If we're all about the "I" today, I'd like to talk about what I am.
I am a sinner. Born into sin, because of the sin of Adam and Eve that has been passed down to me through all those generations. And I live in sin, because of the sinful choices I make every day. We live in a sin-filled world, and that's just reality.
But I'm also a saint. No, that doesn't mean I'm perfect. I am a child of God. In my baptism, the Holy Spirit came into my heart and gave me faith.
God lives in me.
That's an amazing thing. As a result of this, my soul belongs to God and lives in harmony with him. That's the saint-side of me.
It's hard to understand, I know. I don't fully understand it myself. But I know it's true.
Just as every minute of every day I am sinning--doing things in opposition to God--so also, every minute of every day, I am living a life that is obedient to God and pleasing to him.
How can that be? How can I, just sitting here, be obeying God?
That's the same question I asked a professor a couple years ago, when we were discussing this in a class. What he told me I will always remember.
"Well, you're sitting here in class," he said. "In doing so, you're fulfilling your vocation of student. You're giving attention and respect to me, as your teacher, someone in authority over you. You're preparing yourself for whatever future vocation God has planned for you. You're contributing to the discussion and helping others learn and grow. So, just by having your rear in that chair right now, you're obeying and honoring God."
I had never thought of it like that before. Even without meaning to, without doing it intentionally, my whole life is one of obedience to God. Why? Because the Holy Spirit lives in me and enables me to wholly serve, love and obey God.
It's not about me. If it was up to me, I would only be sinning all the time. It's only because of God's grace, mercy and forgiveness that I am able to be obedient to Him.
That gives me so much joy. One of the biggest goals of my life is to give honor to my Jesus. And because of His love for me, I do that all the time! It's wonderful how He helps me so much in my desire to live in obedience to Him. He knows that if it wasn't for His help, I'd never be able to do it myself! :D
You know what's wonderful? If you're a baptized believer in Jesus, you're a sinner and saint, too. Sure, you'll struggle with sin all the time. But don't despair--because of Jesus, you are always a saint. And someday, when our earthly bodies have died, our eternal souls will live forever with Jesus in heaven--in perfection!
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obedience. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Friday, October 12, 2012
Why I'm Voting for Romney/Ryan (and why I'm not)
My husband and I just finished watching the vice-presidential political debate. We watched the presidential one a couple weeks ago. Watching these debates, and all the other political discussion and ads on TV lately, has reminded me of something: I am NOT voting for either candidate because I agree with them on everything. Neither of the candidates has a plan with which I completely agree.
That's not a bad thing. It's also to be expected. As my dad says, "You're not voting for a person so much as you are for a platform." The Republican party is one I can stand with on MOST things. And I feel that after four years of disappointment in what President Obama has done, it's time for the other party to have a go, again, at running the country.
Paul Ryan proved why I like his platform in the debate this evening. The moderator asked the VP candidates, "You are both Catholic--something that hasn't happened in a presidential race in a long time. Based on your religion, what are your opinions on abortion?"
The Catholic church's stance on abortion is that it is wrong (because they believe that life begins at conception), with, as Ryan said, the exceptions of rape, incest, and threat to the mother's life. That is also the stance of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and although I don't agree with it entirely, I can accept it. Ryan pointed this out, and stated firmly once again his belief that life begins at conception. He did not back down on this at all.
When posed with the same question, Biden also noted the Catholic church's stance, but that he believed every woman should have the opportunity to choose whether or not she wants to have an abortion. It's not the government's right, he said, to deny women that opportunity--that right--to do what they want with their own bodies.
(Yes, I am paraphrasing what the men said.)
What I appreciated about Ryan was that he did not back down from saying that abortion is wrong, period. He didn't contradict what his faith believes about the life of unborn children. And he did say that yes, in a case of clear right and wrong, it IS the government's right to dictate what people can and can't do. It's wrong to kill an adult person in cold blood except in cases of self-defense. The government dictates that and has laws that uphold that. Abortion should be no different.
So I am voting for Romney and Ryan because they uphold what I believe is right. I think their plans regarding foreign policy, the war(s) on terrorism, nuclear weapons, and taxes in the US will do a lot of good and are the wisest decisions that the government can make right now. I have confidence in their character, as much as I can considering they're politicians, and more importantly, I have confidence that God is in control, period, no matter who is in the White House.
That, finally, is what it all comes down to for me. God is in charge. Not the President of the United States, technically the most powerful person in the world. Not the people of the United States who vote that President into office. Not terrorists who murder those people of the United States.
God is in control. I have full confidence in that. No matter what happens politically, in relation to other countries, or to the economy, the fact that God's in charge will not ever change. I know he will always take care of me. I know that nothing that happens in the world can affect my eternal salvation. And I know that God will always give me opportunities to stand up for my faith in him.
God himself does not need defending. What we can do, and should do, as Christians is to speak up for what is right and denounce what is wrong. We need to make clear what is of God and his Word and what is not. That's what matters eternally--not the person who will be in the White House for the next four years.
Rely on God, my friends...not politicians.
P.S. I'm glad to be writing again. I've missed it, and I hope to write a little more often starting now. Thanks to those of you who are still sticking with me! You are a blessing.
That's not a bad thing. It's also to be expected. As my dad says, "You're not voting for a person so much as you are for a platform." The Republican party is one I can stand with on MOST things. And I feel that after four years of disappointment in what President Obama has done, it's time for the other party to have a go, again, at running the country.
Paul Ryan proved why I like his platform in the debate this evening. The moderator asked the VP candidates, "You are both Catholic--something that hasn't happened in a presidential race in a long time. Based on your religion, what are your opinions on abortion?"
