Where was God?

We will not soon forget the horrific events of December 14, 2012.  What started out as a typical day ended anything but typical for the residents of Newton, CT and the world.   I have no personal connection to any of the families who have been ripped apart nor can I even begin to imagine the depth of their grief.  I only know my heart and throat felt like someone was strangling me as I went to bed that night.  My grief became my enemy when trying to breathe and my mind raced trying to make sense of how anyone could do this horrible act against innocent children and those who tried to protect them.

Earlier that evening this question was posed, “Where was God?”  Even Jesus voiced this question of his father, God.   I’ve thought a lot about that question today.  I didn’t know what to say.  How would you have answered?  If you were one of those parents, would you have wanted a pat cliché answer?   Is there an answer?

Theological reasoning’s to this question have been explored and debated for centuries.  This debate does not however mean God was absent. 

I do know this; God was in the same place when his son was murdered.  He knows what it is to grieve over a loved one.  To give and love and be denied those in return.  He finds no pleasure in witnessing the indescribable acts his creation does to one another.  Nor does he find pleasure in letting go of someone who chooses to reject him.[i]  He has long been denied a place in our lives except when it is beneficial to us.  Nor, as has been suggested, did the gate for these indescribable acts swing open the day prayer was taken out of school.  The groundwork was laid long before then and has been built upon as our tolerance to truth and violence weakens. 

It strikes me no one is questioning the ‘where and why’ of evil (aka Satan) that day?  Satan is not a harmless once-a-year-Halloween-appearance person wearing a red suit with horns and a pitchfork.  He is a force who knows his time is limited and will steal, kill, and destroy anything or anyone who stands in his way including innocent children. [ii]  

Everything in life is not a clear black and white issue nor are the answers to life’s difficult questions.  Gun control is not be the solution in preventing these types of horrendous acts because morality and values cannot be legislated.  Those bent on destruction will find a avenue to accomplish it.

Being a child of God does not relieve us of pain.  We live in a world in which our actions affect others, good and bad.  But these are truths we can hold onto when everything else, including God, doesn’t make sense:

·         God is still God and there is no other equal to him or above him.  We can trust him even though we don’t understand.  Isaiah 40; 2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 55:8-9

·         He hasn’t abandoned you or me:  “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”  John 14:18; 2 Chronicles 16:9

·         We can have His peace in the midst of pain:  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid…I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 14:27; John 16:33)

Where was God that day?  Grieving alongside those whose hearts were ripped out.  Holding and giving them his strength to continue until he takes us to a home where there will be no more sorry, pain or hurt…ever again.

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[i] Ezekiel 33:11

[ii] 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; John 10:10

Expectations

Funny how one word can bring such diverse emotions.  Whether expectations are met or unmet they have the potential to bring disappointment and potential impacts on our lives that can last a lifetime. 

We have expectations from family, friends and coworkers; from our employers and government; contractual expectations from various sources.  This is a year of political expectations.

As parents we have expectations, some spoken and some not, for and from our children and likewise they have of us.

 

The disciples and people in Jesus time had expectations from him

The mother of James & John expected her boys to have special favor with Jesus because….well, because after all they were in the ‘inner circle’.

The disciples expected John to get answers from Jesus when the others didn’t want to approach him.

The multitudes had expectations of healing, deliverance, and supplying food (John 6:26) for them.

The religious elite expected Jesus to ‘toe the line’ and conform to their expectations of a messiah. 

We have expectations of Jesus today.  The outcome of our fulfilled and unfulfilled expectations of him plays a major role in our current and future faith and beliefs.

Sometimes our expectations of God are unrealistic.  There are situations we put ourselves in as a result of either ignorance or total rebellion of God’s ways and truths and then look to God like a genie in a bottle for immediate relief.  When he doesn’t do his magic we then assume he doesn’t love us (because if he did he would give us everything we ever asked for!) so we storm out of our relationship like a spoiled child slamming the door.   

