Mel's Quiet Thoughts »

Faith without works….dead!

October 22, 2010 – 12:25 pm

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? James 2:14-16

Bam!!

(Just needed your attention, thought that might get it.)

Wanted to share some stuff I’ve been sorting through that continue the “be the church” thoughts this week.

I’ve found myself to be a “dead works” kind of girl for many years. I had this feeling that if I was “working” hard inside the church that was sufficient and I didn’t really need to be doing anything outside the doors of the church. But then circumstances come along and you get uprooted, turned upside down and inside out and nothing that used to make sense to you makes sense any longer. You look around at people that you’ve always had things in common with and shared life with and now things seem weird and uncomfortable. Suddenly you find yourself acting crazy and doing things like believing EVERY WORD of the bible. You start seeking out other such “crazy” people. Thoughts of selling everything you own to follow Jesus or giving it all away starts being more than a distant thought. You know those “distant” thoughts that sometimes come out of the blue and give you a little zinger! We normally don’t like those! Those thoughts we run from, hide from, ignore, stuff way down deep….know what I mean?

Well, of late, those thoughts are crowded up in my mind until I can’t get away from them. Then the craziest thing begins to happen~all those thoughts that used to be wacky and bizarre start feeling normal and all those “crazy” thoughts and people actually end up being the ones making the most sense. Go figure! You find the anxiety in your thoughts and the tight feeling in your chest that you’ve lived with a long time start going away to be replaced by crazy things like….well, peace for one; and a lot of joy; and this weird ability to be content. Even being content with the idea that all you may be left with is whatever others share with you and you share with them! Suddenly, living, truly living and helping in community is the most important thing you will ever do here…on this earth. You realize there are no coincidences, there is no “random”. You start bumping into a lot of people with the same ideas. (I like to think of them as God designed meetings with other people that have those same ideas!)

I have so many things to talk to you about but I can’t put it all in one post. My posts on an average day run about 1100 words. That’s too many! So blogging more frequently and not as long is a must. You don’t need to spend all day reading one post on one blog! I hope you’ll check here frequently, I have a feeling God has some things in store for us. Maybe some things we’re going to help one another with!

Right now I want to leave you with something you could help me with and I would be so grateful! My 42nd birthday is coming up in December and this year I’ve given my birthday away to charitywater.org and you can go HERE to join me in celebrating. I would really love it if the goal I picked was exceeded. Maybe you could skip a breakfast out or your favorite Starbuck’s coffee just once to help me by giving that $5 to a really great organization. (Or more if you like!!) You can even watch them via internet drill wells in villages!! How cool is that?!! I know what you’re thinking~we don’t exchange birthday gifts anyway. Maybe this year could be an exception….and should you choose to do the same with your birthday this year send me a message…..BECAUSE I AM SO GIVING YOU A GIFT THIS YEAR!!!

Be the Church?

October 18, 2010 – 1:20 pm

Church, Community, Life

I always have the best intentions to write more often! I see it’s been, once again, a month since I last blogged. I’ll have you know that in that time I’ve written some fantastic blog posts…in my mind! I seem to have these thoughts frequently but often have a hard time translating it to written word. I really do enjoy writing, I love the transparency that it allows, I very much enjoy the community involved. I even find myself enjoying a good debate should someone not agree exactly with what I have to say! I’m learning that “tension” is a good thing, it encourages you to stretch and learn and grow! I’ve also come to understand that when I’m “comfortable”…..I’ve become complacent. Not somewhere I want to be anymore, I prefer to live with that tension because it keeps me moving forward! All that being said, I feel very strongly about today’s moment of writing.

