The greatest story of all time

As of today I began reading the book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. This novel takes the story of Hosea and portrays it during the California gold rush. The book is amazing and the story line cannot be beat. The problem is, I cannot put it down. Therefore, I cannot go to sleep. Jason is snoring in the background and I cannot help but stay awake and be overwhelmed by the love of our God.

Imagine with me for a minute - a holy, pious man, called to marry a prostitute. Not only does he forsake his dreams of marrying a Jewish girl, but he has a son with Gomer, only to discover she leaves him and returns to her former life. Once again God calls Hosea to go back. He has to buy her - how humiliating. There could be no greater love story. A holy man giving up everything for an unholy bride - only to give his hard earned money to buy her back from her immoral ways.

As I read this story I grow angry with Gomer. I mean really, how could she do that to Hosea? All he ever did was love her. He rescued her! If she had any decency, or brains, she would accept his charity. Instead she bears his children and runs back. As my irritation increases - I realize that I at times have been Gomer. We have all been Gomer.

This story paints such a vivid picture of the relationship between God and humanity. The plot thickens as we read into the book of Hosea and learn of the Israelites betrayal of God. God uses this story to say that the Israelites are doing the exact same thing. God saves them from their rags only to have to buy them back. When will we ever learn?

God purchased us from our filth at such a high price, yet it does not take long for us to trade in our riches for the rags of the world. Once again we revel in our immorality, begging God to buy us back. Luckily we serve a God that loves us so immensely that God stoops down, and picks us up. He pays the price and continues to form and shape us into something that looks a little more like Christ.

Derek Webb wrote a song entitled Wedding Dress in which he included the following words:

Cause I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
And I run down the aisle, I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home
But I put you on just like a ring of gold
And I run down the aisle
I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child?
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
And with the other in your side
‘Cause I am so easily satisfied
By the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood

How many times are we just like Gomer, if not worse? Trading in the blessings of God for the vanity of this world. God has called us to such greater things - to a divine relationship. A relationship filled with such love that the creator of the universe would step down to the earth - die on the cross to purchase us - only to have to buy us back when we stray. How could we ever ask for more?

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends"
John 15:13

Lessons from a long day....

Today has been a long day. Not your normal kind of day - one of those ridiculously drawn out days. As I begrudgingly rolled out of bed this morning I barely fixed my hair and did not even touch my make up. Hopefully the people I ran into weren't too scared! Then at work the second hand leisurely moved around the clock as I fulfilled my 8-4 obligations. Upon clocking out I warmed up some food and headed off to church to work on painting the youth rooms. Now that I am home, I can barely even keep my eyes open. I am exhausted! In my dreary state, I realized I have not even taken five minutes to pray, read my Bible, or even think about God. I am the queen of taking on "good activities" and forgetting to leave time for the most important things.

Throughout scripture we read about Jesus going off by himself to meditate. In Luke 6:12 Jesus spends and entire night talking to God. Later in his life, we read about Jesus sweating blood as he is praying in the garden, and other times he goes across the Sea of Galilee for some alone time. Lets not forget that he spent forty days fasting and praying. This example set by Jesus is such a far cry from our fast paced lives. From the time our feet hit the floor to the late hours when we finally have the chance to shut our eyes, we are going. Where is God in all of that? How can God answer our prayer, or how can we draw close to God, if we don't make time for that relationship?

Martin Luther said, "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer." Can you imagine spending the first three hours of each day in prayer and meditation? Not only that, but Martin Luther lived an excessively busy life. He was so occupied in fact, that he saw the need to rely on God to get him through the day.

As I examine my life, I realize that maybe if I set aside time every day specifically for God, then my days would be fueled by God rather than myself. If we took the initiative to lay our time at the foot of our heavenly Father, we could accomplish more than imaginable. God has such great plans for you and me. Missions that can never be completed in our power. The only problem is that we allow ourselves and the world to get in the way. Through giving to God the time which is His anyways, we will receive the power and strength to do what we are called to do. If only it was easy to get up earlier - to make more time - or abandon our busyness. Although it is excessively difficult, if we take simple steps to dedicate our time to God than our lives will be greatly enhanced through doing His will.

