inhale
1 : to draw in by breathing2 : to take in eagerly or greedily
intransitive verb : to breathe in
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is equal to such a task?" 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Smells started to come alive for me after I quit smoking. My olfactory senses seemed to start working overtime. My first experience with the power of the human nose was when I was pregnant with my first child. That was before I had ever smoked. I was working in a restaurant. I remember the smell of fish would almost knock me out with its potency. I remember having a perfume that was expensive and having to give it to my grandmother because I couldn’t even stand to have it in the house. Years later, I started smoking, and those memories faded. Four years and 8 months ago, when I quit, the sensory overload started up all over again. Of course, taste changed for me as well, but I still haven’t completely gotten used to my nose and how smells can affect me. Things I used to like the scent of I no longer like, and things I didn’t like the scent of I now love. I’ve been driving my husband nuts for years now with questions of “what’s that smell?” He’s been smelling with the same nose for 33 years, so he doesn’t notice the change in things like I do. Each of my children have a unique, individual smell I never noticed.
And so, when I found this particular passage in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, written to engage the olfactory senses, I could relate to Paul’s words and it really made me stop and think about the similarities of my nose and how that has changed, and how my life changed when I surrendered my life to Christ. I’ve read the scriptures that cover the eyes, being a light. And I’ve read the scriptures that cover the taste, to be salt. But I’ve never thought about having an aroma for Christ, and that is why I needed to look into these verses closer.
Paul begins to speak of the adequacy of God’s grace for every situation. He writes, “But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those we are being saved and among those who are perishing: to the one an aroma from death to death, and to the other an aroma from life to life, and who is adequate for these things? So let’s examine each of the smells that God calls us to be by comparing Paul’s Corinthian congregation to our lives here today.
Let’s start with the first fragrance in verse 14. Paul writes “But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” Paul is making a reference in this verse to a Roman general, who in victory would lead his soldiers and their captives in a procession through the streets, which would be met by the people burning spices in their honor. The Hebrew word for triumph Paul used here is to have an effect upon another. Paul is talking about the triumph of men and women who were spreading the Gospel. The triumph in Christ is over the persecution, the ridicule, over men and the devil. As Oswald Chambers puts it in his devotional, “Paul says, I am in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, I am always led in triumph.” Paul uses the word always. Where the Gospel is preached there will always be some good, and the thanks and glory go back to God. When the Gospel is preached, it manifests a sweet aroma that spreads to every place.
In researching on this particular verse, I read that Paul’s secret joy was that God took him, a red-handed rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive, and that was all he lived for. I love that image, and yet I struggle against becoming more and more captive to Christ myself. This verse makes me think about what my aroma is. When I meditate on these verses, I sense that I have a sweet fragrance for God only sporadically at best. I find myself being led by my emotions far too often. With my family, I am by far considered very peculiar, and that is exacerbated by the fact that I too was a red-handed rebel before being taken captive. Did my new found life not just make me a hypocrite? Who was I to change directions in what seemed to be an instant? I am often criticized for actions that others deem “not very Christian.” I want to agree with Paul’s words and have that aroma that comes from standing firm and preaching the knowledge of Jesus in every place, despite whatever opposition I may face.
So what do we do to become the people that God can manifest the sweet aroma of His knowledge through? For me, it is to keep myself focused on Christ, despite the external situations at hand. I release my feelings of inadequacy, feelings that He could never use me to spread His Gospel. But even more importantly perhaps, I keep focus off of the emotion, off of the roller coaster that will carry me away from that triumph.
The second fragrance that Paul speaks of is the scent of Christ to God among those who are being saved. That we are an aroma from life to life. Christ’s death includes a resurrection to the believer. That is a sweet smelling aroma for us. Paul is writing about the sweet aroma of believer to believer, that helps guides one another, that exhorts one another, that supports and maintains our present spiritual life until the time of our eternal life to come.
What a simple, but beautiful idea. That we carry the aroma of life to help support one another. I know of the aroma that Paul speaks of, life to life. The Lord has blessed me mightily with the gift of friendship with another woman as well. She answers my many questions by helping me find scriptural truths, she calms my fears, and probably the greatest gift of all is that she holds me accountable. Our eyes stay focused when we blend our sweet aroma of life together.