I’ve read two different accounts today of people questioning God, Christians, Church~and not in a very positive way! When I read things like that I feel overwhelmed by sadness.In the last few years I’ve read hundreds of those accounts! I understand those feelings so well and I know the place they come from. It can absolutely swamp you, it can change your opinion, it can make you throw your hands up and walk away. What I’ve noted when reading about the Church on the world wide web is there are really only two places people camp out on “church & God”…..love it or hate it. (At least those that weigh in on their opinions!) I try very desperately to never enter into a debate about religion….especially when someone has experienced a hurt. You are not going to change their mind by debating them. Usually, once you’ve formed your own opinion you refuse to hear what anybody says that’s on the other side of that issue. I can speak pretty comfortably about this from experience.

I can’t help but be heartbroken! I remember the despair and anguish…the absolute bewilderment that can go along with those experiences! I want so much to encourage them, to scream loudly don’t give up on God-because He never gives up on us. I want to tell them that we are all broken on the inside, that we are all slaves to our deceitful hearts that elevate selfish desires like pride and being right over love and forgiveness. I want to tell them not to give up Hope. Keep moving forward, learn and move on, but never give up! It’s easy to say that today. (I mean it’s easier for me to say that today than it would have been several years ago when it all felt hopeless to me.)

I wondered today why I wasn’t like some of the people that I encounter who hate the Church, hate God, hate anything to do with religion. I could have remained where I was~doubting, scared, empty. That emptiness I felt for 6 months after my experience felt like winter. I look back now and realize it was a season I had to go through to be here now but why doesn’t that translate for some? How do they become lost? Are they forever lost? Do we even care? Does the church even notice? I feel very conflicted and sad today. My very soul cries out to God to comfort those that have been harmed, those that have been marginalized, made invisible, broken by those that would call themselves christians but are really just Pharisees playing games. I want to yell down the house! “That experience is not a reflection of the God that loves you so much that He sent His only son to die a brutal death on a cross… so that you and I might have a way back to Him!!” I want them to know that God is not some “mystical, invisible, magician in the sky” that might not really exist. I want them to know the power and strength of His love! I want them to know what it feels like to be covered in grace! But, I can’t make them see it my way, can I? I can’t bully them or debate them or tell them to get over it.

God! Please, I pray you open people’s hearts, heal their hurts, remind them that the church is not always a reflection of the God who loves them! Connect them with Christian people that are humble and loving, that are willing to listen and who have the right words to say.

I pray desperately today for the Church. That’s all of us, we are the Church. It’s not this little church and this big church and this Methodist church and this Baptist church. WE ARE THE CHURCH! There is no division in that…..there is not one “church” that is better at being the “church” than any other. Careful, careful when you discount all the good things being done by the Church when you want to elevate your “own church” above all others. If you say things like~ “If only people would come here they would never go to another church!” It’s PRIDEFUL! It means your “agenda”, “vision”, “whatever you want to call it” is more important than sharing the gospel! You should be saying-”How can I partner with the churches around me, become the Church that Jesus started here on earth and actually fulfill the job left to His disciples!

Is it even possible…..can we be the Church? I see a glimmer of that, I see a beginning…I see churches partnering with one another,sharing resources, not participating in the “competitor” mentality, starting ministries in their communities with other churches. I like what I see! I’m starting to see a little bit of Acts 2:42-47 and it’s really good.

This is what I think “Church” is….

42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts,

47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

Plan B by Pete Wilson

September 18, 2010 – 6:00 am

Books, Community, Reviews

I found Pete Wilson quite by accident two years ago when I was going through a very tough time in my own life. A “plan B” that was quite unexpected and so very painful. It was one of those times when a lot of things weren’t making sense and I was questioning everything in my life including my relationship with God. Little did I know then that Pete would write this fantastic book, “Plan B”, about those times in your life that just don’t make any sense. Those times that we want reconciled, we need a reason, or a conclusion, or a better scenario….but we often don’t get it.

It was one of those weird coincidences that my husband won a copy of Pete’s book on someone’s blog! I had been reading about the book coming out and watching the video on Pete’s blog and suddenly the book shows up in the mail. My husband read it first and passed it on to me. He made the statement that the last two chapters of the book were very powerful. He also shared that what Pete wrote in the book were a lot of the thoughts and feelings we were having about some of the circumstances in our own life. Little did I know!

