. The pride of our own “self” leaves no room for fragility. Our hearts must remain tender and broken in order for Him to work deeply within us.
Above all else, we must remain transparent before Him so that the world no longer sees any part of ourselves, our name or what we used to be. His light must be able to shine thru our emptiness. We must be poured out of everything we exist of in order for Him to complete His good work. In looking thru the scratched, broken shell of what remains, the world should see the reflection of Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters.
Psalm 139, God’s Infinite Knowledge of Man
“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to You; even from a distance, You know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of Your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and You’re there, then up ahead and You’re there too – You’re reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in.
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid Your Spirit? To be out of Your sight? If I climb to the sky, You’re there! If I go underground, You’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute – You’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, ‘Oh, He even sees me in the dark! At night, I’m immersed in the light!’ It’s a fact; darkness isn’t dark to You; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to You.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; You formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God – You’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration – what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived on day. Your thoughts – how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them – any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with You!”
…..”Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for Yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – the guide me on the road of eternal life.” The Message Remix
Lord, Jesus…my prayer today is that I not stray from your manifest presence. Teach me to walk in Your ways, to seek Your face and remain forever surrendered to Your will. Let my heart sing today…Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me, after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Search me and try me, Master, today
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now
As in Thy presence, I humbly bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Wounded and weary, help me I pray.
Power, all power, surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine!
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Hold over my being, absolute sway
Fill with Thy Spirit, ‘till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
I am convinced that God knows the depths of my very being and there is no use in trying to hide feelings, frustrations or other emotions from Him. He knows me intimately and yet He loves me anyway. I find this amazing! Despite all my short comings, my failures and even in my meager successes, He still loves me deeply. Before Him, I can be naked and not ashamed. Transparency does not come easy but it really is the only way to approach His presence. Anyone who knows anything about the presence of God knows that anything impure or unholy will burn up before Him. God cannot look upon sin and I am so thankful the blood of His precious Son, Jesus, covers me in grace and restores my fellowship with The Holy One.
Some time ago, God gave me a marvelous revelation at an old Coke bottle I found while on a mission trip in Honduras:
People filter in and out of the room daily, yet no one notices the empty bottle.
To them, it is a shell of what is left of a former good thing, no longer with any use.
It used to be filled with an intoxicatingly sweet, sparkling drink. It used to could claim it was the “real thing” but that was when it had something of itself bottled up inside.
Now, the empty bottle has nothing remaining, only a scratched glass frame. This bottle reminds me of how God needs us to be. To the casual observer, this is merely an empty, worn out, fragile remnant of former greatness. To God, it’s a perfect vessel merely waiting on His Divine touch.
The emptiness of our former selves allows God to fill us with His Living Water to an overflowing that we can no longer contain. He alone is the Real Thing. Everything else is just a sticky, sweet liquid that is all happy and bubbly when you first try it but always goes flat when left to its own ability. The tiredness we experience is a daily reminder that we cannot function within our own abilities or strength. We cannot serve both God and man just as we cannot please both God and man. It is only in our weakness that He is made strong. And only then can He increase because we are decreasing. The pride of our own “self” leaves no room for fragility. Our hearts must remain tender and broken in order for Him to work deeply within us.
Above all else, we must remain transparent before Him so that the world no longer sees any part of ourselves, our name or what we used to be. His light must be able to shine thru our emptiness. We must be poured out of everything we exist of in order for Him to complete His good work. In looking thru the scratched, broken shell of what remains, the world should see the reflection of Jesus Christ. Nothing else matters.
Psalm 139, God’s Infinite Knowledge of Man
“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to You; even from a distance, You know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of Your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and You’re there, then up ahead and You’re there too – You’re reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful – I can’t take it all in.
Is there anyplace I can go to avoid Your Spirit? To be out of Your sight? If I climb to the sky, You’re there! If I go underground, You’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute – You’re already there waiting! Then I said to myself, ‘Oh, He even sees me in the dark! At night, I’m immersed in the light!’ It’s a fact; darkness isn’t dark to You; night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to You.
Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; You formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God – You’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration – what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You, the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived on day. Your thoughts – how rare, how beautiful! God, I’ll never comprehend them! I couldn’t even begin to count them – any more than I could count the sand of the sea. Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with You!”
…..”Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for Yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong – the guide me on the road of eternal life.” The Message Remix
Lord, Jesus…my prayer today is that I not stray from your manifest presence. Teach me to walk in Your ways, to seek Your face and remain forever surrendered to Your will. Let my heart sing today…Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me, after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Search me and try me, Master, today
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now
As in Thy presence, I humbly bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Wounded and weary, help me I pray.
Power, all power, surely is Thine,
Touch me and heal me, Saviour divine!
Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way.
Hold over my being, absolute sway
Fill with Thy Spirit, ‘till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Organic movement...
Sunday was an interesting experience and one I will treasure in my heart for a long time. Our winter here in West Virginia has been harsh with lots and lots of snow. I cannot recall such a snowy winter since the late 90's! And funny how none of the global warming groups have uttered a word...I must laugh!
Church services were cancelled due to weather conditions. The steep incline leading to the Living Grace building is one few are brave enough to go up this time of year, despite numerous trips by the snow plow. Instead, we gathered at the Pastor's home for worship and prayer. We shared communion and a meal together as well. God was so wonderfully gracious to meet with us there! His love runs deep for us and Sunday was no exception. I wonder if that was perhaps His Valentine's Day gift to us. For me, I believe it was.
