Take note of your emotions as you read each list.
List #1
1. Wanting something that you don't have. (Col 3:5)
2. Lusting. (Col 3:5)
3. Thinking bad thoughts about others. (Col 3:8)
4. Not forgiving someone who sinned against you. (Col 3:13)
5. Becoming impatient with someone. (Eph 4:2)
6. Speaking the truth without love. (Eph 4:15)
7. Using unwholesome words. (Eph 4:29)
8. Being bitter about something. (Eph 4:31)
List #2
1. Homeschool, private school, or public school.
2. Family size and child spacing.
3. Observing or ignoring Halloween.
4. Going to church on Saturday or on Sunday.
5. Eating sugar or only natural sweeteners.
6. Watching or not watching R-rated movies.
7. Scheduling or demand-feeding your babies.
8. Wearing jeans or khakis to church.
You probably noticed that there are no Bible verses listed after List #2. Here's a section of Scripture that would apply to all of List #2:
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [physical choices], but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit...So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Rom 14
Every item in List #1 is sin. I believe that every item in List #2 is a choice for each believer. What is our framework for making these choices on matters through which God has given us freedom?
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Cor 9:19-23
The goal is not to look spiritual by the choices we make but to win others to Christ by becoming like Christ (removing the sins in List #1 from our lives). Why does the Church get more worked up over List #2 items than List #1 items?
Which list sent Jesus to the Cross?
The world is sick of religion and rules. Let's show them Jesus.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Why I Can Accept Others
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15
1. Christ accepted me, with all my sins and weaknesses. God did not expect me to change before he would claim me as his child.
2. My own views of what is best often change, so my judgement on disputable matters is not worth a whole lot. (Okay, I'll get really transparent here...Just before I was saved, I was really into the latest fashion trends. After getting saved, I threw away a large portion of my clothing and began to intentionally dress almost un-fashionable, thinking that would be more godly. After John's income increased a few years later, I became much more interested in worldly things and began buying ridiculously expensive clothing, subconsciously looking down on those who didn't keep up with fashion. In the past couple years, I've come to find a balance which I won't get into here; but, with this issue, I could have wrongfully judged everyone at some point in my walk with the Lord!) Thankfully, our God doesn't change like the shifting shadows. (James 1)
3. Most people are more likely to change when grace, rather than judgement, is extended to them. When I don't show grace, I am saying, "You're not quite up to my standards." How prideful!
There is a biblical time to gently speak with a brother if he is caught in a sin, but it can't be done out of judgement or pride. Also, most of the time, the "sins" we think or speak of are not actually sins but preferences or personality differences.
It has really helped me to study what the Church looks like in other cultures, realizing that believers all over the world exalt the Name of Jesus in vastly different ways. This does not water the gospel down but show how creative our God is in making so many unique cultures and people.
I have found a new freedom in the past couple weeks just by living out this concept! Someone says or does something differently than the way I would do it, and I can just accept it, instead of thinking how it could be done "better."
1. Christ accepted me, with all my sins and weaknesses. God did not expect me to change before he would claim me as his child.
2. My own views of what is best often change, so my judgement on disputable matters is not worth a whole lot. (Okay, I'll get really transparent here...Just before I was saved, I was really into the latest fashion trends. After getting saved, I threw away a large portion of my clothing and began to intentionally dress almost un-fashionable, thinking that would be more godly. After John's income increased a few years later, I became much more interested in worldly things and began buying ridiculously expensive clothing, subconsciously looking down on those who didn't keep up with fashion. In the past couple years, I've come to find a balance which I won't get into here; but, with this issue, I could have wrongfully judged everyone at some point in my walk with the Lord!) Thankfully, our God doesn't change like the shifting shadows. (James 1)
3. Most people are more likely to change when grace, rather than judgement, is extended to them. When I don't show grace, I am saying, "You're not quite up to my standards." How prideful!
There is a biblical time to gently speak with a brother if he is caught in a sin, but it can't be done out of judgement or pride. Also, most of the time, the "sins" we think or speak of are not actually sins but preferences or personality differences.
It has really helped me to study what the Church looks like in other cultures, realizing that believers all over the world exalt the Name of Jesus in vastly different ways. This does not water the gospel down but show how creative our God is in making so many unique cultures and people.
I have found a new freedom in the past couple weeks just by living out this concept! Someone says or does something differently than the way I would do it, and I can just accept it, instead of thinking how it could be done "better."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Inching Closer to the End
Click here if you have an interest in end times events: Joel Rosenberg's Blog Post.
The end of all things is near. Therefore, freak out. 1 Peter??
Oh no, wait....
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4
The end of all things is near. Therefore, freak out. 1 Peter??
Oh no, wait....