I’m going to warn you right now that I’m not the type of reviewer that pulls out quotes from the book and dissects it down for you. I figure you can just read the book for yourself! I will tell you two things~ if the book impacted me and whether I recommend it.

I started reading Pete’s book and realized right away that Pete and I were going to agree on a lot of things. I had a lot of the same feelings and thoughts that came about from my previous experiences in life. The stories he share in the book are amazing and heartbreaking and there would be moments I would have to put the book down, cry some tears, compose myself and begin again. Did the book impact me? Beyond description! (I’m not going to try and explain it, those feelings can’t be described with words.) I will tell you that it was like being wrapped in comfort and it made me realize that we do not travel through this life alone. That we can’t travel alone.

Pete is a good writer, it’s not too wordy and it’s not written over anyone’s head. It is very humble and there’s a lot of kindness and comfort in this book….which I would expect reflects the kind of guy Pete is. It couldn’t have been an easy book to write, there are no answers for some of the questions we have about this life!

Pete was kind enough to send me an email two years ago when we were going through our plan B. For awhile I read that email almost every day because it seemed to be the only comfort I had to encourage me to move forward. I’m thankful Pete listens to God and allows God to work through his life. It was a beginning for our family, a different path on this journey. Looking back now I understand why everything happens for a reason. See, if that hadn’t happened then I wouldn’t be here now~feeling the way I do and loving Jesus the way I do.

I don’t exactly know where I’m headed but that’s okay too, but I do know I’m moving forward again! I’ve also experienced several more plan B’s since that pivotal time and will probably experience many more….but I’m not doing it alone!

So, here’s what I think:

If you are experiencing a “plan b” in your life….you…really…need….to….read….this…..book!

(You can also catch up with Pete on his blog. He shares about his relationship with God, his family, his church. Good words! http://withoutwax.tv/ )

What not to wear?

September 15, 2010 – 7:53 pm

Grace

(I wrote this post about two weeks ago and it was really strange to talk about almost the exact thing in cell group tonight!! Weird, huh?)

I know what you’re thinking; this is going to be a blog about what I wear. It is absolutely not going to be a blog about that. Well, not so much anyway!! I love the show “What Not to Wear”! I even went through a period of time where I lived Stacy and Clinton’s tips. Ultimately, I realized, it was just another mask I talked myself into wearing. As transparent and authentic as I like to say I live, over the last 5 years I’ve had to peel away some of the masks I hide behind. Clothes seem to have a protective quality that many of us love to put on. Pretty sparkles, the right purse, great jeans! Before I get hate comments…I have nothing against looking nice. But I am against the zebra print sweater my mom-in-law got me for Easter becoming an idol in my life.

What about Adam & Eve in the garden? Knowing they had sinned what did they immediately look for? The same thing I look for today, a way to cover up sin. A mask, a fig leaf, a new pair of shoes! It’s to make me feel better right? Certainly seemed like covering up their nakedness was pretty important to them since it was mentioned in Genesis!

7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. Genesis 3:7

They really blew it! I wonder what that moment felt like for them. That moment when they knew fig leaves or no fig leaves they would have to face God with their sin. It had to be the most devastating feeling, complete fear and hopelessness. Hold on…I think that feeling might be a little more familiar than I’d like to admit.

After punishments were handed out all around, what does God do? He does something really awesome and loving. He doesn’t scream at them, kick them while they’re down, and ignore them. None of those things, He shows them love! It’s the littlest things that sometimes have the biggest impact. I love what it says in vs. 21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. I can’t even begin to imagine that day and how sad it was for God to send Adam & Eve, His beautiful creations, out of the garden. That little verse has so much love in it. A loving Father stops to make clothes for His wayward children. Not with another fig leaf of shame. No, with clothes that He makes and with love and grace….He covers them! How amazing a picture is that?