The Catholic church's stance on abortion is that it is wrong (because they believe that life begins at conception), with, as Ryan said, the exceptions of rape, incest, and threat to the mother's life. That is also the stance of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and although I don't agree with it entirely, I can accept it. Ryan pointed this out, and stated firmly once again his belief that life begins at conception. He did not back down on this at all.
When posed with the same question, Biden also noted the Catholic church's stance, but that he believed every woman should have the opportunity to choose whether or not she wants to have an abortion. It's not the government's right, he said, to deny women that opportunity--that right--to do what they want with their own bodies.
(Yes, I am paraphrasing what the men said.)
What I appreciated about Ryan was that he did not back down from saying that abortion is wrong, period. He didn't contradict what his faith believes about the life of unborn children. And he did say that yes, in a case of clear right and wrong, it IS the government's right to dictate what people can and can't do. It's wrong to kill an adult person in cold blood except in cases of self-defense. The government dictates that and has laws that uphold that. Abortion should be no different.
So I am voting for Romney and Ryan because they uphold what I believe is right. I think their plans regarding foreign policy, the war(s) on terrorism, nuclear weapons, and taxes in the US will do a lot of good and are the wisest decisions that the government can make right now. I have confidence in their character, as much as I can considering they're politicians, and more importantly, I have confidence that God is in control, period, no matter who is in the White House.
That, finally, is what it all comes down to for me. God is in charge. Not the President of the United States, technically the most powerful person in the world. Not the people of the United States who vote that President into office. Not terrorists who murder those people of the United States.
God is in control. I have full confidence in that. No matter what happens politically, in relation to other countries, or to the economy, the fact that God's in charge will not ever change. I know he will always take care of me. I know that nothing that happens in the world can affect my eternal salvation. And I know that God will always give me opportunities to stand up for my faith in him.
God himself does not need defending. What we can do, and should do, as Christians is to speak up for what is right and denounce what is wrong. We need to make clear what is of God and his Word and what is not. That's what matters eternally--not the person who will be in the White House for the next four years.
Rely on God, my friends...not politicians.
P.S. I'm glad to be writing again. I've missed it, and I hope to write a little more often starting now. Thanks to those of you who are still sticking with me! You are a blessing.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Always Sinner...and ALWAYS Saint.
I've heard it twice in two days now.
See God in everything.
See Him in me, always.
My Christian doctrine teacher says that we Lutherans focus too much on our sinful natures. But my husband whispered over to me, "Simul justus et peecator." Simultaneously saint and sinner. That's what we are. But we, at least I, tend to focus so much more on the sinner, and discount the saint.
Today I read Ann's words in One Thousand Gifts, "Why do I reduce The Greatest to the lesser instead of seeing the lesser, this mess, as reflecting The Greatest? I have to learn how to see, to look through to the Largeness behind all the smallness."
Even in my own sinfulness, I can see Christ. Moreover, the new person in me--the sanctified, justified saint--is here ALL THE TIME. Yes, the sinner is here all the time too. But I am always holy.
My professor explained it this way. "You don't always think about loving your husband, do you? Love is often an unconscious decision. You don't always think about serving God, either. Are you serving God by being in class right now?" I replied that yes, I guessed so. "You are. You might not realize it; you might not even be doing it intentionally. But you are here to learn about the faith in order to be able to teach it better in your future ministry. Your being here, respecting your teacher and your classmates, is following God's will. You are being led by the Holy Spirit and you are being obedient to God just by being here."
That got me wondering how often I really am obeying God without realizing it!! Is that not the epitome of grace: that he allows us to obey him without our knowledge, even as we so often sin without consciously deciding to. Doing dishes is being obedient to God. Bathing is being obedient to God. Grocery shopping...doing homework...folding laundry...even sleeping! All of these things are fulfilling God's will for me in one way or another.
So very often I am hard on myself for sinning so much. But do I thank God that, by his grace, I am able to obey him so much? I think we as Christians either give ourselves too much or too little credit. We do sin much, yes. But we do good things for God as well.
Most importantly: we believe in God all the time. Yes, faith is a gift, so we did not consciously choose to receive it. But we don't have to consciously work to believe, either. Believing in God makes us saints: his children, his chosen ones. Since we believe all the time, we are saints, all the time.
I have the power of the Holy Spirit living in me.
That never changes.
And just imagine...when we join Christ in heaven one day, we will lose the sinful side of ourselves, and be only saints. Only holy. Always obedient to Christ.
Can you just imagine how wonderful that will be?
See God in everything.
See Him in me, always.
My Christian doctrine teacher says that we Lutherans focus too much on our sinful natures. But my husband whispered over to me, "Simul justus et peecator." Simultaneously saint and sinner. That's what we are. But we, at least I, tend to focus so much more on the sinner, and discount the saint.
Today I read Ann's words in One Thousand Gifts, "Why do I reduce The Greatest to the lesser instead of seeing the lesser, this mess, as reflecting The Greatest? I have to learn how to see, to look through to the Largeness behind all the smallness."
Even in my own sinfulness, I can see Christ. Moreover, the new person in me--the sanctified, justified saint--is here ALL THE TIME. Yes, the sinner is here all the time too. But I am always holy.
My professor explained it this way. "You don't always think about loving your husband, do you? Love is often an unconscious decision. You don't always think about serving God, either. Are you serving God by being in class right now?" I replied that yes, I guessed so. "You are. You might not realize it; you might not even be doing it intentionally. But you are here to learn about the faith in order to be able to teach it better in your future ministry. Your being here, respecting your teacher and your classmates, is following God's will. You are being led by the Holy Spirit and you are being obedient to God just by being here."
