You read that right! I'm giving up everything about Facebook for Lent. Below is the note I posted on my account...I've separated it by ***'s so I can add stuff at the end and not confuse you. :)
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First, I realize many people may not even know what Lent is. Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter...it's significance is based in the Catholic or Lutheran (or the more traditional denominations of Christianity) and is expected to be practiced (giving up chocolate or something else is often what people say they're giving up) by anyone in those churches.
However, I grew up Lutheran and never fully grasped the immense impact a "lenten sacrifice" could really have on the life of someone. That is, until I was 26 and came to a place in my life where I had to either find the truth of the God I said I had committed my life to and let Him have all of me, or continue to wonder what the purpose of life really is. This, to me, was a no brainer...if I was only put on this earth to live, work, love and die and that's the end, then I realized that the only thing that mattered was what other people thought of me because if I wanted to live a good life then I needed as many people to like me so they would want me to be in their lives.
Wow...my entire worth caught up in the opinions of other people based not on who I really am, but on the filters they look at me and all the things I do (or don't do) that have been developed in their lives by the opinions of people who looked at them for not who they are, but for what they did or didn't do through the filters that have been developed in THEIR lives by the opinions of people....get the picture? Seriously? I'm going to live my life based on what the opinions of others say about me? People who have their own issues...with no standard for perfection even though we're all striving toward it?
I decided to figure out the truth of the God I called my Savior and see what I found. I discovered an amazing God who loves me no matter how messed up I am. Who doesn't put up with my foolish self ~ but Who doesn't deal with me as I deserve, but through mercy and grace and perfect love.
I could go on, but I need to get the boys to the dentist, and I want to be able to write this not in a hurry, but focused and honest. So...I'll not be back on Facebook unless it's to post the note I'll write offline as a completion to this one.
If I don't come back on, you can always check my family blog where I'll probably post this also... http://www.trayctalks.blogspot.com
If you've decided there is no God...or decided that maybe there is but He doesn't care about you...I hope you'll take this challenge from me........
Get a Bible. Before you start reading ask that God would help you see the truth. You don't have to believe...I believe and know that He knows your heart anyway, so pretending you do doesn't really fool Him. Say this, "So Trayc says you're real. I don't know if it's true, and I really don't believe it, but if you are help me understand this book and see the truth." That's all you really have to do...just be real.
I suggest reading Psalm 103 to see all He has done...then read the story of the life of Jesus in either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. (the Bible's made up of many different books all in one book...Psalms is in the middle of the Bible, those other four are in the second part called the New Testament.)
I don't know if anyone will read this...all I know is that if I didn't ask you to do your own searching, your own asking and looking in the one place of absolute truth (the Bible... if you're not a believer in the authenticity of the Bible I suggest you podcast a talk from New Heights Church, Vancouver, WA given by one of our pastors a couple weeks ago about that very topic. ...you may be surprised!) then I will die with one major regret...that I knew where to find peace and I didn't share it because I was afraid of what people would think. That wouldn't be worth it to me...you matter too much for me to not share.
See you after Easter!
Trayc
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It doesn't really explain why I'm giving up Facebook, though, does it? That's what I get for trying to write a note with only a few minutes to complete it before I *have* to leave for an appointment! (ugh.) I kind of explained it in my status update where I wrote "Trayc is giving up Facebook for Lent. It's a huge sacrifice in my life, but a smidgen of the sacrifice given FOR my life. See you after Easter." That kind of explains it....right?
Well, if it just brings out more questions, then I'll expound.....
As I stated in the note, I grew up Lutheran. I was "baptized" (sprinkled) as an infant, and I was confirmed when I was in 9th grade. It was soon after confirmation that we changed churches and left Lutheranism. During my time as a Lutheran I grew to love the tradition and the liturgical church year, including Lent. I never did understand the purpose of it, though. That is, until I was teaching in Colorado at a Catholic Girls-school. It was while I was teaching there that our Campus Minister and very good friend, Lynnae, shared with the girls the importance of sacrifice during Lent. Since then I have looked at Lent differently ~ even though I'm no longer a member of a denomination that observes the practices of "giving up something" for Lent.
So the other day I was having my time with God and pondering the time of year...it was late at night because I had spent WAY too much time on Facebook perusing friends' pages and playing games. I love Facebook! Living very far away from many of my long-time friends and most of my family, as well as having moved a lot and having friends and students who are all around the country and world, it is the most wonderful thing to be able to keep up to date with what's going on in their lives on a somewhat daily basis...instead of just getting the highlights with a yearly letter or an every-couple-years catch-up session. I enjoy the quizzes and being able to get to know my friends and family members through silly little interviews and videos and postings on their walls. Facebook has helped me reconnect with friends who I haven't seen since High School or College...and relatives I get to see VERY rarely because of where life has taken us, but to whom I have so many wonderful memories with growing up. Yes, I definitely love Facebook!
It is for that very reason that I have decided to give it up for Lent. I realized that Lent is preparation of my spirit for the culminating event of the life of Jesus Christ, and it is through the immensity of His sacrifice that I can live my life in confidence and hope knowing He has saved me by being crucified, dying, and rising again. Studying the extremes of what He went through speaks volumes about Him:
*the lies and the manipulation of the system by people who felt threatened by Him so they alone could be more powerful and seen as wise and important
*the picture of One who loved so deeply, cared so freely, accepted and challenged all while not compromising on right and wrong, spoke hope, truth, peace and confidence to those who trusted in Him being whipped with multiple strands of leather interwoven with bone fragments designed to bring ultimate pain and rip flesh to shreds...
...all of it for the sake of saving any who would believe in Him and accept His sacrifice and live for eternity in a place with streets made of gold.
With a Savior who made THAT kind of sacrifice ~ giving up glory and the praise of Heaven to become human and live within limitations of that body ~ I can't help but want to know Him more...love Him more...give Him more. So what can I give Him for the next 40 days that would require much of me? As strange as it sounds...Facebook.
