As Brad & I reflected on Job yesterday, we thought about how difficult it sometimes is to do the right thing... to keep quiet instead of speak unhelpful or hurtful words. However, we shouldn't always be silent. We do need to speak, when the words we speak are given from God. We just need to ask for the discerning spirit to say what God has given us to say and to be silent when words would spoil what God is saying without them.
Silence is Golden
1 Then Job replied:
2 "How long will you torment me
and crush me with words?
3 Ten times now you have reproached me;
shamelessly you attack me.
4 If it is true that I have gone astray,
my error remains my concern alone.
5 If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me
and use my humiliation against me,
6 then know that God has wronged me
and drawn his net around me. (Job 19:1-6)
I have long appreciated silence. Yes, even before I started teaching rowdy high school students, although that only heightened it, I am sure. But, it is hard to be silent at the moments we need that silence most... to calm our thoughts, to only let the best words touch our tongue and touch the ears of the ones who are so dear to us. The easy thing is to be defensive, fight back. But, what we need is a little bit more space. We need to be 'slow to speak' and abounding in love. Job felt attacked, tormented by the words of his 'friends.' Our family, our friends need us... and they need our words... but they need words of kindness, love and hope. They don't need words that are held above them, humiliating them.
I'll give you one example of my mistakenly quick draw on some wrongly chosen words from this past Spring. At the grocery store, I had a couple bucks left in my $25 weekly budget. So, I looked at my favorites- granola bars/nutrition bars. I looked at the different flavors and kinds and everything. I hardly ever have extra money to get something just for fun, just because. I must've taken 15 minutes there. It may seem like a little, but when standing staring blankly at boxes, you'd get frustrated too. So, as we walked to my apartment, Brad said something about how long it took me to decide on granola bars. I felt embarrassed/ humiliated like Job, so instead of the right answer: "You're right. It's kind of ridiculous," I said, "Well, you're just as indecisive as me. You can't decide what you want to do after you graduate." Absolutely a foul play, and these words were totally uncalled for. In this instance, silence would've definitely been the better option. Learning not to speak, unless we have something nice to say (as we were told when we were young).
Speaking is Golden
9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
15The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
16This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. 18They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them."
21Peter went down and said to the men, "I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?"
22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guest (Acts 10:9-23)
However, sometimes there are people, and sometimes we are one of them, who have something to say that is not merely for our own good, but for our own God. When we are not looking out for the fake 'numero uno' and are really looking out for the real 'numero uno' who is our Lord, we have something very important to say. That's why we go to church, pray together with our family, read scripture together. We want to hear what He has to say. And we want Him to use us to say what He would have us say to everyone. May His words only be on my lips... on the hard days and the easy days.
To me, these verses are an excellent example. Simon himself didn't really understand the dream, but Cornelius needed to know the dream, and in that moment God revealed the dream and its meaning. Right now Brad and I are thinking about the possibility of doing missions after we finish our grad programs for a couple of years. And I know that even though it may make Brad a little nervous since he's never done it before, I know from first hand experience that we are not able... but God is able. He is faithful to His servants who go and do His work and He blesses them greatly. Still, we'll have to continue to pray about this greatly, since we would both need a strong sense of calling to do this- a calling that will help us to speak His words.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
The Main Event: Jesus
This morning at the Tabernacle, the sermon helped me to reflect on Jesus as the main event in our lives. Whether they are stories of struggle or stories of joys, the main event, the hero is Jesus... and my scripture readings today reflect this- how we need to make sure that we share Jesus not just as a supporting detail but THE main event.
The Main Event in Job's Life
2 "Indeed, I know that this is true.
But how can a mortal be righteous before God?
