"....that you may KNOW..."

My pastor is currently doing sermons on a range of requested topics until we get into our next book study (2 Timothy?). The last two were especially invigorating to me due to my current spiritual state/challenges. The topics were "Assurance" and "Christian Liberty"


I don't have my notes on me, but I'd like to suggest 1 John for anyone struggling with assurance. He gave us five points from the text so that we who "... believe in the name of the Son of God...may know" (1Jn 5:13) we have eternal life. He warned us not to look at these points as things to do to earn eternal life, but rather to see if these things were present in our lives. Four of the points were as follows, if I'm remembering correctly.

1. Growing intolerance/enmity for the world (not the physical earth, but rather all cultural/societal world views that defy and/or seek to replace God and the law of God). 1 Jn. 2:15 and following
2. Growing aversion to sin. 1 Jn. 3:1-10
3. Love of the brethren/fellow brothers and sisters in the faith (not just in word but in deed). 1 Jn. 3:11 and following
4. Desire to glorify God through practice of avoid sin/keeping commandments. 1 Jn. 5:1-5

I'm sure the last one must be faith in the person and work of the biblical Christ (outlined in 1 Jn. 2:18-25, 5:6-12), but I'm unsure.

So then, if we see this fruit in our lives, we can have some assurance that we've been born again. If we do not see this fruit we can still, as long as we have breath in our lungs, throw ourselves at the mercy of God (if we've actually realized our need for Christ's sacrifice, his holiness and our utter sinfulness). Funny how even in challenging us to examine ourselves, God still offers us mercy and grace through Christ. That's good news.

I really did love how he stressed that DOING these things doesn't earn salvation. Still figuring things out, learning things and seeking to understand God's grace. 

Anyway this was written in haste, so please excuse any typos...

God be with you.

Note to self (and whoever's reading this)

I'm an avid blog reader. Blog topics ranging from saving money, to being a SAHM, to fashion and makeup fill my Blogger.com RSS feed equivalent ("Following"). I love reading about the lives of others, the views of others and the interests of others. I guess I'm naturally inquisitive. I get to journey other states and meet seemingly exciting, creative, humble, orderly people with the click of a button. Some days I chuckle, some days I'm in awe, other days I'm inspired to try new things or to approach life from a different perspective. The internet is truly a wonderful place, when used properly and in moderation.

In my first or second post, I divulged my relationship with blogs. I love them and then I leave them for a number of reasons. It's been easy to do because all of my blogs have served a particular and specific purpose in my life at the time they were written. My life immediately after undergrad was documented. My life as a young, single Christian in my first "real" job was documented. I documented loves and losses and all the foibles in between. Blogging, to me, is free therapy. Sometimes I visit my old blogs and I'm amazed at the person I find. Sometimes she's bitter. Sometimes she's thoughtful. Sometimes she's creative. Sometimes she's down right snarky. Other times she's one of the most focused and impressive women I've ever encountered.

Looking back at this blog, I see a change of tone that is both refreshing and depressing. The woman here has struggled with her role as a wife and eventual mother. The woman here doesn't know what she wants to be, or where she wants to go. The woman here is sometimes funny, mostly transparent and  trying to spiritually navigate her way through this life, for better and for worse. She's not perfect. She doesn't pretend to be.

Many of my blog posts will not be rainbows and butterflies. I don't want to create a different "internet" Glo that is more satisfying to the common palette (mine included). I need to be who I am. I need to see myself, flaws and all, so I can confront them and hopefully address them by his spirit.

Romans 4:17---->Stop half quoting. A much needed repost.

I saw the following on FB yesterday:

"As long as you....speak it into existance you wil receive it?" No...smh.

This made me think of something I wrote a few years ago. The following is a repost of a repost of a repost, originally posted at my myspace blog on 2007 on the butchering of Romans 4:17.
_______________________________________________________________
Gotta write this, because I keep seeing people who are building an entire doctrine from a paraphrased HALF QUOTE.

People often say "Speak those things that are not as though they were." People often use this paraphrased half quote as a means of promoting positive speech and the believer's ability to speak things into existence.

Nothing wrong with speaking positive, but here's the problem. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE VERSE SAYS. Let's begin this examination by reading what the ENTIRE verse says in three different versions.

"...as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the GOD in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." English Standard Version

"..As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the GOD who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." New International Version

"...(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even GOD, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were." King James Version
Okay, now WHO is the subject of this verse? Who has the ability to "speak those things that aren't as if though they were"?

