tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69154071736809550322024-03-21T13:08:36.993-04:00The Brightness of His PresenceJenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.comBlogger359125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-58321389911088202972014-08-08T20:11:00.000-04:002014-08-08T20:11:30.468-04:00Today My Heart BreaksBe warned - this is a mommy post. <br />
<br />
Today my son started middle school. Ahhh . . . junior high, that lovely time between childhood dependance and high school freedom where everyone is awkward, everyone tries to hide it, and everyone is unsuccessful. <br />
<br />
I cried. I waited until he was gone, out of the car, in the building, on his way to class. I watched as he found his friend, hearing the cackles of their laughter as they made their way up the stairs, and I turned my head, and I cried. <br />
<br />
I didn't cry because I was sad. I didn't cry because I was scared. I didn't cry because I was worried.<br />
<br />
I prayed as we drove away from the school. I prayed for courage for him and I prayed for peace for me. Usually, when I pray for peace, it comes instantly. In fact, I usually just speak the word peace, and peace comes.<br />
<br />
But not today. Today the tears spilled from my eyes, no matter how hard I tried to contain them. I continued to talk to the Lord, telling him that I knew he was taking care of my son, that he was in control, that he was with us all the time, that he loved us more than we could possibly understand - that he loves my son more than I could.<br />
<br />
Yet still the tears came. I asked the Lord to take them away, and I felt like he said, "Why? Your tears are fine. Your tears are a reflection of your heart. Let them come."<br />
<br />
And so I did. And then peace came. <br />
<br />
My Father used my role as a mother to be my Father today. I know that seems like a rolling sentence, but it's true. As I sat in the car, trying to name my emotions, realizing that I wasn't sad or scared or worried, I finally came to see - these emotions, this stuff - it's just being a parent. It's love.<br />
<br />
This love is a product of all you've worked on with your child. It's equal parts hope and exasperation. It's laughter and tears - sometimes at the same time. This love is both healing and cleansing, celebration and joy, discipline and strength.<br />
<br />
And as much as I hate the cliche - this love is having your heart beat outside of your body. It's watching your child go forth, and thinking - there goes my life. It's your heart breaking, as he takes on new risks, meets new people, tries new things. <br />
<br />
I've heard people say, when dealing with a broken bone - "It's a good break." I always thought that was a weird thing to say. I get what they mean - if you have to break a bone, this was a good way to do it. It'll heal well, be good as new, stronger than ever. But still - a good break?<br />
<br />
Today I get it. Today my heart broke a little. But it's a good break. It'll heal well, be good as new, be stronger than ever. <br />
<br />
And I'll probably still cry.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-77781355741423432222014-08-06T08:59:00.002-04:002014-08-06T09:04:24.804-04:00Questions That Need To Be AskedAh . . . questions . . .<br />
<br />
Questions fill our days, fill our minds. Questions can either drive us crazy when they seem unanswerable or they can stretch our reality when the answer challenges our norms. <br />
<br />
I love questions. I love discussion. I even love questions that can't be answered - because I love the gift that comes with it.<br />
<br />
It's the gift of wonderment. You know wonderment - that strange emotion that combines puzzling, dizzying, surprising thoughts, swirling and spiraling, pushing boundaries, lifting limits. The gift of wonderment is the gift of "what if?" What if . . .<br />
<br />
What if I'm wrong and he's right? What if there are aliens? What if something bad happens? What if . . . ? <br />
<br />
Questions are both fulfilling and draining. Questions are about lifting up and breaking down. Questions create calm and wreak havoc.<br />
<br />
Questions are around us everyday, but because they have the potential to disturb our carefully crafted and cautiously guarded peace, we often stuff them down, as if not addressing the questions will kill the questions themselves.<br />
<br />
I have found that questions never really go away. In a moment of quiet, in a moment when our defenses are down, the questions rise up. As Christians, we will sometimes give Satan completely undue credit - as if questions are a trick of the enemy. Can they be used against us? Of course. Satan will try to use every good thing against us!<br />
<br />
But what if we embraced our questions, head on, as a gift from God instead of a scheme of Satan? What if God wants us to ask questions? What if He is inviting the questions?<br />
<br />
What if we really explored the question - what it means, why we are asking - to get to the bottom of our need?<br />
<br />
God - listen to me now - God has REALLY BIG SHOULDERS. Your questions don't hurt his feelings or ruffle his feathers. The God who can hold all the waters of the earth in the palm of his hand, who can measure all the galaxies of space with his fingers - this God is not offended by your questions.<br />
<br />
So ask them. Ask him, the Author of Truth, the one whose name is Faithful and True - ask him your questions. And then look - look for the answers.<br />
<br />
Ask why - why did he leave? Why did she die? Why am I lonely?<br />
Ask who - who are you God? Who are you really? For heaven's sake - who am I?<br />
Ask what - what is the meaning of all this? What were you thinking?<br />
Ask when - when will I get what I'm asking for? When will I find what I need? When will I have peace?<br />
Ask where - where are you? Where were you when I was hurting?<br />
<br />
Ask all the questions. Wrestle with them. Be prepared to not like the answers. Be prepared to know God in a whole new way.<br />
<br />
Be prepared to love God in a whole new way.<br />
<br />
God is not afraid of your questions. He's not afraid of you at all! The truth is, you are the one who is afraid. You are afraid you'll make God mad. That you are risking eternity. That you are risking everything. You are afraid that you won't like the answer. You are afraid that there won't be an answer.<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, is the scheme of Satan. Convincing you to hide your true self from the one who made you. Convincing you to build a wall between you and God. Convincing you to settle for less than true, intimate fellowship with our one true love.<br />
<br />
You may not have questions. Great! You may not know what your questions are, because you have stiffled them for so long. That's ok. Go somewhere quiet, be alone, and just let your thoughts flow.<br />
<br />
The questions will come.<br />
And that's ok. <br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-86618558726231532872014-07-03T09:17:00.003-04:002014-07-04T20:20:23.976-04:00Innocence LostMy husband and I took our man-child to see a movie this week. We are on vacation, visiting friends, and had some time to kill before our next outing. A movie, we thought. Buttery popcorn, fantasy action, and most importantly on a hot summer day - air conditioning!<br>
<br>
I usually research movies we see, checking on the appropriateness of the content and language. I don't want to poison my child's mind, let alone mine! But in the last few months, I've been very lax about doing it. And today . . .<br>
<br>
The very first word of the movie was a cuss word. I cringed, looked at Samuel, and he looked up at me with big eyes. <br>
<br>
I should have left right then. Should have insisted, should have been willing to run the risk of everyone being mad at me. I should have been willing to be called a prude. Because the language got worse and worse, until it finally culminated, toward the end, in the F-word. <br>
<br>
There's a reason it's referred to as the f bomb. Because that word exploded in my mind and in my heart, and with dread I once again looked at Samuel, and he looked at me with VERY big eyes. I covered my face with my hands in shame, fought back tears, and prayed for forgiveness and for protection for my baby's heart. <br>
<br>
But we stayed and finished the movie.<br>
<br>
I am so ashamed of that fact. .<br>
<br>
Walking out of the theater, I asked Samuel about the word. At first he tried to play it cool - he is 11, after all - but when I reminded him that I saw his face . . . Yes, he said. He heard it. No, he had never heard it before, although he had heard of it.<br>
<br>
I started to cry. In public. In the parking lot. My little man grabbed my hand - right there in front of everyone - and said, it's ok, mom. <br>
<br>
But it's not ok. <br>
<br>
Romans 12 says to hate what is evil and cling to what is good. The Message version puts it this way: <span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084">"Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good." </span><div><br></div><div>I am concerned that I - part of church, the bride of Christ - am not disgusted by sin. I am concerned that I am not repelled by sin. I am concerned that sin is so easy to see in the world that at times I don't even notice it. </div><div><br></div><div>I am concerned that I do not run for dear life. I<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084"> am so ashamed of that fact. </span><br>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084"><br></span>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084">Innocence is like a huge slab of marble, waiting to be chipped away, like a sculpture. No piece that is taken away can be put back on. Innocence cannot be regenerated. Once it is gone, it's gone. You may read this story, and think - sheesh. Dial it down a bit. It's one word. </span><br>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084"><br></span>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084">And I say, it's one word that is now in his mind. A word that has no redeeming value, a word that is meant to shock, a word whose very character is reprehensible. </span><br>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084"><br></span>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084">Here's what I think - why would I allow anything into my child's life that we don't do or use or say at home? We don't say certain words, we don't do certain things - and we don't do those things on purpose. So why oh why would I ever want to expose an innocent heart and mind to them? </span><br>
<span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084"><br></span><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10" id="en-MSG-12084">Sometimes I think that we as Christians think that exposure to sin is unavoidable. While I don't purposefully teach that - in my home or in my ministry - am I teaching that with my actions? If I tell my child that sin is a choice but don't take a stand about sin in our lives... What is the real lesson? </span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10"><br></span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10">Some sin is unavoidable, if we are going to live and work in this world. But we certainly don't need to seek it out. We don't need to accept it as normal. And we definitely don't need to let it into our homes, hearts and minds. </span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10"><br></span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10">I am ashamed I didn't take a stand that day. I wish I could show my son that God's way is worth standing up for. All I can do now is be prepared for next time. </span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10"><br></span></div><div><span class="text Rom-12-9-Rom-12-10">Because I am sure there will be a next time. </span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-86320715134450033972014-06-24T08:27:00.002-04:002014-06-24T08:27:53.693-04:00Please forgive me for not having written in awhile. And please forgive me for what I'm writing today. This is about tennis, but if you know me - tennis is life!<br />
<br />
