The Cross We Take Up

... and its implications for our lives.

Luk 9:23-24 And He said to all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for My sake, he shall save it.

What was a cross in Jesus' day? Our Sunday school teacher brought this up, and his brief answer to the question captured my attention. Carrying a cross was a public walk-to-death, not merely bearing with an annoying boss or not having the cash to buy groceries as we too often say today.

So, now let's ponder further.

The cross was a confession. As the condemned were forced to carry their cross through the streets, they were saying to all who saw them, "I have done something worthy of death, and not any death, a long-drawn-out public death."

The cross was a warning. All those who saw it knew that there are things that are worthy of death, and they saw the consequence played out before their eyes. This was no quiet, natural slipping away in sleep. A cross made death an event that could not be ignored, no matter if it made the crowd uncomfortable, or even caused them to think of their own actions and whether they might find themselves carrying a cross one day too.

The cross marked a man as condemned already.

So, the disciples weren't thinking of sore feet and sleeping on rocky ground when Jesus said, "take up your cross." They thought of death.

But Jesus didn't stop there. He didn't say, "be prepared to die for the cause" though he did speak of this on other occasions. He said, "Take up your cross daily." One does not die physically every day.

So here are the keys to the daily death we're asked to die as followers of Christ:
"Deny yourself"
"Lose your life"
"For My sake"

Now, the men who carried their crosses didn't need to announce to the crowd, "I am carrying a cross. See me? I am a dead man walking."

Are our lives a confession, both of our unworthiness of grace, and grace itself?

Do our lives exhibit denial of self? Do our actions speak? "I follow Christ first, above all other demands and distractions." I will not take simply because I can." "I will be satisfied with less now for God's glory." "What I want isn't important beside the choice to serve my Savior."

Do we lose our lives? "Life is hard, but God is always good." "If I must live in servitude like Joseph, so be it. I will be the best servant I can be." "I will do my best to glorify God in the life He gave me." "If troubles come I can accept the pain. My peace is in Christ." "I do not need to be famous or rich, so long as I am in Christ's will with all that I am."

And is this death for Christ's sake? Is it gratitude or drudgery? Is it resentful or whole-hearted?

I've written before on transparency. This ties in. It is when Christ is hidden in our lives that we are least transparent. Light, by it's very nature, points out that which causes shadow. Self causes a shadow within Christ's light. Self-denial, self-death is a destruction of that which blocks the light. This is not all at once. This is a daily death, but not one without progress.

Phi 2:5+8+12 For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus ... who humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.... Therefore,... cultivate your own salvation with fear and trembling. Phi 1:6 [I am] confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to perfect] it until the day of Jesus Christ,... Phi 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice!

Joseph, David, Jesus...

It's amazing how often the Bible shows and says that "the good life" is the hard life.

Over the weekend, I listened to our retreat speaker talk about how her life hasn't been perfect, but how it's been for God's glory because now she can encourage others. Then she pointed out that Joseph's dysfunctional family life hurt him even before he was sold into slavery, and how he had 12+ years of dropping to the bottom, being raised up to privilege, then being cast down to the bottom to start over and over and over again. Yet Joseph said "what you meant for harm, God meant for good."

As I drove home, I reviewed my verses in Philippians, and suddenly Paul's words popped out at me, written from prison, after multiple imprisonments and stonings and attack through his life: "But I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so it has become apparent to the entire palace guard and to all the rest that my chains are in Christ, and many of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident because of my imprisonment, are now bold to preach the Word without fear."

Then, this morning, as I helped in the 1st&2nd grade Sunday school class, the teacher taught about how young David was annointed king of Israel long before he was given the position, and I remembered the long years of service, lost friendship, battle, fear, and hiding that were part of his lot as chosen of God.

The theme continued through Sunday school. We're looking at Luke chapter nine, where Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is and they finally catch up with what the demons already knew and say, "You're the Messiah of God." And does Jesus tell them, "Great let's all have happy lives!" NO! He informs them that he's planning to die. Then he says, "If you want to be my disciples, you're going to have to deny yourselves and take up your cross to follow me."

None of God's chosen have had easy lives. (Well, none I can think of anyway, feel free to correct me.) Yet somehow we are rewarded beyond the cost of any sacrifice to God's glory. Do we, perhaps, misrepresent what it means to "become saved" or "let Jesus in your heart"? Are we cupboard Christians, only there for the blessing and not for the self-denial and service?

This will take more thought on my part. Do you have anything to add? More examples? A contradiction?

And all this discussion about what makes a story Christian...

reminds me of one of the verses I just memorized from Philippians. Below is a mildly changed edition of this section based on my meditation over the last few days.

Some do preach Christ out of envy and strife, but some also of goodwill. The former preach out of selfish ambition, insincerely, supposing they add affliction to my imprisonment. But the others out of love, knowing I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? Whatever the motive, Christ is preached. In that I rejoice and intend to continue rejoicing.

How powerful is our enemy? Is worldliness truly strong enough to cover the fact that God has had a hand in every good thing from the beginning of the world? Are they strong enough to take truth from Him and claim it for themselves?

No!

So when some reveal truth by accident in their fight against Truth, it is our place to cheer and say, "I knew you'd have to get to Truth sooner or later, because it can't be avoided or ignored."

