Today I was thinking about the Public Defender who has been assigned to the Colorado Theater Massacre suspect. How difficult it must be to be required to defend someone who is without a doubt guilty of some crime!
As I thought about this, the thought came to mind: This is who Jesus is for us. He is our Public Defender speaking on our behalf and when we have been declared "guilty", still we are set free because He has already paid the price.
Thanks be to God!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Giving in each season of life
On Mondays I meet with an elderly friend. We usually read a book together, but most importantly we share fellowship and pray for one another. I look forward to my weekly visits where I find encouragement and often am challenged to think more deeply about matters of faith.
My friend is a retired missionary and accomplished pianist. She has traveled the world sharing her gift of music. Now, playing the piano is a challenge and often she struggles to call to mind things that she taught for over 50 years. For example, today she commented that I was speaking "allegro" (a musical term for "fast.") I asked her the word for "slow" and it took her longer than she thought it should to finally remember "adagio". It is moments like this that my friend says "I have nothing more to give." She feels useless as she sees the gift she's shared for so many years fading away.
It is not unusual for people to begin to feel this way as they age, but this feeling is not unique to the elderly. We all have gifts that God has given us and talents that we've gained through training and hard work. These gifts and talents can become our identity and our foundation can be shaken when something hinders us from giving in the way we have in the past.
I remind my friend that we all go through seasons in life where the way we give needs to take on a new form. It is important that we focus on how God would choose to work through us today, rather than mourning over the fact that we can't give in the way we did yesterday. As long as we are on this earth, we can trust that God has a perfect plan for how He would like to work in and through us to bring honor to His Name and to draw others unto Himself.
We must remember that our identity is in who we are not what we do. We are God's children and, as such, we are of great value to Him. In each and every season of our lives, He has a plan and a purpose for us. We must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit's leading as He reveals the new way we can give of ourselves for His service today.
My friend is a retired missionary and accomplished pianist. She has traveled the world sharing her gift of music. Now, playing the piano is a challenge and often she struggles to call to mind things that she taught for over 50 years. For example, today she commented that I was speaking "allegro" (a musical term for "fast.") I asked her the word for "slow" and it took her longer than she thought it should to finally remember "adagio". It is moments like this that my friend says "I have nothing more to give." She feels useless as she sees the gift she's shared for so many years fading away.
It is not unusual for people to begin to feel this way as they age, but this feeling is not unique to the elderly. We all have gifts that God has given us and talents that we've gained through training and hard work. These gifts and talents can become our identity and our foundation can be shaken when something hinders us from giving in the way we have in the past.
I remind my friend that we all go through seasons in life where the way we give needs to take on a new form. It is important that we focus on how God would choose to work through us today, rather than mourning over the fact that we can't give in the way we did yesterday. As long as we are on this earth, we can trust that God has a perfect plan for how He would like to work in and through us to bring honor to His Name and to draw others unto Himself.
We must remember that our identity is in who we are not what we do. We are God's children and, as such, we are of great value to Him. In each and every season of our lives, He has a plan and a purpose for us. We must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit's leading as He reveals the new way we can give of ourselves for His service today.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,~ Proverbs 19:21
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Monday, July 16, 2012
The purist of motives
There is a blog called "Single Dad Laughing" that I sometimes read. Spiritually, Dan identifies himself as an agnostic [he was raised in the Mormon Church]. There are times, like today, when I read his blog and pray that he will make a connection between his experiences and the Amazing God that I know.
Today's SDL blog challenged me to think about my faith and how it is represented in the world. I'm going to share a few paragraphs and you can read the entire blog here. Just to give you a little background, Dan recently went hiking with some friends and ended up in a crisis that required a Search and Rescue Team to come to his aid [His 5 part blog about his experience can also be found in his blog page... in this particular blog he is sharing his decision to begin training to become a Search and Rescue Team member.]
Here are Dan's thoughts as the response team comes to his aid:
As I read this, I couldn't help but wonder... Has Dan, who is representative of a number of people, rejected Christ because those who claim to serve Him are doing so with a "judgmental response"? Did one too many people proclaim Jesus' name and then spout forth their own personal criteria to determine whether the individual's situation warranted help?
