Gossip: Part Four

For the past four days I've been blogging about the topic of gossip.

I've referenced Sheri Rose Shepherd's book, Fit for Excellence, and her the three forms of gossip she discusses: "general gossip", "silent gossip" and "godly gossip".

In this final post on gossip, I'd like to list the five questions Shepherd poses to herself before speaking about others (pg. 137):

1. Why am I sharing this information?
2. Will it hurt someone's reputation?
3. Will it benefit the person listening?
4. Am I willing to let others use my name as a reference?
5. If God were visibly present here with us, would we continue?

If we keep these five questions in mind, we'll most likely never say something negative about someone else. Instead, we'll make an effort to say positive things!

Shepherd leaves us with an important thought to remember: if someone will gossip to you, they'll most likely gossip about you (137)! Let's all make a special effort to lift each other up with kind and encouraging words and leave the judging to the only One who is qualified to judge us: the Lord Jesus.

Gossip: Part Three

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison" ~ James 3:8

For the past couple of days I've been discussing the topic of gossip. In Sheri Rose Shepherd's book, Fit for Excellence, she names three types of gossip: "general gossip", "silent gossip" and "godly gossip". In this post, I will discuss the form of gossip known as "godly gossip".

In my opinion, this is the most detrimental, as well as disgusting, form of gossip. It is with this type of gossip that we can effectively discourage a fellow Christian, help destroy a ministry, or even aid in the eventual turning from the faith by not only the one we are gossiping about, but also the ones we are gossiping to.

"Godly gossip" is when we preface our story with something like, "I'm not really a gossiper but I wanted to tell you this so you can pray" or "we really need to pray for sister so-and-so", and then we proceed to run her reputation into the ground all in the name of "prayer".

I believe this form of gossip disgusts the Lord. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are encouraged to "exhort one another and build each other up." In my opinion, the best thing to do when faced with a "godly gossiper" is to politely remind him or her of this truth and then just walk away.

Gossip: Part Two

As 1 Corinthians 15:33 states, "bad company corrupts good character".

In Sheri Rose Shepherd's book, Fit for Excellence, she discusses three different forms of gossip: "general gossip", "silent gossip" and "godly gossip". In this post, I'd like to address the second form, "silent gossip".

This is probably the form of gossip that I have most often and most recently participated in. "Silent gossip" is the type of gossip that we participate in simply by being in the presence of a gossiper. We don't have to say a word; but our refusal to defend the gossipee or walk away from the conversation confirms that our heart is turned toward the gossip and not toward the Lord.

I will admit, I usually feel terribly uncomfortable in this sort of situation but don't want to "hurt anyone's feelings" by walking away in the middle of the conversation. Instead, I find myself giving the gossiper some sort of pat response like, "well, that's too bad" or "hmm...I don't know...". I need to work on being bold and either speak up in defense of the one being talked about or walk away when the conversation begins to turn to gossip.

Like Shepherd points out, if someone will gossip around you, surely they will gossip about you. Be careful little ears what you hear---and, just as importantly, be very careful regarding with whom you choose to spend your time!

Gossip: Part One

In Proverbs 18:21 we learn that the power of life and death is in the tongue. With our words we can either build someone up or tear them down.

I thought about this verse last week as I was reading Sheri Rose Shepherd's book of random thoughts, Fit for Excellence. Shepherd describes three types of gossip: "general gossip", "silent gossip" and "godly gossip". Surely, we've all been guilty of at least one of these. I know I've participated in all three forms at one time or another.

In this post, I'll address the first form of gossip: "general gossip". "General gossip", says Shepherd, is the kind of gossip that takes place when we gossip about people, groups or churches that we don't personally know. A perfect example of this kind of gossip is the publicity surrounding "Octo-Mom". Even before this poor woman's entire life history was made international news, many people were forming opinions and stances regarding her situation. My question during this entire spectacle has been, "why is it any of our business?"

No matter how anyone feels about the issues of public assistance, reproductive assistance or single motherhood, the truth is that no one really knows all the details and truths surrounding this woman except for her. Furthermore, why has no one focused on the positive and miraculous in this story? According to all known records, this group of babies has survived the longest of all octuplets ever born! That is something to celebrate!

This kind of "general gossip" has no place in the hearts or the speech of Christians. Forming opinions about people with whom we have neither a personal relationship nor a full knowledge of their situation is judgemental and immature.

As Shepherd states, "Unless we are part of the problem or the solution, our concern should always be to build up the body of Christ, whether we know them personally or not!" (Shepherd, 137).

So, why do you go to church? Do you really HAVE to???

I've had a question mulling around in my head for awhile now and since I'm in a writing mood, maybe I'll mull it out here! Forgive me tonight as my grammar, punctuation and social graces are not functioning as well as they should be. However, sometimes that "rawness of writing" is what needs to be expressed in order to really get one's thoughts out, right?

So there are two, not really opposite but maybe conflicting, opinions that I've been made aware of recently concerning church and our reasons for being there...the reason for it's existence. I'm speaking of an actual organized church in an actual building...you know, with a sign and a bulletin and a schedule and all that. I'm NOT speaking of "the church" as in all of us believers...the body of Christ.

One side is this: I read a comment on a news article recently where the commentator stated that the last place on earth that people should look for God is in the church. I guess his opinion was that our churches have gotten so far away from what God intended that more people are becoming confused and misled by attending church than they would be otherwise.

The other side is this: I recently read a piece of writing from a person who was becoming dissatisfied with his experience at his church. He was frustrated that he didn't seem to be getting fed enough and that the sermons were oftentimes discouraging, leaving him feeling worse off than he did before he arrived. He was feeling like the pastor maybe should be offering something a little meatier---and more positive---something to make him come away with a good feeling and to start his week off on the right foot. He could see how the Sunday experience was benefiting his children and spouse but didn't think he was getting very much worthwhile from it.

After thinking the first scenario through for the last 6 weeks or so, and the second through for about 2, I have to say that I completely disagree with the first and pretty much disagree with the second.

In the first scenario, the speaker is making a blanket statement about all churches---all denominations (I'm assuming...), all situations, locations, whatever. I think this is extreme. For one thing, if the speaker does not think God can be found in the church, what sort of proper alternative would he suggest? Although our churches may not reflect God in completely the way they should, I can't think of any better place to find answers, to find fellowship, to make a start in a Christian walk, than in a church. Yes, the people in our churches are just as full of sin as the people outside our churches...that's the nature of humans, unfortunately. However, the people in the churches know the big "secret" that those outside of a relationship with God don't understand. Christians know that there's a such thing as grace, freedom, redemption, newness, wholeness, and peace in Christ. If someone wants to find a group of people who will welcome him, take him under their wing, provide answers, give direction, and ultimately lead him to the One who can fix it all---where else would this writer recommend that would be more likely to provide this than the church?

