Still the Same...

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13.8

In the beginning, the triune God created man.  The Spirit moved[1], God spoke[2], and Jesus created[3].  Although all He spoke into being was special, God set apart man alone to enter into a personal relationship with his Creator. God chose Adam, a man, to be loved by Him and to reveal Him to the world.  Unfortunately, because of Adam’s disobedience, the relationship went awry.  Thankfully, God is Sovereign.  In spite of his sin (or perhaps because of it), God has revealed Himself through Adam.   In Adam, we see God’s holiness and mercy. 

Later, God chose a nation … Israel.  Out of the general population, God chose one people group to be loved by Him and to reveal Him to the world.  However, Israel often rebelled against God, ultimately rejecting The Son He sent as reconciliation.  Again, because God’s intent will be accomplished, He is revealed.  Through Israel, we see God’s willingness and power to forgive.

In our day, God has chosen those who follow Jesus … the Church.  Comprised of men (and women!) from all nations, God has chosen the Church to be loved by Him and to reveal Him to the world.  My question is this:  “What will we, the Church, make known about God to the world around us?”  Will we show God’s love … a love that is powerful, unconditional, sacrificial, self-less?  Will we show that God has provided all we need to walk in fellowship with Him and others?  Will we expose sin for what it really produces … death and destruction? Will we make it easy for people to get to God?

The triune God has not changed. Throughout history, He has chosen men to reveal Himself.  How amazing is that?

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[1] Genesis 1.2

[2] Genesis 1.3

[3] John 1.3

Hearing God...

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10.26 NIV

Last night as I was tucking Sam in, he asked me how I know when God is talking to me.  Good question! While I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, here’s the one that came to mind.

During our 12-month engagement, I lived in North Georgia, while Russ was stationed half-way around the globe in Korea.  An entire year went by without us seeing each other face to face!  Now keep in mind, this was 1992 …  and Al Gore’s internet was still in the developmental stage.  No e-mail, no Skype, no IM, no i-chat.  The high tech savvy lawyer I worked for at the time was the only person I knew with a “mobile” phone, and it was the size of a brick!  So, Russ and I did what couples had done for decades before us … we wrote letters. Lots of letters. There was, however, the occasional phone call … which always made me anxious.  Russ was able to call so seldom that I often stressed over whether I would even recognize his voice.  As it turned out, my fears were unfounded. Not once did I fail to identify his voice over the crackling phone line.  Every time he called, I immediately knew it was Russ.  How?  Simple. You see, I was a young woman in love … I still am (in love, that is … young, not so much). We had committed to spend the rest of our lives together, so in a sense, I belonged to him. Consequently, I always had Russ on my mind and in my heart.  I was either thinking of him or writing to him or telling someone about him.  He had become so integrated into my life that I was always looking forward, always expecting, always longing to hear his voice.  So I did.  I believe my relationship with Jesus is much the same.  I have given Him my life, so I belong to Him.  I long to hear His voice so desperately that I train my heart to listen well.  The more I have come to know Him through His Word, the more time I have spent in prayer, the more I have obeyed Him, the easier it has become to recognize His voice.  

Lessons from Joseph...

The Old Testament character of Joseph is one with which many people are familiar.  Those of us who went to Sunday School as children probably remember using every crayon in the box as we colored in Joseph’s special coat. Joseph’s saga has been told on Broadway – by Donny Osmond, no less- and by Hollywood’s best animators.  Dolly Parton even wrote about her own “coat of many colors” in a song by the same name. Not surprisingly, I thought I had a good handle on this Biblical character.  At least until Russ came home the other day with a very insightful observation.

Joseph’s story is one of jealousy, betrayal, slavery, obedience, injustice, reconciliation, and ultimately redemption, all woven together by Divine providence.  As Russ pointed out, Joseph’s story is, in many ways, the story of Jesus.

Joseph was loved by his father, who sent him to unreceptive brothers.  So was Jesus.  Joseph was rejected by those you would least expect – his own people!  So was Jesus.  Joseph was falsely accused and imprisoned.  So was Jesus.  Joseph was ultimately used to redeem not only his family but also foreigners from certain death.  So was Jesus. When given the choice between crushing his brothers and forgiving them, he chose to forgive.  So did Jesus. 

During his lifetime, Joseph was alternately favored and forgotten, hailed and harassed, respected and reproved.  Yet because Joseph's faith and consequently, his actions, were based on a loving and sovereign God rather than on any temporary circumstances, he could say to his brothers, "What you meant for evil God used for good to save many" (Gen. 50.20). That sounds like Jesus to me.