3 Though one wished to dispute with him,
he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
5 He moves mountains without their knowing it
and overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place
and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. (Job 9: 2-11)
Job's life is a story of struggle. For him, the problems weren't something that he brought upon himself... so it would seem even more difficult for him to remember the glories of God. But in this beautiful section of chapter 9, Job is outlining the majesty, holiness and grandeur of his Maker which serves to recognize that we cannot and do not earn His love and grace and favor. We are not worthy of the good gifts that God gives us. And as we read previously, we cannot accept the good without the bad. Our Lord is wonderful and amazing, with miracles too numerous to be counted. But how often we forget to stop and remember, like Job, the many amazing features of our Lord God- His wisdom, His strength, His power, His mystery.
Though not exactly the same, we need to practice focusing on God when we sin and bring struggles upon ourselves. The pastor this morning helped me to realize that when we get stuck in the step of 'admitting our sins' we circle around and around ourselves... in a selfish and unsuccessful cycle of guilt that gets us nowhere. Instead, if we move on to 'absolution' or the recognition of God's grace... it makes God's grace the star of the show, the main event in our story of struggle. Instead of a tragedy proclaiming our flaws, this story has a happy ending with our Savior's grace that is always big enough, with a forgiveness so perfect that it no longer holds anything against us. Whenever we mess up, the more important part of the story is the Lord who graciously forgives us when we confess to Him.
The Main Event in the Eunich's Life
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (Acts 8:34-40)
Conversion stories are plentiful in the Bible, and this one has several characters as there always are. But it's interesting. Phillip was the one who explained. Phillip was the one who performed the baptism. Yet it remains very clear that Phillip is not the main event here. The Eunich did not go along rejoicing that he met Phillip, Phillip did not tell the good news about himself, and in fact it seems that Phillip disappeared mysteriously. Phillip served the Lord with the gifts that were given to him but made sure that all of those gifts made Jesus the center of his stories, his work and his life.
I have many stories of many people who have lived their life this way. But I just have to mention one family that is in my heart and my mind right now as an example of what I would like to be. On the day of my wedding, there were many, many, many people- friends and family alike- who helped in the wedding, preparations, and gave so very generously to help Brad and I at this moment in our lives. However, one family stands out to me because of their unexpected quiet contributions that would very easily go unnoticed. The Coffman family (Rich, Barb, Dave, Sara) were asked to help with the technology during the service for our powerpoints. That was all, and since I'm not tech savvy, that's a lot for me. But what stands out to me was how they did what we did not ask. When they saw that no one was there to hand out the programs, Sara & Barb filled in... without anyone saying anything. Rich & Dave volunteered of their own accord to also help with the slideshow during the reception. And the whole family, after a long day when everyone else had gone, stuck around to help close the windows, clean up extra decorations. And Rich helped my dad mop the MPR floor the next day! And you might expect some frowns or exhausted faces after all this, but no. We were met with 4 smiling faces, wishing us a wonderful honeymoon and telling us of celebrating their anniversary with their top tier of their wedding cake. To me, their loving and kind service shows a selfless and genuine Christlike love that I hope to show in my family as well... that we may be as able to make Jesus the main event in our service and ourselves.
The Main Event in Job's Life
2 "Indeed, I know that this is true.
But how can a mortal be righteous before God?
3 Though one wished to dispute with him,
he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
5 He moves mountains without their knowing it
and overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place
and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. (Job 9: 2-11)
Job's life is a story of struggle. For him, the problems weren't something that he brought upon himself... so it would seem even more difficult for him to remember the glories of God. But in this beautiful section of chapter 9, Job is outlining the majesty, holiness and grandeur of his Maker which serves to recognize that we cannot and do not earn His love and grace and favor. We are not worthy of the good gifts that God gives us. And as we read previously, we cannot accept the good without the bad. Our Lord is wonderful and amazing, with miracles too numerous to be counted. But how often we forget to stop and remember, like Job, the many amazing features of our Lord God- His wisdom, His strength, His power, His mystery.
