Month: June 2012

A Perspective that Brings Praise

| Karen

We all remember the verse in the Bible where Jesus rebukes Peter.  “Get behind me Satan!”  Jesus said (Matthew 16:23).  This is one of those verses that I don’t like to dwell on because it seems out of character for Jesus to take such a ‘harsh’ approach.  I just wince inside and move past it in a hurry.  But this week, the Beth Moore Bible study “Mercy Triumphs” lingered on it just long enough for me to catch the second part of the verse.  Have you ever noticed it before?  Jesus said, “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Ouch.  Jesus didn’t say that Peter had suddenly become a Satanist.  In fact, just a few verses earlier Jesus praised Peter for recognizing that He was God’s Son.  So what happened between Peter’s God-perspective and his human perspective?  Jesus said he was going to die.  Apparently this didn’t fit in with Peter’s expectations.  Maybe he, like other disciples, expected thrones instead of crosses.  So Peter “rebuked Jesus” and in turn, Jesus rebuked Peter (see the context in Matthew 16:15-25).

As Beth Moore wrote, to make us ineffective in the work Christ wants to do in us, Satan only has to tempt us toward a human point of view.  Just like Peter, we often succumb to this temptation when suffering comes because we struggle fitting suffering into our God-perspective.

No wonder the battle is in the mind.  This has got me thinking… how often do I look at things only from the perspective of what I can see, hear, and feel?  More than that – from the perspective of my own pride, my own rights, my own reputation?  How would each situation look differently if I looked at it from God’s perspective?

For example, a few days ago I drove nearly 4 hours to train a patient on some medical equipment.  The patient ended up not coming because she felt she didn’t need the training.  I suddenly had a lot of free time to think about this topic, and I actually wrote most of this blog while waiting 4 hours for my next patient to arrive.  What should my perspective have been?  Yes, I felt a bit angry.  My pride stung because someone else looked down on me as if I had no value.  I thought of MY valuable time, MY busy schedule, MY time I missed with my family that day.  But was I looking at this ‘merely from a human perspective?’  I’ve already seen that God doesn’t like this.  So what would a God perspective look like in this situation?

When I think of a God perspective, I think of the ‘big’ picture – more than what I could possibly know right now.  Is God protecting me from an unknown danger?  Perhaps a car wreck that would have been likely if I had traveled at a different time of day?  Is He teaching me about managing anger and/or disappointment?  Is He reminding me not to trust in expected income but to trust in Him to meet my family’s financial needs?  Or does He merely want me to blog about this so that YOU can learn along with me?

I still don’t have the answers – in fact, I would encourage you to join me as I try to view each situation – big or small – through a God-perspective.  I don’t want Jesus to rebuke me for having “merely a human point of view.”  I don’t want to let my limited vision make me a stumbling block to the work God wants to do through me. 

Jesus, forgive me for the times I look at things through the lens of my own pride, needs, and fears.  Instead, let me see every circumstance as You see it, especially when hard times come.

Christian Small Groups (Writing Challenge Topic)

| Karen

What is the value and impact, to you and to others, of participating in a Christian small group?  

 On Sunday mornings, people are dressed in their best clothes.  They put their ‘best foot forward.’  Everyone smiles at each other and says a quick ‘hi, how are you?’ while passing in the hallway.  You automatically respond, ‘great, how are you?’ and of course, they will only reply ‘great!’  Why?  Because Sunday mornings do not promote intimacy among church members.  Group worship is vital – we are encouraged as we worship God together, challenged as we hear a sermon that serves as God’s message for the whole group.  But it’s easy to leave thinking, ‘Wow – everyone there has it together.  If that’s what the Christian life is supposed to be about, I am missing something.” 

