Saturday, August 27, 2011
excelsior
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Forgiveness
How are we supposed to forgive people who have no consciousness of even doing anything wrong? They say that a man is as good as his word, so if someone goes back on that word, what good is that person? When someone says something will happen, you count on it, you make your plans around it, you do what you can to make sure it can happen. And then, to go back on that commitment, to stop it before it can start, that's wrong. But if the person isn't sorry for it, even did it intentionally, that makes it even harder to forgive. It makes me downright angry. And yet I know that have to forgive. If I don't the anger will take root in my soul, and lead to bitterness and resentment that lash out at other people who have done me no wrong. I've been hurt before, but never like this. How can I forgive? It is so hard. I know that I have to let it go, but I can't, not yet at least.
And then I think:
70x7: that's how many times Jesus told us to forgive the same person for the same fault. And this person has only wronged me once.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: If we don't forgive others, God will not forgive us. How much worse is that than holding onto anger?
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do: If Jesus could forgive those who killed Him, surely I can forgive.
Lord, do not hold this sin against them: Stephen forgave those who stoned him. These stones that hit me are incomparable.
Not forgiving is a prison. With God's help, I'll break the chains, forgive the wrong, and walk free.
And then I think:
70x7: that's how many times Jesus told us to forgive the same person for the same fault. And this person has only wronged me once.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors: If we don't forgive others, God will not forgive us. How much worse is that than holding onto anger?
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do: If Jesus could forgive those who killed Him, surely I can forgive.
Lord, do not hold this sin against them: Stephen forgave those who stoned him. These stones that hit me are incomparable.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
You gotta serve somebody
Choices are all around us. In today's culture, ads are continually bombarding us, vying for our time and money. Freedom is the air we breathe in America. We pride ourselves on being open-minded, letting people choose what's best for them, not forcing a decision on anyone.
Young people who go off to college are entranced, even intoxicated, by the sudden freedom of being away from their parents. They think that they are now free to make their own choices, to "be an adult." And so, they do the things that they've longed to do all their life, without fear of reprimand from their parents. They stay up late, party, keep a messy room, and generally pretend to be adults while still looking like children to the ones who can tell the difference.
Even adults, though, oftentimes think that they are free, when really they are not. In the biblical view, no one is free. You're a slave to sin--money, power, fame, flesh, or you're a slave to God--obeying His will for your life. The college student who decides to give in to her boyfriend because she feels in love and thinks that it's right for her is not really making a choice, but is simply obeying the flesh. If you're being robbed at gunpoint, and the robber says: "Your money or your life," and you choose to give him your money, it's not of your own free will, you'd never have given him your money if you hadn't been forced. Life is the same way. In the words of the Bob Dylan song, "You gotta serve somebody. It may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody."
(I know that song only because I watched The Ultimate Gift, a very good movie, by the way.)
The only real choice we have is whom we will serve. "Therefore, choose this day whom you will serve." You can serve the Devil, and have handcuffs on you that keep you in a prison of passion that leads only to destruction. Or, you can, as my pastor put it, serve Jesus, who came in the flesh, put the handcuffs on himself, let himself be led to the cross, and then, as his arms were spread out and nailed to the cross, he broke the handcuffs of the flesh, and offered us the choice of being his slaves, so that we can live lives of overwhelming satisfaction and freedom, looking forward to eternal life with Him. The choice is an either/or but not both.
"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ... For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you free in regard to righteousness. But, what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?" (Or at least you should be ashamed of them.) "For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 6:16, 19-23
Young people who go off to college are entranced, even intoxicated, by the sudden freedom of being away from their parents. They think that they are now free to make their own choices, to "be an adult." And so, they do the things that they've longed to do all their life, without fear of reprimand from their parents. They stay up late, party, keep a messy room, and generally pretend to be adults while still looking like children to the ones who can tell the difference.
Even adults, though, oftentimes think that they are free, when really they are not. In the biblical view, no one is free. You're a slave to sin--money, power, fame, flesh, or you're a slave to God--obeying His will for your life. The college student who decides to give in to her boyfriend because she feels in love and thinks that it's right for her is not really making a choice, but is simply obeying the flesh. If you're being robbed at gunpoint, and the robber says: "Your money or your life," and you choose to give him your money, it's not of your own free will, you'd never have given him your money if you hadn't been forced. Life is the same way. In the words of the Bob Dylan song, "You gotta serve somebody. It may be the Devil, or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody."
(I know that song only because I watched The Ultimate Gift, a very good movie, by the way.)