(The story of Joseph can be found in Genesis Chapters 37-50.)

We've been Adopted...

The cutest cat in our neighborhood  has adopted our family.  On any given day, I can look out the sliding glass door to see her lounging on the cool patio floor.  We haven't fed her, although Russ did give her a little water  bowl because of this West Texas heat. Even though she lives across the street, she makes herself right at home with us. And we don't mind a bit.  She loves on us, we love on her, and she just keeps coming back.   I think maybe there's a lesson for the church in that.

What if we, as the church, just love on people?  What if we offer unconditional love instead of demands?  What if we accept people, not based on their performance, their dress, or their economic status, but rather on the fact that those of us who walk with Jesus have been accepted by a Holy God?  What if we are kind to people?  What if we simply point people to Christ ... gently?  What if we listen when people want to talk instead of telling them what we think they should do before they even have a chance to ask?  If we would show this kind of love to people, inside and outside the walls of a building, I think God would be pleased.  We would fulfill our calling as Christians, people would experience rebirth, and the church would grow.

Keeping it Real...

Last night I flipped through the channels, and a movie caught my eye.  The scene showed two characters, a policeman and a boy, embroiled in verbal confrontation.  As the little boy berated the police officer, he used the infamous “F-word”.   I quickly turned the channel, expressing my dismay that a line using that language would be given to a child.  To my surprise, my comment sparked quite a lively conversation.

Apparently, this type of language is to be perceived simply as an expression of a reality.  As a viewer, I am not to be offended by those who are simply attempting to present authentic characters who tell an authentic story.  Reality, it is called.  I prefer to call it Relativism. 

Encarta World English Dictionary defines Relativism as follows:   

“the belief that concepts such as right and wrong, goodness and badness, or truth and falsehood are not absolute but change from culture to culture and situation to situation”

You see, the little boy in the movie is black.  He lives in a poor inner city neighborhood.  Therefore, this type of language is to be expected.  Using the F-word is as much a part of his culture as his disdain for the white police officer.  Hollywood is just “keeping it real”.  Oh, if only Hollywood were that noble.

I don’t need the college degree I don’t have to see that our culture has, in our day, been more greatly influenced by Hollywood, the music industry, and cable tv than by the church.  The unacceptable has been introduced, embraced and now promulgated in a land where tolerance and relativism override absolutes, especially those espoused by a supposedly culturally irrelevant Bible. 

My question:  “How can the revelation of the Creator of all mankind, the One who instituted culture, the Giver of language itself, be irrelevant?”  Thankfully, it’s not.  The problem is that our culture is all too quickly discarding the absolute, one ultimate reality that does not depend on anything and is not relative to anything else.  

My Dad...

Yesterday I put my dad's Father's Day gift in the mail. Since he's an avid reader of my blog, I won't tell you what I'm giving him this year!  I will tell you about what he's given me...

He's given me countless hours of great conversation.  Real conversation about real life.   His wisdom and insight far exceed his formal education. He has taught me everything I know about football and NASCAR.  He didn't "give me away" when he walked me down the aisle ... rather, he "entrusted" me to my husband.  He gave me a good work ethic by his own example. He has always been open to talking about spiritual things.  He never let me go to bed without a hug, a kiss on the cheek, and an "I love you."   He taught me how to drive a stick.  He loves my mom, his wife of 40+ years.  He passed on his even temperament to me. He has always supported me. He is always glad to see me ... even if its only through Skype on video.   I know that I can count on my dad because I trust in his love for me. 

I love you, Dad.

Restoration...

You know, I never understood 1 Timothy 2.15.  "...but women will be restored through childbearing..."  At least, not until I saw this truth lived out on a personal level.  

I have two daughters.  Each is beautiful, smart, and funny but I don't love either of them because of  these attributes.  I love them because they are mine ... at least for a while.  When I read their little handwritten love notes, I see myself as loving.  When I hear their uncontrolled laughter, I have to laugh myself.  And when I see the innocence in their big, brown eyes I am reminded that I was once innocent, too.  For a moment I get a glimpse of myself  as I believe my Father sees me ... pure, holy, beautiful ... with unlimited potential.   And I am restored. 

 

Classic ...

As we drove down the street the other day, Annabelle asked if we could go to the toy store.  Unfortunately, we couldn't go that day.   She tucked her chin and looking over her little glasses at me said,  "Now, Mom... don't make me whine."  Classic Annabelle.

Graduation Day...

Have you ever wondered why, after Jesus' death, the disciples become the apostles?  I have.