I certainly am not expert on the mind and ways of God…none of us really are.  Just when we think we have him figured out (i.e., “Ten steps to________”) we realize God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Expectations are blown out of the water and we start back on square one with learning all over again about trust and faith in what we can’t see but yet our hearts tell us is real. 

There are other times we pray with purely unselfish reasons and God doesn’t answer the way we think he should—a friend or family member suffering with unbearable pain with no relief in sight.  Again our expectations of God are not fulfilled in the immediate answers we seek.  Trust and faith in the unseen is once again called upon even though we don’t understand the silence.     

Have you ever consider God’s expectations of us?  They are actually quite simple yet complicated for our “I” mentality. 

B ELIEVE…. in Jesus Christ as the one and only son of God (Jo 3:5-6, 16; 6:29; John 14:11).

O BEY… more than saying but living what we believe… (John 8:31-32; 14:15; John 15)

L OVE… one another as I love the Father (John 13:34-35).  Love is the product of BELIEVE and OBEY 

                    (1 John 4:18-19).

D ISCIPLE… is BELIVE, OBEY and LOVE in action (Matthew 28:18-20). 

Jesus said, “All who love me will do what I say.  My father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.  I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.  The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world.  I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.  I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.  The Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

(Jesus praying for you and me) “ Holy Father you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are…I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe (you and me!!) in me through their message….may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me…may they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me.” (John 14-17) 

It takes being BOLD to stand against popular beliefs and expectations.  It takes being BOLD  to live in this world, not become part of this world.  It takes being BOLD to live as Jesus would today. 

A fellow BOLD… in progress,

Kay

'those' people

One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is?

Luke 5:17, 21

Detractors will always show up where God’s harvest field is ready…but Gods power will show up even greater.

What if Jesus had given in to the pressure and standards of the religious elite of his day?  Think of all the people recorded in the Bible (and today) that would never have been touched, healed, delivered or given hope.  You and I would never have been offered a taste of grace because Jesus mission of why he came would never have been filled. 

There will always be well meaning friends and even coworkers within the religious establishments of our day that will try to convince us to stay within the norm, warn us to be careful or not understand our choices or decisions.  

Where is it written we must be careful of Jesus calling to “go into all the world and make disciples?”  Where is it written we will never have to give up our lives for the sake of the gospel?  Where is it written we will not be misunderstood or abandoned by others because of our choice to be a follower of Jesus Christ?  

Yes, I agree some persecution we hear about today is brought on because of foolish actions.  At the same time true persecution will always be on the heels of total abandonment of self in order for Gods work, his Kingdom (not ours) to be advanced.

Our standard and foundation must always align with what Jesus taught.  That in itself will be at odds with not only the world view but that of the established religious communities view.  Do we really want to live and be as Jesus set the example for us?   

I grew up with ‘be a fisherman for Jesus’ but with the warning  ‘don’t go into certain establishments because you wouldn’t want people to think poorly of Jesus.’  Do fishermen wait for the fish to jump out of the water or do they go where the fish live?  Didn’t Jesus go into homes and the marketplace to eat and drink with the those people of his day who were searching and disenfranchised with lifeless religion? 

Today, don’t  those people  also deserve to hear, and more importantly, see the grace of God?  And would those people actually feel welcomed in our religious establishments today?  According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life only 39% of Americans attend a church service once a week yet 92% believe in God or a universal spirit. [i]  Those people are clearly not coming into the church building.  They are not interested in a building; there is no power in a building.  They are interested in someone walking grace with them, not condoning or condemning them. When we, the body of Christ, move out of the building and show them Jesus rather than just telling them Jesus, grace begins to grow. 

What Jesus was accused of as blasphemy was the very avenue for forgiveness and healing to occur.  His actions caused those around and usually those outside the religious elite to be gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!” Luke 5:26

Jesus not only spoke grace he lived it.  He requires no less from us as his followers.

I have not yet arrived but am trying with his help to walk in grace every day.  Some days I stumble a lot.  What about you, want to walk grace together?