Yes you are – you are missing the intimacy part.  This can only be met among Christian believers through small group settings.  The location doesn’t matter (some meet in homes, others at the church buildings), but the fact that there are just a few people (12 or less) allows us to open up and share what’s really going on.  Are you struggling in your marriage?  You will not likely tell the whole congregation on Sunday morning, but you will find relief by sharing this with a small group of Christians that you know will pray for you.  Worried about finances?  You just might find that another person in your small group is either in the same situation or has been there before – and their listening ear, prayers, and advice may be just what you need to help you through a tough time.  When you belong to a small group, you know you are not alone in this Christian life.

It’s in the small group setting that I discovered that the woman whose clothes and kids look perfect Sunday morning actually struggles with some of the same issues that I face in my day to day walk with Christ.  It almost makes me laugh now at how perfect I once thought others were, before I ‘belonged’ to a small group.  In fact, it was my small group that helped me through my recent hardships related to church.  Before joining them, I had reached an all-time low of only attending church because it’s the way I was raised – but there was no life left.  It would have been easy to dismiss the whole church on the basis of only a few people if I hadn’t gotten involved in a small group of women that I knew were the ‘real’ thing.  It kept my problems in perspective, kept me accountable for my attitude to other women who loved God. 

What recommendations do you have for making the most of time in a small group?

 Belong.  Be real.  Some groups do Bible studies that recommend “homework” throughout the week – but don’t let it keep you away if you didn’t get to finish it all.  The purpose is not perfection but relationship with other Christians.  Also, it’s great to find a group that includes some who are different from you – multiple ages, different backgrounds, diverse races and cultures.  As a couple, you may be encouraged by a couples’ small group, but personally I find the most benefit (as a woman) from belonging to a women’s small group.  The things that Christian women struggle with are not always the same as Christian men – and I just don’t allow myself to be as vulnerable in a mixed group as I do in a women’s group.  Maybe because men try to fix the problems, and I often just want a compassionate ear to listen.  Sadly, there are some groups that are cliques, even in the church – they don’t seem to want any ‘extra’ members.  Don’t be discouraged, just try a different group, maybe a different church.  And when you’ve been there awhile and a new person comes in, be the one to make them feel welcome.  In a small group, you will take on the roles of Encourager and Encouraged One at different times.  And that’s what the Christian life is about – growing together, helping each other, truly knowing each other and “encouraging each other.”

 

Unexpected Grace

| Karen

Ever have a week when you just feel you’ve let some people down?  The past 2 weeks at work have just been insanely busy.  I’m getting up at 4 or 5 am, working hard and just barely meeting all my deadlines.  And I’m not a procrastinator- my week’s just been filled with unexpected “Murphy’s Law” moments that take all my best laid plans and delay them.  It’s not been a bad week, just a crazy one.  I feel I’ve let people down – the coworker who alluded that I was too busy to help him anymore, the other coworker who invited my husband and me to a farewell dinner and we never could find the restaurant, my mom whom I love to talk with but just haven’t had a chance to catch up with this week.  Then today I just felt literally exhausted.  Just like the title of my blog, today Daniel reminded me that I don’t have to be perfect.  In fact, just after dinner I decided to take an hour to myself to veg in front of an interior design TV show (I fell asleep) before bathing the kids and doing the dishes.  And that was okay.

I can tell a difference on the days that I don’t begin with a Quiet Time, just me and God.  Today I enjoyed sleeping in, but then I rushed to a last minute eye doctor appointment where I was told that I have to wear my glasses for one month because I’m having a bad reaction to my contact lenses.  From there, we had a fun day as a family, but I never sat down to have my Quiet Time – and honestly, at the end of the day, I didn’t even feel like I was worthy to approach God and request a moment of His time.