On the other hand, just what exactly is a church "supposed" to provide? Or more specifically, what should the leadership's role be in the church? Should a pastor be sensitive to those who are seeking encouragement, blessing, positivity? Of course. However, in my experience, the best pastors or teachers are those who present the facts as they are and let the chips fall where they may.

I'll go off on a tangent here for a second, but has anyone read Kay Arthur? Know what I absolutely LOVE about Kay Arthur that I've yet to find in any other author? She presents just the facts, ma'am. She lays out a Bible truth, provides some background and then leaves it up to the reader to come up with an interpretation. If you are a smart reader, you'll ask the Lord for an interpretation. If you are a lazy reader, you'll come up with your own interpretation and hear about it from the Lord until you take the time to stop and ask Him what His interpretation is! What Arthur does not do, however, is give you the Kay Arthur interpretation. I love that.

So, why the tangent? Because I believe that applies to the situation with scenario number two. What I really think is important for speaker number two to understand is that if he is not spending time with the Lord throughout the week, receiving the spiritual food that he needs to survive, then he can not expect to get much out of the service on Sunday. This is more than just ritually opening up the Bible, reading a certain amount of verses, praying an ordinary prayer, and going about the day. As growing Christians, we've got to be seeking the Lord's truths and their application for our own life. We can not expect the pastor to provide this for us. For one thing, it would be impossible for the pastor to say something to an entire congregation of people and have it be just exactly what they all needed to hear to fill the tank for the week. The exception, of course, being that the Lord set it up that way and then the person who hadn't spent the time with Him wouldn't get it anyway because they couldn't recognize His voice. If speaker number two is not feeling fulfilled at church, then he has not been honest with himself about where he stands in his relationship with the Lord, as well as why he is at church in the first place.

So, why do we go to church? Do we have to? What about all those "home churchers" out there? What about those guys who say that they can commune with God better during an afternoon at the lake then they can in any given church service?

Hebrews 10 tells us not to forsake assembling together as a body. Now I know I wasn't there, but I'm pretty sure that, back in the day, it took awhile (as in years) before there was an "established way" of having church. I bet people assembled together in homes, at the lake, in a field, in a barn, here and there and wherever. So, the church building is not so important, right? The New Testament is actually full of examples of people assembling together all over the place...think of all the places Jesus ministered...get over the building...it doesn't matter.

What matters here is the coming together of believers. How many believers? I mean, just two or three people hanging out can't really be considered an "assembling together", right? Matthew 18:20 tells us that where two or three are gathered, there's the Lord, right there with them. What more does one need for a church service than people and the Lord, right?

So here we have a couple of reasons for coming together as a group of Christians---whether it be in a church, or in the gazebo at the park. For the sake of scenario number two, let's say we're in a traditional church building. Why are we there? These two verses tell us that we are there to assemble as believers, that the Lord might come down and be in the middle of it all. Kinda like a family reunion, right? Listen speaker number two, it's for fellowship. It's a home base where we can talk about the Lord freely and worship Him corporately. Is it essential that it's done in a church building? Of course not, but it's essential that it's done.

1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us that the gifts the Lord has given us are for the body. Let me be specific: they are not for our own body. They are for the body of Christ. God gives us each abilities, talents, insights, knowledge, and more that we may use it to minister to others. What better place to use these gifts than in a setting made up of your brothers and sisters in Christ! If we come into church with the attitude that we are there to receive, then we will most assuredly come away feeling disappointed. However, if we come into each fellowship opportunity, whether it be a home study group, a men's breakfast, or a traditional church service, with the attitude of being there to bless others, we will most likely come away feeling fulfilled and refreshed.

I guess, after thinking this all through, I believe that we should attend church for the main reasons of fellowshiping with other believers and allowing God to use us to bless and encourage them. I don't believe that we have to be in an actual church building to be fellowshiping and that those "home-churchers" are in no danger of frying any time soon. As for that dude on the lake, well, we all need a little quiet time in the Lord's presence now and then---and what was Jesus, if not a dedicated fisherman?

We Have a Winner!

Please join me in congratulating Holly, winner of this round of Bloggy Giveaways here on my blog!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated and commented this week! I know a lot of you have signed on as readers and I hope you'll enjoy what I have to share as the Lord prompts me to write.

Please visit again next time around as I'll be hosting another great giveaway!

Our God: The Restorer

"Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

I had that verse going through my head all day yesterday so I decided to take some time and read through that Psalm. I was so surprised as I imagined myself in King David's place; writing this Psalm after committing the devastating sin of adultery with another man's wife. I can't say that the words David expressed to God would have fallen from my lips had I been in that situation...I can more see myself crawling into the deepest, darkest cave and hiding.

If you read through the entire Psalm, you'll find that David was sure of the Lord's love for him and of His forgiving power. He speaks of God's lovingkindness and the greatness of (His) compassion. He actually has the boldness to ask God to hide his face from David's sin and to blot out all his iniquities!

How many of us would call out to God in this way after committing such a sin? David's faith in the Lord's love for him was strong!

David didn't let shame overtake him. He knew how to be washed and made whole again by God---not through penance...not through righteousness...not through obedience to the law---but by asking, with a contrite heart, and believing that God was faithful to restore him.

What a loving and patient God we serve! We don't have to fear him as he always desires restoration and relationship with us!

A Very Present Help

Psalm 46:1--"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

When faced with troubling circumstances, why do I feel the need to beg, plead and twist God's arm into helping me? Why do I feel like the level or amount of God's help is directly proportionate to the amount of time I spend praying about something? Granted, it may be that way in some cases---I'm not so naive as to claim that I've got this one licked---it's just that a lot of times, when I call on the Lord, I'm under the (mistaken) impression that He's been lying there dormant and unaware until the time that I call Him into service.

Psalm 46 tells us that in times of trouble (and I'd be bold enough to add---in all other times too) God is "very present". You can't get much more "there" than that!

I am beginning to understand that in these times when I call on him, it's not God who has been awakened from his Holy Sleep to help me---it's me who has been awakened from fear and self-pity and who has remembered the One Very Present Help---the only one who can remedy the situation.

I seem to have this mentality sometimes that God comes out when summoned, saves the day, and then goes back into hibernation until he's summoned once again. I need to remember the promise of Psalm 46---he's always there---right next to me like a constant companion. Not only is he available in times of trouble---he's present at all times.

If I want to spend more time in His presence, I don't need to always find a quiet moment or a secluded spot. I need only to remember that he's right there---my very present help in trouble---and in all other times too!

It's Bloggy Giveaway Time Again!!!

