Reminders of Home

The other day, I'll admit it, I was a grumpy gills. I was rushed the entire day as I ran random errands that came up on short notice and allowed an even shorter time frame. As I was driving, I saw a truck with this logo printed on the side:

 

Google Images

Apparently the logo belongs to a bottled water delivery service. What caught my attention, however, was the Kentwood part. You see, until high school, I lived in a city called Kentwood. I hadn't thought of the my old home in ages, but upon seeing that truck I was immediately transported back to my childhood. I remembered summers of water gun fights and bike rides with my brother; I pictured my old dog Max and our iguana Zeek. I thought of friends, sleepovers and memories made. And just like that, my day was turned around. 

 

Can I suggest you do the same thing when you are having a rough day? When your day gets too busy and hectic, when you can't think of anything accept your growing to-do list and needs to meet, would you just take a minute to think of home? Not your home on earth, but the home Jesus himself said he was leaving the earth to prepare for you (John 14:2-3).

 

This home is already written on your heart. Paul got it right when he said to the Corinthians: "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed we will not be found naked" (2 Corinthians 5:2-3). On this earth, a very piece of what we were made to enjoy is missing. When Adam and Eve chose to sin, sin entered into the world and destroyed our perfect communion with our Creator. We were meant to walk by his side in a more beautiful home than you could ever imagine and, because of sin, we miss out. Thankfully, God loved us so much that he sent his Son to bridge that gap and allow us into his presence once more (John 3:16) if we confess our sins, accept his sacrifice and commit our lives to him (Romans 10:9-10). But until we reach heaven, we are missing out on our true home. Do you notice that on some days? Do you turn on the news and cringe? Does it feel wrong to see loved ones die? This world is broken. And through tragedies or catastrophic events, we are reminded of just how homesick we truly are. We are homesick because "we are looking forward to a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

This all sounds well and good, but how can we think of a place we've never seen, right? John offers a pretty good description in Revelation 21 when he says, 

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away'" (vv. 3-4).

Can you imagine? No death, no tears, no pain? Take a minute to breath that in. Sounds like heaven doesn't it?

Perhaps your imagination doesn't do heaven justice. If that is the case with you, look to what you know. I will be the first to acknowledge that this world is broken and ugly, but within that brokenness, there are moments of beauty that seem untouched by evil. Take the example David offered when he said, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night the reveal knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2). Need to be reminded of home? Look up. Look to the clouds or the stars. Watch as trees move in the wind. Set your eyes on a sunset over a lake. Listen to birds as they chirp their melodies. Remember the first time you held your child or heard it cry. Watch as squirrels chase one another upon a tree. Creation still reveals God's beauty, and it holds just a glimpse of what heaven has to offer.

When the world gets busy or life becomes disappointing, remember that this is not your true home. Live in it, work with the world and play your part, but do not forget that there is more up ahead. If you know Jesus as your Savior, remember that there will come a day when this old world passes away and something perfect replaces it. Look around you and notice the glimpses and join with the sons of Korah when they say "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. My soul yearns and even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God... Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere" (Psalm 84:1-2, 10). Remember your home and remember your reward if you remain faithful to the God of this beautiful creation.

The Lion King

Ah, Disney week part two! Today I'm going with a classic: The Lion King. In all honesty, there are about ten different scenes I could use, but the one that has always reminded me the most of our relationship with God is the scene in which Rafiki and Mufasa (rather, Cloud Mufasa) remind Simba of who he is. If you need a refresher, check out this video on youtube with the scene. (If the link doesn't work try to google or youtube the scene "The Lion King- Remember Who You Are). Simba had run from his calling to be King. He had lived in hiding, refusing to recognize his rightful path in life and thankfully, he had people who cared enough about him and his kingdom to knock some sense into him, literally. 

The line I love most in this clip is when Rafiki forces Simba to check out his reflection in the pond. Rafiki reminds Simba that his father lives in him, just as our father lives in us. Paul told the Galatians that he was "crucified with Christ and [he] no longer live[d] but Christ live[d] in [him]" (2:20). So picture Paul, for a moment, as a wise old baboon saying, "You see, he lives in you." We are children of the High King that died, rose again, and ascended into heaven. Sometimes, I'll admit, it feels like he isn't here. Heaven feels far away and we feel like Simba who lost his Father. But God gave us the Holy Spirit to live and dwell and move in us. In John 14, Jesus, who knew he would be going away for a while, comforted his disciples by saying: 

"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you" (vv 16-18). 

It is in this way that Christ dwells, moves and works in us.

