I get an email from Purpose Driven Life every morning. Today's was written by Rick Warren and gave me peace in a profound way. It is not new thinking to me, but I guess I need to be reminded sometimes.
First, I am about to finish my Master's in Education. I hope to be able to change jobs and work as a Reading Specialist. Because American Literature is full of sadness and death, I am ready for a change. God already knows what I will be doing next year; I'm going to relax and rely on Him for guidance.
Next, I believe that God gave me a gift when Jason came to stay with us almost two years ago. He stayed with us until he went to Nebraska and gave us an opportunity to spend quality time with Jason the man not Jason the boy or the teen. I will be forever grateful for that time. Jason attended church with me during that time, so I have peace about his death and his eternal destination.
God knew when Jason's life would end; we didn't. If I could just remember that when I am going through something stressful, unsettling, heart-breaking, I may be able to handle life with grace.
What Does God Know about You? (Part 2)
by Rick Warren
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
God knows everything about your faults and failures, and your feelings and frustrations, and he also knows what your tomorrow holds.
God knows your future. We're all interested in the future. It's interesting to me the things people will use to try to figure out what's going to happen next: astrology, horoscopes, reading tea leaves, consulting with people, bio-rhythms.
But they're going to the wrong source because the only one who knows what?s going to happen next is God.
The Bible says, even before you were born, God knew all of your future (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 29:11). This means God sees your tomorrow, today. He already sees the things you'll face.
The fact is, God is not limited by time. He's able to be in the past, the present, and the future all at the same time. Think of it like this: if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the Rose Parade, you could see the beginning of the parade and the end of the parade all at the same time.
God, from his perspective, can see past, present, and future all at once. That should give us great confidence in God. It's comforting to me that he knows everything that is going to happen in my life. He not only knows about the future, he's there in the future. He not only walks with us day-by-day, he can also walk in our future.
God is already prepared for everything you're going to face - tomorrow, next week, or next month. What the future holds may surprise us, but it doesn?t surprise God. Nothing ever catches him by surprise, or makes him say, "Oh, really?!"
Next month or next year you may be faced with a crisis, and you may ask, "What's happening? Where is God?" God's been there all along, preparing. He's already in your future and he's prepared for everything.
If I know that God knows all my tomorrows, today, then I should ask him for advice. He knows what's going to happen: "Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own" (Jeremiah 33:3 MSG).
The things you don't know, God can tell you about. He's not going to lay out your whole life all at once, telling you everything that will happen in your life. If he did, you'd likely get very discouraged or prideful or both. Instead, he gives it to you a little bit at a time.
It's like this, when you're driving up a mountain on a curving road and you?re caught behind a slow car, you may think, "If I could just see around the curve, I'd go ahead and pass this guy.' If there were a helicopter above, the pilot could let you know if there was another car around the curve. From his perspective, he could help you out.
The same is true with God: from his perspective, he knows everything that's going to happen, so you can ask him for advice.
Here's what I'd suggest, when you get up in the morning, go over your schedule with the Lord. Pray, "Father, you've already seen this day that I'm about to experience. You know ahead of time every interruption I'm going to face, every cranky person in the office, every flat tire, every traffic jam, every missed plane, when I'm going to spill the coffee on my suit. You've already seen it all. Would you, right now, give me the strength to cope through this day, the strength that I need for today."
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pursuit of truth
John 4:21 -23"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.
23 -24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
25The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story."
26"I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further."
The sermon series at my church has been on the Christian Worldview for the past few weeks. It has been enlightening to me and very educational. I have caught myself listening to television, friends, family members, students, etc. to see how their worldviews line up with the Christian worldview. We really need to be careful because we are watering down the faith. We let so many ideas infiltrate our minds that we are in danger of leaving out key elements of Christianity. Because we want to be tolerant, we accept teachings that are not a part of the Bible. The only way to really know what God expects of us is to read the Bible for ourselves. We don't need to rely on other people to be our only guide to the truth. It is all there for us to read for ourselves. I have always been guilty of reading other people's ideas and not discovering ideas from scripture on my own. It might be a little late, but that is my resolution, not just for this year, but for years to come.
We're stuck in the house today; ice and sleet has blanketed the earth. Instead of playing on the computer and watching television, I should be reading.
