My Mission Field
This has been one of those weeks. I am discouraged. Looking around me, I think "this isn't what the picture in my head looks like!"
In my head, I have a squeaky clean nine year old and six year old studiously working on their seatwork. I have a just-turned-four year old who is quietly sitting on the floor putting together puzzles while reciting poetry. And my four month old is laying quietly on a quilt smiling and cooing and smelling all baby fresh. And me? I am put together, hair and make-up in place, with a text book in one hand and cook book in the other, effortlessly caring for my home and teaching my children all at the same time.
Reality check.
I just realized my nine year old IS sitting at the table working studiously...with her hair in knots because she gave up after patiently asking me fifteen times for help braiding the unruly mess. My six year old is also at the table, but more kinda upside down (how is that even possible?!) as he works on his math. That four year old is yelling from the room "EEWWW, that baby PUKED!" as she runs around moving my perfectly organized books from one shelf to another. And that four month year old? Yep, she did spit up...among other things...leaving her not smelling so fresh. Here we go, bath number two for the day! She is teething; we've been up for the past two nights and both mama and baby are D.O.N.E. And the cook book? Forget it. We will be having sandwiches again today - and don't even ask me about supper right now. As for me? My hair is in a frizzy mess. Makeup...are you KIDDING? Old jeans and t-shirt. And the all exclusive fragrance of baby spit up as my main eau de toilette.
And the little nagging voice starts as the picture from Better Homes and Gardens fades.
"You can't do this."
"You aren't giving those kids what they need."
"Look at the mess this house is."
"Look at YOU!"
"You can't do this."
Stop.
Truth.
"You can do this - but only through the love, grace and strength of Christ."
"God will give equip you every step of the way, filling in the gaps."
"Okay...the house really is a mess."
THIS is my mission field. These four children under this roof; they are my mission. Not just to supply their physical needs but to bring them up in the Lord. We definitely don't "do life" perfectly or even prettily but we do turn to Jesus again and again, and I pray that despite all the other things I may do that cause my kids to need therapy, they will walk away with a strong relationship with their Creator and Savior.
As a longing fills my heart to be better, to do better, instead I will turn to Jesus who is the best. That I will let Him fill me up instead of looking around to see how I am falling short. I pray that I will recognize that when I am overwhelmed, it is because I am trying to do the impossible on my own power instead of through Him who gives me strength.
This is my mission field.
Sometimes I imagine forging out into the secular world, working a nine to five job, working 'behind the scenes' to bring others to Christ. Sounds noble, eh?
Or to journey off to some other country and hug and love on orphans and tell people about Jesus. Aw, foreign missionaries - unsung heroes who inspire me with their courage and vision. Talk about sacrifice and working for God's kingdom.
Or maybe I could write some amazing book. Teach a group of women. Join a club. Start a revival. There is so much to DO.
But THIS is my mission field.
In my stained clothes, with the only color on my face being the rings under my eyes. With a house that needs a good cleaning and purging. With kids who aren't lined up straight in a row reciting answers to me, kids who are living, learning ....and hanging upside down doing their addition facts. Homeschooling my children. Rocking the baby. Making a bazillion meals a week and doing my best to keep my house 'presentable'. Trying really hard to make home a safe haven for my husband as he comes home after working in the big ol' crazy world all day.
This is my mission field and this is my mission for now:
To raise these four beautiful children to know that they are loved more than they can fathom by a mom and a dad who desire the very best for them. And that best, to us, means knowing Jesus in a very personal way. To train up our children biblically and academically. To take care of our home and to remember that whether I always cherish the role or not, I am the heart of this home. The children looking up to me and sitting under my teaching will gather a large portion of what it means to be a disciple by watching me. My husband can only be as happy as he finds me when he walks in that door.
This is my mission field.
I will embrace it.
On the mountain tops.
And in the valleys when the only mountains are the towering piles of laundry awaiting me.
Because no matter how I view my work, God says it is priceless. I pray I will do it well - what "well" looks like through His eyes, not my own.
Because I am grateful that, for now, God gave me this mission.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Jesus...are you there?
I sat in silent amusement as I watched my 3 year old and 6 year old work together to construct a tent out of blankets in our living room. They were valiantly working together, without the usual aid of their peace-making older sister, while keeping a lid on their tempers. As the blanket Mollie (3) was working on fell for the umpteenth time, she sighed heavily...her lower lip protruded...and then...she caught herself before a full-fledged tantrum. Proud mama moment! Then she said "Jesus...pleeeeeaassse make it stay up!!"