And, when a Christian, seeing that Christian books are rarely-to-never read by those who would most benefit by them, steps out to write a book that will not drive them away from Truth by scalding them with all its glory, but instead lure them with a soft glow of what could be theirs, I think we should rejoice that Christ is preached. (See my last post for one such author.) Do we run the risk of Truth being misunderstood or perverted? Yes. Yet, you must admit, even the whole Truth, word-by-word--with footnotes--is willingly perverted and misunderstood.

What do you think? Do we live Christian lives even in the moments when we do not outline the steps of salvation? Do we tell Christian tales even when the story is more subtle than Christ's parable of the sower? What does make a story, or a work of art, or a batch of cookies, or even a moment of housekeeping.... Christian?

Could Christian really just be a glimpse of Christ doing something in the life of a person? Can it be so simple and general? What if Christ is preached so simply?

And... while I'm thinking about it... why did God shield His people from His full glory so many times and ways? Can it be that we would be just as destroyed by the WHOLE TRUTH as secular readers might be with the whole Truth? Maybe Christ works in a process that takes a whole life and turns it into light.

He Will Shine

Faith without works is dead ... What?

But I thought we are saved by faith and not of ourselves! It's a gift of God, not our works! How does this tie together?

Jam 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Let's say one carries a blinding searchlight into a room covered with blackout curtains. The room is lit, but from outside there is no sign of the light inside. Add layers of drapery over everything in the room, covering dark corners and smothering furnishings. Light shows up these coverings, but doesn't necessarily illuminate what is beneath them.

Now, let us say that this room is a person. Christ's emergence into a life shines like the brightest light. Yet it isn't always seen so clearly from outside. Self-righteousness in any form will block the light. But the light of Christ has special properties. It dissolves the curtains between it and anything that needs to be revealed or illuminated.

What does this have to do with works and faith? When Christ illuminates, that is faith. The dissolving of obstruction to the light is works. Where the light shines through, that activity will be the acting out of faith. Sometimes the work of the light is internal, removing the blocks and sins of the heart. But there will always be a glimmer of light shining through.

It isn't that we do anything to deserve redemption from sin, it's that once we're redeemed, Christ WILL shine through. It isn't our business to cover up our sins, but to uncover them before Christ so His light can pierce and purify. It isn't our business to claim the beams of light as our own, but to rejoice that they are there even when we feel we're submerged in sin. Faith without works is dead, just as a room without light is dead.

Works without faith are dead too. We can do the right things and have the right furniture in our lives, but without the light of Christ shining out from within, these things become just another drapery between us and the glory that penetrates through our facade to self's core, dislodging whatever we esteem the most to make place for an eternal light that will never fade.

So, when one walks up to a believer to say, "I want to be like you," or, "You're so great!" what is really meant is, "I see Christ shining in you and it's attractive."

I'm so grateful that people have seen Christ in me despite my failures, sins and weaknesses. I'm so glad He's brighter than my darkness. Praise God for piercing my life and changing it. May all the darkness fade away till only Christ's light can be seen!

God is good when there's vomit on the carpet

God came through today, just as He has every other day of my life. But I'm going to tell you about today before I put away the groceries and go to bed. Yes, it's 1:00 am. I need to recover from the vomit before I handle food.

This morning I snatched two kleenexes from a box at church for no reason. I didn't have a runny nose, but the kleenex beckoned, and I gave in to the impulse of the moment without thought. Two minutes later, my FIL needed a kleenex. It was nice to hand him one ... and a little strange that I'd grabbed a kleenex moments before, but I didn't think much on it. An hour later, while we laid hands on our dear friends K. and L. who are heading away from us to go minister in Mexico, the second kleenex helped L. as she cried. Ok ... maybe God cares about kleenex.

I had a long nap this afternoon. This doesn't often happen. God cares about making sure I get enough rest when I'm going to be unavoidably up late.

Grocery shopping was a late evening affair tonight. The kids were up later than usual, and I waited to tuck them in before going. I returned about midnight, got all the bags in the door, closed it, and heard my son slam out of his bedroom to retch in the bathroom. God cares that I get home in time to help him in his illness.

God also made sure I had a ripped up old towel, white vinegar and extra baking soda on hand to clean up the mess. He also let me hear Munchkin mutter a prayer as he dropped off to sleep, talking to Him about his illness. Finally, he's beginning to understand that God is there all the time! Thanks, God. You cared to let me know that he is getting to know You better.

Sometimes, when life isn't the way we want it ... when it's just not a good time for there to be vomit on the carpet (like there's ever a good time for that...EWWW!) ... when friends are leaving ... when I'm up really late when I thought I'd finally get a good night's sleep ... these are the times when God seems really close. Maybe that's part of why He gives us trials? I don't know.

I'm just glad He's here right now as I wash vinegar out of my hands, put away the groceries and assemble a lunch for David tomorrow. If I'm tired tomorrow, He'll provide for that too. Because that's the way He is ... good in the little things, not just the large.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit?

(Once again, these thoughts have been initiated by our Christ-led Sunday school teachers, who seek to be poor in spirit also.)

We don't usually tell people, "Wow, you're so lucky to be poor!" so "blessed are the poor in spirit" is an ear-catching phrase. What does Jesus mean? And how does this meaning change my life today?