How do I really dress? What’s my “style” really like? Style-I don’t have any! I dress primarily for comfort, which I think women aren’t supposed to do, but it works well for me. I do know how to dress nicely on occasion! I just have to be careful that I’m not pulling out my fig leaf or my favorite sweater to hide behind. It is very easy sometimes to let the girlie things of this life overshadow my relationship with God. After going through my “What Not to Wear” phase I learned that no amount of shopping for purses, shoes, fingernail polish, or shiny things were going to make me happy. They weren’t going to make any of the issues I was dealing with go away.

I did learn that God could fill the void in my heart that I was sometimes trying to fill with a zebra print sweater! I’ve realized over the last few months the most treasured possessions I have in this life are ones that I can’t touch or hold in my hands.

I believe.

September 2, 2010 – 2:16 pm

Church, Community, Grace, Journey

I believe!

For now…..I’m just content to share what’s happening, what I’m thinking, how I’m living, some of the stupid mistakes I make, some of the things I believe in, things that make me smile, things that get me riled up – you get the idea. I’m going to leave you with a few things I believe, this might be a list you want to set down and pound out for yourself and maybe it’ll be something you want to share with someone else.

I believe………in grace – not just receiving it but passing it on. I still don’t understand it but I know we all need it and we get it for free. So, I better be extending it freely.
I believe………in a God who loves me enough to be tough on me when I need it.
I believe………God has a purpose for my life God wants me to glorify him in everything I do.
I believe………in following that purpose for my life God, even during the rough moments.
I believe………God’s not done with me yet.
I believe………in my husband, my kids, my parents, my brothers, their families, my church, my cell family, my friendships.
I believe………in learning the most I can from every experience – good or bad.
I believe………that iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs 27:17) Still love this one and the people in my life & circumstances that contribute to it.
I believe………in the church.
I believe………as Christians we should extend love, grace, and compassion to all people & show joy, peace, a longsuffering attitude, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control.
I believe………in taking the church to the world and not the opposite-taking the world to church.
I believe………as Christians we need to take off the blinders and step out of the bubbles.
I believe………that this life will be a journey up mountains and through valleys.
I believe………I am never alone.
I believe………in a Father who loves me and has great things in store if I will only believe! provides joy even in the midst of some pretty tough circumstances.

I wrote that post what seems like a long time ago. A lot has happened since then! That was May 2009 and it was the beginning of a thaw in my heart. A glimpse of spring and a season of discovery were just around the corner. I didn’t know where I was headed but I knew where I’d been. I’ve learned a lot of things this past year. I’ve learned a lot about forgiveness, both the giving and receiving of it, how to deal with conflict and survive, how to love people and survive! I’m learning a lot about community and how to participate with an open heart. I’m learning to speak into someone’s life in love and NOT with a battering ram! Thank goodness, right? I’m learning where my passions are and things that I really love to do! I’m learning that everything I do has a purpose for His glory.

As I read this list again I realized what I believe has grown stronger as I’ve “grown up” a little. There have been some adjustments in what I believe as I’ve grown. God’s word has a lot to do with what I believe now! It’s funny how things look a little different when you read that book for yourself! I’ve realized that my heart without Jesus is a wicked and deceitful place and that any time I elevate my earthly desires I fall right back into sin.

Some of the circumstances of my life have changed. My attitudes about certain things have changed. My desire to be on mission for God and what that looks like is developing. My willingness to live boldly? Good question! Well it’s coming, and I have a whole lot of learning left to do along the way!! I continue to be a work in progress, but I’m not the same person I was even a year ago. There’s something about grace and faith and taking it all in and then breathing it out that leaves you forever changed!

Did you ever work on your list? Have you pounded out in black and white what you believe? Are you different than you were a year ago? Are you more loving, full of joy, a peacemaker, longsuffering, full of kindness, goodness, & faithfulness? Do you live your life with gentleness and self-control? Where are you on your journey? Are you tired, or bored, or maybe a little sad? Just a friendly little challenge, maybe it’s time…for you to sit down and make that list and spend some time with the one who loves you the most!