That got me wondering how often I really am obeying God without realizing it!! Is that not the epitome of grace: that he allows us to obey him without our knowledge, even as we so often sin without consciously deciding to. Doing dishes is being obedient to God. Bathing is being obedient to God. Grocery shopping...doing homework...folding laundry...even sleeping! All of these things are fulfilling God's will for me in one way or another.
So very often I am hard on myself for sinning so much. But do I thank God that, by his grace, I am able to obey him so much? I think we as Christians either give ourselves too much or too little credit. We do sin much, yes. But we do good things for God as well.
Most importantly: we believe in God all the time. Yes, faith is a gift, so we did not consciously choose to receive it. But we don't have to consciously work to believe, either. Believing in God makes us saints: his children, his chosen ones. Since we believe all the time, we are saints, all the time.
I have the power of the Holy Spirit living in me.
That never changes.
And just imagine...when we join Christ in heaven one day, we will lose the sinful side of ourselves, and be only saints. Only holy. Always obedient to Christ.
Can you just imagine how wonderful that will be?
Saturday, December 10, 2011
catch-up and God-talk
I haven't had much time to write, and haven't been able to think of much to write about.
Finals week begins Monday. I only have one test, but six papers to write this week. None are terribly long, but it's a little overwhelming. I did finish a short story this evening, with Joshua's help to get the male perspective accurate. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
This week has been fairly typical otherwise. Last week of classes. I feel perpetually sleep-deprived. That's partly my own fault, though. Last night there was a formal dance and we went with Ruth and Joe, and then went to IHOP for a midnight pancake run. I've never been to IHOP at all and certainly not at such an hour! But it was fun, and delicious. We didn't get home till 2:30, however, so this morning was slow and lazy. But it was nice. :)
Today I also got laundry and grocery shopping done. It's nice to have clean clothes and a full fridge!
The story I wrote is based on the experiences Joshua and I had over Thanksgiving break: broken-down car, both of us upset, tow truck ride, all that. My English professor had an incredible insight when she read the story. I wrote about how the young couple in the story (basically us) had to put the car in neutral, and let the tow truck driver take control of the car to get it on the truck and driven to the repair shop. The couple had to let go of the wheel entirely and trust their car to someone else. They had to let him take the wheel and just go along with the ride.
I'm surprised I didn't see the spiritual application of this story myself, but I'm sure glad my teacher did. We have to let God take control. We have to get in the passenger seat, let go of our lives, and let him take us where we need to go, where we'll be safe. Considering that the story is based on real life...it was very emotional for me. It's like God was talking to me, but it took nearly two weeks for me to hear the message, and then I had to be told by someone else what it was.
I hear you, Lord. Let you take over. Trust you. Don't worry. Don't fret. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Life is so much easier when I don't have to focus on the particulars of the trip--when I don't see what's ahead in the road. Because you, God, can see, and you'll get me through everything safely.
Finals week begins Monday. I only have one test, but six papers to write this week. None are terribly long, but it's a little overwhelming. I did finish a short story this evening, with Joshua's help to get the male perspective accurate. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
This week has been fairly typical otherwise. Last week of classes. I feel perpetually sleep-deprived. That's partly my own fault, though. Last night there was a formal dance and we went with Ruth and Joe, and then went to IHOP for a midnight pancake run. I've never been to IHOP at all and certainly not at such an hour! But it was fun, and delicious. We didn't get home till 2:30, however, so this morning was slow and lazy. But it was nice. :)
Today I also got laundry and grocery shopping done. It's nice to have clean clothes and a full fridge!
The story I wrote is based on the experiences Joshua and I had over Thanksgiving break: broken-down car, both of us upset, tow truck ride, all that. My English professor had an incredible insight when she read the story. I wrote about how the young couple in the story (basically us) had to put the car in neutral, and let the tow truck driver take control of the car to get it on the truck and driven to the repair shop. The couple had to let go of the wheel entirely and trust their car to someone else. They had to let him take the wheel and just go along with the ride.
I'm surprised I didn't see the spiritual application of this story myself, but I'm sure glad my teacher did. We have to let God take control. We have to get in the passenger seat, let go of our lives, and let him take us where we need to go, where we'll be safe. Considering that the story is based on real life...it was very emotional for me. It's like God was talking to me, but it took nearly two weeks for me to hear the message, and then I had to be told by someone else what it was.
I hear you, Lord. Let you take over. Trust you. Don't worry. Don't fret. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Life is so much easier when I don't have to focus on the particulars of the trip--when I don't see what's ahead in the road. Because you, God, can see, and you'll get me through everything safely.
Monday, November 7, 2011
An Imperfect Life
I am a bit of a perfectionist.
Okay, that's putting it mildly.
I'm also really critical of myself and others, which combined with the perfectionism can get pretty messy.
Did I mention I'm also a clean freak who has a lazy streak and is stressed in a cluttered living space?
Yeah, not a good combination.
Being married, working, college students, we have time to get the house messy but not really time to get it clean, except for afternoons and evenings when we're usually both home. And when we're home at the same time, cleaning is usually the last thing I want to do. (It can be theraputic, however, because I'm relaxed when my house is in order!)
This past Friday we got home from school and I was going on about needing to get the living room picked up, dishes done, supper made, etc, etc. I was lying on the couch, not wanting to get up and do anything, and I fell asleep. Joshua brought a blanket and I napped for an hour. When I woke up life seemed a lot better even though nothing had really gotten done. But that was okay.
Joshua is my reality check. He reminds me that sometimes it's a good thing to sit and do nothing. That it's okay when our house isn't picture-perfect (which it rarely is). That there are things that matter a lot more than having a clean kitchen. That it's just fine to not be perfect.
He doesn't expect perfection of me.