And so our job is to seek out one another, to find other believers in the workplace, or stay connected to one another as best as possible while we’re in our respective corners of the marketplace of life. Even if we stay at home, we are not safe from the world at large. Loneliness and isolation are dangerous for us, especially when we’re surrounded by the world.
The third fragrance Paul speaks of is the scent of death to those who are perishing. That we are an aroma of death to death. That can only be the scent of a dead Gospel with a dead Christ. Those that don’t know the Gospel, and the resurrection smell of a new life in Jesus. To the unbeliever, we are the stench of the reflection of themselves, dying in sin. By rejecting us, they are choosing death for themselves. The opposite of life spiritual to life eternal, here, it is death spiritually to death eternal. We preach foolishness to those that can’t smell the truth. Our message never changes, it is the reaction to the message that causes the aroma to change.
As Paul writes, I speak the truth no matter what the cost, and I spread that sweet fragrance of knowledge despite what my family or the world thinks.
And we all should do the same. And expect that there will be those that wrinkle their noses at us. And seek to find the same joy that Paul had no matter what people thought he smelled like. We need to be brave enough to speak the truth at our workplace, to stand ready, as Peter talks about, to give account of the joy that is within us. There is no time and no room for half-truths and shaded, watered down versions of the knowledge we have of Him that resides inside us.
And Paul ends verse 16 by asking, “And who is adequate for these things?” and the simple answer is not us. Not us alone, it is only the competency in Christ that gives us the sufficiency through grace to be adequate. It is in God’s perfect reason and perfect timing and even more perfect grace that our fragrance becomes pleasing.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
SUCH A STRETCH
2: to reach out: EXTEND
3: to extend in length
6: to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position
9: to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space)
10 a : to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper
b: to expand to fulfill a larger function
(Merriam-Webster)
About a year ago, I wrote down 27 words. They were written on banners that were hanging in a church I was visiting. I had no direct cause for jotting down the words; I just knew they meant something.
I have been compelled to write about these words now, one at a time. The first one I will dwell on is the word, “Stretch.” Normally, when you hear the word stretch, you think of something being pulled, something spread out. I challenge us to see something differently tonight.
The first definition, ‘to reach out: extend.” It reminds me of the beginning of one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 40.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And he inclined to me
And heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the
Pit of destruction,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock making
My footsteps firm. (vs. 1-2)
That is how the whole journey starts for all of us. Imagine the Lord inclining to you, extending His mighty hand as a demonstration of His love. The Lord always makes the first move. We just have to be ready and listening, with the desire to say “Yes.”
The next definition, ‘to extend in length.’ The psalmist, David, continues in Psalm 40:
How blessed is the man
Who has made the
Lord his trust,
And has not turned to
The proud, nor to those
Who lapse into
Falsehood. (vs. 4)
We have the next move. We are the ones who need to extend in length to meet Him. We have to rely on His strength, combined with our growing love in Him, to resist the unrelenting powers of this world.
We come to our next definition, ‘draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position.’ David says this,
I delight to do your will,
O my God;
Your law is within my
Heart.
I have proclaimed glad
Tidings of
Righteousness in the
Great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips.’ (vs. 8-9)
We have to admit, those of us who became Christ followers later in life, or those who are still questioning Christ, that we are awfully complacent in our old lives. It is easy to be cramped, weighed down with the heaviness of this world, and resigned to being relaxed with something that resembles apathy.
But God has something different in store for us. His remarkable love causes us to delight in doing His will. We can no longer restrain our lips.
Next definition, ‘to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space)’ David says,
I have not hidden your
Righteousness within
My heart;
I have spoken of your
Faithfulness and your
Salvation;
I have not concealed your
Lovingkindness and
Your great truth
From the great congregation. (vs. 10)
The unrestraint rages on in our hearts. We want to tell people about this new love we have found that is unlike any other love. We proclaim how He has saved us. His truth refuses to hide in our hearts.
To amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper. David’s witness to that truth:
You, O Lord, will not
Withhold your
Compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and
Your truth will
Continually preserve me. (vs. 11)
It is not within our natural human nature to have that kind of trust. We have come to learn that it is virtually impossible to trust any other human 100 percent. To have the trust in the Lord that David writes of takes amplification that goes far beyond anything natural.