Yet I thought I’d just open up my Bible Study – Beth Moore “James” – and can you guess what the topic was?  Was it about trying harder to be a better woman, to be perfect, to never need a rest, to be ashamed of being human and exhausted today?  No – it was about friendship with God.  And these words washed over me:

“I have called you friends…. You did not choose Me, but I chose you.  I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain….” (see context in John 15:13-16)

God chose me.  Even on days when I feel I’ve let others down.  Even on days when I let the morning rush take the place of time with Him.  Even when I feel like I just can’t keep up with all that’s expected of me.  Why did He choose me?  Not because I got it right – not because I have it all together (God knows this is far from true).  Simply because He is God, He made me, He loves me, and He desires friendship with ME.  (me)  (..m..e…).  Is this amazing to anyone else?  I don’t have to produce fruit (love, joy, peace..) on my own.  As discussed in a previous blog, I’m just called to abide in Jesus – in other words, to rest in Him – remain in Him – gain nourishment from His Word – and He will produce the fruit in my life, fruit that will remain even in the crazy weeks.  For His glory.

Maybe you’re having a rough week too – if so, be encouraged along with me – God loves you.  He wants friendship with you.  He doesn’t want perfection, He doesn’t require you to be loving and joyful on your own strength.  He simply chose you – wants friendship with you – and wants you to rest and be nourished in Him so He can do the work of producing love, joy, gentleness, and more (Galatians 5:22) in your life.

Thank you Jesus for accepting me just the way I am – Thank You that You don’t require perfection, don’t want me to get all my ducks in a row before coming to You.  You just want friendship with me now – in all my imperfections and flaws.  Thank You for loving me anyways, and letting me come and rest in Your presence.  Be glorified in me Jesus.  And draw those reading this blog into friendship with You too – it’s too amazing to miss.

Media and the Christian Life

| Karen

I’m actually going to take a different approach, and talk about two positives of media for the Christian in the 21st century, as well as a word of advice for parents.  Several bloggers will write about this same topic this weekend, so check out the Beginning of Wisdom main site for other views.  This should be interesting!

POSITIVES

Media is a tool to fulfill the Great Commission.  Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19).  You can disciple the nations right from home simply by responding to e-mails of those around the world who are searching for Jesus.  See the ‘live’ world map showing those coming to know Christ now at http://greatcommission2020.com  – for more details, read my previous blog “E-mailing Egypt,” and join me as an online missionary.

Media is a tool to make the Church relevant to those who may not know Christ.  Do you remember when you felt empty, searching for something to satisfy?  Maybe you still do.  I can tell you, I’ve found that Jesus satisfies.  Eventually, those who are searching to fill the emptiness will “try” Jesus – if they were to walk into your church Sunday morning, would their first glance tell them Jesus is relevant to the media-driven world they live in, or just a figure from ancient history?  The gospel message remains the same – just the ‘gift wrap’ changes from decade to decade so people know Jesus isn’t a museum piece but a living, life-changing God.  Hebrews 4:16-17 says, “Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality.  He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help” (The Message).

One of the best examples I’ve seen of effective use of media in a church was when we attended Shoreline Church in Austin, Texas – simply check out their webiste at http://www.shoreline.net.  The website is modern, maintained, and makes others think, “Hey, these people are real, down to earth, relevant people – and if they are talking about Jesus, this may be the answer I’m looking for!”  Instead of having the pastor simply read announcements from the bulletin, they use a weekly video called “Shoreline 411” for church members to share their excitement about various upcoming events in a way that is both lighthearted and created with excellence.  They even had a room for breastfeeding mothers filled with rocking chairs and live video stream so I never had to miss a sermon while I was feeding our firstborn son.  I can tell you that this church was FILLED with youth and young families who could relate to this presentation of the Gospel.

FOR PARENTS

Finally, parents must be media-savvy in order to protect their children.  Obviously, Satan wants to use media for his own purposes – to divide families, to tempt, to destroy.  But if we were to avoid everything that Satan tries to use for his gain, we would miss out on the ways God intends to use these for good.  When Jesus sent out the 12 disciples to minister, He said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Be on your guard…”(Matthew 10:16-17a)  I firmly believe that I need to stay current with at least the basics of various sorts of media in order to know how to best protect my children.  To use a very simple example, if I didn’t know how to use the Internet, I wouldn’t know how easy it could be for my children to stumble across a pornographic website.  Therefore, we have implemented safeguards on all media in our home so that they can use the Internet but only to access the content Daniel and I have approved ahead of time.  I recommend the “Safety Bubble” app for phones and “BSecure” for computers (online download).  BSecure allows you to customize what content is allowed for each user and even filters the content on any laptop or phone that anyone else brings into our home through the wifi “Whole Home Filtering” feature.

