Gratification in Sin to Gratification in Christ

I grew up in the Church.  Looking back at my life, I cannot recall any times when I doubted the existence of God.  As a younger Christian, I just assumed that most of my peers had similar experiences.  I assumed they went to Church, at least for holidays like Christmas and Easter, and that they knew about the death and resurrection of Jesus, and what that meant for salvation.  I assumed that everyone at least had an idea of who God is.

Of course, I was wrong.  In fact, I really had no idea who God was.

Then, there was a time when I believed in Christ, but reveled in sin.  Thinking back to this makes me feel weary.  Somehow, I was able to find ways to justify my lifestyle.  I convinced myself that the Bible was irrelevant and outdated, that all I need to know was the love that Jesus bore for us... and that living in sin wasn't actually denying God.  I still believed; and that is really all that matters, right?

I knew little, and understood less.

Now, years later, I find myself more clearly recognizing the severity of my nature, and the severity with which I need Christ.  This advent season I am taking time to reflect on the precious gift that God has bestowed upon on us.  And a beautiful gift it is.  God has been faithful to me regardless of where I am on my walk with Him.  I have denied God more than I have accepted Him, yet it would seem that God still yearns for me to come to Him.

As I grow in spiritual maturity, I realize how little I actually know and understand.  I am eternally thankful for a Father in heaven who is concerned with my holiness, so much so that he would send Jesus to sacrifice himself for our shortcomings.  My hope is that God will continue to teach me and grow me, beyond this advent season and the next.  

Christ will come again, and I hope that you will know Him too.

Decision-Making

This is something I constantly find myself struggling with...seriously, just talk to my husband.  If you were to ask him what my weaknesses are, he would probably say that indecision is on the top of the list...Actually, he is really nice, so he would probably tell you "she's perfect." Ha-ha, isn't that funny?

I know some people make a list of pros and cons on a yellow legal pad, wait, that's wrong.  Who am I kidding? No one uses legal pads...I believe there is an app for that. Ok, let me start over: I am sure many people use their digital devices to make a list of pros/cons, or perhaps they have a better memory and do this mentally (I err on this side, but I don't always remember the list I made, so it isn't the most effective process). Sometimes, the decisions are not that difficult, or at least they shouldn't be.

Should I wear my Toms or my flip flops? Do I want a blizzard with Reeses or Heath?  Am I going to study today or take on that mess in my yard? Red or white wine? But then there are the harder decisions: Do I take this job? Do we move across the country? How do I confront someone I care about regarding this or that? Should I take on this new leadership role? How do we know what God wants us to do?

I often hear people say things like: What is the universe telling you to do? Are you sure about this? What feels right? Or, for the Christian, maybe this is a sign from God?  Have you prayed about it?  God will lead you.

I just don't know.  There is so much I don't know, or don't understand in life, in scripture...scripture?  I think that is where I need to start.

It seems that we can look at the life of Jesus. What did HE do? What did HE say?  How can I implement that into my life?

Unless there is a clear moral answer, can we ever really know what God 'wants' us to do?  I'm not sure, but I think we can use the information we have to make a well-informed decision.  I'm still working on this Biblically, and trying to figure out how to incorporate prayer and how to 'listen' to God in these situations.  This thought is still a work in progress, but here is what I have so far:

1) we should pray and ask God for wisdom

2) allow the Spirit to be our helper

3) seek counsel from other Godly people

James 1:5 suggests that we should ask God for wisdom.  This is much different then asking God to give us a 'sign' or to 'tell' us what to do.  In fact,God provides us with the resources we need, including those for decision making.

In John 14 Jesus promises that even in His absence He will be with us.  How you ask? The Holy Spirit! Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as a helper who will dwell within us. I don't know about you, but I can use all of the help I can get.. So thank God for the Spirit!

Then, Proverbs is filled with words about seeking wisdom and guidance. Proverbs 8:33 tells us, "Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it."  We can seek counsel and advice from those who have gone before us, and from other Godly people. God has provided us with a community to benefit from one another through teaching, fellowship and discipleship. Yet another resource given to us by God - people!

Perhaps, if we pray and ask for wisdom, allow the spirit to reside within us, and seek counsel from other Godly people, God will provide enough.  God does not tell us to sit idly and wait for Him to decide for us.  So get out your legal pad, use the tools He has given and make decisions faithfully. 

 

Put That Gun Away, Please

Another shooting.  Already? The shooting at SPU was only 5 days ago.  Then, 2 days ago there was a shooting in Las Vegas. And now, a shooting at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, OR.  Lord help us.

I remember sitting in an elementary school classroom when our teacher had to tell us that there was a shooting at Thurston High School...I didn't know anyone at Thurston, but some of my classmates did... cousins, brothers and sisters of their friends, a daughter of mom's friend who had babysat for them a few times before...  At the time, I don't really think I fully understood what was happening, but I did know it was scary and it was wrong.  I thought schools were a safe place?

Sadly, it isn't just shootings, and it isn't just in schools.  I recently heard a news report about two 12 year old girls who stabbed another child all in the name of some fictional character (trying to prove allegiance, I believe)... I was too appalled to continue reading the article.
 
Regardless of political stance, liberals and conservatives alike should both be able to identify that this is a problem.  Our society has developed quite the propensity for violence (or so it would seem).  I'm not sure if this is attributed to video games, television, or lack of care for the mentally ill.  Plus, correlation does not indicate causation, and I have not done the research. Perhaps is just seems that there has been an increase in violent crimes due to faster information sharing, or if actual occurrences are happening more frequently...

I am fearful for my generation, and the next.   The thought that we will live in a world where this is frequent, is and should be a saddening.  Will these school shootings and other violent acts simply become 'another' news story?  I worry that we will become numbed to the emotions that cause us to be compassionate human beings.

What I do know is that we should fervently pray for people who are tempted by the flesh to behave in this way.  We should pray that they do not find access to the weapon they are seeking, that they have a moment of clarity before acting, or better yet, that they get the help they need before committing such a crime.  We should be in prayer that Christ will abound and knit us together in love, and that we can diligently share His love with those who do not know it.  Through Christ, and Christ alone, we can be changed, and made whole again.  I sincerely pray for the love and grace of Christ to grow and spread over his people like wildfire. 

In the meantime, I pray you have the mind to take these things seriously, and if you choose to keep a weapon in your household that you do so carefully, responsibly and safely.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  1 John 5:1-5