Let's Get RADICAL

22,000 children die every day because of poverty. That is roughly 15 children every minute - meaning 30 innocent children dead by the time you finish reading this blog. Not because they did anything wrong, they simply have no food. 1.8 million kids die each year from something as innocent as diarrhea. 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation we take for granted every day, while 1.1 billion do not even have access to clean water. I know that these numbers are hard to internalize, but imagine if that was your son, daughter, sister, or brother. Dead because there simply was no money. 22,000 children every day. That is the equivalent of the entire population of the University of Kentucky dropping dead - in twenty four hours. *

Even today innocent civilians in Haiti are suffering and dying from cholera - a story beat out in the news headlines by Lindsey Lohan and the new fashion styles of the year. The sad thing is that cholera is preventable. Children here in America and across the globe do not have a roof over their head - shoes to protect their feet - or a measly piece of bread to ease their starvation.

As I open my fridge to peruse the possible dinner options I cannot help but think of these children. Why has God showered blessings on me when others lack basic necessities? I finally realized that maybe, God does not bless us for our glory and gratification but His. Maybe we are called to use our abundance to show the world the glory and truth of God. Luke 12:48 b reads "from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and form the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

We see a shining example of this in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul writes of the church in Macedonia that through affliction and poverty they gave abundantly with joy. In verse two he accounts that "during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part." Now these people were poor. Yet in their "extreme poverty" they gave to those in need with great joy. What a spectacular way to share the glory of God with the world! They did not just give what they did not need - but they gave out of poverty with joy.

Sadly, the needs that existed then still remain. I am overwhelmed by the necessities and injustices of our world, but also humbly convicted. Let's set the money aspect aside, because we all know we should give. Let's look at this from another angle. How much time do we spend in prayer for these people? If we know prayer has power, imagine the effects if just half of the professing Christians went to their knees before God on behalf of those suffering from injustice.

So here is my challenge as offered by David Platt in his book Radical : pray for the world.
I know that sounds impossible, but a few words to a powerful God generate change. There is a ministry entitled Operation World which can provide you with a country a day to pray for. I ask you, if you are willing, to join Jason and I on this journey. Our hours of service and hard earned donations will do little if not backed with prayer. Ghandi said, "I like your Christ but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians do not reflect your Christ." Let's prove him wrong and set out for the following year to go to battle against the evils of this world with the best weapon we have - prayer.

*These figures can be found through UNICEF and at http://www.globalissues.org

Why Jesus?

At this time of year I cannot help but think - why Jesus? Why did God humble Himself into a baby? Why a lowly town like Nazareth when the Bible states nothing good ever came from Nazareth? Why a stable filled with filthy livestock? Why an infant?

To truly understand, we have to look at a time before Jesus inhabited the earth. During the Old Testament times, we witness life without the Messiah. Only one person was allowed access into the inner courts - the holy of holies. This man went through the rituals of ceremonial cleansing and tied bells and a rope around him if he died others could pull him out of the temple. People fell dead simply from touching the ark - Jews did not even dare to spell the name of God.

Through Jesus, God breaks the barrier. We now have Immanuel, God with us. That humble baby lying vulnerable in a manger changed the relationship between God and man for eternity. God now revealed as Abba - daddy. A God who welcomes children, whose loving touch heals. The fulfillment of the Old Testament. Philip Yancey poignantly wrote in his book Disappointment With God, "because of him (Jesus), we can come to God directly. We need no human mediator for God himself became one."

As we listen to Christmas songs, finish our shopping, and enjoy family, we should not be able to stop rejoicing. Through an innocent baby the greatest miracle occurred; God lowered himself so that God could be with us. We no longer have to send one ceremonially clean person into the temple because we now have Immanuel.

Lord help my disbelief

" I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24b

This story, though often overlooked, is one of my favorites. A distraught father brings his possessed little boy to the disciples who are unable to cure him. The man pleads with Jesus - saying if you are able, please help us. Jesus replies, anything can be done for those who believe. The fathers humbly responded by crying out "I believe; help my unbelief!" Those five words speak to my soul, because I empathize with the father.