Though not exactly the same, we need to practice focusing on God when we sin and bring struggles upon ourselves. The pastor this morning helped me to realize that when we get stuck in the step of 'admitting our sins' we circle around and around ourselves... in a selfish and unsuccessful cycle of guilt that gets us nowhere. Instead, if we move on to 'absolution' or the recognition of God's grace... it makes God's grace the star of the show, the main event in our story of struggle. Instead of a tragedy proclaiming our flaws, this story has a happy ending with our Savior's grace that is always big enough, with a forgiveness so perfect that it no longer holds anything against us. Whenever we mess up, the more important part of the story is the Lord who graciously forgives us when we confess to Him.
The Main Event in the Eunich's Life
34The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"[c] 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (Acts 8:34-40)
Conversion stories are plentiful in the Bible, and this one has several characters as there always are. But it's interesting. Phillip was the one who explained. Phillip was the one who performed the baptism. Yet it remains very clear that Phillip is not the main event here. The Eunich did not go along rejoicing that he met Phillip, Phillip did not tell the good news about himself, and in fact it seems that Phillip disappeared mysteriously. Phillip served the Lord with the gifts that were given to him but made sure that all of those gifts made Jesus the center of his stories, his work and his life.
I have many stories of many people who have lived their life this way. But I just have to mention one family that is in my heart and my mind right now as an example of what I would like to be. On the day of my wedding, there were many, many, many people- friends and family alike- who helped in the wedding, preparations, and gave so very generously to help Brad and I at this moment in our lives. However, one family stands out to me because of their unexpected quiet contributions that would very easily go unnoticed. The Coffman family (Rich, Barb, Dave, Sara) were asked to help with the technology during the service for our powerpoints. That was all, and since I'm not tech savvy, that's a lot for me. But what stands out to me was how they did what we did not ask. When they saw that no one was there to hand out the programs, Sara & Barb filled in... without anyone saying anything. Rich & Dave volunteered of their own accord to also help with the slideshow during the reception. And the whole family, after a long day when everyone else had gone, stuck around to help close the windows, clean up extra decorations. And Rich helped my dad mop the MPR floor the next day! And you might expect some frowns or exhausted faces after all this, but no. We were met with 4 smiling faces, wishing us a wonderful honeymoon and telling us of celebrating their anniversary with their top tier of their wedding cake. To me, their loving and kind service shows a selfless and genuine Christlike love that I hope to show in my family as well... that we may be as able to make Jesus the main event in our service and ourselves.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Resentment- Let It Rest in Peace
If we continue the same theme from yesterday... If we don't forgive, we harbor resentment. And there's that bowling ball again. To harbor resentment is a verb... you have to work at it. You're actively holding that bowling ball over your head. And you, it's hard work. But it's also hard work to let it go, when you've felt it necessary so long that you've forgotten how to not hold a bowling ball. But forgiveness (like the truth) will set you free.
2 Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2)
Though this statement is spoken by Job's friends in their monologue and not appreciated by Job as being empathetic, the words are true... and Job lives them out nonetheless. Resentment kills a fool. Actually, whether it kills or not, it certainly makes you foolish. There may be some resentment you hide in your heart right now that your friend/mother/brother/etc has long since forgotten. They don't let it bother them, why do you let the bitterness bother you? We know the saying, "Let go and let God." I believe that at times it is very hard. We need to ask to take it away and give us the grace and the great strength to 'play fair' and not bring up past hurts, to not hold it in our heart or over our head or even down by our side in our bowling bag. It's gone. No more. Resentment: Rest in Peace.
1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. (Acts 8:1-3)
Now here is a remarkable example of letting go of resentment. At the stoning of Stephen, Saul was approving everything. Saul, the later Paul, who would later be positively prolific in the Bible writing letter upon letter to churches. Saul went from aiding in Stephen's death and destroying the church to becoming a church leader? Think of the members of the church and how they might've felt. It is clear to me that they were experts at forgiving and letting resentment rest. I can only pray that we may be able to do the same.