We want to feel successful, spiritual, helpful, together, accomplished, strong, brave, beautiful, admirable and so on and on. Can we add a poor spirit to this list? Could it ever fit? The Pharisees certainly thought they had their lives together in this way, and so did the people around them. The mask of holiness was thick and strong upon them, and they were not poor in spirit. Christ was very clear in His assessment of their condition--painted tombs. Do we want to be like them?

Is a poor spirit really a good thing? Why would Jesus say it is? Why would He say those who are poor in spirit will be rewarded beyond our comprehension?

What about this common verse, "For all have sinned and fall short of God's glory..." Is this what Christ is referring to? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." What about after acknowledging our need of rescue from the death of sin and turning from our sin to Christ? Aren't we holy then? Isn't the task done? Aren't we secure? Why would we need to be poor in spirit if we're saved by grace through faith? Maybe poverty of spirit is a stitch that links grace and works with the attitude of the heart that Jesus points out over and over to the Pharisees.

They fulfilled the letter of the law, the verbal "prayer of faith" if you will, and thought themselves complete. They paid their tithes and scorned the poor woman giving her mere penny. They performed their lavish rituals, publicly announcing their accomplishment of holiness, and scorned the repentant sinner on his knees in the sanctuary. They asked Christ what He was doing with the scum of society when He could have associated with them. Christ told them that He had come to heal the sick, not deal with the healthy ... and the Pharisees thought He excluded them with those words. Did He?

Are we too eager to be healthy in our own eyes? Do we want be holy--and will we do anything to look holy? Do we think we can do for God now what we could not do before Christ joined us in our lives? Are we really prepared to be poor in spirit?

To be poor in spirit we cannot think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. We cannot look for the specks in the vision of others whilst ignoring our own blindness. We cannot be prideful, or think that our righteousness is anything other than filthy rags before the immaculate purity of Christ's holiness. We cannot think God needs us.

How can we know if we're poor in spirit?

Do you sorrow over your sin? Do you sorrow over your sin even when others around you tell you that it's perfectly natural to act "that way"? Do you think you're pretty good--better than those sinners, anyway? Do people who have not met Christ think you're "holier than thou" or "so spiritually minded you're no earthly good"? Do you even see the sin in your life? Do you find yourself on your knees before God, acknowledging that you throw the wrench into the works of His plan by going your own way more often than not, and beg Him to work in you both to will and to do His good pleasure?

God uses the apparent foolishness of His people to confound the "wise", but how often are we willing to seem foolish? God uses the weak to show His strength, but how often are we willing to admit weakness? Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And, perhaps, the kingdom of heaven is the presence of God. Aren't we supposed to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...."? This suggests God's kingdom is anywhere that His will is performed without question.

Lord, I'm rather inadequate in this regard. I so often launch out on projects FOR You, rather than relying on You to direct me. I also tend to hesitate when You say, "Go!" I know You are able to shape me. You can bring me to the point where I conform to Your will, though it takes bindings of steel sometimes, and I fight those also. Please, don't give up on me. I want to be submitted to You. I want to leap when You say, "Jump," and be amazed at how high You lift me. I like the story of the potter shaping His vessels. It's always helped me to trust You a little better. But right now I feel like I need a blacksmith to hammer out my willfulness. It's a good thing you can do anything, Lord, because I certainly need You to be stronger than I am. Thank You for not conforming who You are to what I think You ought to be. That would be terrible. Thank You for being Yourself, because You, I can trust!

What I Want, When I Want It?

Yesterday in Sunday School we looked at Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. One of our classmates brought up a good point. Jesus WAS God. Why would it be a sin for God to use His power? Why couldn't He just turn the stone to bread or jump and make the angels catch Him? Edit: Jesus was also fully man, and as such had to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit just like we do. Satan's suggestions weren't part of God's plan, and this perfect man recognized it and acted accordingly.

(Note on edit: Hermit pointed out that I completely skipped WHY Jesus reaction applies to us also. If you want some more to think about on Christ being both God and man, check his comment below.)

We have the same question to answer in our lives, don't we? Why isn't it ok to use our freedom in Christ to do whatever we want? TV, work, movies, internet, how we spend our money, how we spend our time, people we talk to, the people we ignore--we may not be turning stones to bread, but we have gifts and needs. We even have the Holy Spirit to guide us in managing our gifts and a God who says He'll provide all our needs in His way and time. Do we ever stop to wonder if it's God's will that we fulfill this need or that (let's not even mention wants, hmmm)?

Jesus didn't turn the stones to bread because the picture was bigger than His hunger. The real issue wasn't bread. It was trust. Was Jesus going to trust God to work in His way and His time? Was He going to choose sacrifice and humility or a fatal shortcut for His own comfort and glory?

Do we trust? Now, really... do we TRUST? God says He'll provide for us better than the lilies of the field, then he tells us to give generously to the poor, the importunate, the thief, the widow and the orphan. Do we buy our food first, then see what we can afford to give? Or do we trust and give first, knowing God will make sure there is enough for us also?

In fact, do we ever really give God opportunity to provide? Or do we have it all under control? If we can't make something happen the way we want it to, do we circumvent any possibility that it will happen another way?

