No joke, folks! I've heard that line before. And every time I think about that I get all fired up ......not because I feel bad about myself, embarrassed, or want to go crawl in a hole and stay there until the day I die (or, get married); it's because it is steeped in WRONG THINKING!
Ok let me chill out and get my thoughts together.
Here's the deal. We are put on this earth to glorify and serve Christ, the Ultimate Bridegroom (Bridegroom reference - Ephesians 5:25-28, 32 and Revelation 19:5-9). Psalm 29:2 says it beautifully: "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” We are not here to live for marriage. And we are not here to live for the freedom of singleness! We are here to live to serve and glorify Christ, and God knows that sometimes we can serve Him better single, and sometimes we can serve Him better as a team united in marriage. And whenever He deems appropriate, that status can change.
Is God sovereign? I want you to really stop and think about that. Do you really believe that He is? If so, how does that shape your view of marital status, whether your own or that of your friends?
Do you think God can do anything? ANYTHING? Stop and think about it. Do you believe that?
Often, as Christians, we will talk about how God parted the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-14:31) or closed the mouths of lions (Daniel 6), but when it comes to believing God has our marital status under control (or really any aspect of our lives), we think in our hearts that it's impossible. And I write this in humbleness of mind, not condemnation. I used to be that person. I'd proclaim how big and great God is, but in my heart I held onto the thought that "it won't happen." That thought process, uncovered, is rooted in a lack of faith. I was compartmentalizing God. Go outside and look up. PHENOMENAL! God made that! If He has the power to throw the stars into space and make the earth orbit the sun, can He not manage the details or your life? Stars and suns and planets and fields and oceans and flowers and sunsets do not have souls. And look at them. Look how detailed and intricate and beautiful they are! If God cares about them and they do not have souls, doesn't it make sense that He would care about you, one with an eternal soul? If you struggle to believe it, go read Psalm 139; Romans 8:37-38; Zephaniah 3:17; and my personal favorite: Isaiah 49:16, which says, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hand; your walls are ever before me, says the Lord." If you lack faith to believe God loves you, pray for it and ask God to show you in a special way today that He loves you!
Whether you are reading this as a married or single person, know that God has you in that situation for a reason. And He has your friends in their situation for a reason. Don't go around discouraging your married friends acting like their life is "so restricted and boring." And if married, recognize that God has His sovereign hand in your single friend's life and He has got it under control! The worst thing in life is not being single or married. The worst thing would be to live a life wasted for Christ. We only get one chance at this thing, make good use of it!
As a single person, I have the freedom to go give a ride to a single mom without a car that needs to get to work. Or field a phone call from a stressed out teenager at 2am. If I am downtown and strike up a conversation with a stranger and the topic turns to Christ, I can stay there however long I want - I don't have anyone waiting for me to cook dinner and I don't have to rush to daycare to pick up a screaming child. You never know what a day may bring forth, and to know that you can just go with the flow and stop when you see those God moments? It's awesomely great!
And as a married person, your ministry is to your family first, but also those in your circle. You have God moments, too, they just may look different. You might not have the same time freedom to stand on a bustling street corner and talk to a stranger for however long you want, but you get the opportunity to sharpen each other to be more Christ like and unite as a team on mission for the Gospel! You can play off of each other's strengths and weakness and more effectively reach a more diverse group. When I taught high school I can't tell you how many times I wished for a godly husband that could partner with me to help counsel some of the young men through some of their questions and be an example to them. If you have children, you have the fabulous opportunity to have a daily influence on a whole human being! You can help mold their thinking about Christ and prayerfully point them to live on mission for the Gospel. They are God's children, you're just borrowing them for a little bit.
Regardless of what marital status box you check or what parental status you check, realize that our first love is to be Christ. Not marriage, not freedom, not even our kids. When you love Christ first and foremost, it will help you love your friends, your spouse, your children, and those whom God wants you to minister to in the right way. Pray that God will help you see how to serve Him NOW, whatever state you are in, and pray for a content heart. Instead of asking people "Why aren't you married?" or "Man, why ARE you married?" .....start asking each other how God is working in your hearts and lives. Wouldn't that be a little more productive?
So, if you read this far, thank you. Now go out and be nice to people!
February 9, 2012
February 3, 2012
Poser Pizza
Right now I want you to imagine your favorite pizza place (if you don't like pizza, just go along with me here, okay? Okay. :). Think about what the pizza tastes like. What characteristics make you like the pizza above all other pizzas? Do you like to blot the grease off with your napkin first or do you just dive in? Now, imagine that I bring you a pizza in that pizza place's box. But the pizza I'm bringing you in that box is actually frozen pizza I found at the Dollar General, even though I am disguising it in your favorite pizza's box. Would you figure out that I'm substituting the real deal for an impostor? How so? Because you are intimately familiar with the original.
Now, why am I talking about pizza? I assure you it's not just because it's Friday. Or Super Bowl weekend. Although they are both very good reasons to discuss pizza. But the reason I am waxing eloquent on Italian pie today is because I got this question in my inbox about five minutes ago:
"What is it I am supposed TO KNOW about God in order to know Him?"
What you need to do is get familiar with the Original. The Real Deal. Just like with your pizza. You know a fake because you know the original. You know characteristics and traits, and you know when something is "off," even if you can't put your finger on it.
With God, we need to know His character. And we do this by reading the Bible. Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God." As you get to know His character and impostor thoughts come to mind (such as, "God doesn't love me" or "God plays favorites"), you can identify them and fight them with Truth. This is what Jesus did to fight Satan's lies and deception - He quoted Scripture (see Luke 4). But how could He do that without knowing Scripture?
So the point is? Be in the Word. Get to know God. The Bible tells us, "As He (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray..."