As Christians, we all come into times of doubt. Sometimes, all we can say is God - help my disbelief. Often, we attempt to hide these feelings. In reality, haven't we all felt this way at one time or another? We ignore our doubts when in reality, if we revealed them and allowed ourselves to give them to God, God could use them to help us grow stronger.

The classic Christian author C.S. Lewis spent many years as an atheist. It was not until he researched Christianity in an attempt to prove its falsehood that he encountered the truth in Christ. In his book Mere Christianity Lewis admitted that even as an atheist he suffered from doubts. He laid at night terrified that Christians might actually have the truth - then he would definitely be on the wrong side.

The point is - we all have doubts, it is what we do with them that matters. We can suppress our doubts, and simply choose not to think. The only problem with this is that we can never grow if we choose not to use our intellect. We could also approach doubts as many intellectuals do - fully accept them as truth. If something does not make sense, why not take the easy way and choose not to believe at all? There is also a third option - an answer that lies in the gray between these two extremes. We can take these doubts for what they are - doubts rather than facts. We can wrestle with them and then fall on our knees and proclaim "Lord I belive, help my unbelief," to an almighty God who promises to give us wisdom.

You're all I want

My husband and I were just worshiping and he began singing a song by Lifehouse entitled "You're All I Want." The words to the bridge are "'cause you're all I want, You're all I need, You're everything, oh everything." It made me think - these words are easy to say, but do we truly mean them?

It is amazingly easy to say God You are all I want - You mean everything to me. The question is, do we truly mean it? Is God EVERYTHING? Is God all I NEED? Is God all I WANT? When I look deep down into my soul, is God my primary focus? Is my heart undivided - focused completely on God?

I cannot help but think of the story of the rich man in Matthew 19:16-28. This man comes to Jesus and says what do I need to do to inherit eternal life? Jesus answered keep the commandments. The man retorts, yes I have kept all of those. Jesus replies with an answer that many of us find hard to hear - he says sell your possessions and give to the poor. Upon hearing these words, the rich man walked away because he had great wealth.

Is God truly all we want? Would we be willing to give up everything to follow God? Are we willing to drop our careers and our families like the disciples did, in response to God's calling? Are we truly open to living with undivided hearts?

In search of being content

Phillipians 4:11-13
"I am not saying this becasue I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

I don't know about you, but this verse makes me just a little bit envious of Paul. He says he has learned to be content no matter the circumstance - a lesson I am definitely still working on.

Paul wrote the book of Phillipians around 61 A.D. to the church in Phillipi while he is in prison. That is the historical backdrop to this verse. It is while incarcerated that Paul penned the words, "I hve learned the secret of being content." I definitely struggle, as I presume many do, with being content. Usually I am not content - always searching for more. Waiting to fulfill "God's plan" rather than being embracing the journey. As Americans we are generally dis-content. The Television is not big enough, we are not happy enough, clothes are not nice enough, we just struggle with being content. For me, there is no lack of conviction when I read this verse.

Paul, one of the "greats" of the faith is in prison, he says he has enjoyed times of plenty and also endured times of suffering. Through all of this, he learned to be content. It is likely that most would have thrown in the towel after the first stoning, or humiliating rejection. Instead, Paul presses on stronger. Through glorious ups and grave downs Paul continues to run the race set before him - all the while learning to be content.

The key is that Paul learned to be content. As humans, being content is antitehtical to our nature. We are always looking for more. Maybe instead of spending valuable energy fretting over having more, we could embark upon learning to be content. In reality, nothing we have is our own. The fact that we have access to internet sets us above millions of others. God has given us more than we deserve through Jesus. We already have great riches through the faith offered through Christ. If we learn to be content and embrace the journey, we will look back and see that God has used us in great ways. Maybe through time, we might be able to endure the pitfalls of life, and still embrace the gift of being content.