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[i] http://religions.pewforum.org/pdf/report2religious-landscape-study-chapter-1.pdf

Empyting

I’ve been reading a book about emptying oneself in order to make room for what God wants to do in and through our lives.  Must admit the self reflection has been revealing and emotionally exhausting at times.  Yet there has been, and is continuing to be, a cleansing very much like the summer rains I used to run in as a kid.  Did you ever do that?  Remember the fresh gentle rain falling on your warm skin?  Remember the relief from the heat and rejuvenation that came with the rain?  It recharged us to the point we could have run around until midnight with the energy that came from those rains.

This same kind of cleansing can come when we honestly ask the Lord to reveal things we have not let go from our past or dreams and hopes we are tight-fistedly holding onto for our future.  The wounds we never allow to heal from our past prevent us from using those as lessons in order to turn our past into opportunities to help someone else that is going through the same difficulty today.  The hopes and dreams we have do not need to hold our present in bondage if we allow the Lord to have those.  The harder we grip the less energy we have to live our today.  The harder we manipulate and work to have those dreams come to pass, the less we enjoy living our today.  We will never truly know if those dreams are planted in our hearts by the Lord until we release and allow God to fulfill his timing and his purposes in our lives. 

For me, I am learning there is a freedom in realizing I don’t have to know my future but rather trust that God will direct my current today to join paths with my future hopes and dreams.  Today I want to be open and prepared to hear God speak or see Him move in me and those around me.  Who knows, someone I come across today just may be that divine appointment from God to give clarity of his purposes for either me or them. 

Don’t dismiss the ‘outside’ appearance of a chance meeting.  God sometimes uses the most unlikely candidates to speak into each other’s life.

Philippians 1:6,2:3-4; 3:13; Jeremiah 29:11

Change

God created me at my core a unique individual, just as he has you, for his purposes and to bring him glory.  Period. 

His purpose and plan may change from time to time, day to day, and perhaps even moment to moment; our response can be interesting, adventurous and yet confusing and defiant—not on God’s part but ours or more specifically mine. 

Just the time I get comfortable it seems he changes the game plan AND without consulting me! 

Could this ‘change’ be the refreshing everlasting water[i] constantly flowing in and through me rather than stagnant and unyielding water I tend to gravitate to?  At heart, I am a very private person and like my time and my ways.  But I’m coming to realize God did not create me for…well, me.  That is not to say we don’t need quiet and/or alone times to refresh and be rejuvenated.  I’m talking about the avoidance of others just because I don’t feel like interacting or feel like changing my plans. 

Could it be that chance meeting was an ordained crossing of two paths God orchestrated for encouragement, healing or salvation?  Perhaps it was to be the exact moment in time for God’s glory to be revealed to one who is desperately seeking someone higher than their thoughts and ways.  Could it be God wants to teach me rather than the person I come across something or open my eyes in an area I have shut? 

I recently read that God could have created us with incorruptible bodies and morally flawless character but instead he created us out of dirt—clay.  Why?  So it would be absolutely obvious that anything of eternal value accomplished through our lives is from God and not from us[ii] (2 Corinthians 4:7).   

So in the end, it’s realizing my comfort is not God’s purpose for my life.  OUCH!!  Obedience and surrender are not popular topics nor are they to come from a defeatist attitude.  Obedience and surrender are costly.  They are also at the heart of understanding and accepting who God is, why he created me and how he takes great pleasure in my partnering with him for the amount of years he has given me to live.   

So at times it is with kicking and throwing tantrums that I surrender.  And with a grateful heart God doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve[iii] but rather with grace he loving opens his arms and walks beside me--wherever that may be.  Am I to do anything less for those around me? 

What about you?  Where are you in your process or should I say progress?

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[i] http://www.youversion.com/bible/John.7.38.nlt

[ii] Becoming A Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow (pg 78)

[iii] http://www.youversion.com/bible/Ps.103.10.nlt

No Vacancy

Summer time and vacations are upon us.  While we look forward to them, if we don't make plans ahead of time we will be faced with a lot of No Vacancy signs along the roads.