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<![endif]-->My son once asked me, “Why do you love tennis so much?” <br /><br />Why? <br /><br />Because . . .<br /><br />Tennis is art. Tennis is beauty. Tennis is life. It is grace with strength, elegance with power, sophistication with might. A strange juxtaposition of seeming opposites that, when fused together in this particular game of sport, create perfect poetry in motion. <br /><br />Tennis asks the grand questions of life: will you commit? Will you stay motivated? Will you respond? Will you be invincible? Will you play each point like your future depends on it? Will you get back up when you fall down? Will you serve again when you double fault? Will you win the next point when you lost the last?<br /><br />Will you persevere, or will you give up?<br /><br />Tennis reveals your character. It is one against one. If you lose, if you double fault, if you hit the ball long, it’s no one else’s fault but your own. Tennis reveals your drive. You are offense and defense, in the same game, at the same time, as the same player. Tennis reveals your preparation. It is practicing the same stroke, the same swing, again and again and again. Tennis reveals your work ethic. Because trophies are won when no one is watching, day after day, practice after practice. Alone.<br /><br />Tennis is mental toughness. Tennis is emotional isolation. Tennis is staggering seclusion. Just you and your opponent. No coaches calling a time out, no substitutions for fatigue. An epic struggle engaged by two warriors with everything to gain AND everything to lose. It is a battle between two soldiers that involves the world; multiple countries represented in a single match. The audience reacts in appreciation, from subdued whispers to triumphant shouts. The crowd cheers, the crowd jeers. The nations unite, oooing and ahhing at precise baselines and thunderous serves. <br /><br />Tennis is overcoming fear – not of your opponent, but your own flaws and failures. Tennis is overcoming your limits – digging deep when you are tired and hurting. Tennis is overcoming the pain – the bleeding fingers and the blistered toes and the sore muscles and the pulled hamstrings. <br />Tennis is action and reaction. It is proactive and reactive. It is massive. It is small. It is the huge gesture, and the smallest detail. <br /><br />Tennis is balletic. Tennis is athletic. Tennis is magnetic.<br /> <br />Tennis is life. And that’s why I love it so much. <br /><br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-12554649616872843252014-05-14T09:47:00.002-04:002014-05-14T09:47:24.339-04:00"It's Happening!"I had the best dream this morning, just before I woke up.<br />
<br />
Best. Dream. Ever.<br />
<br />
I dreamed I was in some kind of open-ended pavilion. I was working on an event, standing at a high table, looking at floor maps and seating arrangements. I was standing with a friend, Chris Davis, discussing where we were going to put people. Another friend, Jen Smith, walked up and handed me a couple of voucher slips for payment. I very much remember that one was for $10, and it was marked, "payment for services rendered." The other one was a reimbursement for $7 (from the Dollar Tree!). Jen wanted me to see the vouchers - apparently she was in charge of the budget for the event! I remember saying, I don't need the payment, but I'll take the reimbursement. And she said, I'll take care of it and walked away. Chris and I went back to working on the floor plan for our event.<br />
<br />
About that time I looked out the end of the pavilion and glanced up at the sky. The sky was blue - beautiful, pure blue, like the most perfect summer day. There were clouds racing across the sky, swirling and changing, but not in a frightening way. <br />
<br />
I started to say, hey, look at those clouds, they look like -<br />
<br />
And then suddenly I realized they didn't look like . . . they were!<br />
<br />
They were taking the form of turrets on a castle, but in my dream mind I was thinking the word spires. Chris and Jen and I ran out of the pavilion, and I said:<br />
<br />
It's happening!<br />
<br />
Pure white clouds were chasing each other into view, but they weren't just clouds. They were taking the form of a city, in the sky, all around us. We stood there, transfixed, smiles as wide as miles on our faces. Suddenly I looked up to my right, and saw people being formed out of the clouds, stepping down into rows and rows and rows. Some were angels, some were people, and they stood around us - in the air, on invisible risers, it seemed. <br />
<br />
I thought, the Great Cloud of Witnesses!<br />
<br />
I looked at one woman in the sky. She had long hair, pulled up in a bun, and layers of beautiful white robes. She looked down at me and smiled. I waved, feeling very foolish for doing so, but she chuckled and waved back. <br />
<br />
All the people I saw in the sky were moving while standing still. I don't know how to describe it adequately. They were formed of clouds - pure, white, bright clouds. Just as clouds move and form in the heavens, so were the clouds within the people moving. They were all smiling, expectant, loving. <br />
<br />
There was a city forming behind them, also made of clouds. Buildings, houses. Even trees. Bright, dazzling, pure white. <br />
<br />
Everything - people, angels, buildings - were waiting for something. Waiting for something to happen. Happy, joyful - like children on Christmas morning. I waited and watched with them, hoping to see what they were seeing, and what they were waiting for.<br />
<br />
And then I woke up. <br />
<br />
So I looked up the verse in Hebrews about the great cloud of witnesses, and suddenly I knew what the people were expecting:<span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214"> </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text Heb-12-1" id="en-NIV-30214">Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us
run with perseverance the race marked out for us, <i><b>fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer</b></i></span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215"><i><b> and perfecter of faith.</b></i> For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and <i><b>sat down at the right hand of the throne of God</b></i>. (12:1-2)</span></blockquote>
I can't wait to see that throne, and my God, and my Jesus, and that city, and those witnesses. <br />
<br />
Best. Dream. Ever.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-33771589677005982822014-05-04T14:57:00.000-04:002014-05-04T14:57:05.376-04:00I Worshiped God TodayI worshiped God today.<br />
<br />
It's Sunday. The Lord's day. The day I always go to church. The day I always worship. The day I lead. The day I serve. The day I sing. <br />
<br />
The problem was . . . I didn't feel it today. I didn't feel like worshiping, I didn't feel like leading, I didn't feel like serving. I didn't feel like singing. I didn't feel anything today. <br />
<br />
First thing this morning, I had a "preteen" issue at home. As soon as I got to church, I had doubts about my top and felt self-conscious. In Sunday School, I ripped my skirt. After class, I realized an event I had planned for tomorrow wasn't going to work and I was going to have to cancel. By the time I got to the platform to sing with the praise team, I was done. <br />
<br />
But even without all that, I didn't feel it. I didn't have that excitement to go to church like a normally do. I didn't want to see my friends and family, fellowship with each other while we fellowship with God. I just didn't want any of it. <br />
<br />
And so I worshiped God today. <br />
<br />
I have this spot that I like to look at when I sing at church. It's up to my right, where the wall meets the ceiling. I like to imagine that the roof of the church opens up, the clouds roll back, and it's just me and God, face to face. I am often able to block out everyone and everything, and just focus on him. Intimate worship, just God and me. <br />
<br />
But not today. I couldn't block anything out. I couldn't compartmentalize. Emotionally I felt dull. Mentally I felt tired. Spiritually I felt drained. I even felt strange physically. So what did I do?<br />
<br />
I worshiped God today. Anyway.<br />
<br />
I closed my eyes. I raised my hands. I focused on him. But I didn't <i>feel </i>different. I didn't get emotional and break down in tears. I didn't have a moment of mental clarity. I didn't receive some spiritual call. Absolutely nothing changed. And nothing has changed still.<br />
<br />
Yet I worshiped God today. <br />
<br />
Worshiping <i>only </i>when I feel like it puts the emphasis on me. And that's backwards. Worshiping <i>in order</i> to feel better also puts the emphasis on me. Also backwards. Whether or not we worship has nothing to do with us. It's only about him - God. We worship because he is worthy. We worship because we need to. We worship because we are told to. We worship because we have no other choice. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote0" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>Praise the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>! <br />
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -48pt;">
Praise the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote1" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>from the heavens; </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -16pt;">
praise him <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote2" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>in the heights! </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -48pt;">
Praise him, all his angels; </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -16pt;">
praise him, all his <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote3" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>hosts! </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 12pt 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -48pt;">
<span style="font-size: 80%; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span>Praise him, sun and moon, </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -16pt;">
praise him, all you shining stars! </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -48pt;">
Praise him, you <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote4" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>highest heavens, </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -16pt;">
and you <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote5" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>waters above the heavens! </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 12pt 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -48pt;">
<span style="font-size: 80%; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span><a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote6" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>Let them praise the name of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>! </div>
<div class="lang-en" style="font-size: 1em; margin: 0 0 0 48pt; text-indent: -16pt;">
For <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote7" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>he commanded and they were created. </div>
<span style="font-size: 80%; font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span>And he <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote8" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>established them forever and ever; he gave <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote9" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>a decree, and it shall not <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Psalm%20148.1-10#footnote10" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-style: italic; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>pass away. Psalm 148-1-6 </blockquote>
<br />
I worshiped God today. I didn't feel like it. But I worshiped. Not because he encourages it, but because he commands it. Not because he needs it, but because I need it. Not because of who I am, but because of who he is.<br />
<br />
I worshiped God today.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-78081744482679378812014-05-01T20:56:00.001-04:002014-05-01T20:56:57.590-04:00All of MeI had to have some medical tests today. <br />
<br />
This morning I dropped my son off to school, like normal, and decided to go to my favorite diner and have my favorite breakfast (rye toast, bacon, fried potatoes) and play my current favorite phone game (Bubble Worlds). I guess I was trying to busy myself. I wasn't worried, I was trusting God that He would take care of me, whether the test was positive or negative.<br />
<br />
The radio was playing at the diner, and though I usually tune stuff out, I heard the song "All of Me" by John Legend came on. It's a beautiful song, very simple - just one voice and a piano. I don't listen to the radio much, but I've heard it before, and I really like it. The chorus goes like this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
'Cause all of me<br />
Loves all of you<br />
Love your curves and all your edges<br />
All your perfect imperfections<br />
Give your all to me<br />
I'll give my all to you<br />
You're my end and my beginning<br />
Even when I lose I'm winning<br />
'Cause I give you all of me<br />
And you give me all of you, oh</blockquote>
Pretty, right? Sweet, loving...<br />
<br />
Fast forward to an hour later. I'm laying on an examination table, watching my ultrasound on the computer screen. Of course, I don't know what I'm looking at, so I was just kind of praying, kind of thinking. All of a sudden, I became a little scared. Then I got a little angry with myself for being scared. A tear trickled down my cheek.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, the Lord spoke the words of the song to me: "All of me loves all of you." And the fear vanished.<br />
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
You may think I'm crazy, believing that God would use some man's love song to his wife to comfort me. I'm totally ok with you thinking that. I know the moment, and nothing will ever change it for me.<br />
<br />