Happy Anniversary, sweet Michael!

August 12, 2010 – 12:00 am

Journey, Love, Michael, Relationships

Remember that day? What a crazy time! We’ve had a few of those in our life together. Looking back over 23 years of marriage I realized I wouldn’t trade a moment-good or bad. I just wanted you to know on this “Friday the 13th” that I love you more today than I did that day a long time ago. Is that bad to say? That I love you more now than I did then. If anyone would understand that you would! We were such kids..there were lots of things I didn’t know back then that I had to learn along the way. Thank you for being so patient with me all these years.

I’m looking forward to whatever comes next and wherever we go from here. I’m so excited as we’re learning and sharing what it means to love Jesus and love people and follow Him wherever he leads. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than right in the middle of this crazy life with you and I couldn’t let this day pass without telling you…..

Happy Anniversary & I love you so very much!

A tale of two cities…

August 4, 2010 – 1:56 pm

Church, Community, Family

There are very important things in life that I ignore by filling up my life with unimportant distractions. I have a hard time sometimes breaking myself of the “routine”. Do you know the one I’m talking about? Work, housework, supper, disconnect time (aka-tv/computer time), sleep…continue this until the weekend. The weekend-cram as much housework and “upkeep” that you couldn’t get done through the week, plus entertainment time & collapsing after 5 days of trying to do it all week. Monday morning-repeat routine!

I often dream of a place where I don’t have to continue the “routine”. I look around at all the “stuff” that we have on display at our home that collects dust but has no function. (Hence, the reason for the routine! Gotta keep the stuff !) I think about the fact we only really use a quarter of the space in our house and we are all usually in the same room together at the same time. God has challenged us strongly of recent on our finances and our inattention to the “important” things of this life. We have made some attempt to decrease our debt. We have no car payment at this time and although we are tempted since Michael’s truck exploded we have not succumbed to that temptation. Having one car sucks, or so we think, since we usually have two. The American dream states that we are entitled to have two working vehicles. Right? Too much focus on the “stuff”! But, then something happened….

July happened and Michael went to Haiti and Seth to Mexico and suddenly none of that matters. This didn’t even matter….

I had recently received a “bid” on getting my teeth fixed. I have a congenital defect where several of my permanent teeth never formed, so I either have empty space or baby teeth. Nine missing teeth to be exact! I’ve always felt like to be a “whole” person I should have perfect teeth and I feel entitled because I’ve waited all these years to get them fixed. Then July happened and the 3300.00 to fix my teeth seemed like a very vain attempt to be pleasing to who?….people, myself, my family, God? My teeth work, I’m able to eat, they aren’t decayed…they function in the manner that God intended them to. So, after talking with Michael, I made the decision that these were the teeth God gave me and I would live out the rest of this life with them. I didn’t need my physical appearance to speak for the person I am inside. I realized that 3300.00 would be better served to build a structure in Haiti or drill a well for fresh water wherever it’s needed.

I know the next year things are happening for our family that will lead us somewhere else, I don’t really know where, but I know God has been getting us ready for a long time. I think He’s been waiting on us to realize what is important and to know that without Him we can’t accomplish anything. So we are getting ready to step out on faith and go wherever He leads us. I have a different philosophy about this life that I find is not always very popular with some people in my life. But, I’m 100% sold out that this life is not about our comfort or even about us being comfortable, I believe it’s about living dangerously and helping those that God has always called us to help…the downtrodden, the poor in spirit, the orphans, the widows. I often wonder how different we would be if we fell into one of those groups I mentioned? Would we be full of hope like the people that Michael & Seth met. They had nothing… but they had everything…… because they had Jesus and they had hope.