Everything Jesus denied Himself in the desert (because He trusted God and followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit) was given to Him in His ministry. He made bread for the multitude, plus twelve baskets-full extra. Authority over the world was ultimately given Him by God, but it's seen in the same chapter when His acquaintances wonder at His authority as He speaks in the temple. Angelic protection also is given him in the same chapter when he passes through the murderous crowd safely and escapes.

What do we demand that isn't ours to claim? Do we even think to give first and trust God for ourselves later? What do we selfishly grab that God would give us anyway?

I know I am challenged to think less of my weariness, my time, my things, my goals, my desires. It doesn't matter. What I need, God will provide.

How does this affect today?

I do not need to worry about "me time." God knows how much I can take without losing my mind, and has promised His wisdom and understanding so I'm not overwhelmed. If I need a break, God provides a break.

I do not need to worry about the house we will buy. God will provide a home that is adequate for ministry in the place He has for us. He will even take into account my desire for trees and space! Whether these desires are important to His plan will come out in the end. I know I'll be happy with the result because He will be with me. AND the right house won't overstrain our budget, because my purpose in Him is to give, not to have!

I only wish my choices will be affected as much by this knowledge as I know they ought. Maybe I'll get everything I need to do done early if I just step out instead of dithering about it ... hmmm...

Theories of Understanding

"Car" means many things to many people. To a transportation designer or manufacturer it is a generic and practically useless term. To a child it is a toy. To someone like me, it is anything not large enough to be called a semi-truck that transports people. To some, it covers specific vehicles shapes or the frame-style. Therefore, when I say car, too many people will not get what I said. They will hear what they think a car is.

As a result, understanding is fractured, though perhaps not impossible. In order to truly communicate, I must learn what "car" means to my audience, or they must learn what "car" means to me.

Which part can I control? It is my responsibility to understand others so I can communicate with them. Saying to the world, "Understand me!" won't accomplish much. However, I can be understood--if first I communicate into their mental framework. Does this mean I change what a car is? No! One must both study the car and study the people who look at cars in order to communicate the car to the people. One can only correct terminology after one knows the intended meaning of a word and how it's misused.

So, what does this mean for life?

Think about it. This isn't merely language. This applies to values and world-view. A dresser is only a place to put things until it's a $20,000 heirloom. This value isn't intrinsic to the item. It is part of the culture and people who look at it.

God, also, is something that many people see. They see the world and can't deny the existance of a Creator. And so understanding of a spiritual nature seeps in--only this time it's important, vital, eternal to know what is meant by "god". Just becuase they see He must exist doesn't mean they know His address. And it's up to us to find out what they understand so we can communicate.

So do we speak or communicate? Are we understood? Or do we speak as if to ourselves?

Do we tell God what "car" means, or do we try to find out what God means by "car"?--or, in other words--Do we fit God into our world-view like everyone else...or do we try to format our vision into God's world view?... or is that too personal and convicting to think about...

Be Transformed

Review of last Saturday's conference....to God's glory.

As a mother of three children, the challenge of ministering is more immediate than once a week at AWANA. This life of reaching my children with Christ is challenging and overwhelming. How can I be an example when I fail so? How can I tell them to reach higher than I reach? I need God's grace just as much as they do every day. I went to Dave Wager's second session and stayed through the rest of the conference. God is using Dave's presentation in my life already. May God be glorified!

What do I regret most? Well, sin... blatant, in-God's-face sin. I desire to live without regret. Only by God's grace can that happen. Who is it that does good in this life? I? I only strive to grasp the air. God and God alone can fly.

And so I choose to value what He tells me to value. Not things. Not a pristine livingroom, gorgeously decorated. Not the latest in coffee machines. No. God told me to value people and relationships. I'm to glorify Him. Quite frankly, with His help I could do that in a mud hut ten steps up from a pig-pen. And so I continue to purposely speak to Him throughout the day and review His word and seek His direction. May I never forget again!

Oh, God, I dread that I will forget You! Preserve my vision that I may see Your work always glowing above all trivia, no matter how important it may seem. May my hands move when You direct them. May my mind think Your thoughts. May my dreams be Yours. May my words, Lord, be only as You would speak them. If I could cease to be and only You were seen, then life would truly be worthwhile. Yet I cling to self and I cannot even seek You on my own. Purge me, God. I count on You, for You said You'd give wisdom to any who ask. You said You would guide any who sought to follow. You said You'd give strength to any who are weak. I cannot follow where You fly. Please lift me Lord, even as I feel presumptuous to ask.

Every day, You are my life. Why do I watch TV instead of sharing time with You? Why do I let myself pass through life without seeking out You, my strength. May You be glorified in everything. Help me to deal with my failures and sins in such a way that You are glorified by repentance clearly seen in a transparent life.

I am challenged to read, not for entertainment, but in order to further understand You. To take every topic, character and world-view to You and hold them up in Your light to see whether they crumble or shine. There is so much out there that has nothing to do with Your glory. Can these things be brought into Your light in such a way that You are glorified? Yes. Nothing makes You falter. You are greater than the largest lie, Truth without flaw.

Help me to obey, even when I don't understand why. You are capable of doing anything. Why do I feel I must hoard to myself the option of disobedience? Do I think You cannot make everything come right? You are my obedience, even as You are my righteousness. Without You the world would be dark and hopeless.