Could this be the imagery we think of when reading Philippians 3:13, “…I focus on one thing:  Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.  But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”

You might be thinking, “Where is the No Vacancy in that??”

The purpose of a No Vacancy sign is to let those seeking lodging know there is no room at that particular establishment.  Our past is a guest refusing to accept the No Vacancy sign and keeps coming back looking for a place to stay.

Our memories can become entanglements preventing us from moving out of our past and letting go of unhealthy patterns or behaviors in order to make better decisions for our present and future.

To stay in our past can be strangely comforting.  While we don’t like the end results at least we know what to expect.

Paul tells us in the above passage it isn’t easy but he focuses on “forgetting and looking forward.”  This takes a conscientious effort and determination not to invite and entertain the past but rather celebrate the change that comes from moving out of the past.  Look at change as an unexpected rain shower in the middle of summer, cleansing, refreshing and invigorating.

Once we deny our past a home we must then renew….restore…refurbish…replenish…(get the point?) our minds with new.  How do we do that?

Paul puts it this way, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”(Philippians 4:7) 

To fix our thoughts means to determine and strengthen our thought process and this takes practice.

“Those dominated by the sinful nature (which could be our past and its affects*) think about sinful things (dwelling in our past*), but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death.  But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  But you are not controlled by your sinful nature.  You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.  Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.” (Romans 8:5,6,9,12) 

So when Mr. & Mrs. Past want to take up residence in your mind stand firm to the progress you are making.  You are under no obligation to let them in.  Flash the NO VACANCY sign and flex your thought/mind muscle on truth. 

*thoughts added

Bold confidence

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.  Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence.  And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.  Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

1 John 3:18b-24

Truth is our foundation for confidence, not our feelings or emotions.  When our ‘house’ is built on this solid foundation the winds of doubt, discouragement, fear, disbelief, etc. will not destroy it.  This bold confidence does not come with a spirit of arrogance in demanding our own way or dictating to God what he should do in any given situation.  Rather it is a spirit of freedom in whom and whose we are that brings an innocence of trust, of hope and of expectation. 

David said in Psalm 5:3,7 “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.  Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.”

David didn’t live under the freedom of grace that we do today, his was a covenant of laws and regulations that brought death and guilt not life.  Yet David proclaimed this bold confidence not in his feelings or emotions but the truth of God’s unfailing love towards him. 

Today, if you believe in the name of Jesus Christ and call yourself his follower no matter the circumstances you find yourself in start building your house on truth not feelings…on hope and confidence not fear and guilt.  

M28 Discipleship Blog: The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success

M28 Discipleship Blog: The Warning Against Desiring Spiritual Success: The following blog is an excerpt from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers Copyright © 1992 by Oswald Chambers Publications Asso...

Who is your standard?

At 15 years of age Tom was diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye disease that would eventually steal his sight. Anyone who knew Tom always commented how positive his attitude was even in the face of difficult circumstance. But this was something he never anticipated nor wanted in his life. The floodgate to his emotions flung wide open in those first few days and weeks of receiving this diagnosis; shock, anger, fear, smashed hopes and dreams and anxiety to name a few. He would never be able to fulfill his dream of playing football for a big name team, never be able to drive, never see the face of the one he would hope to marry one day or even the faces of any
children God would bless their marriage with. Would anyone even want him without his sight?

His faith was tested.
Would he be able to live the words he often encouraged others with? Tom was faced with a decision we all face at some point in our lives; how and in what do we measure our value and worth? Is it in a particular physical or mental feature, a talent, a checkbook balance or material items? And what happens if one or more of these are snatched away without warning?

What we use today as a standard to measure our value and worth will either build or eventually destroy us. We must look to a standard that has always remained the same will never change according to fashion, “religious”, financial or political climates around us. We cannot look to Hollywood, a particular Wall Street or Washington, DC to determine our worth or value.

There is only one standard by which we can determine our value. God’s standard revealed in his Word. Nothing is greater than God and He holds himself true to His faithfulness and the validity of his Word. God’s value and worth He places in us is like a thread sewn throughout His word, it is strong and will never break, tear or crumble. The circumstances that come into our lives won’t scare him or change his mind about us.