Yipee!!! It's my favorite Bloggy time of year---the Bloggy Giveaway Quarterly Carnival!

Welcome to my blog! Here you will find a mix of random musings about the Lord Jesus, the Bible, and other God-related things.

Need a winter pick-me-up? How would you like a Wintertime Cozy Package (cozy socks, writing journal, warm drink mixes and more)? Read on to find out how YOU can win!!

***PLEASE NOTE***: If you do not follow the instructions for entry, your entry will be deleted and will not be included in the final drawing on Sunday!!!!! You MUST provide a reliable means of contact (preferably an email address) if you'd like to be included!

To enter, please finish the following sentence: "This year, I'm trusting God for_________________." If you are not a believer, you can finish this sentence instead: "My #1 goal this year is __________________." This will earn you one entry into my drawing. **Please respect those who will be reading these comments and make sure they are tasteful.

Here are two more ways to earn entries. You MUST leave a separate comment for EACH entry:

1: Subscribe to this blog. Please let me know that you have done so in a separate entry.

2: Visit www.bookcrossing.com, join, and list me, Elizardbreath, as your referring member. It's fast and free! Please let me know that you have done so in a separate entry.

Contest stays open until Sunday, Feb. 1st when one winner will be drawn and contacted by method provided. If you do not provide a means of contact, or do not respond within a few days, I will draw another name.

Good luck and please visit the Bloggy Carnival at www.bloggygiveaways.com for more great giveaways!

Michal the Snotty Hottie

2 Samuel 6:12-23 (New American Standard Bible)
"Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God." David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And so it was, that when the bearers of the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. And David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod.
So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.
Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
So they brought in the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house. But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!" So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before the LORD. "I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished." Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death."

And now, let the conviction begin!!!

Wow, I don't know about you but I really feel ashamed when I read this passage. Not for Michal, but for myself. How many times have I discouraged my husband with a haughty, self-righteous, or (gasp!) jealous attitude?

Here's David, on perhaps the most joyous day of his life yet, shamelessly praising the Lord and honoring Him---and what does he come home to? His snotty first wife with her nose in the air and a chip on her shoulder.

Now, I understand that she's got a little bit to be jealous over. By now she's been through a lot with this guy. She started out adoring him, claiming to love him from an early age. The Bible doesn't seem to indicate whether or not her love was returned. However, shortly after her marriage to David, she's given in marriage to another man---and shortly after that is taken back by David to join him, and his several new wives, as one big, happy family. This has to be a situation that sparks some resentment---even if it was a common practice for the times.

I can just imagine her standing at the window, watching her handsome hunk dancing before the Lord, and despising him in her heart. A heart that was not right with the Lord---but was, instead, filled with jealousy and hurt. If Michal's heart would have been turned toward her husband and the Lord, she would have seen this situation for what it was---an honest act of worship by David. Instead, all she could see from that window was that her beloved was bearing his BVD's before all the blushing beauties below.

When I put myself in this situation, I can find many instances where I've let my jealousies kill my husband's spirit. He comes home from work to tell me about this great business luncheon that he had and all I can think about is the fact that he went out to lunch without me...and were there any girls there??? He scores high on a college assignment and I can't get past my bitterness that his schooling is taking up so much of our time to congratulate him. He shares with me the details of a fun day he had with the kids while I was out and all I can do is think about how I would have done things so much better had I been home.

Even though our men are strong, both physically and emotionally, we've got to be careful to nurture their spirits, rather than treat them so carelessly. We've got the power to build them up or break them down. As the Bible says in Proverbs 18:21, "The power of life and death is in the tongue". Today, I challenge myself to make sure my words, thoughts and actions are producing good fruit in my marriage.

(Can't Think of a Non-Sacrilegious Pig-ish Title)

Ok, I really had to think about it to get the following revelation to line up to some spiritual truth...so bear with me.

You know on Charlotte's Web, at the end, when everyone is singing the praises of the pig. "He's Some Terrific, Radiant, Humble Thing-a-Majig Of a Pig"... Well, I was contemplating that song today and realized something. It's not the pig who is terrific, radiant, humble, for crying out loud---it's the spider!!! The pig did absolutely nothing to make himself praiseworthy---it was Charlotte, his spider friend, who used all her gifts and abilities to make him shine. Did anyone ever think to give glory to the spider? Nope, she just gave birth to her most magnificent masterpiece...and then died. Talk about humility...

So, it got me (eventually) thinking about Hebrews 11. In this chapter, we find the Hall of Faith...all the great men and women of renown and all their worthy accomplishments in the name of faith. Not to discount these honorable brothers and sisters in the faith---but don't we see some liars here? Some murderers? Adulterers? I mean, when we look really closely, the things that make these people worth remembering are all the things that the Lord has done in their lives by his power and covenant with them. It is nothing that they have done on their own. They would be unmentionable nobodies---runts doomed to death---if it weren't for the Lord.

That chapter that we refer to as the Hall of Faith---from now on, I'll try to consider it God's Hall of Fame---and give credit where credit is due.

My Bible Story Hour

This evening I was thinking about how I came to learn the stories of the Bible. I wasn't raised in a church-going home but I went to several different churches with friends throughout childhood. I understood the basics of salvation and the importance of prayer and knowing scripture...but I was completely in the dark about all of the wonderful stories in the Bible.

Eight days after I was married, the associate pastor of the church we went to asked me if I was interested in teaching the preschool/kindergarten class at their Christian school. I was a little taken aback...for one thing, my life wasn't lining up with Christ as it should be---and for another thing, I was only 18 years old!

But, of course, I said yes! I was given the material soon after that and had about 6 weeks to prepare. I was pretty confident in myself and the year started off fine.

However, it didn't take long for me to realize that I could teach these kids lots of facts about math or science or reading or history...but I didn't know Bible basics. What kind of a girl agrees to teach a group of young children in a Christian school, knowing that she doesn't even know one Bible story to tell them???

Lucky for me, my husband had grown up in that same school and had attended church all his life. He knew the Bible front to back and had a strong relationship with the Lord. So we started a new habit.

Every night before bed, I'd ask him to tell me a Bible story. I didn't want some long, drawn-out theological treatise---just a basic story as one would tell it to a young child.

So he'd come up with stories that he remembered from childhood and I'd be fascinated! It was so amazing to hear of all of these great men and women of God! The one I remember him telling the most was the story of Samson. (It just occured to me that there could have been a little bit of a link there between me and Delilah...but surely he wasn't hinting at anything??? :)

I've now read the Bible through several times and have spent lots of time in certain books of the Bible. I've taught young children in several different settings consistently for 11 years now. There's not really a need for my husband to tell me a Bible story before bed...but I think I might ask him tonight...just for old times sake.