I've heard people say that Christians are people who simply need a crutch and can't live their lives on their own. I find this humorous and ignorant knowing the Christians I do. Business owners who are very successful and respected in their fields; men and women who did have extremely successful careers "by the world's standards" and gave them up for the opportunity to minister to others the truth of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit; Intelligent people with multiple degrees and brains that constantly amaze and astound...to know the people I know and to understand why they believe what they believe puts that statement about needing a crutch to rest pretty deeply.
I've also heard people say that Christians are just judgmental and rigid in their moral standards and don't accept people who don't believe as they do. I am sad to admit that this is a true statement for some people who call themselves Christians...and I don't doubt that they really are...but I can't help but wonder as I see the changes in me as I get to know the TRUTH about WHO God is if they really understand and know HIM...or if they just think they can use Him to justify their hatred. That's not Christ...that's not the character of a person in love with someone who sat down with the dregs of society and reached out to those no one else would touch.
It's also not the character of Christ in someone who says they are Christians but condone and accept actions, activities and lifestyles that are in direct opposition to what is written in the Bible. Jesus loved all. He also loved all he came in contact with enough to expose what was wrong and what was missing in their lives as He pointed them to what would fulfill them. That has never changed. He continues to point out in me all that I need to work on...the things that keep me tangled in messes that destroy and hurt. But He does it so beautifully...so tenderly and lovingly...firmly, yes, but with persistence and patience that goes against what so many think.
Knowing Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of the One True God, and the other part of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit, (If you don't understand let me explain...I'll never understand that either, but I know it to be true nonetheless) I can't stay in the place I am...comfortable and happy...while the church prepares for Easter. If He can make a sacrifice of giving His very life for me, surely I can give up something that tends to draw me as well. I'm not giving up my friends (although I wouldn't be surprised if I had fewer friends on my friends list when I come back after Easter), but I am giving up something I love for the sake of my One True Love.
And that's why I'm giving up Facebook for Lent.
As I finish this post up I want to lay the same challenge out to you that I wrote in my note on Facebook....
If you've decided there is no God...or decided that maybe there is but He doesn't care about you...I hope you'll take this challenge from me........
Get a Bible. Before you start reading ask that God would help you see the truth. You don't have to believe...I believe and know that He knows your heart anyway, so pretending you do doesn't really fool Him. Say this, "So Trayc says you're real. I don't know if it's true, and I really don't believe it, but if you are help me understand this book and see the truth." That's all you really have to do...just be real.
I suggest reading Psalm 103 to see all He has done...then read the story of the life of Jesus in either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. (the Bible's made up of many different books all in one book...Psalms is in the middle of the Bible, those other four are in the second part called the New Testament.)
I don't know if anyone will read this...all I know is that if I didn't ask you to do your own searching, your own asking and looking in the one place of absolute truth (the Bible... if you're not a believer in the authenticity of the Bible I suggest you podcast a talk from New Heights Church, Vancouver, WA given by one of our pastors a couple weeks ago about that very topic. ...you may be surprised!) then I will die with one major regret...that I knew where to find peace and I didn't share it because I was afraid of what people would think. That wouldn't be worth it to me...you matter too much for me to not share.
If you're wanting reliable resources that have more information here are a few sites to check out:
"http://www.equip.org"
"http://www.insights.org"
"http://www.christianitytoday.com"
There are many good Christian leaders, but I honestly believe that simply opening the Bible and asking God to help you understand...getting to know ALL of Him (it's easy to take parts of a book and twist it to be something it's not within context)...is the best way to get to know God. It's pretty logical, really...do you think reading books about someone who lives with you gives you a more realistic view of that person than, say, reading something they themselves wrote? or sitting down with them and asking them to help you understand them? No? I didn't think so either...so if you want to know the truth of who God is, read what He wrote...the Bible. Don't take that as you can't read anything to help you understand... all I'm saying is don't rely solely on books written about the Bible instead of getting in to the Bible itself.
I hope you'll take the challenge...even if you are a Christian...get to know God better over the next few months by opening up your Bible and spending time with Him.
Here's to being more of who we were made to be......
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A Hero of a Nine Year Old...
I'm posting a report my oldest son wrote in school for "Celebrate a Hero" week. His teacher immediately pulled me aside when I went in to volunteer one day and had me read it. I was somewhat surprised, but I have to admit that as his Mother I was so very encouraged...and reminded that the job of Christian parents goes so far beyond raising a "good kid." I hope you enjoy this as much as his father and I did...
Do you have a hero?
I do!
He has many others who call Him hero as well. My hero is the most powerful person in the universe!
He is not world famous like Tony Hawk or Shawn White. (Trayc insert...Tony Hawk is a famous skateboarder. Shawn White is a famous snowboarder)
But famous to few people in the world.
My hero has a path of gold bricks to the entrance of his world.
Well, that's what they say.
I believe it myself.
My hero's world is called Heaven.
They say he will destroy earth and make a new Heaven.
People called Christians go there when they die.
My hero created the heavens and the earth.
They say he created the heavens and the earth in something like 7 days!
Yah, that's cool. Even I'm amazed!
You want to know something that's even cooler?
My hero is as big as 598,768,927,876 Sears towers stacked on top of each other.
My hero is God!
God is like a shamrock.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
My hero is a know-it-all guy.
But in a good way.
This is what I mean, he knew forever.
I mean, this guy actually knew that I'd be writing this forever.
I know what you're going to ask next.
How could he know forever?
Well, let's just say he lived forever.
Wierd, but true.
Science says that living forever is impossible.
That's why my science is different than science on TV.
I bet you're getting impatient to hear what God has done for me, huh?
Well, God did something for me the night of 01-08-09.
This is what he did.
The wind was as strong as tornado.
