Last week I finally read The Shack. It's a controversial book many see as blasphemous because of how God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are portrayed. God says we are made in His image, so I suppose He could look like any one of us. I just can't imagine what He looks like, but the author of the book decided God would appear as a black "mammy" type character who is always in the kitchen cooking up some super delicious food. There's a reason God chose this human image, but in case you haven't read the book and want to I won't give the reason away.
Jesus is a carpenter and comes across as somewhat like a lovable good ole "bubba." Finally, the Holy Spirit is an Asian woman, who is shimmery and fades in and out like she's moving between dimensions.
One reviewer of the book thought the characters were buffoonish. Perhaps a little, but it is a work of fiction, and who can say that God wouldn't do something just like this especially if He has a sense of humor.
The key to the book is the message - God is especially fond of His creation - us. He tells the main character, "I'm especially fond of you." He tells the main character he's especially fond of the man's daughter. He sends a message by the main character for his best friend - "He's especially fond of you."
The bible tells us God loves us so much He sent His only son to save us. As Christmas approaches, I'm going to try to focus on God's love. God so loved me He sent His son to give me the greatest gift I will ever receive - eternal life. Through Jesus He showed He is especially fond of me. And whether you believe it or not, He's especially fond of you too.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Redeeming Love
It's been months since I've posted anything. I hope to do better in the future, if for no other reason than I made a promise, which I haven't followed through on since making it.
I recently read a novel called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It's one of the best books I've ever read. The novel is set in California during the gold rush years and is a beautiful love story based on the book of Hosea from the Bible. Though it's a love story between a man and a woman, just as Hosea is, it's also the redeeming love story of God and us, again just as Hosea is.
The reason I say this is one of the best books I've read is because it's stayed with me. The lead male character, Michael Hosea, has almost complete unwavering faith. He's what a Christian should be, and that's what I keep going back to when I think about the book. I've never read a book where I wanted to be like the character, but I want to be a Michael Hosea.
The lead female character is Sarah, a prostitute, who uses the name Angel. She's a broken individual, who has never been able to see God in her life. Because of the terrible things that have happened to her since childhood, she can't fathom what real love is - not from God and not from a man.
Just as in the book of Hosea, Michael seeks Angel because God has told him she's the woman he is to marry. He can't believe God wants him to marry a prostitute, but he has always done what God has told him to do and he marries her. Repeatedly, Angel betrays his love and each time he forgives her. His brother-in-law also betrays him and Michael forgives him too. He forgives because God tells him to be forgiving. Michael gets what God is all about, and he gets what love is all about.
There are four key things about Michael that exemplify what a Christian should be...things all Christians should emulate.
I recently read a novel called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. It's one of the best books I've ever read. The novel is set in California during the gold rush years and is a beautiful love story based on the book of Hosea from the Bible. Though it's a love story between a man and a woman, just as Hosea is, it's also the redeeming love story of God and us, again just as Hosea is.
The reason I say this is one of the best books I've read is because it's stayed with me. The lead male character, Michael Hosea, has almost complete unwavering faith. He's what a Christian should be, and that's what I keep going back to when I think about the book. I've never read a book where I wanted to be like the character, but I want to be a Michael Hosea.
The lead female character is Sarah, a prostitute, who uses the name Angel. She's a broken individual, who has never been able to see God in her life. Because of the terrible things that have happened to her since childhood, she can't fathom what real love is - not from God and not from a man.
Just as in the book of Hosea, Michael seeks Angel because God has told him she's the woman he is to marry. He can't believe God wants him to marry a prostitute, but he has always done what God has told him to do and he marries her. Repeatedly, Angel betrays his love and each time he forgives her. His brother-in-law also betrays him and Michael forgives him too. He forgives because God tells him to be forgiving. Michael gets what God is all about, and he gets what love is all about.
There are four key things about Michael that exemplify what a Christian should be...things all Christians should emulate.
- He reads God's word and lives what he reads.
- He prays for God's wisdom and guidance.
- He listens for God's guidance and follows whatever God tells him to do. He doesn't have to understand why God is telling him to do it; he does it because God tells him to do it.
- He always comes back to God. He might be angry with God. He might stop praying and reading God's word for a short season, but he always returns with a deeper understanding of God's redeeming love.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Another Sad Goodbye
This has been the year for goodbyes. In March, we 
had to say goodbye to our youth pastor and his family and now we're saying goodbye to our music minister. To say, I will miss Dave is an understatement. Dave has led our choir for over four years and he's just a super guy. He has many outstanding qualities, but I'm going to just hit the top three or four.
had to say goodbye to our youth pastor and his family and now we're saying goodbye to our music minister. To say, I will miss Dave is an understatement. Dave has led our choir for over four years and he's just a super guy. He has many outstanding qualities, but I'm going to just hit the top three or four.Second, Dave loves his family. We've been able to see the love he has for his wife and for his two children. And, we've seen how they love him.