I started to think about God's love for me. I started to think about him singing over me, like it says in Zephaniah 3:17: <span class="text Zeph-3-17">"He will take great delight in you;</span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Zeph-3-17">in his love he will no longer rebuke you,</span></span> <span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"></span><span class="text Zeph-3-17">but will rejoice over you with singing." I thought about just what it meant for all of God to love all of me. God. Me. The great big, immortal, massive, King of Kings, Creator of the Universe, Lover of my soul, unshakeable, impenetrable, unchangeable - that God loves me. All of the facets of his character love me. Everything he is . . . loves me.</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">Loves all of me. The good stuff. The bad stuff. The strengths. The weaknesses. The rights. The wrongs. The past. The future. The ugly. The beautiful. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">Just soak in that for a minute, and then say with me . . . wow. </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">I wasn't afraid anymore. No matter the diagnosis, no matter the outcome, God loves me. God. Loves. Me. And he loves you! That is truth, and truth is what sets us free. What is there to ever be afraid of, when the one who spoke the world into being wants to rejoice over me? Sing over me? Take delight in me? </span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">What does that say about him, and what does it say about me?</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">My test results came back fine. No problems. But problems <i>will </i>come, in all of our lives, and the truth will still be the same. All of God loves all of me. That knowledge should change me, make me bold, strong, courageous. No earthly circumstances can change the eternal truth:</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17"><br /></span></span>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Zeph-3-17">God loves me. </span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-9534233959050993182014-04-17T21:53:00.002-04:002014-04-18T09:44:48.625-04:00The Problem With Church, Part 2<p dir="ltr">In my last post I discussed imperfections of the modern church.  There are many. There always have been, because the church is simply made up of people - fallen, broken, sinful people. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Today I'd like to talk about the other side of church. I've had many people say to me, "I won't/My husband/mother/son won't come to church because people there are liars/hypocrites/judgmental." </p>
<p dir="ltr">My response is, yes... And which one of those are you? </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm intrigued by a world that both demands and represses the influence of the church on society. I hear things like, if the church would just do more/do less in the world, there would be no hunger or war or abuse.  If the church would just do good, bad things wouldn't happen. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I get that. And I don't disagree with it.  But here's the thing. To my knowledge, I don't know any ax murderers or pedophiles or sadists.  Most of the people who would have these discussions with me obey the law, pay their taxes, love their kids.  They are good people. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So my question to them is, why aren't you doing good things? If the church isn't ending hunger, war and abuse, what's stopping you? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Just because the church - remember, a group of fallen, faulty people - isn't doing what you think it should, doesn't give you an excuse to not do good yourself! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Yesterday, I told the church to grow up.  Today, I say the same thing to the world. If you are of reasonable age and intellect, you have surely figured out that life doesn't exist for you.  Life will continue, even if you are angry.  Or bitter. Or hypocritical. Because you are, you know.  All the things you accuse the church of - I'll bet you are those things too. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Because we all are.  The Bible even says that -  we are all sinners.  And yet, it also says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Whether you accept him or not. Whether you believe it or not. Your belief doesn't change the facts. </p>
<p dir="ltr">I don't disagree that the church should be held to a higher standard. But not by you! Only God can judge the church. And he will one day, believe me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">There's a quote that I love by George Bernard Shaw.  (The entire thing is on the left side of this blog page.)  "This is the true joy in life — being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."  Shaw isn't discussing Christianity or faith or church attendance. In fact, until he was about 30 years old he considered himself an atheist. Then he became a mystic.  (No clue. Don't even ask me, because I have no idea.)  </p>
<p dir="ltr">Shaw isn't writing about being a better Christian. He's talking about being a better <i>person.</i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">So for those of you who have sworn off church - are you a force of nature or a clod of ailments? Have you allowed your distaste for the church to turn you into a religious vigilante, someone who chooses not to believe but won't let others have the same choice? </p>
<p dir="ltr">The church isn't perfect. People aren't perfect. You aren't, I'm not. (This is where you are supposed to gasp in disbelief.)  And get this - we aren't supposed to be perfect. </p>
<p dir="ltr">That stupid saying about Christians not being perfect, just forgiven? It's stinking true! I gave up a long time ago. I don't even try to be perfect. Not for a second. I just wallow in forgiveness. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Give church another chance. Try faith again. You've learned so many lessons on what not to do... Think of how your life, your past, your shortcomings could influence the church for good! </p>
<p dir="ltr">The church isn't a building. It is a collection of people - people who, on any given day, are hurting or grieving or angry or bitter. People who are massively, wonderfully imperfect. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Just like you. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Give church another chance. And if you need help along the way, give me a call. We can be wonderfully imperfect together. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Now that's church. </p>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-40350389476213900702014-04-17T11:41:00.001-04:002014-04-17T11:41:56.157-04:00The Problem With Church<p dir="ltr">I've gone round and round in my mind and with God about the purpose of and problem with church.  While I know the bible teaches the importance of joining together on a regular basis (see Hebrews 10:25), being a part of a faith community is <i>hard.</i> </p>
<p dir="ltr">And why? When I look at the description of the early church in Acts 2, I feel... What do I feel?  Sad? Jealous? Frustrated? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Yes! And yes and yes! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Look at the description of these believers:</p>
<p dir="ltr">All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:44-47 </p>
<p dir="ltr">Why isn't the church the same way today? Frankly, because the church is simply people, and people are faulty.  (I made a conscious effort to not say stupid. But that's true too.) </p>
<p dir="ltr">Today we are so far removed from the Cross that we are not hungry for Christ. We are not desperate to hear about him, to talk about him, to think about him.  We take the whole thing for granted. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Look at the scripture again. It's important that the first sentence says they "were together."  You could easily miss this statement, skipping right over the significance, but I beg you not to. </p>
<p dir="ltr">How often do we blow right through church? In comparison, how often do we stay, sitting around, talking, laughing, sharing?  Or do we treat it as one of a thousand items on our checklist of things to do on any given Sunday? </p>
<p dir="ltr">The next statement says that the believers had "everything in common."  Oh. My. Word.  I'm so weird I have very little in common with anyone!  I have often prayed to meet people who are like me, so that I wouldn't feel so abnormal.  I can't imagine having everything in common with someone. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Is this a modern problem? Are we living in a disjointed age, where finding something in common with others is rare at best, impossible at worst? And to find people I have everything in common with? Ummm... No.  I don't think that person exists. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But maybe having everything in common isn't about <i>my </i>interests. Maybe it's about <i>His </i>interests.  Maybe having everything in common has nothing to do with me! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Ouch.  I thought everything had to do with me. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Ouch again. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's look deeper.  The early church met together daily. In the church. In their homes. They <i>lived life</i> together, every day.  They ate together, sang together. </p>
<p dir="ltr">They praised God together. <br>
Every. Stinking. Day. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So what? What does this mean for us, two millennium later, 7,000 miles away, billions of people removed from that moment?  Is it possible to have church that way today? </p>
<p dir="ltr">If you're in Africa, yes.  If you live in China, yes. If you live in any country or area where church is hard instead of easy, then yes. It is possible. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We make church too easy. We sacrifice nothing to be there. We complain about spending too much time there.  We find excuses to be away, instead of searching for reasons to be there.  It's something we <i>have</i> to do, not something we <i>get</i> to do. </p>
<p dir="ltr">If only we hungered and thirsted after righteousness. If only we were desperate for a moment with Christ. If only we were willing to risk our social standing, our <u>reputation</u>, our very lives just to touch the hem of his garment. </p>
<p dir="ltr">What is wrong with church today? </p>
<p dir="ltr">We are. </p>
<p dir="ltr">We are the bride of Christ.  Brides breathlessly anticipate their wedding day, preparing even the smallest detail, trying to make everything perfect. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Brides don't gather a group of people in the foyer, gossiping.  They don't stand in a corner, hoping that <i>that person </i>doesn't see them so that they won't have to talk.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">Brides don't waste their time on things that don't matter. Every single detail of their lives - for months - is building up to the day when they see their groom, face to face, in a way they have never seen him before. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Know this. I am talking to myself and about myself. But know this, also.  I'm talking about you, too.  It's time to grow up!  </p>
<p dir="ltr">No wonder people aren't beating down the doors of the church.  If what you have doesn't change you, doesn't change your heart, your actions, your mindset - why would anyone else want it? </p>
<p dir="ltr">I'm putting these thoughts out here as plainly as I can. <i><b>Jesus is coming soon.  We don't have much time left.  </b></i>I don't want any of us to miss it. Nor do I want us to miss the opportunity to take someone with us. </p>
<p dir="ltr">What is the problem with church? You are.  I am.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's change that. </p>
<p dir="ltr">"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV</p>
<p dir="ltr">Let's humble ourselves. Pray.  Seek his face.  Hunger for him. Thirst for him.  Be desperate for him.  </p>
<p dir="ltr">I want to go to <i>church.</i>  I want to <i>be</i> the church!  And I want it today! </p>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-52955907967025772042014-04-15T09:34:00.000-04:002014-04-15T09:34:09.367-04:00What Does Judas Have to Teach Us?Yesterday, at the end of my Isaiah bible study, I read out of John chapter 12, the story of Mary pouring perfume over Jesus' feet. We had been studying Isaiah 30-31, which contains Messiah prophecies, and with this being Holy Week, I didn't want to miss an opportunity to talk about what the days of this week mean to us.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text John-12-1">Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.</span> <span class="text John-12-2" id="en-NIV-26583">Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.</span> <span class="text John-12-3" id="en-NIV-26584">Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.</span> </blockquote>