23 -24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
25The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story."
26"I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further."
The sermon series at my church has been on the Christian Worldview for the past few weeks. It has been enlightening to me and very educational. I have caught myself listening to television, friends, family members, students, etc. to see how their worldviews line up with the Christian worldview. We really need to be careful because we are watering down the faith. We let so many ideas infiltrate our minds that we are in danger of leaving out key elements of Christianity. Because we want to be tolerant, we accept teachings that are not a part of the Bible. The only way to really know what God expects of us is to read the Bible for ourselves. We don't need to rely on other people to be our only guide to the truth. It is all there for us to read for ourselves. I have always been guilty of reading other people's ideas and not discovering ideas from scripture on my own. It might be a little late, but that is my resolution, not just for this year, but for years to come.
We're stuck in the house today; ice and sleet has blanketed the earth. Instead of playing on the computer and watching television, I should be reading.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Living Water
So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.
4-6 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.
7-8A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)
9The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
10Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."
We need to be thirsty-to feel that need to be satisfied by living water--the water that only can be provided by God through the same Jesus who offered this woman fresh, living water.
I love this story. I love the fact that Jesus spoke to this woman who was so rejected by society--especially the Jews. She had made horrible choices, and everyone knew it. She was the one everyone in town gossiped about, but Jesus spoke to her kindly. He was different while he was here on this earth, and He is different today. He accepts us--even if we are the one people gossip about. He didn't tell this woman, "Go, clean up your life, then come and see me." That's what we always think. I'll quit __________ing, then I'll go to church. Fill in the blank with whatever it is that you do that keeps you from God.
Truthfully, what we need is to be thirsty enough to accept the salvation Jesus offers, then we can work on all that "stuff" that we need to stop doing.
If you can think about what it feels like to be physically thirsty and then you drink a glass of ice water, that what it feels like to be spiritually thirsty and accepting Jesus' salvation. What a relief, what a feeling, what satisfaction.
4-6 To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.
7-8A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.)
9The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.)
10Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."
We need to be thirsty-to feel that need to be satisfied by living water--the water that only can be provided by God through the same Jesus who offered this woman fresh, living water.
I love this story. I love the fact that Jesus spoke to this woman who was so rejected by society--especially the Jews. She had made horrible choices, and everyone knew it. She was the one everyone in town gossiped about, but Jesus spoke to her kindly. He was different while he was here on this earth, and He is different today. He accepts us--even if we are the one people gossip about. He didn't tell this woman, "Go, clean up your life, then come and see me." That's what we always think. I'll quit __________ing, then I'll go to church. Fill in the blank with whatever it is that you do that keeps you from God.
Truthfully, what we need is to be thirsty enough to accept the salvation Jesus offers, then we can work on all that "stuff" that we need to stop doing.
If you can think about what it feels like to be physically thirsty and then you drink a glass of ice water, that what it feels like to be spiritually thirsty and accepting Jesus' salvation. What a relief, what a feeling, what satisfaction.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Life complete and forever
John 3:34-36
"The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away--a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever. And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that."
I wish I could figure out a way to convince people to accept and trust the Son. They would in turn receive life complete and forever. Sometimes we focus so much on everlasting life that we forget about the completeness of a life dedicated to Jesus while we are here on this earth.
We need faith to survive this life. I can't imagine facing the losses I have faced without unwavering faith in God. My pain is real; my grief is sometimes overwhelming, but my faith gives me hope. All we have to do is look at stories throughout history. As long as we have hope, humans can survive.
"The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away--a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever. And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that."
I wish I could figure out a way to convince people to accept and trust the Son. They would in turn receive life complete and forever. Sometimes we focus so much on everlasting life that we forget about the completeness of a life dedicated to Jesus while we are here on this earth.
We need faith to survive this life. I can't imagine facing the losses I have faced without unwavering faith in God. My pain is real; my grief is sometimes overwhelming, but my faith gives me hope. All we have to do is look at stories throughout history. As long as we have hope, humans can survive.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Eternal Success
John 3:22-27
After this conversation, Jesus went on with his disciples into the Judean countryside and relaxed with them there. He was also baptizing. At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant. This was before John ws thrown into jail. John's disciples got into an argument with the establishement Jews over the nature of baptism. They came to John and said, "Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he's now competing with us. He's baptizing, too, and everyone's going to him instead of us."