More On God's Will

Tonight we were visiting with friends about the election tomorrow and the fact that Obama could very well be in power over this nation very soon. We're all a little uncomfortable with that for many reasons but that's not the point of this post.

The comment was made that if Obama does take the presidency then we just have to remember that God is in control and it must be his will that Obama be our next president.

I'm not sure I totally agree with that. It kind of goes back to when I lost the baby last fall. Was that God's will? Or was it his will that I carry that baby to term and have it be healthy and strong? Of course, I'd like to believe the latter---but is it true?

I think it is. I think that God's will is much different than what God allows. If we believe the Bible to be literal and true then we know that God had a much different idea about mankind's role when he first created us than what we've become. Since we messed up the original design that he willed, his perfection has required that he bring a consequence for that. Unfortunately, the most terrible consequence is death. But, he has also chosen to allow different circumstances to come about in order to redeem "that which was lost" as they say.

So in my mind, it's not so much that God would want Obama or McCain or whoever else in power...it's not that he would will it...but just that he would allow it---in order to bring about circumstances that will eventually lead to redemption.

For one who takes end time prophecy literally, it's easy to see how an Obama presidency could lead to the redemption of our physical bodies very shortly...but that's an idea for another day!

And Heaven and Nature Sing

Last night as I was finishing up a great book, "Embracing Father Christmas" by Robin Jones Gunn, I jotted down a note about a quote that really spoke to me.

On page 94, one of Jones' characters says: "This is the part of Christmas when we can hear heaven and nature sing".

The thought that occurred to me as I read that was that heaven and nature is always singing. They are always making a joyful noise to the Lord. Although we know that nature does not have a soul...and we know that the angelic inhabitants of Heaven are not created in the same way we are...we can't help but recognize the fact that they were all created to worship God. They can't help it!

Did you know that you were created to worship the Lord as well? Just by our very being, we give the Lord glory. How much more glory we could give Him if we'd structure our lives and priorities in such a way as to praise Him even when we can help it!

If I focus on making my life a song to Jesus, pretty soon I will be oozing with Christ-like-ness!

After pondering the character's quote a little longer, I've come to the conclusion that that instance wasn't a time that heaven and nature sang...instead, it was a time when that character took the time to listen and tune in to the praise that is going on around us all---all the time!

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

This morning I was informed that this is National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo). This new venture excites me for more than one reason. Besides the fact that the acronym sounds like something the Nox would eat for breakfast, I have needed an encouragement just like this to get me writing in my blogs more.


So I figured that since I would be part of this nationwide effort, I'd need some sort of badge to make myself known. I borrowed this cute typewriter lady badge from Dory: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42wallabyway/2989196747/.



When I first saw this picture, it made me wonder about the lady. The badge was obviously made from an old photo found online somewhere. Dory surely discovered this photo that someone had posted for a different reason and took the liberty to alter it to make it her own. I wonder how long this photo has been circulating and in what arenas. Most of all, I wonder who the woman is. Is she still around? What was the original purpose for the photo being taken? Does she know that her image is now circulating all over the internet?


I guess this just goes to show that you never know how you'll make your mark in this world! Some people are remembered for their prized apple pie, some are acknowledged generation after generation for a moving speech they made, and others...others are preserved in green---a testimony forever to the end of the finger wave and the birth of ready wear.



Sci-Fi Awareness Bonus Question: Tell us who the Nox are and in what way to we first come to meet them?

Bloggy Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Lanie, winner of this quarter's Bloggy Giveaway!

Enjoy your Fall Package of goodies!

Thank you to everyone who participated--I look forward to the next carnival in January!

It's Bloggy Giveaway Time! Woo Hoo!!!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AND WILL BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL. PLEASE VISIT ME ANYTIME! I LOOK FORWARD TO ANOTHER GIVEAWAY CARNIVAL IN JANUARY!!

I have been SOOOO excited about this month's Bloggy giveaway!! I'm hoping to win my family some great Christmas presents!!





I have THREE giveaways taking place on my blogs. You can check out the other two at:
http://www.boyiloveolivegarden.blogspot.com/ and http://www.elizardbreath8.blogspot.com/.

For this giveaway, I'd like you to think about and respond to the following thought:

Tonight I read the introduction to Kay Arthur's book, Our Covenant God. In it she says of Jesus, "To understand covenant is to hear Him say to you, 'you are precious in my sight', and to believe Him." As I read that, I really thought it through...do I believe that? Honestly, no. I mean, my head knows it is true but my heart does not believe it. My walk with Jesus does not portray that. My faith is way to small to ascribe to that.

I find myself coming up with a list of "if onlys":

If only I spent more time with Him (then I'd be precious...)
If only I made following Him a bigger priority (then I'd be precious...)
If only I didn't come to Him more often when things were bad then when things were good (then I'd be precious...)

If only I could get past these "if onlys"---then I could believe that I am precious in His sight. I have no problem seeing that someone else is precious to the Lord. In fact, I often think of this as I'm people watching (or people cursing)--I remind myself that that person is the Lord's child just as much as I am. Why can't I believe that I am just as precious to Him as those other believers that I look up to and see Jesus in?


So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. Whether you put your faith in Jesus or not...what do you think about Arthur's statement?

One winner will be chosen to receive a fall package of goodies. Please don't forget to leave your email address so I can get a hold of you if you win!




More giveaways at the Bloggy Giveaways Quarterly Carnival!

Jesus: The One Who Completes Us

Col: 2:8-10
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power" (underlining mine).


How many times do we go looking for someone or something to "complete" us? If we are single we say we need a spouse to complete us. If we are married we say we need children to complete us. After that, we start saying things like, "if only I...was not so overweight, would gain a little weight, didn't have this debt, had a cleaner home, owned my own place," etc. We have this sense that we, in and of ourselves, are not enough. We know that we are lacking so we go on a quest to lose the weight or adopt the newest organizational system or find the perfect spouse.


So why, when we do finally accomplish these things, do we still feel the empty spot? Why do we immediately recognize the next big thing that needs to happen for us to feel complete?


The problem is that while we know that we are lacking---that we, ourselves, are not enough--we are going in the wrong direction to find that fulfillment. Verse 9 says in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead---the Three In One, the Trinity...and we are complete in Him. We have been cheated and lied to by the enemy...and we've bought right in.


The Bible gives us a caution: that we wouldn't be cheated or deceived by the traditions of men or principalities of the world. Have we made the world's deceptions our truths? Have media and magazine covers become our gospel? The funny thing about God is that he knows our hearts. He knows and understands that empty place where we feel the need for completeness. What's more, he knows exactly what we need to fill it. We can find all we need in him.