Perhaps, though, you look at your reflection and, like Simba, only see yourself and not the Father. And I hate to tell you it is not an overnight fix. By trial and perseverance, by spending time reading the Bible and in prayer, by speaking with others who have known Christ longer, and by different struggles throughout life, God will slowly chip away at your human nature. He will slowly chip away at your belief that you can make it through life alone. He will chisel away selfishness and conceit; he will call you to overcome the idols of your heart. He will not leave you as he found you. And please, be "confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). You will not be complete until you enter heaven's gates. But you must become softened clay that allows God to shape and mold you. Please know, the more of you he chips away, the more of him the world will see. And that is the goal of Christianity: to become "little Christs"-- it's the very definition of the word! 

As a side note, this doesn't take away your personality or individuality. CS Lewis makes a pretty epic point in Mere Christianity when he says: 

"There are no real personalities anywhere else. Until you have given up your self to Him you will not have a real self. Sameness is to be found most among the most "natural" men, not among those who surrender to Christ. How monotonously alike all the great tyrants and conquerors have been: how gloriously different are the saints." 

So give your life to Christ, and when you do, remember that he lives in you. Allow him to move and work and turn your reflection into something that looks more like him and less like you. And note what Mufasa says to Simba in the end: "Remember who you are." You, too, are a child of a King. You, too, are made for bringing a piece of the good kingdom to earth. And this can only be done if we remember who we are. When we forget God, we forget our purpose and forget who we are. So ask God to chisel and shape you so that you reflect him. Ask him to remind you of the special purpose for which he created for you. And ask him to work in you until that purpose is achieved. Finally, remember who you are all because he lives in you, and thank him for such a beautiful gift.

Cinderella

Well, I think it's time to break out the little kid in all of us. It is Disney week, or the first of many weeks (I watch a lot of animated films), and today is Cinderella. The little mice in Cinderella sing a pretty fantastic song while preparing an outfit for Cinderella to wear to the ball. It starts with We can do it, we can do it, we can help out Cinderelly... and continues into a rhyming list of all they can do to help her. They are tiny mice, going against a number of obstacles but they have faith that they can do it. I want the attitude of these mice. And Paul wanted the same attitude for the Romans.

After discussing the suffering the Roman Christians were facing, Paul reminded them, "What shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). The Philippians needed this reminder too. The Philippians wanted to help Paul in his spreading of the gospel. And, though he graciously accepted their help, he reminded them, 

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).

I know these two groups of people aren't the only ones who need these kind reminders from Paul. Maybe you aren't physically suffering by persecution for your beliefs, but I bet you've had times where you've undergone some form of suffering. Cancer, loss of friendships, betrayals, life issues. Maybe you have been persecuted for your proclamation of the gospel. I don't know, but whatever the form, please know that you don't suffer alone. God is cheering for you, helping you, and giving you strength.

As a side note here, I want to point out that you must be in line with God's will for these promises. I had a friend tell me one time that he hated God because he had prayed that God would give him a girlfriend and he didn't. I asked if he had planned on having sex with this girl and he said probably. I reminded him that perhaps God was helping him by answering "no" to his prayer to keep him from falling under the temptation and sin of a sexual relationship. Please, please do not take the verse "if God is for me who can be against me" out of context. God is never "for" sin. He is "for" righteousness and the pursuit of his will. So before you wonder why God hasn't answered your prayers how you would like him to, remember he is not a genie (this isn't an Aladdin post) and he doesn't grant wishes because he has to. He longs to bless you, but only according to his will and his timing.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get back to God being for us and teaching us to be content. Lately I have had little nudges of God trying to push me out of my comfort zone. Through time in prayer and his word, I have felt him call me to pursue specific relationships with people and new goals that, in all honesty, make me uncomfortable. Fear of the unknown is difficult. Fear of what others may think can be paralyzing. But God is not the God of fear. If he has called you to something that seems too big or overwhelming, know this: "The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). 

God gives you power, not fear. So step out. Do what he has called you to do, remembering that he is for you. There is a book out there by John Ortberg called "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat." I haven't even read the book, and the title alone causes me a whole lot of thought. If God is calling you to do something, if he longs to show off his power through you, please don't shy away, take the step. And take on the song of I can do it, I can do it. But never forget that you cannot do it alone. God is the strength that brings contentedness, and when he is for you, nothing can come against you. Trust him. Go where he tells you to go and by his power, take on the song of the mice.

The Trial That Matters

Sorry for the delay. Turns out I never hit the publish button! For that, you will get two posts today!

A lot of people are up in arms about the Zimmerman trial in which George Zimmerman was found not guilty for the murder of Trayvon Martin. Protesters from both sides have rallied to voice their opinions based on the jury's verdict. As I've said before, this blog isn't to project my opinions to you, you probably don't care much for them, but it is to find the truths of Christ in current events and everyday life. That being said, with all the discussion about fair trials, the US legal system and justice, I want to talk about the only trial that matters.