I was worried that there might be a tornado.
So I prayed this prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray you will help keep everyone in the world safe. In your name I pray, Amen.
And I was absolutely safe all night.
Another thing that he has done for me he is still doing for me now.
He's helping me focus.
Yep. He can even help you stay focused.
But this time I didn't pray. He did it without me asking him to.
My life has been changed at the age of 9 because of this hero.
Thank you God.
I carry a copy of this with me now. I usually have it in my planner so I can be reminded of what is really important in my life. I have many responsibilities...wife, mothers, homemaker, daughter, sister, friend, PTA mom, MOMS leader, teacher...but only one that will make a difference in my life even after I am dead: Christian. This paper written by my son reminds me that none of my involvements matter...none of my "hats" matter...if I am not first and foremost letting the love of Christ Jesus shine through my thoughts, words and actions. There is so much to be done. The fields are ripening and getting ready for harvest. There is so much happening in our world causing people to once again realize their need not for their own abilities to save them, but for the need of One much greater than they. I am thankful beyond words for a paper written (in a public school, by the way) that is a constant reminder that people around us are watching who we are, listening to how we talk, looking for what makes this Jesus so attractive. I pray my life will not be lived in vain, but will instead be a light that shines bright on a hill guiding the way toward a Savior whose character, whose heart, whose perfection is what every person created longs to know.
Do you have a hero?
I do!
He has many others who call Him hero as well. My hero is the most powerful person in the universe!
He is not world famous like Tony Hawk or Shawn White. (Trayc insert...Tony Hawk is a famous skateboarder. Shawn White is a famous snowboarder)
But famous to few people in the world.
My hero has a path of gold bricks to the entrance of his world.
Well, that's what they say.
I believe it myself.
My hero's world is called Heaven.
They say he will destroy earth and make a new Heaven.
People called Christians go there when they die.
My hero created the heavens and the earth.
They say he created the heavens and the earth in something like 7 days!
Yah, that's cool. Even I'm amazed!
You want to know something that's even cooler?
My hero is as big as 598,768,927,876 Sears towers stacked on top of each other.
My hero is God!
God is like a shamrock.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
My hero is a know-it-all guy.
But in a good way.
This is what I mean, he knew forever.
I mean, this guy actually knew that I'd be writing this forever.
I know what you're going to ask next.
How could he know forever?
Well, let's just say he lived forever.
Wierd, but true.
Science says that living forever is impossible.
That's why my science is different than science on TV.
I bet you're getting impatient to hear what God has done for me, huh?
Well, God did something for me the night of 01-08-09.
This is what he did.
The wind was as strong as tornado.
I was worried that there might be a tornado.
So I prayed this prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray you will help keep everyone in the world safe. In your name I pray, Amen.
And I was absolutely safe all night.
Another thing that he has done for me he is still doing for me now.
He's helping me focus.
Yep. He can even help you stay focused.
But this time I didn't pray. He did it without me asking him to.
My life has been changed at the age of 9 because of this hero.
Thank you God.
I carry a copy of this with me now. I usually have it in my planner so I can be reminded of what is really important in my life. I have many responsibilities...wife, mothers, homemaker, daughter, sister, friend, PTA mom, MOMS leader, teacher...but only one that will make a difference in my life even after I am dead: Christian. This paper written by my son reminds me that none of my involvements matter...none of my "hats" matter...if I am not first and foremost letting the love of Christ Jesus shine through my thoughts, words and actions. There is so much to be done. The fields are ripening and getting ready for harvest. There is so much happening in our world causing people to once again realize their need not for their own abilities to save them, but for the need of One much greater than they. I am thankful beyond words for a paper written (in a public school, by the way) that is a constant reminder that people around us are watching who we are, listening to how we talk, looking for what makes this Jesus so attractive. I pray my life will not be lived in vain, but will instead be a light that shines bright on a hill guiding the way toward a Savior whose character, whose heart, whose perfection is what every person created longs to know.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Whole New World
As a new day looms on the horizon there is a heaviness I've been trying to deny. I make no apologies for the fact that I did not vote for Barack Obama. My vote had nothing, and my heart is free of condemnation as I know I speak the truth, to do with race. I will be the first in line to vote for a man or woman of whatever color skin they may have if I believed they had the ability to lead our country in these trying times. I would vote proudly if I believed they truly loved our country and were willing to make wise decisions that would protect those who could not speak for themselves (the unborn being a major population overlooked by the Obama campaign) and not just those who had the loudest mouths with the largest amounts of money behind them. I would vote everyday and twice on Sunday for a leader who understood that cultural differences mean that sitting down to "talk it out" in some countries means that they will sit down with you and agree to stop whatever is causing the problem and plot to kill you as soon as you walk out the door. Someone who understands that in those countries negotiation is not a word they are very fond of. To know that a person whose skin is red, yellow, black or white and is female or male but truly has what it takes to KEEP (not make) the United States of America a country that is powerful because it cares for it's people first and what others think of us second...THAT is a leader I am willing to vote for. I say with trepidation that tomorrow is coming...and I fear (I'm not afraid, but I fear as I would fear a rattlesnake curled near my feet in the South Dakota Badlands) what tomorrow brings.
Just tonight I heard the news pronouncing that one of Barack Obama's first actions in office will be to overturn a reinstatement made by the Bush Administration of a policy put in place by Ronald Reagan (and overturned by Bill Clinton in 1993) that "bans the United States from funding international family planning groups that provide information, counseling, or referrals about abortion.
The "Mexico City policy," commonly referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was devised by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 at a population conference in Mexico City, CNN says."
Are we surprised? No. Not really. Why would we be when on the campaign trail Barack Obama declared that he wouldn't want his daughter "punished" with a pregnancy just because she was choosing to be sexually active? Funny. I have never looked at ANY of my pregnancies as punishment...before or after marriage. Consequential, yes, but not punishment.