John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed--I'm talking about eternal success--without heaven's help.
Two thoughts come to my mind when I read this passage. First, human nature has not changed much. John's followers were jealous and petty, worrying about Jesus getting more attention than John. Next, the definition of success is different for true followers of Jesus.
The current definition of success is tied up with money and power--both of which can be used for good, but most of the time, they aren't. I hate to hear about people who have all the wealth and influence in our modern culture being wasteful and selfish with their money or abusive with their power.
What may be worse is to abuse success that is achieved through some faith-based organization. When I read the paper or see on the news that someone who is supposed to represent Jesus has done something horrible--misusing funds, abusing children, having inappropriate relationships--I will admit I become unforgiving. I know it's not for me to determine the punishment for these people, and it's a good thing because I would be merciless.
A person whose life is truly committed to following Jesus is a success because he or she has made a choice that is eternal--with heaven's help. Praise God for his plan of redemption
After this conversation, Jesus went on with his disciples into the Judean countryside and relaxed with them there. He was also baptizing. At the same time, John was baptizing over at Aenon near Salim, where water was abundant. This was before John ws thrown into jail. John's disciples got into an argument with the establishement Jews over the nature of baptism. They came to John and said, "Rabbi, you know the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan? The one you authorized with your witness? Well, he's now competing with us. He's baptizing, too, and everyone's going to him instead of us."
John answered, "It's not possible for a person to succeed--I'm talking about eternal success--without heaven's help.
Two thoughts come to my mind when I read this passage. First, human nature has not changed much. John's followers were jealous and petty, worrying about Jesus getting more attention than John. Next, the definition of success is different for true followers of Jesus.
The current definition of success is tied up with money and power--both of which can be used for good, but most of the time, they aren't. I hate to hear about people who have all the wealth and influence in our modern culture being wasteful and selfish with their money or abusive with their power.
What may be worse is to abuse success that is achieved through some faith-based organization. When I read the paper or see on the news that someone who is supposed to represent Jesus has done something horrible--misusing funds, abusing children, having inappropriate relationships--I will admit I become unforgiving. I know it's not for me to determine the punishment for these people, and it's a good thing because I would be merciless.
A person whose life is truly committed to following Jesus is a success because he or she has made a choice that is eternal--with heaven's help. Praise God for his plan of redemption
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Rest In Peace-NO WAY
This is a totally random thought that has come to me recently. Many times I see RIP as a comment concerning someone's death. After Jason died, I saw it many times on comments from his friends and family members. I have never really thought about this statement before now, but I don't really like the idea of Rest in Peace. It implies that someone is either at rest or unsettled. Jason is not resting; he is living. He is more alive than I am because I am in a body that will die; he is in his immortal state. He is not resting; he is up and doing. Doing what? I don't know that, but I do believe he is doing the things he loved doing here. I hope he is spending time with family, riding horses, visiting, teasing. He did that better than anyone. We know that he is worshipping God every minute.
Jason and my sister had a special bond; I like to think about them spending time together laughing and teasing as they did here.
When he was about three, Phyllis bought her first house. She had a Genie garage door opener that she would make a big deal about opening when he was with her. She would say magic words to make the door open and pretend that she has powers that he was very impressed with. One day she asked him if his Granny Violet had magical powers too, and he said, "No, she has a Genie."
I feel so fortunate to have had both my sisters and my son in my life. I had wonderful, loving parents--a statement many people can't make. I miss them all, but it helps me to think about all of them being together in heaven.
One time Phyllis kept Carson for a few days when he was about 13 months old. When I got back, he wouldn't have anything to do with me. She was tickled to death that he clung to her and ignored me. I wonder if Jason will do that to me when I get to heaven.
Jason and my sister had a special bond; I like to think about them spending time together laughing and teasing as they did here.
When he was about three, Phyllis bought her first house. She had a Genie garage door opener that she would make a big deal about opening when he was with her. She would say magic words to make the door open and pretend that she has powers that he was very impressed with. One day she asked him if his Granny Violet had magical powers too, and he said, "No, she has a Genie."