From Death to Life

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:24-26 NIV

I love it when I stumble upon a verse that I have never heard before, especially when the words leap off the page in a way that speaks to your soul. This happened to me the other day during my devotional time. This verse takes place when Jesus is in Jerusalem and proclaiming his impending death, shortly before the last supper. Can you imagine? Jesus, fully God and fully human, knows the torture he is soon to face and therefore has the human worries with the divine foreknowledge of purpose.
It was in this setting of great tribulation that Jesus proclaimed these words. The imagery astounds me. I mean think about it, it often takes death to bring about life. The death of a seed produces plants, things die in the ground and provide fertilizer for future growth, and caterpillar has to stop being a caterpillar to become a butterfly. Time after time Jesus talks about dying to ourselves, but as humans it seems that is the last thing we want to do. We often put more effort into keeping our old self than adopting our new Christ like self.
I know we hear this message in church, and we probably know it backwards and forwards, yet for some reason that does not make the transformation easier. While on earth Jesus set an example in everything He did. He washed His disciples feet to show we should serve, He did not judge people to show we as well should not judge, and once again we have Jesus setting an example by dying to give us life.
Like the butterfly, we have to be willing to die to ourselves to accept the new creation God has for us. We can never be half caterpillar half butterfly – I just do not think that would work. Although we have all tried it! It is so easy to try to sneak in our sinful self, somehow justifying it through other good works. Jesus calls for all or nothing. Either we drop our nets and follow Him, or we just keep on fishing. The great thing is that through our death, life is born. Not just any life, but True life. Through dying to ourselves we take on a new creation – the person God intended us to be.
This process is never easy, it was not meant to be. But I think as long as we are willing, and seeking, God will continue shaping us and transforming us from a wriggling caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.

In Search of ME

Sometimes we are so caught up in life we lose sight of who we are. It is astonishing how easy this is to do. Life gets going – and we become something we never intended to be. Sometimes it is out of convenience, other times it is a conscious act. I remember in middle school everyone called me a dumb blond, so that is what I crafted myself into. That dumb blond mask I put on did not display who I was, or who God intended me to be, but rather what I thought others wanted me to be. At times we put on masks of confidence, energy, knowledge, pride, and many others. Often we shape ourselves into how we want to be perceived, or how we think that we should act, and eventually we lose sight of our true self.

After years of these charades, we arrive at a point where we are unsure of our true identity because we have caked so many false selves on top of it. I am not just talking about acting happy when you are sad, but rather shaping yourself into what you want to be or think you should be. God has crafted us as individual, beautiful, capable human beings but through life we work diligently to reshape what God crafted into something we think might be better. Only to figure out that God got it right in the beginning.

Paul is a shining example of creating a false self and exchanging it for his true self. Saul – a Jew – worked hard. He learned all the laws and the actions, living them out through persecuting Christians. Soon Jesus directly intervened on the road to Damascus, changing Saul’s life for eternity. Saul became Paul, his true self that he was intended to be since his birth. In Galatians 1:13-16a Paul is writing to the church in Galatia and states:
13For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;
14and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
15But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…

Due to the death of his old false self, Paul was able to take on the true life God intended since his mothers womb. We have been set apart from our birth just like Paul. God is beckoning us to know Him more so that we can come to know our true self.

So what do we do? I do not know about you, but as for me it is excessively difficult to peel back the layers of my false self to find the glorious creation God intended. I believe that throughout our lives we are supposed to work on discovering this true self, an identity found only through the lens of God. Through solitude, prayer, and listening we can begin a journey filled with the undulations of life – a journey to discover who God truly intended us to be.

A word from Thomas a Kempis

As Christians we often re-invent the proverbial wheel. Many Christians have gone before us and left lessons - encouragements - and glimmers of truth that could greatly enhance our Christian journey if only we took the time to listen. One of these was a monk named Thomas a Kempis. This Catholic monk lived around the late thirteen hundreds. He wrote a devotional book entitled The Imitation of Christ which is more than worth reading. I am sharing this because his potent words come from a life lived fully devoted to Christ - they convict, encourage, and help shape us to be powerful Christians. Thomas a Kempis wrote:

"We are too much occupied with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory things. Seldom, too, do we entirely conquer even a single fault, nor are we zealous for daily growth in grace. And so we remain lukewarm and unspiritual.
3. Were we fully watchful of ourselves, and not bound in spirit to outward things, then might we be wise unto salvation, and make progress in Divine contemplation. Our great and grievous stumbling-block is that, not being freed from our affections and desires, we strive not to enter into the perfect way of the Saints. And when even a little trouble befalleth us, too quickly are we cast down, and fly to the world to give us comfort."