Yesterday I was amazed at my brother's wisdom. Although he is my younger brother, he is very wise. He counseled me and said, "Katie, whatever you do, just make sure you don't harbor any bad feelings. Don't feel bitter about this and bring it up other times. You have to let it go." It is true. It is important. I need to forgive in a complete way of forgiveness and hope for a future of honest input right from the beginning, of being able to make our own decisions independent of parental feelings, of being married in mind and spirit and body & standing up for one another. That's why the hope is in there... closely tied with the greatest of these, love. Lord, help me to forgive in the way you teach us to forgive. I cast my burdens (my resentment) on you. Take it away from me, Father... and let me put resentment to rest.
2 Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2)
Though this statement is spoken by Job's friends in their monologue and not appreciated by Job as being empathetic, the words are true... and Job lives them out nonetheless. Resentment kills a fool. Actually, whether it kills or not, it certainly makes you foolish. There may be some resentment you hide in your heart right now that your friend/mother/brother/etc has long since forgotten. They don't let it bother them, why do you let the bitterness bother you? We know the saying, "Let go and let God." I believe that at times it is very hard. We need to ask to take it away and give us the grace and the great strength to 'play fair' and not bring up past hurts, to not hold it in our heart or over our head or even down by our side in our bowling bag. It's gone. No more. Resentment: Rest in Peace.
1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. (Acts 8:1-3)
Now here is a remarkable example of letting go of resentment. At the stoning of Stephen, Saul was approving everything. Saul, the later Paul, who would later be positively prolific in the Bible writing letter upon letter to churches. Saul went from aiding in Stephen's death and destroying the church to becoming a church leader? Think of the members of the church and how they might've felt. It is clear to me that they were experts at forgiving and letting resentment rest. I can only pray that we may be able to do the same.
Yesterday I was amazed at my brother's wisdom. Although he is my younger brother, he is very wise. He counseled me and said, "Katie, whatever you do, just make sure you don't harbor any bad feelings. Don't feel bitter about this and bring it up other times. You have to let it go." It is true. It is important. I need to forgive in a complete way of forgiveness and hope for a future of honest input right from the beginning, of being able to make our own decisions independent of parental feelings, of being married in mind and spirit and body & standing up for one another. That's why the hope is in there... closely tied with the greatest of these, love. Lord, help me to forgive in the way you teach us to forgive. I cast my burdens (my resentment) on you. Take it away from me, Father... and let me put resentment to rest.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Keys to Forgiveness
This morning as I reflected on my Bible reading, I found two keys to helping us to forgive when it is so hard, when someone has hurt us or when it seems that we they have misused our trust. A friend, a sister, a co-worker, a boss, a child, whoever it is... it is sometimes so hard to forgive. But God gives us examples and keys to help us through it, because as Pastor Dick Shrekhise once helped to show me, holding a grudge is like holding a bowling ball over your head. You are hurting yourself more than the other person. There is no reason you can't put it down. Let these keys help us.
The Myth of Deserving
17 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 If God places no trust in his servants,
if he charges his angels with error,
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundations are in the dust,
who are crushed more readily than a moth!
20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;
unnoticed, they perish forever.
21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,
so that they die without wisdom? (Job 4:17-21)
One thing that I had heard before but learned more while in Brazil with my irmaos in the Igreja da Irmandade was that 'we are not deservers,' or as they say 'nao somos merecedores.' We aren't saved because we deserve it. We don't deserve it. We are fooled by our status, but the humanity surrounding us every day that we deserve fair treatment, shelter, food, water, everything. But, we really don't. God is deserving. We are all unworthy. When we remember that, we understand that we all need forgiveness. That none of us are perfect.
These lines are my favorites from this part of Job's poem. Can a mortal be more righteous than God? NO. Can a man be more pure than his Maker? Again, the answer is NO. That includes us! None of us our deserving... none of us are perfect or pure. It helps us remember that at times we too need forgiveness, at times when we don't deserve it. And Job goes further, if Angels err, how much more do we? And we die without wisdom... we do not become perfect as we age.