God’s word says, “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change is mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19)
“And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!” (1 Samuel 15:19)

Tom came to realize that God uses difficult circumstances in our lives to refine us not to define us. He was still Tom whether he could see or not.

What about you? In what or whom do you find your value and worth, and is it reliable and unchangeable?

Robbed or protected?

My home was broken into and robbed. Everything of value was taken and the aftermath left me with fear and a sense of defilement. Doors are now locked at all times, everyone must knock before entering. The so-called “Welcome” mat is no longer as welcoming. Everyone that comes to the door is viewed with suspicion. Every little noise is no longer heard as charming character noises in my old home but rather unnerving as nails going down a chalkboard. “Is he
back?” and “Am I safe?” are questions that frequent my minds speech.

I am not talking about a physical burglary but rather an emotional and spiritual burglary. The culprit has been caught and sentenced but not without leaving his mark in my life. I’m talking about Mr. Worry.

He has broken into many homes. He is a scavenger looking for the unsuspected victim and taking advantage of anyone whose guard is down leaving fear and anxiety trailing behind him in the aftermath of his invasion. Has he ever broken into your home?

Jesus gave us some steps to combat and guard against having this invasion happen in our lives today in Matthew 6:
1. Don’t have a pack-rat mentality. (v19)
2. Invest in commodities that have a failsafe future and can't be stolen today. (v20-21)
3. Know who your Investor is. (v24)
4. Don’t be impulsive and fall for the latest “must-have” advertisements. (vs25-30)
5. Base every decision on Truth and the “returns” of your decisions will sustain you. (vs 31-34)

Worry and faith are like oil and water. They cannot exist in the same house together.
Paul said, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
The “cannot see” is the part that trips us up today thereby letting our guards down for the invasion of worry.

Jesus asked the crowds a very powerful question that day which begs repeating today, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Is what you and and I spend our time thinking and worrying about today going to add a single moment of peace and resolution to our life or does it just rob us of life?

Who has access to the door of your heart today?

Solid foundation

“Honey you just got the rug pulled out from underneath you.” As a little girl I used to think this was a rather strange saying. How could someone pull a rug out from underneath me while I was standing on it?

As I grew up and lived life I realized the meaning of this saying: the unexpected will come into our lives and unless our footing is secure the very foundation we stand upon will be pulled out from underneath us and usually without warning.

When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” could Jesus have been saying the same thing? Peter’s answer, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-20) Peter was declaring the very foundation he would be standing on from that day forward. At times, he didn’t understand it, maybe didn’t always live it, but the foundation was being built with every word, every experience, everything he witnessed walking alongside Jesus.

Verse 21 says, “From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many terrible things...” Jesus couldn’t tell them the horrendous things he was about to experience until they had discovered for themselves the foundation they would not only stand upon but lay their very lives down for. That foundation was and is today solid and unwavering; nothing can destroy or change it.

The same question begs an answer from us today. Who do we say the Son of Man is? Our answer becomes the foundation upon which we stand during good times and what supports and keeps us from falling during rough times. Any foundation that is not solid, not built upon the truth of who Jesus is, will collapse at the first tremor. There is no storm the truth of God cannot weather yet remain solid through.

Paul gave witness to this foundation. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
(2Cor 4:7-9) Isaiah said, “In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6)
These are truths we can stand upon.

So, who do you say the Son of Man is? Who or what is the foundation you stand upon and is it safe?

Celebrating uniqueness

I was in a meeting recently where there was a clear distinction between different personalities and even God given gifts. From the discussion it would seem some were either trying to become like others in the room (and becoming frustrated or disappointed in their “lack of___”) or trying to get others to come into their
particular gifting (“you just need to allow the Spirit to……………”). While I believe we need to allow the Spirit to move in and through us, this too can be frustrating at times. But what happens when we don’t sense the Holy Spirit moving in a particular situation; revealing the answer for either yourself or the person asking you for help; or when we don’t hear the Holy Spirit concerning the next move we should make? All the while He seems to be doing all these in others.

