I learned many things in college. One expects to, of course, but I found I learned as much outside of the classroom and books, as inside. One of my most important lessons came through my roommate, Karli.
Karli and I were roommate my first full year away at school and were from very different backgrounds, as well as personalities. Early on, we had a fairly bitter argument over doctrines of the end times. I realized later that our ignorance made us passionate about our own view. Our fear of losing made us dogmatic without reason.
Thankfully, it did not take us too long to realize that the doctrines we clung to had valid points on both sides and wishing our own viewpoint to be the truth did not make us right. We agreed on the essentials that Scripture makes black and white--Jesus: God's Son, our Saviour. We agreed He is coming again at an unknown hour to take us Home, if we are His and remain alive. And, we discovered, that it was our hearts and our love for one another that He cared for more than whether the I's were dotted correctly and our T's crossed.
We remained roommates till we graduated. One of the things I admire most about Karli is her open, loving heart. I still have lessons from her I need to learn today, but am thankful for those years and the lesson to not let the little things divide what the essential truths in Jesus would unite.
28 June 2009
21 June 2009
What Do I Do with This Hope?
Normally, we think of hope in a good sense. And, it is, properly applied. But, what do you do with hope that creeps in and is unassigned, as it were; it's too early to label it good or bad?
Obviously, this comes from some thinking I've been doing lately. A hope has awakened that is, in itself, neither good nor bad. It is just hope. I feel like I've been holding it in my hand, analyzing it. Should I crush it? Should I nurture it? With it comes fear. If it is not something that may be reality, I fear the heart sickness of hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12).
I'd have to say, overall, I'm a fairly contented person. I easily entertain myself, I'm happy in solitude or in the company of good friends or co-workers. That's why when this sleeping giant, that I thought might actually be dead, awakens, it disrupts my whole life. This time it is based on a more real hope than I have possibly ever known.
So this is what it came down to: I was counseled, indeed I counseled myself as well, to trust in God. He (of course, He does!) has the best in mind for me. If He doesn't want it, logically, I wouldn't want it either. Right? Emotionally, however...
C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” More and more I relate to the man in the New Testament that said to Jesus, "I believe, help my unbelief."
I find I'm more complex then I thought. My motives are never fully clear, even when I think I know them. I'm comforted that David, Paul, and others in the Bible also discovered this about their own hearts.
In Psalm 19:12, David said, "Who can discern his errors? Clear me from hidden faults."
Paul concurred, "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me....He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts..." 1 Corinthians 4:4, 5
So, though I trust God, I find, at the same time, a battle to trust Him. If you have lived long, you will probably relate. I believe that at the end of the day, what He wills is exactly what I would want. Yet, what do I do with this hope? Do I trust God that the hope is good and will be fulfilled?
No. I must trust God to be God. That's all. I hold out my hand and place my hope in Him, in His eternal, unchanging character. At the end of time, it will not matter so much if circumstances worked out as I dreamed. It will matter who God is and where I stand with Him.
It's easier said, than done, as the saying goes. The prayers of friends are priceless. I asked, and they have prayed for me to let go and let God.
Tonight, I have peace. Where is my hope? At this moment, as far as it depends on me, it is in the Hands of my Father. He holds my hope as He holds my life. I'll let Him worry about my tomorrow, while I go to sleep tonight.
Obviously, this comes from some thinking I've been doing lately. A hope has awakened that is, in itself, neither good nor bad. It is just hope. I feel like I've been holding it in my hand, analyzing it. Should I crush it? Should I nurture it? With it comes fear. If it is not something that may be reality, I fear the heart sickness of hope deferred (Proverbs 13:12).
I'd have to say, overall, I'm a fairly contented person. I easily entertain myself, I'm happy in solitude or in the company of good friends or co-workers. That's why when this sleeping giant, that I thought might actually be dead, awakens, it disrupts my whole life. This time it is based on a more real hope than I have possibly ever known.
So this is what it came down to: I was counseled, indeed I counseled myself as well, to trust in God. He (of course, He does!) has the best in mind for me. If He doesn't want it, logically, I wouldn't want it either. Right? Emotionally, however...
C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” More and more I relate to the man in the New Testament that said to Jesus, "I believe, help my unbelief."
I find I'm more complex then I thought. My motives are never fully clear, even when I think I know them. I'm comforted that David, Paul, and others in the Bible also discovered this about their own hearts.
In Psalm 19:12, David said, "Who can discern his errors? Clear me from hidden faults."
Paul concurred, "My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me....He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts..." 1 Corinthians 4:4, 5
So, though I trust God, I find, at the same time, a battle to trust Him. If you have lived long, you will probably relate. I believe that at the end of the day, what He wills is exactly what I would want. Yet, what do I do with this hope? Do I trust God that the hope is good and will be fulfilled?
