Conflicted

One of the ladies I work with made a comment on Friday that has stuck with me.  She asked how I could keep smiling and have such a good attitude and have my foot in a cast and have to use wheelchair.

I have been purposely trying to have a good attitude.  I have been trying to practice Philippians 4:4 which says “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  I have also given some thought to Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Yes somewhere down inside I am really frustrated.  When I am home in the evening, it drives me crazy.  I know I want my foot to get better.  I know that this gives me a good chance.  I also know that hobbling around on crutches and using a wheelchair are a big pain.  I can’t do what I want to do.  I am dependent on others.  That isn’t the way I like to live.

So am I a liar?  I give the appearance at work that all is well.  I try to have a good attitude.  I try to paste on the smile and stay positive.  Yet that isn’t the way I really feel.

How do I resolve this conflict?

Have you ever felt like this?

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Laura Story

Laura Story spoke and sang at our school during chapel today.  She was amazing.

If you don’t know who Laura is, see the video below.

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Elton John – part 2

I don’t think I did a great job on my post about Elton John. (see 2 days ago)  I was thinking some more about it today and was reminded about something I studied a long time ago.  I studied these ideas when I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ back in the 1980s….

When considering Jesus and his life, he left you only three choices. Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.

Jesus didn’t leave room for anyone to say he was just a great moral teacher.  That simply isn’t an option. Jesus made the most astonishing claims, about God, about society and ethics, and about himself.  He claimed to have authority to forgive sins.  He claimed that he had come to die in order to reconcile man to God.  He claimed to be the only way for mankind to attain salvation.

Looking at these claims there are three things we could conclude.  Either all his claims were false and he knew it, or all his claims were false and he didn’t know it, or his claims were true.

None of these options leaves you with the choice that he was just a great moral teacher.

In the first scenario that states that all his claims were false and he knew it. that would make him a liar.  Liars are not great moral teachers.  If he deliberately set out to deceive people then he was one of the worst teachers to walk the earth.

In the second scenario that states that all his claims were false and he didn’t know it, he must have been a real lunatic.  Any normal person who believes himself to be God incarnate, is insane.  Again, he would not be considered to be a great moral teacher.

The third scenario that states that all his claims were true leaves us with just one conclusion.  Jesus is God. 

There is no way to look at all the facts and come up with the conclusion that Jesus was just a great moral teacher.  He was either much less than that or much more.

If you are interested in more of these kinds of ideas, I believe most of this can be found in Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.

As far as Elton John’s claims that Jesus was gay, that is ludicrous.  The Bible is very clear on its stance about homosexuality.

Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

Leviticus 20:13 - "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

Jesus would never have been something that was so clearly prohibited by Scripture.  There’s not one piece of evidence that he was gay.  There’s not one verse in the Bible that approves of that lifestyle. 

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Mary MacKillop

“A nun who was once excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church for insubordination is to become Australia's first saint.”

Mary MacKillop, who died in 1909, will be canonized in Rome on Oct. 17.  The pope announced at the Vatican this week.

The church has to attribute two miracles to a person before they can become a saint.  In 1995, she is said to have cured a woman of terminal leukemia. In December, another woman with incurable lung cancer prayed to Mary MacKillop for healing.  She is said to now be cured even though she has not taken any treatments.

Here’s link to the news article.

I have a huge problem with this whole idea of praying to dead people and saints.  That problem comes from 1 Timothy 2:5.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

I pray to God.  Jesus is the only mediator between me and God.  He sits at God’s right hand and lives to make intercession for me.  (Romans 8:34)

Prayer is an act of worship and should only be offered to God.  Prayer should never be offered to any created thing.  To do this would be to offer worship and that would be an act of idolatry.

I’ll also add that no where in the Word are we told to pray to saints.  We are commanded to pray to God.  Surely if this were something we were suppose to do, God would have included it in His Word.

So, getting back to the news article.  I can’t explain why these people got well.  I know that God knows.  I don’t believe it was because they prayed to Mary MacKillop.

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Elton John

Elton John was recently interviewed for Parade magazine.  He made this statement, “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems".

Wrong answer Elton John.  He may be a brilliant song writer and singer but he got this one wrong.

If you were interviewed, who would you say Jesus was (is)?

Think it through carefully.  This is the most important question you will answer in your lifetime.

Jesus was 100% man

John 1:14 tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  The Word is referring to Jesus.  In Hebrews 4:15, it talks about Jesus being tempted just like we are.  He was totally human.  He was born and lived a human life.  The difference is He lived a sinless life.  (1 John 3:5)  His physical death was necessary in order to take away our sins. 

Jesus was 100% God.

John 1:1-3 talks about Jesus existing from the beginning. He was with God and He was God.  He performed miracles.  He lived a sinless life.  He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.  He  rose from the dead.  This is what makes it possible for us to have forgiveness form sin and a relationship with God.

John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.”

You can’t work your way to heaven.  You have to accept Christ.  You have to accept his work on the cross as payment for your sins.

Acts 4:12 makes it really clear. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.""

Elton John may be one of the greatest singers of all time but he is completely wrong in his views about Jesus.

Investigate the claims of Christ for yourself.  Don’t take what anyone else says as truth.  Read the Word and pray that God would clearly show you who Jesus is.  We each have to come to our own decision on this question and it is the most important question you will ever answer.

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Lazy Day

I had a lazy day today.  I can’t remember the last time I took a day and did absolutely nothing. 

I got lots of sleep and rest.  I needed it.  The cast on my leg is very heavy and my arms and wrists are sore from the wheelchair and crutches. 

It was felt good to just have a quiet lazy day.  I watched some TV.  I read some.  I worked on a jigsaw puzzle.  I listened to some music.  I watched my daughter rearrange stuff in her room and enjoyed time with her. 