Long before the meeting that morning, the Lord brought to my mind the word 'organic'. Being a gardener myself, this was not an unfamiliar term. Organic gardening methods do not employ chemicals for fertilizer or pesticides. There are no growth hormones or artificial stimulants used to produce or maintain crops. Additionally, a truly organic garden will use heirloom seed, not hybrid or genetically altered/reproduced seeds. Heirloom seeds are those that are harvested from a plant each year and replanted the following growing season. Basically, it's a what-you-see is-what-you-get kind of thing. If you harvest tomato seeds, you will grow tomatoes, not okra.
Have you ever planted a seed from a hybrid plant? I did one year, not realizing I have saved hybridized seeds. I got the most beautiful, lovely pepper plants that year. They grew nicely, flowered abundantly and appeared to be the most vigorous plants in the garden. Only they never produced fruit. Not a single pepper all season, despite multiple flowerings and bushy, strong plants. While I did not use any chemicals in my garden, the seed was not true - it was sterile and could not produce life.
Organic gardens are thriving, living and breathing places. Even Webster's defines it as "of, relating to, or derived from living organisms". Compost is frequently used to rebuild and nourish the soil. It's another interesting thing that the very plants from the previous year are used to provide nutrients to the next seasons plants. Compost is like a wise old soul, seasoned and prepared for a long time before it's best use comes forth. And that use it for the next 'generation' of sorts.
A commercial or traditional garden may 'appear' healthy and productive but it is often laced with poisons, chemicals and other stimulants just to keep it going and keep disease or bugs at bay. Any fruit that is produced must be picked early before being fully ripened so it can be shipped off. After all, there are quota's and deadlines to be filled. The resulting land is frequently barren of anything of real substance. In order to grow anything, one must continually cover the ground within temporary things, those proverbial 'quick fixes' that only lasts for short while.
So, it was not surprising that this analogy of gardening came to mind. The church, the Body of Christ, must guard itself against those temporary quick fixes and things that make it look good on the outside. It must remain 'organic', full of life and, as Webster's also says, "forming an integral element of a whole". We are parts of Body of Christ. We cannot operate as separate pieces, i.e. some legs, some arms, others being eyes or ears. We must come together under the one true Head and that is Jesus Christ Himself. A living, breathing and organic thing, this Church is a moving entity. It flows from a seat of Mercy, Grace and Love...nothing less is expected of us. He leads, we follow. Little Christ's, Christian's, reflections of Him to those around us.
Matthew 11: 28-30 reads, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you will recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you, Keep company with Me and you will earn how to live freely and lightly." (The Message)
Let it be so, Lord. Let it be so!
Church services were cancelled due to weather conditions. The steep incline leading to the Living Grace building is one few are brave enough to go up this time of year, despite numerous trips by the snow plow. Instead, we gathered at the Pastor's home for worship and prayer. We shared communion and a meal together as well. God was so wonderfully gracious to meet with us there! His love runs deep for us and Sunday was no exception. I wonder if that was perhaps His Valentine's Day gift to us. For me, I believe it was.
Long before the meeting that morning, the Lord brought to my mind the word 'organic'. Being a gardener myself, this was not an unfamiliar term. Organic gardening methods do not employ chemicals for fertilizer or pesticides. There are no growth hormones or artificial stimulants used to produce or maintain crops. Additionally, a truly organic garden will use heirloom seed, not hybrid or genetically altered/reproduced seeds. Heirloom seeds are those that are harvested from a plant each year and replanted the following growing season. Basically, it's a what-you-see is-what-you-get kind of thing. If you harvest tomato seeds, you will grow tomatoes, not okra.
Have you ever planted a seed from a hybrid plant? I did one year, not realizing I have saved hybridized seeds. I got the most beautiful, lovely pepper plants that year. They grew nicely, flowered abundantly and appeared to be the most vigorous plants in the garden. Only they never produced fruit. Not a single pepper all season, despite multiple flowerings and bushy, strong plants. While I did not use any chemicals in my garden, the seed was not true - it was sterile and could not produce life.
Organic gardens are thriving, living and breathing places. Even Webster's defines it as "of, relating to, or derived from living organisms". Compost is frequently used to rebuild and nourish the soil. It's another interesting thing that the very plants from the previous year are used to provide nutrients to the next seasons plants. Compost is like a wise old soul, seasoned and prepared for a long time before it's best use comes forth. And that use it for the next 'generation' of sorts.
A commercial or traditional garden may 'appear' healthy and productive but it is often laced with poisons, chemicals and other stimulants just to keep it going and keep disease or bugs at bay. Any fruit that is produced must be picked early before being fully ripened so it can be shipped off. After all, there are quota's and deadlines to be filled. The resulting land is frequently barren of anything of real substance. In order to grow anything, one must continually cover the ground within temporary things, those proverbial 'quick fixes' that only lasts for short while.
So, it was not surprising that this analogy of gardening came to mind. The church, the Body of Christ, must guard itself against those temporary quick fixes and things that make it look good on the outside. It must remain 'organic', full of life and, as Webster's also says, "forming an integral element of a whole". We are parts of Body of Christ. We cannot operate as separate pieces, i.e. some legs, some arms, others being eyes or ears. We must come together under the one true Head and that is Jesus Christ Himself. A living, breathing and organic thing, this Church is a moving entity. It flows from a seat of Mercy, Grace and Love...nothing less is expected of us. He leads, we follow. Little Christ's, Christian's, reflections of Him to those around us.