This is serious. Deception is Satan's favorite tactic. That's how he got Eve. Get to know God so you are not lead astray. Don't spend your time studying all the fakes so you can pick them apart. Just study the Truth and you will know.
And also? You may go order your pizza now. I know I made you hungry.
Now, why am I talking about pizza? I assure you it's not just because it's Friday. Or Super Bowl weekend. Although they are both very good reasons to discuss pizza. But the reason I am waxing eloquent on Italian pie today is because I got this question in my inbox about five minutes ago:
"What is it I am supposed TO KNOW about God in order to know Him?"
What you need to do is get familiar with the Original. The Real Deal. Just like with your pizza. You know a fake because you know the original. You know characteristics and traits, and you know when something is "off," even if you can't put your finger on it.
With God, we need to know His character. And we do this by reading the Bible. Romans 10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of God." As you get to know His character and impostor thoughts come to mind (such as, "God doesn't love me" or "God plays favorites"), you can identify them and fight them with Truth. This is what Jesus did to fight Satan's lies and deception - He quoted Scripture (see Luke 4). But how could He do that without knowing Scripture?
So the point is? Be in the Word. Get to know God. The Bible tells us, "As He (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray..."
This is serious. Deception is Satan's favorite tactic. That's how he got Eve. Get to know God so you are not lead astray. Don't spend your time studying all the fakes so you can pick them apart. Just study the Truth and you will know.
And also? You may go order your pizza now. I know I made you hungry.
February 1, 2012
sawn asunder-type faith
One thing I always struggle with is why God allows certain things to happen. I think we all do. I think of godly people who pass away "too early," people who have cancer, broken homes, fires destroying a church building, etc. ... I know in my own life I look at some of my trials and I think "oh ... God allowed me through that so I can be a better counselor and understand more things...relate to more people" Sometimes that is the only reason I can come up with to "justify" some of what life has dished out. But then I think ... couldn't God just make it so no one had to go through suffering - then I wouldn't have to relate to anyone. Basically, what's the point behind all this hard life stuff?
Anyways, tonight I was reading Hebrews 11, the "faith chapter." I decided to take my Bible and pen and paper and make a list of all the things that were accomplished by faith. Wow....I came up with quite a list. If you have a Bible and look at verse 4 and following, you will find a list of all these amazing accomplishments. I'll list some of them. But first, keep in mind this isn't anywhere near all the things God has done. I often wonder what happened that was never recorded in the Bible? Cool to think about. Please don't rush through the list - think about the impact each event made in our history.
Enoch never died; Noah built the ark and basically saved the human race and all the animals; Abraham went to the Promised Land, then later offered his own son as a sacrifice, believing God would somehow save his son; Sara had kids; Moses feared God more than man; people passed through the Red Sea on DRY LAND (my favorite); Jerhico's walls fell down; people were raised to life; kingdom's were subdued, lions' mouths were closed .... this list seems unending. Wow! God really rewards those who have faith!!! Right ..... ???
But wait...
Then I kept reading. uhmmm.... God?
In the middle of verse 35, the tone changed. Now, those who have faith are tried, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, "sawn asunder" (anyone know what that means? :) tempted, killed, afflicted, and tormented. That's just to name a few. Doesn't that seem backwards? They had faith - and this is what happens to them? Kind of like what I said earlier - cancer takes a loved one, a family falls apart. How is this a reward for faith?
But wow ... God speaks of those people, the people who endure enormous trial, and say, "Of whom the world was not worthy..." It's like those people are special treasures. It also says that they "obtained a good report through faith." You see, when we can trust God and have faith when He chooses to take home a loved one that we have endlessly prayed for - THAT is faith. It may make no sense to us. It may feel like the opposite of all that is fair, just, and earned through prayer. But the truth is, when you can have faith in those difficult situations - you obtain a good report. You obtain a reward so special that God is going to wait to give it to you so He can give it to you personally in Heaven. God sees so much faith potential in you, and knows the only way to bring it out is trial.
It's wonderful to see faith panned out - when you pray that the Lord would heal your relative's cancer, and He does. But when you pray, and God doesn't heal your relative - it's so easy to get mad and blame God. Wonder why He has helped others but doesn't seem to be helping you. But God is in control. And remembering that even when all seems wrong, that is a special faith. I feel convicted just writing this - it's easy to write about, hard to apply. But with God's help, we can.
I am no expert on trials. I'm no expert on God. He is far too big, far too great, and far too infinitely wise for me to even begin to understand why He does what He does. I can't understand or relate to every circumstance, and I certainly can't reason why He allows certain things to happen. All I know is that He says all things work together for good to those that love Him.
I can say that God taught me tonight that when we have faith when a situation seems senseless and confusing, God sees that. God rewards that. It is the epitome of humbleness on our part - to say that God knows better how to control my life than I do.
When trials come, I find it easy to either run FROM God or run TO God. I fervently pray that I will always run TO God. I think this takes the community of other believers to speak truth into our lives when suffering, as well as staying in the Word. Satan loves to fling lies in our direction. The only way to discern the lies is to be intimately familiar with the Truth. Don't wait for this. Start now, so when those trials come, you are prepared.
Anyways, tonight I was reading Hebrews 11, the "faith chapter." I decided to take my Bible and pen and paper and make a list of all the things that were accomplished by faith. Wow....I came up with quite a list. If you have a Bible and look at verse 4 and following, you will find a list of all these amazing accomplishments. I'll list some of them. But first, keep in mind this isn't anywhere near all the things God has done. I often wonder what happened that was never recorded in the Bible? Cool to think about. Please don't rush through the list - think about the impact each event made in our history.