I have to say that this is something I believe deeply. I believe that our imperfection and incapability serve to remind us of God's grace and lead us back to Him, recognizing his perfection and capability. And in terms of forgiveness, it leads us to see how we have needed forgiveness, just like our brothers/sisters. It's one difference between my theology and that of some other denominations who believe in the possibility of eternal sanctification here on earth. Perhaps that's possible for some. But I must admit that I haven't reached it... and I like the idea of a God who is holy... there is only one who is holy... and I praise the Lord for His grace and holiness and perfection in the face of the fact that, "there is none right, not one who understands, there is none who sees God." (Romans) We're all equally unrighteous... and all equally in need of love, forgiveness and grace. We are not deserve-ers.
The Smallness of Sin
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)
Sometimes it's amazing how apt we are at making a 'mountain' out of a molehill. A tiny little detail can become huge. I'm reminded of my dear friend Carol who told me that she only remembered the things that went wrong in her wedding, while I couldn't remember a single thing that went wrong! To me, the day seemed perfect and beautiful and wonderful and amazing. The same way with disputes, arguments or what-have-you... in the whole grand scheme of things, what does it matter? But we let it get so big. It may help to reconsider the smallness of sin.
Think of Stephen for example. The people were stoning him, killing him for telling the truth! Now, there's no bigger deal than that. But, Stephen while being killed, while dying, took the effort to forgive the perpetrators, to plea for God on their behalf. If Stephen forgave those who were inflicting bodily harm on him, we must pray to God for the power and grace to forgive those who inflict lesser harm on us. Take another look at the big picture and consider what's a big deal or not.
The Myth of Deserving
17 'Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
18 If God places no trust in his servants,
if he charges his angels with error,
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundations are in the dust,
who are crushed more readily than a moth!
20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;
unnoticed, they perish forever.
21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,
so that they die without wisdom? (Job 4:17-21)
One thing that I had heard before but learned more while in Brazil with my irmaos in the Igreja da Irmandade was that 'we are not deservers,' or as they say 'nao somos merecedores.' We aren't saved because we deserve it. We don't deserve it. We are fooled by our status, but the humanity surrounding us every day that we deserve fair treatment, shelter, food, water, everything. But, we really don't. God is deserving. We are all unworthy. When we remember that, we understand that we all need forgiveness. That none of us are perfect.
These lines are my favorites from this part of Job's poem. Can a mortal be more righteous than God? NO. Can a man be more pure than his Maker? Again, the answer is NO. That includes us! None of us our deserving... none of us are perfect or pure. It helps us remember that at times we too need forgiveness, at times when we don't deserve it. And Job goes further, if Angels err, how much more do we? And we die without wisdom... we do not become perfect as we age.
I have to say that this is something I believe deeply. I believe that our imperfection and incapability serve to remind us of God's grace and lead us back to Him, recognizing his perfection and capability. And in terms of forgiveness, it leads us to see how we have needed forgiveness, just like our brothers/sisters. It's one difference between my theology and that of some other denominations who believe in the possibility of eternal sanctification here on earth. Perhaps that's possible for some. But I must admit that I haven't reached it... and I like the idea of a God who is holy... there is only one who is holy... and I praise the Lord for His grace and holiness and perfection in the face of the fact that, "there is none right, not one who understands, there is none who sees God." (Romans) We're all equally unrighteous... and all equally in need of love, forgiveness and grace. We are not deserve-ers.
The Smallness of Sin
54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56"Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
57At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:54-60)
Sometimes it's amazing how apt we are at making a 'mountain' out of a molehill. A tiny little detail can become huge. I'm reminded of my dear friend Carol who told me that she only remembered the things that went wrong in her wedding, while I couldn't remember a single thing that went wrong! To me, the day seemed perfect and beautiful and wonderful and amazing. The same way with disputes, arguments or what-have-you... in the whole grand scheme of things, what does it matter? But we let it get so big. It may help to reconsider the smallness of sin.