It fell.
In frustrated unbelief: "Jesus!!!???" She started to get mad again and noticed me sitting there.
"Mom...will you ask the Lord to help me?"
What do I say to that other than "of course" and proceeded to pray with her (in 3 year old terms) for help to figure out how to solve her problem. So we prayed out loud together.
Mollie smiled, content, and turned back to her work...then turned back expectantly. Then the kicker.
"Well?? Did He say yes?"
It was one of those absolutely priceless, cute-as-a-button moments. Her innocent trust was so sweet. Yet as I sat there, something dawned on me.
She sounded an awful lot like me.
How many times do I stomp my feet, asking Jesus for something and then throw a fit because I don't get my way? He could deliver but didn't. I wanted an answer but didn't hear (or couldn't accept the "no" or "wait" answer that I got!) So I get mad and question Him.... "Jesus!!!??"
And then, I seek someone else out. Someone He might listen to better. "Please pray for this..." I ask in a panic. Now there is not a thing wrong with asking someone for prayers. But admittedly, sometimes I do it because in the deepest part of me, I feel like He'll hear someone who is a "better Christian" than me. Or I seek someone else's opinion because just maybe they will have the answer I am looking for and I won't have to wait patiently (my least favorite thing!)
The thing I loved about tonight's Bible study, given by Mollie without her even knowing it, was that later tonight, she still wanted to talk to Jesus. She wasn't mad that He hadn't given her an answer to what she wanted in the way she wanted. In fact, she was perfectly content with the fact that her brother had lent her a helping hand. She was able to see that his help might just have been the provision she needed, not a blanket that magically stayed put.
Ah, that I would have the grace and innocent faith of a child. We believe in what we do not see. That is faith. And sometimes He is so faithful to just give us a little glimpse!
It fell.
In frustrated unbelief: "Jesus!!!???" She started to get mad again and noticed me sitting there.
"Mom...will you ask the Lord to help me?"
What do I say to that other than "of course" and proceeded to pray with her (in 3 year old terms) for help to figure out how to solve her problem. So we prayed out loud together.
Mollie smiled, content, and turned back to her work...then turned back expectantly. Then the kicker.
"Well?? Did He say yes?"
It was one of those absolutely priceless, cute-as-a-button moments. Her innocent trust was so sweet. Yet as I sat there, something dawned on me.
She sounded an awful lot like me.
How many times do I stomp my feet, asking Jesus for something and then throw a fit because I don't get my way? He could deliver but didn't. I wanted an answer but didn't hear (or couldn't accept the "no" or "wait" answer that I got!) So I get mad and question Him.... "Jesus!!!??"
And then, I seek someone else out. Someone He might listen to better. "Please pray for this..." I ask in a panic. Now there is not a thing wrong with asking someone for prayers. But admittedly, sometimes I do it because in the deepest part of me, I feel like He'll hear someone who is a "better Christian" than me. Or I seek someone else's opinion because just maybe they will have the answer I am looking for and I won't have to wait patiently (my least favorite thing!)
The thing I loved about tonight's Bible study, given by Mollie without her even knowing it, was that later tonight, she still wanted to talk to Jesus. She wasn't mad that He hadn't given her an answer to what she wanted in the way she wanted. In fact, she was perfectly content with the fact that her brother had lent her a helping hand. She was able to see that his help might just have been the provision she needed, not a blanket that magically stayed put.
Ah, that I would have the grace and innocent faith of a child. We believe in what we do not see. That is faith. And sometimes He is so faithful to just give us a little glimpse!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
He Calls Me Friend
Last night, I was blessed to attend an amazing Good Friday production; it was absolutely stirring. I need a whole other blog opportunity to share how much this performance awoke in me. But I have to share my strange preoccupation with the way Jesus interacted with the disciples. I felt an odd longing I couldn't quite place my finger on at the time.
"On the outside looking in" was always more than a cliche to me. I have felt so many times throughout my life like I was doing this exact thing. I would view other friendships, other families absolutely sure that they had it "all together". They had somehow achieved this delicate balance of near perfection that always seemed to elude me. I was sure that other people didn't have the ugliness pervade their thought processes that mine sometimes did. Sure that other families didn't struggle. Sure that other people had perfect Godly friendships and marriages straight out of a Karen Kingsbury novel.
Thankfully God graciously, mercifully allowed other Christ-following individuals to let me into their own "messiness." Soon I saw that all couples, all families, all friendships have those "ick" moments too. I am forever grateful for the amazing individuals God placed in my life who allowed me to see that "ugly" can be beautiful too...that it is through the tough stuff where we grow the most.