Look at how I feature when I speak to You. Erase me from the equation, Lord. Dying to self sounds so spiritual and yet so very impossible. It's so easy to see all the ways I throw the wrench in Your works. Yet You are stronger and more complete than I. Replace, substitute, nourish, strengthen. How could I be without You?... but how much better it would be if it were simply You before the world. You represent Yourself so much better than I could!

You are love, therefore everything You do is loving. You are all knowing, therefore nothing surprises You. You are the source of every good thing, and it's so incredible how You offer this to us all despite our sin. Why do I see fit to question You with uncertainty? If I feel foolish, You can still confound the wise. If I feel weak, You have room to be strong. Certainly, there is plenty of room for Your work here.

I don't know how anyone can look at the amazing design of Your world and question that You are Creator. Life is confusing that way. Only You give anything meaning.

So, where do I go? Toward You. Paul said to be like Christ. And Christ only, can be like Himself. Standing in Your presence is all I need to do. Your light will destroy what needs to be destroyed and nourish what good fruit You desire to grow. Here I am, change me.

My cup runneth over...

I always thought of God, hovering above me, pouring in enough and plenty into my life. But that isn't really how it works, in my experience. I founded myself securely at the base of my desires, holding up empty arms to encircle what God offers, zealously seeking my idea of good, but when I discovered His work a disturbing realization began to surface.

Through a crack of repentance in the base of self, God was seeping in. What could it mean? How could this damage be the overflow of which the Bible speaks? Gradually the pressure of His presence built up, crumbling self further through what became less a seepage and more a flow.

Now I begin to see what is possible as my cup shudders at the pressure of God's blessing. Oh, God, may my cup run over like a spring. Better yet, may my cup vanish within the fountain of Your grace! Do I really need a cup, when I rest within all and more?

God IS

Do we really hear all that is said when He says, "I AM!"?

How often does a witness fall upon emptiness because this concept isn't understood.

For anyone to care about hell, they must first believe God is. Then they have to believe He is what He says He is. Where avoiding the meaning of the existance of God is strong, then there is also a desire to avoid knowing Him. When all that is sought is not to know God, then seperation from Him seems no threat.

With what, then, do we meet this complete and absolute rejection? Do we scorn unbelievers? Do we mock their intelligence? Do we fling a black, leather-bound book at their faces and glare fiercely as though this action somehow makes an answer?

Ah, we are not to falter. God is the answer to the claim of His non-existance. Why else would He maintain relationships upon the earth? His existance and effect can be seen, not in our virulent dislike for all who disagree with us, but rather in the love He insists on pouring out on the world.

Sometimes the church is so full of itself for being superior to unbelievers that we forget we are of the same cloth, and the only difference for us is Christ. God is. GOD is. God IS! It has less to do with us than we'd like to think. Crush that obscuring pride. We are just as needy.

Only Christ can be the answer. Only as Christ overcomes us will we have the answer.

Do you think salvation is escaping hell?

Salvation is relationship with God. God changes all that belong to Him. That gradually increasing reflection of Him is the answer and sometimes it takes a lifetime of change and multiple people submitting their will to God to reach one person who thinks God isn't.

What do people see?
Me?
or Christ...

Mystery

I love nights such as tonight when fog closes in over the earth, wisping across the roads and turning the world into a magical place.

Great dragons roar, their gleaming eyes blinking to life in the distance. They glide forward, pushing the mist before them between faded white and yellow lines that only just remind me of reality. Clouded dells, quiet in the darkness, are lit by bright orbs floating in symmetrical lines. Great castles rise out of the gloom, eerie in the darkness as their glowing walls rush past. Every light is expanded, reaching into the sky in long rays or catching the clouds into glowing balls.

As red, yellow and green lights turn the mist into glowing, colored cotton-candy before me, I turn at their direction into the dark-delineated lane that leads home and marvel at God's creation. He can bring mystery into this hemmed and structured world. Imagine what Heaven will hold!

Modern Malachi

A meandering response to last Sunday's and this morning's sermon.

Pastor asked us if we bring God the mangy, mauled lambs.

In Malachi, the people contradict God when He tells them they are disrespecting Him. After all, they are bringing sacrifices and going to temple, what more does He want? They claim they are serving Him even as they offer what they'd cringe to bring to a worldly authority--of their worst and most disposable. Do we dishonor Him in this way today?

We aren't sorting through our flock, choosing what animal to sacrifice. Yet every moment, in every choice, this is our life. We are living sacrifices. (Pastor's side-comment. We are the unworthy sacrifice! We are mangy, flea-bitten and damaged goods. There is no way we could be worthy. Yet Christ, the spotless one, has offered Himself up in our place!) Isn't what He has done for us worthy of our best? True gratitude is never shown with leftovers.

And so, we must serve God with obedience! It is important to do so. Yet even in obedience we can be offering God our least.

Do we grumble about serving God or dread sharing our testimony? Do we attend church in boredom and complain when our neighbor asks for help? Do we obey "on the cheap" and offer only the remnants of our time after our social aspirations have been fulfilled? Do we send our used teabags to the missionaries (and don't laugh because this really happened)?

