Unity March 15, 2010

How is unity to be attained when there are so many differences and disagreements between Christians?  We know that unity was of utmost importance to Jesus when he walked on this earth.  In his final prayer, he prayed that believers would be one just as he and the Father were one.  However, when we look around and see all the factions and splinters of believers, it sometimes feels hopeless.

What do you think about this?  In Ephesians 4…

^“11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Read verse 12 & 13 again, “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Could these works of service lead us to unity?

Look at verse 16, “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Could these works of service be a tool that unifies the body and helps the body to grow and mature in unity?

What effect does it have on me when I hear of churches and their works of service?  Can I see beyond our differences and see the work of the kingdom?  Can I appreciate the love that is evident in their works of service?  What about individuals with whom I have differences?  When I hear or witness their works of service, do I grow in unity and love?

The whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (verse 16)…unity is part of the fullness of Christ.

Just a thought…

A Quiet Place February 10, 2010

Sunrise Feb 10, 2010

After numerous snow days with kids traipsing in and out of the house, dogs’ wet noses on the windows, and mud mixed with slush garnishing every doorway, I can appreciate a quiet place.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus saw many people coming and going. He noticed the disciples tending to these people and not taking time to eat. He said to his dear friends, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

When we look inside the heart of Jesus, we find love and compassion every time.

He cared about those who were sick and dying. He cared about those tending to their needs.

If you find yourself in the role of caretaker, you can be assured that Jesus notices the meals you skip and the late nights you spend caring for others. Quiet places are blessings from him. His words may be for you to come by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.

What an awesome God we serve.

Completion February 4, 2010

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

I was struck today by this part  “….that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Who will carry on this work to completion?  He will.  God will complete it.  God is faithful.  He will complete what I can not. I’m pretty good at starting things….start the laundry, start the dishes, start a friendship, start an exercise program, start a quilt, start a diet…completing things is not my forte.

God is faithful.  He will complete his work in me.

Praise God!

Family January 14, 2010

“I would get a lot more out of _______ Church tonight, Dad.”

“Maybe so, son, but we don’t only go to church to ‘get something out of it.’  There are many more reasons.”

“Like what?”

“I’ll tell you on the way to church.”

….on the way to church….

“What are those other reasons, Dad?”

“Church is family.  We’ve made a commitment to those people.  What if I look around and see a child that always says ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and mows the lawn without being asked and loves to wash the car?  I might get a lot more out of that child.  Maybe I’ll trade children…  I’ve made a commitment to my family.  We always stick together.  We are there for each other.  We depend on each other and encourage each other.  My family  needs me.  My family counts on me.  We stay together, warts and all.  Church is family.  I don’t attend just because I get something out of it.  I attend because they are my family.”

–Paraphrased from a ride to church last week–

Wisdom Cards? Really? July 20, 2009

At the close of an Equine Assisted Learning training last month, we were instructed to choose from a large selection of cards, refered to as Wisdom Cards, that were spread around on a table with pictures of horses. They reminded me of Elvis rugs that people sell at state fairs. The other participants were really studying these pictures. We were told to chose one, read what is on the back, think about it, and then read it aloud to the group and share what you get from the card. The trainers related stories about how meaningful this activity was. How much these cards could tell you about yourself. This sounded a little kooky to me, but I figured I would play along.

I chose one, sat down, and realized that there were several paragraphs on the back of the card. I peeked at other people’s cards. Their cards had titles like “Celebration” or “Confidence”.

At the top of my card was the word in all caps – SORROW.

“Oh, great.” I thought, “Can I get another one?”

I began reading it and didn’t know how to respond. My heart was pounding in my chest. What do I do with this? Here is the beginning of the paragraph, as best I can remember.

Warning signs are all around you. Take note of the signs of danger. If you ignore the……blah blah blah blah….

Here we go. I had prayed specifically that morning that I would bring honor and glory to God that day. I would probably never see these people again and wanted them to know something of the God I serve, but I didn’t know how to show my faith in any significant way to this group of people.

God gave me a way to express my faith in a blatant fashion. I waited for everyone else to have their turn because I didn’t want to ruin it for everyone else. Perhaps they would get something positive from their card…

My turn came and I read the first few words that I have recited here and then shared my faith. I told them that my life is hidden with Christ and nothing can snatch me from my Father’s hands. I shared with them that in Christ, I live and breathe and have my being. I am nothing without him and I reject the message of this card.

It was a powerful moment for me. Christ is supreme. He is my all.

Grounding Principles February 19, 2009

In Wednesday night class, we talked about princples by which we live.  What biblical principles do you return to again and again as you make your way through life being transformed by the renewing of your mind to become like Jesus?

I want to clarify that these are principles that ground me, but that I still struggle to incorporate fully.  In the words of Paul, “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, but one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4: 13-14

Here are some of mine:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  Mt. 22:37

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mt. 22:39

Be submissive to my husband.  I Pet. 3:5-6

Pray for wisdom.  James 1:5

Care for my family.  I Tim. 5:10

Do all to the glory of God.  I Cor. 10:31

Bear one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:2

Raise my children to know the Lord and his commands.  Deut. 6:4-8

Never be far from Psalms and Proverbs.

What about you?  What are your thoughts?  What principles have grounded you?

Hope of Glory January 26, 2009

In an earlier post, I posed the question, “Do you have an answer for the hope that is in you?”.  (I Peter 3:15)  One of the comments asked for scriptures that would help us to articulate that hope we have in Christ. 

Here we go:

Colossians 1:27, “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  To know Christ is to know our hope.  How, then, do we know Christ?  We come to know Christ as he is revealed through Scripture, through his church, and through his co-heirs.  We also come to know him as we walk in the light as he is in the light. (I John 1:7)  We are being transformed into his likeness by the renewing of our mind.  (Romans 12:1-2)

Our hope is rooted in Christ.  We will be prepared to give an answer for our hope, when we know Christ.  The better and more intimately we know Christ, the better prepared we are to give an answer for our hope, which is Christ in us.  Paul addresses the importance of knowing Christ in Philippians 3:7-11.  He considers everything else rubbish.  

What do you think?  How do you come to know Christ?

Elevator Speech January 22, 2009

At a meeting the other day, I was instructed by one of my many bosses to prepare an elevator speech as an answer to those who ask me what I do.  An elevator speech is a concise response to people curious about my work.  The speech should require no more time to give than it takes one to go from the third to the fourth floor on an elevator.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  I Peter 3:15

If you were on an elevator and someone asked you to give a reason for the hope that you have, what would you say?