Jesus, may we stay abreast of the latest media formats in order to protect our children, make our churches more relevant,  and find new ways to fulfill the Great Commission.

 

No Longer Aimless

| Karen

During my military training days (I served as an Army Nurse after college), I could never pass Night Land Navigation.  I had to find 5 separate points (small boards nailed to trees), write down the codes, and return to be ‘graded’ on my answers.  I had nothing but a compass, a red lens flashlight, a few hours of darkness, and a poorly photocopied map with concentric circles representing hills.  By the time I walked several hundred yards up and down those hills, no target would be there.  I would walk in ever-widening circles trying to find the nearest target.  This proved successful at finding the wrong point, setting all my following targets off course.

Lately, God convicted me that I have also been aimless when it comes to my own family.  I can plot out a great plan for each day, use time management well to determine how long it will take me to get to the desired goal, and go to bed at night having accomplished several items on my “To Do” list.  Yet this is like walking in circles, and I’m likely to miss the target that Christ has called me to as a mother.

As I prayed about this, God laid two things on my heart:  A purposeful prayer and an annual target.

Purposeful Prayer:  Only God knows the plans He has for my family, so I asked Him to show me how to pray for my own family.  Just then, my familiar radio station faded out, and I tuned to a talk show about how God designed men with a need for adventure.  Since 3 of the 4 members in my family are men (well, 4- and 6- year old men), I included this in my prayer theme:  “Here we are, God.  Use us in Your biggest adventures.  For Your glory.”  I must confess this is a hard thing for a mother to pray – I can see myself wanting to keep my boys close even after they are grown.  Yet God laid this prayer on my heart, and it is crucial for me to give my boys completely to God for Him to fulfill His purpose in their lives – whatever God calls them to do.  The rest of my family prayer theme comes from Ephesians 6, about the full armor of God.  My boys love this part too since they are into all things ‘superhero’ these days.

Annual Target:  Daniel and I agreed that, by this time next year, we want our children to know God better and be more aware of how they can help others in need.  Instead of aiming only for a distant target, we set up some checkpoints along the way to help us stay on track.  These include less TV time (daily), family devotions (weekly), a Bible memory verse (monthly), and a family service project (monthly).  Just like my ‘performance improvement’ job at work, each year there will be goals that we meet fully, meet partially, or don’t meet at all.  But at least we are taking steps toward reaching a goal instead of living aimlessly each day.

Anyone with little kids knows how chaotic family devotion times can be – during our own first attempt, Logan spilled a full glass of milk on the couch while Caleb decided that was his chance to wolf down 5 freshly baked cookies in 5 seconds.  I admire my Dad for consistently leading family devotions for all 4 of us kids despite the occasional chaos and protests.  He thought no one was listening, but some of the lessons he taught have continued to come to mind several times over the years.

We also did our first family ministry project – again, nothing difficult, just donating the boys’ old booster seats to the local battered women’s shelter because our Sunday School class mentioned this as a need.  We just took the boys along and talked about what we were doing and why.  It didn’t take long.  It didn’t cost any money.  But I hope the boys recognize that there are those around us that we can help, even in small ways.

Pray for us.  Hold us accountable.  Ask us about the status of these goals.  Satan doesn’t want us to have family devotions or learn Bible verses.  Just like dieting or exercising, there will be times when we reach our goals and times we do not.  But we are asking God for His help so that we are no longer an aimless family.  I would challenge you to do the same – ask God to give you a prayer theme for your family, and some small goals you can meet so that next year you see a difference in your own family’s walk with God.