Whose pressure do we bow to? Are we guided this way and that by the expectations of our society and the men and women we respect? Or are we guided by God's leading and His Word? Do we fear man or God?

What would life look like if we truly put God first in our honor? Ask what it is that you fear to submit in or give up to God, and you will find that which competes for God in your honor. Ah, the mangy lamb (I'd serve You ... but ...) is easy to offer and easy to disguise with fear.

I know I fear that I will be asked to serve without reward, to become weary without sustenance, to open myself to ridicule or mockery for my faults as I try to represent Him in my faulty way. I fear stepping out and finding I cannot fulfil promises. I fear that I might go where God has not guided because I wish to go that way. I fear my own ability to deceive myself. And so, using these excuses, I fail to serve. I give Him what's leftover after I finish worrying about myself. Is it possible I think He might not keep His word? I contradict His promises with my fears.

God is enough for these concerns ... and better than these lies. He has promised to give strength to the weary, wisdom to those who request it, and comfort to the lonely.

Lord, help me to give up my fears and to give you my first and my best. You deserve it!

New furniture arrived for girl's room

If you want to hear all about it go here. It kinda ended up in my summary of how well I managed my time today. Brace yourself for the whining. The reason the content of that blog won't go here is because it's focused on my weak points and where I am weak, there I also whine.

Well, some of the random details will go here now because I just thought of something I didn't include over there. This whole furniture thing is a true gift from God! (Yes, I'm one of those annoying people who blames God for every good thing that happens, even if normal people could explain it away.) Anyhow...

A few months ago, when I was still hunting at garage sales for a second dresser for the girls' room, a sweet lady from church approached me and asked if I'd be interested in a nice set of white furniture. Immediately, a rush of joy flowed up. HE'd been at it again! I said something positive, I'm not sure what, but she probably thought I'd lost my mind because I know I was suddenly struck by God's graciousness and was rather effusive. How God manages to surprise me with what I forget to ask Him about over and over is beyond me. I ought to be prepared for sudden gifts by now.

Well, the people who owned the furniture moved this week, and we finally received it. I'll admit I was preparing myself for the worst at this point, thinking I'd probably gotten myself some ratty old furniture... *mocking laugh* there's faith at its worst for you. It turned out to be gorgeous, well-built furniture that I'd have willingly bought at a furniture store and we received it for the price of lugging it up the stairs. This price was paid by DH and a friend, for which I thank him muchly.

The things that will stick -or- How to decorate for life-long growth.

(I was commenting on a blog, and this story came to mind. It's something that might as well be expanded on here.)

I had a throw pillow when I was a kid that said, "Dear God, we went to church on Sunday and sang songs for you. Did you like them?" Now it comes to mind nine times out of ten when I'm just letting thoughts come to mind! Kinda nice. But not really helpful... However, it does speak for the power of plastering Scripture about the house. (Upon our foreheads and doorposts, anyone?)

I think about decorating and improving my home a lot, keeping an eye out for interesting additions that won't break the bank yet fit the theme I have in mind. The house is still in process, but from time to time it occurs to me, "What if I put Bible verses up?"

What do I want coming to my kids' minds (and my own) when they think of throw pillows or any other common item? Now, I'm blocked by memories of junky old plaques and ripped papers I've seen in random homes. This is not the theme I'm looking for. However, these days it is very simple to find attractive items with solid verses, and if you can't find the right verse there are companies all over creation who are willing to customize anything from a blanket to a mug with anything you want.

As my home theme is becoming more of a reflection of my tastes and less "look what I found in the junkyard," I need to become more conscious in my decisions about decoration. Instead of the latest catchy phrase, I can buy something with a verse on it.

Do I want my kids to remember the pillowcase that says, "Created to WIN!" or "Whatever you do, do it heartily in service to your Lord." I don't really care if my kid is a "winner." Winning is such a vague term that it could apply to going forth and climbing the corporate ladder or playing a baseball game.

I want my kids to win eternally by losing their selfish motivations. God's Word in heart and mind will guide character and, while it's not so flashy, it's 100% more valuable.

Unfair! Unfair!

(Any situations mentioned below are generic. With that said--on with reflections on the topic.)

When others are treated better or we feel our rights are being squelched our pride rises up and eruptions begin. Much of the time when this happens we genuinely are facing unfair treatment. When a boss favors the co-worker whose work we are always completing, when a spouse saves the best attitudes for public venues and erupts at home, when a parent gives freely to a petulant sibling and rejects our genuine needs, when liars get the benefits and the needy or deserving get nothing--this is unfair.

I'll assume that we are in right relationship with our Father and that the jealousy, pride, self-justification and anger calls up a sense of guilt, causing us to bow before Him in search of a better attitude.

Without knowing Christ or desiring to please Him, the following will be useless.

Let's look at right ways of facing unfair treatment. How are we to deal with our natural responses?

1. Prayer! After all, when we commune with the Father He has promised to give us wisdom, humility, love, compassion, and a right sense of ourself in the world as both humbled and blessed. Once we remember all He has forgiven in us, and the unfair generosity He bestowed on us with such sacrifice, our perspective will be altered and we can release the situation and face the unfairness with humility. (James 1:5, Matthew 18:34-35, Matthew 9:11-14, Philippians 2:1-8, I John 1)

Just because we realise a proper perspective doesn't mean the sense of injustice has been purged. When something rankles, it can easily turn to bitterness and sin when our back is turned. If it returns to the mind after releasing the situation to our Father, then further action is called for.

