justified by faith

Our pastor is teaching through the book of Romans this year in church.  Thank goodness because there is a lot to learn from the book of Romans.

One thing he articulated while teaching through Romans 4 (an explanation of how Abraham was justified by faith alone) last weekend that I've been thinking about all week is this:

There is credible historical evidence for the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And we could debate that and discuss it if you'd like.  But once you've examined the evidence, you'd see the proof for those events.  And believing the proof for that isn't really faith.  However, I can't prove to you that what God says about Jesus' death & resurrection - that God accepts Jesus' blood as payment for your sin and it covers the debt completely and God therefore declares you righteous - I can't prove that part to you is true.  That part, you have to believe by faith.

faith-filled (and excited for Romans 5),
Renee

p.s. click here to link to the page where you can listen to or download the sermons from the series so far

compassion

Like I said yesterday, I'm reading through the gospels chronologically right now.  Many of the stories, I've heard time and again, and yet God is always teaching me something new through His Word.

One thing that has really been apparent to me in a new way is Jesus' compassion.
Sure we hear that Jesus was loving and compassionate, but his compassion is being illuminated for me in a new way.

For example,

"Herod sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.  And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.  Now when Jesus heard this he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.  But when the crowds heard it,t hey followed him on foot from the towns.  When he went ashore and saw a great crowd, he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd.  He began to teach them many things and heal their sick."  (From Matthew 14:10-14 and Mark 6:27-34)

So here's John the Baptist, whom Jesus has recently called the greatest man born of a woman.  He's also Jesus' cousin, close in age as we know from Luke 1.  After however many days it takes to bury John and travel to where Jesus is, John's disciples tell Jesus that he's dead.  I wonder if they told him the details of how?  Probably... (details in Matthew 14:1-12).  So then, Jesus wants to get away by himself, understandably.  He gets on this boat to go somewhere quietly by himself, but when he gets to the other shore, there are crowds of people waiting for him.  He doesn't turn the boat around, he doesn't get out and make a bee-line for the nearest mountain top.  He feels compassion for them because they want to be lead, so he begins to teach them and heal the sick. 
 
That really nudged my heart. 
How selfless.  How caring.  True compassion.

How often I am selfish in what I'm willing to give to others - selfish with my time and energy.  Somehow i've adopted this idea that I can only give so much of myself.  That wasn't Jesus' attitude. 
Lord, help me to become more compassionate!

Growing,
Renee

petty

My chronological reading-through-the-bible plan has me studying the gospels right now.

"John answered, 'Master we saw somene casting out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us.'  But Jesus said to him, 'Do not stop him for the one who is not against you is for you.'"  (Luke 9:49-50)

What came to mind when I read that, and stopped me in my tracks, was this question - is that what Jesus would say to our petty denominational disagreements today?

John's statment - he doesn't follow with us - sounds like their version of "he doesn't listen to the pastor i listen to" or " he goes to a lutheran church, not an evangelical church."

Don't get me wrong - there are majors and minors - and I don't want to brush over the majors.  I'm not advocating some peace circle where we all sit around and sing kum-by-ah with every one that says "I believe in my God, you believe in your God, what's the difference?" 

That Jesus is God - major
What you wear to church - minor
That the music at church lifts high the name of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's word - major
The style of that music - minor
The style of the church building- minor

We need to know who's on our team, but be careful how we define who is on our side.

I imagine myself asking the question John asked... "Master, we saw someone                           [fill in the blank] and we tried to stop him because he doesn't follow with us."

put it this way...

Me: Jesus, I saw someone singing hymns instead of contemporary Christian music in church last week and I tried to stop him because he's not with us - you know, you, me, and contemporary Christian music.

or

Me: Jesus, I saw someone who doesn't go to adult sunday school after church and I tried to correct him because he's not with us - you know, you Jesus, me, and the way we do church.

I then imagine Jesus answering, "Don't stop him.  For the one who isn't against you is for you."