As I understand it, a disciple is a student.  While Jesus was here on earth, His disciples followed Him around ... listening, watching and learning from arguably the most qualified Rabbi in history.  They listened as He told stories; they watched as He healed the blind; they learned what true sacrifice was all about.  Aaah... but after school was out ... what then?  What would become of the disciples after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven?  

In a divine valedictory speech, Jesus would announce the graduation of his disciples in Matthew 28.19-20.  In his final earthly address, Jesus commanded his pupils to take all they had learned during their three years together out into the world, and they became apostles.   The taught became the teachers.  Those who had been under the tutelage of The Rabbi were sent out of the classroom and into the world.  (Apostle means "one sent out on a mission".)  They were to share all they had learned with those who were not yet educated in the ways of the Lord.  As a member of the Class of '90, I am doing my best to remain faithful to that legacy.  

That's my girl...

Sophia and I were running errands this morning, and she had talked me into listening to Radio Disney … again.  A commercial came on in which the announcer asked a girl about Sophia’s age this question:  “If you were stuck on a deserted island what three items would you wish to have with you?”  The giggling girl stumbled around a bit but finally answered, “I’d want my guitar so I could have music … a really cute dress… and my cowboy boots.”  Sophia just looked at me and asked, “What’s wrong with her?  I’d wish for a life jacket, a boat, and a GPS!”  We both burst out laughing!  It would appear that although the girls were around the same age, their objectives were very different.   The girl on the radio wanted to look cute and have fun; Sophia just wanted to get off the island! Each wished accordingly.

Reflecting on that funny moment in the car later prompted me to ask myself a few questions. What is my objective?  Am I prepared to reach that objective? My conclusion:  my objective is to know Christ and make Him known.  My preparations are simple:  spending time in the Word and investing in other ladies.  (As the Lord pours into me, I pour into another lady.)  How about you?  Are you doing things today to help you reach your objective?  Do you even have an objective, a goal, for your life?  There has to be more to life than cowboy boots.

You are here...

Yesterday, Sophia and I went to a mall.  Being unfamiliar with the layout, I immediately went to the store directory with the color-coded mall map.  There I found three little words that would enable me to find my way to the nearest Libby Lu and accomplish my mission.  "You are here."

In the Bible the book of Genesis tells, among many others, the story of a man named Jacob.  By chapter 32,  Jacob had seized an opportune moment to manipulate his brother, had tricked his father, and had suffered more than a few run-ins with his father-in-law.  He had left home as a young man, fearing the wrath of an angry brother.  Many years passed.  Productive years, but years away from home.  Jacob longed to go back to his boyhood home and to be reconciled with his brother.  So, he gathered his considerable family and his considerable belongings and headed in that direction.  He had no idea that, like me, he would also need a “You are here” encounter along the way.

In order for me to reach my intended destination at the mall, I had to first discover where I was.  I stared intently at the mall map until I could determine where I was in relation to where I needed to be.  I see the same thing happen with Jacob.  His name meant “Deceiver”, and until he came to grips with who he was and where he was in life, he had no way of completing his journey. No way to truly be reconciled with the brother he had wronged all those years before.  As he literally wrestled with God, Jacob came clean about his name, owning up to the fact that it did indeed match his character… or lack of it.   This confession was the catalyst for a marvelous transformation.  God gave Jacob a new name, a new “You are here” star on the path of his dishonest life.  Israel then headed in the right direction, with reconciliation on the horizon.  

The Theology of Ironman...

Russ and I really enjoy watching a good movie together. Our favorite type of movie is of the rather fantastic, comic book super-hero action-adventure variety.  Almost always, we see spiritual parallels in these stories … and Ironman is no exception.

In the movie, weapons designer Tony Stark finds himself captured by enemy forces and near death.  (I’ve been there … spiritually speaking.)  Enter:  Dr. Yentsin.  He not only keeps Stark alive but also proves, in fact, to be instrumental in his becoming Ironman. As Dr. Yentsin pays the ultimate price for Stark’s freedom, he utters his last words … “don’t waste your life”.  Implications abound … for Stark and for us.

With my old, sinful heart, I was a lot like Stark.  Cavalier. Selfish. Clueless as to the real meaning of life.  Enter:  Jesus.  He gave His life to rescue me from The Enemy, gave me a new heart, and began building me into the woman I will one day become.  He’s still tweaking me, making adjustments, helping me to use the power He provides most effectively.  In Colossians 1.10, the Apostle Paul urges believers to “… live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”.  This is a wonderful description of a life not wasted.   As you can see on the big screen, Stark didn’t waste his life, and I am not wasting mine.  Oh - just in case you're wondering - I'll fly one day, too!

Granny's Quilt ...