Although I have known this particular story forever, something really stood out to me yesterday. After Mary poured out the oil, wiping Jesus' feet with her hair, Judas Iscariot complained. "That money could have been better spent!"<br /><br />Now we know that Judas didn't care about the poor. John minces no words - he was a thief. The perfumed oil was worth a year's wages. I imagine Judas dreaming about what he could have done with that money, if only it was used "properly." <br />
<br />
And so I got to thinking . . . am I like Mary? Or am I like Judas?<br />
<br />
What if this story happened today? What if one person wanted to pour their whole lives out to Christ? Would there be another one standing by who would criticize? Come on. Let's be honest. Of course there would be someone criticizing. The question is, which one are you?<br />
<br />
It's easy for the modern Christian to dismiss Judas as evil or even possessed. We cannot imagine identifying with someone like him. But . . .<br />
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Let's think this through . . .<br />
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Are you robbing from God? And I'm not even talking about the easiest option, money. Let's put that aside. Are you holding something back from him? Your time? Your abilities? Your attitudes? Are you holding onto something instead of allowing him to take it, wash it, transform it?<br />
<br />
I have a sneaking suspicion that the spirit of Judas is alive and well in many a church today. In many a Christian. Whether you will admit it or not, many of us <u><b>are</b></u><b> </b>like him - complaining about decisions, holding ourselves back, twisting our very hearts from the truth. <br />
<br />
I want to be like Mary.<br />
<br />
I want to pour myself out for Him, allowing the very truth of His presence to permeate my life. I want my home, my life, to be filled with the fragrant perfume of His love, living in me. <br />
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I know I fall short of that, so often. I'm so easily irritated, so very willing to complain when things around me are not handled the way I think they should be. I'd better face facts - I complain when things are not handled my way. <br />
<br />
My way . . .<br />
<br />
Is that where the seeds of rebellion began to take root in Judas' heart and life? Did he have a "my way or the highway" attitude? <br />
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Do you? <br />
<br />
This Easter week, spend some time in prayerful reflection. If you will look internally with Spirit-filled eyes, I believe that you, like me, will find some ugliness inside. An attitude, a belief, or even an outright sin. You have tried to hide it, to pretend it isn't there. But it is there, and anything that you withhold from God influences you. Even when you try to pretend it isn't there. <br />
<br />
I want to be like Mary. I want to pour out my life as a fragrant offering for my Savior. Today, I want to allow Christ to cleanse me of any part of me that may be like Judas. Anything that will allow seeds of rebellion to take root in my heart.<br />
<br />
Will you join me in this prayer? Lord, cleanse me today. Make me new. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a steadfast spirit in me. Pour your Holy Spirit over my life. Especially this week, as I reflect on all this Easter may have in store for me, take me and use me. Amen. <br />
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<br />
<br />
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-35266732449511402822014-04-05T23:08:00.001-04:002014-04-05T23:08:56.849-04:00But God... <p dir="ltr">I recently went to a women's retreat in Wisconsin. It was an amazing, Spirit-filled, intimate time of worship. There is a phrase from the retreat that keeps coming back to me, again and again. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But God. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sometimes we think that the pages of our lives have already been written. We believe that because of our heritage, or our upbringing, or our surroundings, our destiny has been sealed. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, to believe that means that God has no power to interfere - and the power to interfere is a mighty one. </p>
<p dir="ltr">If we had no hope but to be exactly what we are today... </p>
<p dir="ltr">The addict would have no hope of recovery. <br>
The grieving would have no hope of restoration. <br>
The lost would have no hope of redemption. </p>
<p dir="ltr">That list could go on and on. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Belief is also a mighty power. And we have the ability to choose to believe that God wants to interfere in our lives. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But God... </p>
<p dir="ltr">I was sick with addiction - but God. <br>
I was wallowing in grief - but God. <br>
I was lost with no hope - but God. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Do you have a belief about yourself or about your life that keeps you from moving forward, from moving closer to God? Are you inwardly, perhaps even secretly, longing for God to interfere with your life? </p>
<p dir="ltr">Are you feeling unwanted? But God... <br>
Are you feeling unloved? But God... <br>
Are you feeling unprotected? But God... </p>
<p dir="ltr">It doesn't matter if you are from the wrong side of the tracks. Or if you have committed the most grievous of sins. Or if you feel as though you've lost your way and can't get back. Or if you are doubting, questioning, faltering. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But God. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Sometimes God will come slamming across your life like a hurricane, violently and unwanted. And sometimes he waits quietly. He whispers. He woos. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But God. </p>
<p dir="ltr">May I give you some advice? Look for ways God is trying to interfere. Listen for his whispers. Let him do what he does. </p>
<p dir="ltr">But God... Those are beautiful words. </p>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-13089194794693519302014-04-01T16:46:00.001-04:002014-04-01T16:46:20.934-04:00Lavish UpdateWhen this year began, I wanted to choose a word that I would strive to focus on for the next twelve months. If you have been reading this blog, you know I chose the word "lavish" and I've been working on ways to lavish all kinds of things on my family, my friends, and the people around me.<br />
<br />
Something amazingly unexpected has happened.<br />
<br />
My goal was to make the lives of others richer, fuller. My goal was to lavish on others the way God has lavished on me. His love, his attention, his kindness, his grace . . . the list of his gifts to me goes on and on. I honestly expected that I would work hard to be a blessing to others and their lives would be changed. <br />
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Who do I think I am?<br />
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I don't think I have changed anyone's life. And suddenly it doesn't matter. Because you know what? <i>I'm the one who is changed!</i><br />
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I have been radically, almost violently, blessed this year. I mean, in a way that totally interferes with my life and my space and my outlook - blessed. Knock my socks off blessed. Can't wrap my mind around it blessed. Don't understand it blessed.<br />
<br />
Blessed. <br />
<br />
I thought I could lavish on others. Instead, others have been lavishing on me! It gets better and better every day. They've been pointing me to Christ, showing me how he showers on me - his love, his attention, his kindness, his grace . . .<br />
<br />
An immediate, hindering thought occurs. I've had a some hurts this year. Some knock downs. Some punches. What about those? What's amazing is this - the more I think about his gifts, the more I don't think about the hurts. His gifts are greater than anything in the world. <br />
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His love, his attention, his kindness, his grace . . .<br />
<br />
The list goes on and on. <br />
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Thank you, God, for lavishing on me. Thank you for using people, people who showed me warmth and acceptance and . . . love, attention, kindness, grace . . . the list goes on and on. All these gifts that you give freely, you often give through others. So use me, please? Let me try - just try - to bless others half as much as you've blessed me. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-28686693147541361872014-03-22T10:53:00.000-04:002014-03-22T10:53:20.253-04:00A Letter to My Daughter-In-LawI have one son, who is 11. Clearly, then, I don't have a daughter-in-law. In fact, I'm one of those mothers who discourages the whole "boyfriend/girlfriend" thing - in elementary school. And I'll do it in middle school. And I'll probably do it in high school. My idea is, only date someone you'd marry. And if you are too young to think about marriage, you are too young to think about dating.<br />
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Sounds old-fashioned, I know.<br />
I'm okay with that.<br />
<br />
But I know my daughter-in-law is out there, somewhere. And in 20 years, when they are preparing to get married (I know, he'll be 31 . . . I can dream) - I hope the letter below still exists, and she'll read it, knowing I was thinking about her.<br />
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There are some things I want her to know. Some things I wanted to write down, in case in 20 years I'm senile - or gone. I want her to know that I've been preparing for her. So here goes:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Dear Daughter,</i><br />
<br />
Oh, how I am praying for you. Perhaps we know each other, now - or perhaps we've not met. Either way, I'm praying for you. <br />
<br />
I'm praying that you are being raised in a holy home by parents who shower you with affection and blessing. I'm praying that your mother models for you biblical femininity. I'm praying that your father protects you with a fierce love that only daddies can offer. I'm praying they teach you the Bible and the ways of the Lord, and they tell you every day how much they love you, and how much God loves you, too.<br />
<br />
I pray that your home is filled with love, with laughter, with creativity, with joy. I pray you feel safe in your home, free with your parents, strong in their love. I pray that you sense you have a special calling, a destiny waiting to be fulfilled.<br />
<br />
If you don't have those things . . . I pray that God protects your heart from hardness, your mind from decay, and your body from harm. I hope you are able to remain tender and soft, loving and kind. No matter what is happening now or has happened to you in your life - God loves you. He has always loved you, he will always love you, and even when you haven't felt him, He was there. <br />
<br />
In addition to praying for you, I also promise you this: I am doing my part to make your husband the man you want and need. He already does his own laundry and cooks. You may not realize just how amazing that is! He is independent and likes doing things on his own. I can only pray that continues as he becomes a teenager and young man!<br />
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I am teaching him to honor and respect women. I try to model for him the kind of biblical woman described in Proverbs 31 and 1 Peter 3. I fall way short of the ideal, but I am trying. <br />
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I am preparing him to lead you. His father does a wonderful job of modeling for him the kind of servant leadership that is found in Ephesians 5. His father loves me the way Christ loves the church, and he shows me that consistently. <br />
<br />
In these ways, we are training our son for adulthood, to lead <i>and </i>serve, to be strong <i>and </i>tender. It isn't easy - sometimes it is downright painful. But you are never far from my mind. I am not teaching him to be a good 11-year-old. I am teaching him to be a good adult - wise, productive, contributing to the world. I am teaching him to be a good husband, a good father, one who loves the Lord and loves the ones God has given him.<br />
<br />
Here are some more promises for you: I promise to value you, even though I am sure we will do things differently. I promise to not criticize you, to your face or behind your back. I promise to recognize that <i>you </i>are now his priority, not me. I promise to include you in our traditions and encourage you to make your own. <br />
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I promise to be the best. stinking. grandma. ever. (Besides your mother, of course.)<br />
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I promise to work, really work on our relationship. To support you. To support your marriage. To support your work. I promise to enjoy you, and not to try to change you. I promise to teach you, but only if you want to be taught. I'll be here if you need advice, and I will try really, really hard to not offer advice if it's not asked for. (But I can't make promises on that one. I can only try.)<br />
<br />
I always wanted a daughter. When it became clear in our life that we were not going to have more children, I started setting my sights on my daughter-in-law. I've been praying for you for years. Wanting you, looking for you, preparing for you. <br />