The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Asking For Wisdom
I've mentioned how I struggle with loving people, being critical, and passing judgement. I've also mentioned how this is the year of seeking God's will for me as a mother.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt... James 1:5-6
I have daily asked the Lord for wisdom on the above issues, not really knowing what to expect for a reply. Would I receive a fax from heaven? How was this new found "wisdom" going to arrive? It's truly been simple to ask and then simple to hear. Over time, he supernaturally synthesized the words of others, his Word, and the Holy Spirit to provide the wisdom I needed to change. It was more than just "good advice." Here's the best I can do at summing this up (I'm leaving out a lot of details here), but I would encourage you to ask for wisdom as well with these or other issues that you may be facing. Be patient but persistent. (Luke 18)
It began as I read something about perfectionists which stated that they often feel that they are not worth anything as a person until they achieve a high (usually unattainable) level of excellence. Everything I read in the perfectionist description rang true for me, and I realized that I felt unacceptable to others and to God. (Yes, our sins do make us unacceptable to God, but because I'm cleansed through Jesus' blood, I am now acceptable.)
Anyway, as I rolled this around in my mind, I realized that the 100-foot tall measuring stick I was standing myself against was the same one I was holding up to others. The next day, I called someone I hadn't talked to in a long time to apologize for a way I had treated her in the past. As we became transparent with each other with regard to my sins against her, I because grievously aware that I had pushed her away from freedom and faith in Christ with my measuring stick. In the same way that I felt God can't use me until I've "arrived," I made her to feel that she wasn't worth much until she could follow a few more of the laws. Ouch.
The word "accept" just hung in my brain for a few days, until it hit me to find what the Bible says about that word.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
Two truths:
1. When I was coming to Christ eight years ago and an absolute mess of a person, he accepted me. I'm still a (slightly less) mess of a person, and he still accepts me.
2. Because of that, I can accept others just as they are.
I'm not discounting the need to lead others to holiness, but for this moment in life, I need to learn how to first accept myself and others. I don't believe that I will ever have a problem with speaking truth to myself and others! (If you know me, I can just see you nodding your head.)
Since receiving this wisdom, I've had a major paradigm shift. When I encounter another person or myself even, I continually speak the word "accept" in my mind. I think the people that will be affected the most by this are my children, which I didn't even realize that I wasn't "accepting." I was subconsciously believing that they weren't acceptable as my children until they behaved exactly (or close to it) as I desired. I'm sure they felt this. I think it's going to take several months to undo the damage done by my incorrect perspective.
For some of you, I realize this will seem ridiculous that it took me so much time and prayer to understand something that you've known and practiced all along! What may have been an outer layer of the onion for you is an inner layer for others. I believe that there are certain sins that are so deep within us, it takes a lot of digging to discover what's really the underlying cause of a seemingly surface struggle. I'm experiencing an immense freedom that I don't have to constantly be measuring the behavior of others or myself. It really freed up my "to do" list! :)
More on this topic to come...
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt... James 1:5-6
I have daily asked the Lord for wisdom on the above issues, not really knowing what to expect for a reply. Would I receive a fax from heaven? How was this new found "wisdom" going to arrive? It's truly been simple to ask and then simple to hear. Over time, he supernaturally synthesized the words of others, his Word, and the Holy Spirit to provide the wisdom I needed to change. It was more than just "good advice." Here's the best I can do at summing this up (I'm leaving out a lot of details here), but I would encourage you to ask for wisdom as well with these or other issues that you may be facing. Be patient but persistent. (Luke 18)
It began as I read something about perfectionists which stated that they often feel that they are not worth anything as a person until they achieve a high (usually unattainable) level of excellence. Everything I read in the perfectionist description rang true for me, and I realized that I felt unacceptable to others and to God. (Yes, our sins do make us unacceptable to God, but because I'm cleansed through Jesus' blood, I am now acceptable.)
Anyway, as I rolled this around in my mind, I realized that the 100-foot tall measuring stick I was standing myself against was the same one I was holding up to others. The next day, I called someone I hadn't talked to in a long time to apologize for a way I had treated her in the past. As we became transparent with each other with regard to my sins against her, I because grievously aware that I had pushed her away from freedom and faith in Christ with my measuring stick. In the same way that I felt God can't use me until I've "arrived," I made her to feel that she wasn't worth much until she could follow a few more of the laws. Ouch.
The word "accept" just hung in my brain for a few days, until it hit me to find what the Bible says about that word.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
Two truths:
1. When I was coming to Christ eight years ago and an absolute mess of a person, he accepted me. I'm still a (slightly less) mess of a person, and he still accepts me.