While I truly believe everyone’s motives were not to duplicate themselves in that meeting but rather be an encouragement for each other to think-out-of-the-box for new possibilities, let’s face it--it can be frustrating to not see ourselves or others in a spiritual gift we want to be in.

It was very clear at this meeting that hearts were touched by the message; they believed the message, stood in awe at the results of the message yet at the same time to fulfill the message would be a complete 180 in not only thinking but ‘doing’. It would take a complete overhaul of preconceived ideas so ingrained it would
shatter their world as they knew it. It was also very clear the Holy Spirit had been working in their hearts and lives moving toward this change. This too was frustrating.

Paul said in Corinthians we are all part of the body. An arm can’t pretend or act like an eye, or an ear like a foot, yet all are important for the healthy function of the body.
“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person” should have (1Cor 12:11)
Paul then describes the functions of the body and makes this statement, “So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other…one suffers…all suffer…one is honored…all are glad.” (I Cor 12:24-25)

I started thinking how I treat others that are different than me. Do I honor those that wouldn’t ‘do as I would do’ or who aren’t as ‘spiritually mature’ as I am (said with tongue-in-cheek)? Whichever part I am, am I working in harmony with the others?
Encouraging them in their uniqueness and different thinking? For those who are acting less honorable do I try to clothe them with love, grace and mercy or expose them for who they are?
“In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care.”

God not only gives to each of us gifts and the ability to work in those gifts, he uses our personality through which those gifts take shape. Each of us is going to be different. It is the vehicle through which the world around us sees God in action.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Prov 27:16-18)
When we stop trying to mold fit but rather encourage one another in the uniqueness and richness God has created each of us for His glory to be seen, the body of Christ will once again become healthy.
There is friction in sharpening one iron with another…let us be careful not to stab one another in the process.

Wisdom or arrogance?

“Kay, you blew it! Why did you feel the need to expound on a truthful but simple statement? Would have been fine to just let the statement stand and work on its message. My ‘so called wisdom’ was not needed!!”

This was the conversation I had with myself yesterday when leaving a local clinic where I volunteer. Was I trying to impress my client or was it truly the Holy Spirit working through me to reach this young lady? Valid question. While I believe the Lord can speak through us we must learn to distinguish between the two. One brings life the other sucks life.

Pride if not dealt with will always falsely draw others to us rather than releasing them to the One who is true wisdom.

Genesis 3:6 is one of the first references to wisdom in the bible. “She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her.” Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, offered it to her husband and false wisdom drew them not closer but away from the Source of wisdom and ever since we have been struggling to submit our wisdom and pride to God’s wisdom. God’s wisdom is always available to us but we cannot rob God of something before he is ready to give it.
True wisdom is born through humility, while pride is born through false humility that puffs us up in arrogance, conceit and smugness.

Pride leads to disgrace and humiliation while humility brings honor and wisdom (Proverbs 11:2; 29:23).

The Apostle Paul said, “In him (Jesus) lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments (prideful words?).” Col 2:4

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition (pride), there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 1:5;3:13,16-18

When I truly examine my heart and motives in light of the scriptures, then my mouth and actions must also be aligned with the true Source of wisdom.

“Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.
Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
(Psalm 141:3-4; 139:23)

Press on to possess

What would happen if I rode my bike, went for a walk, drove my car or cooked a meal all the while not looking forward but behind me? Well, if you knew me you would realize I wouldn’t need that reasoning for falling off my bike or tripping while walking (I do that quite well looking ahead!!). A car accident would be more than probable and cooking would be a disaster. What about our relationships? If we always remember and base any present or future relationships on what he/she/they did to us are we not living in the today with our hearts looking backwards?