And so I look at the clock and see that in my time zone I have 5 minutes left of the George W. Bush Presidency...although he doesn't have the approval ratings right now, he will go down in my book as a President of integrity, faith and courage. It has been my honor to pray for a man who knows Who is really in control.
But my prayers don't stop now. No, quite the contrary. My prayers ramp up now. You see, I was motivated to write tonight not because of a Presidential changing of the guard...but because of an article I read while researching tomorrow's inauguration. It was an article that literally stopped me in my tracks. Much like those articles in the news where a mother has drowned her children, or a supposed man of God who leads a congregation in His Word has abused his power over little children he is supposed to be a shepherd to...those kinds of articles that literally make you want to find a way to hurry the second coming of Christ so you can be delivered from a world soooooo, well, so hell-bent on doing those things that only bring destruction and pain to this world. (I know! Get to the article already!) The article I refer to is found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090119/lf_afp/lifestylebritainreligiontransportatheism (sorry, you'll have to cut and paste into your address bar) The article speaks of a new trend in London and Western Europe. It started as a funny little comment from a comedic journalist in an article she wrote back in June. Now this comment is plastered on the sides of buses, and is literally driving all around London.
The comment is, "There probably is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Further down in the article it states that in Italy buses will soon be carrying this message, "The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that we do not need him."
Now, may I say that I have no problem with atheists having a voice. My heart stopping moment comes in the realization that the very God who IS in control will not tolerate sin...and He does not make any secrets over the fact that one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. There is very much a God...and He is a God of justice as much as He is a God of love. My thought was, "Oh, Lord. They're so lost! They're rejecting the Rolls Royce to drive the Subaru because it's more common, and in their choosing they're missing out on the very "enjoyment" of life they long for. They have no idea that the peace they're demanding and the worries they're avoiding have very little to do with whether or not You exist, but with the fact that they have been so deeply deceived over Who You really are." My next thought was, "Lord, have mercy on them...for they know not what they do." And in a moment I remembered the story of cities literally brought to ruin because He could not find one godly one in them. I remember the telling of the flood that came to cover the earth because those He created for relationship had so vividly rejected Him for their own pleasure. And a deep seated fear...that comes from an awesome respect and understanding of power...settled deep in my soul.
My prayers aren't stopping. They're ramping up.
Another article motivated me, too. This one came from the opposite spectrum of the atheist who says there is no God. This article also stopped my heart for a moment...more because it seemed to shatter than because I couldn't believe what I was reading. This article was actually a transcription of a prayer read at an Inauguration event this weekend. It is from the "first openly gay, non-celibate priest to be ordained a bishop in a major Christian denomination." His name is Gene Robinson, and he is a Bishop in the Episcopal church. Many are up in arms over the fact that HBO didn't air his prayer before the "We Are One" Inaugural concert that was aired on that channel (which certainly hasn't been an enemy to the homosexual community). I have nothing to say about him or his sexual orientation, but when I read his prayer...the prayer of a man who supposedly knows and loves the same God I do...I was brought to my knees in sorrow and grief. Here are some portions of his prayer:
"O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will bless us with tears - tears for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women in many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.
Bless this nation with anger - anger at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
The "salutation" stopped me first, "O God of our many understandings...." Huh. I know that there is only ONE TRUE GOD. I Timothy 2: 5-6 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time." John 14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." There's only One God ~ and no matter what your "understanding" of Him, He is the One you will stand before one day. I don't hate Bishop Robinson for what He said...my heart breaks over his blatant misunderstanding and complete absence of the very God he says he serves. He's missing out on true peace as he leads many, many people on the path of destruction ~ not in this short life, but for eternity. How can a heart continue beating regularly when faced with such grief?
His second paragraph he would probably say could be pointed directly at me because of my views...and yet the discrimination against my views is not included in his statement. Huh. Crazy, isn't it? Romans 7 says this: "Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law." Doesn't that just make it all clear as to why the Word of God is a pariah, but praying to God is all good? It is in the Word of God that we learn how very lost we really are....and it's in the Word of God that we learn how very loved we are, too. Because I agree that homosexuality is sin...and because I live my life with a firm foundation that what I believe is true...I am intolerable. Well, it's not the first time I've been that...might as well not stop now. *grin*
His prayer is quite lengthy (why wouldn't it be? He has a platform...why not use it?) You can read the prayer in it's entirety here if you'd like: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/19/exclusion-of-gay-bishop-f_n_159114.html
I have to say that I don't disagree with every point he has made in his prayer/political statement. I grieve just as much over the abuse of women and children all around the world as I do the actions I've written about here already. I, too, want us to stop being comfortable with the simplistic answers we accept instead of learning the truth of who we are. I think, however, that Bishop Robinson is very much in the role Tom Cruise played to Jack Nicholson's "You can't HANDLE the truth!" It is logistically impossible for there to be dual "truths." Is he really wanting us to hear the "truth" of who we are, or is he simply wanting his lie to be accepted as truth?
There is another statement Bishop Robinson got right, though. Read this:
"Bless us with patience and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be fixed anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah."
No. Barack Obama is not a messiah. Nowhere near. He is bringing about a change, though, and because of the changes he has promised to bring I will certainly not be stopping my praying anytime soon. I hope, no matter if you voted for or against him, you'll join me in praying that the One True God will work through and in our new President, Barack Obama.
Goodnight ~ tomorrow's a whole new day.
Just tonight I heard the news pronouncing that one of Barack Obama's first actions in office will be to overturn a reinstatement made by the Bush Administration of a policy put in place by Ronald Reagan (and overturned by Bill Clinton in 1993) that "bans the United States from funding international family planning groups that provide information, counseling, or referrals about abortion.
The "Mexico City policy," commonly referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was devised by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 at a population conference in Mexico City, CNN says."