GOD. The answer is GOD. GOD has the ability to speak things into existence; not man (whether he be a believer or not).

I know it's a popular doctrine, but let's be clear...Romans 4:17 DOES NOT say that any creation of God, redeemed or otherwise, has the ability to speak things into existence. We are not little gods. God is holy and righteous. He tells us himself in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Our God is altogether unique!!!

Now let's read Romans 4:17 in context. Let's check out verses 13 through 25, so we can get the full meaning:

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." 23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

So in reading this, we see that there is no mention of ANYONE being able to speak things into existence but GOD. You will probably also notice that verse 17 and surrounding verses are discussing FAITH in Christ, not your ability to "speak things into existence." A small section of a verse has been brutally butchered and promoted as meaning something altogether different!

Still not convinced that God is the only one that can speak things into existence? Check out the parallel verses for Romans 4:17. (Hebrews 11:19, John 5:21, 1 Corinthians 1:28, Hebrews 11:3, etc.)

I want to close by saying there is nothing wrong with positive speaking, BUT please don't think that in saying you will get a BMW that God has to give you a BMW. Doctrines like these only serve to create a materialist world view among Christians that can only lead to destruction. We, myself included, have to examine ourselves to make sure we are after his heart and not after his hands. God will bless us materially, but if it's your main priority, please turn back to God.

So, if you are a professing Christian who needs material possessions as a sign that God is real or that you are blessed, I beg you to check out Hebrews 11. Here's verse 1, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things NOT seen." *side note: The "faith" here is referring to our faith in God's promise of salvation through Christ Jesus* Don't be like Thomas who needed to TOUCH the holes in the hands of our Savior to believe that he had resurrected (John 20:24-29). "Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed." (v 29). Instead rely on the word of God, which is our Father's self revelatory work, proclaiming both his existence and his plan to reconcile his people to himself.

Seventy times seven (Ramble in paragraph form)

You have not loved me. You haven't sought forgiveness and it's obvious that you don't think you've even sinned against me. What's worse is you call yourself a Christian, one who seeks to glorify God in your actions. I don't want to forgive you. You do not deserve forgiveness.

I'm struggling to forgive a few people. Really struggling. I have to admit that the mere sight of them bothers me. I avoid them intentionally. I am hardly civil towards them. What on earth do you do when you don't want to forgive someone. What do you do when it seems like you can't forgive someone?

If I give myself enought time to sit quietly and ponder the question, the word of God rushes over me like a stream. I'm reminded of how Christ died for me before I sought his forgiveness for my sins against him. How he showed his love for me by enduring the wrath of God in my place while I was still his enemy. How he knew no sin but took on my sin. How I didn't deserve his forgiveness.

Yet, I still feel like Peter who asked the Lord, "how often will my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" The Lord answers the same way, every time..."I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven." I don't like his answer. To keep it real, I hate his answer. Then I ask myself how I can who I am to withhold forgiveness when I've been forgiven so much? If the only wise God, creator and sustainer of all things, with whom I sin against daily, even sinning in my unwillingness to forgive someone, can bear with me and has already forgiven me, through Christ, in love, how can I withhold it? How can I say I love God and hate my brother?

So then, everytime I think someone doesn't deserve forgiveness, I'm reminded of how I don't deserve forgiveness either. I'm reminded of how I've failed to seek forgiveness. Everytime I think the italicized words in the beginning of this ramble about someone else, I should go look in the mirror and say them to myself. Afterall, I'm guilty of the same, aren't I? Calling myself a Christian, yet sinning against God and the brethren?

I'm sure my pride makes it difficult to obey and put his words into practice. The truth is I esteem myself too highly. I thank the Lord for bearing with me and bringing his loving kindness to my remembrance to convict me of my own sins (including unforgiveness). I'm not saying forgiving someone is easy once you remember all this. I'm saying it's necessary and reasonable based on the love Christ shows us. I pray the Lord helps me to forgive out of love and reverence for him.

Other stuff:

Colossians 3:12-14 (English Standard Version)

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."


1 John 3:14-16 (English Standard Version)
"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

Leviticus 19:17-18 (English Standard Version)

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (English Standard Version)
"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

SDG.

Oh Leh do It!