Finally, ‘to expand (as by improvisation) to fulfill a larger function.’ One last thought from David:
Let all who seek you
Rejoice and be glad in you;
Let those who love your
Salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!” (vs. 16)
That is the ultimate gift of God’s love to us. The truth is, those who seek God will rejoice and be glad in Him. We call the world’s attention to His mighty love and His beautiful stretch.
2: to reach out: EXTEND
3: to extend in length
6: to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position
9: to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space)
10 a : to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper
b: to expand to fulfill a larger function
(Merriam-Webster)
About a year ago, I wrote down 27 words. They were written on banners that were hanging in a church I was visiting. I had no direct cause for jotting down the words; I just knew they meant something.
I have been compelled to write about these words now, one at a time. The first one I will dwell on is the word, “Stretch.” Normally, when you hear the word stretch, you think of something being pulled, something spread out. I challenge us to see something differently tonight.
The first definition, ‘to reach out: extend.” It reminds me of the beginning of one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 40.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And he inclined to me
And heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the
Pit of destruction,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock making
My footsteps firm. (vs. 1-2)
That is how the whole journey starts for all of us. Imagine the Lord inclining to you, extending His mighty hand as a demonstration of His love. The Lord always makes the first move. We just have to be ready and listening, with the desire to say “Yes.”
The next definition, ‘to extend in length.’ The psalmist, David, continues in Psalm 40:
How blessed is the man
Who has made the
Lord his trust,
And has not turned to
The proud, nor to those
Who lapse into
Falsehood. (vs. 4)
We have the next move. We are the ones who need to extend in length to meet Him. We have to rely on His strength, combined with our growing love in Him, to resist the unrelenting powers of this world.
We come to our next definition, ‘draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position.’ David says this,
I delight to do your will,
O my God;
Your law is within my
Heart.
I have proclaimed glad
Tidings of
Righteousness in the
Great congregation;
Behold, I will not restrain my lips.’ (vs. 8-9)
We have to admit, those of us who became Christ followers later in life, or those who are still questioning Christ, that we are awfully complacent in our old lives. It is easy to be cramped, weighed down with the heaviness of this world, and resigned to being relaxed with something that resembles apathy.
But God has something different in store for us. His remarkable love causes us to delight in doing His will. We can no longer restrain our lips.
Next definition, ‘to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space)’ David says,
I have not hidden your
Righteousness within
My heart;
I have spoken of your
Faithfulness and your
Salvation;
I have not concealed your
Lovingkindness and
Your great truth
From the great congregation. (vs. 10)
The unrestraint rages on in our hearts. We want to tell people about this new love we have found that is unlike any other love. We proclaim how He has saved us. His truth refuses to hide in our hearts.
To amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper. David’s witness to that truth:
You, O Lord, will not
Withhold your
Compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and
Your truth will
Continually preserve me. (vs. 11)
It is not within our natural human nature to have that kind of trust. We have come to learn that it is virtually impossible to trust any other human 100 percent. To have the trust in the Lord that David writes of takes amplification that goes far beyond anything natural.
Finally, ‘to expand (as by improvisation) to fulfill a larger function.’ One last thought from David:
Let all who seek you
Rejoice and be glad in you;
Let those who love your
Salvation say continually,
“The Lord be magnified!” (vs. 16)
That is the ultimate gift of God’s love to us. The truth is, those who seek God will rejoice and be glad in Him. We call the world’s attention to His mighty love and His beautiful stretch.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
My Exodus or where are my Hinds' feet?
My counselor has recommended many great books to me. Books that assist in spiritual development and self-actualization mostly. I am reading one of the recommended books now. It’s called, “Hinds’ Feet in High Places.” It is an allegory describing a girl named Much-Afraid and her journey with her Great Shepherd to the High Places. I could never do it justice in this limited space, but it speaks a great deal about our spiritual journey with Christ.
I found a passage that fits the following message I wrote this weekend. It describes where the Shepherd leaves Much-Afraid in the care of his two companions to continue with her on her journey to the High Places. Much-Afraid asks why he cannot accompany her all the way.
He answers, “Much-Afraid, I could do what you wish. I could carry you all the way up to the High Places myself, instead of leaving you to climb there. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds’ feet, and become my companion and go where I go. If you will climb to the heights this once…even though it may seem a very long and in some places a very difficult journey, I promise you that you will develop hinds’ feet.”