Are we surprised? No. Not really. Why would we be when on the campaign trail Barack Obama declared that he wouldn't want his daughter "punished" with a pregnancy just because she was choosing to be sexually active? Funny. I have never looked at ANY of my pregnancies as punishment...before or after marriage. Consequential, yes, but not punishment.
And so I look at the clock and see that in my time zone I have 5 minutes left of the George W. Bush Presidency...although he doesn't have the approval ratings right now, he will go down in my book as a President of integrity, faith and courage. It has been my honor to pray for a man who knows Who is really in control.
But my prayers don't stop now. No, quite the contrary. My prayers ramp up now. You see, I was motivated to write tonight not because of a Presidential changing of the guard...but because of an article I read while researching tomorrow's inauguration. It was an article that literally stopped me in my tracks. Much like those articles in the news where a mother has drowned her children, or a supposed man of God who leads a congregation in His Word has abused his power over little children he is supposed to be a shepherd to...those kinds of articles that literally make you want to find a way to hurry the second coming of Christ so you can be delivered from a world soooooo, well, so hell-bent on doing those things that only bring destruction and pain to this world. (I know! Get to the article already!) The article I refer to is found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090119/lf_afp/lifestylebritainreligiontransportatheism (sorry, you'll have to cut and paste into your address bar) The article speaks of a new trend in London and Western Europe. It started as a funny little comment from a comedic journalist in an article she wrote back in June. Now this comment is plastered on the sides of buses, and is literally driving all around London.
The comment is, "There probably is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life."
Further down in the article it states that in Italy buses will soon be carrying this message, "The bad news is that God does not exist. The good news is that we do not need him."
Now, may I say that I have no problem with atheists having a voice. My heart stopping moment comes in the realization that the very God who IS in control will not tolerate sin...and He does not make any secrets over the fact that one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. There is very much a God...and He is a God of justice as much as He is a God of love. My thought was, "Oh, Lord. They're so lost! They're rejecting the Rolls Royce to drive the Subaru because it's more common, and in their choosing they're missing out on the very "enjoyment" of life they long for. They have no idea that the peace they're demanding and the worries they're avoiding have very little to do with whether or not You exist, but with the fact that they have been so deeply deceived over Who You really are." My next thought was, "Lord, have mercy on them...for they know not what they do." And in a moment I remembered the story of cities literally brought to ruin because He could not find one godly one in them. I remember the telling of the flood that came to cover the earth because those He created for relationship had so vividly rejected Him for their own pleasure. And a deep seated fear...that comes from an awesome respect and understanding of power...settled deep in my soul.
My prayers aren't stopping. They're ramping up.
Another article motivated me, too. This one came from the opposite spectrum of the atheist who says there is no God. This article also stopped my heart for a moment...more because it seemed to shatter than because I couldn't believe what I was reading. This article was actually a transcription of a prayer read at an Inauguration event this weekend. It is from the "first openly gay, non-celibate priest to be ordained a bishop in a major Christian denomination." His name is Gene Robinson, and he is a Bishop in the Episcopal church. Many are up in arms over the fact that HBO didn't air his prayer before the "We Are One" Inaugural concert that was aired on that channel (which certainly hasn't been an enemy to the homosexual community). I have nothing to say about him or his sexual orientation, but when I read his prayer...the prayer of a man who supposedly knows and loves the same God I do...I was brought to my knees in sorrow and grief. Here are some portions of his prayer:
"O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will bless us with tears - tears for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women in many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.
Bless this nation with anger - anger at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
The "salutation" stopped me first, "O God of our many understandings...." Huh. I know that there is only ONE TRUE GOD. I Timothy 2: 5-6 says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time." John 14:6 says, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." There's only One God ~ and no matter what your "understanding" of Him, He is the One you will stand before one day. I don't hate Bishop Robinson for what He said...my heart breaks over his blatant misunderstanding and complete absence of the very God he says he serves. He's missing out on true peace as he leads many, many people on the path of destruction ~ not in this short life, but for eternity. How can a heart continue beating regularly when faced with such grief?
His second paragraph he would probably say could be pointed directly at me because of my views...and yet the discrimination against my views is not included in his statement. Huh. Crazy, isn't it? Romans 7 says this: "Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law." Doesn't that just make it all clear as to why the Word of God is a pariah, but praying to God is all good? It is in the Word of God that we learn how very lost we really are....and it's in the Word of God that we learn how very loved we are, too. Because I agree that homosexuality is sin...and because I live my life with a firm foundation that what I believe is true...I am intolerable. Well, it's not the first time I've been that...might as well not stop now. *grin*
His prayer is quite lengthy (why wouldn't it be? He has a platform...why not use it?) You can read the prayer in it's entirety here if you'd like: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/19/exclusion-of-gay-bishop-f_n_159114.html
I have to say that I don't disagree with every point he has made in his prayer/political statement. I grieve just as much over the abuse of women and children all around the world as I do the actions I've written about here already. I, too, want us to stop being comfortable with the simplistic answers we accept instead of learning the truth of who we are. I think, however, that Bishop Robinson is very much in the role Tom Cruise played to Jack Nicholson's "You can't HANDLE the truth!" It is logistically impossible for there to be dual "truths." Is he really wanting us to hear the "truth" of who we are, or is he simply wanting his lie to be accepted as truth?
There is another statement Bishop Robinson got right, though. Read this:
"Bless us with patience and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be fixed anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah."
No. Barack Obama is not a messiah. Nowhere near. He is bringing about a change, though, and because of the changes he has promised to bring I will certainly not be stopping my praying anytime soon. I hope, no matter if you voted for or against him, you'll join me in praying that the One True God will work through and in our new President, Barack Obama.