Think of Stephen for example. The people were stoning him, killing him for telling the truth! Now, there's no bigger deal than that. But, Stephen while being killed, while dying, took the effort to forgive the perpetrators, to plea for God on their behalf. If Stephen forgave those who were inflicting bodily harm on him, we must pray to God for the power and grace to forgive those who inflict lesser harm on us. Take another look at the big picture and consider what's a big deal or not.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
For Better AND For Worse
This year I jump into learning all sorts of lessons about this new adventure called marriage. And my first lesson, I take from Job, who understood that you can't take just the good and not the unfortunate from God. Neither can we take only the best from our jobs, our family, our friends, our spouses. We take it all. That's why those infamous words "for better or for worse" have a place in the wedding ceremony. However, I believe the conjunction represents flawed placements. It is not for better OR for worse. It is for better AND for worse. In every part of our lives, we experience the better (emotional highs when we get that prized promotion) and the worse (losing a job or not getting a hoped-for sale). So we don't take either/or. We take both/and.
A Lesson from Job
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. [c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1: 20-21)
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [e] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10)
Job's struggles were quite extreme (death, illness, etc), so we often forget that his example can provide practical implications for us in the lesser trials of life... the smaller things. If Job could see the good despite his very difficult troubles, then why can't we still accept the trouble and the good from God in our difficulties? We did come from our mother's womb naked. So everything, all around us is a blessing. When we come across a trouble, we need to remember that's just one tiny part of the whole.
In the context of marriage, it may help to remember that 'we came from our mother's womb single'. It sounds funny, but it's true. All the blessings of living your life with your best friend, memories, smiles, shared laughter and wonderful times together. Shall we accept the good from our [friend, spouse, job], and not the trouble?
The more you love someone, it seems the more possible it seems to be disappointed. It matter so much what that other person says/thinks/decides, especially when they are suddenly 'one with you.' Brad and I had decided to be announced as O'Donnell Christoffersen and change our last names so we could keep the names that we have established in our respective academic fields and share a common name together, as a new creations and part of each other's families. However, after thinking through things again, Brad is not comfortable with a formal name change. And yes, it hurts. Yes, I wish that it would be different. Yes, I wish it wouldn't have changed again... after we had decided it together and been formally announced. Yes, it is a 'trouble'... a small one. But, compared to all the wonderful good in living with the love of my life, it's a small thing. I love Brad, for better and for worse. Like I told Brad last night, some might not understand, but I made a vow to consider his interests above my own... and I take that very seriously.
A Lesson from Moses
35"This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea[d] and for forty years in the desert. (Acts 7:35-36)
Similarly, when Moses said something disagreeable, he wasn't favored. People rejected him and rejected what he said, "Who made you ruler and judge?" It's easy to take only what you want. (Think about the kids who 'cherry pick' the M & M's out of the trail mix!) But love (and marriage) doesn't work like that. Read through 1 Corinthians again and you see that love is so much more... love is complete. And one of my favorite Shakespearean quotes puts it this way, "Love alters not when it alteration finds, nor bends with the remover to remove. It is an ever fixed mark... Live's not time's fool." Love is a constant... a short word that expands to fill the time and cover all types of difficult words and circumstances.
If even Moses said some things that upset his people, won't the one's we love say things that upset us? But Moses did miracles, Moses took His people out of Egypt, Moses saw God in the burning bush. So it is with those we love. Sometimes we 'can't see the forest for the tree' or we 'can't see our husband/wife/friend/co-worker for the mistake'. But let's remember who they are, the good times together... put them on the scale and remember that this is the one who was there to nurse you back to health, to comfort you, to reassure you, to make you smile and laugh, to commit their friendship and love and support for you. If we had them on the scale, the better would outweigh the worse. Though they are both there, we need to keep it in perspective and thank God-
Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will return...
In the meantime, God has given me sooooo many good and perfect gifts,
may the Lord's name be praised.