Let's agree that we'll always do the minors differently.  But we better be functioning in unity as the body of Christ and realize who is truly "for us."  How much more could God use us if we weren't busy fighting battles with those on the same team?

I am totally guilt of this!  John and I, we're in the same boat.  Lord help me to not get caught up on the minors, and to work together with other believers to accomplish your work here on earth.

In progress,
Renee

Wise Men

My chronological reading through the Bible brought me to the birth of Jesus last week.  In using this SPECK tool to help me study the Bible, I spent more time thinking about why and how the wise men are good examples to follow as I re-read this story everyone knows.  (think: we three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse a far... following yonder star.)


They were seeking Jesus. "Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, 'Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' ... Herod sent them to Bethlehem saying, 'Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me the word that I too may come and worship him.'  After listening to the king [Herod], they went on their way.  And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was."  (Matthew 2:1-2, 8-9)

They were expectant.  "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" (vs. 10)  They hadn't even gotten to Jesus yet, but when they finally were outside the place where they knew he was, their hearts filled with joy.  Can you imagine their excitement and the anticipation?

They worshiped him.  "And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him."  (vs 11)  I have a feeling they didn't have too much idle ice-breaker chit chat.  I imagine them walking in the door, looking at Jesus, looking at his mother, and then falling on their faces and worshiping the King of Kings, this innocent toddler.  (Notice, they didn't worship Mary...)

They fell down before him.  "And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him."  (vs 11)  As I read this, I heard the Lord whisper to me - do you take your access to God's throne for granted?  Because I don't have to travel hundreds of miles by camel.  Yet, sometimes I don't even make the effort to get up and get to my couch in the morning to get to Jesus.  I have unlimited access to the God of the Universe, the Savior of the World.  Lord, help me not to forget this. 

They brought him what they had.  "Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."  (vs 11)

They listened.  Their spirits were sensitive to God's leading.  "And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way."  (vs 12)  We don't get much information from this passage.  I wonder if they were hesitant?  I mean, it'd be easy to chalk up the dream to a weird dream. (Although, probably if God shows up in your dreams it's pretty obvious.)  It be easy to second guess themselves.  I'm guessing they took the most direct route on the way to Jesus, so returning to their own country another way could be hundreds of extra miles (by donkey? or camel? or foot?)  They obviously took God seriously.  And their hearts and minds were open to his spirit's leading. 

God's Word is life-giving.  It's so full of truth and guidance!  Whether the passage is new to you that day or you've read it 100 times.  Lord, help me to be like the wise men who eagerly sought to meet their Savior. 

Come back wanderer

This past Tuesday marked the last teaching from Beth Moore on the book of James.  It's hard for me to articulate in words all that I've learned.  Today, I'll just try to articulate one thing (because if I tried for ALL, this post would be at least 12 pages long, and none of us wants that... especially you, i'm sure).

Have you ever read the book of James straight through?  or at least the ending?  it seems to have an atypical, abrupt ending.  These are the last 7 verses:

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. 

The end.

Keep in mind, it's a letter.  So, no goodbye, no peace out, no farewell, no see ya on the flipside.  Just "whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." 

Beth suggested that perhaps this ending was intentional and personal for the letter's author.  

James was Jesus' brother (well, half brother...)  Can you imagine being the sibling of Jesus? Talk about the "seemingly" perfect oldest child.  Scriptures tell us that Jesus siblings thought he was crazy.  More specifically, "OUT OF HIS MIND" (Mark 3:21).  Fast forward to the crucifixion.  No doubt the siblings would have known He was being crucified, and although they may have thought He was nutso, they likely were still disturbed and devastated.  I wonder if there was any regret... like, you think someone is going to live until they're old and gray and your personal issues with them will go away and then before you know it, they die a terrible death at age 33 and you wish you would have said something.

But then, check out 1 Corinthians 15: 4-7 

[Christ] was buried, he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James...  