1. Watched two episodes of The Office (Season 6) on nbc.com last night. Still funny.
2. Day 16 of P90X...go figure.
3. Remembering being 17 and not being able to imagine what I'd be doing in my late 20s. Now I'm in my late 20s and can't imagine what I'll be doing 5 years from now. I need a window into the future.
4. Mama said there'd be days like this.
5. Do not give your children rhyming names.
6. Speaking of names, stop with the accent marks, hyphens and crazy spellings ("Quevine" instead of "Kevin") or just ignore me...name your kids whatever you want. 
7. My kids always make me feel better...they're cool like dat.
8. Sermon Audio is a cool place.
9. Why on earth does anyone deal with this in a so-called worship service...I mean, for real. I couldn't even get through one minute...heard of this guy on Fighting for the Faith and Wretched...Blasphemous.
10. This Ergun Caner thing is beyond crazy.
11. I love my husband.

(Insert Title)

I have a "short fuse." This may be quite a surprise for those who've been introduced to me in the last five years, but it's true. My propensity to explode was matched only by my propensity to blink. Friends, associates, Romans and countrymen alike had felt the wrath of Glo. Truth is, I was never much of a fighter. I preferred to slay my prey verbally with a few choice words spoken in a soft tone, with well constructed sentences, topped with a smile on my face.

Then...I grew up...sorta. Not of my own accord but rather that of God the Holy Spirit. Now this didn't happen immediately, however, I began to feel bad about saying mean things to people *gasp*. It didn't make me feel strong or protected. It made me feel horrible and ungrateful. Quite strange, especially for me.

Now, I said "sorta" because, every now and then, I erupt. Someone comes along, puts a lit match to my wick and I feel physically begin to warm up. Seriously. My face gets hot. My chest gets hot. My palms grow sweaty. Weird. So, this happened today.

"Jane* with _________ speaking."
"Hey Jane, this is Glo, calling from _______."
"Hi Glo."
"Yeah, I was just calling because I would like one of my station numbers changed."
Jane takes a crazy tangent off relevant road and begins discussing a similar yet completely unrelated phone issue.
*I put on my patience cap* "Oh yes. I remember that but this is an entirely different situation altogether. I just want the number changed."
*Jane changes her tone and begins to speak slower like she's talking to an ESL person* "Why don't youuuuuuu fig-ure outttttttt what you need, Glo, and put it innnn a de-tailed e-mailllll. Copy John**and I'll see what I can do to move this forward."
*My blood simmers, blood rushes to my face, my eyes narrow and a smirk forms across my lips* "Right. Okay, well I can send the e-mail but I only need the number changed. John has already okayed this.
"Well I did this in the fall at John's request."
"So you need me to send you an e-mail for this??"
"Look Glo, you don't need to get defensive."
'Wow, Jane, woooooow. I don't know how we got here" *My blood comes to a roaring boil as I speak and a mini snap ensues*

Granted, this could have been much worse than it turned out. I ended by telling her in my most rudely, polite voice that I'd "honor her request" and telling her to "have a great day."

I immediately typed the stupid e-mail, copied John and left for lunch. Here's the kicker though. I was so pissed that I teared up.  I mean, I was angry enough to yank this chick. She was every $%&*! in the book on my way home. I even called, J. Nicole. Ridiculous.

So after a drive and a Wendy's Grilled Chicken Sandwich, I'm reflecting. I feel horrible. Why on earth did I get so angry at this woman? Simple answer. Pride. The root of my major and minor blowups are rooted in my pride issue. Who was this broad to talk to me like that? But, really, who am I? Do I boast in myself now? Who am I to boast? It's nothing more than the foolish pride of life. When we begin to think more of ourselves than we are, or to think ourselves better than others pride can tempt into sinful anger.

I'm not excusing rude behavior, but her rudeness is no reason to respond the way I did. I sent the e-mail she requested with an apology and was teary because I hated apologizing to her for what I took as a personal jab against me. How crazy is this? And for a "Christian." I thank God that I don't have to earn his gift because I'd be on the way to hell for sure. I'm not saying I have a license to sin either. I'm almost thankful of situations like this because it just points out the grace of God in Christ. Just when you think you've got it under control, sin rears its ugly head...then you realize it's not always Satan tempting you to sin, but rather the flesh. My inner me is my enemy.

Thought of this.

We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.-Romans 7:14-25

Upon further contemplation, I remembered this while looking for something else:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.-James 3:4-12

Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.