I wrote this in a time of peaceful solitude this weekend.
Exodus
One small glance back
Then I shut the door.
Entered this new life you gave me.
Started fresh, eyes wide open
Never knew life could be so alive.
Then the honeymoon was over.
I saw the mire returning,
Looking to reclaim.
What I thought detestable
Now seemed full of appeal.
Maybe life before really wasn’t so bad.
But I need to follow you
On this Exodus.
To the land you’ve promised me.
The never-ending life you’ve granted me.
I can’t look back at
The bondage and consider it Holy.
When I see where your Exodus
Has brought me.
I used to justify my actions,
Blame them all on my past.
Tried to run from my nightmares
And never look back.
But you plucked me from the wide path,
Set my feet upon the narrow one.
And cleansed away all my shame
With the blood of your Son.
Maybe life now is all I could dream.
So I need to keep following you
On this Exodus.
Stop from crying out
‘The race is too hard.’
I have to cling to the promise,
I’m never alone.
I keep my eyes on your face
Till I reach the land of my own.
My counselor has recommended many great books to me. Books that assist in spiritual development and self-actualization mostly. I am reading one of the recommended books now. It’s called, “Hinds’ Feet in High Places.” It is an allegory describing a girl named Much-Afraid and her journey with her Great Shepherd to the High Places. I could never do it justice in this limited space, but it speaks a great deal about our spiritual journey with Christ.
I found a passage that fits the following message I wrote this weekend. It describes where the Shepherd leaves Much-Afraid in the care of his two companions to continue with her on her journey to the High Places. Much-Afraid asks why he cannot accompany her all the way.
He answers, “Much-Afraid, I could do what you wish. I could carry you all the way up to the High Places myself, instead of leaving you to climb there. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds’ feet, and become my companion and go where I go. If you will climb to the heights this once…even though it may seem a very long and in some places a very difficult journey, I promise you that you will develop hinds’ feet.”
I wrote this in a time of peaceful solitude this weekend.
Exodus
One small glance back
Then I shut the door.
Entered this new life you gave me.
Started fresh, eyes wide open
Never knew life could be so alive.
Then the honeymoon was over.
I saw the mire returning,
Looking to reclaim.
What I thought detestable
Now seemed full of appeal.
Maybe life before really wasn’t so bad.
But I need to follow you
On this Exodus.
To the land you’ve promised me.
The never-ending life you’ve granted me.
I can’t look back at
The bondage and consider it Holy.
When I see where your Exodus
Has brought me.
I used to justify my actions,
Blame them all on my past.
Tried to run from my nightmares
And never look back.
But you plucked me from the wide path,
Set my feet upon the narrow one.
And cleansed away all my shame
With the blood of your Son.
Maybe life now is all I could dream.
So I need to keep following you
On this Exodus.
Stop from crying out
‘The race is too hard.’
I have to cling to the promise,
I’m never alone.
I keep my eyes on your face
Till I reach the land of my own.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
T.V. Dinners
I had to think about this particular blog for quite a while before I dared write it. See, I have not been a Christian for so long that I understand all of the intricacies involved in using the correct terms, comprehending doctrines, and whose camp I should be in. My philosophy has been to take the pieces I understand as coming from the heart of Christ and going from there. I do not necessarily choose to embrace or condemn all of what anyone believes; after all, they are not God.
With that being said, I had planned on writing about T.V. dinners tonight. While I work during the day, I mull over my thoughts and I pray some, and by the time I am ready to write at night, my thoughts are cohesive enough to put on paper.
However, the sudden death of Jerry Falwell made me stop and think about something else. I heard the news from a conservative radio host, who said to watch and see how Falwell was eulogized by the media. Well, he was right. They kept using the word ‘fundamentalist’ and then they would talk about his accusation of a certain Tellytubbie being gay. Well, even I knew more about him than that.
Anyway, the way they were using the word fundamentalist bothered me. What about that word seemed to make people cringe? I turned to my handy online dictionaries at Merriam-Webster and Encarta for the answers. Here are some of my results.
5. belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics
1 a often capitalized: a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b: the beliefs of this movement c: adherence to such beliefs
2: a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
1. movement with strict view of doctrine: a religious or political movement based on a literal interpretation of and strict adherence to doctrine, especially as a return to former principles
2. support for literal explanation: the belief that religious or political doctrine should be implemented literally, not interpreted or adapted
This goes back to my original blog for tonight. People have gravitated from home-cooked meals to fast, quick, easy meals on the go. Why? Because we are always moving on to our next tasks, have to get to the next thing.
I fear that model has crept into our religion as well. We seek out God to solve our problems, line our pockets, and basically make our lives easier. At least I have a tendency to do that. Sure, I praise God on the good days. Nevertheless, I make sure I seek Him on the days things are not going well.
But how often am I seeking His heart? How often am I concerned for His well? And, how long do I pound on His door after I do not get an immediate answer that I seek? Have I condemned the world to a collision course to hell because of events I see on a daily basis?
Which returns me to the word fundamental. When did that become a bad word? Sure, Jerry Falwell said some things that were harsh on the ears. Even he admitted to making some mistakes in his life; things he wished he had not said. But why throw out the word whose definition describes how we should be on a daily basis.
Maybe we should spend less time focusing on things we cannot know on this side of heaven, and focus on the fundamentals we know to be true. How about literally interpreting Jesus commanded us to do? And, rather than interpreting God’s word to coddle everyone’s ears, we stick to the truth that we know?
So, to celebrate the word ‘fundamental,’ let us feast on the words of Jesus. And remember that being a fundamentalist is not necessarily a curse. Rather, let us focus on the bountiful feast that God’s word provides us. And may we all seek to be a fundamental light of the truth in a world that desperately needs it.
“Staying with it-that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” Matthew 24.13
“Listen carefully to what I am saying-and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Mark 4.24-25
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.” Matthew 18.2-5
“Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10.23
Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important. His answer?
“The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12.29-31
(All verses are quoted from The Message.)
I had to think about this particular blog for quite a while before I dared write it. See, I have not been a Christian for so long that I understand all of the intricacies involved in using the correct terms, comprehending doctrines, and whose camp I should be in. My philosophy has been to take the pieces I understand as coming from the heart of Christ and going from there. I do not necessarily choose to embrace or condemn all of what anyone believes; after all, they are not God.
With that being said, I had planned on writing about T.V. dinners tonight. While I work during the day, I mull over my thoughts and I pray some, and by the time I am ready to write at night, my thoughts are cohesive enough to put on paper.
However, the sudden death of Jerry Falwell made me stop and think about something else. I heard the news from a conservative radio host, who said to watch and see how Falwell was eulogized by the media. Well, he was right. They kept using the word ‘fundamentalist’ and then they would talk about his accusation of a certain Tellytubbie being gay. Well, even I knew more about him than that.
Anyway, the way they were using the word fundamentalist bothered me. What about that word seemed to make people cringe? I turned to my handy online dictionaries at Merriam-Webster and Encarta for the answers. Here are some of my results.
5. belonging to one's innate or ingrained characteristics
1 a often capitalized: a movement in 20th century Protestantism emphasizing the literally interpreted Bible as fundamental to Christian life and teaching b: the beliefs of this movement c: adherence to such beliefs
2: a movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles
1. movement with strict view of doctrine: a religious or political movement based on a literal interpretation of and strict adherence to doctrine, especially as a return to former principles
2. support for literal explanation: the belief that religious or political doctrine should be implemented literally, not interpreted or adapted
This goes back to my original blog for tonight. People have gravitated from home-cooked meals to fast, quick, easy meals on the go. Why? Because we are always moving on to our next tasks, have to get to the next thing.
I fear that model has crept into our religion as well. We seek out God to solve our problems, line our pockets, and basically make our lives easier. At least I have a tendency to do that. Sure, I praise God on the good days. Nevertheless, I make sure I seek Him on the days things are not going well.
But how often am I seeking His heart? How often am I concerned for His well? And, how long do I pound on His door after I do not get an immediate answer that I seek? Have I condemned the world to a collision course to hell because of events I see on a daily basis?
Which returns me to the word fundamental. When did that become a bad word? Sure, Jerry Falwell said some things that were harsh on the ears. Even he admitted to making some mistakes in his life; things he wished he had not said. But why throw out the word whose definition describes how we should be on a daily basis.
