"...No More"

In the Gospel account from the Apostle John we find a story about someone who was caught in the act of adultery.

What would you do if you were in a similar situation of catching someone in the act of adultery? Or any sin?

It's easy to desire to cut them off, or want to vividly punish them. 

But what did Jesus do?

He told the person, "Go, and sin no more."

May we approach others with the love, grace, and admonition of the One Who Saves us from our sins.
(The Biblical account referred to here can be found in John 8:1-11)

Forgive My Forgetting

I think it's in our human nature to forget. We forget where we put our car keys. We forget where we last saw that little toddler put our hairbrush. We forget to dust that ledge, write that note, call that lady back. Lots of times, we simply forget the little things. Things that result in an inconvenience, make us disgusted with our memory, and leave Cheerios in the high chair. But I think it's also easy for us to forget the "big stuff" - like what Memorial Day is actually about - because there is so much clutter.

Think about it: Simple celebrations, simple remembrances. Awe-stricking truth and glorious hope. And yet we muddle them.

Christmas has become less about the simple, humble, incredible birth of Immanuel - God with us - and more about gifts, church programs, snow, decorations, St. Nick, cocoa and lights. Thanksgiving has become less about recognizing how much we have to be grateful for and actually taking time to thank the Lord and to give to others and more about football, big turkeys, and the start of shopping. Memorial Day has become less a day to publicly recognize and thank those who have served our country, a day to think about all our nation has experienced - and more about summer beginning, graduations, and grilling.

All things things - these "extra" things - they aren't necessarily bad. But when they cause us to lose focus of what we're really celebrating, what we're really remembering, who we're really thanking -- that's when it gets rough.

Throughout Scripture, we're exhorted to remember. It's good to remember -- probably because it's so easy to forget.

"'Remember this, and be assured; recall it to mind, you transgressors. Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from the ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure','" - Isaiah 46:8-10 (NASB, emphasis mine)

So, to those who have served and to those who have had a loved one serve our country: thank you. I do not comprehend the immensities of the sacrifice, the long months apart from family, the intense realities of what you may have seen and experienced both here at home and abroad. I definitely could not pass your physical fitness tests. Thank you for protecting us from afar. Thank you for fighting floods and fires at home; for helping clean up messes brought by natural disasters. Thank you for serving in hospitals and being used to bring healing to the injured. I humbly admit that I take your service for granted. Forgive me.

And Lord, forgive our nation for forgetting You.

Committedly Crazy

As I wrote once before, I love to walk. Almost every day, Ezekiel and I head out on a four-mile walk. Even during the cold days of winter, we walked - as long as the temperature was above zero. I've gotten looks of disapproval from older ladies, countless offers for rides, and even made some friends on that walking path. I've been called determined and committed to my face; behind my back, I'm sure I've been called crazy and foolish. Today was probably one of those days I would be called either committed or crazy - take your pick. But at least it was just rain. And don't worry - Zeke stays warm and dry. In fact, I think he's wetter some mornings when he overflows his diaper than he is on days like today when we hit the walking path.

Today, with my hood soaked, falling over my face and making me look like some Star Wars character, I contemplated whether I was committed or crazy. And I couldn't help but wish my walk with Christ was as much of an obvious commitment as my daily physical walk is. I mean, these people I meet out on our walk, whether they are on foot themselves or in a car, they see me nearly every day. Just the other day, a woman at a garage sale told me I was her "hero" because she drove past me every day.

But is my dedication to Christ as evident?

Do I follow Jesus with such obvious commitment?
Do those I meet in the grocery store or pharmacy know that I am not living for myself?
Do I get head-shakes from others who see me living as Jesus commanded?

And following Jesus? That happens in the little things, as well as the big. Following Jesus happens when I clamp my mouth shut when I want to participate in gossip about that person. Following Jesus happens when I respond in grace to my husband, instead of snapping back. Following Jesus happens when I go without the "extras" and the "nice" so that someone else can be given a meal.

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for the edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear . . . Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:29, 31-32, NASB 

"Let love be without hypocrisy . . ." - Romans 12:9, NASB

We don't do it for ourselves, for our glory and praise. But for Him and for His.

"'Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.'" - Matthew 5:16, NASB

Open and Honest

I just spent a month in an environment where I didn't have much interaction with fellow followers of Jesus. And to be entirely honest, it was refreshing. Actually, very refreshing.

I interacted with several friends who, although they believe in God, don't necessarily follow Him. And it was these interactions which were refreshing to my soul. It was sweet fellowship. Which I didn't realize could happen. I'm guessing you're beginning to wonder where I'm going with this... 

What I realized in the midst of my time with friends who aren't following Jesus is: They are open and honest. They're not worried about what others are thinking about their life choices, or how they can hide behind religious laws, nor are they bogged down with conforming to others religious ideas just because they don't want to disturb the calm. They are open and honest.

I also realized, I'm usually not open and honest. I hold back. I don't give my all because I fear what others will think of my life choices. I hide behind routine and religious law, instead of wholly embracing the Gospel of Jesus. I'm afraid to disturb the supposed calm around me. I'm not open and honest.