The only real choice we have is whom we will serve. "Therefore, choose this day whom you will serve." You can serve the Devil, and have handcuffs on you that keep you in a prison of passion that leads only to destruction. Or, you can, as my pastor put it, serve Jesus, who came in the flesh, put the handcuffs on himself, let himself be led to the cross, and then, as his arms were spread out and nailed to the cross, he broke the handcuffs of the flesh, and offered us the choice of being his slaves, so that we can live lives of overwhelming satisfaction and freedom, looking forward to eternal life with Him. The choice is an either/or but not both.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Hannah's Song
This post is based off of Hannah's Song, after she had given Samuel over to the Lord at Shiloh. I'm going to be paraphrasing and changing word order, so if you want to make sure I'm not misinterpreting, then you can read the passage directly.
Because I rejoice in your salvation: Because of the holiness, uniqueness and mightiness of
-my heart exults in the LORD God, we have nothing about which to boast. We
-my strength is exalted in the LORD stand only on God's salvation, so we rejoice and
-my mouth derides my enemies boast in it.
There is no(ne) Jeremiah 9:23-24
-holy like the LORD Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast
-besides You in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his
-rock like our God might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but
Do not let him who boasts boast in this, that he under-
-talk so very proudly stands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who
-let arrogance out of your mouth practices steadfast love, justice, and righteous-
ness in the earth. For in these things I delight."
Because
-The LORD is a God of knowledge God knows everything, he knows the motivations of -by Him actions are weighed our actions and can change our situations accordingly.
The bows of the mighty are broken BUT the feeble bind on strength
The full have hired themselves out for bread BUT the hungry have ceased to hunger
She who has many children is forlorn BUT the barren has borne seven.
The LORD kills and brings to life
makes poor and makes rich
brings low and exalts
He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the ash heap
TO- make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor
FOR- the pillars of the earth are the LORD's and on them he has set the world.
He will:
guard the feet of his faithful BUT the wicked shall be cut off in darkness
FOR- not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces, against them will He thunder in heaven.
The LORD will:
judge the ends of the earth, give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.
The sovereignty of God is clearly shown in this song. He has power to change financial, familial, physical, political, and social situations--even life and death are in His hands. He exalts the lowly, and people see that it was not and could not have been the result of a person's effort. He puts people in powerful places that others may see and glorify His name.
The justice and mercy of God are also apparent. God will judge the wicked. In His sovereignty, sometimes He waits for the end of the age, other times He judges them in their lifetime. But God also shows His mercy in that He cares for the downtrodden and lifts them out of their misery, letting them see His goodness, love and strength. He shows His steadfast love, and lifts us out of the dust, out of the ashes into His marvelous light.
Because I rejoice in your salvation: Because of the holiness, uniqueness and mightiness of
-my heart exults in the LORD God, we have nothing about which to boast. We
-my strength is exalted in the LORD stand only on God's salvation, so we rejoice and
-my mouth derides my enemies boast in it.
There is no(ne) Jeremiah 9:23-24
-holy like the LORD Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast
-besides You in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his
-rock like our God might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but
Do not let him who boasts boast in this, that he under-
-talk so very proudly stands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who
-let arrogance out of your mouth practices steadfast love, justice, and righteous-
ness in the earth. For in these things I delight."
Because
-The LORD is a God of knowledge God knows everything, he knows the motivations of -by Him actions are weighed our actions and can change our situations accordingly.
The bows of the mighty are broken BUT the feeble bind on strength
The full have hired themselves out for bread BUT the hungry have ceased to hunger
She who has many children is forlorn BUT the barren has borne seven.
The LORD kills and brings to life
makes poor and makes rich
brings low and exalts
He raises the poor from the dust, he lifts the needy from the ash heap
TO- make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor
FOR- the pillars of the earth are the LORD's and on them he has set the world.
He will:
guard the feet of his faithful BUT the wicked shall be cut off in darkness
FOR- not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces, against them will He thunder in heaven.
The LORD will:
judge the ends of the earth, give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed.
The sovereignty of God is clearly shown in this song. He has power to change financial, familial, physical, political, and social situations--even life and death are in His hands. He exalts the lowly, and people see that it was not and could not have been the result of a person's effort. He puts people in powerful places that others may see and glorify His name.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Guilt and Grace
This is going to be what is probably my longest post ever, but it needs to be said, so please read it all.
Sometimes, no, often, the "little" sins are the ones which trap us. A little sin, or even misdeed, not wrong in content, but wrong in timing or priority, can and will build into bigger and more tenacious sins. The more sin comes in, the more it holds on, and eventually sin's deceitfulness hardens even the cleanest conscience.
