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?
31 May 2009
Staying Afloat
Regardless of whether or not you can swim, in the middle of the ocean when the boat capsizes, it is imperative you have something to cling to.
Life is a similar ocean. The economy, job loss, death, fire...so many things can sink the boat of circumstance. Something to hold you up is just as imperative in the ocean of life as in the physical ocean.
If you grab on to a talent, an experience, a person, you may be just prolonging the struggle to keep your head above water. An accident can take your ability to do what you enjoy, a person may leave, and other things, such as alcohol, that numb the pain for a while become a whirlpool beneath you, pulling you down.
If you want something that will outlast the storms and bring you safely to the other side, there is only one Saviour. If you know Him, it is a daily choice to look to Him to strengthen you and lift you up.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:2a
If you don't know Him, on what are you placing your hope? Is it something that will hold up through sickness, financial ruin, rejection, loss? Anything that gives you merely good feelings when the sun is shining or a distraction when the pain is great, will not be enough to carry you when emotions numb and things go dark.
It's your life. Make certain your hope is sure.
Life is a similar ocean. The economy, job loss, death, fire...so many things can sink the boat of circumstance. Something to hold you up is just as imperative in the ocean of life as in the physical ocean.
If you grab on to a talent, an experience, a person, you may be just prolonging the struggle to keep your head above water. An accident can take your ability to do what you enjoy, a person may leave, and other things, such as alcohol, that numb the pain for a while become a whirlpool beneath you, pulling you down.
If you want something that will outlast the storms and bring you safely to the other side, there is only one Saviour. If you know Him, it is a daily choice to look to Him to strengthen you and lift you up.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:2a
If you don't know Him, on what are you placing your hope? Is it something that will hold up through sickness, financial ruin, rejection, loss? Anything that gives you merely good feelings when the sun is shining or a distraction when the pain is great, will not be enough to carry you when emotions numb and things go dark.
It's your life. Make certain your hope is sure.
25 May 2009
What Would You Die For?
Most of my life I have wondered if I would have courage to die for what I believe. I have honored heroes who have. I wonder the point they crossed, the thought, the reason that made life so small and the unseen so...worth everything.
Someone once said that dying for what you believe is easier than living for it. I think there may be truth there. But I'd take it one step farther. I say, unless you live for what you believe, you can never die for it.
It is so easy in the day to day mundane tasks to lose sight of the important for the urgent, to compromise in the small things until you have moved so far from the goal you don't know who you are anymore or where you are going. Or, maybe you have never known...
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word.
With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments!
I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You....
"I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me!....
"Even though princes sit plotting against me, Your servant will meditate on Your statutes.
"Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to Your word!...
"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word!
"Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me Your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set Your verdicts before me.
I cling to Your testimonies, O Yahweh; let me not be put to shame!
"I will run in the path of Your commandments for You have set my heart free!
"Teach me, O Yahweh, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart...
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways....
"Let Your steadfast love come to me, O Yahweh, Your salvation according to Your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word....
"I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love....
"This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life."
(Psa 119:9-50)
Is there anything for which you would die?
Someone once said that dying for what you believe is easier than living for it. I think there may be truth there. But I'd take it one step farther. I say, unless you live for what you believe, you can never die for it.
It is so easy in the day to day mundane tasks to lose sight of the important for the urgent, to compromise in the small things until you have moved so far from the goal you don't know who you are anymore or where you are going. Or, maybe you have never known...
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word.
With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments!
I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You....
"I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me!....
"Even though princes sit plotting against me, Your servant will meditate on Your statutes.
"Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to Your word!...
"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word!
"Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me Your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set Your verdicts before me.
I cling to Your testimonies, O Yahweh; let me not be put to shame!
"I will run in the path of Your commandments for You have set my heart free!
"Teach me, O Yahweh, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart...
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways....
"Let Your steadfast love come to me, O Yahweh, Your salvation according to Your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word....
"I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in Your commandments, which I love....
"This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life."
(Psa 119:9-50)
Is there anything for which you would die?
15 May 2009
I Love the Idea of You
In February, I was in a play where I met a new friend of mine. Harmlessly flirtatious, "J" often missed cues because he was busy teasing the women backstage. Because of my frequent sarcasm, "J" fluctuated between charm and sarcasm in his interaction with me. One day, after he had a bout of charm, he started in on the sarcasm. I reminded him that he loved me the day before. "I was in love with the idea of you," he said.
All this was, of course, in jest, but the phrase struck me. It's so true. I wonder how often I "love the idea" of someone more than who they are. When love is put to the test--the wrong temper, disappointing action, hurtful words--I may find the emotion dissipates and the "love" is gone. Sweet was the idea of love, but no follow through.
A song by DC Talk points out that love is a verb: "Words come easy but don't mean much/ When the words they're sayin we can't put trust in/ Were talkin 'bout love in a different light/ And if we all learn to love it would be just right."
In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare says, "Love is not love/ Which alters when it alteration finds,/ Or bends with the remover to remove."
Even more clearly, the Apostle Paul breaks it down to actions: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
"It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." (1Co 13:4-8)
I have only ever experienced this unconditional love from God, the Source of real love.
This is the type of love I desire to exhibit to my friends and family: to see their failings, but as no worse than my own; to be hurt by them, but to remember that I have hurt, knowingly or unknowingly, too many times to count; to reach out to them (these are the hard ones for me) when they do not reach out for me; and to be willing to be rejected, to do what is best for them.
The Ultimate Love is Jesus: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) And He did.
What about you? Do you love people or do you just love the idea of them? If you're like me, it may fluctuate day by day, minute by minute, but the source always stays the same.
All this was, of course, in jest, but the phrase struck me. It's so true. I wonder how often I "love the idea" of someone more than who they are. When love is put to the test--the wrong temper, disappointing action, hurtful words--I may find the emotion dissipates and the "love" is gone. Sweet was the idea of love, but no follow through.
A song by DC Talk points out that love is a verb: "Words come easy but don't mean much/ When the words they're sayin we can't put trust in/ Were talkin 'bout love in a different light/ And if we all learn to love it would be just right."
In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare says, "Love is not love/ Which alters when it alteration finds,/ Or bends with the remover to remove."
Even more clearly, the Apostle Paul breaks it down to actions: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
"It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." (1Co 13:4-8)
I have only ever experienced this unconditional love from God, the Source of real love.
This is the type of love I desire to exhibit to my friends and family: to see their failings, but as no worse than my own; to be hurt by them, but to remember that I have hurt, knowingly or unknowingly, too many times to count; to reach out to them (these are the hard ones for me) when they do not reach out for me; and to be willing to be rejected, to do what is best for them.
The Ultimate Love is Jesus: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) And He did.
What about you? Do you love people or do you just love the idea of them? If you're like me, it may fluctuate day by day, minute by minute, but the source always stays the same.
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