No. I must trust God to be God. That's all. I hold out my hand and place my hope in Him, in His eternal, unchanging character. At the end of time, it will not matter so much if circumstances worked out as I dreamed. It will matter who God is and where I stand with Him.
It's easier said, than done, as the saying goes. The prayers of friends are priceless. I asked, and they have prayed for me to let go and let God.
Tonight, I have peace. Where is my hope? At this moment, as far as it depends on me, it is in the Hands of my Father. He holds my hope as He holds my life. I'll let Him worry about my tomorrow, while I go to sleep tonight.
14 June 2009
Where is Your Faith?
So many good lessons taught today about Truth, prayer, and the use of the tongue. Now to process and apply. Not so easy.
Pastor Rich shared something this morning that I had never seen in this way before. He said that Christianity is the only "religion" in the world that is not culturally based: Hinduism & Buddhism are essentially culturally based in Asia; Judaism, Israel; Islam, Arab countries; Catholicism, Italy; Mormonism, America...
Arab nations consider America and Western Europe "Christian." Interestingly, I have heard many Americans balking about not being called a Christian nation anymore, and, yet, Christianity has never had a national identity. Even when it was birthed in the heart of Israel, the Jews who were saved were scattered all over the world, from many different locations and languages.
"We talk about a Christian nation--there has never been such a thing. There are Christians in the nations, but not Christian nations." ~Oswald Chambers
God has revealed Himself to humans, but since the Fall, we are naturally inclined to create our own traditions, philosophies, and culturally-based religions.
"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Rom 1:19-23)
But God has pointed out to us from the beginning that Jesus Christ is the basis of our relationship to God (read Isaiah 42:1-9).
In light of this, it is interesting that many hate Christianity and call those who adhere to the Bible's teachings, bigots. I suspect it is because they have either never seen a true Christian who lives out the teachings of the Bible or they have chosen to be ignorant.
The Gospel of Christ is the only call that goes out to people of every race, creed, colour, and sex and says that we can come and be one family through Jesus Christ. It isn't based on how smart you are, what education you've had, what connections, what talents...It is all centred on confessing faith in Jesus' payment for our sin. To me, that is inclusive.
Yet it is exclusive. The way to God is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). It is only through Jesus that we may come (John 14:6), because the basis of all true faith is founded on Him.
The road of deception is broad. Many will choose to follow their own beliefs, traditions, cultural allegiances, and philosophies. Yet, God's call is to "as many as receive Him to them He gives the right to be called Sons of God."
If true faith is based on Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Bible, how true is your faith? Do you trust your own philosophies, the traditions of your church, the beliefs of your parents, your own experiences?
Experiences, philosophies, cultures, and opinions are born and destroyed. God's Word will never pass away.
Life is short. Don't put it off.
Pastor Rich shared something this morning that I had never seen in this way before. He said that Christianity is the only "religion" in the world that is not culturally based: Hinduism & Buddhism are essentially culturally based in Asia; Judaism, Israel; Islam, Arab countries; Catholicism, Italy; Mormonism, America...
Arab nations consider America and Western Europe "Christian." Interestingly, I have heard many Americans balking about not being called a Christian nation anymore, and, yet, Christianity has never had a national identity. Even when it was birthed in the heart of Israel, the Jews who were saved were scattered all over the world, from many different locations and languages.
"We talk about a Christian nation--there has never been such a thing. There are Christians in the nations, but not Christian nations." ~Oswald Chambers
God has revealed Himself to humans, but since the Fall, we are naturally inclined to create our own traditions, philosophies, and culturally-based religions.
"For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
"For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Rom 1:19-23)
But God has pointed out to us from the beginning that Jesus Christ is the basis of our relationship to God (read Isaiah 42:1-9).
In light of this, it is interesting that many hate Christianity and call those who adhere to the Bible's teachings, bigots. I suspect it is because they have either never seen a true Christian who lives out the teachings of the Bible or they have chosen to be ignorant.
The Gospel of Christ is the only call that goes out to people of every race, creed, colour, and sex and says that we can come and be one family through Jesus Christ. It isn't based on how smart you are, what education you've had, what connections, what talents...It is all centred on confessing faith in Jesus' payment for our sin. To me, that is inclusive.
Yet it is exclusive. The way to God is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14). It is only through Jesus that we may come (John 14:6), because the basis of all true faith is founded on Him.
The road of deception is broad. Many will choose to follow their own beliefs, traditions, cultural allegiances, and philosophies. Yet, God's call is to "as many as receive Him to them He gives the right to be called Sons of God."