I feel so fortunate to have had both my sisters and my son in my life. I had wonderful, loving parents--a statement many people can't make. I miss them all, but it helps me to think about all of them being together in heaven.
One time Phyllis kept Carson for a few days when he was about 13 months old. When I got back, he wouldn't have anything to do with me. She was tickled to death that he clung to her and ignored me. I wonder if Jason will do that to me when I get to heaven.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Light
John 3: 19-21
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."
The NIV and King James just calls the God-light the Light. Notice the capital letter, so God-light is appropriate. I read an article years ago that said that our resistance to temptation is lower in the dark. That is why restaurants are dark; we will eat more, drink more, tip more when the lights are lower. Casinos, bars, any place that depends on us overindulging, are dimly lit. When you think about some of the most damaging "sins," many of them happen in darkness. Crime is higher in darkness. I have been told that people who frequent New Orleans will tell newcomers to never go in the daytime to visit the places they go at night.
Later in the Bible when John describes heaven, he says it is light-filled-a place with no night. Nothing needs to be hidden in heaven, so everyone welcomes the light and The Light.
How do we get people to love the Light? How do we convince them that life is richer, fuller, more satisfying near the Light?
"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."
The NIV and King James just calls the God-light the Light. Notice the capital letter, so God-light is appropriate. I read an article years ago that said that our resistance to temptation is lower in the dark. That is why restaurants are dark; we will eat more, drink more, tip more when the lights are lower. Casinos, bars, any place that depends on us overindulging, are dimly lit. When you think about some of the most damaging "sins," many of them happen in darkness. Crime is higher in darkness. I have been told that people who frequent New Orleans will tell newcomers to never go in the daytime to visit the places they go at night.
Later in the Bible when John describes heaven, he says it is light-filled-a place with no night. Nothing needs to be hidden in heaven, so everyone welcomes the light and The Light.
How do we get people to love the Light? How do we convince them that life is richer, fuller, more satisfying near the Light?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Put the world right again.
John 3 16-18
This is how much God loved the world. He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, tellng the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquainted, anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
This world's not right. Just spend a few minutes watching the news, reading the paper, searching the internet. Daily something is reported that tells us that, as the song we used to sing, "People Need the Lord." Will this stop bad things from happening to them? No. If I believed that, I would have to believe that Jason's death was some kind of punishment for us. Jason's death was caused because sin entered this world through Adam and Eve. Jesus came to put the world right again, so now I can rest assured that Jason is in heaven.
It's so cold here today; he's not cold. Gasoline went up again; Jason is not concerned. His truck got terrible gas mileage, and he paid very close attention to gas prices when he was here, but in heaven, he doesn't have to worry about it. I wish I knew how he gets around up there, how does he transport his horses?
The economy is in real trouble right now, not a problem for him. He has no interest in interest rates.
My friend has cancer; one of my former students has cancer; Aunt Polly had a heart attack; no one Jason knows in heaven is ill. There are no hospitals, no medicines, no chemo, no need for any of these things.
My cousins buried their brother this week; there are no funeral homes in heaven.
Our family is taking turns sitting with Aunt Polly in ICU this weekend. I have no idea how many nights I have spent in uncomfortable chairs next to someone's bedside, waiting for test results, doctor visits, but I can tell you it has been too many. I will never have to do that in heaven because many years ago Jesus came to earth and put things right. What a gift, what reassurance.
This is how much God loved the world. He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, tellng the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquainted, anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
This world's not right. Just spend a few minutes watching the news, reading the paper, searching the internet. Daily something is reported that tells us that, as the song we used to sing, "People Need the Lord." Will this stop bad things from happening to them? No. If I believed that, I would have to believe that Jason's death was some kind of punishment for us. Jason's death was caused because sin entered this world through Adam and Eve. Jesus came to put the world right again, so now I can rest assured that Jason is in heaven.
It's so cold here today; he's not cold. Gasoline went up again; Jason is not concerned. His truck got terrible gas mileage, and he paid very close attention to gas prices when he was here, but in heaven, he doesn't have to worry about it. I wish I knew how he gets around up there, how does he transport his horses?