Even in Christ, however, completion won't come by forgiving our brother or cleaning up our act. Yes, those things are important, and the time for them will come, but it can't come until Christ has our hearts. Completeness and fullness of God must first take place in our hearts as we surrender everything to Him and ask Him to teach us and to work on us in His timing.


Once this surrender to Christ is complete and we are being filled by Him, then we will begin to emulate Him. People will begin to see Christ in us as we forgive our brother and get our act together one step at a time through Christ.


I challenge you today: don't accept the lies and traditions of the world---instead, invite Christ to fill you with His truth and power and find completion in Him.

A Cheerleader After All

I never wanted to be a cheerleader. In fact, in high school, I HIGHLY despised cheerleaders. It probably wouldn't have been so bad except that my younger step-sisters, Anastasia and Druscilla, were both on the high school cheerleading squad so there was really no escape from the pasted on grins, overly-exposed chicken legs, and ridiculous rhymes shouted with forced enthusiasm.

However, tonight I've realized that one day I will become a cheerleader. My mind has conjured up an image of a glorious day when I will stand before the Lord with all my brothers and sisters in Christ and will cheer with real enthusiasm and an overflowing heart for all of those who have suffered real persecution and have finished strong.

In Tim LaHaye's thick and somewhat difficult read, Revelation Unveiled, he tells of a young Armenian girl who was seeking medical help at a US refugee camp. As she stood in line, the nurses could see that she was in great pain but it wasn't obvious why. When it came to be her turn, the nurse asked what was wrong and she replied, "I am bearing the cross. I bear in my body the cross of Jesus Christ. Now I know how he suffered." The workers did not understand until the nurse lifted off her dress and found a cross branded on her shoulder with hot irons. The wound was swollen and infected. The young girl explained, "Every day they would say to me, 'Mohammed or Christ?' When I said 'Christ' on the last day, they branded my shoulder with this cross. Now as long as I live I will bear this cross, and someday when I see Jesus I will be glad," (LaHaye, 76).

Did you know that someday, every one of us will stand before the Judgement Throne of Jesus Christ? Those of us who have given our lives to Him will hear, "Well done good and faithful servant." After that, those of us who know the Lord will move aside to allow our other brothers and sisters to receive their blessing and "well done". For most of us, it will be a glorious thing--but pretty easily earned. I mean, really how hard is it for most of us to follow the Lord? For the majority of us, the question isn't whether or not we will be found out and murdered on any given day---but instead, whether or not we feel like it that day. Most of us do not face real persecution---real life endangerment---for being professing Christians. (And good thing too...we're a pretty wussy group of people). However, there has always been, throughout history, a people stronger than I'll ever be, more devoted than any I've ever seen, more faithful than I could hope to be: the persecuted church; the martyrs.

Can you imagine that day? Can you imagine standing aside and watching a Christian man who was thrown to the lions in Rome or a faithful woman who was burned at the stake or this young girl who received the painful brand of a hot iron on her delicate skin walk up to the throne to meet the Lord? Seeing Him bestow on them a beautiful crown and a white robe and a new name---the promise of eternal life with no more pain, suffering, persecution or fear? You can bet I'll be cheering just as loudly as anyone else!

And you know that new body that Christ is going to give me? It'll probably look pretty good in a cheerleader's uniform!

Hope

Hope sits still and serene at the edge of a melodious river, dangling one bare foot into the warm, blue water. Her lovely blonde ringlets reflect the light of the afternoon sun and form a shimmering halo around her young head. Though she can’t help but raise her eyes every so often to the far-off hills, He has told her to wait patiently and so she will. “I’ve got a surprise for you,” He’d promised. If she has learned anything from past experience, she’s learned that time is relative no matter where one is. Even in this youthful body, she knows that the time it takes to endure is well worth the rewards that fortitude brings.

Since patience seems to be coming much more easily than normal this day, she begins to take inventory of her new appearance. Strangely, she can not see her reflection in the water in front of her. From the moment she arrived here in this glorious place, she’s wondered about herself. There isn’t much she can learn about what’s inside; about her dreams, wishes and longings. She’s treasured all of these, along with many thoughts and questions, since the day she was conceived. It’s her outside that is so new and clean and unfamiliar.

With a little shake of her head, she can see that her hair is golden and beautiful. She reaches for a curl and lets the silky strand slide around her fingers and over the back of her hand. As she moves to examine the hand more closely, she spies a simple white butterfly hovering near her knee. She watches with innocent interest for just a moment before it flutters over to a nearby snapdragon and gracefully lands beside it in the grass.

Lifting the small, delicate hand up to eye-level seems so simple now and she marvels at the lightness of it; both in skin tone and in weight. Turning this hand right-side up, she examines the lines upon her tiny palm. Amazing, she thinks, and so real.

Her eyes follow the motion as she slowly places the hand back in her lap. Fixing her gaze on the arm for just a moment, she changes her mind about resting it and, using her newly-nimbled fingers, explores the length of the opposite arm. Leisurely, she runs her fingers up and back down. Tickles, she says to herself, as even now the new word tickles her tongue.

A slippery smoothness is caressing the bottom of her one wet foot. Her brown eyes settle on a long and shiny creature gliding through the water. Father loves fish, she thinks to herself. But just as quick as it caught her attention, the creature is gone and her mind becomes occupied elsewhere.

“She’s here,” the butterfly whispers up to the snapdragon. The flower shivers with a sudden air of excitement and replies, “So soon? I didn’t realize we’d get to see her so perfectly formed so early!” The butterfly sighs. “Yes, she’s a beauty, isn’t she? She’s just the image of perfection!” She flurries up to give the snapdragon a butterfly kiss and then takes off back into the sky in search of a honeysuckle treat.

The snapdragon proudly pulls herself up to her full height--six inches at last measurement. As she stretches her lush leaves against the warm sun’s rays, a tiny yawn escapes from her delicate, pink lips. Lifting her head to peer over the sleeping marigolds, she stands upon the tips of her toes (which are firmly rooted in the ground, of course) and sees, just over the nearest hillside, exactly what she is looking for.

“Come children, come quickly”, the Man says as he ascends the last mound of lush, emerald hilltop. He takes care not to hurry the young family, most of them less than five years old. The Man turns to face this great group of children, His very presence commanding their complete attention. He smiles warmly and lovingly, sits down on a nearby rock and takes a young Asian boy on his lap. “Children”, he says, “I want you to remember back to the first time you realized you were in Hope’s place. Be patient, be kind. Be gentle and show her love. Come. Let’s go down to the river.”

The friendly party makes their way across the honey-scented meadow. “Look”, cries the Man, “there by the water!” He stops the children and they all stand still, amazed at the way the sunlight bounces off her flaxen hair. “She looks like my Angel”, says a little Irish red-headed girl, “only my Angel is a lot bigger than that!”