Matthew 11: 28-30 reads, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you will recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of Grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you, Keep company with Me and you will earn how to live freely and lightly." (The Message)
Let it be so, Lord. Let it be so!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
How are you, Madrina?
Today, I received a letter from the little boy I sponsor in Honduras through Manos Extendidas. His name is Josue and he will 8 years old in April. I got to meet him for the first time in August of 2008 while on a mission trip to the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Josue was quiet and shy, barely mustering a quick hug before dashing out the door with his lunch in hand. That was kind of unexpected to me, as I had hoped to sit with him for a few moments and introduce myself. I had brought a small gift with me and really wanted to watch him open it. But, that was not happening that day. Isn't it funny how kids can surprise us?
Anyway, I was so blessed with his letter, I wanted to share my joy with you:
Hi, how are you Sponsor? I hope that God shines His light of blessings upon you. That is my greatest wish. I want to tell you that I am in the first grade. I do all my homework and get good notes from the school. I am very happy to know you. Thank you for the present you gave me when you were here and thank you for your hugs. It made me happy. I care for you will all my heart and since Christmas has already come, I want to wish you happy Easter as well, next to the people that surround you. Those are my true wishes.
The word "sponsor" is translated by these children as Madrina, which really means Godmother. I was not aware of that until my last trip and when you introduce yourself as Madrina, the children know exactly what you are talking about. I guess the ministry partners who share the hearts of those who want to help them, the name sponsor seems kind of formal.
Josue goes to regular school, which requires shoes & uniforms. Although education in Honduras is free to the 5th grade, if you cannot afford shoes or cannot buy (or make) the uniform, you cannot attend. Education is huge need in Honduras. Without it, the circle of poverty and enslavement to its vicious cycle seems bleak.
The Christian ministry of Manos Extendidas' Child Sponsorship Program is one I have seen work first-hand. There are no 'extra' or cushy expenses, no salaries to pay and certainly no 'fluff' you see in many organizations of this nature. 100% of the monies go directly to the day care and feeding program. For many, this meal may be the only food a child receives each day. The monies go into supporting the children in five(5) main areas:
Anyway, I was so blessed with his letter, I wanted to share my joy with you:
Hi, how are you Sponsor? I hope that God shines His light of blessings upon you. That is my greatest wish. I want to tell you that I am in the first grade. I do all my homework and get good notes from the school. I am very happy to know you. Thank you for the present you gave me when you were here and thank you for your hugs. It made me happy. I care for you will all my heart and since Christmas has already come, I want to wish you happy Easter as well, next to the people that surround you. Those are my true wishes.
The word "sponsor" is translated by these children as Madrina, which really means Godmother. I was not aware of that until my last trip and when you introduce yourself as Madrina, the children know exactly what you are talking about. I guess the ministry partners who share the hearts of those who want to help them, the name sponsor seems kind of formal.
Josue goes to regular school, which requires shoes & uniforms. Although education in Honduras is free to the 5th grade, if you cannot afford shoes or cannot buy (or make) the uniform, you cannot attend. Education is huge need in Honduras. Without it, the circle of poverty and enslavement to its vicious cycle seems bleak.
The Christian ministry of Manos Extendidas' Child Sponsorship Program is one I have seen work first-hand. There are no 'extra' or cushy expenses, no salaries to pay and certainly no 'fluff' you see in many organizations of this nature. 100% of the monies go directly to the day care and feeding program. For many, this meal may be the only food a child receives each day. The monies go into supporting the children in five(5) main areas:
- Education (spiritual and academic)
- Medical/Dental
- Food
- Clothing
- Emergency Fund
There are many ways you can impact your sponsored child. First and foremost is to pray for them. There are many battles they must face, spiritual and otherwise. Your prayers protect them in ways you will not always know. Writing a letter, sending a photo or small gift makes their day! Don't worry if you don't speak Spanish ~ there are folks there who will gladly help translate your letter for you.
Want to know more? Visit http://www.mehonduras.org or just email me!
Monday, January 4, 2010
True Transparency...
I've taken some time off from posting to this blog, among other things and it seems to be the right time to begin again. Perhaps from the start of a new year, a new decade or simply because winter has set in so fully, there is not much else to keep me occupied (aside from housework).
New Year's Resolutions have never been a top priority for me. The reasons vary really....mostly from knowing I won't keep something up for very long, unless it burns deeply within me. Even then, the routine of of it all tends to draw down on whatever reserves I may have set aside for continuing on. This year isn't really any different other than the fact I have had some realizations during this time off.
During my much need de-tox from the obligatory church attendance, I found myself swirling around somewhat aimlessly at times. One of the most important realizations I stumbled upon was how my relationship with the Lord was more tangled in my own perfunctory attendance that I ever imagined. It's kinda easy to sit back and be the one who talks about what all is wrong with mainstream 'church' and not totally embrace its profound effect within my own life. A scripture comes to mind where Jesus talks about removing the log in my own eye before attempting to help my brother with the splinter in his. (See Luke 6:41) Other translations include the phrase "thou hypocrite", which exactly describes my attitude at times.