Not that there is a real need for it in West Texas, but we have a pretty patchwork quilt on our bed.  My granny actually made it, a handicraft you just don’t see much anymore.  As a small girl, I would watch Granny piece quilts on her back porch … painstakingly stitching each scrap of cloth to another then another until a beautiful multi-colored, multi-patterned design emerged.  Of course, she had planned the design long before she cut out the first piece of fabric.  Doesn’t God do the same with His people[1]?

As a shepherd and a warrior, David had a good understanding of who he was and who God is.  He fought numerous battles over the course of his life, at first defending sheep and later, Israel, against various enemies.  Perhaps one of the most interesting battles pits David as a boy shepherd against Goliath, a seasoned Philistine veteran[2].  Did I mention he was also a GIANT?  Defending his God was as much in keeping with David’s character as defending his father’s sheep, so David eagerly volunteered to slay Goliath.  King Saul assented but insisted that David fight in the traditional way, clad in royal armor.  David suited up, but it just didn’t fit.  It was too heavy, too burdensome, and would only impede him, so the boy fighter threw it off. David relied instead on armor befitting the young shepherd … a staff and a slingshot.  Not fancy but proven.  (With his own weapons he had already killed the lion and the bear that attacked his father’s sheep.)  You see, David was not only content but also effective being who God had created him to be.  He wasn’t interested in being someone else … or wearing someone else’s gear … or following established tradition for warfare.  David accomplished his mission.  He killed Goliath!  He glorified God not only by doing what he was created to do, but also by being who he was created to be!  It was all part of God’s design to reveal Himself … to David, Israel, and eventually, us.

As Christians, our mission does not necessitate lockstep uniformity any more than David’s battle required the use of customary weapons.  As you carry out your ministry, you may see that it looks different from someone else carrying out his. The church itself looks like a mosaic, a Divinely designed patchwork, like Granny’s quilt.  The pieces work in concert, not because they are the same but because they differ.  David fought differently from the soldiers of his day but the result speaks for itself! God creates uniquely gifted individuals to be on mission, not cookie-cutter clones. He calls His followers by name … without asking us to check our individuality at the door.  He calls us to engage in battle, equipping us one by one for kingdom work.  Most assuredly, He does not ask us to put on someone else’s armor or do our ministry someone else’s way so we can be poor imitators of each other.  We are called to imitate God[3], to love Him, to love others, to be and make disciples.  If we do these things by being the individuals He created us to be, then we will truly see who God is.

1. Ephesians 2.10 ...... 2. 1 Samuel 17......3. Ephesians 5.1-2 

Eye on the Prize...

1 Corinthians 9.24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ...They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Tonight my favorite contestant … from the beginning… was crowned as the 2008 American Idol.  Congrats, David Cook!  The kids and I had so much fun watching the show each week as the contestants gave it their all.  (Yes, we even talked Russ into watching as the season progressed.)

Some competitors showcased more talent than others.  Some contestants put forth extra effort.  Some looked good but didn't have the vocal chops to make it very far.  Some persevered through sickness ... and disco.  Hard work, determination and good choices proved to be crucial.  In the end, however,  only one winner would be crowned.  One incredibly talented and determined young man won the prize that will catapult him to rock star fame.  His eye was on the prize the entire time.

The Apostle Paul, a man well acquainted with “idols”, encourages believers to keep our eye on the prize as well.    The difference between the prize that David Cook won and the one Paul refers to is this … one is temporary, and the other is eternal.  What is the eternal prize?  I believe it is knowing Christ … fully.  As we spend time in the Word of God, running our race, we get closer to that prize each day. (Thankfully, our prize is not dependent on talent, skill or looks!  Nor will we be voted off for bad performances. :D)

Rock on!

 

Joy...

Prov. 10.1  “A wise son brings joy to his father.”  

In this case, it was a daughter bringing joy to her mother. This morning Annabelle and I found ourselves hugging and just laughing out loud.  Something really great had happened. 

Every morning while she brushes her teeth, I pick out her clothes for school that day.  Often, this is where the battle begins.  I want her to wear one outfit, and she wants to wear another … which usually includes a pair of brown “cowgirl” boots given to her by a friend.  But today, we had a breakthrough!  As I was laying the outfit I’d chosen, she came into the room and exclaimed, “That was just what I was hoping to wear today!”  This event may not seem very amazing to you, but believe me, IT IS!!  In celebration, we hugged and laughed; she danced on her bed! 

I wonder how my Heavenly Father celebrates when I co-operate with Him.  Surely, He experiences great joy when what I want (and do) lines up with what He has in mind for me!