A Lesson from Job
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart. [c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1: 20-21)
10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [e] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10)
Job's struggles were quite extreme (death, illness, etc), so we often forget that his example can provide practical implications for us in the lesser trials of life... the smaller things. If Job could see the good despite his very difficult troubles, then why can't we still accept the trouble and the good from God in our difficulties? We did come from our mother's womb naked. So everything, all around us is a blessing. When we come across a trouble, we need to remember that's just one tiny part of the whole.
In the context of marriage, it may help to remember that 'we came from our mother's womb single'. It sounds funny, but it's true. All the blessings of living your life with your best friend, memories, smiles, shared laughter and wonderful times together. Shall we accept the good from our [friend, spouse, job], and not the trouble?
The more you love someone, it seems the more possible it seems to be disappointed. It matter so much what that other person says/thinks/decides, especially when they are suddenly 'one with you.' Brad and I had decided to be announced as O'Donnell Christoffersen and change our last names so we could keep the names that we have established in our respective academic fields and share a common name together, as a new creations and part of each other's families. However, after thinking through things again, Brad is not comfortable with a formal name change. And yes, it hurts. Yes, I wish that it would be different. Yes, I wish it wouldn't have changed again... after we had decided it together and been formally announced. Yes, it is a 'trouble'... a small one. But, compared to all the wonderful good in living with the love of my life, it's a small thing. I love Brad, for better and for worse. Like I told Brad last night, some might not understand, but I made a vow to consider his interests above my own... and I take that very seriously.
A Lesson from Moses
35"This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea[d] and for forty years in the desert. (Acts 7:35-36)
Similarly, when Moses said something disagreeable, he wasn't favored. People rejected him and rejected what he said, "Who made you ruler and judge?" It's easy to take only what you want. (Think about the kids who 'cherry pick' the M & M's out of the trail mix!) But love (and marriage) doesn't work like that. Read through 1 Corinthians again and you see that love is so much more... love is complete. And one of my favorite Shakespearean quotes puts it this way, "Love alters not when it alteration finds, nor bends with the remover to remove. It is an ever fixed mark... Live's not time's fool." Love is a constant... a short word that expands to fill the time and cover all types of difficult words and circumstances.
If even Moses said some things that upset his people, won't the one's we love say things that upset us? But Moses did miracles, Moses took His people out of Egypt, Moses saw God in the burning bush. So it is with those we love. Sometimes we 'can't see the forest for the tree' or we 'can't see our husband/wife/friend/co-worker for the mistake'. But let's remember who they are, the good times together... put them on the scale and remember that this is the one who was there to nurse you back to health, to comfort you, to reassure you, to make you smile and laugh, to commit their friendship and love and support for you. If we had them on the scale, the better would outweigh the worse. Though they are both there, we need to keep it in perspective and thank God-
Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will return...
In the meantime, God has given me sooooo many good and perfect gifts,
may the Lord's name be praised.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
What I Have ___, I Have ____ ... Standing Firm
Now, Pilate isn't often viewed as a hero in the Bible, and certainly he isn't one that we would want to completely model ourselves after. After all, he did give Jesus over to be crucified. He gave in to the crowd. But at least there was one point where he was standing firm.
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." -John 19:19-22
When Pilate wrote the notice, he wrote what he had been claiming to be true from the beginning when he said, "Here is your king" and "I find no basis for charge against him." And this time, although the Jews complained, he stood firm. He answered, "What I have written, I have written."
Oftentimes, especially with weddings, it's rather easy to get an overabundance of opinions... and for a very indecisive girl, this can be rather difficult. But, the challenge is to remain true to what you really believe amidst the many opinions. I feel like some times decisions have come up so fast that I've made decisions that don't really feel like me. When the decision is about flowers, not such a big deal. But, how we live our spiritual lives and how we portray Jesus is much more important. It's important that we remain true to our beliefs, that we stand firm and say, "What I have written (about my faith), I have written"... "What I have spoken (about my faith), I have spoken"... "What I have done (about my faith), I have done."
19Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read:|sc JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
22Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." -John 19:19-22
When Pilate wrote the notice, he wrote what he had been claiming to be true from the beginning when he said, "Here is your king" and "I find no basis for charge against him." And this time, although the Jews complained, he stood firm. He answered, "What I have written, I have written."
Oftentimes, especially with weddings, it's rather easy to get an overabundance of opinions... and for a very indecisive girl, this can be rather difficult. But, the challenge is to remain true to what you really believe amidst the many opinions. I feel like some times decisions have come up so fast that I've made decisions that don't really feel like me. When the decision is about flowers, not such a big deal. But, how we live our spiritual lives and how we portray Jesus is much more important. It's important that we remain true to our beliefs, that we stand firm and say, "What I have written (about my faith), I have written"... "What I have spoken (about my faith), I have spoken"... "What I have done (about my faith), I have done."
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Make Me a Servant
As a part of our wedding ceremony, Brad and I will be washing each other's feet, so I just happened to finish reading what Pastor Dick Shrekhise has prepared for us. And this morning's schedule ODB reading had me reflect even further upon the passage.
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. -John 13:1,12-15
What stood out to me this morning was the first verse, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." Clearly, John saw Jesus' act of servitude as directly related to love... the full extent of love, even. And this morning I'm reminded how hard it is to serve one another in such a selfless way that it shows clearly the full extent of our love. After all, what is love if it is not expressed, not shown?
So every day we get a chance to love each other in humility, humbling ourselves before the metaphorical feet of our loved ones... maybe those stinky feet are laundry that needs to be done, ironing (yuck), taking out the trash, moving boxes and boxes and boxes to empty/fill an apartment. Perhaps it's going to one more basketball game or hearing another boring account of a morning run/workout routine. Love is listening to what you find absolutely ridiculous, because although it may seem like 'stinky, dirty feet' to you, you know it means the world to the one you love. It means loving and serving, even when this is the last thing you want to think about, even when you'd rather plan out your next 5 years to a T, even when it's not what you want... not even a bit.
For example, right now, before Brad has even returned from Brazil, we know that he might have to go back Aug 1-18. Now, this is just about the last thing I want to think about right now, but I know that this is so important to Brad's work, to his research, and I know that he needs this time there at this season of the year. All I can do is pray and trust that God will help everything to work out, that God will teach me how to help and support Brad even while he's far away.
This morning, I pray that God would help me, teach me to do what He has done, to show the full extent of my love to all my loved ones in making me a servant to their own interests, desires, needs, before my own.
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. -John 13:1,12-15
What stood out to me this morning was the first verse, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love." Clearly, John saw Jesus' act of servitude as directly related to love... the full extent of love, even. And this morning I'm reminded how hard it is to serve one another in such a selfless way that it shows clearly the full extent of our love. After all, what is love if it is not expressed, not shown?
So every day we get a chance to love each other in humility, humbling ourselves before the metaphorical feet of our loved ones... maybe those stinky feet are laundry that needs to be done, ironing (yuck), taking out the trash, moving boxes and boxes and boxes to empty/fill an apartment. Perhaps it's going to one more basketball game or hearing another boring account of a morning run/workout routine. Love is listening to what you find absolutely ridiculous, because although it may seem like 'stinky, dirty feet' to you, you know it means the world to the one you love. It means loving and serving, even when this is the last thing you want to think about, even when you'd rather plan out your next 5 years to a T, even when it's not what you want... not even a bit.
For example, right now, before Brad has even returned from Brazil, we know that he might have to go back Aug 1-18. Now, this is just about the last thing I want to think about right now, but I know that this is so important to Brad's work, to his research, and I know that he needs this time there at this season of the year. All I can do is pray and trust that God will help everything to work out, that God will teach me how to help and support Brad even while he's far away.
This morning, I pray that God would help me, teach me to do what He has done, to show the full extent of my love to all my loved ones in making me a servant to their own interests, desires, needs, before my own.
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