Third, Dave loves music...all kinds of worship music and he brought a vibrancy to our church we had been lacking for a long time.
Finally, Dave believes in people. He gave many of us the opportunity to sing, which we hadn't had before. He made me feel I had something to offer and most of the solos I've done have been because I felt his support for me.
Okay, I must add one more thing. Dave loved the movie The Lonesome Dove. I believe he can quote the entire movie. All you have to do is name a scene and he can do all the parts. It's amazing. Dave is like Woodrow Call in the movie...once he gives his word he follows through. So, as a tribute to Dave, I'm including Scene 11 from Part Four of the Lonesome Dove. It's about being true to your word, and saying goodbye to a beloved friend.
God bless you and your family, Dave, as you start this new and exciting venture for the Lord.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Just Like Solomon
If you've read my earlier blog posts, you know I'm doing the Radical Experiment this year. And, one of the challenges is to read the Bible daily. Technically, I've only failed to meet that challenge twice since March 1. Technically.
About a week ago, I was reading in 1 Kings, chapter 11 about the end of Solomon's life. The wisest man who ever lived believed in God, but he let his multiple wives negatively influence him. Before Solomon died, he was worshipping other gods. As I read the passages, I thought how unwise he had been. He was the wisest man alive - didn't he know better?
All the while I'm reading I'm trying to hurry through the passages so I can move on to something I wanted to do. The reading that night was unusually long, and I thought about mid-way through, "I'm not getting anything out of this because I'm trying to hurry. I don't want to be doing this." Still, I finished it and went on to the thing I wanted to do.
The next morning as I showered it was like God thumped me on the head and said, "Is there anything in there? You have Solomon to learn from, but have you?"
All I could say is, "You're right, Lord. I have other gods too, and last night I chose to make time for the other gods instead of You. I felt perturbed at the time I spent with You. Forgive me. I'm just like Solomon. Not in wisdom, but in my rebellion."
And so, I've thought about the wonder of God for the last week, and I'm thankful He even bothered to set me straight. But, that's what a loving Father does, right?
About a week ago, I was reading in 1 Kings, chapter 11 about the end of Solomon's life. The wisest man who ever lived believed in God, but he let his multiple wives negatively influence him. Before Solomon died, he was worshipping other gods. As I read the passages, I thought how unwise he had been. He was the wisest man alive - didn't he know better?
All the while I'm reading I'm trying to hurry through the passages so I can move on to something I wanted to do. The reading that night was unusually long, and I thought about mid-way through, "I'm not getting anything out of this because I'm trying to hurry. I don't want to be doing this." Still, I finished it and went on to the thing I wanted to do.
The next morning as I showered it was like God thumped me on the head and said, "Is there anything in there? You have Solomon to learn from, but have you?"
All I could say is, "You're right, Lord. I have other gods too, and last night I chose to make time for the other gods instead of You. I felt perturbed at the time I spent with You. Forgive me. I'm just like Solomon. Not in wisdom, but in my rebellion."
And so, I've thought about the wonder of God for the last week, and I'm thankful He even bothered to set me straight. But, that's what a loving Father does, right?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Is Dying On A Cross Funny?
A few weeks ago I was searching for a card at Wal-Mart. I take my time and like to browse and read a variety of cards. I always end up in the funny section and if you find me there, you'll usually hear me first, laughing out loud.
As I pulled several cards, I noticed one with two nuns on the cover. The caption read, "The Lord died for your sins." At this point I'm trying to determine what part of that is something to laugh at, but I decided to see what was on the inside anyway. The inside read, "So, you may as well enjoy them. Happy Birthday."
To say I was stunned and appalled would be an understatement. I was both and offended to boot. The Lord dying for my sins isn't funny and thinking I should live a sinful life and enjoy doing so is doubly unfunny.
I flipped the card over to see who produced this jewel. The company was listed as Comic Relief - Recycled Paper Greetings. Once home, I did a quick web search and made another startling discovery. RPG is owned by American Greetings. I felt such disappointment because I had such high regard for American Greetings. I never would have expected them to produce such a blasphemous product. A little more reseach showed AG purchased RPG in 2009, so it's not like they haven't had time to pull trashy cards. In addition, I found other people didn't appreciate the RPG cards either, though none named any one card in particular.
Why is this card not funny?
First, it makes fun of someone who died for others. If I'm wrong in my faith, it still doesn't change the fact that Jesus died for a cause. A cause that didn't hurt others, just Himself. Whether you're a Christian or not, is it really funny to ridicule someone who would willing die to save other people? Do the RPG people bust out in a belly laugh when they read about a soldier throwing himself on a grenade to save his comrades? If someone takes a bullet for someone else, does that cause one to roar with laughter? I don't find anything funny about anyone dying to save another human being.