Seven hundred years after a Kempis penned these words, they still ring true. How easily we enslave ourselves to worldly things, falling into the belief that this world has something to offer us. In reality, we are only visitors on foreign soil - waiting for our true home.

These words convict me because I am too easily ensnared with fleshly desires. Rather than focusing on my path with Christ, I am distracted by a nice dress, new television show, or the newest celebrity gossip. Oh how vain and ephemeral this world truly is, if only we could see the Truth that is beckoning us.

Enough

So this has been one of those weeks. You know the type – Satan has been attacking me from every angle possible. Now let me tell you, I am a firm believer that a lot of times Satan does not even need to do anything because we bring ourselves down, but my week is definitely the work of the great deceiver. You see I know this because it is always the same – a barrage of thoughts. You aren’t good enough – you aren’t smart enough – you aren’t a leader – no one cares – you just aren’t enough. Finally I realized that one part of these lies rings true – I am not enough, nor will I ever be enough. And guess what, you are not enough either – Mother Theresa, Paul, Moses, Billy Graham – not enough. We can never be enough.

Romans 6:23 says “but the wages of sin is death.” Earlier, Paul says in Romans 3:23 “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We are flawed – sinful human beings. I can never be – and you can never be - enough. But thank God there is a part b to Romans 6:23 that asserts “but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Can anyone give a resounding AMEN to that??
I mean really, lets look at the Old Testament law. We cannot covet – lie – steal – pretty sure that we have all done one, if not all of those. Then Jesus comes and raises the stakes. This is what Jesus declares in Matthew 5:
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell

Really? I was having a hard enough time trying to fulfill the commandments! Now my thoughts count – I am doomed! I can never be enough. But somehow, out of an astounding gift of grace, God stepped in and said you are not enough but I still love you. Not only do I love you, but I want you to follow me – to have eternal life even though you deserve death. Amen and Hallelujah – we have a great redeemer that loves us even though we are not enough. Satan’s lies can never trump the Truth that even though we are not enough, God says you are a crown in His hand. Praise God – He has made us enough!

“3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3

A word from Jeremiah...

So here I am, about to post a blog, but I am in such a funk I can barely force a smile. Why? I have no idea. Just one of those "I hate life" days. No particular reason, just a mood. It is in this mindset that I cannot stop thinking about the word of God Jeremiah prophesied to the Israelites in Jeremiah 29.

Jeremiah relayed this message:
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This verse is scattered throughout yearbooks, letters, and sermons. It is such an encouragement to us – that God has great plans in store. As I read Jeremiah the other day, I came across this verse and its context astounded me. In Jeremiah chapter 29 we have the Israelites in exile. They are not in their homes – and do not have their temple. They are living in foreign land and are definitely not enjoying times of hope and prosperity.

Jeremiah wrote this to the survivors in Babylon that king Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of exile. This is what Jeremiah prophesied:

"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Can you imagine? The Babylonians have uprooted them from everything- all the Israelites have left is hope that God will deliver them. Now, God instructs them to settle in to the new culture – make families – and seek peace with the Babylonians. I cannot imagine being forced to move to another country and God telling me to settle there. It is in this context that God says I know the plans I have for you – plans to prosper and give you hope.

When I think of this verse my mind drifts to a future full of promise, hope, and peace. Yet in this context, It does not seem like the Israelites felt any of these blessings. Even though they did not understand their situation, even though they were not happy, even though they did not have their native homes – God promised them hope.

This is such an encouragement to me. It does not take long for me to think of times in my life when I could not understand why things happened, or why I had to endure difficult times. Yet through these circumstances God says it is okay, I am here with you. Seek peace – do My will – and I know your future which has greatness wrapped right into it.