And yet...I still hold on to perceptions and expectations that are placed on me...by me. This morning, I stood in my kitchen, finishing Easter preparations with my hair in complete disarray, spit up staining my old t-shirt, baby prunes making an ugly brown blotch on my shorts. The kids were finishing up their Easter eggs; by this time they had forsaken any utensils left to soak the eggs and were simply using their fingers to place eggs into the dye. I was too tired to muster up any energy to be upset by the fact that when they are arrayed in their Easter finery tomorrow, they will still most likely, have the remnants of a rainbow on their hands. I looked around and thought "the person I want to be, wouldn't be standing here in this chaos."
It then hit me with all the force of a July thunderstorm. I was expecting perfection of me because I was still wanting to be "good enough" for the amazing people God has placed in my life. (They have never demanded perfection of me; only I put those demands on myself.) And as stood there, fairly sure that I could smell a dirty diaper somewhere even beyond the stench of the spit up pervading my nostrils, I was hit by another thunder clap. I still, STILL, even after all the preaching I do to others, thought I needed to hit closer to perfection to be called Jesus's friend.
I KNEW He was my Savior. I KNEW He was my King. But the reason, at last night's production, I had a lump in my throat as the fictitious Jesus hugged His disciples after He had risen, was because I wanted Him to love me like THAT.
He already does.
In my smelly clothes. When I lose my patience. When I mess up.
He loves me like THAT.
He wants to embrace me as an old friend. He knows me. And He wants me to know Him.
And that is when it clicked. The door to freedom. I want to know Jesus. Not know what He can do for me. Not serve Him to rack up heavenly points. But to know Him. To face Him after this earthly life is over for me and be able to embrace Him and say "friend." Teacher, yes. Lord, most definitely. Most High, absolutely. But also, Friend. He's my friend.
And He thought I was worth dying for. I have heard it said many times "if you were the only person in the world, Jesus still would have died on the cross." That hit me hard today.
He really would have. Died. Just for me, to save me so we could fellowship in eternity.
That is love. He calls me friend.
And for the rest of this earthly life, I pray that I will never take my eyes off Him. Learning to be more like Him, being His hands and feet here. Learning to see Him in the world we live in. So that when I finally, stand...or most likely, kneel...before Him, I might hear the words "well done...Friend." Not because I was "good enough" or "did enough" but because He loved me and I spent my life loving Him and longing to know Him. Help me know You, Jesus.
"On the outside looking in" was always more than a cliche to me. I have felt so many times throughout my life like I was doing this exact thing. I would view other friendships, other families absolutely sure that they had it "all together". They had somehow achieved this delicate balance of near perfection that always seemed to elude me. I was sure that other people didn't have the ugliness pervade their thought processes that mine sometimes did. Sure that other families didn't struggle. Sure that other people had perfect Godly friendships and marriages straight out of a Karen Kingsbury novel.
Thankfully God graciously, mercifully allowed other Christ-following individuals to let me into their own "messiness." Soon I saw that all couples, all families, all friendships have those "ick" moments too. I am forever grateful for the amazing individuals God placed in my life who allowed me to see that "ugly" can be beautiful too...that it is through the tough stuff where we grow the most.
And yet...I still hold on to perceptions and expectations that are placed on me...by me. This morning, I stood in my kitchen, finishing Easter preparations with my hair in complete disarray, spit up staining my old t-shirt, baby prunes making an ugly brown blotch on my shorts. The kids were finishing up their Easter eggs; by this time they had forsaken any utensils left to soak the eggs and were simply using their fingers to place eggs into the dye. I was too tired to muster up any energy to be upset by the fact that when they are arrayed in their Easter finery tomorrow, they will still most likely, have the remnants of a rainbow on their hands. I looked around and thought "the person I want to be, wouldn't be standing here in this chaos."
It then hit me with all the force of a July thunderstorm. I was expecting perfection of me because I was still wanting to be "good enough" for the amazing people God has placed in my life. (They have never demanded perfection of me; only I put those demands on myself.) And as stood there, fairly sure that I could smell a dirty diaper somewhere even beyond the stench of the spit up pervading my nostrils, I was hit by another thunder clap. I still, STILL, even after all the preaching I do to others, thought I needed to hit closer to perfection to be called Jesus's friend.