Second, if I'm right in my beliefs and Jesus is the Son of God, then He and God are being mocked for having made the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus died to save undeserving people like the knuckleheads who created and published this card.
I haven't written AG, but I'm still thinking about it. However, I have decided I will not purchase any more AG or AG affiliate products ever again. Some things aren't comedic, and however small my contribution to AG's bottom line has been, I don't want any more of my money going to a company that has so little respect for the God of the Universe. Dying on a cross isn't funny.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Someone Worth Dying For
Am I someone worth dying for? Are you? I recently discovered the Christian group, Mikeschair, and their song Someone Worth Dying For. I was immediately taken with the song and downloaded it from I-Tunes. It's caused me to pause and ponder the first question I posed - Am I really someone worth dying for?
To be blunt, most of the time I think I'm not. In fact, it's safe for me to say Jesus definitely got the short end of the stick where I'm concerned. I'm completely unworthy of the kind of love He has for me. He doesn't get the same kind of love in return from me, and He should.
The gist of the song is people wonder if they are worth dying for, and Jesus is always telling us to see it and believe we are worth it. He didn't have to do it. We didn't deserve the grace offered to us, but He loved us so much He thought we deserved all He had to give.
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:14-16)
As a human, I am weak. I fail. I sin. And because I am a Christian, I beat myself up over and over again for not being able to do the things I should do. And, if I really search deep within, I know if the situation were reversed I wouldn't die for me. Sounds depressing and hopeless, but it's not. I'm not worthy because of what I've done. I'm worthy because of who Jesus is.
This past Sunday, our pastor, who is brilliant, yet understandable, preached on how Christians should be the light. He preached from John 8:12-30 in the morning service and Matthew 5:13-16. In the morning, we saw how Jesus is the Light of the World. In the evening, we saw how Jesus tells us to be light. Wyman said this wonderfully simple, but profound statement, "God said let there be light in the world. Jesus said let there be light in you!"
In the song, Mikeschair sings, "Your life has purpose." And according to Wyman, our purpose is to be the light in the darkness. More correctly, it is to be the conduit for Jesus' light to shine to the world. Our lives should so affect those around us, our very culture, that things are better for us being in the world.
Is the world better for me being in it? Can others see the Light of the World reflected through me by my behavior and by how I treat others? I'm a work in progress. I take two steps forward and one-and-a-half back most days, but I keep trying to move forward. I keep striving to be worthy of Jesus having given His life for me. In some small measure, I am finally doing things I believe show others how much Jesus loves them because of how I love them. I'm not bragging because I could do so much more, be so much more, love so much more. But, success for me has changed over the last year. Yes, I still want to be successful in this world, but it's more important for me to be successful for Christ. I want to live a life where Jesus would say, "Others saw my love for them through you. Others knew how much I loved them because of the things you did. They learned from you they were worth me dying for, and I'm pleased by that."
In the end, success is hearing Jesus say, "Lisa, even when you messed up big time, even in your ugliest, darkest, most unloving moments, I always believed you were someone worth dying for."
Jesus wants you to see and believe that no matter what you've done or where you are right now, you are the most precious person to Him. You are someone worth dying for.
To be blunt, most of the time I think I'm not. In fact, it's safe for me to say Jesus definitely got the short end of the stick where I'm concerned. I'm completely unworthy of the kind of love He has for me. He doesn't get the same kind of love in return from me, and He should.
The gist of the song is people wonder if they are worth dying for, and Jesus is always telling us to see it and believe we are worth it. He didn't have to do it. We didn't deserve the grace offered to us, but He loved us so much He thought we deserved all He had to give.
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:14-16)
As a human, I am weak. I fail. I sin. And because I am a Christian, I beat myself up over and over again for not being able to do the things I should do. And, if I really search deep within, I know if the situation were reversed I wouldn't die for me. Sounds depressing and hopeless, but it's not. I'm not worthy because of what I've done. I'm worthy because of who Jesus is.
This past Sunday, our pastor, who is brilliant, yet understandable, preached on how Christians should be the light. He preached from John 8:12-30 in the morning service and Matthew 5:13-16. In the morning, we saw how Jesus is the Light of the World. In the evening, we saw how Jesus tells us to be light. Wyman said this wonderfully simple, but profound statement, "God said let there be light in the world. Jesus said let there be light in you!"
In the song, Mikeschair sings, "Your life has purpose." And according to Wyman, our purpose is to be the light in the darkness. More correctly, it is to be the conduit for Jesus' light to shine to the world. Our lives should so affect those around us, our very culture, that things are better for us being in the world.