In search of God

I have come to the realization as of late that both my God and my Jesus are too small. I guess I just can’t help it sometimes. I would rather have a nice, kind, friendly Jesus than a Christ that pushes me to change every day I encounter Him. I would prefer to pray to a God that is more like Santa than the God that spoke the world into being, or cast plagues onto a nation. Simply put, I build a nice clean boring box and vainly attempt to fit my idea of God inside. You see, when I need a vengeful God, that is what I create. When I need a radical Jesus, that is where I focus. But somewhere in my fallible human state I loose sight of the big picture – a God that always has been and always will be who set the earth into motion that is big enough to create but also low enough to love a wretch like me. A Jesus loving enough to humble himself on the cross, but righteous enough to eat with the sinner. I sell myself short.
I f only I could grasp onto the entirety of God – the great big and the small, the God that we should fear and the God we should run too, my faith would be greatly enhanced. When Moses encountered God on Mount Sinai his face began to glow – so much so he had to cover it. I want that God. The true God, not tainted my our fallible and human misconceptions. The God that is I AM. How great would it be if we could just let go – let go of our preconceptions, or of who we think God should be – and just allowed God to reveal Gods self to us.
This has become my prayer. Lord, reveal yourself to me for who You truly are. As humans we usually have good intentions, but through the past thousand years we have vainly attempted to try to explain an infinite God with finite minds. Because of this, we often leave out important aspects. I do not want that. I want to serve the one true God – not my explanation on who I think God is. I want to see God in such a way that my face glows because of God’s presence. Lord, let that be our heart. Oh that we could be freed from our finite minds just so we could see God in all of God’s glory – I do not think we could ever make a box big enough to contain that.

Us versus Them

I read a tragic story today on Yahoo news. The article told the account of an evangelical church planning on burning copies of the Quran to commemorate September eleventh. How devastating. Where is Jesus in that? Now I understand that this church is fanatical and not representative of most churches, but I do believe it is an extreme example of something that has gone terribly wrong. For decades the church has pitted itself in a battle of "us versus them" rather than being proponents of the love of Christ. It does not take more than a cursory view of history to see Christians verses Muslims, Catholics verses Protestants, Christians versus homosexuality, evolution, intellectualism, and the list never ends.

I find myself torn because often it is imperative to take a stance, but what the church has come to be seen for is what we are against rather than what we are for.

John 4:1-42
In this poignant passage we have Jesus, a Jew, asking for water from a Samaritan woman. Not only does this make him unclean because she was a Samaritan, but she had multiple husbands and lived with a man who was not her husband! Jesus, in typical religious fashion, could have removed himself from the presence of this repeat sinner but instead he built a relationship. A relationship so powerful, the text says this sinful woman’s testimony caused many Samaritans to see the power of Christ. Jesus could have taken many different approaches towards this woman. He could have ignored her like the other religious leaders, gone around preaching about how wrong adultery is, or demonized her for her sins, but he did none of these. He built a relationship that instigated eternal change.

The "religious" of Jesus' day constantly condemned him for dealing with sinners, like this Samaritan woman. Not only was he seen with sinners, but in their view he made himself unclean by being with sinners - it was THAT important to him. The interesting thing is that it was the very same people the religious so often push away that could not help but run to Jesus. The thiefs, adulterors, even murderers were drawn like flies into the light of Christ.

So what has gone wrong? Why do these people now run from the Truth that only the church can offer? Why do we not draw them in?

We, as Christians, are blessed because we are all the benefactors of the greatest gift of grace - due to this reality it should never be us versus them. Our opinions should only come second to the abundant story of love Christ offers.

Rather than burning Qurans, maybe we could build relationships - show people the story of love we have to offer rather than the list of "cannot" we have created.

Here is where I come to a crossroad. I know I am no better than anyone - a wretched sinner saved by the undeserving grace of the cross. But what do we do? When what the world sees is Christians who shoot abortion doctors, or burn Qurans, how do we draw people in? Why would they want to come in? The only conclusion I can come to is the example Christ set. Maybe we can build relationships with "outsiders" so strong that they run back to their villages spreading the Truth of Christ as they go.