Now, that doesn't mean he does not have high expectations for me. We each expect a lot of each other, and sometimes that causes frustration when we fail to live up to those expectations.
God does expect perfection of us. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," Jesus said (Matthew 5:48). He also knows that because we're sinful people, we can't be perfect. That's why he sent Jesus to pay the price for our imperfection, and put on us his own perfect-ness. When God looks at us now, he sees not our failures but Christ's perfect obedience.
And God forgives us. Constantly. For everything. He gives us a new start every day, making us always right with him when we repent of our sin.
So I can live freely in my imperfection, not being lazy or disobedient, but knowing that Joshua loves me anyway, and God loves me no matter what. He doesn't really care if I have a messy house, and neither does my husband. The state of my kitchen or bathroom doesn't have much of an impact on eternity. The time I spent serving and loving my husband, those people God puts in our lives, and God himself, are far more important.
That's a truth I can live with.
Okay, that's putting it mildly.
I'm also really critical of myself and others, which combined with the perfectionism can get pretty messy.
Did I mention I'm also a clean freak who has a lazy streak and is stressed in a cluttered living space?
Yeah, not a good combination.
Being married, working, college students, we have time to get the house messy but not really time to get it clean, except for afternoons and evenings when we're usually both home. And when we're home at the same time, cleaning is usually the last thing I want to do. (It can be theraputic, however, because I'm relaxed when my house is in order!)
This past Friday we got home from school and I was going on about needing to get the living room picked up, dishes done, supper made, etc, etc. I was lying on the couch, not wanting to get up and do anything, and I fell asleep. Joshua brought a blanket and I napped for an hour. When I woke up life seemed a lot better even though nothing had really gotten done. But that was okay.
Joshua is my reality check. He reminds me that sometimes it's a good thing to sit and do nothing. That it's okay when our house isn't picture-perfect (which it rarely is). That there are things that matter a lot more than having a clean kitchen. That it's just fine to not be perfect.
He doesn't expect perfection of me.
Now, that doesn't mean he does not have high expectations for me. We each expect a lot of each other, and sometimes that causes frustration when we fail to live up to those expectations.
God does expect perfection of us. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," Jesus said (Matthew 5:48). He also knows that because we're sinful people, we can't be perfect. That's why he sent Jesus to pay the price for our imperfection, and put on us his own perfect-ness. When God looks at us now, he sees not our failures but Christ's perfect obedience.
And God forgives us. Constantly. For everything. He gives us a new start every day, making us always right with him when we repent of our sin.
So I can live freely in my imperfection, not being lazy or disobedient, but knowing that Joshua loves me anyway, and God loves me no matter what. He doesn't really care if I have a messy house, and neither does my husband. The state of my kitchen or bathroom doesn't have much of an impact on eternity. The time I spent serving and loving my husband, those people God puts in our lives, and God himself, are far more important.
That's a truth I can live with.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The blessed pain of discipline
I started working out on Friday, for real. I mean the weight-lifting, elliptical-jogging, crunch-doing working out. My lovely and athletic friend Ruth offered to give me some pointers and be my workout buddy. She really knows what she's doing and I'm very thankful for her guidance and instruction!!
I'm one of those people with a slim but very not-athletic build; I've always been more sedentary. I like walking but this kind of working out is very new for me. As a result, I'm using muscles that don't often get used, and I'm feeling it! Saturday morning my abs hardly wanted to work, and I've been walking painfully the last couple days after a lower-body workout on Monday.
I knew this would happen; since I haven't been very active before I knew that any amount of real exercise would hurt at first. I also know that in a couple weeks I'll be more used to it and a lot less sore.
I keep reminding myself that this pain is a good thing. It means I'm working my body, making it stronger and healthier, and Ruth said today that my abs already look more toned. I have to keep pushing myself, but the results in the long run will be totally worth some sore muscles now.
Discipline was like that when I was little. Now I'm disciplining myself to work out, but a decade ago it was my parents instructing me to do and not do certain things, and there was punishment when I didn't obey. It hurt and it was inconvenient: spankings, time-outs, groundings, depending on my age and the severity of the disobedience. But I learned what I needed to and I was a better person as a result. (Yep, Mom and Dad, it worked...you can say "I told you so" now. :) )
Funnily enough, God puts discipline to work the same way. Have you ever noticed that the root word of discipline is disciple? As in, a person who follows someone else to learn from them and behave like them? What a concept! When God disciplines us, he is treating us as his disciples: helping us to learn from him and behave more like him. God disciplines us because he loves us. No, God does not cause "bad" things to happen to us. He allows us to go through difficulties and trials because he always uses them for our good and his glory. I have learned so much about trust by living on not a lot of money. I have learned patience through illness. I have learned to rely on God for comfort and help when I'm scared and sad. I have learned to give control over to God when it seems like my life is out of my hands.
Discipline hurts, certainly. No one likes the pain and frustration and discomfort of trials and difficulties. But it's a good pain, one that God uses to bless us richly!!
I'm thankful for my aching muscles that are growing and strengthening. I'm thankful that God loves me so much to use the good and the bad times in my life to help me become more like him, and grow closer to him in faith.
I'm one of those people with a slim but very not-athletic build; I've always been more sedentary. I like walking but this kind of working out is very new for me. As a result, I'm using muscles that don't often get used, and I'm feeling it! Saturday morning my abs hardly wanted to work, and I've been walking painfully the last couple days after a lower-body workout on Monday.
I knew this would happen; since I haven't been very active before I knew that any amount of real exercise would hurt at first. I also know that in a couple weeks I'll be more used to it and a lot less sore.
I keep reminding myself that this pain is a good thing. It means I'm working my body, making it stronger and healthier, and Ruth said today that my abs already look more toned. I have to keep pushing myself, but the results in the long run will be totally worth some sore muscles now.