I was faced with sweet fellowship and conviction of heart, because my non-Jesus-following friends are open and honest. They were used of God to impact me. And it made me wonder...

What would happen if the church were more open and honest?

It's Not Because of the Work

I'm not a big birthday person. I'm okay with your birthday and his birthday or her birthday. Just not mine. And it has nothing to do with the fact that a birthday means I'm older. It's all the attention. What are you supposed to do when a group of people sings "Happy Birthday" to you? Opening up presents in front of other people? That's one of my least favorite things to do. And really, it's just my birthday. Frankly, I didn't do anything. My mom did all the work; I was just . . . born.

Mother's Day, on the other hand, I like. Yesterday I celebrated my second Mother's Day (and my little man's first birthday- hooray!). I suppose if you applied my same "anti-birthday" logic to Mother's Day, you'd think I didn't care for this May holiday much either. But it's much different in my mind. Sure, there's attention - but it's not all on me. There are LOTS of people being celebrated on Mother's Day. There's no song in which you sit awkwardly in front of a cake and stack of presents. And Mother's Day - I feel like I earned it. Like it's a day of recognition and appreciation for all I do as a mom. And I think it's a pretty great idea!

I guess, what it all boils down to is this: I didn't work for my birthday, so the love and greetings I receive seem undeserved. But for Mother's Day - yeah, I do a lot of work. So I guess I feel like I deserve to be appreciated and loved. Make sense?

As I was sorting this through in my head last night, I couldn't help but compare my "anti-birthday" and "pro-Mother's Day" stance to God's love and His abundant grace and freely given salvation.

God loves us. But not because of anything we've done. His grace extended towards us is not a payment for deeds completed. Salvation is given not because of the hard work I've put in at the church or the long hours at the food packing facility. I do not work for His love, His grace, His mercy. I am given His love. I am given His grace. I am given His mercy.

He loves us because we are His (Isaiah 43:3-4).
In fact, He loved us when we hated Him (Romans 5:6, 8)
He saved me as a gift. Because of His grace. He gave that which I do not deserve (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Because of His love - not because of anything I have done - I am a child of God (1 John 3:1)

I think that's pretty awesome.

"But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:4-7 (NASB, emphasis mine)

Wouldn't It Be Nice

"In a world where everything revolves around self -- protect yourself, promote yourself, preserve yourself, entertain yourself, comfort yourself, take care of yourself -- Jesus said, "Slay yourself" (Platt, 3). 

The cost of discipleship has truly been on my mind as of late. Sometimes I think of how nice it'd be to be able to live my own life the way I want to, with my close friends and family always nearby, perfectly content. Sometimes I think this would solve so many of my hurts as I see dear ones jump continents in order to follow Christ. Sometimes I think these things, and sometimes I might be right.

"Then Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16: 24-26)

I don't want to make it seem as if following Jesus is something we drudge through or that we have to do in order for God to love us, but there is a cost. In taking up our cross and following Jesus, we're led to His death. We're led to our death there too -- because at that cross we joyously claim His death and resurrection and are new creations in Him. But Jesus doesn't say it will be easy. In fact, He says it will be hard! People are going to hate us, scoff us, perhaps even kill us.

Whoa, that sounds a little intense coming from my comfortable couch with the sun shining through in my living room. But the Christian walk is so much more than "accepting Jesus into your heart" or "praying the sinner's prayer". It's about repenting of ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Christ every day. There is pain in this to be sure, but somehow we also find abundant joy here as well! 

That joy comes in peace with the Father. As we live in Christ's sacrifice for us, we have perfect peace with the Lord, whom we have disobeyed to the utmost. We have peace now as we live free in His grace daily, and we will also have peace eternally in heaven. Suddenly, the trials and sacrifices of following Jesus here begin to diminish. 

Consider the hymn writer's words:

1. Sometimes the day seems long,

Our trials hard to bear.

We´re tempted to complain,

to murmur and despair.

But Christ will soon appear

to catch his bride away!

All tears forever over

in God’s eternal day!

CHORUS:

It will be worth it all

when we see Jesus!

Life’s trials will seem so small

when we see Christ.

One glimpse of his dear face,

all sorrow will erase.

So, bravely run the race

till we see Christ.

2. At times the sky seems dark,

with not a ray of light;

We’re tossed and driven on,

no human help in sight.

But there is One in heaven,

Who knows our deepest care;

Let Jesus solve your problems,

just go to him in prayer.

3. Life’s day will soon be o’re,

all storms forever past;

We’ll cross the great divide

to Glory, safe at last!

We’ll share the joys of heaven:

a harp, a home, a crown;

The tempter will be banished,

We’ll lay our burdens down.

I'm not going to tell you that following Jesus is easy or safe. I'm going to tell you that following Jesus involves death -- death to ourselves as well as living in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! We now live in His life. And oh, what joy we find even amongst the minor difficulties we're faced with today. Because it will be worth it all when we see Jesus! 