There are many people in the world today who are waiting for help from a Search and Rescue Team. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)... He wants us to help him with this mission. People are hurt, lost, thirsty... and we Christians are equipped to come to their aid. The question is, are we willing? and will we come to another person's aid with pure motives and without judgement? It may be that a life is depending upon it.
Today's SDL blog challenged me to think about my faith and how it is represented in the world. I'm going to share a few paragraphs and you can read the entire blog here. Just to give you a little background, Dan recently went hiking with some friends and ended up in a crisis that required a Search and Rescue Team to come to his aid [His 5 part blog about his experience can also be found in his blog page... in this particular blog he is sharing his decision to begin training to become a Search and Rescue Team member.]
Here are Dan's thoughts as the response team comes to his aid:
"...never did any of them ask how I got into that situation. They only asked themselves how they were going to get me out. They worked as a team and a brotherhood to get me the immediate medical care I needed, and nobody complained about any task they were given, no matter how big or how small. Nobody complained of the timing. Nobody complained of lost wages or time. Nobody complained about my inexperience or my stupidity.
As humans, I think we tend to look at others who are in trouble (whatever the trouble may be) and base our willingness to help on our own judgments of what got them into that situation. If the path that led them to where they are was one of stupidity, laziness, lack of education, or addiction, we often refuse our services.
I don’t know what I was expecting at the top of that mountain. I think I was expecting to have to explain myself and why my situation really did warrant help. I think I was expecting to have to explain how none of it was really my fault and how I was the victim of unknown forces. I think I was expecting to deal with Search and Rescue the same way people deal with others every single day… Fearful of judgmental response.
What I got instead was a glimpse at real love for one’s fellow man. It has been a long time since I’ve seen such a cooperative effort done from the purist of motives."
As I read this, I couldn't help but wonder... Has Dan, who is representative of a number of people, rejected Christ because those who claim to serve Him are doing so with a "judgmental response"? Did one too many people proclaim Jesus' name and then spout forth their own personal criteria to determine whether the individual's situation warranted help?
There are many people in the world today who are waiting for help from a Search and Rescue Team. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)... He wants us to help him with this mission. People are hurt, lost, thirsty... and we Christians are equipped to come to their aid. The question is, are we willing? and will we come to another person's aid with pure motives and without judgement? It may be that a life is depending upon it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Special Names
I love nicknames! Do you have any special names that only certain people use? I do and I love it! There's just something about hearing a dear friend or family member call you by a name that you know they chose just for you.
In Revelation 2:17, it says that God will give us a "white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." I've always imagined that was a special name... the nickname that Our Heavenly Father uses for us when He talks with the Son and the Holy Spirit about us. I don't think that it is a change from "Julie" to "Sarah" or "Elizabeth"... I think it's that special name that only My Father uses.... I imagine it's like Little House on the Prairie where Pa always calls Laura "Half-Pint".
I like that... can't wait to see what my new name will be! How wonderful it will be to hear it from My Father's lips when I see Him face to face. Joy!
In Revelation 2:17, it says that God will give us a "white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." I've always imagined that was a special name... the nickname that Our Heavenly Father uses for us when He talks with the Son and the Holy Spirit about us. I don't think that it is a change from "Julie" to "Sarah" or "Elizabeth"... I think it's that special name that only My Father uses.... I imagine it's like Little House on the Prairie where Pa always calls Laura "Half-Pint".
I like that... can't wait to see what my new name will be! How wonderful it will be to hear it from My Father's lips when I see Him face to face. Joy!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Church: a human institution with a divine commission.
I've recently had conversations with a few different people about the value of attending Church. I know many who have deep faith, but no interest in "religion" (i.e. the church as an institution). Today I received this devotional thought from the pastor of Bowling Green 1st Christian Church (where my parents attend).
In a pointed editorial in Saturday's New York Times, Maureen Dowd... posed a question... It is a question churches of every hue need to contemplate. "How do you take spiritual direction from a church that seems to be losing its soul?"I ask myself: am I a stumbling block or a stepping stone to others who would seek Christ?
I fear one of the reasons more and more people have opted out of church life rises from a feeling that the church doesn't have relevant answers for today's world. Young adults have witnessed scandal after scandal that have rocked both Protestant and Catholic Churches. They've seen churches fight and feud over things like the kind of music to be used in worship. They've seen people turned away from the church because of their skin color, their sexual orientation, or their poverty. They've seen television ministes get wealthy and committed small church pastors struggle for survival. They've heard liberal Churches demonized and conservative churches minimized. They've seen parents put on saintly faces on Sunday morning only to live like the devil the rest of the week. "How do you take spiritual direction from a church that seems to be losing its soul?"