Enoch never died; Noah built the ark and basically saved the human race and all the animals; Abraham went to the Promised Land, then later offered his own son as a sacrifice, believing God would somehow save his son; Sara had kids; Moses feared God more than man; people passed through the Red Sea on DRY LAND (my favorite); Jerhico's walls fell down; people were raised to life; kingdom's were subdued, lions' mouths were closed .... this list seems unending. Wow! God really rewards those who have faith!!! Right ..... ???
But wait...
Then I kept reading. uhmmm.... God?
In the middle of verse 35, the tone changed. Now, those who have faith are tried, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, "sawn asunder" (anyone know what that means? :) tempted, killed, afflicted, and tormented. That's just to name a few. Doesn't that seem backwards? They had faith - and this is what happens to them? Kind of like what I said earlier - cancer takes a loved one, a family falls apart. How is this a reward for faith?
But wow ... God speaks of those people, the people who endure enormous trial, and say, "Of whom the world was not worthy..." It's like those people are special treasures. It also says that they "obtained a good report through faith." You see, when we can trust God and have faith when He chooses to take home a loved one that we have endlessly prayed for - THAT is faith. It may make no sense to us. It may feel like the opposite of all that is fair, just, and earned through prayer. But the truth is, when you can have faith in those difficult situations - you obtain a good report. You obtain a reward so special that God is going to wait to give it to you so He can give it to you personally in Heaven. God sees so much faith potential in you, and knows the only way to bring it out is trial.
It's wonderful to see faith panned out - when you pray that the Lord would heal your relative's cancer, and He does. But when you pray, and God doesn't heal your relative - it's so easy to get mad and blame God. Wonder why He has helped others but doesn't seem to be helping you. But God is in control. And remembering that even when all seems wrong, that is a special faith. I feel convicted just writing this - it's easy to write about, hard to apply. But with God's help, we can.
I am no expert on trials. I'm no expert on God. He is far too big, far too great, and far too infinitely wise for me to even begin to understand why He does what He does. I can't understand or relate to every circumstance, and I certainly can't reason why He allows certain things to happen. All I know is that He says all things work together for good to those that love Him.
I can say that God taught me tonight that when we have faith when a situation seems senseless and confusing, God sees that. God rewards that. It is the epitome of humbleness on our part - to say that God knows better how to control my life than I do.
When trials come, I find it easy to either run FROM God or run TO God. I fervently pray that I will always run TO God. I think this takes the community of other believers to speak truth into our lives when suffering, as well as staying in the Word. Satan loves to fling lies in our direction. The only way to discern the lies is to be intimately familiar with the Truth. Don't wait for this. Start now, so when those trials come, you are prepared.
January 26, 2012
Wall Street Tithing
Recently I saw a show on TV that had all these "testimonials" about how people gave to this particular Christian organization, and then within a year they were richer than ever before. Now don't get me wrong, I definitely think that God blesses givers and He wants us to give our money (and time, for that matter) to promote His Kingdom and the Gospel. HOWEVER this program soley shared stories about how people gave and then became richer, and were encouraging others to give so that they also could get "blessed" financially. They did not address heart issues, nor did they address that God will supply your NEEDS, not necessarily always your WANTS (like being filthy rich). It was as though they presented giving to their organization as an investment. "Give to us and automatically God will fix all of your problems and make you wealthy." I literally felt my cheeks getting hot.
First of all, let's address the heart issue here. Giving to any organization in and of itself is not wrong - in fact, it can be good, depending on the heart's motivation. It's the heart attitude that matters, and God knows our hearts (1 Chron 28 ...for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought...). You see, God gives us the ability to work. Dueteronomy 8:18 - "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth..." So really, what I have is because He gave me the power to get it. Giving back to Him shouldn't be a strategic plan so He can do me a favor and make me rich. It should be a humble act of "thank you" for what He's already given me. It's a matter of the heart. If my heart is saying "I want to give God this so He will make me wealthier," the motive is self-focused, not God-focused. The heart needs to say, "Thank you Jesus for giving me the ability to work and earn what I have. Let me give this back to you as a thank you for all you have done for me."
Second, the Bible doesn't say that giving means that you will become rich or things will be easy peasy. Let's expand this beyond just the topic of giving. Let's just generalize and say that doing right = everything going well. Because that's what a lot of people expect should happen. Example: I have a friend that is a new Christian. Recently she shared that she felt like because she was a Christian now, her problems should be getting fixed, and then she referenced some TV show preacher that gave that message - literally, she relayed a list of 10 things she should do, and if she did them, "things will work out great and God will hear your prayers." The thing is (and she understands this now), being a Christian does not equal the absence of problems. GIVING does not equal the absence of problems. 1 Peter 4:12 - "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you...." God often uses trials (sometimes financial) as tools to develop character and make us more like Him. 1 Peter 1:7 says, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
The point is, it's NORMAL to have problems, and they should be expected from time to time. God uses problems to refine us. Much like a parent injects discipline into the lives of their children for their own good, God allows trials to help us grow....for our own good. Maybe He wants you, despite your giving, to have "just enough" so that you don't become reliant on yourself, but still turn to Him to provide for your needs. Or, maybe you will have lots of wealth - there is nothing wrong with wealth, it can be a tool - but to try to manipulate giving to God as a means to get wealthy? ...I don't know about that.
As I watched and my irritation grew, I thought, "Anna, chill out. You are overreacting. This is not a big deal. Giving to Christian organizations is a good thing in many cases!" So I analyzed why I was getting so irritated. And I realized my fear is that people out there in the world will watch these types of shows and start giving to organizations like that (or any other good deed of choice), thinking that it will fix everything. And if their problems continue, they will think that God has fooled them or that "it didn't work," leading to disillusionment and distrust in God. The hope we live for is not in this life. We have hope that God will help us THROUGH this life, but we do not live for the right now. Our true hope rests in Christ and in the future of Heaven.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
First of all, let's address the heart issue here. Giving to any organization in and of itself is not wrong - in fact, it can be good, depending on the heart's motivation. It's the heart attitude that matters, and God knows our hearts (1 Chron 28 ...for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought...). You see, God gives us the ability to work. Dueteronomy 8:18 - "You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth..." So really, what I have is because He gave me the power to get it. Giving back to Him shouldn't be a strategic plan so He can do me a favor and make me rich. It should be a humble act of "thank you" for what He's already given me. It's a matter of the heart. If my heart is saying "I want to give God this so He will make me wealthier," the motive is self-focused, not God-focused. The heart needs to say, "Thank you Jesus for giving me the ability to work and earn what I have. Let me give this back to you as a thank you for all you have done for me."