*totally fake name
**even faker name

One day I'll actually do a real blog post but right now...ramble, ramble, ramble

1. I should be blogging about something else but I'm not.
2. Sometime things are just so ridiculous that there's nothing to say...you're just left speechless....
3. What comes around, goes around.
4. "Ask" not "axe."
5. Very cool video talking about the effects of pH levels on hair. She's informative but also a bit snappy.
6. Speaking of pH levels, did you know the pH of the skin is slightly acidic? Weirdly cool.
7. Also, I found out my face soap is too alkaline/basic...whatever...
8. Okay so...you're making me go to SixFlags. You inform me that I have to pay for my own ticket. AND I have to drive my own car...4 hours...with other people's kids in my backseat. What part of the game is this? This is a real question. At least I love rollercoasters.
9. Blah blah blah...blah blah blah blah...
10. So let me tell you how the Lord is schooling Goos and I...well, actually I can't discuss it fully because we're still working through it but...Let's just say patience and humility are being worked in us and we are being put through the fire. According to the word, we'll come out as pure gold. Amen and Amen.
11. Been looking over old sermon notes about envy, forgiveness and competition.
12. Speaking of envy...E.Rich cut all her hair off. Yaaaaaaaaaaassssss. Sexy baby! 
13. What's wrong with Atlanta, man? C'mon Hawks...c'mon...
14. Tim McGraw is performing tonight at Paulson...woop woop. Not a fan but it's still pretty cool.
15. *poof*

So, why does this aggravate me so much?

So I'm doing the regular the other day...minding my business and thangs (yes, "thangs")...all of a sudden I hear a *pop* You've probably heard it before. It's the sound the Facebook chat makes when someone sends you a message. I go to my Facebook tab (I *heart* tabbed browsers) to see an interesting surprise. Someone I haven't spoken to who hasn't spoken to me in several months has initiated a conversation. I mean, we literally haven't had a real conversation since before I was married in 2008. All interaction since then has been her telling me about her husband's business. There was that one time that her monologue about the business turned into a book recommendation...eh well...anyway...went like this.

Her: How are things down in Statesboro?
Me: *puzzled expression* You don't have the time. How have you been?
Her: Girl, you don't have the time! LOL

(Pause)

She begins to tell me about all these new developments in her life. I won't get too specific but these are really cool things. She's really talented and she's made for the industries she trying to get involved with. Her little fingers were working overtime to explain it all.

(Play)

Her: So, what's going on with you? (yes...she asked again)
Me: Working and worrying...same old, same old
Her: Worrying?! Worrying about what, Glo?
Me: Our next move, the future, etc...

(Indefinite Pause)

I would like to say that this woman offered some encouragement or expressed some level of concern at all. Nope. Not a "who cares..." or "what's happening?" or anything...Conversation ended there. She never replied back. What's my point? I can't stand this, is my point. Everyone knows a "bragger" who loses interest in the "conversation" when it actually turns into a...well...conversation. Why do I HATE this so much?

I mean, I don't mind a person being thoroughly excited about new things in their lives. I don't mind a person sharing those new things with me. I DO mind a person pretending to care about what's going on with me for the sole purpose of being able to tell me what's going on with them. Just to reiterate...I'm not saying I don't like to listen to people...I love to listen to people...especially people with good news...just don't bait me. I guess I should give her credit for asking me about my life twice but...no...I don't want to. LOL.

I've heard it said several times that the things you can't stand about people are probably the traits you possess...kinda like, you think HE'S arrogant, then you're probably MORE arrogant. You think she's vain...yeah, well maybe you hate it in her because you're so vain you think all the attention should be on you.

Maybe that's what's happening in this situation. Honestly, I probably am like this. Maybe that's why I've always loved blogging and journaling...way before the word "blog" was even coined. No interruptions. Get all my thoughts out...When I get finished I get to hit "publish post" or put my pen down and walk away...Maybe a part of me is even a bit jealous that she's doing all these exciting things in an industry that I have a degree in. Maybe not. The heart is deceitful.

We all need more grace, right? Just dumping my brain and figuring thing out.

Love!