Goodnight ~ tomorrow's a whole new day.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
2009
Hi there! It's been a while since I've really taken the time to write what's going on and just write. But, I have a couple of minutes and a lot running through my mind...and I wanted to share with you a website that I think has the potential to change your world. It's linked in the title above (right click and open it in a new window or tab), so feel free to visit it. When we lived in Redding Scott & I found Dr. Carlson's ministry ~ at that time called "Family Life" ~ and we knew we had the desire to live an intentional life with what we have, what we're doing and with what God calls us to. I have to be honest and say we haven't done that. Scott & I are truly different thinkers so trying to get us both on the same page takes a tremendous amount of effort that (after work, kids, and ministry) just is sometimes not there. We have implemented some things at different times in our lives, though, and I have to say those were times when we saw the greatest fulfillment in our lives. SO...all that to say, "understanding an intentional way of living is really worth it."
What makes me think about this today is the culmination of the last few days/weeks in my life. I am at a place in my life where I am realizing God has called me to something that is rather scary. It requires me to accept who I am in HIM and to let go of who I've always been told I was, thought I was, or found my worth in. That's not easy. In fact, it is at times downright terrifying. I am finding my faith being tested in a way I never have before. Even when I was pregnant with Sophie I relied on the whisperings of my Uncle Jim saying to me over and over again, "you made a mistake, you're not a mistake (repeat)" I never fully accepted how fully loved I was by the Creator/Savior of the world. Having to accept that requires me to let go of all expectations of others. It requires me to look at life with new eyes ~ His eyes. It requires me to step out of my comfort zone and truly walk what I have said to so many over the years ~ "You were made for a purpose. If you don't live in that purpose...pursue the call He has on your life...it will be your one true regret. He won't love you any less, but, in a very significant way, you will be committing the sin of disobedience."
And so I am constantly singing the song from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town:" Put one foot in front of the other! And soon you'll be walking out the doo-oo-or! Put one foot in front of the other...." As I open up my box of fears to my friends and they kick me in the pants and affirm what God has given me to do I find the need to share my struggles so that maybe, by God's grace and mercy, He will use my words to encourage someone who reads this to do the same in their lives.
I was just writing on my other blog and ran across this entry: http://tbds.blogspot.com/2008/12/john-1513.html . There are times I find that what I write in hopes of encouraging someone else are words I will need to read and heed as well. So it is with this passage. To accept a love so deep and wide and amazing is difficult knowing myself the way I do. Yet in truth I must.
And so I am packing up a manuscript and sending it to a friend who has agreed to read it. I don't know what will come of it. She may very well say I don't have what it takes with that one, but I have to do what I know He is calling me to do.
What is He calling you to do? Are you noticing a lot of people lately commenting on something you do or have the ability of? Has He given you the opportunity to unwrap a talent you never thought He could use just so you can open up a relationship with others and share His glory? That's what it's all about, you know. It's not about being so tremendous as Me or You. It's about bringing glory to God by being unashamed of being who He made you to be.
When we were in Southern California recently we met with some friends of Scott's from college at a park for a picnic. Scott & I met them there and Steve & Jileen (his sister and her husband) brought the boys with them since we were in LA for our anniversary. When we got there the kids were all playing and it was a beautiful sunny day out. I looked for Micah and found him in the middle of it all swinging on the swings and having a blast. After a hug and a quick conversation he wanted to get back to it. In looking for Caleb I found him playing independently (it sounds so much nicer than "by himself") completely content to be doing what he was doing. I walked over and said, "hiya, Handsome." He looked up, smiled and said, "Mom? Do you think it's one of my gifts that I'm okay to be who I am and I don't get embarrassed about that?" I have the same reaction now as I did then. Tears kinda sprang to my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as I smiled and said, "I think that's a pretty incredible character trait to have, Bud, but we'll have to talk about what are gifts, what are character traits, and what are talents." He grinned and said, "okay? Now?" So we went for a walk and talked about how God created us for a purpose and how He has given us each something we are able to do that will bring glory to Him and increase His Kingdom as we keep our eyes focused on Him and continually grow in our relationship with Him. That time was a gift to me because of the depth of the conversation with my grown-up 9-year-old, but I had no idea that God would use that time to affirm what I had been hearing from others in the words of my son who started out a sentence with, "you know what, Mom? I see one of your gifts, too...." I had to stop walking and stare at him for a moment as I realized my son had just spoken truth into my life.
Who's speaking truth to you? What are you hearing? Make 2009 the year you're finished living as if you're going to die someday and make it the year you're going to make your life really count. Make it the year you allow God to instill in you the depth of love He has for you as you live the life He has created for you to live! Give the glory to the One who allows you breath and LIVE!!
If you'd like to follow this part of my journey it will be on yet another blog... href="http://www.spurinklings.blogspot.com" This is actually an old blog for me as I created it a few years ago when I was doing cards based on Hebrews 10:24. It only seems appropriate that a blog created to spur people on to touch and change lives for Christ would be used for this purpose. I'm putting one foot in front of the other and I 'm going where He's calling me to go...would you like to join me? I hope so! Happy New Year!
What makes me think about this today is the culmination of the last few days/weeks in my life. I am at a place in my life where I am realizing God has called me to something that is rather scary. It requires me to accept who I am in HIM and to let go of who I've always been told I was, thought I was, or found my worth in. That's not easy. In fact, it is at times downright terrifying. I am finding my faith being tested in a way I never have before. Even when I was pregnant with Sophie I relied on the whisperings of my Uncle Jim saying to me over and over again, "you made a mistake, you're not a mistake (repeat)" I never fully accepted how fully loved I was by the Creator/Savior of the world. Having to accept that requires me to let go of all expectations of others. It requires me to look at life with new eyes ~ His eyes. It requires me to step out of my comfort zone and truly walk what I have said to so many over the years ~ "You were made for a purpose. If you don't live in that purpose...pursue the call He has on your life...it will be your one true regret. He won't love you any less, but, in a very significant way, you will be committing the sin of disobedience."