Beth (Moore) taught me that perhaps this might have been the turning point for James.  Here he thought Jesus was dead and gone.  He would have heard people claim Jesus was God but he also thought his brother was crazy.  And he didn't have the scriptural accounts we have today, so he didn't know the end of the story.  So, Jesus, (dead and gone in James' mind) APPEARS TO JAMES.

Do you think that maybe James was walking along, going to the market or something when he heard someone call out "James" from behind him?  And you know how you can recognize familiar voices even though you can't see the person... well imagine if you heard the voice of someone who was supposed to be dead.  That'd sure as heck stop me in my tracks.  Then James would have turned around, seen his dear brother who he thought he had heard, and probably have been speechless.

I wonder if that was it.  That was James' moment and everything suddenly made sense, and he knew in fact, that Jesus was not a lunatic, but rather, He was who He said He was - the Messiah.     

AND furthermore, this Messiah did not condemn James or give him an "I told you so."  He didn't spit in James' face or act superior or... all the other things James would have deserved.  Rather, He graciously appeared to James and James' eyes were opened.  

When you think about it that way, the seemingly abrupt ending of James' letter makes more sense.  Read it again:

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James was a wanderer. and his BROTHER brought him back to the truth.  Jesus graciously and lovingly turned James from the error of his way, saved him from death, and covered over his multitude of sins in the ultimate way. 

This ending isn't abrupt or weird.  It is personal.  It's real.  It's the most important moment of James' life, and he shares it with his original audience and with us today.  As if to say, don't forget you were wandering and someone turned you from the error of your way, saving you from death.  Now, do the same for a brother or sister- point them back in the right direction that they may run back home to the sweet embrace of Jesus who is always full of mercy.

Wow. I am in awe.

Grateful, 
Renee   

wholeness

I have been doing a bible study through the book of James.  (and by "a" bible study, I mean an awesome, eye-opening, life-changing, faith-altering bible study.)  I always thought James seemed similar to Proverbs - a bunch of random topics squeezed together.  But I'm learning that is so not true.  One theme in his letter is that of wholeness, completion, or perfection.

"Let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:4)

"Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (1:21)

"If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." (3:2)

Those are a few verses that discuss "perfection" explicitly, but much of James' letter touches on the concept of moral completion...  well, at first glance, it seems like we might as well just give up this whole Christianity thing because i have been "at fault in what I said" more than once or twice.  But James isn't expecting that we as Christians be perfect, or even suggesting it's possible.  He writes "we all stumble in many ways" (3:2) and "no one can tame the tongue, it is a restless evil" (3:8).   He is honest that perfect isn't attainable, yet urges us not to lower the standard.

There's much more that could be said about James, his letter as a whole, and his theme of perfection.  And I'm certainly not suggesting that I, or any other Christian, is or should be perfect.  What I wanted to share (and what I thought needed a slight preface) was this quote I read that discusses wholeness in the book of James.

"Wholeness cannot be found simply by accepting whatever one is in all one's disordered and distracted existence.  Wholeness is a goal towards which one can move only in relation to a centre which is already whole and from which one can gain wholeness.  This means moving in one direction rather than others.  It means rejecting values and behaviour which are inconsistent with the goal... The quest for wholeness is important today because it responds to another cultural trend, which accepts and even celebrates the fragmentation of life in the name of openness and diversity" (Bauckham, James, 179).