One must be wary as to what they speak for or speak against. I have seen first-hand how one can become the very thing we supposedly detest the most. I've seen in it others but I have seen it in myself as well. Perhaps, in some way, that may be a fine example of how we receive judgement upon ourselves when we judge others. I don't' know, that is merely a thought that crossed my mind. An interesting thought, to say the least....
So, if I were to make a resolution of sorts, it would be something like this:
New Year's Resolutions have never been a top priority for me. The reasons vary really....mostly from knowing I won't keep something up for very long, unless it burns deeply within me. Even then, the routine of of it all tends to draw down on whatever reserves I may have set aside for continuing on. This year isn't really any different other than the fact I have had some realizations during this time off.
During my much need de-tox from the obligatory church attendance, I found myself swirling around somewhat aimlessly at times. One of the most important realizations I stumbled upon was how my relationship with the Lord was more tangled in my own perfunctory attendance that I ever imagined. It's kinda easy to sit back and be the one who talks about what all is wrong with mainstream 'church' and not totally embrace its profound effect within my own life. A scripture comes to mind where Jesus talks about removing the log in my own eye before attempting to help my brother with the splinter in his. (See Luke 6:41) Other translations include the phrase "thou hypocrite", which exactly describes my attitude at times.
One must be wary as to what they speak for or speak against. I have seen first-hand how one can become the very thing we supposedly detest the most. I've seen in it others but I have seen it in myself as well. Perhaps, in some way, that may be a fine example of how we receive judgement upon ourselves when we judge others. I don't' know, that is merely a thought that crossed my mind. An interesting thought, to say the least....
So, if I were to make a resolution of sorts, it would be something like this:
As I rely on God's Grace, I will not try to be anything or anyone that I am not. I will not adapt myself, my morals, my convictions or my beliefs to any one situation to fit in or be accepted by another. If I have 'sold out' totally for my Lord, then what another thinks is insignificant. I will not compromise my relationship with my Father for relationship with a man, a woman, a cause, nor even my own morals, convictions and beliefs. My relationship with Christ far outweighs my need for any of those things, as they are temporal and fleeting. As I rely on God's Grace, I will look upon others with compassion, not judgement for their failings are no more impressive than my own. I refuse to wear any mask, religious or otherwise, that would belittle my fellow brother or sister, regardless of their actions. I will clothe myself in the inexhaustible Love of Jesus, extending the same hand to them as is extended to me from Heaven. The blood of Christ was shed so that ALL might come to Him and know Him personally as Savior and Lord.
As I rely on God's Grace, I admit my own short-comings and failures, for they are indeed many. I will not, however, use that precious Grace as a crutch to continued sin. As I bare myself before the Father, I am certain He accepts me just as I am. His love pours out upon me without any effort of my own. He adores my brokenness and is closer to me at any given moment than the air I breathe. It is in this brokenness, that I am made whole in Him. There is nothing I can do, good or otherwise, to earn His love and acceptance. It is already there and always has been. He loves me way too much for me to comprehend, to begin to fathom that leaves me awestruck.
As I rely on God's Grace, I will allow myself to feel again. Emotions may be fickle and not trustworthy but God gave them to us for a purpose. They are not to be relied upon but I do realize that Jesus 'felt' things as I do. He wept, he was angry, he became frustrated, upset and so on, just like me. It was during these times, He clung to His Father all the more, doing the will of His father, not His own. I must allow His grace to overtake me completely, in my emotions too so that I can maintain my love walk with Him. Denying hurt, pain, joy or happiness only creates another facet of the fake me. I will not do that.
And finally, I acknowledge "...all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I want His purposes to be be my purposes. THE MESSAGE reads that same verse as "That's why we can be sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good." I cannot despise my past, for every detail has been shaped into God's purpose. My past does not dictate my future but has definitely had an effect on who I am. Nothing has gone unnoticed by my Father, nothing at all. I rest in the assurance He is fully aware of where I am, yet He remains unshaken in His good will towards me. His love is unfathomable once gain. Awe and wonder prevail!
So, as I attempt to continue writing, blogging, sharing (whatever you want to call it), I first want to be transparent myself before the Father. I don't want people to look at me and see me, my accomplishments, my musings or anything about me. I simply want people to know Jesus and the Lord chooses to work through me, I want to be fully aware of His presence and His will for that given moment. If He chooses simply for me to minister unto Him, then so be it. What an amazing calling!
Only in Him do I find completeness...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Have mercy on me, a sinner...
As the holiday time arrives and winter unleashes its frozen fury, I find myself with a things-to-do list that seems unending. Of course, none of these things are pressing really...I don't have to put of Christmas lights or even a tree for that matter! Just things I like doing and almost feel obligated to do each season.
I am thankful for the fact that I don't have do any one of these things. Funny how I find myself so easily worked up and stressed over the things that aren't done but, in looking at their true importance, I find them lacking any real value. Honestly, I grow tired of all the work I seem to put in such fruitless tasks these days. Questioning truth and value for what is real brings little satisfaction in my consumerist displays of the holiday 'spirit'.
A couple of weeks ago, my neighbor was killed in a car accident. I had to perform my first funeral and truly experienced God's grace in it all. Honestly, this was purely Jesus taking over and walking each of us through our own private pain in this loss. At funerals, when the minister opens some time for others to speak, it is often times only one or two people who opt to share. This day, however, was different and only one or two people DIDN'T speak. They were too overcome with emotion to do so but laughed, cried and shared with everyone. What had been 'scheduled' for about a 15 minutes service lasted more than an hour. Graciously, the funeral home allowed us to finish, which set us upon the pathway to healing. Grief is a most mysterious thing...and such may yet another post, just not for today.