Michael’s group that went to Haiti has partnered with Growing Hope For Haiti and they will be helping with an orphanage there. 43 kids sleeping on kindergarten mats under an open tent with no sanitation and one meal a day. If you’d like to talk to these guys because you also have a desire in your heart to do something outside the routine you can contact Michael here. Maybe your church wants to get on board, they’ll come talk to your church group, your family, your whatever! These guys are willing to do whatever it takes to change the lives of those kids…because it’s what God asked of them when He sent them to Haiti. But maybe you were like me, filling life up with the routine and unsure of what to do. I never really knew where to start…but this is a beginning, a step in a different direction.

Now, before I get hate comments about new cars and “stuff” know that I’m speaking for this family only. We live in a country of excess, we have way more than we need when most of the world is going without. I can’t know that anymore and ignore it…..but that’s between God and I. What God’s challenging you with is between you and Him. If this post somehow raised your interest in maybe living with a little less and helping someone else that’s a good thing. If it’s not for you, then it’s not for you…..but you have to admit it’s something to think about! Maybe instead of being overwhelmed by trying to help the world….maybe it’s just about one tiny step of faith? One step taken then another……a beginning…..

Quiting Christianity?

August 1, 2010 – 7:41 am

Church, Relationships

Ever had that feeling? I have certainly been in some situations where that seemed like a great idea! Recently, Ann Rice-famous vampire writer & Christian, has “quit” Christianity. It’s been all the talk on some of the blogs I frequent and as always some of the feedback has been very rotten. Which lends great credence to the message I think Ms. Rice is trying to get across. We can certainly be a negative, judgmental group and the recent blog comments debating and judging Ms. Rice’s actions unfortunately don’t make Christians look like Jesus. I had that moment of wanting to walk away, of wanting my own personal relationship with Jesus to not be muddied or disrespected by fellow Christians. I’ve learned a lot from those moments and came through them realizing I needed very much to be a part of a healthy community of believers & that not all people who wear the label Christian are truly Christians. (But that’s not my job to judge other people’s hearts….even though I have been guilty of doing just that!)

If I could say anything to Anne, it would be this:

Dearest Anne,

I was so sorry to hear that you have quit Christianity, I know that feeling as I also have had that same thought in the past. It seems when you love Jesus so much that everyone else that calls themselves his disciple should feel the same way you do. I couldn’t understand the negative comments and the tearing down of people that became so evident the closer I became to God’s people. I lived many years on this earth without God in my life and when I found Him and loved Him and I felt his love for me I was 100% gone. I was never the same again but what I began to realize is some of the Christian people around me didn’t feel the same way I did! How could they when some of the things coming out of their mouths were so vile? I found myself becoming more and more judgmental of these fellow Christians! During a dark night in my own life when I was ready to give up on Christianity I found myself clinging to this Scripture.

³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I imagine that Jesus knew how very hard it was going to be to “love one another” and I think he knew that we would need that constant reminder. It would be really easy to just love the people in life who are loveable & nearly impossible to love those we judge as not worthy. Through the words and teachings of some amazing disciples of Christ I would realize that I could not say I loved Jesus but not love everyone, even those that call themselves Christians although their actions might tell another story! My own sin was standing in the way of a full and joyful life. See I let my own pride get in the way of loving others. My biggest failing was I could love God’s broken people but I didn’t equate the “religious” people around me as broken. I very stubbornly and proudly labeled them as idiots, who really didn’t get what it means to love Jesus. Pretty harsh, huh? What I now realize is we all wear the label “broken & sinful” no matter how much we act like we have it all together! Little did I know that God would cut my heart so deeply that I would never be the same. Out of this moment of sadness in my life something amazing and life changing has happened. My energy now is better directed in following God’s commandments and helping the lost and lonely in this broken world…..and loving just as He loves me!

So, Anne…please don’t give up hope! Christians are a rowdy, crazy bunch of people…..zealous and overbearing at times but God hasn’t given up on us and I hope you reconsider. I pray God sends you loving and humble people during this time. Who knows maybe you’ll change your mind? I know I did!!

Living in freedom,

Mel

Suffering for doing good?