First, let me say that I hope you don't jump to the conclusion that justice on earth is not important. God himself gave the Israelites laws to live by and standards with which to conduct their affairs. Check out Leviticus. If you can plow through the measurements of tents made from the hides of sea cows and how many doves you need to sacrifice per crime you commit, you can see just how much God cares about justice. God is not a God of chaos. Look at the earth and how orderly it is: nature contains seasons and patterns of weather. He is creative and amazing, but also quite orderly. Therefore, he gave us laws to live by to maintain that order here on earth, thus the first five books of the Old Testament called the Torah, or Law.

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, up on Mount Sinai he entered into a covenant with Moses. There, God fulfilled the promise he had made to Moses before the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt: the promise that "I will take you as my own people and I will be your God" (Exodus 6:7). So after Moses led the people out, God and the Israelites entered into a covenant. The closest thing we know of covenants today are marriages. You don't marry someone without making sacrifices and following a few rules (or you shouldn't). When I got married, I made vows or promises to my husband, thus I entered into a covenant with him. So when you read the Ten Commandments (and all laws in the Old Testament are based on those), don't think of them as rules to keep, but as marriage vows to uphold.

The trick with the covenant the Israelites made with God is that it is impossible to uphold all of them at all times. There are 613 laws in the OT and if you want an interesting read, check out A.J. Jacobs' book The Year of Living Biblically. In this book Jacobs (a Jewish agnostic) tries to follow all 613 laws of the OT for an entire year. He struggled just as the Israelites did. And in OT time, the only way for a covenant that was broken to be renewed was by the spilling of blood, or sacrifice. So God gave laws for animal sacrifice so that his people might constantly renew their covenant with him when they fail. Then came Jesus.

Jesus was the final sacrifice. He allowed for his blood to be shed to cover all of our shortcomings. His sacrifice rendered animal sacrifices and burnt offerings unnecessary because his body became the ultimate sacrifice. This sacrifice is offered freely to all who fall short of the laws of the Old Testament and to any who have ever sinned. If you don't think you fall into that category, you are either lying or full of pride, both being sins, sorry (insert snarky grin here). We all fall short. But all we need is to accept his sacrifice and ask him to guide our life. Once we do that, we strive with all that is within us to live for him and follow his teachings, but when we fail like the Israelites did, we rely on the sacrifice of Jesus rather than goats. And because of this sacrifice, we are made clean. We are able to enter into perfect community with God because blood has been shed and the covenant has been upheld. Without it, our sins remain unatoned and we are forced to face the consequences of our actions. 

That is where the only trial that matters comes into play. When we die or when Christ returns, we will stand before God as the ultimate judge. He is a bit more intense than any jury in our legal system because he knows our hearts completely. Paul reminds the Corinthians of this when he says, "It is the Lord who judges me... He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart" (1 Corinthians 4:4-5). In Hebrews we are reminded again that "nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (4:13). 

You see, whether or not we answer on earth for our thoughts and actions, we will answer in heaven and we will fall short. Can you imagine if the people you loved the most knew every thought of yours no matter how selfish or wrong it was? Would they still talk to you? God sees all that. But the beauty of it all is that, knowing us as he does, he still loved us enough to his Son to sacrifice his life. He still sent Jesus so that when we stand before God to be judged and to give account of our life, we have one that stands in our place. We have a God who allowed his Son to take the punishment that was justifiably meant for us. We have a God who saw our broken end of the covenant, and offered us an eternal sacrifice. All we need do is accept it. It is both the easiest and hardest choice you will ever make, but I guarantee you, it is also the most important. 

So renew the covenant with God that you were meant to uphold. Seek the ultimate sacrifice and thank God for his grace in sending his son that we might remain in covenant with him. He is a just and orderly God that demands perfection to enter into community with him in heaven. We cannot achieve that, but praise God that his Son did. Jesus lived his life without sin, in perfect covenant, and then took the punishment we deserved so that we might live in have that true communion with God. That right there is the only trial that matters and the only verdict worth preparing for.

Neigh Day

The other day, my grumpy day was completely turned around by one sighting. What sighting you ask? Well, let me tell you! As I was driving home on the highway I saw something I have never seen before. I saw a pick-up truck pulling a horse trailer. Not too exciting, huh? Wait for the visual picture I will attempt to paint without ever doing the situation justice. This trailer was no horse trailer. Rather it looked like something this, with slightly higher walls and a bar across the top so the horse could, I can only hope, be tied down.