The economy is in real trouble right now, not a problem for him. He has no interest in interest rates.
My friend has cancer; one of my former students has cancer; Aunt Polly had a heart attack; no one Jason knows in heaven is ill. There are no hospitals, no medicines, no chemo, no need for any of these things.
My cousins buried their brother this week; there are no funeral homes in heaven.
Our family is taking turns sitting with Aunt Polly in ICU this weekend. I have no idea how many nights I have spent in uncomfortable chairs next to someone's bedside, waiting for test results, doctor visits, but I can tell you it has been too many. I will never have to do that in heaven because many years ago Jesus came to earth and put things right. What a gift, what reassurance.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Born Again?
John 3 3:5-6
Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation--the wind hovering over the water creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life--it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. Whan you look at a baby, it's just that; a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch--the Spirit--and becomes a living spirit.
What would I have said if Jesus had said this to me? Would I have been like Nicodemus and questioned the possibility of being "born again"? Probably--because I am a skeptic. I don't believe everything I see and hear; I need proof. I'm so thankful that I learned as a child the teachings of this scripture. I accepted it without question. If I were hearing this teaching for the first time as an adult, I would be just like Nicodemus. That's scary to me. As a believing adult, I have seen so many people's lives changed by being born again that I have my proof. I don't doubt the life-changing power of spiritual re-birth. Did these people become perfect, absolutely not, but their lives have gone from empty to full, broken to blessed. In my experience being born-again is the only thing that lasts.
This is the time of year that everyone is making resolutions. They are going on diets, starting to workout, setting up a new budget, making connections with family, whatever. These are all worthwhile efforts and good for us on this earth, but turning a life over to Jesus is good for eternity. Does it make life perfect, trouble-free? No, that would be nice, but it doesn't work that way. We still live in this fallen world--a world that has illness, suffering, death, sin, temptation. What being born again does is helps us cope.
I have begun a new semester this week. It is one of the things about teaching that I love the most. I get to start anew every few months. I love starting fresh. That's why I am such a firm believer in salvation. The idea that you can begin new--experience a new birth--no matter what you have done, where you have been. What a gift.
Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation--the wind hovering over the water creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life--it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. Whan you look at a baby, it's just that; a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch--the Spirit--and becomes a living spirit.
What would I have said if Jesus had said this to me? Would I have been like Nicodemus and questioned the possibility of being "born again"? Probably--because I am a skeptic. I don't believe everything I see and hear; I need proof. I'm so thankful that I learned as a child the teachings of this scripture. I accepted it without question. If I were hearing this teaching for the first time as an adult, I would be just like Nicodemus. That's scary to me. As a believing adult, I have seen so many people's lives changed by being born again that I have my proof. I don't doubt the life-changing power of spiritual re-birth. Did these people become perfect, absolutely not, but their lives have gone from empty to full, broken to blessed. In my experience being born-again is the only thing that lasts.
This is the time of year that everyone is making resolutions. They are going on diets, starting to workout, setting up a new budget, making connections with family, whatever. These are all worthwhile efforts and good for us on this earth, but turning a life over to Jesus is good for eternity. Does it make life perfect, trouble-free? No, that would be nice, but it doesn't work that way. We still live in this fallen world--a world that has illness, suffering, death, sin, temptation. What being born again does is helps us cope.
I have begun a new semester this week. It is one of the things about teaching that I love the most. I get to start anew every few months. I love starting fresh. That's why I am such a firm believer in salvation. The idea that you can begin new--experience a new birth--no matter what you have done, where you have been. What a gift.
Monday, January 5, 2009
God-pointing, God-revealing acts
John 3:1-2
There was a man of the Parasee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it."
I wish God would still perform miracles now the way He did in the Bible times. I know that if He wanted to, He could, but He wants us to accepts things on faith. After Jason's death several things happened that I considered to be God-revealing acts, but they weren't miracles. They were comforting then, but I seem to have lost that wonder. Now I am reading, searching, looking for some of the reassuring "signs" that were so obvious to me then.