Bring Back the Wonder

With the arrival of warmer temperatures, my little Ezekiel's world has gotten so much bigger. I love seeing the wonder - and sometimes fear - on his face as his feet touch grass for the first time. As his fingers crumple a dead leaf for the first time. As his mouth tastes and encloses a rock for the first time. (Actually, the wonder was completely on his face on this one; the fear completely on mine. Zeke's mouth is far too big for his own good.) Throughout this journey of parenthood, there have been countless times that I have wished I could remember that wonder, that awe, of discovering the world for the first time. I wouldn't want to go back and re-learn everything; but I do wish I could remember what it was like to taste banana for the fist time. What it was like to take your first step. What it's like to see snow for the first time or feel grass beneath your feet. To just simply be amazed at the beauty of creation.

And sometimes - actually, a lot of times - I wish the same thing for my salvation. Growing up in a Christian home, growing up going to church, growing up hearing the wonderful message of the Gospel -- unfortunately, the awesome loses its wonder at times. It shouldn't. Because I'm still a sinner in need of that daily grace, that daily forgiveness. But I guess it's just too easy to get used to the truths of Scripture; the state of what I was and have now become because of Christ. I wish it wasn't.

So I decided that I need to pray the prayer that David prayed. And not just once, but daily. That every morning I need to humble my heart as I approach His throne and say:

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit." - Psalm 51:12

I want the wonder back.

Grace

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

--Colossians 3:12-15

Is Peter your uncle?

As of late, I've been hearing a lot of humdrum concerning reading the Bible.

Some people just don't know where to start.
Others do it out of obligation to a sense of duty.
Still a few others, read the Bible because it brings life.

How does reading an ancient book of letters, poems, history, stories, and crazy dreams bring life?

Well, it starts with understanding what it is you're reading and who it is that wrote it.

The Bible is not a text book, reference book, or an almanac filled with answers.

Sure it contains answers to some of life's tough questions, but it is so much more.

The Bible is the narrative of God, His creation, and the world as we know it. It is the account of His people, their rebellion, His endless loving pursuit, their rejection, His grace, their refusal, His redemption, their bull-headedness, His constancy, their quitting, His staying, their leaving, an on and on and on. The Bible informs us of how God interacts with humanity throughout eternity.

So, sometimes reading the Bible is a strange thing.

For example, consider the Epistles in the New Testament.

When you open up 1 Peter, it's like you found a letter on  the ground written by someone you've never met and then you read it and it seems like it was written to you. The wisdom shared, concern shown, passion passed on, and truth told hits you in a way that must prove you and the author have some kind of relationship. But do you?

Is Peter your uncle?

Kinda.

As beloved sons and daughters of God - the creator of us all - we've got a unique familial bond with every recipient of grace who has walked this earth. Therefore, the one Jesus referred to as "the rock on which I will build my church" is a little closer to us than we me think.

So this morning, it was like I read a letter from my Uncle Pete and he had some life-giving words for me.

"Use whatever gift you've been given for the good of of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God's grace in all its varieties. If you're called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you're called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen."

A Deep Question

"But aren't Christians always supposed to be happy?"

I was honestly asked this question a few weeks ago, and it has had my mind reeling. This was from an unbeliever and I didn't even have an answer at the time until I recovered from my shock. But you know, this mindset rings true even amongst believers sometimes.

Is that even Biblical?

The answer is no. Scripture is filled with messy people doing messy things saved by a great and merciful God. The men and woman penned throughout the Word fail: they get scared (Elijah, 1 Kings 19), they lie to get out of situations (Abraham, Genesis 12 and 20), they complain to God (Moses, all of Exodus), and they weep when God doesn't answer their prayers the way they wanted Him to (Martha, John 11). That's just a small selection there of real men and women that were complete messes.

Is that even useful in ministry?

Again, the answer is no. It's easy to save face and look like you've got it all together -- believe me, I wear the mask as well. It's even easier to want to have that demeanor about yourself when you see someone else that wears the mask better than yourself. But it's in the vulnerability that God is magnified and glorified. It's when we're real with each other about our sin, our struggles, our hurts and pains that we begin to see that we're really not all that different after all.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." -- 2 Corinthians 12:9

Because honestly, I'm not always happy. But I can always rejoice, because joy is not determined by circumstance. And I can rejoice in my shortcomings -- my struggles, fears, hurts -- because then my God is glorified. When my joy does not come from my strength, the only thing I can do is point to Jesus.

From the book Grace For the Good Girl, "We believe that any amount of broken mess disqualifies us from useful activity for God, so we determine to stay decidedly unbroken" (Freeman, 51).

But it's when we put down the masks and lay bare before each other, before the world, that we will begin to see the transformation. We come before the Lord in our sin and shame and lay that there for Him to nail to the cross and He graciously forgives. What would happen if we were real with each other about our struggles in order to declare what God is doing in our lives?

This is food for thought for the day. Let me know what you think.