Second, the Bible doesn't say that giving means that you will become rich or things will be easy peasy. Let's expand this beyond just the topic of giving. Let's just generalize and say that doing right = everything going well. Because that's what a lot of people expect should happen. Example: I have a friend that is a new Christian. Recently she shared that she felt like because she was a Christian now, her problems should be getting fixed, and then she referenced some TV show preacher that gave that message - literally, she relayed a list of 10 things she should do, and if she did them, "things will work out great and God will hear your prayers." The thing is (and she understands this now), being a Christian does not equal the absence of problems. GIVING does not equal the absence of problems. 1 Peter 4:12 - "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you...." God often uses trials (sometimes financial) as tools to develop character and make us more like Him. 1 Peter 1:7 says, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
The point is, it's NORMAL to have problems, and they should be expected from time to time. God uses problems to refine us. Much like a parent injects discipline into the lives of their children for their own good, God allows trials to help us grow....for our own good. Maybe He wants you, despite your giving, to have "just enough" so that you don't become reliant on yourself, but still turn to Him to provide for your needs. Or, maybe you will have lots of wealth - there is nothing wrong with wealth, it can be a tool - but to try to manipulate giving to God as a means to get wealthy? ...I don't know about that.
As I watched and my irritation grew, I thought, "Anna, chill out. You are overreacting. This is not a big deal. Giving to Christian organizations is a good thing in many cases!" So I analyzed why I was getting so irritated. And I realized my fear is that people out there in the world will watch these types of shows and start giving to organizations like that (or any other good deed of choice), thinking that it will fix everything. And if their problems continue, they will think that God has fooled them or that "it didn't work," leading to disillusionment and distrust in God. The hope we live for is not in this life. We have hope that God will help us THROUGH this life, but we do not live for the right now. Our true hope rests in Christ and in the future of Heaven.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
January 17, 2012
Milkshake Moments
Walking out to my car, my friend Kevin asked me, "Hey, do you mind if I drink this milkshake in your car?" I jokingly responded, "Well, sure, as long as you don't spill it in the car...." I no sooner said that and he tripped on the curb. The next thing we know his entire milkshake came flying out of his cup and completely coated the passenger side window and part of the windshield, dripping chocolate milkshake onto the parking lot. In this hilarious process (which left us speechless), the milkshake also splashed off the car and back onto him....and all over his tie. Which was borrowed. Without permission from his roommate. Whoops!!! :) We all stood there stunned, and then burst into laughter. I said to Kevin, "Well I did say don't spill it IN the car. I guess you're alright." Haha! I won't forget the look on his face for a long time as he sheepishly went back into the restaurant to ask for a pile of napkins. Haha. Oh, the memories.
So what made me think of this? Something totally unrelated, in a related sorta way. I've been thinking a lot lately about how it's impossible to help another person without the blessing actually splashing back onto yourself. How cool God made it like that. He could have made it that when you help others, you feel sad. Or angry. Or indifferent. But He didn't. He made it so that when we help others, we actually get a blessing from it! Our hearts are often encouraged and we usually feel energized.
Did you know that the Bible actually commands us to help others? Check these out:
Proverbs 22:9 - Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
John 15:12 - This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
Matthew 25:35-40 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
....and there's a lot more. Just google "verses about helping others" and you'll get tons.
Makes me stop and think, "Wow, we do what God commands and we, in turn, receive a blessing." Kinda makes you wonder about those other "rules," huh?
So what made me think of this? Something totally unrelated, in a related sorta way. I've been thinking a lot lately about how it's impossible to help another person without the blessing actually splashing back onto yourself. How cool God made it like that. He could have made it that when you help others, you feel sad. Or angry. Or indifferent. But He didn't. He made it so that when we help others, we actually get a blessing from it! Our hearts are often encouraged and we usually feel energized.
Did you know that the Bible actually commands us to help others? Check these out:
Proverbs 22:9 - Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
John 15:12 - This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
Matthew 25:35-40 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
....and there's a lot more. Just google "verses about helping others" and you'll get tons.
Makes me stop and think, "Wow, we do what God commands and we, in turn, receive a blessing." Kinda makes you wonder about those other "rules," huh?
January 15, 2012
The Broken Vessel
I was a vessel created in the image you designed. You had a plan and a purpose. I was to be a vessel of honor in your home. My function was to grace your mantle, a thing of beauty. You commissioned the artist and gave detailed instructions for my creation. When you first held me, I could see in your eyes that you were pleased. When you took me to your home and gently set me in a place of honor, on the highest shelf, you smiled. I was happy. Occasionally you would take me down and place within me some sweet wine, or wildfowers arranged so beautifully. Always you gently placed me back in my resting place, and smiled.
From my place of honor I could look over the surroundings. I watched as you sat reading and the children played on the rug by the fire. It was a warm and wonderful feeling. Then something stirred in me. I longed for more, to be the book, or the rug, or the chair. I put on my best shine, and caught the eye of one of your little girls. She picked me up. I was so excited. I sensed that her hands were not the strong hands that made me, but I was not afraid. Then it happened. I slipped through her hands, falling to the floor, damaged beyond repair. There were now cracks and a gaping hole where previously there was unmarred beauty. I was in pain, but she didn't notice. She was only worried about getting in trouble for the damage she had caused, so she took me to the basement and hid me on a shelf.