Discipline was like that when I was little. Now I'm disciplining myself to work out, but a decade ago it was my parents instructing me to do and not do certain things, and there was punishment when I didn't obey. It hurt and it was inconvenient: spankings, time-outs, groundings, depending on my age and the severity of the disobedience. But I learned what I needed to and I was a better person as a result. (Yep, Mom and Dad, it worked...you can say "I told you so" now. :) )
Funnily enough, God puts discipline to work the same way. Have you ever noticed that the root word of discipline is disciple? As in, a person who follows someone else to learn from them and behave like them? What a concept! When God disciplines us, he is treating us as his disciples: helping us to learn from him and behave more like him. God disciplines us because he loves us. No, God does not cause "bad" things to happen to us. He allows us to go through difficulties and trials because he always uses them for our good and his glory. I have learned so much about trust by living on not a lot of money. I have learned patience through illness. I have learned to rely on God for comfort and help when I'm scared and sad. I have learned to give control over to God when it seems like my life is out of my hands.
Discipline hurts, certainly. No one likes the pain and frustration and discomfort of trials and difficulties. But it's a good pain, one that God uses to bless us richly!!
I'm thankful for my aching muscles that are growing and strengthening. I'm thankful that God loves me so much to use the good and the bad times in my life to help me become more like him, and grow closer to him in faith.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Being Honest With Myself
This post was inspired by Jon Acuff's blog post today on his website Stuff Christians Like. (Plug for Jon: if you've never visited his site, I'd highly recommend that you do, and no he's not paying me to say this, he doesn't even know me. He's a great writer, very thought-provoking, and often quite funny!)
Jon was talking about how as Christians we sometimes live a "double life." One side of us is the "good Christian," while the other side has guilty pleasures (Jon talked about music, TV shows, other stuff that I've never heard of which is probably a good thing) like watching movies we know aren't God-honoring, or reading books or listening to music that isn't God-pleasing either. I would add that that side of us can also have hidden sins that no one knows about, like a secret affair, an addiction to pornography, alcoholism, you name it. It can also be things that could seem harmless, like a propensity to laziness, worry, or gossip. None of these things is God-honoring either. Jon pointed out how we often try to hide the less God-honoring part of ourselves, or even deny that that side exists.
So Jon asked, "What's one way we can be more honest as Christians?"
Jon was talking about how as Christians we sometimes live a "double life." One side of us is the "good Christian," while the other side has guilty pleasures (Jon talked about music, TV shows, other stuff that I've never heard of which is probably a good thing) like watching movies we know aren't God-honoring, or reading books or listening to music that isn't God-pleasing either. I would add that that side of us can also have hidden sins that no one knows about, like a secret affair, an addiction to pornography, alcoholism, you name it. It can also be things that could seem harmless, like a propensity to laziness, worry, or gossip. None of these things is God-honoring either. Jon pointed out how we often try to hide the less God-honoring part of ourselves, or even deny that that side exists.
So Jon asked, "What's one way we can be more honest as Christians?"
I think some Christians (read: me) avoid talking about some of the more serious things their sinful nature has gotten them to do because 1) they don't want people to judge or think less of them and 2) they want to set a good example for their other friends and acquaintances. However, neither of these is a good reason. (I'm convicting myself here.) First, what people think matters a lot less than what God thinks, and if we've repented of our sins, God's forgiven us and sees us as perfect and holy. Period. (He KNOWS we've sinned, he just doesn't count it against us anymore.) Second, if we (I) really want to set a good example for others, we (I) can let them know our failings AND that we've repented of them AND that we're forgiven AND that we're striving to live as God would have us to BECAUSE God loves us so much. Look at all that opportunity to share the Gospel!!
I think Christians should try less to keep their secret sins (or vices, or TV shows that they probably shouldn't watch, etc, etc, etc) a secret, and instead see their own experiences as an opportunity to testify to God's grace.
I think Christians should try less to keep their secret sins (or vices, or TV shows that they probably shouldn't watch, etc, etc, etc) a secret, and instead see their own experiences as an opportunity to testify to God's grace.
Being honest can also mean, if you have a serious problem or addiction, taking steps to get help to conquer your addiction. I have my own share of sinful habits that are hard to shake, and I can tell you from experience that our sinful nature doesn't want to let us get rid of those habits. Satan loves to see us stumble and fall, and he does everything he can to try to compromise our faith in God.
But God loves us even more than Satan hates us. And God is far more powerful than Satan. God wants to help us live lives that glorify him just as much as Satan wants us to disobey God. And what God wants us to do, he gives us the strength to carry out. Sometimes getting rid of a sinful habit is really hard. I still struggle with worry and distrust and contentment, all the time. I know I'm forgiven when I fail, but that doesn't mean I want to keep sinning. By God's grace I'm able to (sometimes) say "No" when I'm tempted to sin. And his grace is so huge that it is more than enough to forgive me when I fail.
I think it's important for Christians to be honest: with themselves and with one another. It's also important to remember that God already knows the best and worst of us. What's more, whether we're honest with ourselves or not, he loves us for who we are: sinners who are covered in and saved by grace.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A Work in Progress
This, I'm ashamed to say, is what my kitchen looked like yesterday morning.
The remains of breakfast (and other dishes) on the table...
A sink filled to overflowing...
Dirty dishes and pans all over the counter and stove.
Facing that was a bit daunting. It was a big mess in my little kitchen. But I got started and soon it didn't seem so bad. Doing dishes isn't really fun, of course, unless you're one of those rare people who thinks so. The end results are great: a clean kitchen and clean dishes. But sometimes to get there it takes work, elbow grease...
and smelly Bar Keeper's Friend. I don't know what I'd do without it, but the smell is nasty.