Maybe we should spend less time focusing on things we cannot know on this side of heaven, and focus on the fundamentals we know to be true. How about literally interpreting Jesus commanded us to do? And, rather than interpreting God’s word to coddle everyone’s ears, we stick to the truth that we know?
So, to celebrate the word ‘fundamental,’ let us feast on the words of Jesus. And remember that being a fundamentalist is not necessarily a curse. Rather, let us focus on the bountiful feast that God’s word provides us. And may we all seek to be a fundamental light of the truth in a world that desperately needs it.
“Staying with it-that’s what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll be saved.” Matthew 24.13
“Listen carefully to what I am saying-and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.” Mark 4.24-25
“I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom. What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving me.” Matthew 18.2-5
“Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10.23
Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important. His answer?
“The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” Mark 12.29-31
(All verses are quoted from The Message.)
Friday, April 27, 2007
The search for friend
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary-
1: one attached to another by affection or esteem
2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group4: a favored companion
From MSN Encarta-
3. ally: an ally, or somebody who is not an enemy
4. advocate of cause: a defender or supporter of a cause, group, or principle
I have been prone to bouts of solitude lately. Maybe you know the type; when you listen to the phone ring but you cannot muster up the energy to answer it. Anyway, that is where I have been at for what seems like forever. If I do talk with someone, it seems like it taps me dry.
At work, I have taken to wearing my headphones. I like to pretend like it’s to keep a happy tune in my head, but I am starting to believe that it is actually an isolation unit.
I have started getting aggravated when my husband asks me questions that I think he should know the answer to. Especially if the answer requires more than a one or two word answer.
I was starting to erect a large wall between God and myself before I went to an all-day prayer conference. It was there that I cried out to Him and begged for my self-inflicted isolation to crumble away.
After that, I was at least willing to talk to Him on a semi-regular basis. Within a matter of days, I received some horrible news that would completely rock my world. I will not go into it here. I will just say it was a ‘10’ on a scale of one to five.
I was sitting in the parking lot at work contemplating my next move. My head cried ‘retreat’ but my heart cried for attention and compassion. I let my heart win. I picked up my cell phone before I could change my mind and I reached out for a friend. I thought I would just have a general, generic call, but when she asked me how I was doing, the word ‘horrible’ spilled out.
Immediately, empathy poured out of her and it caused me to unload all I was carrying around. She listened, encouraged me to keep talking; until I had emptied myself of all the emotional baggage I had been carrying.
We then were able to move on to a conversation about Jesus, a conversation it turns out, that we both needed. I ended up feeling better than I had in weeks. We got together the next week and continued our conversation, which was just really good.
“A (wo)man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a (sister) brother.” Proverbs 18.24
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” –Jesus in John 15.13-14
See, I do not think Jesus just meant His life, although that was His most important mission. I believe that when we take time out to truly listen to a friend, that you stop what you are doing, then you are also laying down your life. Jesus realized we were not meant to be alone. Even He did not want to be alone, and He was the Son of God.
I think Jesus showed us His emotional side when many of the people following Him decided His teachings were too tough and left Him. He asked His twelve disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Did He not want to be alone? I do not think He did.
On the night Jesus was betrayed, He went to pray to His Father. He took His disciples with Him, and asked them to stay there and watch. When He came back, they were sleeping. He asked them, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?” In Jesus’ time of need, when He was ‘deeply distressed and troubled, He needed to know He had friends around to support and care for Him.
We were not made to be solitary creatures. Unfortunately, in our day of email, cell phones and computers, we are capable of insulating ourselves from the world at hand. Nevertheless, it is frightening, and can even be dangerous.
The way I see it today is, if Jesus can be open about His needs and emotions, there is no reason I cannot too. And that is good enough for today.
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary-
1: one attached to another by affection or esteem
2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group4: a favored companion
From MSN Encarta-
3. ally: an ally, or somebody who is not an enemy
4. advocate of cause: a defender or supporter of a cause, group, or principle
I have been prone to bouts of solitude lately. Maybe you know the type; when you listen to the phone ring but you cannot muster up the energy to answer it. Anyway, that is where I have been at for what seems like forever. If I do talk with someone, it seems like it taps me dry.
At work, I have taken to wearing my headphones. I like to pretend like it’s to keep a happy tune in my head, but I am starting to believe that it is actually an isolation unit.
