Parenting and the Gospel

(from Aug, 2011)

I met with a young single mom today.  She had two children, ages 2 and 5, with her.  She had her hands full!  After we left one another, I was thinking of how well a particular scenario demonstrated our need for a Savior, as well as our human condition.

At one point,  I set myself as an authority over her 5yo son.  He was full of energy, and would disrupt our conversation, without reservation.  I called him to me, and explained that he was in "my" room, so he would need to follow my rules.  I told him to sit in a big chair, and so he sat.  As he sat there, he recognized that I wasn't the only authority in the room.  He got up, and "appealed" to what he saw as a "higher" authority... His mom.  And, perhaps, she is.  God has set his mother as the highest human authority in her son's life (as well as her daughter's).  Although their father ultimately holds that place, she is the guardian for the majority of their lives.  She is the one who is constant, so it's her authority that matters most.  So... her son gets out of the chair, and he stands in front of her.  "You're the boss," he says.  Not with his voice, but with his eyes.  He's also saying, "Do I have to listen to her?" and  "What are you going to do?"  She doesn't do anything.  She's trying to have a conversation, and ignoring him seems to be the best response.  Eventually, he figures out that neither of us is the boss, but that he gets to make the rules.

Isn't that what we do with God?  Before I gave my life over to Him, that's exactly what I did.  And, even now, I sometimes catch myself being tempted by those types of thought patterns.  I'm told to do this, and I'd rather do that.  So I need a Savior... just as much as that little boy needs a Mommy.  I need Someone to explain to me how dangerous life is without a loving Parent.  I need to know I can trust Him to provide for me... not just food and clothing and shelter... but discipline, too.  Because without loving rules and boundaries, my life is in danger - with painful consequences.  If I am willing to live under the proper authority, I can experience true joy and happiness.  I can rest, knowing that my basic needs, and even most of my desires will be met.  That's why I need Jesus.  He's a good and loving Guardian... my Shepherd, actually.  (Read Psalm 23!)

I'm so thankful to that precious mom, and her little boy!  The time we spent this afternoon was good for me.  None of us is exempt from lessons to be learned in the course of our lives... least of all, me.

Living in Ruins

Do you know people who are living in ruins?  People who ought to be celebrating their freedom in Christ?  God has so much more in store for us than we seem to to give Him credit for sometimes.  In doing so, we diminish His glory in us.  And what are we doing for His reputation?

Nehemiah was a man living in the fortified city of Susa, far removed from his homeland.  He is a cup-bearer to the king.  He is completely distraught when he receives word of the condition of the beloved city of God - and, by extension, his/His people.  His kinsmen have escaped, surviving the exile, and are back in their homes.  However, their place of worship is in ruins.

Hearing this news, Nehemiah weeps, and mourns, and fasts, and prays.  His prayer is such an amazing example of a man devoted to God - who He is, how He works, and the redeeming love, purpose and mission that motivates His interaction with us.

Nehemiah first gives praise to God, acknowledging His character, His reputation, His willingness to respond to His children.  Then, he confesses not only his sin, but the sin of the people.  (It strikes me that here he is, miles away, in service to a foreign king - certainly not accountable for the state of affairs in Jerusalem - yet, he's confessing his own sin in the matter.)   He admits that he and his people have strayed.  They've become corruptible, not keeping the Lord's commands, day after day.  Finally, Nehemiah appeals to the Lord to remember His promises and grant success as they turn back to Him with humble hearts. 

Nehemiah, in this first chapter, closes with, "Oh... and, by the way, I'm just a cup-bearer." (paraphrase)  I love how God can use the most unlikely of candidates!  Who am I?  Nobody.  But, who are You?  Almighty God.  ...Use me.

Lord, help us to be humble... to see You as You are... to confess our sin, collectively and individually... to lovingly call others to repentance that they may really, truly live!  May we live in freedom and show others who You are!  Lord, remember us, for the sake of Your great name.  Amen.

(Read Nehemiah, chapter 1.)

-originally written Oct. 6, 2011

No Longer Condemned

A friend recently encountered a terrible accident while horseback riding.  As a result, she spent four days in the hospital.  She suffered six broken ribs, broken clavicle and scapula. Her left lung collapsed, but is nearly at 100% functionality.  After being released from the hospital, she said, "I'm in a lot of pain, but thankful I will heal with time."

After reading a familiar verse in Scripture, I thought of my friend's accident.  And sin.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

In Christ, there is...
No condemnation.
No shame.

There is, however, consequence.  A terrible injury inflicted as a result of sin may be forgiven, washed clean, covered in grace.  But consequences remain.  There is recovery and healing that must take place. And that takes time. We can't rush healing.  6-8 weeks, the doctors say.  Or 8-10 weeks.  Six months to a year. A lifetime. Recovery...and healing is a process. 

"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and purify (wash, cleanse) us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9)

What a feeling!  In a moment, we can be forgiven.

I can imagine, though, having experienced a horrendous accident, being taken to the emergency room, being prepped for surgery, undergoing procedure after procedure, and being wheeled into a recovery room.  Now what? Well... You wait.  And you do your best to get back to a normal life.

Eventually, you realize that you're living.  Wounds have healed, though scars remain.

God's grace brings new life.

Messenger {fmf}

Someone who brings information, insight, something important.

Good news.

Bad news.

Something to say.

Something you (or I) need to know.

Jesus.

John.  (Who came as a messenger.)

He brought the Good News.

Some didn't want to hear it.

Many responded.

Me.

If it is possible,
let me bring good news

to people who are hurting.

The Good News of Christ - 

a Savior who loves 

and cares

and seeks

and saves.

Who delivers

and redeems,

transforms

and makes new.

Messenger.

Testimony of Grace - My Grampapa

It's Father's Day weekend. And, though he was my grandfather, he showed me a Daddy's love more consistently than anyone else in my life. Some of the memories my Aunt Jill-ann shares below are memories I have, too. (Which is so cool! - She is two years younger than I am.) Playing at Marymoor Park and watching Grandpa go 'round and 'round on the velodrome. (I never knew that's what it was called.) Flying over Grandma's house in Bothel and waving at her from the sky with the airplane's wings. Ice cream (licorice ice cream is the best!) Grandpa's bike accident and the trip that was cut short because of the Mt. St. Helen's eruption (although, those are memories-from-a-distance having heard about them by phone, living in Las Vegas - the concern was just as real.)