I KNEW He was my Savior. I KNEW He was my King. But the reason, at last night's production, I had a lump in my throat as the fictitious Jesus hugged His disciples after He had risen, was because I wanted Him to love me like THAT.
He already does.
In my smelly clothes. When I lose my patience. When I mess up.
He loves me like THAT.
He wants to embrace me as an old friend. He knows me. And He wants me to know Him.
And that is when it clicked. The door to freedom. I want to know Jesus. Not know what He can do for me. Not serve Him to rack up heavenly points. But to know Him. To face Him after this earthly life is over for me and be able to embrace Him and say "friend." Teacher, yes. Lord, most definitely. Most High, absolutely. But also, Friend. He's my friend.
And He thought I was worth dying for. I have heard it said many times "if you were the only person in the world, Jesus still would have died on the cross." That hit me hard today.
He really would have. Died. Just for me, to save me so we could fellowship in eternity.
That is love. He calls me friend.
And for the rest of this earthly life, I pray that I will never take my eyes off Him. Learning to be more like Him, being His hands and feet here. Learning to see Him in the world we live in. So that when I finally, stand...or most likely, kneel...before Him, I might hear the words "well done...Friend." Not because I was "good enough" or "did enough" but because He loved me and I spent my life loving Him and longing to know Him. Help me know You, Jesus.
Monday, January 30, 2012
My Christianity Habit
A couple of weeks ago, my pastor made a comment about the "sub-culture" of Christianity. This comment, though hardly the point of his sermon, has stuck with me ever since.
The sub culture of Christianity...
the music "we" listen to
the phrases "we" glibly throw around...knowing others 'like us' will get it
the emblems on "our" cars
the books "we" buy by the bag full showing how educated and Christ-like we really are (because I just know Jesus cased Barnes and Noble looking for the latest book telling Him how to get it all together...or affirming that He already had it down)
So I am totally not making fun of my brothers and sisters in the faith. At all. This was simply a highly convicting moment for me.
You see, there isn't anything wrong with any of that. I'm not giving up my Toby Mac or love of reading. So why is this bothering me so much? Those things are all good things. But they aren't so great if they've replaced my 'first love.' Jesus. Have I replaced truly worshipping God by turning Christianity into...a habit?
I think there are many seasons that I've done just that...and I think I was just caught in one otherwise that single comment wouldn't have rattled around in this ol' skull of mine so persistently.
If we aren't very careful, we can let the joy of our relationship with Christ turn into simply another list of things to do and not to do. Tallying them up at the end of the week...making sure that we've 'acted' more like a Christian than not.
Where is the awe in that? The utter amazement at an amazing God. I can sing along to lyrics that proclaim His greatness. Or I can read books that talk about how good He is. But do I stop to meditate on His truths, His Word myself? In this fast-food, instant gratification society have I succombed to letting others do my thinking for me?
I think I have sometimes. But I am so thankful that He is faithful and doesn't let me get too comfortable in this spot. He loves me too much for that.
Christianity isn't about what we do or don't do. It isn't about what we look like. Whether we say the "right" things or not. Whether our family measures up to the family sitting in the front pew. Christianity is about a relationship. The only one that matters. The one between us and Jesus. And that is way more fulfilling than a habit.
The sub culture of Christianity...
the music "we" listen to
the phrases "we" glibly throw around...knowing others 'like us' will get it
the emblems on "our" cars
the books "we" buy by the bag full showing how educated and Christ-like we really are (because I just know Jesus cased Barnes and Noble looking for the latest book telling Him how to get it all together...or affirming that He already had it down)
So I am totally not making fun of my brothers and sisters in the faith. At all. This was simply a highly convicting moment for me.
You see, there isn't anything wrong with any of that. I'm not giving up my Toby Mac or love of reading. So why is this bothering me so much? Those things are all good things. But they aren't so great if they've replaced my 'first love.' Jesus. Have I replaced truly worshipping God by turning Christianity into...a habit?
I think there are many seasons that I've done just that...and I think I was just caught in one otherwise that single comment wouldn't have rattled around in this ol' skull of mine so persistently.
If we aren't very careful, we can let the joy of our relationship with Christ turn into simply another list of things to do and not to do. Tallying them up at the end of the week...making sure that we've 'acted' more like a Christian than not.
Where is the awe in that? The utter amazement at an amazing God. I can sing along to lyrics that proclaim His greatness. Or I can read books that talk about how good He is. But do I stop to meditate on His truths, His Word myself? In this fast-food, instant gratification society have I succombed to letting others do my thinking for me?