That statement is very thought provoking for me.   Do I acknowledge there is a centre which is already whole that I could gain wholeness from? Is wholeness my goal?  Am I moving in that direction, or just hoping I'll end up there by accident?  Do I embrace values and behaviours consistent with the goal of wholeness?  Do you?  

imperfect,

renee

p.s. the bible study I'm doing is this one... it's awesome! (If you wanted to just download the mp3 videos and do the study on your own, it'd be $20) :) Not a bad investment for life-change.  

unchanging

For the past several weeks, our pastor has been teaching on Amos.  What’s Amos? you ask… oh, it’s a small book in the old testament that is categorized as a minor prophet.  But what he has to say is anything but minor.  Appropriately, the title of the series is “Let Justice Flow,” and let me tell ya… wow!  Week after week, studying what God has to say about injustice and how he feels about it.  It’s lighting a fire underneath my lazy excuse-making butt.  (more on that another time)   

Coincidentally, my chronological reading-through-the-bible plan has landed me in some of the other prophet books and sometimes it’s hard to know what to make of them.  How do I interpret this?  Is it applicable to me living in the post-Jesus time? (under the new covenant)  Well, something our pastor said during this Amos series helped me in this area.  Early on in the series, he said that the old testament was written in the old covenant with God’s people and we live in the new covenant.  Jesus has come and paid for our sin and we can be reconciled to God by believing that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God.  However, God’s covenant with his people was different before Jesus came (which is when the events in the Old Testament take place).  They were held accountable to the law God gave them through Moses.  The law and the two covenants could be a whole different study in itself, but the point is when reading the Old Testament, we need to learn to ask how is this applicable to me living under the new covenant?  One answer was this – God is unchanging, and while he has a new covenant with his people, the way He feels about these issues doesn’t change. 

For example, Amos 1:11-12 says “Thus says the Lord: ‘because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all compassion and his anger tore perpetually and he kept his wrath, so I will send a fire upon Teman and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.’”   Well, it would be wrong interpretation to conclude that God is going to pour out fire from heaven upon us if you are against your brother or have perpetual anger.  [Side note – let’s beware of when people misuse scripture to say that such and such natural disaster is God judging you.  That is NOT how God operates under this new covenant.  Let’s also beware of judging all Christians by those people who misuse scripture.  End side note.] 

It would be correct to remember that God does not change. And therefore, if he didn’t want people “pursuing their brother with the sword” or “casting off all compassion” or living in perpetual anger then, he doesn’t want that now.  And if he felt strongly enough about it to threaten complete destruction then, he feels that strongly now.   What broke God’s heart 3,000 years ago breaks God’s heart today.  And it should break mine.

Learning,

Renee

David and Saul

I'm reading through the Bible chronologically.  One new thing I'm learning from this (among many others) is which Psalms were written when.  For example,  Psalm 18 starts off, "I love you O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer... I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies."  Some Bible scholars and historians who are smarter than me have determined this was written following Saul's death.  To backtrack, Saul was out to murder David.  David had the chance to kill him twice and spared his life, instead trusting in God to take care of Saul.  Eventually, Saul killed himself, and when David heard about it, he wrote Psalm 18.  So now, when I read Psalm 18, it holds more meaning to me because I understand the context in which it was written.

A few days ago, my chronological reading 'assignment' was 1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalms 11, 59.  If you want to be astounded like I was, take a few minutes to read through that.

Recap...
1 Samuel 18- David and Jonathon (Saul's son) form a close friendship.  David has extreme success in Saul's army.  People praise David more than Saul.  Saul gets jealous.  "Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul... And David had success in all his undertakings for the Lord was with him." (vs. 12, 14)  Saul tries to set David up by giving him his daughter, hoping his daughter will distract David.  They just fall in love and David gets more successful.


chapter 19 - Saul tries to kill David at the dinner table.  "And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear; but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall.  And David fled and escaped that night."  (vs. 10).  Saul tries to hunt David down but David escapes with his wife's help. (The wife is the daughter of Saul that Saul tried to use to distract David.)

chapter 20- David goes into hiding and makes a plan with Jonathan.  Jonathan will scope out the situation with his dad.  If he finds that his dad is no longer angry at David, he'll give him one signal.  If he finds that Saul is still trying to kill David, he'll give him a different signal.  .... Yep, you guessed it.  the second signal.  Jonathan warns David that Saul's life mission is to destroy him.  They say a weepy goodbye.  David escapes.