2. Address and name our own sinful attitudes. We cannot glory in bitterness (hate), exult in being right even if they can't see it(self-righteousness), or display the wrong done to us to the world in search of someone who will join us in our bitterness so we can feel more right(gossip). Repent and face these sins beneath Christ's revealing righteousness. If this takes care of the problem, then there is no need to speak to anyone unless there are continuing sins being harbored in the life of our brothers that they, for their own sakes, must face. (II Corinthians 7:10)

Jam 3:13-18
Who is wise and knowing among you? Let him show his works by his good conduct with meekness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and strife in your hearts, do not glory and lie against the truth.
This is not the wisdom coming down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife are, there is confusion and every foul deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

But when are we to go to the one who is treating us unfairly? When is it ok? Should we just suffer? Well, sometimes we can glorify God by suffering unfair treatment so long as it is done with a humble attitude and love for the one causing the suffering. (Romans 8:17, II Corinthians 1:4-12, I Peter 2:20, I Peter 3:9-16) But there are situations where it is better to deal with our offender in an attempt to correct the situation. (Galatians 6:1-10)

3 a. Going to a brother offended. Are they treating us badly out of an offense they perceive? We are to set down our sacrifices before God and go first to seek reconciliation. (Matthew 5:23-24)

3 b. Going to a sinning brother. Are they sinning against us? Is it not so much mere unfair treatment, but actual sin before God? Matthew 18:15-17, tells us that we, as God's Church, cannot simply turn our backs on these and tells us to go and face them with the facts, giving opportunity for repentance and restoration. But no matter what their response, we are still called upon to forgive.

3 c. Going to the one who has offended us seeking understanding and restoration of relationship. This is more of a confession than a seeking of apology. After all, it is our pride that has risen up and we have not subdued it or we would not be here. There may be a misunderstanding on our part, or we are dealing with less than full disclosure of the situation. We can apologetically, or at least rationally, offer our perception of the situation and a discussion may take place.

If both parties desire reconciliation, mutual repentance and forgiveness will solve the problem.

But what if we're dealing with a truly irrational being? What if they don't care that they have hurt us? What, then, are we to do?

4. Continuing in prayer, we are to love our offender and actively choose to do them good--not to show them up, but because it is right (and maybe even because we do love them by God's grace).

Rom 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men, not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Our only resort to continuing unfairness is, in the end, to leave the situation to God and do our best to be generous, compassionate and kind to the one who hurts us--with the help of His Spirit. God promises us a reward in return and, being from God, that will be enough. (Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 10:29-37 - a story of kindness done to a "cultural" enemy)

(Also note that anyone in abusive or dangerous situations SHOULD seek help, safety, and godly counsel. Permitting oneself or one's children to be endangered does not love or help an abuser. Law is given to make sin evident. They will only change if forced to face their sin, and it would be better for all if repenting of the sin were not caused by a death or postponed indefinitely due to lack of accountability.)

Unity in the Spirit

There is one body and one Spirit.—Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Eph. 4:3; Eph. 4:4; Eph. 2:18-22

No matter how individualistic we want to be, there's always the fact that God intends us to work together and be one body/structure. There's no avoiding it in the Scripture.

Do I think it's sin to be outside the church building when the doors are open? Uh, no...

All the same, if you avoid other believers you will never experience the special unity God has prepared for those who truly follow Him. It's that something in common all those who are Christ-centered can cling to no matter the other differences. After all, it's Christ that is our center/foundation/cornerstone.

Blazing Presence

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water; to see Your power and Your glory. -- My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. -- Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Psalm 63:1-2 -- Psalm 84:2 -- Philippians 1:23

What can be better than the light of the presence of the Lord. Though it burns away the wrong in my soul by its presence, I can only be grateful. Oh, that I could stand full in the blaze of His character and watch all my faults burn away. But God is gracious. He takes time to build within me what will endure His fires.

I shall be satisfied when I awake with Your likeness. Psalm 17:15

--Daily Light

Discernment - Sunday School Overview

Now that we've completed our coverage of I-III John in Sunday School, we're going to spend the summer covering the topics brought up by the study, which we didn't have time to go into in more detail at the time. It's an ideal arrangement for these months, as so many will be off for vacation and maintaining a series wouldn't work well.

Yesterday we discussed Discernment under the teaching of our second pastor. (Have I mentioned we are blessed by the people God has brought to guide and lead our church? They are deeply desirous of honoring and glorifying God, not themselves.) Now, on to my notes, interspersed with a few of my own opinions.

What are some of the actions John wants us to take concerning our responsibility toward truth and error (discernment)?

I John 4:1-6
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but try the spirits to see if they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the antichrist you heard is coming, and even now is already in the world. You are of God, little children, and you have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us. The one who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1. Test the spirit/world-view of the teaching/ministry to see if it is from God.

• Not everything that says it is from God is telling the truth.
• Our reliable guide in finding the difference must be the Word of God.
• Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit to help us.