I think I have sometimes. But I am so thankful that He is faithful and doesn't let me get too comfortable in this spot. He loves me too much for that.
Christianity isn't about what we do or don't do. It isn't about what we look like. Whether we say the "right" things or not. Whether our family measures up to the family sitting in the front pew. Christianity is about a relationship. The only one that matters. The one between us and Jesus. And that is way more fulfilling than a habit.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tongue-in-Cheek...but not really
Okay, I have seriously had several thought-provoking ramblings rumbling inside this little brain of mine, but for now, this is what you will get. A little venting...but mostly humor. :)
I am debating on my new standard answer for all of those people who feel it is their duty to ask me, open-mouthed after founding out we were just blessed with our (gasp!) fourth child, whether we are done yet or if we have yet figured out "how that happens." My sister in law showed me a tongue-in-cheek article in a parenting magazine before I had Joy that made me giggle on this topic. Wow...I wish now I would have saved it. But...my naughty little mind isn't having much trouble coming up with my own this morning! So in response to: "So...you're done now...right?"...
1. Gosh, I'm just not sure. James didn't have enough items to deduct for his business on this year's taxes....so....
2. Well, you know...we homeschool...so, if I want to keep my job...
3. Ya' know, we just figured that God said "Be fruitful and multiply"...James and I kinda got a late start on this whole following-Christ deal so we figured we would make up for lost time by obeying this command with gusto!
4. Well I just don't know? We thought at one point, maybe we would just trade in our oldest for a new model...
Okay, so this probably isn't very funny to those of you who don't get "Nicki humor" or love me enough to overlook it but it gave me a giggle this morning. Sometimes people just give me the nudge I need to remember to watch my own conversations and how I respond to people. 'Cuz seriously people...it kinda takes the joy out of enjoying your new lil' one when someone stops to admire her and then says "But you're done now right?" We have a big happy bunch...and we thank God every single day for the full, crazy houseful that He has blessed us with.
Hope you laughed. I will work on a more serious post later...but right now, it's kind of crazy around here. You see, I have FOUR children running around....
;)
I am debating on my new standard answer for all of those people who feel it is their duty to ask me, open-mouthed after founding out we were just blessed with our (gasp!) fourth child, whether we are done yet or if we have yet figured out "how that happens." My sister in law showed me a tongue-in-cheek article in a parenting magazine before I had Joy that made me giggle on this topic. Wow...I wish now I would have saved it. But...my naughty little mind isn't having much trouble coming up with my own this morning! So in response to: "So...you're done now...right?"...
1. Gosh, I'm just not sure. James didn't have enough items to deduct for his business on this year's taxes....so....
2. Well, you know...we homeschool...so, if I want to keep my job...
3. Ya' know, we just figured that God said "Be fruitful and multiply"...James and I kinda got a late start on this whole following-Christ deal so we figured we would make up for lost time by obeying this command with gusto!
4. Well I just don't know? We thought at one point, maybe we would just trade in our oldest for a new model...
Okay, so this probably isn't very funny to those of you who don't get "Nicki humor" or love me enough to overlook it but it gave me a giggle this morning. Sometimes people just give me the nudge I need to remember to watch my own conversations and how I respond to people. 'Cuz seriously people...it kinda takes the joy out of enjoying your new lil' one when someone stops to admire her and then says "But you're done now right?" We have a big happy bunch...and we thank God every single day for the full, crazy houseful that He has blessed us with.
Hope you laughed. I will work on a more serious post later...but right now, it's kind of crazy around here. You see, I have FOUR children running around....
;)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Distraction, Discontent and Discouragement
"There's a man down on earth who needs our help."
"Splendid! Is he sick?"
"No, worse... He's discouraged."
This is one of my absolute favorite parts from "It's a Wonderful Life." So much truth rings through in those three simple lines.
Distraction. Discontent. Discouragement. Three things I struggle with on a daily basis. Three things that keep me from experiencing true joy and contentment in Christ.
Three things that keep my eyes on self...and take my eyes off Jesus.
I have said before that these are three of satan's easiest, most oft used tools to keep us from focusing on Christ and His work for us here on earth. But the truth is, I don't need much help from satan's lies to bury myself in a pit of self-pity and discontent. It takes very little to make me feel overwhelmed and distracted. Both of which quickly place me in a cycle of discouragement.
So I read...and I try to figure out what is wrong with "me". I try to figure out why God isn't following my plan for my life. (That is laughable right there!) I get mad at others for not playing by my rules. I get mad at circumstances for making life harder for me.