THEN, David writes Psalms 11 and 59.

Psalm 11
In the Lord I take refuge; 
how can you say to my soul,
"Flee like a bird to your mountain,
for behold the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;" 
...
The Lord is in his holy temple; 
the Lord's throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test, the children of man.
The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfer and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. 
For the Lord is righteous and loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.

Wow. what faith. what raw emotion.  I used to read this and think - i don't know what i thought.  that David was moody? That he must have had some bad experience.  But to know that David was running from the wicked man, Saul, who was seeking to kill him for no reason, and that's when David wrote this... that gives it new meaning.  He was writing this in great faith that God loves the righteous and God would deliver him from Saul.

read 1 Samuel 18-20, then Psalm 59.  Be inspired by David's faith and prayer.   David prayed to God with great urgency.  His life was on the line.  I want to have faith like that.  To have urgency like that.  To not just pray "Dear God, blah blah blah. Amen"  but to call out to God from the depths of my need and with great faith, believe that He will see me through.  

Error. ErRoR. ERROR!!

I have a great dad.  He is wise - the "wisdom from above" kind of wise.  Over the years, he has taught me about 3 different types of errors people in the Bible made that we can learn from and learn how to avoid. 

Here are his words...

1) I used to ask for "kings."  This is asking for something that is not the Lord's will - he says no - and I pursue it anyway. 

2) I used to do a ''moses."  This is not understand the timing of the Lord and getting way ahead or behind His timing of something He really was leading me to do.

3) I used to create "ishamales--" just doing something that I have direct power to do,  For example, when I quit my job, bought a car on lease, etc. 

All 3 of these can be very costly in time and money besides delaying God's plan for my life.

There you have it! 3 types of errors to avoid.

Sheep Follow.

I am currently reading a book titled Listening Prayer.  It’s extra old (1987) and our copy is yellow-ish.  I’m pretty sure it was purchased from a church booksale situation and the author is an old lady with huge glasses. HUGE.  But the huge-glasses lady has a lot of wisdom.  As I was reading, she quoted this passage from John 10 (verses 5-6, 27-28)

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  (John 10:5-6, 27-28)

She went on to write that when we are listening in prayer for the voice of God, we will be able to distinguish God’s voice because we are his sheep.

Now, I have heard this passage before and read it, but this time it J-U-M-P-E-D (those letters are supposed to be “jumping”) off the page!  Has that ever happened to you? You’re going along, studying the Word, when it all clicks – a different type of “revelation” about something you just read…?  That’s because it’s God’s Word and it’s “living and active!” (Hebrews 4:12)

Anyway, that happened to me.  The words jumped off the page and God showed me this very clearly: the sheep’s ability to hear His voice isn’t proof of belonging, but rather assurance of belonging.

I always thought that this passage was teaching that if I’m truly a Christian, I’d be able to hear God and if I can’t hear Him, then I must not belong; that the ability to hear is proof.  However, I think Jesus used this analogy more for assurance – if I belong to Christ, I WILL be able to discern His voice from others – from voices of the world and from the voice of the great deceiver, the father of lies.  Now, that is assuring.  I have the ability to discern God’s voice if I’m a believer because He has given that ability to me.  And, I can be sure of this because Jesus promised it. 

What about the times when you’re unsure?  Keep listening and waiting until you are sure – because you can be sure.  “His sheep follow him because they know his voice…”  Notice, it does not read his sheep will follow him if they can figure it out.  Nope!  There is no “if.”  It’s just  “his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”  

Resting assured,

Renee

"My soul is sorrowful to the point of death."

Here is the link to a helpful article that explains why Jesus was "sorrowful and troubled" in the Garden of Gethsemane... (Matthew 26:37).  Click here to read!

John 4

This morning, I read part of The Gospel of John and this passage (John 4:4-26) spoke to me in a way that I can't really articulate.  I don't have some profound insight or response, so I just want to share the passage.