I have some school work I could have done today but I decided that I was actually going to take a day off.  It was wonderful.

Today was exactly what I needed.  I’ve been tired and a little down.  The cast is exhausting.  I need the joy and the strength that only God can provide.

“the joy of the LORD is your strength”  Nehemiah 8:10

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. “ (Psalm 51:10-12)

Lent

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (today) and ends at Easter. Ash Wednesday is typically celebrated by Catholics. They apply an ashen cross on their foreheads. The ash is to remind them that they come from dust and that some day they will return to dust.

The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, discipline, repentance, Christian growth, and self-denial.  These disciplines are suppose to help transform our entire being – body, soul, and spirit.

These disciplines are to point us to Christ.  They are to help us become more like Christ.

Many churches don’t focus on Lent. They don’t want to turn people off.  They view it is too ritualistic. 

The truth is everything you practice during Lent can be done year round.  You don’t have to wait for Lent to repent of your sin, to fast for a change in your life, to focus your life on Christ.

So I asked my daughter what she was going to give up for Lent.  She replied, “being nice to my Mom.”  Then she laughed …..  Some days it just doesn’t pay to get up.

Trials

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  (James 1:2-4 )

Sometimes things don’t go exactly as you planned.  How you react to those situations shows who you trust in.  I have been having trouble with my foot for over a year.  I have been through therapy, medications, splints, shots, and now I am in a cast for six weeks.

I can choose to be miserable or I can choose to make the best of a bad situation.  I am choosing to try to be upbeat and positive.  I am really praying that this will solve my foot problem.  I have no guarantees.

Life is full of trials.  We need to believe that all things work together for the good for those who love the Lord.  The trials come into our lives produce perseverance and character.  They teach you to trust Christ with everything.

Look at the trials in your life as an opportunity to trust God.

 

“we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  (Romans 5:3-5)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28)

Faithfulness of God

I had a couple of hard days.  I needed to be reminded of the faithfulness of God tonight.

Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 32: 4 - He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Psalms 33:4 - For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

Psalms 36:5 - Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalms 89:2 - I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Psalms 119:89-90 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.

Lamentations 3:23 - They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 - He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 - The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

2 Timothy 2:13 - if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

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Relationships

Relationships take time, effort, planning, scheduling, and patience.  You have to communicate and spend time together.

My husband and I were able to get away for the weekend.  Just the two of us.  Our daughter was away for the weekend and so we took advantage of the opportunity.  We had a great time.  It took effort though to plan the weekend, to make the reservations, and to adjust his work schedule. 

As a couple we needed that time to strengthen our relationship.  We needed to talk, to laugh, and to just spend some time together (without a child).

We also need to work on our relationship with God.  It isn’t automatic.

Our relationship with God should be deliberate. God created us to have a relationship with Him.  We should plan time with him.  We should communicate with Him often and spend time with Him daily.   It’s not always easy or convenient but it is necessary.  The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. 

Take the first step, plan time in your schedule for reading the Bible and praying.  Be faithful and do it.  Then trust God to change your heart and your life.  Soon you will be to the place where you won’t want to miss that time. 

Try it.  What do you have to lose?

Grumpy

My 16 year old daughter had a case of the “grumpies” this morning.  She was moping on the way to school and I looked at her and smiled and said, “This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  She replied, “MOM! You just ruined it.  I really wanted to be grumpy.”

Isn’t that how it is with all of us from time to time.  We just “want” to be grumpy.  We know that God loves us.  We know that everything is going to be fine.  We just don’t want to get up.  We don’t want to go to school or to work.  We don’t want to be obedient.

God doesn’t ask us what we want to do.  He simply requires us to obey Him.  And we should do it with a good attitude. 

Do you think Jesus “wanted” to go to the cross and suffer and die for us?  I don’t think so.  In Luke 22:42, Jesus says "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."  Jesus was willing to be obedient even to death. 

He requires so little from us and yet it is so easy for us to get the “grumpies.”  And we get them from the smallest things.

So the next time you get up early and you are tired and you don’t want to go to work (or school), remember how much Jesus loves you.  Put a smile on your face, rejoice, and press on.

Psalm 19

I really wanted to write something tonight but I am struggling.  I am so tired I am having trouble thinking clearly. 

I read Psalm 19 tonight.  The end of that psalm is my favorite part.

Here are verses 7 – 14:

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
       reviving the soul.
       The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
       making wise the simple.

⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
       giving joy to the heart.
       The commands of the LORD are radiant,
       giving light to the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
       enduring forever.
       The ordinances of the LORD are sure
       and altogether righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
       than much pure gold;
       they are sweeter than honey,
       than honey from the comb.

¹¹ By them is your servant warned;
       in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
       Forgive my hidden faults.

¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
       may they not rule over me.
       Then will I be blameless,
       innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
       be pleasing in your sight,
       O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

My thoughts on this passage:

There are 6 synonyms listed for the Word of God

• The law of the Lord
• The statutes of the Lord
• The precepts of the Lord
• The commands of the Lord
• The fear of the Lord
• The ordinances of the Lord

There are six descriptions of the Word of God

• perfect, reviving the soul.
• trustworthy, making wise the simple.
• right, giving joy to the heart.
• radiant, giving light to the eyes.
• pure, enduring forever.
• sure and altogether righteous.

How valuable is God’s Word - more precious than gold

What can God’s Word do for you?

• By them is your servant warned;
• in keeping them there is great reward.

What’s our ultimate goal – that the words we speak and the things we think about would be pleasing to God.

That goal is something we all should strive for and also something we all need help in achieving.

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