Lent, Day 8: Give up your small ambitions

On Sunday we had guest speakers at church and they gave a great message about missions and how we are all connected through the love and grace of Jesus. This is very encouraging; it's good to know that we are a part of the big picture, the grand adventures, as we send funds, letters, and prayers in support! But that is not what sticks out the most in my mind.

As they began their story, this missionary couple talked about what helped them decide to pack their bags and move to Papau New Guinea. When they were at college they heard a quote from Francis Xavier that stated, "Tell the students to give up their small ambitions." And, though they were a young married couple with great jobs that would lead them through their future plans, they got a call about a need on the other side of the world. As they considered answering the call they felt God reminding them to "Give up your small ambitions." So, they worked in the mission field for two years not knowing what life would look like when they came back to the states. But God is faithful, and after their life changing experience overseas, they came back and both of them found great jobs in their chosen field that keep them fulfilled and allow them to continue to pursue His purpose!

Well, as they spoke they reminded us that God is ready to give us so much more than we can think or imagine if we are willing to put Him first and let go of our plans. So, what are your small ambitions? Maybe there's something, some part of "the plan," He's waiting for you to give up so you can live a life fulfilled!

Lent, Day 7: All at War

So, today I totally know how Paul felt when he wrote about the war between our fleshly will and our redeemed, spiritual will. If you've never read it, you should read Romans 7:14-25. Paul does an amazing job describing this battle of wills and how it seems inevitable which nature wins. But, freedom can be found, as he states in verse 25, "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord."

This revelation gives me hope, yet today it really seems to be a struggle. I feel like all this talk of repentance and true freedom brought me to a high place, a mountain top, but, being the silly human I am, I looked down. And now it's like the battle has started all over! Anyway, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to weigh today's post down with my struggles. In the midst of all this I have downhere's "All at War" stuck in my head. Here's a video for you to enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2d5WKgxs9c

Lent, Day 6: Well or Whole - Ps. Simon McIntyre

And then there's today, and I have no big revelations or inspiration. All I can think to do is reference another blog by a great pastor about a wholeness that can only be experienced by those living a life with Christ. So hopefully you'll read and be uplifted: http://simonmcintyredotnet.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/well-or-whole-whats-the-difference/

Lent, Day 5: All Things Are Possible!

So I know I'm a day late in posting this... What can I say, Sundays are a bit busy! Anyway, all day yesterday I struggled with what to write for "Day 5" and all I kept coming back to is God's amazing message that nothing is impossible! He reiterated this a couple times throughout the day. One obscure example is when a lady was testifying about how blessed she is to have faith that Christ gives complete freedom from sin. This just made me think of the verse in Mark where Jesus says, "Anything is possible if a person believes" (9:23b). For I know quite a few people believe a life free from sin is impossible this side of heaven. But, praise God, it is for this very freedom that Jesus came! (See Galatians 5:1, John 8:36, & Romans 6:18)

The other major reminder He gave me was in a song as we sang, "... for in the power of your name All Things Are Possible, all things are possible, all things are possible, all things are possible, all things are POSS-I-BLE!

Lent, Day 4: He never leaves me

So it’s been one of those full, busy days where I don’t seem to think of God as often as in the most recent days. This used to really bother me, so much so that I had another reason to beat myself up. But as we discussed yesterday, that is not a helpful habit, nor is it a habit indicative of a loving God.

Tonight, as I struggled to think of something to write at the last minute, I was glad I had just remembered the extent of His grace yesterday. He helped as well when I quietly asked His forgiveness for having a less than prayerful attitude today, for hardly focusing on Him as I went about my errands. After this quick, simple prayer I was gently reminded of just how many times I thought of Him today – As I read in the car the characters reminded me of His unconditional, sacrificial love. When the sun kept getting in the way as it set I was reminded of who put it there. As “Transatlanticism” played during an episode of “Parenthood” I remembered how desperate I am for Him and His love. As I sketched capes for a friend’s wedding I remembered how grateful I am for the people He’s put in my life and for the talent and skill He gave me. And when the impossible was proven possible as my sister and I finally watched the last episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” I recalled all the times He has put this message in front of me over the last few weeks. After all that, how could I deny His presence in my day? How could I deny having a constant conversation with Him? And isn’t that what a prayerful attitude is all about? Praise God that once we invite Him into our day-to-day living, like a true gentleman He is always there!

Lent, Day 3: I AM FORGIVEN

So, with all this talk of repentance and turning our backs on sin, what do we do if we slip up? Is God's grace big enough to cover us when there's one vice we can't seem to shake? Is it possible to know complete freedom from sin?