Blah blah blah on a Tuesday night

1. Reading The Pilgrim's Progress and The Modern Tongues Movement.
2. Sweetheart Circle + a quilt + warm spring afternoon + glass of moscato + good company, would be time well spent.
3. Mint Condition concert is going down the weekend after next. How on EARTH did I miss the fact that it's Easter weekend. GRRrrrrr.
4. "You are not Pinocchio, you cannot be a real boy". Dopest poem from P4CM so far...Sin is sin and Christ died for all of it. That's good news.
5. Jehovah-Yireh, right?
6. Next thing on the "101 Things" list is bye bye to Facebook and other internet hotspots. Begins April 1.
7. I think she's got it...
8. Read this walking about out of Warren's class the other day: "People might not always believe what you say but, they will always believe what you do." WOOP!
9. Heard a good sermon on the role of structure in the life of the Christian. I'll post it when it gets posted (if I remember)

Blah.

Early morning ramble

1. Even the most devout and introspective looking Christians can have major dirt that they are unwilling to deal with. Peep Stephen the Levite on this topic. "Can't hide in the darkness/God sees all actions and intents of the heart..."
2. Speaking of STL, wish we could get another full length project outta this guy. 
3. Why did we totally get caught out there today with Day Light Savings time? Why didn't someone tell me?
4. Interesting discussion in the Counterfeit Gods class today. Topic-Salvation through politics. Going to do a post on this. Gotta say though, I know there are plenty of my brothers and sisters who are putting a bit too much stock in the political system. Christ is King.
5. Been really thinking about missions lately. I think foreign missions are very important and I don't want to take anything away from people who leave their homes to serve Christ in other countries. I'm just saying though, why go feed people in another country when there are people across town who need the same help? Don't fly halfway across the globe to do something for someone "in the name of Christ" that you haven't even taken the time to do for your immediate neighbor. Shouts to all the indigenous AMERICAN (USA) missionaries.
6. Speaking of doing missions in your own town, been thinking of the ministry of the childless couple. The books I own on biblical womanhood and marriage only speak to the role of women in marriage as a mother and wife. What of the marriages in which the woman has not yet conceived or (sadly) cannot conceive. What about those with adult children (empty nesters)? Additionally, how can a couple who have not "gotten pregnant" yet, "redeem their time"? What ways can we serve our church and community at large before the baby making begins??? 
7. Rented Falling Down and The Hangover. First one is old school. Interesting plot line. Second one, should have followed my first mind and the advice of Plugged In Online. FILTHY...and I fell asleep...soooo, yeah.
8. Shutter Island is an A-. Cool twist. Too bad Warren pegged the twist before we got to the theater. Mr. Perceptive.
9. Finally have The Help. Woop woop!
10. Upcoming posts (if I can flesh out my thoughts)-Christian education, salvation through politics, friendship/fellowship, ministry of the "childless" couple...

Love.

3/1/2010 Half and Half

1. Hubby and I have been pondering the definition of "Christian education." Is a Bible class and daily chapel sufficient or does the label of "Christian education" require subjects be taught from a Christ centered perspective or biblical lens. We're thinking it's the second one.
2. Finished 100 Years of Solitude. It began strong and finished semi strong, with a weird middle. I give it a C. Could be worth the read, but only if you have nothing else to do...on to The Help.
3. Have to begin "no fried foods" again. *crosses fingers*
4. I'm SOOOOO bored with my hair right now. I'm going to surf youtube for loc tutorial vids before I shave my hair off...
5. I won something from Lucky Magazine's Lucky Breaks! Unbelievable.
6. Warren is possibly the most patient man I've ever encountered. First sign of this patience---He married me!

My Sunday school class is covering Counterfeit Gods right now. Let me just say that I love this book and how Tim Keller challenging readers to examine in themselves in this area. The most recent topic/"counterfeit god" we discussed was "success." I won't get too indepth, but the elder who is teaching the class gave us a couple viewpoints/attitudes to think about when examining if we have made "success" our god. This one (and the last one, "ambition") really hit home for me.

There have been times that I had to catch myself for allowing work to give me a sense of security that only Christ should give me. I remember explaining to someone about a year ago that I was making an effort to not allow missing goal to effect my attitude. I've found myself being on cloud nine when we're doing well, and on the other hand dealing with extreme frustration (and even with deep anxiety during my first year) when things weren't so great. In short, I struggle with this...pray for my strength and security in the Lord.

On a somewhat related note. During discussion on the topic of "success," a woman said her husband told her something like this:

People who are great don't seek out greatness. They have it thrust upon them. The truth is, many of us are ordinary. We're going to have ordinary lives. We're not going to be "great." Don't worry about great. Forget great. Just be faithful.