<br />
I pray that together, you and your husband - <i>my son</i> - worship God, and God alone. I pray that you build your home on a biblical foundation, and that you never ever stray from that. Sometimes I see glimpses of the future, and I see the radical importance of staying right in Christ - now more than ever. Or should I say then more than ever. <br />
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Oh, my darling daughter . . . I think of you often. When you get married, I hope you are radically close to your parents. If you are, you may not want me to think of you as my daughter. You may think that it is an insult to your parents. I can very much understand that. But know this - in my heart, there will not be any titles that separate us. I will love you like my own. You will be my daughter. I will love you, protect you, respect you. <br />
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You will be a gift to your husband, and I hope by then we have showed him and taught him how to cherish the incredible gift that you are. I pray we have taught him to be grateful for the gifts that God gives him. Gifts none of us deserve, but are graciously given all the same. <br />
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Know that already, I want only good things for you. I want you to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection. I want you to know the blessing of contentment. I want you to know love, overwhelming, all-encompassing love. And forgiveness. And grace. And . . . well, frankly, that list goes on and on.<br />
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So I am praying for you. I will not stop praying for you. May our rich and loving God shower you with his abundant presence. May he never stop teaching you, reaching you, working on you, in you, and through you. <br />
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May you be blessed. Today and always. Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-4974469474392798272014-02-24T17:32:00.002-05:002014-02-24T17:32:43.961-05:00Stand in the Gap<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Isa-6-8">Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8</span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Isa-6-8"><i><span class="text Matt-28-18" id="en-NIV-24214">Then Jesus came to them and said, <span class="woj">“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-28-19" id="en-NIV-24215"><span class="woj">Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,</span></span> <span class="text Matt-28-20" id="en-NIV-24216"><span class="woj">and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you Matthew 28:18-20</span></span></i> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Isa-6-8"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Christian life is a soldier's life. We are fighting a war for holiness, for righteousness, with epic battles for eternal outcomes. Each soldier has a role. Each soldier has a purpose. Each soldier has a mission. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus told us in Matthew 28 what the purpose of the mission is: to make disciples. This is what we are fighting for. And then, he equips us with every piece of armor we need to overcome the dark and evil forces of our enemy. Ultimately, the war has already been won - by Jesus, the Messiah, the
Redeemer, the Conqueror of sin and death. Yet he stills calls us to
join him in the battle for souls - the lives of our friends, our loved
ones. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While we were created individually, with special and unique gifts and talents, the overriding purpose of those talents is to tell people about God. However you do it - as a doctor, a stay at home mom, a sales clerk - that's what you are called to do. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's actually a pretty simple battle plan. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a spiritual battle, but this is a physical world. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that we don't battle flesh and blood, but spiritual forces. These forces are the enemy of the Christ follower, who wants nothing less than our souls to be damned, for eternity. But Paul wasn't saying that there is not physical work to be done. In fact, the spiritual campaign for souls involves massive physical work. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It requires going. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lord asked Isaiah, who will go? That is not a rhetorical question. It's real life, with real implications. It's about blood, sweat, tears. It's going physically, going emotionally, going mentally, going spiritually. It's work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus told us to go and make disciples. That is not a rhetorical command. It's real life, with real implications. It's about blood, sweat, tears. It's going physically, going emotionally, going mentally, going spiritually. It's work.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes, in this battle, a soldier falls or is brought home. What will happen to the people that soldier was fighting for? Who will pray now? Who will disciple now? Who will go now?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's the question, the point of this post. Who will stand in the gap for the soldier who has left? Will it be you? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This weekend, one of our soldiers went home. It's where she'd been working, praying, fighting to be. My heart is ... heavy is not the right word. Because I know where she is and I can only imagine what she's doing. My heart is ... full, because I will miss her. I will need her. I will remember her.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But who will stand in her place? Who will pray and intercede and give and love and remember? Who will do the things she did? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here am I, Lord. Send me. Send me to my knees, praying for the lost. Send me to the bedside of the sick, bearing their burdens. Send me to my wallet to give money, helping those in need.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just send me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are two battle songs that come to my mind. One is called "Hosanna." The second verse says, "I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith." The other song is "Break Every Chain." One of the verses goes, "There's an army rising up, to break every chain."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Battle songs. War cries. Victory anthems. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are still battles left to fight and victories left to win. Whether you want to be at war or not, you are. Whether you want to be in battle or not, you are. Every day there is a victory waiting for you to claim. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who will go? Will you take your place? Will you rise up?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray that God will make you brave enough to say, "Here am I. Send me." </span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-34002637354699396542014-02-07T22:03:00.000-05:002014-02-07T22:18:01.293-05:00What Kind of Warrior are You?We are all warriors. We are all fighting some kind of battle. Some of us are winning, some of us are losing. Some of us have no idea what we are doing!<br />
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That warrior is dangerous - to themselves.<br />
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The way I see it, there are two kinds of warriors: the Cowardly and the Courageous. Remember, we are all fighting for something, or against something. As you read through these descriptions, think about what kind of warrior you are.<br />
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Oh, and be careful. Some of these may hurt!<br />
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The Cowardly Warrior lashes out on social media, not naming names of course, but giving themselves a powerful slap on the back that they put "that person" in their place. Doing this may make the Coward feel like a king, but the reactions of the reader runs the gamut from head scratching to anger. It is a passive aggressive, immature way of dealing with the punches of life. <br />
<br />
The Courageous Warrior honors the principles of Matthew 18. Jesus said, "<span class="text Matt-18-15"><span class="woj">If your brother or sister sins,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23743c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]"></sup> go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (verse 15) The Courageous One will choose biblical foundations over temporary flashes of temper. </span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-18-15"><span class="woj">The Cowardly Warrior cannot accept instruction or correction. When offered wisdom and truth, the Coward takes no responsibility and makes no amends. He slinks away and licks his wounds, and never grows emotionally, mentally or spiritually.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-18-15"><span class="woj">The Courageous Warrior remembers the wisdom of Proverbs: </span></span>"Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." (4:13) Courage knows that it is not enough to listen to wisdom; you must act on it, put it into practice.<br />
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The Cowardly Warrior has evidence of immaturity and ignorance in her life: broken relationships, lost jobs, bad credit. Folly is clearly running the show in the Coward's life. But they have chosen to blame others, instead of taking responsibility.<br />
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The Courageous Warrior has evidence of maturity and wisdom in her life: long relationships, established work, good reputation. She is known for her good decisions, just as Solomon was: "Give me <b>wisdom</b> and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10) God-given wisdom is at the forefront of her life. When she makes mistakes, she steps forward, takes responsibility, and moves on.<br />
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The Cowardly Warrior allows outward circumstances to dictate their actions: a bad day drives bad decisions. The mildest of circumstances can transform them - weather, friends, even the news. When they hear gossip, they allow it to fuel their fire, and turn around and burn others. No one is safe from their ire.<br />
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The Courageous Warrior knows that they must rise above all circumstances. They remember the words of Paul is Philippians 4:11-12: "<span class="text Phil-4-11" id="en-NIV-29454">I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.</span> <span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455">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." Courage trusts that God uses all circumstances for His glory, whether it is something as simple as a traffic jam, or as complex as illness. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455">The Cowardly Warrior is quick to point out the fault of others, and how those faults affect them! They show no grace, no mercy, no love or forgiveness to friend or stranger, should that person dare to cross them in anyway. The Coward is extremely touchy; always upset about something, always on a soapbox, always frustrated and unhappy about the world. They are constantly judging others while insisting no one judge them.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455">The Courageous Warrior knows that Jesus meant what he said: "</span><span class="text Matt-7-3" id="en-NIV-23320"><span class="woj">For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. <sup class="versenum"></sup>“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' wen all the time there is a plank </span></span><span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj">in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:2-4)</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj">Courage recognizes their own sinful bent, and with a thankful heart for their own forgiveness, offers forgiveness to others. They are not touchy, sensitive, or needy. They rely on Jesus to meet their needs, soothe their hearts, renew their strength.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj">The Cowardly Warrior likes to think that no one is watching them. When someone cuts him off in traffic for example, he yells, even using hand gestures, knowing that his fellow motorist is long gone and has no idea what he's doing. But you know who is watching? His children. His spouse.</span></span><span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"> His God.</span></span><span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"> </span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj">The Coward only wants to be noticed when he is doing something right. He expects to be overlooked when he is doing something wrong, and will take no notice of the damage he causes to the little eyes and ears that see and hear. And it's not just family - the people in the office, in the Sunday School class, in the grocery store line - they all see. They all hear. They all know. They see you scowl. They hear you complain. They are watching, and they know what you do.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-4" id="en-NIV-23321"><span class="woj">The Courageous Warrior knows that the real life is a transparent life. He remembers that God is always watching, always there. Courage knows that he must be open to inspection.<sup> </sup></span></span><span class="text 1Pet-3-15" id="en-NIV-30440">"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,</span> <span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441">keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (1 Peter 3:15-16)</span><br />