If true faith is based on Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Bible, how true is your faith? Do you trust your own philosophies, the traditions of your church, the beliefs of your parents, your own experiences?
Experiences, philosophies, cultures, and opinions are born and destroyed. God's Word will never pass away.
Life is short. Don't put it off.
07 June 2009
How Bad is Bad?
I was reading this morning in the book of Genesis. I have read these passages over many times, but this time something hit me in a new way.
"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that He made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain." Genesis 6:5-6
The idea of God's heart being "filled with pain" is what struck me. It took on new meaning, especially in light of many who say that all should be saved, that there are many ways to God, and that God would not condemn someone to Hell because of that one's rejection of Jesus.
I've heard it before, but it just was so clear. Our understanding of God is so microscopic that we cannot comprehend how incredibly ugly and revolting our sin is.
If God was not love, our sin would merely give Him reason to wipe us off the earth and forget. Instead, because He is love, His heart fills with pain at our unbelief, at our making up our own set of standards, and ignoring what He shed His blood for us to see.
In Genesis, God looked for any way to save mankind without compromising His holiness. When He found one man who feared Him and desired to obey, He gave that man, Noah, time to build a boat and the specifications. Before the flood filled the earth, God shut the door with His own hand and saved Noah, his whole family, and at least two of every animal.
This salvation, like the sacrifices the Israelites gave for thousands of years, were just temporary fixes for an immediate problem. The saving was physical and symbolic. Both pointed to the one day when God would send His Son to be crucified.
Oswald Chambers said, "Jesus Christ hates the wrong in man and Calvary is the estimate of His hatred." Instead of taking His hatred of sin out on the sinners, who have broken His heart, God paid the price.
This is what makes rejection of Jesus so horrible. He has withheld judgement on me and you, because He is giving us a chance to accept a payment that cost the life of a Perfect man, God in flesh. It took God to be perfect; it took flesh to die. If you and I will not accept this unfathomable grace that would take our punishment, then we must face our punishment--forever separated from God.
If you argue for those who have never heard, God, who is rich in mercy, knows what it takes to show them Jesus. He has sent many missionaries in to the heart of jungles and isolated villages. Sometimes they are surprised to find the people expecting them.
God is not unjust. He promises to make us each responsible for the truth that we are given. You can be sure that what breaks His heart will never be allowed into His Kingdom.
If He did not love you, Jesus would not have died. You would have been punished without mercy, only justice.
Because He loves you, you have the choice to break His heart and reap the fruit of your sin. Or, you may accept His payment and reap the fruit of His love.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
It is your only life. How will you use it?
"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that He made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain." Genesis 6:5-6
The idea of God's heart being "filled with pain" is what struck me. It took on new meaning, especially in light of many who say that all should be saved, that there are many ways to God, and that God would not condemn someone to Hell because of that one's rejection of Jesus.
I've heard it before, but it just was so clear. Our understanding of God is so microscopic that we cannot comprehend how incredibly ugly and revolting our sin is.
If God was not love, our sin would merely give Him reason to wipe us off the earth and forget. Instead, because He is love, His heart fills with pain at our unbelief, at our making up our own set of standards, and ignoring what He shed His blood for us to see.
In Genesis, God looked for any way to save mankind without compromising His holiness. When He found one man who feared Him and desired to obey, He gave that man, Noah, time to build a boat and the specifications. Before the flood filled the earth, God shut the door with His own hand and saved Noah, his whole family, and at least two of every animal.
This salvation, like the sacrifices the Israelites gave for thousands of years, were just temporary fixes for an immediate problem. The saving was physical and symbolic. Both pointed to the one day when God would send His Son to be crucified.
Oswald Chambers said, "Jesus Christ hates the wrong in man and Calvary is the estimate of His hatred." Instead of taking His hatred of sin out on the sinners, who have broken His heart, God paid the price.
This is what makes rejection of Jesus so horrible. He has withheld judgement on me and you, because He is giving us a chance to accept a payment that cost the life of a Perfect man, God in flesh. It took God to be perfect; it took flesh to die. If you and I will not accept this unfathomable grace that would take our punishment, then we must face our punishment--forever separated from God.
If you argue for those who have never heard, God, who is rich in mercy, knows what it takes to show them Jesus. He has sent many missionaries in to the heart of jungles and isolated villages. Sometimes they are surprised to find the people expecting them.
God is not unjust. He promises to make us each responsible for the truth that we are given. You can be sure that what breaks His heart will never be allowed into His Kingdom.
If He did not love you, Jesus would not have died. You would have been punished without mercy, only justice.
Because He loves you, you have the choice to break His heart and reap the fruit of your sin. Or, you may accept His payment and reap the fruit of His love.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
It is your only life. How will you use it?
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