For me, it all started when I was eight or nine years old. Nearly every Sunday I would go to the church library and check out a book or two from the children's section. My parents played very little role in advising me as to what my reading material should be, as they thought that the content of everything in the section for my age level would be appropriate. It was, after all, the library of a conservative, Bible-believing and teaching church. Then I would go home and read it after dinner, while my parents were relaxing or napping. My parents knew of and encouraged this practice. I had been reading a series of books, but one Sunday, the next in line was checked out, so I proceeded to find a different series to read. I found another series by the same author. Having discovered nothing objectionable in the other series, I figured this new one should be interesting and wholesome. The title gave me some misgivings, but, I checked it out anyway. When my parents took a nap later, I settled down to read, finding myself in a world which no child, especially one as young and impressionable as I, should ever read about. But it was so very interesting, so despite my little pricks of conscience, I kept reading, justifying my actions to myself. I thought: "It's not that bad, why else would it be in the church library?" Maybe an hour into reading the book, my older brother came in, and I cleverly hid the title from him. Out of curiosity, he asked me what book I was reading, but because I knew that the title revealed the book's subject matter, I pretended not to hear, and kept the cover hidden. Not to be deterred, my brother quickly snatched the book out of my hands, saw the title, and immediately went and got my parents. I tried unsuccessfully to explain away the title, but my mom would hear nothing of it. Incensed at the church library for having the book in the children's section, she took the book from me, told me to be more careful next time, and the matter was laid to rest. Or so my parents thought.
I hadn't finished the story, and I desperately wanted to. Inside my heart was laid a seed of distrust of and discontent with my parents' authority. So, the next time I obtained a book of which my parents' approval was uncertain, I read it in secret instead of taking it to them beforehand and asking whether or not I could read it. I soon became adept at sneaking books. I even read plenty of good, wholesome books, which my parents would have gladly allowed me to read. I just didn't have the patience to wait until all my schoolwork and chores were completed. So, I sneaked books, lots and lots of books. I don't even know how many books I read, but eventually, I was caught, my reading privileges were extremely curtailed, and I was watched more closely. However, to me, "Stolen water was sweet, and bread eaten in secret was pleasant." Instead of stopping, I just got better and better at hiding my sin, soon using outright lies instead of subterfuge to accomplish my sin. Invariably, I would be found out and punished with the loss of some privilege, and my mom could no longer trust me. One time I lost a privilege which I was extremely sorry to lose, and so for quite a while I stopped my reckless cycle of sin. However, I was sorry for the consequences, not the sin itself, and my own will could not hold forever. About a year and a half ago, I felt guilty about the sin itself, and I started to write down every book I had read without my mom's knowledge or permission since the last time I had been caught, and every time that I couldn't resist temptation, I would add another book to the list, planning at some to point to tell my mom. However, I couldn't bring myself to confess, fearing the punishment and displeasure of my mom, who thought that I had finally reformed. A little over a year ago, I went on a retreat called Journey to the Heart, and on that retreat God met me and broke me, and I confessed, first to my team and then on the phone to my mom. She met me with a mercy that was completely undeserved and promised to help me overcome temptation.
I wish I could say that I haven't stumbled since then, but that wouldn't be true. Since the Journey, I have read probably fifteen books when I shouldn't have and my mom doesn't know about. These past couple of weeks have been especially hard, and I confess that I have stumbled, using my old methods to accomplish my misdeeds. However, as someone wise once said, "the power of sin is in its secrecy," so I am baring my sin to the world, to my friends, and to my mom, who is ever nudging me onto the right path. The sin has been confessed to God, but I recognize that it is not enough, and I will continue to sin if I don't tell people who can keep me accountable.
I urge anyone reading this to confess to whoever is in authority over them whatever sin you are hiding. It's not worth it to keep it hidden away.
God bless!
Melody Grace
Sometimes, no, often, the "little" sins are the ones which trap us. A little sin, or even misdeed, not wrong in content, but wrong in timing or priority, can and will build into bigger and more tenacious sins. The more sin comes in, the more it holds on, and eventually sin's deceitfulness hardens even the cleanest conscience.
For me, it all started when I was eight or nine years old. Nearly every Sunday I would go to the church library and check out a book or two from the children's section. My parents played very little role in advising me as to what my reading material should be, as they thought that the content of everything in the section for my age level would be appropriate. It was, after all, the library of a conservative, Bible-believing and teaching church. Then I would go home and read it after dinner, while my parents were relaxing or napping. My parents knew of and encouraged this practice. I had been reading a series of books, but one Sunday, the next in line was checked out, so I proceeded to find a different series to read. I found another series by the same author. Having discovered nothing objectionable in the other series, I figured this new one should be interesting and wholesome. The title gave me some misgivings, but, I checked it out anyway. When my parents took a nap later, I settled down to read, finding myself in a world which no child, especially one as young and impressionable as I, should ever read about. But it was so very interesting, so despite my little pricks of conscience, I kept reading, justifying my actions to myself. I thought: "It's not that bad, why else would it be in the church library?" Maybe an hour into reading the book, my older brother came in, and I cleverly hid the title from him. Out of curiosity, he asked me what book I was reading, but because I knew that the title revealed the book's subject matter, I pretended not to hear, and kept the cover hidden. Not to be deterred, my brother quickly snatched the book out of my hands, saw the title, and immediately went and got my parents. I tried unsuccessfully to explain away the title, but my mom would hear nothing of it. Incensed at the church library for having the book in the children's section, she took the book from me, told me to be more careful next time, and the matter was laid to rest. Or so my parents thought.