“Come”, says the Man, “Let’s take some time to offer our welcome wishes to this newest reflection of me. There’s a new child in Heaven today.”

Freedom's Calling

Several things kept me from being super excited about reading this book. For one thing, I knew that this was the story of a horrible tragedy involving the death of a child and that it took place at Wallowa Lake in Eastern Oregon. Being how I could drive to this lake, pitch my tent and set up camp faster than I could read through this book, it made me just a little nervous to have this devastating fictional event tied in with one of my favorite vacation spots. Secondly, and an even greater reason, was that I was having a hard time dealing with the death of my own unborn child less than 8 months ago.

However, at the insistance of more than one loving friend, I decided to give it a go. As I read through (the father) Mack's questions for God and struggles with blame, shame and disappointment, I really found myself relating. When it came time for the healing, I wasn't sure I was ready. However, just like he did with Mack, God put me on super-speedy recovery mode and did a work in my heart that has turned around much of my thinking. I'll try not to leave too many spoilers here...but you've been warned!

One emotion that Mack displayed that I could really relate to was his confusion that he might be being punished by God for a past wrong. I have felt a feeling similar to this since losing the baby. I've often thought that it was just too good to be true that all of my children had been born healthy and fine...that it was just "my turn" to have a tragedy happen. I thought that maybe it was my punishment for not losing weight like I'd promised myself so many times I'd do. I kept repeating something that my not-so-well-meaning dad said to me shortly after losing the baby, "maybe this was God's way of telling you that he doesn't want you to have any more kids." What? Who sends these kids anyway?? But that's another topic... How thrilled I was when God spoke to my heart, "just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomplish my purposes," (The Shack, pg. 185). Praise God! I have found that I can forgive God now...and pray that he will forgive me for misunderstanding him and blaming him. Freedom's calling!

One thing that really spoke to me and made me recognize something about myself was when I began to understand that I imagine the worst possible scenarios and then do everything I can to try to avoid them. The problem with this is that I think I have control and really, I don't! I think that if I can plan out my life then I will be sure to make no wrong moves. But as Kent Hovind says, I know the things I know...but what about the things I don't know? This reminded me that before I even became pregnant with the child I lost, I was already planning on losing one. I had a name picked out and a strategy for dealing with the pain and all that. I thought that if I could plan for this then I wouldn't hurt so bad when and if it actually happened. However, since I'd never lost a child before, I couldn't begin to imagine the pain and ache that would follow. There was no way I could have prepared for this. I was putting my security in my plans and when my plans failed, I freaked. Thank God for God though, he really came through! He spoke to me the importance of vulnerability and trusting him. Freedom's calling!!

A question that I've always wondered about was answered for me through this book as well. On several encounters with God, Mack is reminded that God chooses to limit himself in order to have relationship with us. I've sometimes wondered why we need to say things out loud or speak words to God that he already knows...but sometimes he chooses to limit himself, chooses to need to hear us...for the sake of relationship.

I'd like to recommend this little book to anyone and everyone. I believe it is one of those "living books" that the Lord will use in a different and personal way for each person who reads it. Please visit: http://theshackbook.com/ for details.

To Know, Know, Know Him...

So, tell me: When you read 1 Corinthians 13; you know, "Love is patient, love is kind...", how do you apply it to your own life? Do you immediately get struck with a sense of guilt right there at the beginning? Patient? Yeah, right...not with these kids... Or what about the next phrase, Love is kind...like as in how we should treat our spouses? Other drivers?

When I read through verses, 4-8 of that particular chapter, I always think of how I need to apply these verses to my interactions with my family and others around me.

But tonight, I saw it differently. Tonight, I inserted the name of Jesus...right there in all those places where it says "love". Just change it to Jesus and see what you come up with. More than that, end those phrases with your own name. Like this:

Jesus is patient with Sarah.
Jesus is kind to Sarah.
Jesus does not envy nor does he want Sarah to envy.
Jesus does not boast (although he does dance over Sarah).
Jesus is not proud (though he does take joy in his Creation, Sarah)
Jesus is not rude nor does he want Sarah to be rude.
Jesus is not self-seeking and he wants Sarah to be self-less too.
Jesus is not easily-angered nor does he want Sarah to be easily angered.
Jesus keeps no record of wrongs...even Sarah's wrongs.
Jesus does not delight in evil...nor should Sarah delight in evil.
Jesus rejoices with the truth...he wants Sarah to rejoice with the truth!
Jesus always protects Sarah.
Jesus always trusts God's Word and Promises for Sarah.
Jesus always hopes for Sarah.
Jesus always has and always will persevere for Sarah.
....and, best of all, Jesus will never fail Sarah.

Here's the part I always miss from that passage: verse 10: "but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." I never get to that part because I stop half way through the litany of love's characteristics. I stop because I am so overcome with my own inadequacy that it shames me and I know I can't ever be all those things that love is.

But wait a minute...when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears! When Jesus covers me and works through me I think I just might be able to be some of those things after all! By God's grace, we all have the ability to posses a clean slate any time we want to! We can make that imperfection disappear by asking Jesus to come with his perfection!

Can it really be that easy? Yes, it can. Because Jesus did the most difficult thing of all. He became sin for us so we could become the righteousness of God. He did the hard stuff so it could really be that easy for us. Let's not take that for granted!

The Invitation

Today I received an invitation from the Lord.

Lately, I've really been struggling with the loss of our baby 7 months ago. I've been desperately running after many different distractions as I've been trying to find a way to bury this pain and disappointment. Today, as I visited with God's angel in the form of a special friend, I came to realize that I've been running from the very thing that would heal me. The grace of Jesus.

I have so many questions for God. I want him to explain this to me. I want to know why he would give us a baby if he knew he was going to take it away. For years I've believed that he was the giver of good things. So, if he is the author of life, it would seem that this miscarriage was completely under God's control. It would seem that he knew about it before it ever happened. You'd think maybe he'd know how much it would hurt me and how much I'd grieve and how it would turn my entire world upside down.

For years I've believed that God loved me. That he wanted the very best for me. That he only wanted good for me. And now this...

But, the truth I've realized tonight is that losing that baby was not the defining moment in my relationship with God. It was not a punishment from him...he did not intentionally allow my baby to die so he could speak something to me. However, he is intentionally using this heartbreaking situation to speak to me.

There's a song that goes, "sometimes he calms the storm and other times he calms his child". Just because God allowed my baby to die doesn't mean he willed it to die. He is taking a devastating circumstance and using it for the good in my life. Or, at least, he's trying to.