Where was I when my neighbor died? I was in my deer stand hunting. I felt so guilty when I realized this! I wasn't doing anything of real value at that time, just scanning the woods and the internet via my Blackberry at that very moment. So many questions left unanswered, so much left to ponder about the sheer brevity of life. James 4:14 talks about this: "Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what will happen tomorrow. what is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]." Amplified Bible In reading this passage, I am once again gently reminded by God of His vastness and my own frailty. Humbling to consider it all and how often this is taken for granted.
Life is truly a treasure, a gift to be opened and then given back to the One who gave it. I am so guilty of doing my own thing, going my own way and living my own life often without much consideration of the impact I may or may not have. Jesus affected every person He encountered on this earth. I can only hope to walk in His ways, and its only by His Grace that my steps begin again and again. He is so faithful to follow beside me, picking me up along the way and setting me back upon His pathway to real life. I often wonder why He does not grow tired of repeating such things.
Jesus dripped love and mercy, unwavered by obvious sin in those He came across each day. And it is with same undying love and mercy that we are to extend to others. Without judgement, He shared His great love and how passionate the Father is about is children. Why do we find this so difficult or, should I say, so easy to slip away from? With Him, all things are possible! Without Him, our struggles overwhelm us and choke out the very life He died to give us. Lately, I have found myself looking through those judgemental attitudes of my own, then wondering how Christ loves me so unreservedly, so passionately and so deeply.
Recently, I read a chat post from a Christian in another state who was participating in prayer vigil outside a newly opened abortion clinic. It was stated the purpose was for Christian's to pray there and the reason actually took me by surprise. Evidently, the purpose of this vigil was so the doctor would not feel welcome there and would pack up, moving somewhere else. I must admit how troubled my spirit is over such an action. What about that doctor's soul? What about his salvation and eternal fate? Did anyone think of him?
I guess the 'Christian' side of social justice is as flawed as the non-Christian ways. I can agree with wanting the killing of unborn children to stop and am glad there are people who are willing to step out in prayer, standing on the gap for those who cannot speak. And, I must admit, I wouldn't want an abortion clinic set up in my own back yard either. But who is praying for the doctor who performs those abortions? Who is praying for the nurses and other staff there? Are they any less worthy of God's Grace than I? I think not! Have we, as Christians, become so proud in our 'faith' that we are quick to stand up against wrong doing, denounce the sin so obvious in anothers actions but not once think of what sin in our own? Why do we have the 'us against them' mentality?
I am thankful for the fact that I don't have do any one of these things. Funny how I find myself so easily worked up and stressed over the things that aren't done but, in looking at their true importance, I find them lacking any real value. Honestly, I grow tired of all the work I seem to put in such fruitless tasks these days. Questioning truth and value for what is real brings little satisfaction in my consumerist displays of the holiday 'spirit'.
A couple of weeks ago, my neighbor was killed in a car accident. I had to perform my first funeral and truly experienced God's grace in it all. Honestly, this was purely Jesus taking over and walking each of us through our own private pain in this loss. At funerals, when the minister opens some time for others to speak, it is often times only one or two people who opt to share. This day, however, was different and only one or two people DIDN'T speak. They were too overcome with emotion to do so but laughed, cried and shared with everyone. What had been 'scheduled' for about a 15 minutes service lasted more than an hour. Graciously, the funeral home allowed us to finish, which set us upon the pathway to healing. Grief is a most mysterious thing...and such may yet another post, just not for today.
Where was I when my neighbor died? I was in my deer stand hunting. I felt so guilty when I realized this! I wasn't doing anything of real value at that time, just scanning the woods and the internet via my Blackberry at that very moment. So many questions left unanswered, so much left to ponder about the sheer brevity of life. James 4:14 talks about this: "Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what will happen tomorrow. what is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air]." Amplified Bible In reading this passage, I am once again gently reminded by God of His vastness and my own frailty. Humbling to consider it all and how often this is taken for granted.
Life is truly a treasure, a gift to be opened and then given back to the One who gave it. I am so guilty of doing my own thing, going my own way and living my own life often without much consideration of the impact I may or may not have. Jesus affected every person He encountered on this earth. I can only hope to walk in His ways, and its only by His Grace that my steps begin again and again. He is so faithful to follow beside me, picking me up along the way and setting me back upon His pathway to real life. I often wonder why He does not grow tired of repeating such things.
Jesus dripped love and mercy, unwavered by obvious sin in those He came across each day. And it is with same undying love and mercy that we are to extend to others. Without judgement, He shared His great love and how passionate the Father is about is children. Why do we find this so difficult or, should I say, so easy to slip away from? With Him, all things are possible! Without Him, our struggles overwhelm us and choke out the very life He died to give us. Lately, I have found myself looking through those judgemental attitudes of my own, then wondering how Christ loves me so unreservedly, so passionately and so deeply.
Recently, I read a chat post from a Christian in another state who was participating in prayer vigil outside a newly opened abortion clinic. It was stated the purpose was for Christian's to pray there and the reason actually took me by surprise. Evidently, the purpose of this vigil was so the doctor would not feel welcome there and would pack up, moving somewhere else. I must admit how troubled my spirit is over such an action. What about that doctor's soul? What about his salvation and eternal fate? Did anyone think of him?