In order to look forward the Apostle Paul had a lot to forget. Not only in whom he had become or what he did to others in the name of religion, but what was now being done to him in the name of religion.
“…I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me…forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…” *

The possess Paul describes as central to this process is the same described in the gospels when people brought their loved ones to Jesus for deliverance. This possession is a total takeover of our minds, hearts, a seizing of all of us by Christ. But just as importantly, and we tend to miss, is our possession of Christ; a desperate seizing, a grabbing hold of, and a willful abandonment of all of me, for all of him. When we forgo our righteousness and allow Christ’s to become ours we can release the hold our past has on us today.

I love the vulnerability of Paul! “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…”* It’s ok to admit we don’t have it altogether, and at times we may even fail. But I also love the encouragement Paul gives, “… we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”* This speaks of present, actively pursuing and looking forward, taking the hard road and doing the work by not giving up or in to past behaviors or thoughts.
It is a permanent forgetting of the past in order to create and build upon the present and future.

Wherever you are in this process be assured you are not alone. We all have a lot of work to do…don’t give up! “Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”*
Our promise: “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Phil 2:13)

*Philippians 3:9-16

Costume change

As a little girl I remember playing dress-up, being magically transformed into nurses, teachers, fairy princesses and doctors. Perhaps you became Darth Vader or a cowboy or ruler of an unseen kingdom.
Remember how the costume became the doorway into living, albeit for a short amount of time, the character by taking on the characteristics and mindset (or what we could possibly imagine it would be at that age) of a particular person? Sometimes the language would even change, especially if we were living in France or England. We spoke words with no clue of their meaning, they just sounded like it would be what that character would have sounded like.

When our children were younger they would play for hours with costume jewelry my mother-in-law had given them. They would become pirates on the open seas (amazing what a Sit ‘n Spin would transform into) or in the summertime marooned on a desert island when playing in the pool.

I must admit, there are times when the simplicity and excitement of those days would be wonderful to slip back into especially when my day is hectic or demanding.

I was thinking of this in view of the perspective Paul gives in Colossians 3:10-14.
“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and forgive anyone who offends you…above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”

Opposite of our childlike transformations, this “clothing change” becomes permanent, or at least it was designed to. This is the new nature and renewing Paul speaks about in Colossians 3. It is one-size-fits-all yet amazingly fits each one perfectly. Cannot be sold, bartered or exchanged, although we can choose to never wear or own it. Never needs washed or cleaned, yet is renewed daily within us.
What is the old costume we are to get rid of in exchange for the new?
“…sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world…get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” (Col 3:5-10)

Don’t rush through these words. God chose you…He loves you…He wants to live in and be with you. We put on this new clothing, taking on his character, by learning to know our Creator and become like him. Jesus said, “…I am in the Father and the Father is in me. All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them and we will come and make our home with each of them.” (Jo 14:9-11, 23)

So how well are we who call ourselves Christ followers doing? Do we play dress-up with respect to our new life in Christ or have we really taken on and become transformed into who and what Christ represented on earth? When we walk outside our homes do others “see, hear, feel or experience” God when they encounter us? Is our language one of love, mercy, compassion, gentleness, forgiveness and humility or is it “church-anese” that only a select group of people understands? Is this change of clothing one that I wear in my home with my loved ones or does my costume change according to whom I am with or trying to impress?

As eagerly as we played dress up as a child, today may we be all the more eager to exchange our old worn out costume for the new.

I grew up with something that is almost unheard of today. For some in my family it was a great source of embarrassment but for me it was the norm, all I ever knew until I was in 7th grade. I grew up in a small town and although we were not the only ones with this, it still wasn’t in the typical home. While some might be familiar with this in camping situations, it would definitely not be characteristic for most 21st century Americans. What I am referring to is an outhouse. In the summer the trips to the outhouse would be quick because of the heat and in the winter they would even be quicker because of the cold. At night, my mother had a chamber bucket in our cellar of which she would make the trip every morning to empty in the outhouse.

Today I have 3 ½ baths in my home…guess you could say, “you’ve come a long way baby!”

I’ve recently been thinking of that old outhouse and have found some valuable lessons in it. Believe it or not we all have lived with the affects of an outhouse in our lives.