A trip to Israel

This past year Jason and I had the amazing opportunity to go to Israel. We saw Caesarea, Pauls’ house, Egyptian ruins, and countless other breathtaking sites. One day, we went to one of two places archaeologists believe to be the location of the crucifixion and burial. I have to admit, I have never been more disappointed in my life. As we fought the crowds to enter this holy location, all I could see was people pushing and shoving to perform their rituals at certain locations. Walls clad in gold and icons surrounded me, while prayers in different languages flooded my ears. Now please do not misunderstand me- I find great value in liturgy, ritual, and tradition but these people worshiped the place more than the person. Come to find out, priests even got into fist fights over that very location. Look it up on YouTube- priests at the holy sepulcher – it is depressing. I could not help but think He is risen – no longer here! While it is great to see the sights, even enlightening, the sight itself is not something to be worshiped.

After the sepulcher debacle, we travelled to the second sight that is believed to be the location of the crucifixion and burial. This place had no gold, no icons, no crazy tourists, no rituals – just rocks and flowers. We sat in silence and enjoyed communion together. As we walked to the empty tomb, there hung a humble sign that simply said, “He is not here – He is risen.” How refreshing – the high light to an event filled trip. But this experience made me realize we often worship the place rather than the person.

Those priests got into a fist fight over inanimate things – when in reality, they all believed in the same Christ. How many times do we fight and squabble over meaningless things – whether we should sing hymns or praise songs, whether the paint should be red or blue, or how to do any particular thing. Meanwhile, the world watches wondering why we argue over unimportant things if we have such an important message. If we have the Truth, shouldn’t we be so occupied with it that we do not get caught up in petty matters? I know we are human, but we have to remember who we serve – a risen Savior that has the power to change lives! If we keep this at the forefront of our mind, things like the color of the stained glass seem to fade away in comparison. Always remember – He is not here, He is risen!

A lesson from Indy

My husband is a diehard Indiana Jones fanatic. By this I mean he can quote any line in any movie, we have the Indiana Jones glasses, fedora, whip, even the Indiana Jones potato head. One time, he read through the Indiana Jones manual – in one day! Now that is crazy. So one day in an attempt to indulge his passion for Indy, we watched The Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull. At one point in the movie Indiana is on a motorcycle with his son, rides into the library and skids under the tables in classic Jones style. He slides to a stop in front of one of his students, who conveniently has a question – Indiana looks at him and says kid, to be a true archaeologist you sometimes have to get out of the library.

What a poignant phrase – sometimes, you have to get out into the world. A maxim I think many of us should take to heart. Often, to be productive Christians, we have got to get out of the church. It is so easy to go to church on Sunday morning, worship on Sunday night, only shop at Christian stores, and only spend time with Christian friends. The reality is that, while church is an imperative, there is a world full of lost and dying people waiting for us to spread the light of Christ. How can they know about what Christ has to offer if we are too busy surrounding ourselves with Christians to show them?

In Mathew 28:19 Jesus says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We hear this verse all of the time, but I think the English translation does not represent the true spirit of these words. Often we listen to this scripture and think, man I have to go! I have to spread God’s word! But in the original Greek, the verse is translated “as you are going.” Therefore, as we are going throughout our day we are called to make disciples. Rather it be at work, the coffee shop, or in line at the supermarket, we are directed to make disciples. This kind of scares me – I mean, how in the world do we do that?

The answer is simpler than you may think. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “preach the gospel everywhere you go and if necessary use words.” We speak more with our lives than our mouths. Can you imagine the effects if we loved the unlovable, took in those that the world turned their back on, and forgave when it was not deserved? What if people saw that there was something different about us, just by watching our actions? What a testimony that would be! But first, we have to get out of the church. We have to step out of our Christian circles, and set an example for a world that is thirsting for truth, and starving for something different. They see our steeples, our Christian shirts, and the crosses on our checks – but what they want is to see our actions. Let’s set the world on fire – minister without saying a word – and step out of the church to win souls for the Lord.

The Humble Servant

As I read this morning, I came across Daniel 10. In this chapter Daniel sees a vision –  a revelation so intense that he mourned for three weeks. In this vision, Daniel saw a man and became stricken with fear causing him to “fall into a deep sleep.” Can you imagine? You know, I used to be afraid to see angels because every time people in the Bible see them, the messenger has to say “don’t be afraid.” I thought I could just save my fear, and pray to God not to send me an angel – probably the strongest prayer I ever prayed as a child was dear Lord Jesus, PUHLEEEZZZZ do not send me an angel tonight – I am so scared!  And clearly, Daniel is so terrified he falls into a deep sleep until the man who appeared to him touched him and woke him up. The man then goes on to say in verse twelve, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” This verse hit me like a dagger in the heart – God heard Daniel once he humbled himself and sought to gain understanding.