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441"><br /></span>
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441">Courage doesn't need to hide his actions during the day. Courage doesn't need to hide his actions from others. Courage encourages both friend and foe to look to him - not because he thinks he is perfect. Because he is not! But Courage knows he lives under grace.</span><br />
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441"><br /></span>
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441">Finally, the Cowardly Warrior believes lies. She believes that she cannot control her own behavior, that she "can't help the way she is." Wallowing in this belief, she doesn't reach for a higher ideal of life. She chooses to stay complacent.</span><br />
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441"><br /></span>
<span class="text 1Pet-3-16" id="en-NIV-30441">The Courageous Warrior consistently reaches for more. Not more stuff, or fame, or money. She reaches for a deeper life, a deeper love. She has the power and strength to reach because she knows how deep God is! Courage believes Paul's words in Ephesians 3: </span>"<span class="text Eph-3-17" id="en-NIV-29269">And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-18" id="en-NIV-29270">may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (17-18)</span><br />
<span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455"><br /></span>
<span class="text Phil-4-12" id="en-NIV-29455">I hope these words today will encourage you. Challenge you. Call to you. I assume that you are like me - I find myself in some areas of cowardice, some areas of courage. I hope that these truths will inspire us all to walk away from being cowards, and run towards courage. </span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-37175161401328464122014-02-05T19:14:00.000-05:002014-02-05T19:14:32.917-05:00In the Interest of Full Disclosure . . .I must confess. <br />
<br />
This morning when I was writing on here I felt like I was getting kicked in the teeth.<br />
<br />
Because so far . . .<br />
<br />
The lavish life is not being well-lived.<br />
<br />
And I think I know why. It seems that the hardest place to keep love alive is in the home. You know? I think we are all a little bit frustrated with the weather, tired of being off our regular routine, feeling pushed to our emotional limits.<br />
<br />
Or maybe it's just me.<br />
<br />
A week ago I was a part of an amazing worship experience. I watched, I listened, I absorbed, I participated. <br />
<br />
And I got kicked in the teeth. Right in the middle of the worship. I've been kicked by the devil before, but this time, I've had a hard time getting over it. I can't shake him! And it's getting to me. <br />
<br />
So you add that to the snow, the sub-zero temperatures, not to mention the attitudes of most of us about said snow and sub-zero temperatures, and you get this.<br />
<br />
Me.<br />
Stingy me. <br />
The opposite of lavish.<br />
<br />
Not being lavish with my husband.<br />
Not being lavish with my child.<br />
Not being lavish with others.<br />
<br />
Clearly, I need to lavish on myself. Now, don't take that the wrong way. I'm not talking about lavishing stuff on myself. (Although I still want that tiara!) I'm not talking about being "nicer" to myself, buying myself a pick-me-up, or raising my self-esteem.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about lavishing myself with the word of God. I'm talking about wallowing in His presence. I'm talking about letting His love amaze me, His grace wash me, and His power fill me. <br />
<br />
Please forgive me, the one or two people who may read this. If I have acted as if I'm already being lavish on others - that was a lie. I'm struggling with it. Maybe that's why God led me to that word in the first place! Maybe I needed reminded that I have to be filled with his lavish love before I can turn it around to the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
I need to start over again, and I'll do that now. <br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-73707803515057309092014-02-05T15:17:00.003-05:002014-02-05T15:17:57.624-05:00To Lavish . . . My quest for a lavish life this year may be misleading. I'm not asking for my own yacht, fancy clothes, or a tiara. <br />
<br />
Scratch that. I desperately want a tiara. <br />
<br />
Desperately.<br />
<br />
<b>Seriously</b>.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the lavish-ness I'm looking for isn't something that is coming <i>for </i>me. I want it to come <i>from </i>me. I want to develop the ability and skills to make whoever I am with feel special. I want that person to know that at that moment, I am totally and wholly with them. Whether I am with my husband, my child, or others, I am working towards making them feel loved.<br />
<br />
So I've already talked about how I want to lavish on my husband, and on my child. Today, I have a plan of how to lavish on others. <br />
<br />
The first way is the same as the others - prayer. I want my friends and loved ones to know without a doubt that I am praying for them. Not just the kind of praying that's, "Lord, be with so-and-so." I mean the kind of prayer that makes my knees hurt. The kind that agonizes. The kind that cries.<br />
<br />
That's the kind of prayer that people need. Interceding. Loving. Working. Prayer that walks beside them, through the trenches.<br />
<br />
Next, I want to lavish others with authentic friendship. The kind that really cares, gets involved. The kind of friendship that takes time. This kind of lavishing is not smart mouthed or sarcastic. It's real, and really in the moment. <br />
<br />
Lavishing friends with authentic friendship means that you'll get my attention. The kind that asks about their children. Their jobs. Their spouses. And then listens to the answers!<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the next area of lavishing - listening. I can't tell you how many times I have realized in the middle of someone else's story that I wasn't listening! I enjoy blaming it on my ADD (or, as my husband refers to it, Adult Onset Undiagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder - AOU-ADD), but the truth is, I could listen better if I try.<br />
<br />
I tend to be a problem solver by nature. But I know that sometimes when I'm upset or have a problem, I don't want my friend to solve it for me. I just want them to listen to me. Yes, I am a whiner. I state it proudly! I AM A WHINER! MY NAME IS JENN, AND I'M A WHINER! And I'm not the only one. <br />
<br />
Sometimes in life, you just need to whine. Not forever - that's not healthy. But sometimes whining can be healthy. What I'm really doing when I listen to you whine is validating your problem. I'm going to listen, ask questions that encourage you to talk more, and listen some more! There's a great article from Real Simple magazine that you can read here<a href="http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/inspiration-motivation/be-good-friend-00100000062690/" target="_blank"> How To Be a Good Friend</a>. <br />
<br />
Finally, I'm going to lavish my friends with grace. So you're late. Tired. Forgetful. I want you to give me a break, so why shouldn't I give that to you? I want friends that accept me just how I am, so why shouldn't I give that to you? I want people to not judge me - so why shouldn't I give that to you?<br />
<br />
As a Christian, I have been freely given grace - God, in fact, has <i>lavished </i>it upon me. But I know that I'm not so great about lavishing this on others. I'm selfish and self-centered. (Stop. It's true.) I think about my time, my schedule, my preferences.<br />
<br />
But grace isn't about me. It's about you. <br />
<br />
So that's what I'm working on. How about you? Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-13099573067260432782014-01-27T13:25:00.000-05:002014-01-27T13:25:45.921-05:00Lavish on My ChildLast week I wrote about the steps I planned on taking to lavish on my husband. This week I wanted to share about lavishing on my child. Later I'll share how I plan to lavish on others.<br />
<br />
These posts aren't really how-tos or instructions for anyone else. They are basically an opportunity for me to put "on paper" steps to make my goal a reality. Otherwise I'll just hang out feeling pretty good about myself that I have a word focus for this year! It's not enough to feel good. I want to do good!<br />
<br />
One thing you'll notice is that each plan begins and ends the same. So . . .<br />
<br />
The first thing I want to do for my child is lavish him with prayer. Every. Single. Day. The Lord can parent my kid masterfully better than I can ever hope. So I'm going to have to have Him to help me learn to parent his way. So I will pray for him, and pray for how I parent him.<br />
<br />
I will pray for his heart, for his mind, for his body. He's growing so quickly. He's a preteen, and noticing - shall I say - stuff. He is venturing into new territories, more adult territories. Only through prayer protection can I help teach him how to guard himself against sin and its influences. I want him to see that even if he doesn't participate in sin, it can still influence him, through what he watches and reads. <br />
<br />
As Samuel's mother, I have big dreams for him. Not to be president of the United States (although he would ROCK that job) but to do great things with God. There is a great article here <a href="http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/parenting/essentials/praying-for-your-children/how-to-pray-big-for-your-child#.UuZfLrQo6po" target="_blank">How to Pray Big for Your Child</a>. It is a FABULOUS reminder that God wants us to go big in our lives! Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "<span class="text Eph-3-20" id="en-NIV-29272"><sup class="versenum"></sup>Now to him who is able to do<u> immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine</u>, according to his power that is at work within us,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-NIV-29273">to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." I love these verses - in fact, I'm preaching on them this week - because it gives us just a glimpse of how big God wants to be for us. </span><br />
<br />
I will also lavish him with the knowledge that I pray for him, and continue to teach him to pray, by himself and with others. I pray for his friends, for his future wife, for his future influences, for the way he'll influence others . . . absolutely everything I can think of.<br />
<br />
The second thing I want to do for my child is lavish him with validation. Please notice that I am not saying love. Of course, I love him. I'd die for him! But to say I love him without validating him is sort of purposeless. <br />
<br />
Validation is simple. It's just acknowledging him. Do you know how it feels to be shopping in a department store, with the store clerk standing right there, never acknowledging your presence or asking if they can help you? It's frustrating, right? Imagine how kids must feel when they are not acknowledged by the people that they love. <br />
<br />
When I validate Samuel I simply say, you are here, and I am glad. When he comes in the room, I will look up. When I pick him up from school, I will not be on the phone. I will not act as though my computer or phone are more important than he is! <br />
<br />
Here is the other reason that validation is an appropriate tool in parenting. If I can model it for Samuel, he can learn to use it in his life, too. Validating emotions is key - it involves naming them and understanding. Here's a great article about it: <a href="http://familyshare.com/how-to-improve-family-relations-by-validating-your-childrens-emotions" target="_blank">Validating Your Children's Emotions</a>. I'm not raising a child to be a good child. I'm raising a child to be a good, productive adult.<br />
<br />
Boys, especially, have trouble with emotions. I think that helping him name his emotions will teach him to not be mastered by them.<br />
<br />
Validation is not the same thing as praise. But praise has it's role too. That's why ...<br />
<br />
The third thing I want to do for my child is lavish him with appropriate praise. Appropriate. I'm not a "praiser" at heart. It's not one of my gifts. I see how good things are, but I don't always say it. Parenting has helped me to be better at this. But praise must be appropriate to be effective and important. <br />
<br />