While those of us in the institutional church wring our hands and worry about what is to become of the church, it might be good to remember a young man who lived years ago who felt the religious structure of his day had disappointed. "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you are making it a den of robbers," (Matt. 21:13). This young man wasn't anti-God. Indeed he had come from God with a message of hope and grace. He would die on a Roman cross for his new ideas and God would honor this young man by raising him from the dead.
I pray those who feel the church is losing its soul won't give up on their quest for God. And I pray they will recognize the church is capable of reformation and change. It is a human institution with a divine commission. When it works, it works better than any other human organization. When it is filled with those committed to be the faithful hands and feet of Christ, nothing on earth can stop it. If this is not the case today, may a new generation make it so.
Prayer: Lord, you give us the church as your body in the world. We confess its flaws and weakness. We pray for new strength and power to transform that which is corrupt into that which gives glory to you and bears witness to the life of Jesus. Renew us, we pray, in the name of our brother Jesus. Amen
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Critical of my brothers and sisters
Hmmm.... seems like today is another day that my blog will be a confession. I'm reflecting on yet another stumbling block in my walk with Christ and I'm seeking to move beyond another bad habit. The fact is, I have an overly critical heart when it comes to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Let me give you a few examples so you'll see what I mean:
Example 1: There is a woman I know who always seems to rub me the wrong way. Anytime someone has a problem to tackle she is always quick to quote a scripture or have a "pat answer". In my own spirit I feel her words are harsh and critical nearly saying "if you were just perfect in your faith like me, you would know that [this Bible truth, that resource] is the answer to all your problems." Now I know the Lord has used her to reach many people and impact their lives. She has a heart for the lost and loves them deeply. Plain and simple the problem is that she doesn't do things the way I would do them. [insert tongue in cheek here] She is bold and crisp with her approach; I tend to be slow and test the waters. I often challenge myself to ask why I allow her style to annoy me. Perhaps, if I'm honest, it's partly because she has a boldness that I don't have. There are ways I wish I were more like her... and ways I'm glad I'm not. The fact is that both of us are uniquely designed by God to serve His good purpose to glorify His name and bring others into His kingdom. There are people that she can reach that I never will... and vice versa.
Example 2: I have friends who I love dearly and who sometimes frustrate me to no end! They love the Lord and teach their children to walk in His ways. They have family members who do not walk with God and who live lifestyles which my friends do not approve. They are openly critical of their family members, sometimes showing great disgust for their lives. Deep under their disgust are genuine hearts for their loved ones; they want them to know Jesus and to walk in His ways, choosing right for themselves and their children. I wonder if their critical hearts have become more visible than their loving, compassionate hearts? Would they reach their family better by another way? Again, I realize that their way is not my way, but that doesn't make it wrong. I think I'm too quick to "excuse" the bad behavior of those who "know no better". I don't speak up; I don't make people aware of their sin for fear of offending them.
The bottom line for me is this: I need to stop focusing on how my brothers and sisters in Christ are "doing it wrong" and start focusing on how I can be obedient to what God is asking of me; I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and the path He is leading me down, instead of being critical of others. Certainly, if I see a brother or sister who I genuinely believe is in error, I should confront them privately [as opposed to harboring negative feelings in my heart]. Good dialog among believers can heal a multitude of hurts and alleviate a lot of misunderstandings.
More and more each day I find myself wanting to be more like Jesus. This means I must rid myself of the things that hinder my walk with Him. If it doesn't not honor God and edify His Children [my brothers and sisters] I need to purge it from my mind.
I am praying that God will "fill you [and me] with the knowledge of His will... so that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way." Read Colossians 1:9-14 A great prayer!