But getting a pot sparkling clean isn't always pleasant. Getting rid of yuck usually isn't fun.
I realize I'm being a bit cryptic here. What does a messy kitchen have to do with anything (other than reminding you that I can sometimes be lazy and messy)?
Well, as I was working, I realized how much I'm like that dirty kitchen sometimes. I let yucky stuff pile up in my life till it's absolutely overwhelming. It's such a daunting task I just let it be, ignore it, hope it'll go away on its own--but it doesn't.
That's when I realize how much I need God. I can't clean up my life on my own. I can't obey him of my own will. My own will is selfish and sinful and doesn't want to do what's right. That results in a messy kitchen and a messed-up life.
God has to come into my life and say, "All right, you have a big mess here, but it's nothing I can't handle. No mess is too big for My hands. It's not going to be fun. It might hurt. It might be nasty. It might take a while. And you might not enjoy the process. But trust Me--it'll be worth it."
God does it right. He doesn't just do a quick wipe-down of my life, making it look clean, and call it done. He knows the real problem isn't outward appearances, but what's on the inside. Outwardly, this bowl looks clean.
On the inside, it's a sticky, smelly, grody mess. It needs serious work.
In the book of 1 Samuel, God gave the prophet Samuel the job of finding the man God had chosen to be king of Israel. Samuel went to the house of Jesse and looked at all of Jesse's sons. Samuel thought they all looked big, strong, and ready to be king. But God wanted David, the youngest and smallest son. God told Samuel, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
God, in his mercy, doesn't just clean me up on the outside. He tackles the problem of my sin at its very root: my heart. In Psalm 51, David cried out to God after David had committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba. David prayed, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (Psalm 51:10-12).
When we realize our sin and cry out to God in repentance, this is exactly what he does. He makes us right with him and gives us a fresh start.
Unfortunately, as humans we continue to sin, every day. My kitchen didn't stay clean for long. In just a few hours, I did more cooking and it got messy again. But God is patient. He doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. He knows we can't clean up our lives on our own. A dirty dish has no power of its own, it can't want to be clean, let alone clean itself. By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we have a desire to obey God, to love him, and to serve him. He gives us the strength to obey him, and he forgives us when we fail. Paul wrote to the Ephesians,
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:8-10).
I am a constant work in progress. God my Creator knows that. He's willing to keep working on me.
(Oh, and by the way, my kitchen did get clean!)
Linking up, one year later, 7/27/2012
Friday, July 15, 2011
I'm Loved: Clean House or Not
My family is coming to visit on Sunday! They're staying with my grandparents (unfortunately we don't have room for four more people) but Hubby and I will spend as much time as possible with them while they're here. I can hardly wait!! It's only been about six weeks since I saw them last, and I know the next time gap will be much longer--either till Thanksgiving or Christmas. But this will be the first time my parents and siblings will see our apartment. I have a list on the fridge of what cleaning I want to do before they arrive (and, gulp, I only have three days to finish it!). I really want my mother, especially, to see that I'm a capable housekeeper and can keep a house clean! (Mom, if you read this, yes, this is what's going through my mind.)
The house needs cleaning anyway: picking up, dusting vacuuming, etc. The bathroom got cleaned yesterday; it's always so nice to have a clean bathroom! This morning I want to get the living room tidied up, dusted and vacuumed. It really shouldn't take long. :)
It's not that I'm trying to impress my family...well, I am, to be honest. And I like having a clean house, so that's a benefit for Hubby and me, too. But I know I don't have to have a sparkling house to impress my family. They know I can be messy. They know I'm not perfect. They love me anyway, and I know they would whether my house was clean or a disaster!
God is like that. He looks into our lives and sees the best and the very worst of us. I sometimes wonder what I'll be doing when Christ returns. I hope I'll be doing something that's pleasing to him. But I can't impress God. He knows how sinful I can be; how disobedient I am to him sometimes (often), how unperfect I am. But he loves me anyway, whether I'm "good" or not! The truth is, when God looks at me, he doesn't see sinful, flawed me. He sees the righteousness of Jesus, which covers me because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and his glorious resurrection. He sees the sinless, perfect glory of his Son, even as he knows that I'm a sinner. He sees the me whom he has forgiven, and continues to forgive daily.
When my parents arrive, they won't care about dust and crumbs on the furniture and floors; they love me because I'm me, not because I can do everything right. Now, that doesn't mean I shouldn't strive to have a clean house, and to have everything in order! Just because God loves and forgives us unconditionally doesn't mean we can do whatever we want regardless of whether it's pleasing to God or not. We obey, love, serve and honor him simply because he is God. And I want to love, serve and honor my family because they are my family!
So, with that encouragement in mind, I'm going to start getting things done around here!! :)
The house needs cleaning anyway: picking up, dusting vacuuming, etc. The bathroom got cleaned yesterday; it's always so nice to have a clean bathroom! This morning I want to get the living room tidied up, dusted and vacuumed. It really shouldn't take long. :)
It's not that I'm trying to impress my family...well, I am, to be honest. And I like having a clean house, so that's a benefit for Hubby and me, too. But I know I don't have to have a sparkling house to impress my family. They know I can be messy. They know I'm not perfect. They love me anyway, and I know they would whether my house was clean or a disaster!
God is like that. He looks into our lives and sees the best and the very worst of us. I sometimes wonder what I'll be doing when Christ returns. I hope I'll be doing something that's pleasing to him. But I can't impress God. He knows how sinful I can be; how disobedient I am to him sometimes (often), how unperfect I am. But he loves me anyway, whether I'm "good" or not! The truth is, when God looks at me, he doesn't see sinful, flawed me. He sees the righteousness of Jesus, which covers me because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and his glorious resurrection. He sees the sinless, perfect glory of his Son, even as he knows that I'm a sinner. He sees the me whom he has forgiven, and continues to forgive daily.