And so I am constantly singing the song from "Santa Claus is Coming to Town:" Put one foot in front of the other! And soon you'll be walking out the doo-oo-or! Put one foot in front of the other...." As I open up my box of fears to my friends and they kick me in the pants and affirm what God has given me to do I find the need to share my struggles so that maybe, by God's grace and mercy, He will use my words to encourage someone who reads this to do the same in their lives.
I was just writing on my other blog and ran across this entry: http://tbds.blogspot.com/2008/12/john-1513.html . There are times I find that what I write in hopes of encouraging someone else are words I will need to read and heed as well. So it is with this passage. To accept a love so deep and wide and amazing is difficult knowing myself the way I do. Yet in truth I must.
And so I am packing up a manuscript and sending it to a friend who has agreed to read it. I don't know what will come of it. She may very well say I don't have what it takes with that one, but I have to do what I know He is calling me to do.
What is He calling you to do? Are you noticing a lot of people lately commenting on something you do or have the ability of? Has He given you the opportunity to unwrap a talent you never thought He could use just so you can open up a relationship with others and share His glory? That's what it's all about, you know. It's not about being so tremendous as Me or You. It's about bringing glory to God by being unashamed of being who He made you to be.
When we were in Southern California recently we met with some friends of Scott's from college at a park for a picnic. Scott & I met them there and Steve & Jileen (his sister and her husband) brought the boys with them since we were in LA for our anniversary. When we got there the kids were all playing and it was a beautiful sunny day out. I looked for Micah and found him in the middle of it all swinging on the swings and having a blast. After a hug and a quick conversation he wanted to get back to it. In looking for Caleb I found him playing independently (it sounds so much nicer than "by himself") completely content to be doing what he was doing. I walked over and said, "hiya, Handsome." He looked up, smiled and said, "Mom? Do you think it's one of my gifts that I'm okay to be who I am and I don't get embarrassed about that?" I have the same reaction now as I did then. Tears kinda sprang to my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as I smiled and said, "I think that's a pretty incredible character trait to have, Bud, but we'll have to talk about what are gifts, what are character traits, and what are talents." He grinned and said, "okay? Now?" So we went for a walk and talked about how God created us for a purpose and how He has given us each something we are able to do that will bring glory to Him and increase His Kingdom as we keep our eyes focused on Him and continually grow in our relationship with Him. That time was a gift to me because of the depth of the conversation with my grown-up 9-year-old, but I had no idea that God would use that time to affirm what I had been hearing from others in the words of my son who started out a sentence with, "you know what, Mom? I see one of your gifts, too...." I had to stop walking and stare at him for a moment as I realized my son had just spoken truth into my life.
Who's speaking truth to you? What are you hearing? Make 2009 the year you're finished living as if you're going to die someday and make it the year you're going to make your life really count. Make it the year you allow God to instill in you the depth of love He has for you as you live the life He has created for you to live! Give the glory to the One who allows you breath and LIVE!!
If you'd like to follow this part of my journey it will be on yet another blog... href="http://www.spurinklings.blogspot.com" This is actually an old blog for me as I created it a few years ago when I was doing cards based on Hebrews 10:24. It only seems appropriate that a blog created to spur people on to touch and change lives for Christ would be used for this purpose. I'm putting one foot in front of the other and I 'm going where He's calling me to go...would you like to join me? I hope so! Happy New Year!
Friday, December 26, 2008
20 Questions
My friend, Renee, posted these questions that she got off another friend's blog. In reading them they were quite thought-provoking, so I thought I'd answer them, too.
1). What kind of music would describe your personality?
(this really depends on my mood!) '80's hairbands, Southern Gospel, Gospel Choir,4-Part Harmony, Spa music, Ska, Classic Pop, Classical
2). What attracts people towards you?
I often say I'm kind of like my dog, Dakota. He's an adorable Pomeranian whose fun-loving and excitable personality draws people in...but the longer they're around him the more annoying that gets. :)
3). When was the last time you laughed out loud?
Today ~ it's Christmas, and there were MANY opportunities to laugh out loud.
4). What 5 character traits do you appreciate about yourself?
Pathological Learner, Trustworthy, Truthful, Fun, Committed to excellence
5). Where do you place your trust?
In Christ alone.
6). What energizes and drains you in life?
Energizes: new projects
Drains: old projects, routines, clutter and CARBS!
7). If money was no object what would you do?
A) Keep ministries touching the lives of others with the truth of the Gospel going without worry.
B) Set up a fund that would help young families struggling to get off the ground financially so they could go through training and get it together...knowing they would then be expected to keep the fund going for those they come into contact with in the same situation.
C) Travel.
8). What are your personal truths that you stand in everyday?
Truth is worth being committed to...and people are worth investing in.
9). Do you step out in trust or fear when encountering an unknown situation?
The million dollar question for me! If I'm grounded in the Word I step out in trust knowing God is for me. However, if I'm not in the Word as much I step back in fear because I struggle with my own abilities and worth in unknown situations.
10). In 5 words how would your friends describe you?
Ummmm, I'm guessing here, but: strong, faithful, straight-forward, compassionate, fun
11). When was the last time that you did something special for yourself?
tonight ~ instead of going to bed I decided to stay up and spend some time alone refreshing my spirit through study and writing.
12). How could you listen better to those around you?
STOP. Just stop and be present when I'm with others ~ to take my thoughts off whether my clothes fit right or my hair looks okay or if they really like me ~ to stop thinking of how I'll respond to them, and to just listen to their hearts in what they're saying.
13). If you are a mom how did you show love to your children today?
I spent time cuddling with each of them in the midst of the chaos of Christmas...whispering my amazement over the opportunity to be their Mom into their ears. I also instilled the love of Perfection Personified (Jesus) into their lives through "Jotham's Journey" the Christmas Story and prayer. (and laughing and playing with them helped, too!)
14). What do you need freedom from that is weighing you down from your past?