II John 8-11
Look to yourselves, so that we may not lose those things which we worked out, but that we may receive a full reward. Everyone transgressing and not abiding in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, nor speak a greeting to him. For he who speaks a greeting to him is partaker of his evil deeds.

2. Look to ourselves (Watch out!)

• Sometimes false teaching comes from a fellow Christian.
• We must be cautious to not support the ministry of someone who is leading others astray or we become participants in their deeds.
• On the other hand, when we support the work of true ministers of Christ we participate in the Work of Truth along with them.

III John 11 Beloved, do not imitate the bad, but the good. He who does good is from God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

3. Imitate good, discard evil.

These points are carried over elsewhere in the New Testament also.

Matthew 7:15-18 Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruits, nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves,... For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also men shall arise from your own selves, speaking perverse things in order to draw disciples away after them.

I Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and teachings of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, being seared in their own conscience,

What discernment is not:

• Selective society, excluding some and including others based on whether they agree with your personal assessment of the Bible.
• A critical spirit, assessing all that is said determined to find all faults and prepared to attack with a vengeance.
• Judging the motives of others.
• Doctrinal arrogance and an unwillingness to study the reasoning of those who might see things differently.
• A militaristic spirit, attacking all those who are not of a certain sect.

Discernment is: a love for truth and a desire to lift truth above all else.

In this day and age we have ample opportunity to excercise discernment. "Christianity" has become a marketable item. Label it christian and the undiscerning will gather it in in droves. Books are written, prophecies are spoken, groups seek to aid, music is sung, and spiritual one-liners and quotes are emblazoned. Of it all, how much of it is really true? How much is merely the world's view covered over with a nice, spiritual blanket?

I-III John (and it could be said the entire Bible) are full of opposing ideas contrasting two states of being--light and darkness, righteousness and sin, truth and error, love and hate, Christ and anti-christ, Church and The World.

In I Thessalonians 5:21-22 we are called to excercise discernment in three ways.

1. Prove all things, (examine them carefully)
   
2. hold fast to the good.
   
3. Abstain from every appearance of evil.

In order to gain discernment, we must desire to discern. How often do we not want to know what we are doing is wrong? How often do we carefully avoid anyone who might tell us the difference between truth and lie? Discernment is wisdom, yet we do not seek her.

As any good counterfeit detector can tell you, the way to notice the false is to know the true. We must study God's Word, listen to good teaching and then look at God's Word to understand why it is good. Spend time thinking about truth. Seek out people who will make us think harder and challenge our beliefs so that we may investigate truth in more depth. Seek those who have studied before us and learn from them. Seek to teach what we have learned to others. Read. Watch. Think. Listen.

As always, God's promise of aid through the Holy Spirit will be our strength and support through the learning process.

And our goal? Christ-likeness!

Ephesians 4:11-15 ...But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ...

Do I have discernment? I suppose my fear is that the moment I think I've achieved that state, that is when I'm most open to deception. Discernment isn't an accomplishment as much as it is a practice.

I hope to be able to know the difference between what is biblical and true and what is not. I can only depend on Christ to help me by using the Holy Spirit to prod me further when I settle into complacency. How can I ever say, "I know?" I know what I have experienced. I know what truths I have been forced to discover through pure reliance on Christ and constant awareness of what God is doing through trials, His Word and His Church in my life.

I can say that I have jumped on the support beams and they have not collapsed. I've pushed at the walls and they have not tumbled. I continue to test the strength of these beliefs every day by living in them, and pushing at them through constant use. Until anyone reaches the point where they are willing to rest their full weight on God's Truth, they will not experience this solidity for themselves.

In a way, those who are most tried and tested in their beliefs are most blessed. They have a faith in the eternal support of Christ that has survived the worst storms life can throw. They have discovered what is false because it blew away in the winds of testing. They have truth.

Give me conformity or give me....

Death...
(Don't ask me where this is going. It's a late-night mind-meander. We'll see if where it goes makes any sense.)

Rom 12:2-3
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We speak of diversity. Yet we conform.

We speak of liberty. Yet we are slaves to the opinion and view of the world.

So many see the stereotypical, cookie-cutter Christian person as a marshmallow who goes out and does good by handing sweets to starving children. We get fluttery wings and haloes to go with our golden harps and we are content to stand, strumming, as we sing generic songs acapella to a slow rhythm.

What if...

What if we really are transformed?

What if the reality is a group of people who know the world they live in and understand its complexities? What if we know THE solution? What if...

What if we are right...
and dying to our own selves and self-centered orientation is the first step in being greater than we are?

What if there is, compacted within our normal human bodies, all the grandeur and power of God at work?

What if we aren't normal, cookie-cutter people? What if we're parts of an incredible work, a Church that glorifies God with its intricacy and strength?

What if that good and pleasing will of God is creative in it's goodness? What if pleasing Him meant taking chances and risking our own little piece of life by offering it up into the hands of God so He can break it up among the multitudes?

Do you think you'd end up with leftovers? Perhaps you might have a few bushels more than you started with...

After all...

That's the way Transformers work, right? All that strength and really cool power packed down into an ordinary package.

I mean, life might still be ordinary. But at least we can have an extraordinary response to normality.

Don't you think God is capable of more than you think YOU are? Maybe, if you let God own you, He would build something far greater...