I guess the 'Christian' side of social justice is as flawed as the non-Christian ways. I can agree with wanting the killing of unborn children to stop and am glad there are people who are willing to step out in prayer, standing on the gap for those who cannot speak. And, I must admit, I wouldn't want an abortion clinic set up in my own back yard either. But who is praying for the doctor who performs those abortions? Who is praying for the nurses and other staff there? Are they any less worthy of God's Grace than I? I think not! Have we, as Christians, become so proud in our 'faith' that we are quick to stand up against wrong doing, denounce the sin so obvious in anothers actions but not once think of what sin in our own? Why do we have the 'us against them' mentality?
I was listening to the radio yesterday afternoon and the story about the Pharisee and the tax collector was read. It talked about how the Pharisee had gone to the temple to pray, ever thankful he was not like 'other men'. He wasn't a robber, an adulterer or other 'evil doer'. He thanked God that he fasted twice a week and paid his tithes. Oh how we, as Christian's, have become so religiously proud of ourselves! Proud in that we place ourselves above the lowly sinner, those lost in this world and are actually glad we aren't like that anymore.
Yet, what captured the heart of God was the tax collector as he prayed. He was so humbled by God's magnificence, he couldn't lift his head towards Heaven. His prayer was simple yet honestly aware of his condition, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner." And Jesus said, "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God." Luke 18:14 (NIV).
Oh God, forgive us, Lord for our pride! Heal our hearts from inner darkness, those places where we have yet to allow Your Light shine. Deliver us, Lord, from ourselves and cause us to walk before you with humble hearts, aware of our condition yet equally aware that, by Your Grace alone, we have life everlasting. God, allow Your Holy Spirit to convict us of judgemental attitudes, of reasoning our way of doing things as right and purify our motives. Let us seek You in all that we do, everything we set our hand to. But most of all, Jesus, work deeply in each of us so that Your love, Your mercy and Your Grace is seen within us. Let us be extensions of Christ, examples in every way so that You are lifted up. May You receive all the Glory God! Teach us to walk humbly before You, and give us wisdom, God, for discerning You in every moment of life. Let us have eyes to see and ears to hear! I pray God, for Your forgiveness, as I confess my faults before you, my sins are many but Your Grace is sufficient. I thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and Your love. Without you, God, I am indeed lost. But with You, Lord, is where I long to be, at Your feet, laying down everything. And once more, I surrender....
Monday, August 31, 2009
In God We Trust...
I thought I would eventually get to posting my Honduras journal but that isn't happening just yet. So, hopefully I can (at some point) post it entirely in some kind of format. Maybe upload as a file, hmm...
This morning, I was reading in Galatians via The Message Remix and have been pondering the Law vs. Grace quite heavily these days. It seems like the church continually wants to resurrect the Law in so many aspects, all the while claiming to be free from it. It does not seem like you can have it both ways though, does it? I mean you can't be a slave to the Law AND be totally free at the same time. The very thought is contradictory in itself.
The Amplified Bible, in Matthew 6:24 reads, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). And it is the "whatever is trusted in" that determines what/whom we are fully serving. Do we place our trust in the One True and Holy God or in our own abilities, accomplishments and plans? For if we do the latter, then we are not doing the former. It just doesn't work!
Over and over again, I read in Galatians about trusting in Christ, not the Law. The more I read, the more convinced I have become that our traditions and teachings that come from many pulpits echos Galatians 4:17 "They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them." (NASB) And I really like how The Message puts that same scripture: " Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God's grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important."
This has been so central in my frustration lately, I feel like I will burst if I don't release this word. And, I speak to myself in all of this! God is so good and faithful at showing us our own hearts and what motivates us. I find myself sickened at my own selfishness and tactics self-preservation when I am supposed to 'die daily'. That flesh vs. spiritual battle rears its ugly head once more...but, thankfully, the victory is the Lord's.
The church has become full of old Paul's - you know, that man who continually persecuted Christians for their beliefs until he met Jesus face to face and was transformed from within. Paul was an excellent student of the Law. Paul himself addressed this in the book of Galatians, chapter 1 where he says in verses 13-15: "I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me."
What we need is that face to face, blinding encounter with Jesus. Then I wonder why it takes such a thing to get get our attention anyway? Because we are trying to do it all ourselves....that's why!
The purpose of the Law was "...to make obvious to everyone that we are, in ourselves, out of right relationship with God, and therefore to show us the futility of devising some religious system for getting by our own efforts what we can only get by waiting in faith for God to complete his promise. For if any kind of rule-keeping had power to create life in us, we would certainly have gotten it by this time. " Galatians 3:21-22.
So what was this promise we are waiting on? Faith in Jesus, being set right in our relationship to the Father God through Jesus Christ. Galatians 23-27, "Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise. "
The free life in Christ does not involve any other mediator other than Jesus. A priest, pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle or can never make you right with God. Their purpose, according to scripture, is to point you to the One who can -- Jesus Christ. The Promise of God's plan has been restoring His children back to Himself, through faith and relationship in Jesus. Being dependent on any man or woman to make you right with God is futile and will indeed result in eternal separation from God. If you do not know Jesus, you are lost. Some will talk about Jesus, placing a a God tag on every effort they can muster yet they never know Him. Jesus not only wants you to know Him, He wants you to allow Him to know you - your hopes, your dreams, your fears, your failures, every detail (large or small). He does not condemn you or turn you away, He will never leave you or forsake you. His touch is gentle, never pushy or overbearing. And His yoke is easy, His burden is light.