 

Google Images

In all honesty, I about lost control of my car from laughing so hard. To add to the glorious joy I was experiencing at this absurd form of transportation for a horse, when I passed the trailer, I realized the horse was not blindfolded. No, he was enjoying life to the fullest. I didn't think horses could smile, but I assure you, this one was close. And why wouldn't he be? He was traveling 65 MPH without putting forth the tiniest bit of effort. Sure, he could have run on his own, but he allowed something greater than himself to pull him to his destination. I think we could all take a lesson from Mr. Ed. This reminded me of a chapter in a book I read by Max Lucado. The book is called "Come Thirsty" and because he is a far better writer than myself, you are in for a treat. This is about the closest I will ever get to a guest post, so enjoy what Max Lucado had to say in his chapter Hope for Tuckered Town.

Turn north at Stress Village, drive a few miles east of Worryville, bear right at the fork leading through Worn-Out Valley and you'll find yourself entering the streets of Tuckered Town.

Her residents live up to the name. They lumber like pack mules on a Pike's Peak climb. Eyes down. Faces long. Shoulders slumped. Ask them to explain their sluggish ways, and they point to the cars. "You'd be tired too if you had to push one of these.:

To your amazement that's what they do! Shoulders pressing, feet digging, lungs puffing, they muscle automobiles up and down the street. Rather than sit behind the wheel, they lean into the trunk.

The sight puzzles you. The sound stuns you. Do you hear what you think you hear? Running engines. Citizens of Tuckered Town turn the key, start the car, slip it into neutral, and shove!

You have to ask someone why. A young mother rolls her minivan into the grocery store parking lot. "Ever thought of pressing the gas?" you question. "I do," she replies, brushing sweat away. "I press the gas to start the car, then I take over."

A bizarre answer. But no more bizarre than that of the out-of-breath fellow leaning against his eighteen-wheeler, wheezing like an overweight marathoner. "Did you push this truck?" you ask.

"I did," he gasps, covering his mouth with an oxygen mask.

"Why not use your accelerator?"

He cocks an eyebrow. "Because I'm a Tucker Trucker, and we're strong enough to do our own work."

He doesn't look strong to you. But you say nothing. Just walk away wondering, What kind of people are these? A pedal push away from power, yet they ignore it. Who would live in such a way?

Paul asked the Galatian church an identical question. "You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now you are trying to make it complete by your own power? That is foolish" (Gal. 3:3 NCV). Is God nothing more than a jumper cable? Start-up strength and nothing more?

Corinthian Christians pushed a few cars too. "You are still not spiritual," the apostle accused (1 Cor. 3:3 NCV). What are you saying Paul? Are they saved? Yes. He addresses them as "brothers and sisters" (1 Cor. 3:1). He considers them to be God's children. Heaven bound. Saved, but not spiritual. Plugged in, but not flipped on. "Brothers and sisters... I had to talk to you as I would to people without the spirit-- babies in Christ.... You are still not spiritual, because there is jealousy and quarreling among you, and this yous that you are not spiritual. You are acting like people of this world" (1 Cor. 3:1-3 NCV).

I used to think there were two kinds of people: the saved and unsaved. Paul corrects me by describing a third: the saved, but unspiritual. The spiritual person is Spirit dependent, Spirit directed, Spirit dominated. He seeks to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16 NKJV). Conversely, the unspiritual person cranks the car and hunkers behind it. Tragically, these people act "like people of the world" (1 Cor. 3:3 NCV). In language, lifestyle, priorities, and personality, they blend in with nonbelievers. They let God save them, but not change them.

Such carnal Christianity frustrates Paul. "You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now you are trying to make it complete by your own power? That is foolish" (Gal. 3:3 NCV).

Foolish and miserable. You don't want to carpool with unspiritual Christians. They have no kind words to share. "There is jealousy and strife" among them (1 Cor. 3:3 NASB). The only joy they know graduated from high school last year. And gratitude? Gratitude for what? The two-ton Hummer that daily has to be pushed uphill? The saved but unspiritual see salvation the way a farmer sees a hundred acres of untilled soil-- lots of work. Church attendance, sin resistance-- have I done enough? No wonder they're tired. Now wonder they argue. "You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires?" (1 Cor. 3:3)/

Harsh words

Joyless days

Contentious relationships

Thirsty hearts

You'll find more excitement at an Amish prom. Who wants to live in Tuckered Town? Moreover, who wants to move there? Nothing repels non-Christians more than gloomy Christians. No one wants a free truck if you have to push it. You neighbor doesn't. You don't. And God doesn't want it for any of us. He never intended for you to perambulate your life.

His word for tuckered-out Christians? "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him" (Col. 2:6 NCV).

How does one receive Christ? By coming thirsty and drinking deeply. How, then, does one live in Christ? By coming thirsty and drinking deeply.

