God's Grace--Can I Get A Witness?

I recently had the extreme privilege of speaking with a beautiful young lady as she sought assurance for her salvation. Her mom and I shared scripture and personal experience with her. We listened, we talked, we prayed. I have no doubt of God's hand on this young girl's life. I see the evidence of it. Can I confess I do not understand it? It's really too much for this small mind to comprehend, this thing called God's grace. I remember the day I made sure I was safely nestled in the palm of His hand. I sat and listened as Pastor Sam Jones preached a hell, fire, and brimstone message. And as I listened, my personal sin became heartbreakingly clear. I needed a Savior. I needed The Savior. I gave all I understood of myself to all I understood of Jesus that day. Some 37 years later I am still learning and, little by little, understanding. But grace. I'm not there yet. Some people are saved out of a life entangled with sins such as selfishness, deceit, drug addiction or hatred. Others come to know Jesus as Savior as a child and are saved from those experiences. The wonder of it all, is from God's perspective our testimonies are all the same. Each one us, whether we were playing childhood games or going to work each day or looking to party on the weekends, Christ died for us. Those people you see around you, yes He died for them too. As you sit in a crowded waiting room or stand in line at the grocery store . . . as you eat out this Sunday after church or, wait, yes . . . even as you worship, do you ever wonder about the testimony of the one seated or standing near you? As a friend challenged this morning--talk about Jesus. All the time. Everywhere. Talk about Jesus. We do not know their story, but we can count on one fact. God is working. I don't have to understand electricity to know to plug in the coffee pot. I'm not going to wait until I understand grace to talk about Jesus. Won't you join me?

Orlando—A Word to Believers

What happened in Orlando is indescribably tragic. I don’t want to be a part of piling tragic on top of tragic. I want to peel away the layers of politics, lifestyle, opinion, conviction, argument, and Facebook memes. I want to look away from the mass media as they tell me how to feel, what to think and on what fact or study or poll I should base my personal actions. As I read through the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 what stands out to me this evening is what’s missing. Blessed are the poor in spirit because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. This means blessed are those who recognize their sin before a holy God. Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. Blessed are the people who are heartbroken over their own sin. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake, because they will be filled. Blessed are the people who, after recognizing personal sin and respond in heartbreak turn to Jesus to be The One who will create in them a clean heart before God. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the people who, once they have tasted of God’s mercy, show mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the people whose motives are good and right, whose heart strives to please God first. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the people who look to live in peace with the people around them; they do not cause strife and do not fan the flame of anger and discontentment. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are the people who are willing to stand for what is biblically right even if it means they are hated or harmed because of it. These truths were taught by Jesus to His disciples. He told the people who followed him the importance of being satisfied in God alone. Many people want to replace “blessed” with “happy.” I don’t believe that is accurate. Happiness is “ME” centered. What Jesus taught in Matthew 5 isn’t about happiness. It’s about contentment in HIM. So what’s missing? The exemptions. Blessed are . . . Unless you are a Democrat Unless you grew up in the church Unless you are on the Trump Train Unless you attend church Unless you have traveled the world Unless you have been deeply hurt by someone Unless you are prolife No, there are no exemptions. The Beatitudes apply to each and every believer in Jesus. The Beatitudes were given so we could remember: 1. We are all sinners, not one of us less a sinner than the next. 2. Jesus lived and died and lives again so anyone who believes can have a relationship with Him. 3. Because mercy and grace has been shown to us, God requires us to show mercy and grace to others. My heart aches for the families of those murdered in Orlando. Let’s not turn this into a platform for politics. Let’s not allow it to be used to push an agenda. Let’s remember evil deeds are the mastermind of the evil one. We can separate ourselves from him further by refusing to be a part of the fray. Instead, we can pray for those who are hurting. We can refuse to be a part of the social media cesspool. I’m tired of the way we throw rocks at each other. I don’t want to be a part of piling tragic on top of tragic. God help us. God help me.

Gorillas, God & Memorial Day

Last week we all experienced horror as we read of a child in danger and the subsequent death of a gorilla. I’m certain I am not the only mother that gasped at the thought of her child slipping away. Moms and Dads alike have nightmares of some horrible accident happening to their child while under their watchful eye. As the nation went into a frenzy of blame and debated what should have happened and who should be punished, I read headlines and Facebook posts in disbelief. We should be saddened at the death of an animal that was guilty of being just that, an animal. The only thing that needs to surpass our indignation over this loss should be our joy because the child is okay. Imagine for a millisecond the face of your child, your grandchild, being plunged under water and violently drug through the mote. Oh, the joy of holding that child once again! As God’s people we are called to take care of the earth and all that is in it. The higher calling is to take care of the children. In fact, Jesus said “But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!” (Matthew 18) As the battle over the best headline raged, Memorial Day quietly arrived as the sun came up and slipped into history as dusk. I am not one to wish others a “happy” Memorial Day. When we remember what the day is set apart for we know it is a sorrowful day for families of the warriors who didn’t come home. It is a somber day for the warriors who came home without a brother or sister in arms. As I rethink last week’s headlines and the response of Americans, I cannot help but thank God once again. Scores of warriors have given their lives for the heart of America—freedom. We are free to be stupid. We are free to be intelligent. We are free to prove it when we speak. We are free to pursue our dreams. We are free to choose an occupation. We are free to eat what we please. We are free to protest the death of a gorilla. We are free to be outraged over the death of innocent children. We are free to worship the God who created us in His image. Men and women died. Men and women came home changed forever. So we can be free. Don’t take away my right to be wrong. In doing so, you take away my right to be right. I’m so grateful to God that I am an American. God bless America, and God bless her warriors.