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
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
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
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
Sunday, December 19, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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?
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?
Monday, December 6, 2010
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.
"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.
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