Now Jesus had to go through Samaria.  So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of the ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.  Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well.  It was about the sixth hour.  When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)  The Samartian woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.  How can you ask me for a drink?"  (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.  Where can you get this living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me the water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 
He told her, "Go call your husband and come back." 
"I have no husband," she replied.
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had 5 husbands , and the man you now have is not your husband.  What you have just said is quite true." 
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jersualem." 
Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth."
The woman said, "I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

Proverbs 15:1

I recently heard a sermon on various Proverbs discussing getting rid of negative conflict in your home.  As various Proverbs were read, I realized some Proverbs would be especially helpful to know as a teacher.  The pastor would quote a proverb (for example, 15:1 "a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger) and I would think "woah! that's why that works... because the Bible says it works that way."  I know that doesn't sound revolutionary, but it was very timely for me.

Why timely, you ask?  (even if you didn't ask I will gladly explain)  Well, we've about hit that point where everyone is ready for spring break.  You see, we have an ubsurd number of days off in the fall up until winter break, where there is 2 weeks off.  Then in January, because of finals, there are some extra days off.  However, since the end of January, we've been going for a long stretch.  I am all for quality education and I'm also all for quality breaks.  Plus, my student attendance is WAY down on Mondays and Fridays.  (That's one of those things that surprised me about teaching at a city high school.)  Anyway, back to the point.  Everyone is ready for spring break.  Ours is at the end of April. .. not march, APRIL!  [Now, to all my friends who have to work 12 months a year instead of 9 and think I should stop complaining... we teachers are spoiled.  i'll gladly accept that if you think that.  And likewise, I will accept empathy from my teacher friends who know why it's nice to have the breaks.]

Also timely because there is this girl in my 4th period class.  Now, if you ask my mom or any teacher I had early on in high school, they will quickly tell you I had mastered the eye-rolling-know-it-all-attitude by 13.  but this girl has me beat.  by a long shot.  I managed to establish a semi-positive relationship with her early in the year, but music isn't her favorite subject and there have been some instances in which that relationship seems to have gone sour.  (Now I know how the teachers that many students hate feel.  There is a different level of in-your-face-confrontation at our school than the high school I graduated from and let's just say it's majorly elevated if the confronter dislikes the confrontee.)  Unfortunately for this girl, as her mission seemingly was to take down my 4th period class, that class happens to be one of my best... they respond well, seem to enjoy singing (as much as a group of teenagers who are forced to be in choir can love singing), and the environment is almost always positive. 

This story is getting too long.  The point is, despite her outbursts, I was determined to employ Proverbs 15:1 with her at all times.  Although I nearly lost it when I caught her cheating on the same test for the 4th time and she lied to my face about it (despite the fact that I never called home, always offered her an opportunity to come in and simply learn the information, and continued to let her retake the test in case she truly did know the material as she claimed).... except for that instance, i have responded to her with a "gentle answer."

I have seen her "wrath" disappear before my eyes.  Yesterday and today, she spent her long division periods helping me by posting a new bulletin board with student work (2 hours worth of time).  I also let them work on a project for me during class on the condition they made up the lesson in their free time and she did.  It's not perfect... she still read durig class today (although we were just watching a movie) and I don't expect everything in our future to be coated with rainbows and sunshine, but... the word of God is true and I am thankful he's showing me how to depend on him and claim his promises, specifically as it relates to teaching.

What are you standing on?

This one line from a well-known hymn has been on my mind all day:  On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Think about that for a minute.  I've been asking myself, is that true of me?

Here's the rest of the hymn's lyrics, for further pondering... (the first and last speak the most to me personally)


My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Were it not for grace...

There, but for the grace of God, go I.