Galatians 3:10-12, "...anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: "Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law." The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: "The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that's the real life." Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: "The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them."
It is impossible to earn your way to God or to earn His approval by any means other than Jesus. Even those who have asked Christ into their hearts still have that fleshly tendency to strive and strive in working FOR God, doing things for Him when we really don't have to or need to. Jesus died for our freedom from the flesh and its dead ways. He rose again, giving us victory to do all things THROUGH CHRIST because He alone is our strength.
I encourage you this day with this word:
This morning, I was reading in Galatians via The Message Remix and have been pondering the Law vs. Grace quite heavily these days. It seems like the church continually wants to resurrect the Law in so many aspects, all the while claiming to be free from it. It does not seem like you can have it both ways though, does it? I mean you can't be a slave to the Law AND be totally free at the same time. The very thought is contradictory in itself.
The Amplified Bible, in Matthew 6:24 reads, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in). And it is the "whatever is trusted in" that determines what/whom we are fully serving. Do we place our trust in the One True and Holy God or in our own abilities, accomplishments and plans? For if we do the latter, then we are not doing the former. It just doesn't work!
Over and over again, I read in Galatians about trusting in Christ, not the Law. The more I read, the more convinced I have become that our traditions and teachings that come from many pulpits echos Galatians 4:17 "They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them." (NASB) And I really like how The Message puts that same scripture: " Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God's grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important."
This has been so central in my frustration lately, I feel like I will burst if I don't release this word. And, I speak to myself in all of this! God is so good and faithful at showing us our own hearts and what motivates us. I find myself sickened at my own selfishness and tactics self-preservation when I am supposed to 'die daily'. That flesh vs. spiritual battle rears its ugly head once more...but, thankfully, the victory is the Lord's.
The church has become full of old Paul's - you know, that man who continually persecuted Christians for their beliefs until he met Jesus face to face and was transformed from within. Paul was an excellent student of the Law. Paul himself addressed this in the book of Galatians, chapter 1 where he says in verses 13-15: "I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me."
What we need is that face to face, blinding encounter with Jesus. Then I wonder why it takes such a thing to get get our attention anyway? Because we are trying to do it all ourselves....that's why!
The purpose of the Law was "...to make obvious to everyone that we are, in ourselves, out of right relationship with God, and therefore to show us the futility of devising some religious system for getting by our own efforts what we can only get by waiting in faith for God to complete his promise. For if any kind of rule-keeping had power to create life in us, we would certainly have gotten it by this time. " Galatians 3:21-22.
So what was this promise we are waiting on? Faith in Jesus, being set right in our relationship to the Father God through Jesus Christ. Galatians 23-27, "Until the time when we were mature enough to respond freely in faith to the living God, we were carefully surrounded and protected by the Mosaic law. The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them from danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set out for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise. "
The free life in Christ does not involve any other mediator other than Jesus. A priest, pastor, teacher, prophet, apostle or
Galatians 3:10-12, "...anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: "Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law." The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: "The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that's the real life." Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: "The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them."
It is impossible to earn your way to God or to earn His approval by any means other than Jesus. Even those who have asked Christ into their hearts still have that fleshly tendency to strive and strive in working FOR God, doing things for Him when we really don't have to or need to. Jesus died for our freedom from the flesh and its dead ways. He rose again, giving us victory to do all things THROUGH CHRIST because He alone is our strength.
I encourage you this day with this word:
But Jesus' priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he's working from a far better plan. If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn't have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said, Heads up! The days are coming when I'll set up a new plan for dealing with Israel and Judah. I'll throw out the old plan I set up with their ancestors when I led them by the hand out of Egypt. They didn't keep their part of the bargain, so I looked away and let it go. This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.I'll be their God, they'll be my people. They won't go to school to learn about me, or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons. They'll all get to know me firsthand, the little and the big, the small and the great. They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven, with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust."
Leave your old ways, plans and programs on the shelf. Awaken to a new life, one of freedom in Christ alone!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Honduras journal...a prelude
This will be a series of entries over the next several days as excerpted by my journal from my recent Honduras trip. My thoughts are not in any particular order so bear with the randomness of my thought process along the way. God is indeed working behind the scenes and I am trying not to get in His way.
TUESDAY, July 14, 2009...Two more days until I leave for Honduras. There are so many things left still for me to do and yet time slipping away so quickly. This happens daily but I guess I am much more aware of it when I have a schedule or deadline to maintain. I don't like schedules, too restraining and box like. Ugh! With two days left to prepare, excitement, anticipation and a sense of awe and wonder wash over me unexpectedly through the days of late. I went to Living Waters Church this past Sunday. The congregation prayed for me, along with Samuel, Sarah, Alvin and the MEH ministry (http://www.mehonduras.org). Being out of organized church for a few weeks is very foreign to me and I do miss corporate worship. I was very thankful for being part of a group of folks just loving on Jesus that morning. The simple, non-orchestrated or hyped service was very refreshing and certainly a welcome change from the church I recently came out of. I don't think I could take any more services of loud music right now. It's just where God has me right now.