I want my son to know that I am his biggest cheerleader, but also know that I will not cheer for him for doing something mediocre or downright wrong! I also want him to notice that I am praising him for who he is, for his character, not for his accomplishments. He may not grow to be an adult who has a lot of outward accomplishments. He may not win the Nobel Prize or be named MVP. I can teach him to be ok with that now, by praising him for being honest. For being kind. For being loving. <br />
<br />
Praise also indicates expectation. I expect him to be honest, kind and loving. So when he does the things I expect, hearing my praise encourages him to keep doing those things. Now, praise is not - "Good job!" Praise is specific. It's, "Honey, I appreciate you being kind to that little boy. He needed someone to be sweet to him." <br />
<br />
Here's another great article about praise: <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/200909/parenting-dont-praise-your-children" target="_blank">Don't Praise Your Children</a>. It shows the role of appropriate praise in parenting. (He talks specifically about not "lavishing" your kids with praise. But read carefully, because he's not saying that I'm doing wrong.)<br />
<br />
The final thing I want to do for my child is him with attention. But again . . . appropriate attention. My life doesn't revolve around my kid. We strive to only be involved in one activity at a time, because I don't want to run and run and run. Frankly, I don't know how those of you with more than one child do it. It's hard enough for me to keep up with the stuff that comes with one kid!<br />
<br />
But in those activities, he should get my whole attention. It's funny - we expect kids to look at us when we are talking to them. Yet we adults go everywhere with our phones. I myself have sat at soccer practice and played Candy Crush the whole time. Totally missed him learning a new skill and excelling at it. Sat at restaurants where each one of us were looking at something in our hands, not at each other. Mom fail. <br />
<br />
There are times that our kids need to know that they are the most important thing. But there are times that they need to know they aren't. When I am busy, making dinner, or studying, I can't necessarily drop everything to hear his joke or his story. But when I'm not busy, there is no reason that he can't get my whole attention.<br />
<br />
This is another modeling thing. I model the behavior I expect from him. When he wants to play a game, that is something I can do without my phone in front of me. Just like when I want to talk to him, I expect the television off and the Ipod put away.<br />
<br />
I hope my thoughts will encourage you in your journey!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-4680231711803848722014-01-16T17:33:00.005-05:002014-01-27T15:54:58.448-05:00Lavish On Our SpouseI decided that just picking a word for my year wasn't enough. I decided that I wanted to start getting specific about who and how and when and why . . .<br />
<br />
So for the next few posts that's what I'm going to discuss - probably in long, rambling, non-sensical sentences.<br />
<br />
I want to start with ways I can lavish on my spouse.<br />
<br />
The first thing I want to do for my husband is lavish him with prayer. There are a number of ways to pray for our spouses, I like this one <a href="http://alishagratehouse.com/how-to-pray-for-your-husband/" target="_blank">"Ten Ways to Pray for Your Husband"</a>. Most importantly, I realize that I will do nothing else right for my husband if I don't start by putting him in God's hands. Praying for him daily will help soothe the little irritations of life, renew my love for him, and allow me to submit our relationship to the Father on a daily basis.<br />
<br />
The next thing I want to do for my husband is lavish him with respect. It's been said that a man's number one need is respect. There's a really good article here <a href="http://www.cbn.com/family/marriage/Burns_MenWishWomenKnew.aspx" target="_blank">"What Men Wish Women Knew"</a>. In a culture that devalues the role of the husband as the head of the home, the concept and practice of respect is dwindling. And it is clearly seen all over! Many "family friendly" sitcoms today show Dad as a buffoon that the kids make fun of and the wife ignores. My husband deserves, needs, and relishes in my respect.<br />
<br />
The third thing I want to do for my husband is to lavish him with affection. Yup, you know what I'm talking about. My husband's love language is physical touch. He needs it, he wants it, he responds to it. There are many ways to lavish touch on a man, and while we can say, "It doesn't have to be sexual" . . . give me a break. Of course it does! But there are many kinds of sexual touch. Everyone has to figure out what works for their relationship.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to talk anymore about that. I'm a prude.<br />
<br />
Moving on . . . the final thing I want to do for my husband is lavish him with my attention. When he walks in the room, I will look at him. When he speaks, I will listen. I will make time just for him, so that he will see and know that his is the most important earthly relationship to me! I won't realize on Tuesday afternoon that I have hardly seen or spoken to him since Sunday. (Note that I'm using real examples from my own life!) I will seek him out, listen, laugh, enjoy his company. <br />
<br />
I know that lavish is my word for this year, not yours. But I thought if I shared my feelings about this with you, maybe you would think of some ways to lavish on your spouse, too. My next post will be about lavishing on our children!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-73977682765412239012014-01-08T14:04:00.000-05:002014-01-08T14:04:33.768-05:00 . . . And a Lavish New YearHappy New Year! I've taken a few weeks off here, and they have been glorious. I've really enjoyed the time with my family, and now, like so many of you, we are digging out of the snow, trying to get back to our normal routine.<br />
<br />
Or are we? Normal is different for everyone, and I want my normal in 2014 to be a little bit more special. <br />
<br />
I don't do New Year's resolutions. They are just a societal pressure cooker that sets us up for failure. They rarely evoke any real changes. In fact, most of us make resolutions so vague and unreachable that we are doomed to fail and feel miserable. What a way to begin a new year!<br />
<br />
I do, however, love new beginnings. They are genesis, godly. Beginnings are God's reminder of the promise of new life, and life eternal. I love our natural, innate tendencies to spend the last days of a year reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future, dreaming and making plans for the kinds of lives we want to lead.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I choose a word that I want to focus on in the new year. A word I want to describe my actions and my life. A word that I hope that, as I focus on implementing it into my daily life, will change not only myself but those around me.<br />
<br />
My word for this year: lavish.<br />
<br />
The synonyms for this word as an adjective: Extravagant. Generous. Abundant. The dictionary definition for this word as a verb: T<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">o</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">expend</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword">give</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">great</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">amounts</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">without</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">limit. </span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;">This word, to me, describes God. And that's who I want to be like. Consider the following:</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span>
<br />[ <i>The God of Glory</i> ] How blessed is God! And what a blessing he
is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the
high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s
foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his
love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided
to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took
in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his <b>lavish</b> gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:3-6<br />
<br />
<span class="small-caps">God</span> will <b>lavish</b> you with good things: children from your womb, offspring from your animals, and crops from your land, the land that <span class="small-caps">God</span> promised your ancestors that he would give you. <span class="small-caps">God</span>
will throw open the doors of his sky vaults and pour rain on your land
on schedule and bless the work you take in hand. You will lend to many
nations but you yourself won’t have to take out a loan. <span class="small-caps">God</span>
will make you the head, not the tail; you’ll always be the top dog,
never the bottom dog, as you obediently listen to and diligently keep
the commands of <span class="small-caps">God</span>, your God, that I am
commanding you today. Don’t swerve an inch to the right or left from
the words that I command you today by going off following and worshiping
other gods. Deuteronomy 28:11-14<br />
<br />
Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear <span class="small-caps">God</span>,
Who cherish and relish his commandments, Their children robust on the
earth, And the homes of the upright—how blessed! Their houses brim with
wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the
darkness for good people— God’s grace and mercy and justice! The good
person is generous and lends <b>lavish</b>ly; No shuffling or stumbling
around for this one, But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation.
Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in <span class="small-caps">God</span>, Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, They <b>lavish</b>
gifts on the poor— A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An
honored life! A beautiful life! Someone wicked takes one look and rages,
Blusters away but ends up speechless. There’s nothing to the dreams of
the wicked. Nothing. Psalm 112:1-10<br />
<br />
God has lavished me with his extravagant love. His abundant grace. His generous presence. How can I strive for anything less? <br />
<br />
I pray that I can be even a little bit like God this year. I pray that just as I have experience his lavish gifts, I can give gifts in the same lavish nature. Because I love Him, and I want to be just like him.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-37758371174723248872013-12-22T22:41:00.002-05:002013-12-22T22:41:53.918-05:00ChristmasAhhh . . . Christmas. That wonderful time of the year, where families gather, dreams are fulfilled, and magic happens. The perfect gifts are exchanged, the memories are priceless, and every picture tells a beautiful story.<br />
<br />
Whatever.<br />
<br />
One thing I'm learning this Christmas, more than ever before? It's a marketing ploy. It's a fictional creation of Madison Avenue. Most of what we do for Christmas, the traditions and important rituals, aren't meaningful to Christmas at all. They've been derived from old movies, stories and Norman Rockwell pictures. <br />
<br />
We had a family Christmas today. No chestnuts were roasted - I don't even know what chestnuts are! There was no roaring fire - I don't have a fireplace. I didn't bake a huge ham or turkey - we had lasagna. We didn't sing carols or even read the Christmas story. (Oops. Good job, Pastor.) <br />
<br />
We talked. We ate. We played. We ate. We watched football. We ate. We talked again. And oh yeah, we opened presents. We watched each other open one gift each, and we ooo'ed and ahh'ed. Then we just went for it.<br />
<br />
And we laughed. We laughed and laughed and laughed. <br />
<br />
We played jokes on each other, or tried to. (Yes, I encouraged my child to draw with a Sharpie on his sleeping uncle's glasses. What of it? And yes, when the phone rang, I let this same child answer it, saying, "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?) We spent time with family we haven't seen for awhile. And it was great. I truly had a great time.<br />
<br />
It didn't look like a Christmas postcard or a Hallmark special or "It's a Wonderful Life." It looked like our life. It was joyful. And that's Christmas. Joy began in a manger, in a new little family who had nothing but each other, and God. <br />
<br />
That's us. And I like it. <br />
<br />
We still have two Christmases to go. This year, Christmas Day is going to be just the three of us. At first I was a little sad about that. But now I'm thinking . . . if Christmas can begin with a family of three, I think I can be content with that. <br />
<br />
That's us. And I like it.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-89826663561628860662013-12-14T21:22:00.000-05:002013-12-14T21:22:12.189-05:00Today I Will Be DifferentI go through stages in my life. Cycles, if you will. There is one stage that continues to rear its ugly head. I never quite overcome it or get through it. I can put it to the side, try to forget about it for awhile, but somehow, some way, it always comes back. And I struggle through it again.<br />
<br />