I cried tears, I wondered where you were, why you didn't retrieve me and make it all better? You could have attempted to repair the damage, but instead it seemed as if I was forgotten, alone in the dark. Occasionally one of the servants would bring another damaged piece to the basement, to be fixed "some day." I often wondered if you even knew I was missing, or wondered where I was.
Over time there were other wounds inflicted, occasionally caused by someone placing another object too close too quickly, knocking off more of my beautiful finish, and sometimes even creating new cracks. There were one or two times when I even caused more damage to myself by trying to position myself in a place where I would be more likely to be noticed, only to slip and bump into others.
The wounds were gaping, ugly holes. The cracks were everywhere. I was useless. I often shed tears in the dark. Oh, to see you look at me again and smile, but I knew that if you were to gaze upon my present condition you would turn away in disgust, more than likely discarding me permanently with the rest of the trash.
Then, just as things seemed darkest, I heard footsteps that sounded familiar. I saw you in the room. Part of me wanted to scream, "Master, I'm here. Use me, let me serve you," but the bigger part of me wanted to hide, to be invisible, my ugly wounds kept out of your sight.
But you approached, coming straight to where I was. I saw your daughter behind you, tears streaming down her face. "Daddy, I did not mean to hurt the vessel. It was my carelessness. But I was afraid you'd be angry...I'm sorry." You looked at her with the strangest look....partly anger, partly tenderness....then you looked at me and smiled.
You picked me up and ran your hands over my cracked surface, you traced each of my wounds with your fingers. You turned to your child and said, "The cracks add character and seem to enhance the glazed finish, don't you agree?" "Yes, Daddy. It is still very pretty. But it cannot be used any longer with all the holes and cracks. I'm sorry."
I saw him staring at me. I burned with shame under his gaze. Then he smiled...a beautiful smile, like the first time he ever saw me. He held me close to his chest, tenderly, and took hold of his child's hand, and we walked together to the garden. He placed me at the entrance, on the beautiful marble steps. I was ashamed. Why would he display me in such a manner for all to see? Then he went into the house, and when he came back he was holding a lamp. He placed it inside of me. I felt the warmth of the flame filling me. I saw that he was pleased. He and his daughter looked at each other, then at me, and smiled.
I felt happier than I had in a long time. I did not understand why he would put a lamp inside of me, but after the darkness I had been living in, the warmth of that light felt wonderful. Then I looked around me. There was light everywhere - beautiful patterns of light falling on the ground, some rays of light, some just slivers. There almost seemed to be a design. It was so pretty. I noticed that the people that walked by were more sure-footed because the light was there to show them the way. Then, slowly and magnificently, it dawned on me...all that beautiful light, it was coming from inside of this broken vessel that I had become. The master's light warmed me, and flowed through me, through those previously ugly wounds, and I was able to help others along their journey as the light showed them the way.
Tears flowed again, this time happy tears. My master hadn't forgotten me. He didn't throw me away when he saw my damage. He used me in a diffferent place, but not one of less importance.....simply different. He used me to help guide others I would never have even met had I stayed on display in the mansion.
The wounds do not hurt any longer, though the scars remain. But my Master showed me that even when I was in the dark, even when I felt ugly and useless, he was not finished with me. Daily I will serve my wonderful Master and thank him for my scars and ask him to continue to use me to help others he sends down my path.
Sharon Grammer (that's my mom!!) and L. Carpenter 9/8/99 copyright
From my place of honor I could look over the surroundings. I watched as you sat reading and the children played on the rug by the fire. It was a warm and wonderful feeling. Then something stirred in me. I longed for more, to be the book, or the rug, or the chair. I put on my best shine, and caught the eye of one of your little girls. She picked me up. I was so excited. I sensed that her hands were not the strong hands that made me, but I was not afraid. Then it happened. I slipped through her hands, falling to the floor, damaged beyond repair. There were now cracks and a gaping hole where previously there was unmarred beauty. I was in pain, but she didn't notice. She was only worried about getting in trouble for the damage she had caused, so she took me to the basement and hid me on a shelf.
I cried tears, I wondered where you were, why you didn't retrieve me and make it all better? You could have attempted to repair the damage, but instead it seemed as if I was forgotten, alone in the dark. Occasionally one of the servants would bring another damaged piece to the basement, to be fixed "some day." I often wondered if you even knew I was missing, or wondered where I was.
Over time there were other wounds inflicted, occasionally caused by someone placing another object too close too quickly, knocking off more of my beautiful finish, and sometimes even creating new cracks. There were one or two times when I even caused more damage to myself by trying to position myself in a place where I would be more likely to be noticed, only to slip and bump into others.
The wounds were gaping, ugly holes. The cracks were everywhere. I was useless. I often shed tears in the dark. Oh, to see you look at me again and smile, but I knew that if you were to gaze upon my present condition you would turn away in disgust, more than likely discarding me permanently with the rest of the trash.
Then, just as things seemed darkest, I heard footsteps that sounded familiar. I saw you in the room. Part of me wanted to scream, "Master, I'm here. Use me, let me serve you," but the bigger part of me wanted to hide, to be invisible, my ugly wounds kept out of your sight.
But you approached, coming straight to where I was. I saw your daughter behind you, tears streaming down her face. "Daddy, I did not mean to hurt the vessel. It was my carelessness. But I was afraid you'd be angry...I'm sorry." You looked at her with the strangest look....partly anger, partly tenderness....then you looked at me and smiled.
You picked me up and ran your hands over my cracked surface, you traced each of my wounds with your fingers. You turned to your child and said, "The cracks add character and seem to enhance the glazed finish, don't you agree?" "Yes, Daddy. It is still very pretty. But it cannot be used any longer with all the holes and cracks. I'm sorry."