I don’t know about you, but often I set off into my prayers and say what I should say, and forget to humble myself and truly seek to gain the understanding only God can give. The implication in this verse is that there was a time when Daniel did not humble himself, but upon humbling himself Daniels prayers became pleasing to God.  Let’s seek to truly humble ourselves and seek divine wisdom and understanding so that our lives and prayers become a pleasing sacrifice to God – one that God both hears and blesses.

The truth is, God is yearning to work miracles with our lives – to bring us to our fullest potential. The problem is that to be able to do this, we must humble ourselves and seek God’s understanding. It was only at this point that Daniel became the man of God he was, and God heard and responded to him.  It is only at this point that God can make us into new creations. To truly embody the Christ like life, we have to humble ourselves and seek God’s wisdom. We can go to church three days a week, pray every morning and night, and serve countless hours, but if we withhold our hearts it is useless. God wants you – every cell of you – unadulterated and surrendered to his perfect wisdom.

Utter Surrender

So here I am sitting, sipping my green tea and reading through the pages of Jeremiah. Until this point in my life I always thought that prayer, although important, seemed to be a gift to some and not to others. While I fell in the latter category, I woke up this morning with the urge to learn how to pray. Low and behold, it seems I found out that prayer, while a gift, is something every Christian ought to seek to do. A quick glance over the classics on prayer will display the importance of the discipline. This prayer is not confined to closing your eyes and folding your hands, or even declaring healing, but rather a life of prayer. As God unveiled this revelation to me, it seemed a tsunami wave hit me in the face – I cannot even focus for five minutes, how can I live a life of prayer? Doesn’t God know that prayer is not my gift? I don’t even understand prayer, yet, we are all called to be prayer warriors. My mind runs in circles in a vain attempt to comprehend prayer, and why some seem to “get it” and I definitely don’t. BUT I am called to do it. So this particular morning I embarked on my prayer journey, hoping beyond hope that God could make something beautiful out of my intentions. My prayer – simply for God to teach me how to pray.

In reading Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline,  he made the revolutionary observation that when praying for others the disciples never said “if thy will be done.” The reason being, the disciples drenched themselves so much into God’s will that they knew what God wanted them to do. So I have embarked upon the journey to having this kind of faith – being in this deep, unadulterated, communion with God.

It did not take long on this prayer journey, actually all of five minutes, to realize all of my efforts are vain. There is absolutely no action I as a human can take to bring me closer to God because my flesh always gets in the way. The only thing I can do is surrender – surrender, what a word. It is at this point my meditations turned to realization of my futile efforts. You see I, as I presume many others do, udder “Lord I surrender” as I am drifting off to sleep, or barely waking up in the morning. While I say I surrender, do I truly seek it? You see, the truth is that to truly surrender, pray, or know God’s will we have to stop. Stop our flesh – completely die to ourselves and let God work a miracle in ourselves. I think this is the greatest miracle God ever works –greater than igniting wood drenched in water, or making a burning bush talk. This miracle takes something like me, rotten through and through, and completely changes it to be whiter than snow.

While it appears we should sink into depression over our lack of ability to do anything right, it is just at that point of humility God steps in and says this is what I have been waiting for – for you to step aside. Not to utter the words I surrender, but to truly remove yourself so you can have divine surrender and divine communion. What a revelation – something taught time and time again through millennia, yet so hard to grasp.

I truly think God looks at me sometimes in bewilderment and says what in the world are you doing?? I made you and I can’t even figure you out – don’t you know what I could do if you would just stop and listen to me?? Yet somehow, even though I can’t make myself worthy, God steps in and covers me, but this only happens when I fall utterly abandoned, humbled, and willing at the foot of my savior with an un-quenchable thirst for divinely inspired surrender.