Well, I don't have perfectly packaged, brilliant, and revelatory answers for these questions. In fact, they are ones I stuggle with on a regular basis, especially when it seems inevitable that I slip up. I know the Biblically based, church answers: 1) Confess and continue to seek His forgiveness, allow Him to change your heart through prayer and studying the WORD, find an accountability partner, and pray for the strength to stand firm the next time you're tempted; 2) Of course His grace covers you, He loves you unconditionally and is always ready and willing to forgive; 3) YES! Jesus declared this freedom to be the very reason He came to earth - in His resurrection He conquered death and sin! And though these answers are immensely encouraging, I often long for that complete freedom so desperately that I really beat myself up when I happen to slip. But I know that guilt and shame are not from God, in fact they are often traps from the Devil. They are his way of zapping our hope and stealing our joy. And the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

Wow, after recalling all that I have to remind myself that I AM FORGIVEN. And that the Devil is a liar and guilt and shame have no place in my heart! (Also, I little something I remember from reading Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life: we cannot just quit a habit, we have to exchange one habit for another - so you can't expect to avoid a temptation if you are constantly thinking of how to avoid it, you have to fill your life with other, more fulfilling activities! We have to shift our focus and take every thought captive!)

Lent, Day 2: Courageous Repentance

Last night the youth pastor at my church gave a very good lesson about forgiveness and repentance, and I thought it went right along with the seasonal message of Lent. Through the use of a scene from the movie "Courageous" he made a very good point that we are all guilty, yet, thankfully, Christ came to take our punishment. But does that mean when we accept Jesus' free gift of salvation that we're done? When we know we are forgiven by God is that all that we need? I have to agree with our youth pastor's answer - not at all! We must seek the forgiveness of those we have hurt, those we have sinned against and we must face the temporal, earthly consequences.

He gave this somewhat harsh, yet very valid example: if a man burst into the room right now and shot at us all, killing some and injuring others, but as he escaped he was convicted by the Holy Spirit and accepted God's forgiveness, would that be enough? Doesn't the Bible teach us that in order to live a righteous life and truly claim Christ as savior we should allow Him to CHANGE us and fill us with a desire and strength to completely turn our backs on sin, while we bravely accept the consequences of our past actions and seek forgiveness from those we hurt along the way? So, it would follow that the man in the example would need to turn himself in and face whatever consequences might come, knowing he was saved by grace and living a Christ centered life after telling the whole truth.

Along with the movie and this rather potent example, we discussed the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. He was a master tax collector in Jesus' day, which basically translates to a modern day scam artist or embezzler as he would take for himself a high percentage of the already extraneous earnings of the tax collectors beneath him. Or as our youth pastor put it, he stole from thieves and swindlers and was a very hated person in society. Yet this thief of thieves sought a glimpse of Christ! And Jesus didn't stop with a simple head nod of acknowledgement, He welcomed Himself into Zacchaeus' home, which led to such a shift in his heart that he repented and repaid his victims' loses plus interest! What an awesome example of true repentance that leads to lasting change which reveals the grace and glory of God!!

Lent, Day 1: Beauty for Ash Wednesday

I was researching the practice of Ash Wednesday as I've always been curious about the ritual. And yet, I don't know why I've never made the connection... In Old Testament times people used to rip their clothes and pour ashes on their head as a sign of mourning. It was a way for the penitent to express sorrow for their sins and faults or for the sins of the people. Today the ritual of forming a cross of ashes marks the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance and reflection as we offer ourselves to God through prayer and fasting.

For me ashes, much like tears, have always had a healing, renewing significance. Often the events that cause us grief break us and make us stronger. And the sins and temptations that we turn away from teach us God's grace and create divine discipline in our lives. Isaiah 61:3 promises us that God will replace our mourning with joyous blessings, our despair with festive praise, and our ashes with a crown of beauty! And just as Christ was resurrected only after dying an excruciating death, just as a phoenix rises beautiful and strong from the ashes of its death, we rise reborn and refreshed from the sorrowful ashes of repentance!

My Lenten Offering

This Sunday my pastor spoke to us about the Lenten season that starts today, Ash Wednesday, and ends with the celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. During this period believers commit to fasting certain luxuries as a form of penitence. Well, our pastor made a very good point about how we get so wrapped up in what we're giving up that we become a little self-righteous about abstaining by our own strength and for our own benefit. He reminded us that this season should be a time when we rely on God to fill us as we grow closer to Him. And, as we grow closer to Him, He fills us with His strength, power, and compassion that work together to compel us to actively care for and love His people. So, though I do want to refrain from sweets and lose a little weight, my committment this Lenten season is to break my lazy spirit and write and post something here everyday for the next 40 days! You have my permission to check in on me and get on to me if I miss a day. In fact, I woud appreciate it if you would! I pray that these posts will be words straight from the Holy Spirit, words that edify and encourage you on your journey with Christ! And, hopefully, at the end of this season I will have formed a habit and will continue to post on a more regular basis. :)