I saw him staring at me. I burned with shame under his gaze. Then he smiled...a beautiful smile, like the first time he ever saw me. He held me close to his chest, tenderly, and took hold of his child's hand, and we walked together to the garden. He placed me at the entrance, on the beautiful marble steps. I was ashamed. Why would he display me in such a manner for all to see? Then he went into the house, and when he came back he was holding a lamp. He placed it inside of me. I felt the warmth of the flame filling me. I saw that he was pleased. He and his daughter looked at each other, then at me, and smiled.
I felt happier than I had in a long time. I did not understand why he would put a lamp inside of me, but after the darkness I had been living in, the warmth of that light felt wonderful. Then I looked around me. There was light everywhere - beautiful patterns of light falling on the ground, some rays of light, some just slivers. There almost seemed to be a design. It was so pretty. I noticed that the people that walked by were more sure-footed because the light was there to show them the way. Then, slowly and magnificently, it dawned on me...all that beautiful light, it was coming from inside of this broken vessel that I had become. The master's light warmed me, and flowed through me, through those previously ugly wounds, and I was able to help others along their journey as the light showed them the way.
Tears flowed again, this time happy tears. My master hadn't forgotten me. He didn't throw me away when he saw my damage. He used me in a diffferent place, but not one of less importance.....simply different. He used me to help guide others I would never have even met had I stayed on display in the mansion.
The wounds do not hurt any longer, though the scars remain. But my Master showed me that even when I was in the dark, even when I felt ugly and useless, he was not finished with me. Daily I will serve my wonderful Master and thank him for my scars and ask him to continue to use me to help others he sends down my path.
Sharon Grammer (that's my mom!!) and L. Carpenter 9/8/99 copyright
January 14, 2012
my parents don't care
So often people call Christians "judgmental." Is that not being judgmental? If you meet me and immediately assume I'm judgmental simply because you find out I'm a Christian, you are just that: judgmental.
Also, it seems so many fight against the moral code in the Bible. They turn their heads at the idea of having a "list of rules" to follow. But think about the list of rules. The most common would be the ten commandments. Let's examine just a few from Exodus 20:
6. You shall not murder.
7.You shall not commit adultery.
8.You shall not steal.
9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (lie).
Just picking 4 of the more general ones, that even people that are not "Christian" could agree are good moral codes. Why do people buck against this? Doesn't it seem that the world would be a better place if we aren't going around murdering each other? Or staying faithful to your spouse? You know, keeping the vows made on that precious wedding day? Or how about stealing. We'd all agree we don't want our stuff stolen. And certainly it would be great if we could all trust each other to tell the truth. Think of all the problems in the world that would be solved if just these four "rules" were followed.
So often it seems we think (at times, myself included) that God made these rules to squash our fun. But it's not like that. He laid out a moral code that He knew would enrich our lives and protect us if we followed them.
I clearly remember sitting in Mrs. Miller's class in 6th grade. A little group of us was chatting about our parent's rules. As we shared, there was one kid who kept saying "my parents don't care if I do that" ...."oh, my parents don't care if I do that either..." And so it went on. You know? After several "my parents don't care" statements, the poor child started crying and he flatly stated, "My parents don't care."
Oh the wisdom of children. You see, he realized that the lack of boundaries and rules did not mean his parents loved him more. He realized they cared about him less. Quit thinking that God's rules are there as a punishment, as a fun-squasher. He put boundaries in place to protect us and keep us safe.
It's not bad to follow rules. It's not negating grace. Yes, God gives grace. But that's not a license to just go do whatever you want. Obeying Him is a sign that you love and trust Him. Don't be afraid to follow His rules. They are there to protect and love you.
Also, it seems so many fight against the moral code in the Bible. They turn their heads at the idea of having a "list of rules" to follow. But think about the list of rules. The most common would be the ten commandments. Let's examine just a few from Exodus 20:
6. You shall not murder.
7.You shall not commit adultery.
8.You shall not steal.
9.You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (lie).
Just picking 4 of the more general ones, that even people that are not "Christian" could agree are good moral codes. Why do people buck against this? Doesn't it seem that the world would be a better place if we aren't going around murdering each other? Or staying faithful to your spouse? You know, keeping the vows made on that precious wedding day? Or how about stealing. We'd all agree we don't want our stuff stolen. And certainly it would be great if we could all trust each other to tell the truth. Think of all the problems in the world that would be solved if just these four "rules" were followed.
So often it seems we think (at times, myself included) that God made these rules to squash our fun. But it's not like that. He laid out a moral code that He knew would enrich our lives and protect us if we followed them.
I clearly remember sitting in Mrs. Miller's class in 6th grade. A little group of us was chatting about our parent's rules. As we shared, there was one kid who kept saying "my parents don't care if I do that" ...."oh, my parents don't care if I do that either..." And so it went on. You know? After several "my parents don't care" statements, the poor child started crying and he flatly stated, "My parents don't care."
Oh the wisdom of children. You see, he realized that the lack of boundaries and rules did not mean his parents loved him more. He realized they cared about him less. Quit thinking that God's rules are there as a punishment, as a fun-squasher. He put boundaries in place to protect us and keep us safe.
It's not bad to follow rules. It's not negating grace. Yes, God gives grace. But that's not a license to just go do whatever you want. Obeying Him is a sign that you love and trust Him. Don't be afraid to follow His rules. They are there to protect and love you.
January 8, 2012
Lion Flies
Have you ever thought about lions? They are one of the most ferocious animals in the world. Some interesting facts can be found here: http://www.lionlamb.us/lion/lionfact.html. But you don't need to read that to know that they are stately, deadly animals. There is a reverence about them, and when in their presence you know you are seeing something beautiful. But have you ever thought about how even lions have flies? Think about it. They could take down just about any opponent wanted, but the little fly is always around, unable to be conquered. The fly is their little daily annoyance.