When you do, saving power becomes staying power. "God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again" (Phil. 1:6).

Christ did not give you a car and tell you to push it. He didn't even give you a car and tell you to drive it. You know what he did? He threw open the passenger door, invited you to take a seat, and told you to buckle up for the adventure of your life.

When Christ enters the Tuckered Towns of the world, he stands at the intersection of Dead-Tired Avenue and Done-In Street and compels, "'If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.' (When he said 'living water,' he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him)" (John 7:37-39).

"Come to me!" Not "come to my church" or "come to my system," but "come to me!"

Come to me and drink. No sipping. No tasting. It's time to chug-a-lug. Thirsty throats gulp water. Thirsty souls gulp Christ. The margin notes of the New American Standard Bible state: "Keep coming to Me and... keep drinking." Annual fill-ups or monthly ingestions won't do. You aren't sampling wine at a California vineyard. You're hiking through Death Valley, and that mirage you see is not a mirage but really is the river you need. Dive in a drink.

And as you do, look what happens: "rivers of living water will flow out from within" (John 7:38). The word for rivers can be translated floods (see Matt. 7:25, 27; Rev. 12:15-16). We've seen torrent torrential enough to carry homes. Newscasts run and rerun images of a house floating downstream. What is this force that can float a house?

One smaller than the power who floods you. "He was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him" (John 7:39). God's Spirit. God's powerful, unseen, undeniable presence pulsating through heart canals. A "spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life" (John 4:14 NCV).

God's Spirit rages within you. Whether you feel him or not is unimportant. Whether you understand him in insignificant. Jesus said, "Living water will flow out from within" (7:38). Not "may flow," "could flow," or "has been known to flow." But "will flow."

If such is the case, Max, then explain my weariness and irritability. If God's Spirit lives within me, why do I have the compassion of Hermann Goering? I can't tolerate my mother or control my temper or forgive myself. I'm so tired.

God through Paul answers that question with five rich words: "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18 NCV). The verb tense caused original readers to see capital letters: BE FILLED. With the same imperative gusto that he instructs, "Forgive," "Pray," and "Speak truth," God commands, "Be filled."

Not only does Paul give a command; he gives a continuous collective command. Continuous in the sense that the filling is a daily privilege. Collective because the invitation is offered to all people. "You all be filled with the Spirit." Young, old, servants, businessmen, seasoned saints, and new converts. The Spirit will fill all. No SAT (Spiritual Aptitude Test) required. You don't need to persuade him to enter; he already has. Better set another plate for dinner. You've got company. "Your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you" (1 Cor. 6:19 NCV). As a Christian, you have all the power you need for all the problems you face.

The real question is not, how do I get more of the Spirit? but rather, how can you, Spirit, have more of me? We'd expect a Mother Teresa-size answer to that question. Build orphanages. Memorize Leviticus. Bathe lepers. Stay awake through a dozen Lucado books. Do this and be filled we think.

"Do this on your own and be tired, " God corrects. Do you desire God's Spirit? Here is what you do. Ask. "Everyone who asks will receive... You know how to give good things to your children. How much more you heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:10,13 NCV).

The Spirit fills as prayers flow. Desire to be filled with strength? Of course you do. Then pray, "Lord, I receive your energy. Empowered by your Holy Spirit, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Welcome the Spirit into every room of your heart.

I did something similar with the air of my air conditioner. As I study in my dining room, cool air surrounds me. Outside the sidewalk sizzles in brick-oven heat. But inside I'm as cool as the other side of the pillow. Why? Two reasons. A compressor sits next to the house. I did not build nor install it. It came with the mortgage. Credit the cool house to the good compressor. 

But equally credit open vents. I did not install the "air makers," but I did open the "air blockers." Cool air fills the house because vents are open. I went from room to room, lowering all the levers and releasing the air. The Holy Spirit will fill your life as you do the same: as you, room by room, invite him to flow in.

Try this: before you climb out of bed, mentally escort the Spirit into every room of your house. Before your feet touch the floor, open each vent. Got anger in a bedroom? Unpayable bills on a desk? Conflicts in an office? Need some air in the cellar or a change of atmosphere in the hallways? Invite him to fill each corridor of your life. Then, having welcomed him into your whole heart, go to your garage, climb into the passenger seat, buckle up, and thank your Driver that you don't have to live in Tuckered Town anymore.

Don't live in Tuckered Town. Take the route of the horse I saw and rely on something, or Someone, with greater power and endurance than your own. It doesn't mean life will be easy. It simply means that you realize who is truly in control. Before I could drive, I never got nervous riding with my parents. I trusted them to get me to our destination. Come fifteen, I was a nervous wreck because suddenly I was in control of the vehicle. If you're prone to worrying, like me, let God drive. Let God's Spirit fill you and allow him to be your strength. And maybe, just maybe, you'll be smiling like Mr. Ed.