ONE OUTHOUSE RUNOFF AFFECTS OTHERS
We live in a domino world. Everything we do has an effect on someone else. Whether intentional or not we sometimes find ourselves living with the “stench” of others choices which has the potential of horrendous impact on our lives. Most times how much of an impact is determined by how much power we choose to give them.
The apostle Paul didn’t allow others actions to deter or determine his mission.
“Everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News…everyone here…knows I am in chains because of Christ. It is true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry…intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter…the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice.” Philippians 1
Paul chose to take the higher road and rejoice thereby diffusing the potential effect of others on his life and outlook.

CLEANING TIME
To keep the refuse at a manageable level, from time to time a company would come to empty the outhouse.
Paul knew the heart has to be cleansed of the refuse we allow to filter in: pride, self-righteousness, position and prestige, money, complacency, etc.
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done…I have discarded everything else counting it all as garbage*, so that I could gain Christ and become like him.” Philippians 3:7-11
Jesus said, “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” Matthew 15:17-19
*Greek: sku/balon which means refuse, the excrement (dung) of animals = crap

HOUSE MOVING TIME
When the outhouse was moved what was left behind became a wonderful source of fertilizer. When it seems like there is no way out remember this, we won’t always have to live with the effects someone else’s refuse. “If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
Rather than complaining about the outhouse being moved and the emptiness left behind, my father planted a garden. Not just any garden but with all that fertilizer his was always the best garden on the block! Rather than complaining about the residual of the domino affects in our lives use them as fertilizer to produce a bountiful harvest. Jesus never promised a “no-fertilized” life, but he did promise if we remain in him we would produce fruit—no matter what was put into our soil. (John 15)

Longing Fulfilled

Have you ever experienced a longing, to the point of an aching in your heart for someone you once knew? Perhaps that person is no longer living or perhaps they moved away and can no longer physically share in a cup of coffee or go for a walk. Perhaps there has been a strain in the relationship and although the physical distance is not great, emotionally the distance seems like planets away. A word or thought conjures memories that only make the longing greater.

David described this longing when he wrote, “God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (Ps 63:1O) Because we were all made in God’s image (Gen 1:26-27) there is a longing in our hearts to know Him and to have intimacy with Him. Some may try to fill this longing with material objects while others may try to fill this with spiritual objects or customs, all the while still experiencing a longing that cannot be filled.
Something is missing…rather some One is missing.

The amazing truth is God wants and longs for that same intimacy with us! This same God who created the universe, things we can see and those that haven’t been discovered yet; all creatures great and same; the very air we breathe; planets and their positions…EVERYTHING! And yet, He wants an intimate relationship with you and me!
This is mind boggling for me.

Fact is we were created for intimacy!! As God created us to be relational with each other, he also created us to be relational with him. Isaiah wrote, “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.” (Is 30:18) God is not just an image or statue or thought to be worshipped, sung about, or talked about only one day a week.

The only way to nurture any relationship is by getting to know that person. If we only observed from a distance or build a relationship based upon what others knew about that person it will never be our own personal relationship. Something would also be missing. Had I not spent time getting to know my husband but only listened to others describe their relationship with him admiration rather than love would have developed. I would have missed out getting to know and fall in love with an amazing man. Likewise only relying on another’s view of who God is cannot be the basis of what our relationship is with him. If it is we miss out on an amazing journey of past, present and future discoveries of “who and what” God is. The Bible describes a loving, compassionate, patient, kind, gentle and good God, who laughs, cries, sings, gets tired, hungry and yes even gets angry. We were created in His image and we experience all the same emotions.

We sense His closeness as we talk with Him. Sense His peace and comfort when we are lonely, sad, confused or in the midst of a crisis. We realize he will never leave us but always sticks closer to us than anyone else, no matter what we have done.

This is not a relationship based on Hollywood’s description of a God follower. Nor is it a relationship that is only available to certain people or classes of people. This relationship is available to anyone who wants and longs for it.

What about you? Where are you on this journey?