July 29, 2010 – 8:36 pm

Emilee, Jesus

⁸Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. ⁹Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, ¹⁹through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison ²⁰who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 1 Peter 3:8-22

Seems like a crummy thought doesn’t it? Suffering for doing good. My Americanized idea~doing good means I get a reward right? I get a prize, or compensation, or at the very least praise! A little scenario played out this morning while at McDonald’s with my youngest. She went to the counter and asked for a bag to be able and take her breakfast with her. After returning to our table the lady behind the counter brought two cookies over and asked if Emilee could have them. She explained that Emilee was so polite and had really good manners and she said that is something rarely seen anymore. (Don’t get me started~that’s a whole other blog post!) Emilee takes all this in and after the lady walks away, Emilee looks at me and says-I’m going to do that more often! I asked if it was so she could get more cookies! She said no, it was because the lady was happy with her and it made her feel good. We’re all kind of like that. We want the recognition that we did good and someone was happy about it. If we don’t get that feedback then somehow we’ve been slighted or insulted. We certainly don’t want to suffer for doing good! I see so many people around me in my life that “quit” doing good because there’s no return. The whole mentality of…then what’s in it for me? If it doesn’t make me happy or I don’t get anything good from it then I’m just not going to do it! I felt like that wasn’t really something I wanted Emilee to think was okay. I wanted her to know that you do good not for the recognition of others but for the blessings that come from our relationship with Jesus and because He calls us to be obedient to His ways. His ways are so much better than our own!!

We were reading in 1Peter last night in our cell group and I was so struck by this particular passage and have read it several times. I need Emilee to understand that her blessings don’t come from this life, but from a Father who loves her more than I ever can. It is so important that I don’t continue with the thought it’s all about my “prizes” that I get for being the best Christian ever. I don’t want to be that kind of example to my children. Sometimes we get so surprised when things don’t go smoothly because we invest so much time trying to be pleasing to those around us and it never turns out the way we think it should! When we’re doing that we forget about the cross and the sacrifice that was made there because of our sin and selfishness.

My prayer is that God continues to strip off my sanitized “rose-colored” Christianity glasses. I’ve realized that this life is not about my comfort and happiness. It’s about being called by my Father to love those around me, be humble, share my faith, and not always be expecting a prize for good I’ve done. May I always recognize the blessings that sometimes come through uncomfortable situations and yes, even suffering.

May I always remember to be thankful…..

Thanks for reading!

Living in freedom,

Mel

My constant…

June 12, 2010 – 8:39 pm

Freedom, Journey

con·stant

–adjective

1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable

2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing

3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent:

4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, etc.

5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute.

I love words and definitions and writing and yes, I even love spelling. That’s the hidden English major coming out in me! I was thinking about people and moments in my life today and that word above popped into my head….”constant”. There are some people and some little routines I have that I consider a “constant”, I was reminded of those things today. I realized how much I take those things for granted. I expect them to always be there because they have always been there. They, whether people or circumstances, are the same every day. I can depend on those constants, I feel secure and like the world makes sense in some way. Those things provide me with comfort and when they are gone it leaves a longing inside of me. A moment today made me realize that those things can be gone in a second, never to be done again….never to be experienced.

I’ve been reading chronologically in my bible and as I’ve read through the Old Testament I find myself getting to know God in a different way. I’ve always believed there was a God, even before I experienced salvation…but I never really took the time to get to know Him. I realized today as I was thinking about all the different “constants” in my life how God fills every one of those definitions above. Never changing or varying the same God I read about in the Old Testament is the same one I seek today. He’s never paused or given up on me. He is continuous and I love that He is persistent. It’s the last two lines that really get me …He is~faithful; unswerving in love, devotion, He is~steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute. He is that one thing in my life that is “constant”. He fills that empty ache and longing that I used to get. That hole that I carried around in my heart, that I tried to fill with a lot of my earthly desires it could only be filled by Him.