I am also trying to remember the wonderful gift that Jason was to us. I don't want to make him a saint, he wasn't, but he was a joy to have as a son. As a little boy, he was funny because he was so grown up. We used to say that he was never a child. He didn't play with toys. When all the other boys his age were collecting Star Wars men and the stuff to go with them, Jason was playing with his Breyer horses and playing ball. That was enough for him. He was happiest when he was playing near the arena at his Grandad's barn. When other little boys pretended to be playing in the World Series or Super Bowl, Jason would pretend to be competing in the World Show.
Even in the last year while he was working on the ranch, he would sometimes call to tell me about the "sure nuff" cowboy work that he was involved in. He loved it. I think if someone said, "Hey, Jason, we're going to drive this herd from Nebraska to Ft. Worth. You want to come with us." He would have packed his gear and been the first one ready to go.
What does any of this have to do with today's scripture? Nothing, I'm just remembering what a great kid he was and what a great man he grew to be. When I think about what he is doing in heaven, I can't help but think that he is riding, driving cattle, doing the work he loved with his Grandad.
In the book The Shack the main character is able to watch his daughter playing in heaven from a distance. That's the kind of miracle I would really love to experience. It would be like watching an old western without the heat, cold, dust, cattle rustlers, rattlesnakes, and other dangers.
There was a man of the Parasee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it."
I wish God would still perform miracles now the way He did in the Bible times. I know that if He wanted to, He could, but He wants us to accepts things on faith. After Jason's death several things happened that I considered to be God-revealing acts, but they weren't miracles. They were comforting then, but I seem to have lost that wonder. Now I am reading, searching, looking for some of the reassuring "signs" that were so obvious to me then.
I am also trying to remember the wonderful gift that Jason was to us. I don't want to make him a saint, he wasn't, but he was a joy to have as a son. As a little boy, he was funny because he was so grown up. We used to say that he was never a child. He didn't play with toys. When all the other boys his age were collecting Star Wars men and the stuff to go with them, Jason was playing with his Breyer horses and playing ball. That was enough for him. He was happiest when he was playing near the arena at his Grandad's barn. When other little boys pretended to be playing in the World Series or Super Bowl, Jason would pretend to be competing in the World Show.
Even in the last year while he was working on the ranch, he would sometimes call to tell me about the "sure nuff" cowboy work that he was involved in. He loved it. I think if someone said, "Hey, Jason, we're going to drive this herd from Nebraska to Ft. Worth. You want to come with us." He would have packed his gear and been the first one ready to go.
What does any of this have to do with today's scripture? Nothing, I'm just remembering what a great kid he was and what a great man he grew to be. When I think about what he is doing in heaven, I can't help but think that he is riding, driving cattle, doing the work he loved with his Grandad.
In the book The Shack the main character is able to watch his daughter playing in heaven from a distance. That's the kind of miracle I would really love to experience. It would be like watching an old western without the heat, cold, dust, cattle rustlers, rattlesnakes, and other dangers.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Interesting Day
Today has been an interesting day for me. I went to Sunday School and church at my church. The girl who has been teaching my class woke up sick this morning, so I had to wing-it with a lesson. My class had an interesting discussion about my current reading--The Shack. It is the most healing book I have read since Jason's death. The strange thing is that it is a work of fiction. I have been reading grief books, and books about heaven. They have helped, but this one has addressed some anger issues that I didn't even realize I had.
My preacher began a series about the current Worldview. I am so blessed to have a preacher who expects me to think. He taught a difficult lesson while challenging us to live for Jesus. The music was fantastic. After church in Harrah I hurried to Lifechurch to see my nieces be baptized. Because they did the baptism first, I wasn't there in time to see the baptism, but I did stay for church and go out to lunch with them after. Rejoicing in heaven and on earth for two little girls whose hearts now belong to Jesus.
I received a call this evening from my cousin's husband to tell my that one of my cousins died this weekend. He was younger than I am and has lived a very troubled life. So much heartache, but I have a feeling he was met at the gate by his parents, older brother, and my mom and her family. My mom's family was such an example of Christian living to me. They were of different denominations, but when they were together, you could feel the love of God. I owe so much to them.
Now I am facing the reality that vacation is over. I need to be grading the last of my papers and finishing my grades, but I have been goofing off for several hours.
I know when the alarm goes off in the morning I will not want to get up, bur I am ready to go back to school. I need the structure to keep my mind busy.