So, here comes my choice. I have the opportunity here to be vulnerable, to give myself wholy to the Holy One. I can surrender this hurt and confusion and disappointment and desperateness and allow God to make something strong and beautiful and workable with it. Is it worth the risk?

What would happen if I said no? What if I decided it wasn't worth the risk...that I wanted to make sure I was never hurt again? I could take control over this situation, couldn't I? If I just harden my heart and stuff the pain back down, won't it eventually go away? That's what I've been thinking for 7 months now...it's still not working.

After I got off the phone with my sweet sister today, I drove in to town to pick up my husband. On the way I turned on the CD he already had out. It was Steven Curtis Chapman's Speechless. How ironic, I thought. Chapman's family recently lost their young child in a horrible accident. I began to wonder how his faith had been shaken over this terrible death. I thought that surely he must have all kinds of questions for the God that he'd devoted his life, family and career to. Then, his song, Great Expectations came on and I knew the answer.

He's grieving, just like me. He's broken and confused and disappointed and feeling like his entire world has been turned upside down. Just like me. He has all kinds of questions for this holy God who holds us in his hands. I bet he wonders now and then if God might be punishing him for something...

But he and I have something else in common. We both serve and love and are devoted to a God who turns ashes into beauty. A God who gives strength to the weary and grace to the humble (read: vulnerable). And deep down, we both know that God allowed this but he did not will it.

Me and Chapman, we've received an invitation. We've been invited to believe the unbelievable...to receive the inconceivable...to see beyond our wildest imaginations.

So, to Chapman, and all the rest of you out there who are grieving and confused and heartbroken: let's lift our eyes up...let's turn our faces to the Lord. Let's allow his grace and love and mercy and peace to wash over us. He will restore our soul and heal our brokeness.

Come Lord Jesus, we invite you....I invite you, once again, to be the lover of my soul.



Great Expectations by Steven Curtis Chapman

The morning finds me here at heaven's door
A place I've been so many times before
Familiar thoughts and phrases start to flow
And carry me to places that I know so well
But dare I go where I don't understand
And do I dare remember where I am
I stand before the great eternal throne
The one that God Himself is seated on
And I, I've been invited as a son
Oh I, I've been invited to come and ...
Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
And see beyond my wildest imagination
Lord, I come with great expectations
So wake the hope that slumbers in my soul
Stir the fire inside and make it glow
I'm trusting in a love that has no end
The Savior of this world has called me friend
And I, I've been invited with the Son
Oh I, I've been invited to come and ...
We've been invited with the Son
And we've been invited to come and ...
Believe the unbelievable
Receive the inconceivable
And see beyond our wildest imagination
Lord, we come with great expectations

Prophecy: Mystery or Matter of Fact?

So, would you agree that we are living in the end times? How do you know? Did your pastor say that one Sunday? Did you read about it on the cover of the Weekly World News? Did you see this book on the shelf at some book store and say, "well, we must be 'cause this book thinks we might be!"

I am currently reading LaHaye & Jenkins' book, Are We Living in the End Times? (http://www.amazon.com/Are-We-Living-End-Times/dp/0842300988). Apparently, this book is going to educate me on the many prophecies that have been fulfilled regarding Christ's Second Coming. I'm excited. (About the book and the Rapture... :)

Why is prophecy so well-clothed in mystery and mysticism? Why do so many Christians shy away from or negate the legitimacy of prophecy? The authors of this book seem to think that it is a fear that has grown out of ignorance. This makes sense to me. We humans are afraid of what we don't understand. Many of us do not understand prophecy. However, prophecy makes up roughly a third of the text of the Bible. We oughta be more afraid of the fact that we are choosing to ignore that huge of a portion of God's Word---for want of understanding.

We have a responsibility to understand prophecy. Why did God allow these things to be written? What do you think? I think it's because he wants to make it so totally clear that he is real and out there and coming for us...he wants us to be ready---and to make sure everyone else is ready as well.

Is prophecy mysterious? Should it be examined with care? Well, I think that depends. If you are a Christian, you know that the Word of God is infallible. There is not one error in the Bible. So, can we faithfully trust the prophecy in the Bible? Yes. There is nothing mystical or mysterious about it. The prophecies of the Bible are simply God telling us what he is going to do before he does it. What's so weird about that?

What about prophecies that we read about online or in the magazine aisle? What about prophecies that come from someone in the church or a guest at a religious function? This is where we need to use our discernment and take them before the Lord. Does the person giving the prophecy have a good track record? Does this prophecy line up with what God has already spoken in his word and in my life? Does the prophecy come to pass? If we ask the Lord, he will tell us clearly what to hold on to and what to dismiss.

Here's a challenge: find out what the good book has to say about future events. Take some responsibility for understanding the times and how they line up with what God has spoken in his word.

Personally, I'm really excited to begin this study.

God's Will

This post has been moved over from another blog. I've included the comments below.


Tonight, while going through this book, Tune In by Jen Hatmaker, for our Bible study tomorrow, I began to ponder the phrase, "God's Will". I started to wonder, 'Did Bible women ever just beg and plead with the Lord to show them His will?' Although I'm sure it's possible, it's just hard for me to imagine Esther or Mary or Miriam as being unsure of the Lord's will for their life. It seems to me that they just kinda took it one day at a time and continued to do the last thing God told them to do until they heard differently.

So, I am wondering, when I ask God to show me his will, am I using the right phraseology? When I really think about it, it seems that what I mean to say is, 'God, do I really have a purpose?' Do I want validation from the Lord? What would I do/think/say if he told me, "Sarah, I want you to get up in the morning and do the exact same thing you've been doing for the last 10 years. That's it." Would I be satisfied with this?

No, I want God to answer with something big. I want him to validate me---to whisper sweet nothings and give me a GRAND PLAN!! I want to be big...(yes, I'm on a diet...you know what I mean...). I want to do something amazing, profound, notable, worth remembering...I want accolades and applause and back pats and praise. Wait. Isn't that what the Lord is supposed to be receiving?

What if my daily grind is actually blessing the Lord? Maybe the every day in and outs of my life are exactly His plan for me. Could it be that His will for my life is that I get up and do the exact same thing I've been doing for the last 10 years? That doesn't sound big and amazing and notable. But it needs to be done. And God has put me here at this time to do it. And...if it weren't me doing it, who would I choose to fill that place?