The "forget great..." thing is so different from what most of us are taught about life. It's so contrary to societal standards that I was torn between cheering and frowning when I heard it. Gotta say, I think it's the wisest thing anyone can learn. Be content with the lot the Lord has provided, whatever that lot might be. Forget great....Be faithful. Faithfulness may or may not lead to greatness or "success" by the world's definition, but one thing it will do is cause us to cling to Christ for our identity and strength...

"One life to live/ it will soon be past/only what's done for Christ will last..."

"Two forms of self righteousness...."

I was reading a very interesting article titled Sanctification: Living by the Gospel by Les Newsom, RUF Campus Minister at Ole Miss. Click here to read the article in full.

He says,

I like to joke (sort of) that there are actually two forms of the self-righteous. The first kind is the old Fundy kind. This is the person who lives very confidently in Christ, after all they have their quiet times faithfully, they go to all the best Bible studies, and they certainly do not hang around those people...the bad people that is...(those who drink or sleep around). And God likes me because I do so. The other form of self righteousness is what I call the Theologian kind. The people don't boast so much in their accomplishments as they do in their knowledge. They replace the quiet time with theological precision. But the disease is just the same, God likes me because I have attained unto a certain understanding of all that is deep and philosophical about the Bible...

I just wanted to share this because I think it's a great observation.

They aren't the same thing...

I'm getting "the itch." It has happened with every blog I've ever started. My posts become rushed...incoherent.. I didn't think it would happen with this one so quickly although I'm sure my lack of internet connection (and computer) at home are the culprits. I've thought of several topics I'd like to discuss, but they come to me at the most random times--at church, after the pastor makes a point in the sermon, at night, when I'm staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep...again, on the way to work in my car when I see someone walking along the sidewalk.

Ehhh...something that's been weighing on me quite heavily is justification vs. sanctification. I've been burdened by my past responses to brothers and sisters in the faith that I deemed "lost" due to behaviors I observed that didn't fit my "Christian behavior list." Funny coming from an ocassional drinker, who wears pants, sits in corporate worship without a head covering, who is in constant crisis regarding the ministry of motherhood---all behaviors and/or viewpoints that would cause some in certain Christian circles to question my faith in Christ.

I can remember an encounter I had with a young woman this past fall. For some reason, I was unable to sleep a few days ago and my interaction with this woman came to my mind. Our discussion ended with her yelling "f&@# you" at least three times before storming away. At the time, I was sure that the gospel of Jesus Christ had offended her and that I'd done nothing wrong. As I stared at my wall, replaying the conversation in my mind, I became increasingly convinced it was not the gospel that had offended, but rather my approach. She professed Christ, but did confess to several behaviors that she acknowledged as sinful, but was willing to continue in them, due to Christ's death.

There was a point in our conversation that has echoed has (truthfully) come to my mind several times since that night. Trying to lead her into another area of scripture, I asked her, "How do you know you're a Christian, if you're still doing (x,y,z)?" She quickly shot back, "How do YOU know you're a Christian?!" I was admittedly taken aback, and honestly to this day, am not comfortable with my answer, which was wrought with my works, (out of love and obedience to Christ), but my works nonetheless. I had described my sanctification, not my justification. Now while it can be argued that one will be sanctified if one is justified (and I totally agree, faith without works is dead), I'm JUSTIFIED (i.e. a Christian), by faith in Christ alone.

So...there is a point here. Rather than questioning the young lady's justification, it would have more gracious to pray with her (which I am sure she would have been receptive to), show her the scriptures (which she seemed to have some respect for), and treat her lovingly like a sister in Christ. She revealed, immediately before cursing me out, that she'd been sexually assaulted about 2 months prior. I'm sure that the assualt impacted her emotionally and spiritually, as well as physically. I was too busy "contending for the faith." Had I slowed down, I might have won back a sister through reminding her about the love of Christ for his sheep. Instead, my combative approach (Thanks WretchedRadio) offended her. I deeply regret how our conversation ended, but our meeting was by chance (not really, but yeah) and I wouldn't even recognize her today if she walked right up to me.

This is not a call to end or avoid evangelism due to the fear of offending someone. I'm saying, share the gospel and contend for the faith often, but do it biblically. I'm also saying, whenever you start measuring someone who professes Christ by the amount of sin in their life, look at the amount of sin your own life and repent, THEN pray for that brother or sister and go to him or her with loving rebuke. Let Christ pull the weeds, lest you root up the wheat along with them.

Painful lesson, but one learned.