I have started getting aggravated when my husband asks me questions that I think he should know the answer to. Especially if the answer requires more than a one or two word answer.
I was starting to erect a large wall between God and myself before I went to an all-day prayer conference. It was there that I cried out to Him and begged for my self-inflicted isolation to crumble away.
After that, I was at least willing to talk to Him on a semi-regular basis. Within a matter of days, I received some horrible news that would completely rock my world. I will not go into it here. I will just say it was a ‘10’ on a scale of one to five.
I was sitting in the parking lot at work contemplating my next move. My head cried ‘retreat’ but my heart cried for attention and compassion. I let my heart win. I picked up my cell phone before I could change my mind and I reached out for a friend. I thought I would just have a general, generic call, but when she asked me how I was doing, the word ‘horrible’ spilled out.
Immediately, empathy poured out of her and it caused me to unload all I was carrying around. She listened, encouraged me to keep talking; until I had emptied myself of all the emotional baggage I had been carrying.
We then were able to move on to a conversation about Jesus, a conversation it turns out, that we both needed. I ended up feeling better than I had in weeks. We got together the next week and continued our conversation, which was just really good.
“A (wo)man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a (sister) brother.” Proverbs 18.24
“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” –Jesus in John 15.13-14
See, I do not think Jesus just meant His life, although that was His most important mission. I believe that when we take time out to truly listen to a friend, that you stop what you are doing, then you are also laying down your life. Jesus realized we were not meant to be alone. Even He did not want to be alone, and He was the Son of God.
I think Jesus showed us His emotional side when many of the people following Him decided His teachings were too tough and left Him. He asked His twelve disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Did He not want to be alone? I do not think He did.
On the night Jesus was betrayed, He went to pray to His Father. He took His disciples with Him, and asked them to stay there and watch. When He came back, they were sleeping. He asked them, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?” In Jesus’ time of need, when He was ‘deeply distressed and troubled, He needed to know He had friends around to support and care for Him.
We were not made to be solitary creatures. Unfortunately, in our day of email, cell phones and computers, we are capable of insulating ourselves from the world at hand. Nevertheless, it is frightening, and can even be dangerous.
The way I see it today is, if Jesus can be open about His needs and emotions, there is no reason I cannot too. And that is good enough for today.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Thank you God, for sending your Son to rescue us. May we all recognize and rejoice his resurrection this New Passover Sunday.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
WILL- verb
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
1. used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent
2. used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition
4. used to express capability or sufficiency
6. used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7.11
The man with leprosy
“A man came and knelt before [Jesus] and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” Matthew 8.2-3
God gave me the first scripture verse this morning. I decided to go on a prayer retreat. I figured this would be my last attempt at salvaging my relationship with Him. See, I am currently a shell of the woman I was three months ago. Three months ago I was in graduate school, I was deacon of Women’s Ministry at my church, and I taught a new believers class. I felt that spiritually, I was at the top of my game.
Apparently not. As you may or may not know, I had a stroke in December. I was in a coma for a length of time, and went through a long series of physical therapies to regain my strength.
And here is where the dilemma arose. When I returned to church, I started hearing phrases like, ‘Well here’s our walking miracle.’ And ‘This event really strengthened my faith.’ But I felt nothing. No walks in heaven when I was in the coma and no deep spiritual awakening when I woke up.
It took a very wise woman to say, ‘Maybe this wasn’t about you. Maybe God is working through you.’ Ouch. That had never occurred to me. Unfortunately, that revelation did not spark a renewed desire to speak to God, or to go into His word. I remained an island unto myself. I retreated into a corner to lick my wounds. To avoid spiritual small talk, I started ignoring people. I would walk into church with my head down.
God had effectively stripped away all the good things I was doing for Him. I had not even realized how all my thoughts and desires for God was stemming from my head and not my heart. Now I was naked with nothing to show for my efforts.
Now, back to today’s story. At the retreat, we gathered in a room to discuss the day’s plan. We would go somewhere where we could meet God in the stillness of ourselves. Scripture reading, journaling, even drawing was suggested methods of connecting with Him. As I was leaving the classroom to start my retreat, I heard ‘Matthew 7.11’ in my head. It was quite audible. I was convinced it was I doing the thinking, and I tried not to get my hopes up. I thought, ‘I’m sure it’s some passage like, ‘Jesus was out walking the streets.’