Does the lion's identity change because of the fly? No. It's still God's creation. It still can run 30+ mph. It still strikes fear into anyone crossing it's path. Yet at the same time, it deals with daily flies.
Do you allow the daily annoyances in your life to shake your identity? It can be easy to think that because of trials in life that somehow we are less, that maybe God overlooked us or favors others more than us. But that's not true. All of us have lion flies. Don't let them shake who you are. 1 Peter 4
Does the lion's identity change because of the fly? No. It's still God's creation. It still can run 30+ mph. It still strikes fear into anyone crossing it's path. Yet at the same time, it deals with daily flies.
Do you allow the daily annoyances in your life to shake your identity? It can be easy to think that because of trials in life that somehow we are less, that maybe God overlooked us or favors others more than us. But that's not true. All of us have lion flies. Don't let them shake who you are. 1 Peter 4
January 5, 2012
Mayday Workday
Sometimes I just laugh at the way things work out. This week was the Passion conference, which I hadn't heard of until Sunday actually, but I became really interested in it. I tried to listen online as much as I could, but was limited with work and everything else going on. Well, today at 10:45, when the last session was online, our work system went down. This doesn't usually happen. There really wasn't anything I could do....other than listen to Passion :) The Lord is so good how He worked that out. The message was one I desperately needed to hear.
The speaker talked about many things...in fact, I found myself wanting to write down everything he said. But what specifically stuck out to me was when he talked about his ill father, and how he and his family moved, leaving everything behind, to go take care of him. Soon after, his father passed, which left the speaker scratching his head wondering "what now?" I really resonated with this for many different reasons, but the more important thing is what I took away.
I learned that God had used this "bad circumstance" to put them in a place of absolute freedom, with no responsibility, in order to lead them to the next big step, which birthed Passion. God is bigger than our circumstances that don't make sense to us. He is bigger than the things we fear. He can see the big, eternal picture. We CAN trust Him with those things that don't make sense, that seem bad to us.
This reminds me of an analogy I heard years ago that stuck with me. A little girl was sitting on the floor beneath her grandmother's chair, looking up as her grandmother cross-stitched. From the child's perspective, her grandmother had a mess on her hands. She saw the underside of the picture, which revealed nothing but a mess of strings and knots and really, nothing beautiful at all. She said something to her grandmother about this ugly mess, who then pulled her into her lap. Upon seeing the picture from her grandmother's perspective, she could see that it was a beautiful picture of a peaceful deer drinking from a stream. The difference? Perspective.
I thank God that He, in His sovereignty, allowed things to go haywire at work today in order to allow me listen to the last session. And that the message was what I needed to hear. He is so good. If I can trust Him to work out little things like this, why do I worry about the big things in life? If only I would learn.
The speaker talked about many things...in fact, I found myself wanting to write down everything he said. But what specifically stuck out to me was when he talked about his ill father, and how he and his family moved, leaving everything behind, to go take care of him. Soon after, his father passed, which left the speaker scratching his head wondering "what now?" I really resonated with this for many different reasons, but the more important thing is what I took away.
I learned that God had used this "bad circumstance" to put them in a place of absolute freedom, with no responsibility, in order to lead them to the next big step, which birthed Passion. God is bigger than our circumstances that don't make sense to us. He is bigger than the things we fear. He can see the big, eternal picture. We CAN trust Him with those things that don't make sense, that seem bad to us.
This reminds me of an analogy I heard years ago that stuck with me. A little girl was sitting on the floor beneath her grandmother's chair, looking up as her grandmother cross-stitched. From the child's perspective, her grandmother had a mess on her hands. She saw the underside of the picture, which revealed nothing but a mess of strings and knots and really, nothing beautiful at all. She said something to her grandmother about this ugly mess, who then pulled her into her lap. Upon seeing the picture from her grandmother's perspective, she could see that it was a beautiful picture of a peaceful deer drinking from a stream. The difference? Perspective.
I thank God that He, in His sovereignty, allowed things to go haywire at work today in order to allow me listen to the last session. And that the message was what I needed to hear. He is so good. If I can trust Him to work out little things like this, why do I worry about the big things in life? If only I would learn.
January 4, 2012
The Puzzle Master
God just amazes me sometimes. Psalm 139:17,18 talks about how God thinks more thoughts about us than the sand on the earth. Think about that. That's AMAZING! That tells me two things: He loves me, and He is intimately concerned with the details of my life.
I could write a book of really amazing things that have happened that I know just had to be God doing it. There's no other way. Today I had one of those moments.
I started off the day praying that God would send me some students to have meaningful conversations with. Whenever I've prayed this, He sends me students that I really connect with and they feel more like friends than students. Well, today I decided to call a girl I enrolled in school months ago. There really wasn't a need for us to talk, but she was on my mind. Last I spoke with her she was living with family and struggling to get by, but doing overall alright. Today she picked up the phone sounding different. I quickly learned that she was now homeless and her sweet little boy was living with family, but she was down at the homeless shelter. As I searched for words to say, she told me, "But I'm alright, good actually. I think God allowed all these bad things to happen to point me to Him." What did she just say?? She doesn't know I'm a Christian :) And she's talking to me about God. She proceeds to tell me that through poor choices, she ended up at the shelter, but that God was redeeming the situation and He lead her to a Christian homeless shelter. They have Bible studies daily, and she informs me that she is now a Christian! I wanted to burst at the seams and shout "me too!!!" but at the same time, I wanted to see how far she would go with this, so I kept quiet. She then went on the share the Gospel, and how she had accepted Christ as her Savior. "Now, I don't know much about the Bible, but I am going to work on reading it through this year and I am learning so much! I am so glad God has me here." WOW. At this point I just couldn't keep quiet any longer. What a sweet time of sharing her new relationship with Christ!