Example 1: There is a woman I know who always seems to rub me the wrong way. Anytime someone has a problem to tackle she is always quick to quote a scripture or have a "pat answer". In my own spirit I feel her words are harsh and critical nearly saying "if you were just perfect in your faith like me, you would know that [this Bible truth, that resource] is the answer to all your problems." Now I know the Lord has used her to reach many people and impact their lives. She has a heart for the lost and loves them deeply. Plain and simple the problem is that she doesn't do things the way I would do them. [insert tongue in cheek here] She is bold and crisp with her approach; I tend to be slow and test the waters. I often challenge myself to ask why I allow her style to annoy me. Perhaps, if I'm honest, it's partly because she has a boldness that I don't have. There are ways I wish I were more like her... and ways I'm glad I'm not. The fact is that both of us are uniquely designed by God to serve His good purpose to glorify His name and bring others into His kingdom. There are people that she can reach that I never will... and vice versa.
Example 2: I have friends who I love dearly and who sometimes frustrate me to no end! They love the Lord and teach their children to walk in His ways. They have family members who do not walk with God and who live lifestyles which my friends do not approve. They are openly critical of their family members, sometimes showing great disgust for their lives. Deep under their disgust are genuine hearts for their loved ones; they want them to know Jesus and to walk in His ways, choosing right for themselves and their children. I wonder if their critical hearts have become more visible than their loving, compassionate hearts? Would they reach their family better by another way? Again, I realize that their way is not my way, but that doesn't make it wrong. I think I'm too quick to "excuse" the bad behavior of those who "know no better". I don't speak up; I don't make people aware of their sin for fear of offending them.
The bottom line for me is this: I need to stop focusing on how my brothers and sisters in Christ are "doing it wrong" and start focusing on how I can be obedient to what God is asking of me; I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and the path He is leading me down, instead of being critical of others. Certainly, if I see a brother or sister who I genuinely believe is in error, I should confront them privately [as opposed to harboring negative feelings in my heart]. Good dialog among believers can heal a multitude of hurts and alleviate a lot of misunderstandings.
More and more each day I find myself wanting to be more like Jesus. This means I must rid myself of the things that hinder my walk with Him. If it doesn't not honor God and edify His Children [my brothers and sisters] I need to purge it from my mind.
I am praying that God will "fill you [and me] with the knowledge of His will... so that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way." Read Colossians 1:9-14 A great prayer!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Putting Words In God's Mouth
I have a friend who often uses the phrase "the Lord told me to..." or "the Lord told me not to..." or "the "Lord told me [this or that] will happen." Often times at I hear these words I sense in my own spirit that the word she received isn't what God would speak to her at all.
Do I believe that God speaks to us? Absolutely! I have my own testimony of dreams that I believe were given to me as a word from the Lord. However, I am also trying to learn to be very careful about putting words in God's mouth.
This morning, I read Jeremiah 23:36. God says, "You must not mention 'the oracle of the Lord' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle so you distort the words of the Living God." The warning here is against false prophets. John also addressed false prophets when he said, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
We can be false prophets ourselves. Whether we say "the Lord told me" to ourselves or someone else, we must be careful not to put words in God's mouth! It is easy to want God to be "on our side" about an issue, especially when we really want (or don't want) something. Most of us would confess that we've presented an issue with God on our side at some time in our lives. However, as mature Christians, we must learn to test that word by studying what God says about the matter in scripture and listening to the wise counsel of friends, family, and church leaders.
God most definitely wants to speak to each of us and He desires that we hear His voice. Let's be intentional about seeking out His Word in scripture and through Godly Counsel before we put words into His Mouth!
May His Voice ring clearly in your ears today.
Do I believe that God speaks to us? Absolutely! I have my own testimony of dreams that I believe were given to me as a word from the Lord. However, I am also trying to learn to be very careful about putting words in God's mouth.
This morning, I read Jeremiah 23:36. God says, "You must not mention 'the oracle of the Lord' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle so you distort the words of the Living God." The warning here is against false prophets. John also addressed false prophets when he said, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)
We can be false prophets ourselves. Whether we say "the Lord told me" to ourselves or someone else, we must be careful not to put words in God's mouth! It is easy to want God to be "on our side" about an issue, especially when we really want (or don't want) something. Most of us would confess that we've presented an issue with God on our side at some time in our lives. However, as mature Christians, we must learn to test that word by studying what God says about the matter in scripture and listening to the wise counsel of friends, family, and church leaders.
God most definitely wants to speak to each of us and He desires that we hear His voice. Let's be intentional about seeking out His Word in scripture and through Godly Counsel before we put words into His Mouth!
May His Voice ring clearly in your ears today.
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