Master of the House: The Remix

Alright, so today is going to be a little crazy. I was reading my Bible the other day and came across a parable in which Jesus talks about God as the Master of a household. Suddenly, because of the title alone, I was reminded of the song from Les Mis called Master of the House. In the song, we see the comedic relief of Thenardier and his wife running their inn. Both are lifelong crooks and make a living by swindling people. So naturally, I decided that the true Master of the House (back to God now) should have his own song.

I want to put out there from the get-go that I struggled with whether or not to do this post. I know a lot of "church" people would turn up their nose. This song alone is probably one of the reasons the movie Les Mis was rated PG-13 (that, and the prostitution that occurs earlier in the movie). The song contains cursing and presents a very sexualized bar culture, and I can easily understand how some would be offended. The reason I finally decided to use the post is this: By recreating something that presents a vulgar, worldly view into something that glorifies God, I felt like I got a glimpse into what God does in each of us (obviously much better than my new, cheesy rendition of a song). So there is your warning. If you fear you may be offended by the song clip, don't watch it. It was simply posted so you would understand the background and have music to put the lyrics to. But if you want to be reminded of the remodeling God does with the broken lives he enters, if you want to take a glimpse at how he can turn something (or someone) that denies him into one that glorifies him, enjoy.

My Version:

Into the dark, where he called forth the light

And to the blind, where he enabled sight.

He paved for us (yes, yes, yes, even you) an escape for our sin.

If we simply let him in,

He'll enter our hearts

And fix all the broken parts!

Come one, come all, sit yourself down

Learn of the best sweet savior in town.

The story is here, just take a look,

Dust off the Bible, open the book.

Look and you will see

The God of you and me,

In great love from above,

Sent his son to be:

Master of your house, lover of your soul,

Forgiver of your sins by death upon a pole.

Healer of the sick, champion of the weak,

Ready with a parable to always speak.

He hopes you'll come to know his mercy,

He already paid the price,

But for him it's all or nothing

You can't just have a little slice!

Master of your life, Keeper of your heart,

Longs for you to follow him and never part.

From water to wine, and raising the dead,

He offered miracles to get it through your head.

Breathe and take a leap of faith,

All you have to do is trust,

This is what pleases Jesus

who made you from the dust.

Master of the world, Slinger of the stars,

Longs for you to find out who you truly are.

Beauty of his eye, made for something more

Than the money, looks and power that the world looks for.

Made to bring the light to darkness,

Made to shine on all you meet,

To bless you more than sneezes

Jesus has a plan for your heartbeat.

Ask him in your life, let him take the reins,

Give him all your failures and your long-past pains.

Seek and you will find, knock and he'll be there,

All ready to teach you with his Word and prayer.

Everyone is more than welcome,

Take some time to think it through.

Then take up the offer

See for yourself all that he can do!

When you meet your fate, you'll go to the gate,

And you'll be ushered in with a cleaned off slate

Gather up your crown, sing unto the King,

Forever in time but it won't be boring.

When you're in the streets a-golden

You'll achieve his final goal,

Without your detection, you'll become perfection,

Jesus has finally made you whole!

You used to be through sin a slave,

But God Almighty didn't leave you to the grave.

Master of the house, finally you're free

To live your life forever far beyond the sea.
All because of love, debt is fully paid,
Forgetting all the pride and decisions you made.
What a great gift of mercy, Jesus died for you, a louse.
Then he rose, which goes to show you he's the Master of the House!

Master of the house! 

Master and your guide!
Comforter, Redeemer,
Always by your side!
Servant to the poor, even though he's great,
Gracious, creative, and your soul's true mate.
Everybody bless the Master!
Bless the Spirit and Son!

Everybody raise a drink!
Raise it up and then just think,
Think of how he loves you, shown to you by all that he has done.

The TruMoo Deception

Well, in true Monday morning fashion, I couldn't get the proper video onto the page, but I can offer you the youtube link to what I will be using for today. You may have seen it before (it isn't really new), it is the commercial for TruMoo chocolate milk. The kid wants chocolate milk, the mom isn't sure, so up pops the "angel" milk man in white and later the "devil" milk man in red to give the pros and cons of the nutritional values of TruMoo. It has to be one of the cheesiest commercials out there, but I think it points to a deeper truth about how we think about the devil, if we even think about him at all.