I'm already tired today. I kind of feel like my body is fighting off a cold and my left ear still has water in it from being at the lake a few days ago. And now, my belly is acting weird but all is well! We departure for the airport tomorrow evening since our plane leaves so early on Thursday morning. Sarah's parents, Kim and Joe are driving Samuel and myself to the airport to catch the plane. I'm sure Sam will be glad to see his sister again and I pray God continues working within his heart for this trip especially. I got the duffle bags packed yesterday with all the supplies & donations we plan to take down. My dehydrator went on the blink so I had to borrow Kim's to finish up on the deer jerky for Alvin. I suppose I could make a to-do list but am certain I would be overwhelmed by it all right now. So, for now, I will continue to plug along at my mental list, even it seems hit and miss right now.
Mike left for a training session in Charleston this morning. This training coincides with my trip and I doubt we get to see each other again before I leave tomorrow night. So it most likely will be 10 days before we see each other again. Maybe he can drive home just for a bit, I don't know. It's 2+ hours away and who knows what their training sessions will be like.
Doc called and I need to cover a shift for Connie at the vet office today. I really need this down time to pack but also sense something is up that needs to be taken care of there. I trust God knows what He is doing. I hope I'm not too tired to write later but I'm not planning on doing anything. Making our own plans tends to thwart the God-dependency we all so much need but avoid. It's not about being prepared rather in planning the day or our time so much we typically leave little or any room for God to reveal Himself. It boils down to control and, while I am in Honduras, I am so not in control of anything. Right now, this is what I need the most - total God-dependency and trust. A sigh of relief comes.....
TUESDAY, July 14, 2009...Two more days until I leave for Honduras. There are so many things left still for me to do and yet time slipping away so quickly. This happens daily but I guess I am much more aware of it when I have a schedule or deadline to maintain. I don't like schedules, too restraining and box like. Ugh! With two days left to prepare, excitement, anticipation and a sense of awe and wonder wash over me unexpectedly through the days of late. I went to Living Waters Church this past Sunday. The congregation prayed for me, along with Samuel, Sarah, Alvin and the MEH ministry (http://www.mehonduras.org). Being out of organized church for a few weeks is very foreign to me and I do miss corporate worship. I was very thankful for being part of a group of folks just loving on Jesus that morning. The simple, non-orchestrated or hyped service was very refreshing and certainly a welcome change from the church I recently came out of. I don't think I could take any more services of loud music right now. It's just where God has me right now.
I'm already tired today. I kind of feel like my body is fighting off a cold and my left ear still has water in it from being at the lake a few days ago. And now, my belly is acting weird but all is well! We departure for the airport tomorrow evening since our plane leaves so early on Thursday morning. Sarah's parents, Kim and Joe are driving Samuel and myself to the airport to catch the plane. I'm sure Sam will be glad to see his sister again and I pray God continues working within his heart for this trip especially. I got the duffle bags packed yesterday with all the supplies & donations we plan to take down. My dehydrator went on the blink so I had to borrow Kim's to finish up on the deer jerky for Alvin. I suppose I could make a to-do list but am certain I would be overwhelmed by it all right now. So, for now, I will continue to plug along at my mental list, even it seems hit and miss right now.
Mike left for a training session in Charleston this morning. This training coincides with my trip and I doubt we get to see each other again before I leave tomorrow night. So it most likely will be 10 days before we see each other again. Maybe he can drive home just for a bit, I don't know. It's 2+ hours away and who knows what their training sessions will be like.
Doc called and I need to cover a shift for Connie at the vet office today. I really need this down time to pack but also sense something is up that needs to be taken care of there. I trust God knows what He is doing. I hope I'm not too tired to write later but I'm not planning on doing anything. Making our own plans tends to thwart the God-dependency we all so much need but avoid. It's not about being prepared rather in planning the day or our time so much we typically leave little or any room for God to reveal Himself. It boils down to control and, while I am in Honduras, I am so not in control of anything. Right now, this is what I need the most - total God-dependency and trust. A sigh of relief comes.....
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Some interesting finds...
So I have been searching for a loom recently, something small to begin with would have been fine. I have looked off and on for a while now but not being sure of what exactly to look for really. Over the weekend, I came across a Craig's List ad from someone having a few looms to part with for 'best offer'. So, I called and went to look. This is what I found...
At left, the Weaver's Delight loom, stamped 9202 out of 35,000 made between 1887 and 1980 something. At right, a 48" Cambridge 4 harness loom unknown date of production, but still looking. Not shown are two table looms, one an Ashford and the other unknown maker.
Imagine my surprise when the seller offered me these gems at free for my taking them! Talk about a provision and answered prayer. I'm still astonished and in awe God would look so favorably on my request to provide a loom over and above my expectations, along with no cost aside from gasoline to drive up and back. I have no words......
At left, the Weaver's Delight loom, stamped 9202 out of 35,000 made between 1887 and 1980 something. At right, a 48" Cambridge 4 harness loom unknown date of production, but still looking. Not shown are two table looms, one an Ashford and the other unknown maker.Imagine my surprise when the seller offered me these gems at free for my taking them! Talk about a provision and answered prayer. I'm still astonished and in awe God would look so favorably on my request to provide a loom over and above my expectations, along with no cost aside from gasoline to drive up and back. I have no words......
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