I hadn't finished the story, and I desperately wanted to. Inside my heart was laid a seed of distrust of and discontent with my parents' authority. So, the next time I obtained a book of which my parents' approval was uncertain, I read it in secret instead of taking it to them beforehand and asking whether or not I could read it. I soon became adept at sneaking books. I even read plenty of good, wholesome books, which my parents would have gladly allowed me to read. I just didn't have the patience to wait until all my schoolwork and chores were completed. So, I sneaked books, lots and lots of books. I don't even know how many books I read, but eventually, I was caught, my reading privileges were extremely curtailed, and I was watched more closely. However, to me, "Stolen water was sweet, and bread eaten in secret was pleasant." Instead of stopping, I just got better and better at hiding my sin, soon using outright lies instead of subterfuge to accomplish my sin. Invariably, I would be found out and punished with the loss of some privilege, and my mom could no longer trust me. One time I lost a privilege which I was extremely sorry to lose, and so for quite a while I stopped my reckless cycle of sin. However, I was sorry for the consequences, not the sin itself, and my own will could not hold forever. About a year and a half ago, I felt guilty about the sin itself, and I started to write down every book I had read without my mom's knowledge or permission since the last time I had been caught, and every time that I couldn't resist temptation, I would add another book to the list, planning at some to point to tell my mom. However, I couldn't bring myself to confess, fearing the punishment and displeasure of my mom, who thought that I had finally reformed. A little over a year ago, I went on a retreat called Journey to the Heart, and on that retreat God met me and broke me, and I confessed, first to my team and then on the phone to my mom. She met me with a mercy that was completely undeserved and promised to help me overcome temptation.
I wish I could say that I haven't stumbled since then, but that wouldn't be true. Since the Journey, I have read probably fifteen books when I shouldn't have and my mom doesn't know about. These past couple of weeks have been especially hard, and I confess that I have stumbled, using my old methods to accomplish my misdeeds. However, as someone wise once said, "the power of sin is in its secrecy," so I am baring my sin to the world, to my friends, and to my mom, who is ever nudging me onto the right path. The sin has been confessed to God, but I recognize that it is not enough, and I will continue to sin if I don't tell people who can keep me accountable.
I urge anyone reading this to confess to whoever is in authority over them whatever sin you are hiding. It's not worth it to keep it hidden away.
God bless!
Melody Grace
Friday, August 5, 2011
Love (Part 2)
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| ©Marian Solano |
Whether sitting on the shores of a lake which is surrounded by mountains, walking in tall prairie grass, listening to the sounds of wildlife in a light-dappled forest, or pushing through a noisy throng of people in a skyscraper-filled city, or anywhere in between, God has revealed His love to us in so many ways and places, but it's still hard to put into words how unending, amazing, perfect that divine love is. It's an under-oath, steadfast, enduring, unchanging, secure, heart-melting, fascinating, faithful love that pursues each and every person on this planet. "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."~Romans 5:6-8John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Jesus showed us the ultimate expression of His love, by laying down his life, voluntarily; dying that people like you and I might live. Regardless of your situation in life, God loves you, more than you could ever know. He took the first step to love, now take the second step to Him. Love is a two-way street, requiring action. Egit. Ago. (He acted, I act)
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| ©Marian Solano |
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
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| ©Marian Solano |
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Love (Part 1)
The cultural conception of love is so distorted. Love songs, romance novels, TV shows--they promote an ideology of love that is unhelpful at best and destructive at worst. They speak of the hormonal feelings and impulses as falling in love, and treat people as animals in heat looking for a mate. If you've ever had a pet that has not been neutered/spayed, then you know that animals in heat are not pleasant to be around, and all relationships are abandoned in search of a mate. Yet, this is how the culture now promotes love. Physical chemistry seems to be foremost: "If it feels right, do it." Compatibility of character of beliefs seems not to matter anymore. But enough ranting on the culture and falling in love.
Love is an action, not a feeling, and it takes conscious effort to maintain. Unlike desire, love with long-term relationships in mind will pay attention to the compatibility of mind, soul and body, not just body. Love requires wisdom and strength and patience. To paraphrase Joshua 23:11, we must be careful to maintain love in every aspect of our lives.
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