Thankfully, God doesn't let me stay there. He gently lifts me up from the heap of pity I've allowed myself to become and points my eyes in another direction. He rips a few of the jaded scales off my eyes and allows me to see the love I am surrounded by. He puts someone in my path who shows me what it means to live for Christ in a relentless pursuit of furthering His kingdom work. He shows me how much I have and how little others have. And He shows me how much happier those with little are because they do something I don't do.
They keep their eyes on Jesus.
They don't fret about what they don't have for next week. They thank God for what He's provided today. They don't whine about their lack of "me" time. They praise God that there is always another task they can complete for Him. They don't search for the next thing that will make them happy. They search for the next opportunity to make someone else happy.
Because their eyes are on Jesus.
They are not distracted. Their focus is Him.
They are not discontent. They know that as they work for Him, He will provide all of their needs.
They don't stay discouraged as they look at the mess of this world because they know that there is at least one concrete thing they can do today to make it a little brighter.
To look at this world through eyes other than my own - that is my plea, Father. To see others through your eyes. To love others like you would. My personal preferences and my personal comfort no longer my first concern. Mold me into this kind of person. A person who will give...not because it will make me feel good but because I want to be your hands and feet here on earth. A person who will sit in any mess and see your beauty through the ashes.
And I will not be so easily distracted. I will be content, no matter my circumstances. And I won't be discouraged... for every little piece of love I can give out, you will give back to me one-hundredfold.
Help me to empty myself of ME and fill myself with YOU - only to give You away piece by piece to a hurting, discontent world around me. For in that truth I will find focus, contentment and encouragement.
"Splendid! Is he sick?"
"No, worse... He's discouraged."
This is one of my absolute favorite parts from "It's a Wonderful Life." So much truth rings through in those three simple lines.
Distraction. Discontent. Discouragement. Three things I struggle with on a daily basis. Three things that keep me from experiencing true joy and contentment in Christ.
Three things that keep my eyes on self...and take my eyes off Jesus.
I have said before that these are three of satan's easiest, most oft used tools to keep us from focusing on Christ and His work for us here on earth. But the truth is, I don't need much help from satan's lies to bury myself in a pit of self-pity and discontent. It takes very little to make me feel overwhelmed and distracted. Both of which quickly place me in a cycle of discouragement.
So I read...and I try to figure out what is wrong with "me". I try to figure out why God isn't following my plan for my life. (That is laughable right there!) I get mad at others for not playing by my rules. I get mad at circumstances for making life harder for me.
Thankfully, God doesn't let me stay there. He gently lifts me up from the heap of pity I've allowed myself to become and points my eyes in another direction. He rips a few of the jaded scales off my eyes and allows me to see the love I am surrounded by. He puts someone in my path who shows me what it means to live for Christ in a relentless pursuit of furthering His kingdom work. He shows me how much I have and how little others have. And He shows me how much happier those with little are because they do something I don't do.
They keep their eyes on Jesus.
They don't fret about what they don't have for next week. They thank God for what He's provided today. They don't whine about their lack of "me" time. They praise God that there is always another task they can complete for Him. They don't search for the next thing that will make them happy. They search for the next opportunity to make someone else happy.
Because their eyes are on Jesus.
They are not distracted. Their focus is Him.
They are not discontent. They know that as they work for Him, He will provide all of their needs.
They don't stay discouraged as they look at the mess of this world because they know that there is at least one concrete thing they can do today to make it a little brighter.
To look at this world through eyes other than my own - that is my plea, Father. To see others through your eyes. To love others like you would. My personal preferences and my personal comfort no longer my first concern. Mold me into this kind of person. A person who will give...not because it will make me feel good but because I want to be your hands and feet here on earth. A person who will sit in any mess and see your beauty through the ashes.
And I will not be so easily distracted. I will be content, no matter my circumstances. And I won't be discouraged... for every little piece of love I can give out, you will give back to me one-hundredfold.
Help me to empty myself of ME and fill myself with YOU - only to give You away piece by piece to a hurting, discontent world around me. For in that truth I will find focus, contentment and encouragement.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Loving God?
I started this day by reading an email about Rob Bell and his controversial book "Love Wins". I have not read this book so I will not claim to know all that is contained in its covers. But the gist of it seems to be that he is telling Christians everywhere that there is not really a hell per se...more of a second chance for us to choose Christ. A purgatory, if you will. And really when it comes down to it, he can't believe that a loving God would send anyone to hell, whether Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, whatever. So if this is where you would like to read in my blog that I am applauding Bell and his "new version of Christianity", then you should stop reading. If you want to read that I am tolerant and believe all roads lead to heaven, then definitely stop reading.