But what amazed me, again, was how quickly you could see God working. I noticed this with Allison, too (see previous post). Sometimes we humans put the burden on ourselves to change people. That is God's work. Yes, sometimes He delights in using us, but ultimately He does the work. Both Allison and this lady said almost the same sentence - "I think the reason God is allowing all of this bad in my life is so that I would turn to Him. I'm so thankful." What insight. What proof of the Spirit working in their lives.
Later in the conversation I wanted to share with her a verse I thought paralleled her situation. ALL THAT I KNEW is that it was in Psalms. My Bible happened to be on the coffee table so I picked it up and leafed through, thinking how "dumb" it was to think that I could just magically find this obscure verse in all those hundreds of pages. Wouldn't you know - God is so good - I opened the Bible, turned one page, and saw a star on the bottom left. Next to the star? The verse I wanted to share. GOD IS SO AMAZING! Why do we doubt Him?
The verse? Psalm 40:2,3 - "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." After reading the verse to her, she went on and on about how amazing it was and how much that was like her situation. We were able to talk about how right now she feels like she is in the pit, the bog, but God has started to redeem her and make her steps secure. And as a result she will be able to be a light and testimony to others, helping others find Christ. She then told me that on Sunday nights they get to share a verse or a praise, and that was going to be hers for this week.
How cool. I just love when God does things like that. He shows His intimate concern for my life by #1, answering my prayer for a meaningful conversation, but also #2 by helping me find the verse just like that.
I don't know how He keeps everything straight. I have a hard enough time keeping track of myself, and He somehow keeps track of me and all the other people in the world, and even figures out how to intertwine our lives like that! I'm always amazed when in a setting that people are giving testimonies and you hear all these intricate details of how He works things out. His wisdom is so much higher than ours! (Isaiah 55:9) He is the ultimate Puzzle Master, piecing all of our lives together into one big grand picture.
I pray that I remember His special care and concern when life seems "not right." It's easy to write things like this when good things happen, or something special happens in the day. But the truth is that God is the same God today as He is going to be on the day of bad news. I want to pray we keep the faith and continue seeing God in the small things!
I could write a book of really amazing things that have happened that I know just had to be God doing it. There's no other way. Today I had one of those moments.
I started off the day praying that God would send me some students to have meaningful conversations with. Whenever I've prayed this, He sends me students that I really connect with and they feel more like friends than students. Well, today I decided to call a girl I enrolled in school months ago. There really wasn't a need for us to talk, but she was on my mind. Last I spoke with her she was living with family and struggling to get by, but doing overall alright. Today she picked up the phone sounding different. I quickly learned that she was now homeless and her sweet little boy was living with family, but she was down at the homeless shelter. As I searched for words to say, she told me, "But I'm alright, good actually. I think God allowed all these bad things to happen to point me to Him." What did she just say?? She doesn't know I'm a Christian :) And she's talking to me about God. She proceeds to tell me that through poor choices, she ended up at the shelter, but that God was redeeming the situation and He lead her to a Christian homeless shelter. They have Bible studies daily, and she informs me that she is now a Christian! I wanted to burst at the seams and shout "me too!!!" but at the same time, I wanted to see how far she would go with this, so I kept quiet. She then went on the share the Gospel, and how she had accepted Christ as her Savior. "Now, I don't know much about the Bible, but I am going to work on reading it through this year and I am learning so much! I am so glad God has me here." WOW. At this point I just couldn't keep quiet any longer. What a sweet time of sharing her new relationship with Christ!
But what amazed me, again, was how quickly you could see God working. I noticed this with Allison, too (see previous post). Sometimes we humans put the burden on ourselves to change people. That is God's work. Yes, sometimes He delights in using us, but ultimately He does the work. Both Allison and this lady said almost the same sentence - "I think the reason God is allowing all of this bad in my life is so that I would turn to Him. I'm so thankful." What insight. What proof of the Spirit working in their lives.
Later in the conversation I wanted to share with her a verse I thought paralleled her situation. ALL THAT I KNEW is that it was in Psalms. My Bible happened to be on the coffee table so I picked it up and leafed through, thinking how "dumb" it was to think that I could just magically find this obscure verse in all those hundreds of pages. Wouldn't you know - God is so good - I opened the Bible, turned one page, and saw a star on the bottom left. Next to the star? The verse I wanted to share. GOD IS SO AMAZING! Why do we doubt Him?
The verse? Psalm 40:2,3 - "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." After reading the verse to her, she went on and on about how amazing it was and how much that was like her situation. We were able to talk about how right now she feels like she is in the pit, the bog, but God has started to redeem her and make her steps secure. And as a result she will be able to be a light and testimony to others, helping others find Christ. She then told me that on Sunday nights they get to share a verse or a praise, and that was going to be hers for this week.
How cool. I just love when God does things like that. He shows His intimate concern for my life by #1, answering my prayer for a meaningful conversation, but also #2 by helping me find the verse just like that.
I don't know how He keeps everything straight. I have a hard enough time keeping track of myself, and He somehow keeps track of me and all the other people in the world, and even figures out how to intertwine our lives like that! I'm always amazed when in a setting that people are giving testimonies and you hear all these intricate details of how He works things out. His wisdom is so much higher than ours! (Isaiah 55:9) He is the ultimate Puzzle Master, piecing all of our lives together into one big grand picture.
I pray that I remember His special care and concern when life seems "not right." It's easy to write things like this when good things happen, or something special happens in the day. But the truth is that God is the same God today as He is going to be on the day of bad news. I want to pray we keep the faith and continue seeing God in the small things!
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