When I read the verse, the word ‘will’ spoke to my heart. Immediately I thought about will being a word to describe the action of willingness to do something. You have to be willing in order to give. Otherwise, it is forcing as the action. This passage tells me that God is willing to be an active force in my life. He has the natural tendency and the sufficiency to meet me right where I am. And He is extremely capable and persistent at pursuing me even when I avoid Him.
So, my next thought is, What am I willing to give Him in return? Can I really trust Him with my heart? Trust Him to take away all the hurts inflicted by those who abused me and those who were complacent abandoners? Am I willing to trust that He is right beside me every step of the way? Most importantly, can I be willing to hand over the pain so that He might seek vengeance for me? Can I dare take a chance to believe He will not be another one who has let me down?
The writer Henri Nouwen said, “Faith is the radical trust that home has always been there and always will be there.” Am I willing to abandon my service for my love?
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51.12
“If anyone is (willing) chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” John 7.17
And I finish for now with the word of the great Saint Augustine; “Understanding is the reward of faith…What is, ‘If any man be willing to do His will?’ It is the same thing as to believe.
From the Merriam-Webster dictionary:
1. used to express desire, choice, willingness, consent
2. used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition
4. used to express capability or sufficiency
6. used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7.11
The man with leprosy
“A man came and knelt before [Jesus] and said, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” Matthew 8.2-3
God gave me the first scripture verse this morning. I decided to go on a prayer retreat. I figured this would be my last attempt at salvaging my relationship with Him. See, I am currently a shell of the woman I was three months ago. Three months ago I was in graduate school, I was deacon of Women’s Ministry at my church, and I taught a new believers class. I felt that spiritually, I was at the top of my game.
Apparently not. As you may or may not know, I had a stroke in December. I was in a coma for a length of time, and went through a long series of physical therapies to regain my strength.
And here is where the dilemma arose. When I returned to church, I started hearing phrases like, ‘Well here’s our walking miracle.’ And ‘This event really strengthened my faith.’ But I felt nothing. No walks in heaven when I was in the coma and no deep spiritual awakening when I woke up.
It took a very wise woman to say, ‘Maybe this wasn’t about you. Maybe God is working through you.’ Ouch. That had never occurred to me. Unfortunately, that revelation did not spark a renewed desire to speak to God, or to go into His word. I remained an island unto myself. I retreated into a corner to lick my wounds. To avoid spiritual small talk, I started ignoring people. I would walk into church with my head down.
God had effectively stripped away all the good things I was doing for Him. I had not even realized how all my thoughts and desires for God was stemming from my head and not my heart. Now I was naked with nothing to show for my efforts.
Now, back to today’s story. At the retreat, we gathered in a room to discuss the day’s plan. We would go somewhere where we could meet God in the stillness of ourselves. Scripture reading, journaling, even drawing was suggested methods of connecting with Him. As I was leaving the classroom to start my retreat, I heard ‘Matthew 7.11’ in my head. It was quite audible. I was convinced it was I doing the thinking, and I tried not to get my hopes up. I thought, ‘I’m sure it’s some passage like, ‘Jesus was out walking the streets.’
When I read the verse, the word ‘will’ spoke to my heart. Immediately I thought about will being a word to describe the action of willingness to do something. You have to be willing in order to give. Otherwise, it is forcing as the action. This passage tells me that God is willing to be an active force in my life. He has the natural tendency and the sufficiency to meet me right where I am. And He is extremely capable and persistent at pursuing me even when I avoid Him.
So, my next thought is, What am I willing to give Him in return? Can I really trust Him with my heart? Trust Him to take away all the hurts inflicted by those who abused me and those who were complacent abandoners? Am I willing to trust that He is right beside me every step of the way? Most importantly, can I be willing to hand over the pain so that He might seek vengeance for me? Can I dare take a chance to believe He will not be another one who has let me down?
The writer Henri Nouwen said, “Faith is the radical trust that home has always been there and always will be there.” Am I willing to abandon my service for my love?
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51.12
“If anyone is (willing) chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” John 7.17
And I finish for now with the word of the great Saint Augustine; “Understanding is the reward of faith…What is, ‘If any man be willing to do His will?’ It is the same thing as to believe.
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