The Shack

I finished reading The Shack last week. It took me a whole 24 hours to complete the book that I have been encouraged to read for quite some time. There has been a fair bit of contraversy about this book and it's theological correctness. I am no theologian but this book affirmed many aspects of my God that I have always understood but rarely verbalized.
In this book, the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is presented in a very unconventional way. I have had no problem thinking of God the Father as a loving Father. I have always had a good relationship with my own earthly father, so I think that is why I can picture God in this way. If my earthly father had been abusive, absent or distant, it may have not been quite as easy. The main character in this book did have an alcoholic, abusive earthly father. When God chose to reveal Himself, He did so as a woman. Not only a woman but a black woman. One magazine actually termed her as an Aunt Jemimah of sorts.
Jesus (God the Son) revealed Himself as a Middle Eastern Man with black hair and a large nose. One part of the book where I had to giggle was when Mack (the main character) said something like, "Jesus I thought you would be more...." Then Jesus said, "Handsome?". Mack replies rather sheepishly, "Yes". We get this image of a blond German Jesus and it just couldn't be further from the truth. We get so duped in our traditional Christian symbols. I think we all will be surprised when we see our Lord on that day. No matter what, He will be beautiful!
God the Holy Spirit is portrayed as an Asian woman. I resonate with this depiction because of our own discomfort as Christians, with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and comforter but we often think s/he is mysterious, just like this Asian woman.
The way I see it is, God will reveal Himself to us in a way we can comprehend. He is God and He can do that. He knows each one of us in such an intimate way. He knew when we would come to know Him as Savior and Lord and He knew exactly what it would take to get us to that point of surrender. He knows our coming and our going. He is just the kind of God that would taylor Himself and anything around us to bring us to Himself and in step with Him again.
What a Savior!

Life is Short

We are saddened and shocked by the deaths of those in our age group, like it can't happen to us. One thing I learned in my profession at an early age, is "Life is Short". I think when I turned 40 it wasn't turning 40 that bothered me, it was realizing my own mortality. I have seen children, young mothers, fathers and grandparents all lose the battle of illness. It never seems fair, but it is reality.
My son's friend will turn 11 years-old this week without his mom. She died in May from malignant melanoma at age 36. She left a husband and two children.
Life shouldn't be treated lightly. Our friends, family and co workers may not be here tomorrow. Treat people with dignity and respect. Life is a gift. Each morning we should awaken with thankfulness that we can live and breath. But who or what are we thankful to? That's something we need to think about.
Just a thought.

Atonement

That was the title of the episode of ER last night. One of the story lines was about a man who had been a prison doctor. One of his duties was to administer lethal injections to the prisoners on death row. At the time, he felt he was doing a public service. The tide changed when a man he had "put to death" was found to be innocent months later. The guilt this doctor felt had consumed him. His life's quest became one of traveling to families of the men he "killed" to apologize and offer a way to "make up" or atone for what he had done.
He was in the ER because he had saved a boy from drowning in the icy waters. This boy was the son of a man he had executed. This doctor feared going to hell if this boy died. The doctor could not make up for the overwhelming guilt he felt. His works to God never seemed to be enough to atone for what he had done. The ER staff sent in the "chaplain" to talk with this doctor. This so-called chaplain is a beautiful New Age clergy who happens to be the new love interest of one of the main doctor characters. Her form of ministry is to make everyone feel good about everything. This doctor’s pleas for answers went unreturned by the chaplain. She continually offered punchy, feel-good statements. This doctor was in absolute spiritual agony and pleaded with her for answers. He needed to know whether he could ever obtain forgiveness from God for his sins. She gave him nothing and he told her that. He was so angry that he threw her out of the room and she fled in tears. I literally cheered at this point. I have been so sick of this New Age chaplain as a deceiver of the Lord!! ER made a strong point in my eyes.
Later, as she spoke with her love interest doctor, she made the statement that when people are in crisis, they want concrete answers; they want do's and don’ts. She admitted that she could not give this man what he needed.
Her form of "religion" is an empty deception that cons people into believing that they only need to feel good about everything to be in touch with their spiritual side.
Of course the show didn't bring in Jesus Christ, but it did reveal that New Age doesn't have the answers when it comes to the crunch in life.
This doctor could have had forgiveness through Christ. The burden of his guilt weighted him down like a mountain of rock. Christ is ready, willing and so very able to lift that mountain off the shoulders of the lost

Philippians Peace Promise

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

I think the Philippians peace promise certainly holds alot more weight than some of the peace treaties that have been out there in the past quarter century. Paul speaks of this peace promise from a jail cell. So if he could have this peace, why can't we experience that same peace? I certainly did yesterday.
I spent yesterday at St. Mary's hospital's cardiac catheterization lab with my husband. He underwent a catheterization to investigate the possible origin of some chest pain and fatigue he has been experiencing. The procedure itself presents certain risks, such as heart attack or stroke. The results of the procedure could mean and uncertain future and further medical intervention.

I had many friends and church family praying yesterday and it was evident. I felt the peace that surpasses understanding. I was not fearful waiting for Mike to come out of the cath lab. I was not even fearful of the possible diagnosis that could result.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” Philippians 4:7-9

Now the challenge begins. We received the diagnosis and the intervention means major surgery. I still have peace but when I sit and dwell on the uncertain future, I feel the fear set in. I fear for my husband, my children and myself. Life is changing before my eyes and there may be nothing that can be done to prevent some events from happening. My complete trust MUST me in the Lord who has promised this peace.