Is the world better for me being in it? Can others see the Light of the World reflected through me by my behavior and by how I treat others? I'm a work in progress. I take two steps forward and one-and-a-half back most days, but I keep trying to move forward. I keep striving to be worthy of Jesus having given His life for me. In some small measure, I am finally doing things I believe show others how much Jesus loves them because of how I love them. I'm not bragging because I could do so much more, be so much more, love so much more. But, success for me has changed over the last year. Yes, I still want to be successful in this world, but it's more important for me to be successful for Christ. I want to live a life where Jesus would say, "Others saw my love for them through you. Others knew how much I loved them because of the things you did. They learned from you they were worth me dying for, and I'm pleased by that."
In the end, success is hearing Jesus say, "Lisa, even when you messed up big time, even in your ugliest, darkest, most unloving moments, I always believed you were someone worth dying for."
Jesus wants you to see and believe that no matter what you've done or where you are right now, you are the most precious person to Him. You are someone worth dying for.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Nurturing New Christians
Last night I had something happen that I've not had happen before. Someone other than a personal friend commented on one of my posts. This person indicated he/she was a new Christian and had been reading my posts. My reader had several questions for me, which I did my best to answer, but in reality probably didn't shed a whole lot of light on the situation. The questions were good ones, and this experience has been humbling.
I read the Bible and attend church regularly, but Bible verses don't seem to pop to mind when I need them. One of the questions I was asked was about salvation: Once you've accepted Jesus were you saved forever or could you lose your salvation and have to be re-saved? My answer was there are those who believe in eternal security and those who believe it's possible to lose your salvation. It depends on the denomination you happen to follow.
I feel secure in my salvation, but I have been a part of a church that didn't believe in eternal security and did believe people could reject Christ after having accepted Him as their Savior. I must admit I still think God has given us free will and we could say I want no more to do with You or Jesus and if we did this we would reject Christ and be lost. My conculsion for my reader was I couldn't imagine I would ever reject Jesus knowing what He has done for me, which would suggest I believe in eternal security.
Whatever you personally believe about salvation, there are scriptures to support both arguments and it really is up to the individual to decide what is the right interpretation. I will say I don't believe you have to be re-saved every time you stumble, but you do have to repent. The life of David really teaches us that forgiveness is there for us if we truly repent - no matter what we've done.
I've made a promise to this reader to research the scriptures to find things that can help nuture their walk. And I would also like to suggest to this person (if you're reading this post) to visit the website of Dr. Charles Stanley.
His website is http://www.intouch.org/. He is THE MAN when it comes to understanding the Bible and covering the subjects that strengthen us as Christians.
Dr. Stanley offers many articles, sermons, and Bible studies that are available for anyone to read or listen to Here's a sampling of some of the articles he's written:
Over the next few weeks, I will try to post more frequently and look for scripture and other resources that might be helpful for a new Christian. I believe God is faithful and He has promised if we seek Him, we will find Him. He's right there waiting.
I read the Bible and attend church regularly, but Bible verses don't seem to pop to mind when I need them. One of the questions I was asked was about salvation: Once you've accepted Jesus were you saved forever or could you lose your salvation and have to be re-saved? My answer was there are those who believe in eternal security and those who believe it's possible to lose your salvation. It depends on the denomination you happen to follow.
I feel secure in my salvation, but I have been a part of a church that didn't believe in eternal security and did believe people could reject Christ after having accepted Him as their Savior. I must admit I still think God has given us free will and we could say I want no more to do with You or Jesus and if we did this we would reject Christ and be lost. My conculsion for my reader was I couldn't imagine I would ever reject Jesus knowing what He has done for me, which would suggest I believe in eternal security.
Whatever you personally believe about salvation, there are scriptures to support both arguments and it really is up to the individual to decide what is the right interpretation. I will say I don't believe you have to be re-saved every time you stumble, but you do have to repent. The life of David really teaches us that forgiveness is there for us if we truly repent - no matter what we've done.
I've made a promise to this reader to research the scriptures to find things that can help nuture their walk. And I would also like to suggest to this person (if you're reading this post) to visit the website of Dr. Charles Stanley.
His website is http://www.intouch.org/. He is THE MAN when it comes to understanding the Bible and covering the subjects that strengthen us as Christians.
Dr. Stanley offers many articles, sermons, and Bible studies that are available for anyone to read or listen to Here's a sampling of some of the articles he's written:
- Covered by Grace...Free to Sin?
- The Price of Walking Away
- The God of Second Chances
- Developing Spiritual Discernment
- To Believe or Not to Believe
- Our Forgiving Father
- When the Bible is Silent
- What is Genuine Repentance
- When Temptation Knocks
Over the next few weeks, I will try to post more frequently and look for scripture and other resources that might be helpful for a new Christian. I believe God is faithful and He has promised if we seek Him, we will find Him. He's right there waiting.
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