Rob Bell is quoted as saying "I have long wondered if there is a massive shift coming in what it means to be a Christian... something new is in the air."
Would you explain to me why that would be comforting to anyone other than a society who is out to be the most comfortable with the least effort? A faith that is over 2,000 years old is being redefined and we should be excited about this? My answer is a resounding NO.
The Bible is truth. The Bible is God's inspired Word to us. THAT is a loving God to me. He didn't leave us floundering here trying to figure out what to do, He gave us a guidebook. Of course, Bell also, in one of his popular Nooma vidoes (I watched many several years ago in an adult Sunday school class), repeatedly made statements concerning the "creation myth". Okay, this is another warning for you to check out of this blog now if you want me to be all tolerant and "we can read the Bible any way we see fit." The creation ACCOUNT is not a myth. It is truth. Just like every page in Scripture. So many people tell me the Bible is not relevant to their lives, that it doesn't make sense. If you don't read the Bible in its entirety and seek Bible study and teaching that will open it up for you, it might not make sense but it isn't because the answers aren't there. It's because our priorities put the Bible on a shelf and a remote in our hand or a computer monitor on our lap while we recline. (Hey, I'm not judging, I'm doing it right now!)
Okay, there is a point to my rant on reading the Bible. We say we want to "live like Jesus". We want to do good and obey God's commands. But we want to do that while not opening the pages of God's Word. How does that make sense? Don't get me wrong, I've had great Bible teaching, listened to amazing sermons and messages and rocked out to Christian music. And those are all great ways to stay connected and fellowship with believers. But we have this amazing gift to us - God's guide book...and we ignore it.
The danger in that?? More and more churches are popping up, preaching attractive doctrine that simply is not biblically sound. That is dangerous. Call me a fanatic. Call me intolerant. But really? I'm simply in awe of the God I read about and would not willingly choose to offend Him at any cost. I feel there is little more offensive than putting words in His mouth that He didn't say.
Okay, so I've been pondering this all day, extremely irritated at this extremely popular pastor who is spouting untruths that are being eaten up like candy by a spoiled, indulged society. His phrase that really ticks me off? "A loving God wouldn't condemn anyone to hell." Let me share how I ended my night.
Snuggled up with the kids, we read the Easter story and talked about why Good Friday is such a solemn day. I shared with my older two the graphic details of the beating and events leading to the crucifixion along with what a crucifixion actually would have looked like. (Condemn me here if you will but my children will understand truth.) We talked about (because of the wise questions of my 8 and 5 year old who know what a privilege it is to have a Bible in their very own hands) how Jesus didn't HAVE to live life as a human; He CHOSE to come to earth to live the same troubled human life we all endure. He walked the same roads, endured the same problems. All knowing that eventually He would die a gruesome death (don't let a Sunday school version of Jesus's death numb you to the reality). He endured a beating so severe, it ripped the skin from His body. He endured mocking and taunting as He walked death row...carrying His own cross. And He laid there as they pounded nails through His wrists and His ankles.
All the while, crying out that His Father would forgive the ones doing these deeds.
Forgive them, Father.
He was fully God but fully human. He hurt. He felt alone. And at that moment, He was...as He lay on that cross (look up crucifixion if you have ANY doubts as to the pain He would have endured), He WAS truly alone. His Father, so holy that He cannot be near sin, had to turn away as all sins that had been committed up to that time and would ever be committed were heaped upon His Son as He breathed His last. Your sins. My own. They are what held Him there.
God created us with a free-will. He didn't want more angels to do His bidding. He wanted humans, men and woman who would choose to love Him...but whom He would not force to do so. And when...in our independence, we chose over and over to reject Him (which an account of this is in...you guessed it...the Bible), He came to Earth Himself to take the punishment so we would not have to be divided from Him forever.
So Mr. Bell and any of you who would like to argue with me that if God would dare to condemn any to hell, He couldn't possibly be a Loving God...I would like to say shame on you. Because the love of my God was so very apparent by my Lord who lay dying on a cross, carrying my every sin, and saying "Father, forgive them."
And this is why today, I solemnly remember that sad day...but look forward to Easter morn...when the tomb was empty. Jesus has risen indeed, conquering the very gates of hell. And He will conquer any teaching that makes a mockery or untruth of His word. Woe be to those who choose the easy, attractive teaching, rather than sound truth. He wasn't taken lightly at His first coming - what will He find here on Earth at His second coming?