He has also reminded me by giving this verse today:
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

God is sovereign and He is in control. I take that control back with my moments of fear. I'm also thankful that He understands my human nature and the emotions that come with that nature. He will hold me and be my sustaining strength no matter what the future holds

Run the Race

The Lord reminded me through the words of a friend today that we are to” run the race!” I knew it was from the Lord because the Holy Spirit convicted me at that moment those words were spoken.

Hebrews 12:1,2
"Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and haws sat down at the right hand of God's throne."
I ran across a Bible study on this verse. This author uses the analogy of the weigh of sin being like a “suitcase”. Let me share some of the points made:

“The most common suitcase is “the sin that so easily hinders our progress.” This doesn’t mean that you can’t run the race if you commit sins (we’d all be out of the race!)—it means that you can’t stay in the race long if you are clutching on to and rationalizing things that you know God says are wrong and destructive. When you’re clutching on to and rationalizing sexual immorality or substance abuse/dependence, it will sap your motivation and stamina. When you clutch on to and rationalize bitterness and hatred, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Eph.4:32 context). When you’re clutching on to and rationalizing things like materialistic greed, it will sap your motivation and stamina (Mk.4:18,19).

By distinguishing “the sin that so easily hinders our progress” from “every weight that slows you down,” the author implies that even things that are not overtly morally wrong can be suitcases that we need to lay aside—because they simply don’t fit into the course/race God has set before us. Early in my Christian life, I devoted a lot of time to creative writing. But at a certain point, God showed me that he wanted me to use most of my (very limited) creative talent to develop Bible teachings. I couldn’t do both to the extent that I wanted to, so I decided to drop most of the writing. And I haven’t regretted that decision. I was talking to a young brother recently who has decided that he needs to radically down-size his living situation so he can have more time and energy to devote to spiritual growth and service. It wasn’t a black and white moral issue—but God showed him that it was a weight that was slowing him down. Other such suitcases include: VIDEO GAMES; INTERNET SURFING; SHOPPING; SPORTS HOBBIES; TV/CABLE. Paul says these things may be lawful, but when they are enslaving you it’s time to put them down (1Cor.6:12)."
http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/hebrews/gary/heb12-1.htm

I certainly can name a suitcase or two that I have been carrying around lately. Today I had been holding onto a suitcase of bitterness. I'm not sure what caused me to pick that case up again, but I'm glad the Lord has reminded me that I need to put it down again to run this race!!

Potty Mouth

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7

I was reminded today by this verse just how much Christ loves me. Not only this verse, but a wonderful conversation with an old friend. I used to work with this friend at the hospital before I was a believer. Helen is a strong Christian and was very instrumental in my coming to faith in Christ. She was an example to me all those years. While chatting with her, she happened to remark about a "professional" that has a foul and crude mouth. Fortunately he doesn't do this in front of patients but it is hard to respect someone who speaks that way. I was reminded however, of my life before Christ. How much He has forgiven in me. I had a crude mouth and often made jokes and comments that had sexual innuendos. I shudder actually when I think of some of the things I talked about with my co workers and friends. Helen would have heard some of the things I said "back in the day", but she still showed love to me. She prayed for this lost woman to be convicted of her sin and to realize she needed a Savior! God answers prayer!
There was really nothing I could have done to change myself to become clean in His eyes. It was through His mercy that I was washed and made clean again. I know I am forgiven, even though I still mess up once in awhile, but His forgiveness is a guarantee. I am His. I am now justified by faith and have the hope of eternal life!!
Don't give up on people with a potty mouth! Pray for them! Show them love! It will make an eternal difference!!!

Flavour of the Month

I often joke that Facebook is my current "Flavour of the Month.” It is the "new thing" that many are delving into and I don't want to miss the boat on the "in thing.”
I sometimes tend to be that way about a lot of things. I am what many call an "early adopter.” I am willing to give something a try because it seems appealing and works toward the greater good.
I think that I am becoming a little more guarded in my old age, because I am finding that I am less and less that way when it comes to things of the faith. A new book or a new method of worship has often been something that I have embraced. Let's try things a new way, because it can't hurt anything if it is to the glory of God and it just may bring someone to Christ! That is still true in my heart in many ways, but the Lord has cautioned me in being such an early adopter.
The Bible cautions us in these last days that Satan will try to lure us away from the Truth. First Timothy 4:1 says, "The Spirit speaketh expressly that, in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits."
Also 2 Peter 2:1 says"There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who secretly shall bring in destructive heresies" Along with that Matthew 7:15 says: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
We have to be so careful when embracing new methods too quickly. Are we actually embracing false teaching? No, we are to test the spirits. John has outlined in 1:1-6 :
"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you heard that it was coming, and now it is in the world already. Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world, therefore what they say is of the world, and the world listens to them. We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."
New things can be good but I don't think we really need a gimmick to sell Jesus. New programs or worship styles may be appealing and draw a few more people into our midst but we must not do so by compromising or watering down the Gospel to make it more palatable. Conviction of sin is necessary to ignite the process of salvation. In order to be saved we need to believe that we need to be saved. Without conviction of sin, we have nothing that we feel we need saving from, right?