I'd like to think that it would be a lot easier to stay away from sin if every time I was tempted it started with smoke coming up from the floor followed by a giant red beast, complete with horns and pitchfork. If he spit on the floor, cracked his neck, lit something on fire and said in a horrifying voice, "Follow my ways," I'd like to think that "no, thanks" would come to mind. Yes, Revelation describes him at the end of time to resemble a dragon or giant serpent and there are usually horns, but that isn't really how he seems to operate now. In 2 Corinthians, Paul says that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (11:14) and Revelation describes him as one "who leads the whole world astray" (12:9). And I think those descriptions change everything.

Rather than a pitchfork prodding us or a red guy on the shoulder trying to convince us, I think the devil tends to work with small distractions that slowly lead us astray. They are hard to notice at first. The sin may seem so insignificant that you don't even think to confess it. But as you continue to fall for Satan's schemes, you move further and further away from God's plan. Think of it like the alignment of a car. Have you ever played the how long can I leave my hands off the steering wheel and continue in the correct direction game? Sometimes it is off so slightly that it takes a few minutes to drift to the side of the road. If you let your hands go and you suddenly did a 180, you would be a bit more alarmed, but since it is only slight, it goes unnoticed. I think that is how the Devil works. 

C.S. Lewis said it far better than I ever could in his book called Screwtape Letters. The book is written as a set of instructions from and elder demon to a younger one. It is quite fascinating, and if you haven't read it, I definitely suggest it. In the book, the older demon (Screwtape) ends a letter to his young apprentice by saying, "Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." Because you see, the gentle slope is the one unnoticed. Donald Miller put it this way: "It occurs to me it is not so much the aim of the devil to lure me with evil as to preoccupy me with the meaningless." Not to say he won't try for evil first, but if that fails, the Devil will do whatever he can to take your mind off Christ.

 

I think it should also be pointed out that the Devil is quite intelligent. Paul warns the Corinthians to forgive one another "in order that Satan might not outwit [them]" (2 Corinthians 2:11). He is sneaky. He is the great deceiver.  Jesus himself called the Devil the "Father of lies" and said that "when he lies he speaks his native language" (John 8:44). He is no amateur and he is persistent. After tempting Jesus in the desert and failing, the Devil left. But he didn't leave to never return, Luke says he "left him until an opportune time" (4:13). I think we need to listen to Shakespeare and "give the Devil his due."

Kind of depressing, huh? But don't worry, here comes the good part! When I was a kid and started to understand that the Devil was real and an actual threat, I was terrified and had many sleepless nights. Thankfully, my patient mother pointed out to me once at two in the morning the beautiful passage from Romans 8, which talks about how with God, nothing can come against us and not even demons can separate us from the love of Christ.  1 John tells us that "the one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world" (4:4). So don't fear. When Jesus died on the cross, he defeated the Devil once and for all. Now the Devil is simply prowling around trying to snatch those who don't hold onto the promises offered by God. So resist him by standing firm in your faith (1 Peter 5:8-9) and "submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

The Devil is out there. He is a threat and he is definitely worth mentioning. But he loses in the end. So hold strong in your faith. Look for the small deceptions and distractions. A friend gave me a quote box for my birthday and one of the quotes was: "If Satan cannot tempt with destruction, he will settle for distraction." So do not be distracted from your true purpose in life. Align yourself with God each day. Pray that he will deliver you from the schemes of the Devil and stand firm, you will be rewarded for your perseverance. And be on the lookout for the Devil's tricks. Resist him and draw near to God, then the Devil will have no foothold in your life.

Freedom

Happy Fourth of July! Break out your hotdogs and grill tongs and toast America while watching explosions light the sky. Today is the day our nation celebrates freedom. The obvious post today would be about the freedom Christ offers us, but I'm going to be a little weird and talk to you about becoming slaves.

In four of Paul's letters, he opens the first chapter calling himself a servant of Christ. Not to mention how many numerous times he gives himself the same title throughout the books. But the word for servant isn't the best translation. In Greek, Paul uses the word duolos which translates to slave. I understand our hesitation to use the world "slave" as it brings up some unsettling memories in our nation's history, but today, on this day celebrating freedom, I want to talk about slavery.

I think I love this topic because it seems completely paradoxical in the Christian faith. When most people talk about Christ, they talk about the freedom he offers. Paul, our very own self-proclaimed slave, does the same when speaking to the Galatians when he claims: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery" (5:1). Yet Paul says to the Romans: "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" (6:18). So what are we to make of this? A slave, who counts it a joy to be a slave, encouraging other slaves to not be burdened by the yoke of slavery. And who said Christianity was boring? Let me try to break it down in the best way that I understand it.

You see, Paul understood something very important about human nature. Paul understood that no matter what, people are slaves to something. Look around you. How many people are slaves to their job? To their addictions? To their spouses? To money? To themselves? As humans, we allow desires, motivations, and struggles to be our masters. At first it may be with a good heart or with good reason. But eventually it always turns into a master-slave relationship. Paul recognized this defect in our human nature and basically said we have one of two choices: we can be slaves to Christ and righteousness, or we can be slaves to all else which falls under the blanket of sin.