Rob Bell is quoted as saying "I have long wondered if there is a massive shift coming in what it means to be a Christian... something new is in the air."
Would you explain to me why that would be comforting to anyone other than a society who is out to be the most comfortable with the least effort? A faith that is over 2,000 years old is being redefined and we should be excited about this? My answer is a resounding NO.
The Bible is truth. The Bible is God's inspired Word to us. THAT is a loving God to me. He didn't leave us floundering here trying to figure out what to do, He gave us a guidebook. Of course, Bell also, in one of his popular Nooma vidoes (I watched many several years ago in an adult Sunday school class), repeatedly made statements concerning the "creation myth". Okay, this is another warning for you to check out of this blog now if you want me to be all tolerant and "we can read the Bible any way we see fit." The creation ACCOUNT is not a myth. It is truth. Just like every page in Scripture. So many people tell me the Bible is not relevant to their lives, that it doesn't make sense. If you don't read the Bible in its entirety and seek Bible study and teaching that will open it up for you, it might not make sense but it isn't because the answers aren't there. It's because our priorities put the Bible on a shelf and a remote in our hand or a computer monitor on our lap while we recline. (Hey, I'm not judging, I'm doing it right now!)
Okay, there is a point to my rant on reading the Bible. We say we want to "live like Jesus". We want to do good and obey God's commands. But we want to do that while not opening the pages of God's Word. How does that make sense? Don't get me wrong, I've had great Bible teaching, listened to amazing sermons and messages and rocked out to Christian music. And those are all great ways to stay connected and fellowship with believers. But we have this amazing gift to us - God's guide book...and we ignore it.
The danger in that?? More and more churches are popping up, preaching attractive doctrine that simply is not biblically sound. That is dangerous. Call me a fanatic. Call me intolerant. But really? I'm simply in awe of the God I read about and would not willingly choose to offend Him at any cost. I feel there is little more offensive than putting words in His mouth that He didn't say.
Okay, so I've been pondering this all day, extremely irritated at this extremely popular pastor who is spouting untruths that are being eaten up like candy by a spoiled, indulged society. His phrase that really ticks me off? "A loving God wouldn't condemn anyone to hell." Let me share how I ended my night.
Snuggled up with the kids, we read the Easter story and talked about why Good Friday is such a solemn day. I shared with my older two the graphic details of the beating and events leading to the crucifixion along with what a crucifixion actually would have looked like. (Condemn me here if you will but my children will understand truth.) We talked about (because of the wise questions of my 8 and 5 year old who know what a privilege it is to have a Bible in their very own hands) how Jesus didn't HAVE to live life as a human; He CHOSE to come to earth to live the same troubled human life we all endure. He walked the same roads, endured the same problems. All knowing that eventually He would die a gruesome death (don't let a Sunday school version of Jesus's death numb you to the reality). He endured a beating so severe, it ripped the skin from His body. He endured mocking and taunting as He walked death row...carrying His own cross. And He laid there as they pounded nails through His wrists and His ankles.
All the while, crying out that His Father would forgive the ones doing these deeds.
Forgive them, Father.
He was fully God but fully human. He hurt. He felt alone. And at that moment, He was...as He lay on that cross (look up crucifixion if you have ANY doubts as to the pain He would have endured), He WAS truly alone. His Father, so holy that He cannot be near sin, had to turn away as all sins that had been committed up to that time and would ever be committed were heaped upon His Son as He breathed His last. Your sins. My own. They are what held Him there.
God created us with a free-will. He didn't want more angels to do His bidding. He wanted humans, men and woman who would choose to love Him...but whom He would not force to do so. And when...in our independence, we chose over and over to reject Him (which an account of this is in...you guessed it...the Bible), He came to Earth Himself to take the punishment so we would not have to be divided from Him forever.
So Mr. Bell and any of you who would like to argue with me that if God would dare to condemn any to hell, He couldn't possibly be a Loving God...I would like to say shame on you. Because the love of my God was so very apparent by my Lord who lay dying on a cross, carrying my every sin, and saying "Father, forgive them."
And this is why today, I solemnly remember that sad day...but look forward to Easter morn...when the tomb was empty. Jesus has risen indeed, conquering the very gates of hell. And He will conquer any teaching that makes a mockery or untruth of His word. Woe be to those who choose the easy, attractive teaching, rather than sound truth. He wasn't taken lightly at His first coming - what will He find here on Earth at His second coming?
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