When my parents arrive, they won't care about dust and crumbs on the furniture and floors; they love me because I'm me, not because I can do everything right. Now, that doesn't mean I shouldn't strive to have a clean house, and to have everything in order! Just because God loves and forgives us unconditionally doesn't mean we can do whatever we want regardless of whether it's pleasing to God or not. We obey, love, serve and honor him simply because he is God. And I want to love, serve and honor my family because they are my family!
So, with that encouragement in mind, I'm going to start getting things done around here!! :)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Journey
We went to Lincoln again last night, to accomplish the errand that didn't work out on Thursday. It was another good trip (Culver's for supper; it was like being back in Wisconsin!). It was also another beautiful evening. I drove home since Hubby was tired. The Nebraska landscape is SO beautiful; I wish I'd had my camera with me. The sun was beginning its descent toward the western horizon, straight ahead of us. Cotton-ball-clouds were scattered in the smooth blue sky. On each side of the highway were fields, green with corn and beans and grass. Cattle grazed or cooled off in a muddy puddle. Wildflowers bordered the highway on either side, filling the ditches. The radio was playing and Hubby and I sang along, alternating between the Christian and country stations, a breeze in our faces. It was a perfect drive.
And it got me to thinking, how life is great like that sometimes. Driving along, happy, the sun in my eyes and wind in my hair. But sometimes life isn't so good, like when I went to get Hubby from the airport in Wisconsin before the wedding. It was rainy, cloudy, and foggy--I couldn't see far past the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel, white-knuckled. I was praying the whole way, alone in the car. On the way home, with (then-future) Hubby in the passenger beside me, it wasn't so bad. I was in control of the car, I had an encourager, and I wasn't alone.
But how much better might both drives have been if I wasn't in the passenger seat? I wouldn't be in control then, of course (as much as I try to be; I'm a terrible passenger-seat-driver). I wouldn't decide where we were going. I would just sit back, enjoy the ride, not worry about the mechanics of driving, and trust myself into the care of the driver. Even in foggy or rainy weather, it wouldn't be so scary if I wasn't behind the wheel. The driver would be in control, taking care of me. I would have no need to worry.
Sometimes my journey through life is like that: I try to be in control, and sometimes it works out well, and sometimes (usually) it doesn't. When I take control of my life, getting in the driver's seat, I'm the one who has to think about where to go, worry about other drivers, follow signs and directions, and keep control of the car. When I let God get behind the wheel, all those worries are His, and not mine. I can trust Him and say, "I don't know exactly where I'm going, but that's ok, because You do. I don't know how I'm going to get there, but You wrote the roadmap, not me. I don't know what obstacles are going to get in my way, but You do, and You'll get me safely through them. All I have to do is trust You--and enjoy the ride."
Handing over control like that is kind of scary sometimes. We as humans want to keep a tight grip on our lives, control our futures, decide where our life will lead us. But a lot of the time we get confused because we don't know where we're going. It's just so much easier to let God take control, because that's the way it should be.
I think I'd rather let God be the driver of my life. He is God, after all.
And it got me to thinking, how life is great like that sometimes. Driving along, happy, the sun in my eyes and wind in my hair. But sometimes life isn't so good, like when I went to get Hubby from the airport in Wisconsin before the wedding. It was rainy, cloudy, and foggy--I couldn't see far past the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel, white-knuckled. I was praying the whole way, alone in the car. On the way home, with (then-future) Hubby in the passenger beside me, it wasn't so bad. I was in control of the car, I had an encourager, and I wasn't alone.
But how much better might both drives have been if I wasn't in the passenger seat? I wouldn't be in control then, of course (as much as I try to be; I'm a terrible passenger-seat-driver). I wouldn't decide where we were going. I would just sit back, enjoy the ride, not worry about the mechanics of driving, and trust myself into the care of the driver. Even in foggy or rainy weather, it wouldn't be so scary if I wasn't behind the wheel. The driver would be in control, taking care of me. I would have no need to worry.
Sometimes my journey through life is like that: I try to be in control, and sometimes it works out well, and sometimes (usually) it doesn't. When I take control of my life, getting in the driver's seat, I'm the one who has to think about where to go, worry about other drivers, follow signs and directions, and keep control of the car. When I let God get behind the wheel, all those worries are His, and not mine. I can trust Him and say, "I don't know exactly where I'm going, but that's ok, because You do. I don't know how I'm going to get there, but You wrote the roadmap, not me. I don't know what obstacles are going to get in my way, but You do, and You'll get me safely through them. All I have to do is trust You--and enjoy the ride."
Handing over control like that is kind of scary sometimes. We as humans want to keep a tight grip on our lives, control our futures, decide where our life will lead us. But a lot of the time we get confused because we don't know where we're going. It's just so much easier to let God take control, because that's the way it should be.
I think I'd rather let God be the driver of my life. He is God, after all.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Priorities
In Luke chapter ten, an "expert in the law" tried to test Jesus by asking him, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him what he had read in the Law (the Old Testament, the Torah) and the man replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind', and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This led into the parable of the Good Samaritan, when the man asked Jesus who his neighbor was. (See Luke 10:25-27)
When I was in Sunday School, one thing I learned was an acronym for JOY:
Jesus
Others
You
You will have joy, I was told, if your priorities are in this order.