I won't lie, being a slave to sin usually feels better in the moment than being a slave to righteousness. Then the moment fades and if you still have a conscience, shame replaces it. What felt great in the moment suddenly has led to death. But then, Christianity never was about living for the moment. Christianity is about living for eternity and I promise you, the pay off is much better though sometimes it seems too far off to bother with. Check out how Paul sums it all up to the Romans.

Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:19-23).

So break away from the slavery of sin and become a slave to Christ. A beautiful thing about slavery in the time of Paul is that slaves all were specially trained for specific duties within the household. There was no blanket training, it was specific and with a purpose to further improve the household. Let Christ train you for the duties he has prepared for you. And then live and work with his training to further his kingdom of righteousness. No matter what, you will choose to become a slave to something. Even a non-choice is choice enough to self. So be proactive and offer your life and services to Christ and become his slave. After all, he is the only Master who offers true freedom. And that alone is worthy of a firework show.

Fly Tests

   The other day, Jason caught a fly by trapping it inside a drinking glass on our kitchen table. Classy, right? Because I didn't pick it up, it remained until the next day and then Jason and I had an idea. We had both always heard that flies only live for 24 hours and we decided to test this fact. Let me note that it was because of this information that, as a child, I captured flies that were in my house and set them free outside. I figured since they only had 24 hours to live, I shouldn't cut it shorter for them and I might as well let them enjoy the great outdoors. Turns out, this is not the truth at all, at least for house flies. Apparently mayflies and some obscure species of fly live for 24 hours, but most house flies live from 1 week to 2 months. Eek. Fortunately, our fly only lived for two days. 
   After the death of the fly, our little experiment got me thinking. The entire way I treated flies was based on false information, or at least falsely understood information. And this is a great problem in Christianity today. Our culture has lost its thirst for knowledge of true Christianity. We hear something once from a church or friend and assume that it must be complete truth. So rather than look further into the matter, we accept something either watered down or completely false.
   If you do not truly know Christianity for yourself, if you do not know what you believe and why, you will not know when someone is lying to you about Christianity. Faith like a child is a great thing, but it does not give us an excuse for ignorance. We are meant to ask questions and grow. I do not believe that we should trust everything we hear. Paul made a great command to the Philippians when he said, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12). You see, we are meant to work out our own salvation. Yes, listen to others and learn from them, but always, always do the work to be sure that their teachings are based on the Bible. If something sounds a little off, ask for a reference or search your Bible until you figure out what they were trying to say (and please correct them if they're wrong).
   Not only will you know when someone is speaking falsely, but the more you know about your beliefs, the more effective you will be in ministering. This is especially true when ministering to people who know why they don't believe in Christianity. Don't get me wrong, you will never have all the answers and you should not wait to tell someone about Christ because you are afraid they'll ask something you don't know. What I am speaking to here is that if you have been a Christian for a long time and can't answer to someone why you believe in Jesus, you need to do some research. In 1 Corinthians Paul said, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me" (13:11). Christians need to look at this and realize they need to become mature in their faith. We should be continually learning more and more about the personality of God. If your child, let's say an eight-year-old, has been going to school and has been taught by people you know to be incredible teachers how to read but cannot, you would be worried. How much more worried should we be when we have access to the Creator of the universe, to the teachings of his son on earth, but don't understand why we believe in him. 
   With the invention of the printing press, access to the Bible, and also the understanding of it, exploded. It exploded even more when the internet became so accessible. In the early churches, the believers received a letter from Paul and, if they were lucky enough to have a scribe, copied it down before sending it to another city. Most couldn't read and had to only listen and try to understand what was meant. We, on the other hand, have easy access to the Bible and other resources that explain the time periods in which it was written, along with what all the great scholars before have understood about specific passages. Yet we seem to know and understand far less. 
   Our culture needs to revive a thirst for understanding God. He is not a God that refuses to be known, but one that knows us intimately and wants a relationship with us. He tells us if we seek him, we will find him (Matthew 7:7). So let's start seeking. Many non-Christians I have spoken with have a lot of reasons for why they don't believe in Jesus. We need to be ready for those conversations. We need to be knowledgeable of what we believe and why. You won't have all the answers, but the more you learn about God, the more answers you should have. When you first meet someone, you may not know much about them, but if you have had a best friend for years, you know them pretty well, right? The relationship with God should work the same. So seek him and find him. Learn about him. Search through some resources and ask questions. Grow in him so that you can properly show him to the world. And know the truth so that you may recognize false teaching when you see it.