Charlyn said...
We seem to expect that God's intention for us will be shouted at us from fire and lightening. And that it will be earth shattering in it's ramifications. But you are right, that's not likely to happen.I wonder if, in God's eyes, the important things in our lives *is* being wives and mothers- raising up the next generation. If we don't teach our kids to love Jesus, then who will?
March 7, 2008 9:44 PM

Jules said...
Good ponderings. We all have to ask ourselves that don't we? It is possible the the doesn't want us to be distracted from the important duty of raising our children and being a wife to our husbands. As hard as it is to be content and just enjoy this process sometimes I do know that it is what I am called to do for this time in my life.I love reading your blog entries, keep em coming!
March 8, 2008 2:16 PM

Jules said...
So I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of feelings/thinking from your fingertips.:) Throw a girls some scraps here? HAHA Just wanted to let you know I enjoy your blog!! Jules
March 21, 2008 7:52 PM

A Call For Intercession

This post was moved from another blog. I've included the comments below.


Genesis 18:20-32 "And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know...And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes:
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake."

I just finished reading Liz Curtis Higgs', Bad Girls of the Bible, and while I always find her work to be funny and fascinating, a particular idea really stood up and spoke to me during this particular adventure. While making the case for the 'badness' of Lot's wife, Higgs brings up two points about God's grace. The first, she says, is that it stretches further than we can imagine. The second is that God is withholding fire and brimstone even now, for the sake of us here on earth. This gives us an opportunity, she says, to let others know about the judgement that awaits them, as well as the grace.

This got me thinking: 'Lord, do you mean that just like Abraham, who begged for mercy for the people of Sodom, I can also plead with you to withhold your judgment so that more and more of your people can escape it?' This is intercession! As much as we Christians may want to be in Heaven with the Lord---no more sin, no more death, no more carmel pecan clusters to mess with our diets---we can only get there one of two ways. Either the Lord comes back to get us or we die and find ourselves in a new just-the-right-size body bowing at His feet. In either case, there is now at least one less person on Earth to share the good news.

Some Christians have sort of sequestered themselves away from
THE (big bad)WORLD in order to fulfill what they believe the Bible is teaching when it warns us to be in the world but not of it. Do we really just want to buckle up and sit back for a long, boring ride to Heaven? Couldn't we take a lesson from Abraham here and plead with God for just one more day? A day to spend praying for my lost and lied-to brother. For a friend's mother who can't seem to find her way. A day to spend on the phone with a sick father-in-law who has been too stubborn to yield to God. Maybe God is waiting to allow that last 50 or 45 or 30 or 20 or even 10 souls to become his.

God is not the big-bad-boogey-man up in Heaven cackling and stirring his tribulation pot. He's a just and holy and loving God, drying the grieving tears of his son Jesus as the Lord mourns for those who've already made their devastating choice. Jesus is interceding for us even now---urging us to be of good courage, to finish the fight and to finish strong. Let's all take up the challenge to intercede on behalf of those we know and those we don't know who need the Lord to save them.

Jules said...
Very thought provoking! Thanks
March 6, 2008 7:40 AM

Charlyn said...
Oooo. Good! Like Jules says- very thought provoking... and true.Thanks!
March 6, 2008 2:14 PM

Red and Yellow Black and White, We Are Precious In His Sight

This is a post that has been moved from a previous blog. I have included the comments below.

A few weeks ago, our church invited an evangelist to come and speak for a few nights on the subject of encouragement. He really blessed our church: great message, powerful prayer time at the altar; this man had a genuine heart for God.

Those of you who have been in church for awhile can relate to the attitude that I'm about to admit to. You've all had it. Yes, you have. Even though we all know that we are not to judge one another, we still find ourselves meddling in others affairs---if only in our minds---by assigning each person a level of "spiritualness". We say to ourselves, "yeah, I'll never be as good as her...but at least I'm better than her." It humbles me to write this...but I'm going somewhere with this so stop judging me and read on.

I serve on the worship team at our church and as I was up there on the platform that morning and as we began the first song, God prompted me (as he sometimes does) to just look out over the group assembled there.

As I looked out at the approximately 350 people there, I began to see them differently than I usually did. Instead of the sweeping, 'who's here' gaze, I began to see each individual. I saw husbands and wives---some of them new to the church and leaning just a little in toward each other for unspoken assurance. I saw teenagers; some with their hands lifted high, others with their hands in their pockets. I really saw these people and God began to speak something to me. But I didn't yet understand it.

That evening when we all came back for the second service, that same thought pattern came back to me as we opened in worship. This time, God began to clarify what he wanted me to hear.

You see, we "seasoned Christians" come to church with our notions of who each other really is and what each one of us is thinking and our "discernment" of one another's "real reason" for being there. We have our preconceived ideas of how it's goona go and how it should go and how it'd better go; and many times we completely miss the point. Thank God that he has been showing me the point so clearly lately.

When I looked out over those people and into the faces of those couples, I saw what the Lord sees: people who are hungry for him. Just like me, each one of those in attendance could have been anywhere else that night. We chose to come to church---for whatever reason and motivations that got us there---the main theme here was hunger. Some of us thought, 'this is my night! The evangelist is here! Surely he will move God's hand in my favor.' Some of us thought, 'yes, this man is a mighty man of God. But he is no more able to pray for me sucessfully than I am for myself'.

Again, this past Sunday, God made clear to me the vulnerability of his people. I watched a young couple who is new to the church and newly free of a sinful life as they worshipped together. In the particular song we were doing, the men sing a line and the ladies echo and it goes back and forth. It was so neat to watch this man really trying to get his part right and then his wife would chime in and then he'd be right there, singing with all his might...entering in and being a part of the body. Soon, he was raising his hands in worship. I saw that couple as God sees them: children. Vulnerable and needy and desperately seeking his love, approval, acceptance; and his mighty hand to sustain them.

God is very much working in me to turn around this critical spirit. He is showing me that just as I so desperately want to see him move in my life---each one of my brothers and sisters in Christ wants the same thing. We all have our fig leaves that we put on to hide our vulnerability---but in some way or another---we are all truly seekers.

I need God to work in me to help me give grace to others. My critical spirit and judgemental attitude will only keep me locked up inside myself: unapproachable, unwelcoming and ultimately useless.

Comments:

Jules said...
You and me both! I even struggle with the meet and greet times at church....I struggle with being freindly and open even though I want to be I hold back but I know how we felt so welcomed by everyone when we first came so I want others to feel that same way too. I am so worried about things that don't matter! I really struggle with the critical spirit issues as well and judgmental attitude. It is really nice to hear someone else be honest about it as well!I am glad you shared!
March 28, 2008 12:54 PM

Charlyn said...
"but I'm going somewhere with this so stop judging me and read on."Excuse me, but did you just tell me to shut up? You are much more diplomatic than me, I just say it out right.I think it's difficult to judge where people are spirituality because so often people are operating behind a facade. As Christians we think we have to have it all together and don't let other people see our vulnerable areas. Which is sad because we are there to support and encourage each other, not to tear down.New Christians often have that infectious joy about them. Where does that go? And when does the critical spirit creep in?
March 28, 2008 8:51 PM