A bit law-heavy, I feel, but it makes a good point nonetheless. When God is my first priority and first interest, when I seek to love, honor and obey him in everything, then everything else falls into place. When I am obeying God, then I will be loving and serving my neighbor--all those around me. And I will have joy and contentment in obedience and loving others. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (2:3-6) Paul continues with a beautiful, hymn-like poem detailing the life, ministry, and humility of Jesus, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (2:6-8)
Jesus, although he was "in very nature God", did not take advantage of that equality. He had his priorities in order: He first and foremost obeyed God, his Father, and then spent his entire ministry serving everyone with whom he came in contact. His ultimate act of service was to give his own life for the sins of the whole world. If that's not an example of ultimate selflessness and sacrifice, I don't know what is.
Now, we as Christians aren't all called upon to die for others and for what we believe in. But we can LIVE for God and for everyone around us! I know if I was more focused on others than myself most of the time, my life would probably be a lot less frustrating. I experienced the consequences of my own selfishness several times, rather painfully, this last week.
But I can imitate Christ. I have the ultimate Example of Selflessness and Love and Giving and Kindness to emulate. I will never do it perfectly, no. But that same Example desires to help me imitate him, and when I fail, he's always ready to remind me of his forgiveness.
Today, by the grace of God, I want to imitate Christ.
When I was in Sunday School, one thing I learned was an acronym for JOY:
Jesus
Others
You
You will have joy, I was told, if your priorities are in this order.
A bit law-heavy, I feel, but it makes a good point nonetheless. When God is my first priority and first interest, when I seek to love, honor and obey him in everything, then everything else falls into place. When I am obeying God, then I will be loving and serving my neighbor--all those around me. And I will have joy and contentment in obedience and loving others. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (2:3-6) Paul continues with a beautiful, hymn-like poem detailing the life, ministry, and humility of Jesus, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (2:6-8)
Jesus, although he was "in very nature God", did not take advantage of that equality. He had his priorities in order: He first and foremost obeyed God, his Father, and then spent his entire ministry serving everyone with whom he came in contact. His ultimate act of service was to give his own life for the sins of the whole world. If that's not an example of ultimate selflessness and sacrifice, I don't know what is.
Now, we as Christians aren't all called upon to die for others and for what we believe in. But we can LIVE for God and for everyone around us! I know if I was more focused on others than myself most of the time, my life would probably be a lot less frustrating. I experienced the consequences of my own selfishness several times, rather painfully, this last week.
But I can imitate Christ. I have the ultimate Example of Selflessness and Love and Giving and Kindness to emulate. I will never do it perfectly, no. But that same Example desires to help me imitate him, and when I fail, he's always ready to remind me of his forgiveness.
Today, by the grace of God, I want to imitate Christ.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Hoping in His Word: Psalm 119:81-88
In today's passage, the psalmist is crying out to God for rescue from affliction and from his persecutors. Whoever this psalmist was must have had a lot of troubles and a lot of people who were trying to hurt him! I don't have that problem, thanks be to God, but I have been feeling really stressed today with all the things I need to get done and decisions I need to make. I can kind of understand the psalmist's cry of despair in that sense.
The first verse of the passage I can relate to more: "My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word."
Some days my soul really does long for God's salvation, for his return to this earth and for him to raise all believers to heaven with him. When I see the evil, the sadness, the pain and despair and lost-ness of this world, I wonder why God doesn't come back right now and make everything right. But, like the psalmist, "I have put my hope in HIS word." I know that God works all things out in his perfect timing, and that he can see all things while my finite mind only comprehends a little. I am small, and he is very big. Therefore, it's okay if I can't understand everything. God does!!
That knowledge gives me great comfort. Even when I don't know what to do, when I don't know which way to go, when I can't see what the future holds for me, I find great hope in knowing that God is leading and directing me in ways I can't see and that he does have a hope and a future for me. I need only to obey his leading and I'll be all right.
This leads right into the last verse of today's passage, verse 88: "Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth." The psalmist isn't making a deal with God, but putting his faith in him. He knows God will preserve his life, just as I know God will take care of me, and therefore he obeys God's law and guidance.
Really, obeying God is the wisest and safest thing any Christian can do. Since we do know and see so little compared to God's knowledge and sight, it's the best thing for us to follow his direction. He can see where we're going: we can't. He wants us to obey him so he can take care of us. He has given us his law out of love for us. When we look at it that way, obedience to God should be a comfort and a joy!
Today, I am going to hope in his word and seek to obey and follow him faithfully.
The first verse of the passage I can relate to more: "My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word."
Some days my soul really does long for God's salvation, for his return to this earth and for him to raise all believers to heaven with him. When I see the evil, the sadness, the pain and despair and lost-ness of this world, I wonder why God doesn't come back right now and make everything right. But, like the psalmist, "I have put my hope in HIS word." I know that God works all things out in his perfect timing, and that he can see all things while my finite mind only comprehends a little. I am small, and he is very big. Therefore, it's okay if I can't understand everything. God does!!
That knowledge gives me great comfort. Even when I don't know what to do, when I don't know which way to go, when I can't see what the future holds for me, I find great hope in knowing that God is leading and directing me in ways I can't see and that he does have a hope and a future for me. I need only to obey his leading and I'll be all right.
This leads right into the last verse of today's passage, verse 88: "Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth." The psalmist isn't making a deal with God, but putting his faith in him. He knows God will preserve his life, just as I know God will take care of me, and therefore he obeys God's law and guidance.
Really, obeying God is the wisest and safest thing any Christian can do. Since we do know and see so little compared to God's knowledge and sight, it's the best thing for us to follow his direction. He can see where we're going: we can't. He wants us to obey him so he can take care of us. He has given us his law out of love for us. When we look at it that way, obedience to God should be a comfort and a joy!
Today, I am going to hope in his word and seek to obey and follow him faithfully.
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