My preacher began a series about the current Worldview. I am so blessed to have a preacher who expects me to think. He taught a difficult lesson while challenging us to live for Jesus. The music was fantastic. After church in Harrah I hurried to Lifechurch to see my nieces be baptized. Because they did the baptism first, I wasn't there in time to see the baptism, but I did stay for church and go out to lunch with them after. Rejoicing in heaven and on earth for two little girls whose hearts now belong to Jesus.
I received a call this evening from my cousin's husband to tell my that one of my cousins died this weekend. He was younger than I am and has lived a very troubled life. So much heartache, but I have a feeling he was met at the gate by his parents, older brother, and my mom and her family. My mom's family was such an example of Christian living to me. They were of different denominations, but when they were together, you could feel the love of God. I owe so much to them.
Now I am facing the reality that vacation is over. I need to be grading the last of my papers and finishing my grades, but I have been goofing off for several hours.
I know when the alarm goes off in the morning I will not want to get up, bur I am ready to go back to school. I need the structure to keep my mind busy.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
See right through us.
John 2:23-25
During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.
The idea that someone can see right through us is intimidating. We can put on a pretty good show superficially that makes people believe that we are "good." No matter how well I know my friends and family and they know me, we still keep some thoughts, ideas, attitudes private. I think I know why. It is because we can't forgive AND forget like Jesus can. He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west; they are covered in his blood, so they are gone forever. As humans we don't do that. If someone reveals something to us, we may forgive them, but we keep the knowledge of their "sin" tucked away in our memory just in case. We may not completely trust them because we know too much.
That's one thing that I think will be different in heaven. I certainly hope that when I get there, my memory of my sins and the knowledge of other people's sin are completely deleted.
I'm so thankful that I serve a God who can see right through me, and all He sees is His blood.
During the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.
The idea that someone can see right through us is intimidating. We can put on a pretty good show superficially that makes people believe that we are "good." No matter how well I know my friends and family and they know me, we still keep some thoughts, ideas, attitudes private. I think I know why. It is because we can't forgive AND forget like Jesus can. He casts our sins as far as the east is from the west; they are covered in his blood, so they are gone forever. As humans we don't do that. If someone reveals something to us, we may forgive them, but we keep the knowledge of their "sin" tucked away in our memory just in case. We may not completely trust them because we know too much.
That's one thing that I think will be different in heaven. I certainly hope that when I get there, my memory of my sins and the knowledge of other people's sin are completely deleted.
I'm so thankful that I serve a God who can see right through me, and all He sees is His blood.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Righteous Indignation
John 2:13-17
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants. "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
I know this isn't very nice, but I wish Jesus would visit some churches today with his whip. I don't think there are loan sharks in the churches today, but I do think that some people have turned the church into something it was never meant to be. I don't think church is a country club; it is not a fortress to keep sinners out; it is not meant to be a place that judges the world, it is not a political forum, but if you go into some churches today, that is what you experience.
Church should be the most welcoming, friendly place we go each week. It should be inclusive--not divisive.
We should go there to honor God, worship Him, help others. We should learn when we go to church. If we aren't taught why we believe as we do, we are just blindly following. I don't ever want to do that. I want to know how to apply the teachings of Jesus to my life. If we can do that, we can influence the world positively.
When the Passover Feast, celebrated each spring by the Jews, was about to take place, Jesus traveled up to Jerusalem. He found the Temple teeming with people selling cattle and sheep and doves. The loan sharks were also there in full strength.
Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants. "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."
I know this isn't very nice, but I wish Jesus would visit some churches today with his whip. I don't think there are loan sharks in the churches today, but I do think that some people have turned the church into something it was never meant to be. I don't think church is a country club; it is not a fortress to keep sinners out; it is not meant to be a place that judges the world, it is not a political forum, but if you go into some churches today, that is what you experience.
Church should be the most welcoming, friendly place we go each week. It should be inclusive--not divisive.
We should go there to honor God, worship Him, help others. We should learn when we go to church. If we aren't taught why we believe as we do, we are just blindly following. I don't ever want to do that. I want to know how to apply the teachings of Jesus to my life. If we can do that, we can influence the world positively.
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