Believing the lies that I'll never be worthy of doing what I was made to do because of my past or my bad habits.
15). What lies do you believe about yourself?
That I'm being arrogant if I say I can do something well, that I'll never be disciplined enough to be a healthy weight again, and that the dream I have is too big ~ that it's just my dream and that I'm just trying to be something important so people will notice me (which is the biggest lie of all!!)
16). How do you create balance in your life?
I have to have time to be creative. I also have to have time with God. If those two are in place the other things happen without my realizing I have to schedule it in. If those two are out of place or missing...my whole world is chaotic.
17). What part of your life story could encourage someone else?
The biggest one would be the story of redemption that is my adoption story. How God answers prayers in His amazing tenderness and sets it all in motion for His worthwhile glory. The continual one is how He never stops molding, changing and creating new life in me.
18). How do you live each day with intention and purpose?
Focus on the fact that this world is truly NOT my home...that I am here to bring glory to God in all I say, do and think...and that no one on this earth will judge me on that final day. Only God.
19). What gives you meaning in life?
This would be the same answer as #18
20). How do you know that you are loved by God, no matter what?
I'll be honest here ~ there are days I can't believe it. There are days and times and seasons when it feels like He is far from me and that I am not "loved" by Him. I have learned that in those times I have to stand firm in faith ~ that it's in believing what I'm told in the infallable Word of God instead of trusting in my gut or seeing His hand at work in my life. I am loved because He tells me He loves me with an everlasting love that cannot be taken away. There are days, though, that I literally say out loud, "Lord, I'm not feeling it. There is pain and hurt and stuff I don't understand, but I trust You and I will believe ~ even if I don't feel ~ that what You have for me is the best because You are perfect and Holy and You love me more than I could ever understand."
1). What kind of music would describe your personality?
(this really depends on my mood!) '80's hairbands, Southern Gospel, Gospel Choir,4-Part Harmony, Spa music, Ska, Classic Pop, Classical
2). What attracts people towards you?
I often say I'm kind of like my dog, Dakota. He's an adorable Pomeranian whose fun-loving and excitable personality draws people in...but the longer they're around him the more annoying that gets. :)
3). When was the last time you laughed out loud?
Today ~ it's Christmas, and there were MANY opportunities to laugh out loud.
4). What 5 character traits do you appreciate about yourself?
Pathological Learner, Trustworthy, Truthful, Fun, Committed to excellence
5). Where do you place your trust?
In Christ alone.
6). What energizes and drains you in life?
Energizes: new projects
Drains: old projects, routines, clutter and CARBS!
7). If money was no object what would you do?
A) Keep ministries touching the lives of others with the truth of the Gospel going without worry.
B) Set up a fund that would help young families struggling to get off the ground financially so they could go through training and get it together...knowing they would then be expected to keep the fund going for those they come into contact with in the same situation.
C) Travel.
8). What are your personal truths that you stand in everyday?
Truth is worth being committed to...and people are worth investing in.
9). Do you step out in trust or fear when encountering an unknown situation?
The million dollar question for me! If I'm grounded in the Word I step out in trust knowing God is for me. However, if I'm not in the Word as much I step back in fear because I struggle with my own abilities and worth in unknown situations.
10). In 5 words how would your friends describe you?
Ummmm, I'm guessing here, but: strong, faithful, straight-forward, compassionate, fun
11). When was the last time that you did something special for yourself?
tonight ~ instead of going to bed I decided to stay up and spend some time alone refreshing my spirit through study and writing.
12). How could you listen better to those around you?
STOP. Just stop and be present when I'm with others ~ to take my thoughts off whether my clothes fit right or my hair looks okay or if they really like me ~ to stop thinking of how I'll respond to them, and to just listen to their hearts in what they're saying.
13). If you are a mom how did you show love to your children today?
I spent time cuddling with each of them in the midst of the chaos of Christmas...whispering my amazement over the opportunity to be their Mom into their ears. I also instilled the love of Perfection Personified (Jesus) into their lives through "Jotham's Journey" the Christmas Story and prayer. (and laughing and playing with them helped, too!)
14). What do you need freedom from that is weighing you down from your past?
Believing the lies that I'll never be worthy of doing what I was made to do because of my past or my bad habits.
15). What lies do you believe about yourself?
That I'm being arrogant if I say I can do something well, that I'll never be disciplined enough to be a healthy weight again, and that the dream I have is too big ~ that it's just my dream and that I'm just trying to be something important so people will notice me (which is the biggest lie of all!!)
16). How do you create balance in your life?
I have to have time to be creative. I also have to have time with God. If those two are in place the other things happen without my realizing I have to schedule it in. If those two are out of place or missing...my whole world is chaotic.
17). What part of your life story could encourage someone else?
The biggest one would be the story of redemption that is my adoption story. How God answers prayers in His amazing tenderness and sets it all in motion for His worthwhile glory. The continual one is how He never stops molding, changing and creating new life in me.
18). How do you live each day with intention and purpose?
Focus on the fact that this world is truly NOT my home...that I am here to bring glory to God in all I say, do and think...and that no one on this earth will judge me on that final day. Only God.
19). What gives you meaning in life?
This would be the same answer as #18
20). How do you know that you are loved by God, no matter what?
I'll be honest here ~ there are days I can't believe it. There are days and times and seasons when it feels like He is far from me and that I am not "loved" by Him. I have learned that in those times I have to stand firm in faith ~ that it's in believing what I'm told in the infallable Word of God instead of trusting in my gut or seeing His hand at work in my life. I am loved because He tells me He loves me with an everlasting love that cannot be taken away. There are days, though, that I literally say out loud, "Lord, I'm not feeling it. There is pain and hurt and stuff I don't understand, but I trust You and I will believe ~ even if I don't feel ~ that what You have for me is the best because You are perfect and Holy and You love me more than I could ever understand."