2. Because of that, I can accept others just as they are.
I'm not discounting the need to lead others to holiness, but for this moment in life, I need to learn how to first accept myself and others. I don't believe that I will ever have a problem with speaking truth to myself and others! (If you know me, I can just see you nodding your head.)
Since receiving this wisdom, I've had a major paradigm shift. When I encounter another person or myself even, I continually speak the word "accept" in my mind. I think the people that will be affected the most by this are my children, which I didn't even realize that I wasn't "accepting." I was subconsciously believing that they weren't acceptable as my children until they behaved exactly (or close to it) as I desired. I'm sure they felt this. I think it's going to take several months to undo the damage done by my incorrect perspective.
For some of you, I realize this will seem ridiculous that it took me so much time and prayer to understand something that you've known and practiced all along! What may have been an outer layer of the onion for you is an inner layer for others. I believe that there are certain sins that are so deep within us, it takes a lot of digging to discover what's really the underlying cause of a seemingly surface struggle. I'm experiencing an immense freedom that I don't have to constantly be measuring the behavior of others or myself. It really freed up my "to do" list! :)
More on this topic to come...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
How to Do Good
In the book, "How People Grow," it says most spiritual growth is encouraged by the following:
1. God is good.
2. You're bad.
3. Stop it.
I cracked up! That is just what I tell myself! And being a perfectionist, I love rules, discipline, and achievement.
But if we are motivated by "achieving spiritual maturity" (or at least the appearance of it), we will become burnt-out, disillusioned, depressed, disappointed, and burdened. Don't you see this happening a lot?
So I started looking at the commands in Scripture and began to notice that they were often preceded by a description of the person of Jesus and what God has done for us through Jesus. (Example: Romans 11:33 - 12:1-2) Notice the word "therefore," as if saying "in response to who God is, live in such a way."
"If you love me, you will obey my commands."
It's love, not achievement, that causes me to obey Jesus. When I don't obey, I don't love Jesus.
I think the reason I struggled with loving Jesus is because I didn't really understand who he was or what he was doing on earth. Once I began to study the person of Jesus, I fell in love with him.
Do you understand that were it not for Jesus, we would spend a gazillion billion years in agony with Satan?
Some of my posts contain strong language to address the complacency of our culture, but it must be understood that you cannot be a godly wife, mother, evangelizer, or mentor without Jesus. I've become so burnt out from "trying to do the right thing," and I certainly do not want to put that burden on anyone else. (Thanks, Sarah W, for helping me with this topic.)
So please hear my heart. If you read a command-oriented post of mine or portion of Scripture and are struggling to obey God's Word contained in it, stop trying by human effort and start falling in love with Jesus instead. You will then desire his ways and will find that his commands are not a burden but an outlet for your joy in him.
1. God is good.
2. You're bad.
3. Stop it.
I cracked up! That is just what I tell myself! And being a perfectionist, I love rules, discipline, and achievement.
But if we are motivated by "achieving spiritual maturity" (or at least the appearance of it), we will become burnt-out, disillusioned, depressed, disappointed, and burdened. Don't you see this happening a lot?
So I started looking at the commands in Scripture and began to notice that they were often preceded by a description of the person of Jesus and what God has done for us through Jesus. (Example: Romans 11:33 - 12:1-2) Notice the word "therefore," as if saying "in response to who God is, live in such a way."
"If you love me, you will obey my commands."
It's love, not achievement, that causes me to obey Jesus. When I don't obey, I don't love Jesus.
I think the reason I struggled with loving Jesus is because I didn't really understand who he was or what he was doing on earth. Once I began to study the person of Jesus, I fell in love with him.
Do you understand that were it not for Jesus, we would spend a gazillion billion years in agony with Satan?
Some of my posts contain strong language to address the complacency of our culture, but it must be understood that you cannot be a godly wife, mother, evangelizer, or mentor without Jesus. I've become so burnt out from "trying to do the right thing," and I certainly do not want to put that burden on anyone else. (Thanks, Sarah W, for helping me with this topic.)
So please hear my heart. If you read a command-oriented post of mine or portion of Scripture and are struggling to obey God's Word contained in it, stop trying by human effort and start falling in love with Jesus instead. You will then desire his ways and will find that his commands are not a burden but an outlet for your joy in him.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Notice
I've been advised to edit some of my posts for the safety of our family as we become involved with a particular ministry. If you've been reading this blog, you will probably know what I mean. There's nothing alarming happening; it's just precautionary.
I will need to avoid discussing this topic which is becoming a bigger part of our lives, but this is good because I never wanted this blog to be about us anyway.
Feel free to contact me if you ever want updates regarding that matter.
I will need to avoid discussing this topic which is becoming a bigger part of our lives, but this is good because I never wanted this blog to be about us anyway.
Feel free to contact me if you ever want updates regarding that matter.
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