It's a stage of self-destruction. Of self-loathing, almost. It's a stage of thinking, thinking, thinking of myself. Not in a big-headed way. Actually, almost the opposite. But still, it's a self-centered thing. It is a stage where I wallow. I think of myself, of my faults and weaknesses, incessantly. I have a hard time getting to the other side of it.<br />
<br />
Every morning, I wake up and I think, today I will be different. Today I will think differently. I will act differently. I will BE different.<br />
<br />
It's not long before I realize that today is just like every other day. I still bit my kid's head off. I still was lazy. I still accomplished nothing. I still ate too much. Drank too much diet pop. Spent too much time on Pinterest.<br />
<br />
And I get so frustrated with myself. I mean, SO frustrated. That loathing I mentioned earlier? Oh yeah. That's the word. And so I go to bed, and I think, tomorrow I will be different. And in the morning I wake up and I think, today's the day. Today I will be different.<br />
<br />
And the cycle begins again. Aristotle said, "We are what we continually do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." I read things like that, and I think, crap! I have no hope! Because my habits are horrible! <br />
<br />
So tonight I was thinking about all this (notice that I am clearly in that self-centered stage right now) and I wondered two things: what would happen if I just quit trying to be different? And, what if I'm just different right now?<br />
<br />
As a Christian, what would happen if I just quit trying to be what I think I'm supposed to be, and literally, moment-by-moment, with a fervent zeal and all-encompassing passion - turn to God? What if I ask him what to wear, what to eat, what to do? What if I just admit that I am weak and stupid and honestly cannot handle my own life? What if I just run to him like a little child, confessing my faults and weaknesses and self-loathing and self-hatred and just bawl like the stinking baby that I am?<br />
<br />
Or . . .<br />
<br />
What if I took the attitude that I'm not going to be different all day . . . but just for this moment. What if I just go slowly, take a deep breath, realize that not every sensation has to be experienced right now. What if I realized that I can stop myself from biting at my loved ones but I can't take it back once it's done? Or how about if I realized that chocolate will still taste like chocolate tomorrow? Or what if I remember that Pinterest, for all its inspiration, just makes me feel frustrated? What if I take all of those individual moments and just respond differently . . . once? By turning over my choices and my actions and my habits to God? Moment by moment.<br />
<br />
Clearly, either reaction to my life takes me in the same direction - to my maker and my creator. But doing the same thing - going through this same self-destructive cycle - simply has me running in circles. <br />
<br />
So can I combine these two thoughts? Can I resolve to stop trying, and at the same time, turn each moment into a God sighting? <br />
<br />
This is me being raw, completely transparent: <i>I don't know if I can do it</i>. I'm so deeply ingrained in the self cycle that I don't know if I can stop. But I do know this: putting it out there is a good first step. Inviting God to be the impetus is good. Narrowing my focus to Him and not to me - that works. <br />
<br />
But for how long?<br />
<br />
Because that's the real thing, right? We take on new habits, resolutions - especially this time of year. We resolve to eat right, exercise, love our neighbor, give more. But in a few weeks . . . here comes the old us again.<br />
<br />
Maybe I am the only one who does this. I have a feeling that I am not, but even if I am, that's ok. I'm putting it out there. I'm taking a step. <br />
<br />
Maybe the battle isn't won in big leaps and bounds, but in one small step. One step at a time.Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-14554965494499841442013-12-09T16:59:00.000-05:002013-12-09T16:59:22.319-05:00Breathing RoomMerry Christmas! It seems like forever since I've posted. Life has overwhelmed me with it's busyness. Today, I had an unexpected break: a breakfast I had planned had to be postponed due to the weather. So ... I. Did. Nothing. <br />
<br />
Ahhhhh . . .<br />
<br />
Ahhhhh . . .<br />
<br />
Every year, I put myself through the same thing. I can't just "decorate" for Christmas. I have to <u><b>DECORATE</b></u>. I don't have decorations that are already put together; a centerpiece for a table, a pre-made tree, etc. No, no - I have to create it all. It's different every year.<br />
<br />
Every year I focus so much on the decorations I wonder if I'm wasting my time.<br />
Every year I focus so much on the external that by the end of the season I have ... internal injuries.<br />
Every year. Every. Single. Year.<br />
<br />
I usually begin planning my Christmas in September. I write and rewrite lists, ideas, dreams. I start bugging my husband about projects. And none of this has anything to do with gifts - it's all about the house!<br />
<br />
This year, I didn't have the time. Taking two classes this fall, serving in ministry, being a wife and a mom - I just didn't have the time or energy to do the preparation. Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend. My son, who usually loves all the decorating and tradition, dumped me for Grandma's house. (Can you imagine??) I pulled up my decorations from the basement, and I just couldn't make any decisions. I couldn't make anything work.<br />
<br />
Usually, after I get everything decorated, I will say something like, "It looks like Christmas threw up in here." But this year, it doesn't. This year, it looks kind of serene. <br />
<br />
This year, it looks kind of perfect.<br />
<br />
I just came home a few minutes, say in my reclining chair in the living room, looked around, and exhaled.<br />
<br />
Ahhhhh . . .<br />
<br />
So this is it. This is all that's going to happen. Because you know what? I'd rather decorate my heart than my home. I realize I've taken pride - the wrong kind of pride - in how I decorate for Christmas. I want my home to be a tool, a vehicle God can use to reach others. And I'm pretty sure my great big God can do that whether it's perfectly decorated or not. Even with some dust on the table and dirt on the floor. <br />
<br />
So I'm just going to keep exhaling. Keep reveling in the moment, remembering that all this is about a tiny baby who was born to become a sacrifice, and a King. My King.<br />
<br />
I'm going to keep my heart pointed to Christ, my King. And not pointed to my house.<br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-57386283343665379562013-11-27T09:43:00.000-05:002013-11-27T09:43:02.961-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all planning a warm and wonderful day tomorrow. <br /> <br />
You know, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's got all of the
food, with none of the pressure of the gifts, the decorating, the
programs and parties. It's all about relaxing and enjoying time with
family and friends.<br /> <br /> But I know for some of you, anticipating spending time with family is difficult. Time w<span class="text_exposed_show">ith family can mean anxiety, distress, even bitterness and anger.<br /> <br /> So how can you enjoy this day without stress?<br /> <br />
There's only one way: Jesus. By giving thanks, not in some random
way, but specifically to our God. Don't just talk about giving thanks.
Truly offer your gratitude to God. Focusing on Him and His perfect
presence and good gifts can make the mess just . . . go away. <br /> <br />
Grandma might still be cranky. Uncle Bo might still be loud. Your
sister Jessie might still be judgmental. But that's ok. You don't
exist to please them. You exist to please an audience of One. <br /> <br /> So today, as you prepare for tomorrow, may I encourage you just a little bit with this verse? <br /> <br /> "With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:<br /> <br /> 'He is good;<br /> his love toward Israel endures forever.'<br /> <br /> And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord..." Ezra 3:11. <br /> <br />
The people were rejoicing because the foundation of the temple had been
built and laid. The temple wasn't completed, just the foundation. And
that is what the people rejoiced in.<br /> <br /> You are the same. You
aren't finished yet! But if you have built your life on the foundation
of Jesus Christ, you already have everything you need.<br /> <br /> Let the
slings and arrows that may come your way fall to the side. Let the
fighting roll off your back. Respond to insults with blessings. Be
careful to guard your heart with the love of Jesus Christ so that anger
and bitterness cannot find root within you.<br /> <br /> We are loved and
cherished! Our Great God has given us so many gifts! So dare to truly
be grateful! And have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!</span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6915407173680955032.post-70498360634693180222013-11-24T17:18:00.000-05:002013-11-24T17:18:32.904-05:00Here Comes the Judge<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our misunderstood Bible verse today if from Matthew 7: "<span class="text Matt-7-1"><span class="woj">Do not judge, or you too will be judged.</span></span> </span></span><span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (verses 1 - 2)."</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This verse has been used over and over again to defiantly throw sin in the face of others. "Don't judge me" is really a heart's cry for "don't look at me". "Don't inspect me." And what that really means is, I'm afraid for you to look at me. I'm afraid of what you will see.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus is not telling us to turn our eyes away from sin. He is not telling us to pretend that truth is not there. He is not telling us to act as though the ugliness doesn't exist. Nothing could be further from the truth! Actually, he is telling us just the opposite. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In fact, further down in the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew 7, Jesus tells us to inspect the fruit of others so that we know what is good: </span></span></span></span><span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-17" id="en-NIV-23334"><span class="woj">"Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-18" id="en-NIV-23335"><span class="woj">A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-19" id="en-NIV-23336"><span class="woj">Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">You see, Jesus clearly defines the difference between judging and inspecting: judging is condemning. Inspecting is evaluating. For example, I can say the same thing in two different ways, and mean completely different things. I can say, "awww, you look tired" in a sympathetic voice, and this shows that I have inspected you and I have evaluated that you are tired. Or, I can say, "ewww, you look tired!" in a manner that shows you I think you look bad!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">It is important as Christians that we judge as evaluation. That we inspect the works of others - not for the purpose of condemnation, but for the recognition of good or evil. Jesus didn't say that WE will be the ones who cut down the bad tree and throw it in the fire. He simply said that we will be able to recognize the heart and intentions of the tree by looking at its fruit. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">So we do have to judge, if you define it as evaluating. However, judging for the purposes of choosing life or death for others is not our job. That is only God's job. Jesus could not have been clearer about the consequences of judging unwisely: we will be judged in that same way. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">I can be tough and harsh on others sometimes. And I certainly don't want to be judged that way. I really want to learn to see others the way God does: through the lens of Jesus' redemptive blood. And that is the key, don't you think?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">The key is your intent. Are you looking at someone in order to put them down, to consider yourself better than them, maybe even to make them feel bad? That's the problem. On the other hand, are you looking at someone to determine their influence on you? On your children? On the world? Are you looking at someone to see how you can walk beside them, how you can carry their burdens? </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">Why is the question: why are you judging? What are you trying to gain? Jesus said that we will not gain heaven by judging others. And that should be enough of a warning for us to stop dead in our tracks if we are struggling with judging!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span class="text Matt-7-2" id="en-NIV-23319"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Matt-7-20" id="en-NIV-23337"><span class="woj">To sum it all up: judgment is God's job. Inspection is ours. Know the difference.</span></span></span></span></span></span>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16185826073692013855noreply@blogger.com0