The story that is widely circulated is that the phrase was first spoken by the English evangelical preacher and martyr, John Bradford (circa 1510–1555). He is said to have uttered the variant of the expression - "There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford", when seeing criminals being led to the scaffold. He didn't enjoy that grace for long, however. He was burned at the stake in 1555, although, by all accounts he remained sanguine about his fate and is said to have suggested to a fellow victim that "We shall have a merry supper with the Lord this night."

[This story is often questioned, so don't necessarily count it as fact.  But, even if it was made up, it serves its purpose.]

It challenged me to think that when I see someone in the wrong, do I judge them?  Do I think to myself I would never... or do I thank God for his grace knowing "there, but for the grace of God, go I..."

There is an, albeit cheesy song titled "Were it Not for Grace."  (Larnelle Harris) Its lyrics are fitting.

Were it not for grace
I can tell you where Id be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace

So... were it not for grace, I fill in the blank.


Thankful for grace,
Renee

Righteousness by Faith

Read carefully :) 

"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." - Ephesians 2:8-9

"We maintain that of whatever kind a man's work may be, he is regarded as righteous before God simply on the ground of gratuitous mercy; because God, without any respect to works, freely adopts him in Chris, by imputing the righteousness of Christ to him as if it were his own.  This we call the righteousness of faith, that is when a man, empty and drained of all confidence in works, feels convinced that the only ground of his acceptance with God is a righteousness which is wanting in himself, and is borrow from Christ.  The point on which the world goes astray (for this error has prevailed in almost every age), is in imagining that a man, however partially defective he may be, still in some degree merits the favour of God by works... God reconciles us to himself, from regard not to our works, but to Christ alone, and by gratuitous adoption makes us his own children instead of children of wrath.  So long as God regards our works, he finds no reason why he ought to love us." - John Calvin

Romans 3

This morning, I found a hidden treasure in the book of Romans.

Romans 3:20-24  "Therefore, no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.  But now, a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

As a little kid, I attended AWANA at our church.  I still stand by the belief that AWANA is probably the best thing your young child could be involved in.  But, that's beside the point right now.  Anyway, AWANA places a strong emphasis on scripture memory, even for its littlest "members" (pre-school age children).  Do 3 and 4 year olds know what "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" really means?  Though they may be able to tell you that God is perfect and they are not, they don't really grasp the deep meaning and implication such scripture holds.  (Hey, do any of us really ever attain full knowledge of scripture?  we might as well be 3 year olds compared to what God knows.)  At the same time, these kids are hiding God's word in their hearts from a very young age - and the Psalmist says that is the key for living a pure life.  "How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word... I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."  (Psalm 119:9, 11)

At some point in AWANA, I learned Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Today, however, the verses leading up to Romans 3:23 jumped out at me, making all the more sense of that verse I had memorized as a child.

Breaking it down - vs. 20 - "no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law."  In other words, the best person you know won't even come close to getting into heaven simply through his or her "good" works.  Andy Stanley in How Good is Good Enough? presents the following logic to the person who says "well, sure, I believe in God, but I just think you need to be a good person to get to heaven."  Stanley suggests that "good enough" doesn't make sense because if "good" is never defined objectively and presented to all mankind, then that system is inherently unfair.  After all, it leaves you wondering - well I think I'm good enough, but what if...  And, what if "good" in one person's culture means running your planes into buildings on enemy soil.  "Well of course, I would never do that..." but that person genuinely thought it was good.  Stanley's argument is more eloquent, so you should probably just get the book at Borders (since so many are closing and everything is on sale) and read it yourself :)

vs. 20(b) "rather, through the law, we become conscious of sin" - with God's standard of perfect demonstrated in the law given through the Old Testament, it becomes clear that sin is unavoidable.

vs. 21 "BUT NOW a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known." I love Paul's dramatic writing here (Paul is the author of Romans).  The pastor at the church I grew up at used to joke that "there are a lot of big buts in the bible..."  and this is huge.  Through chapter 3, Paul was explaining to the Jews, look, I know you thought you had it made because you are God's chosen people and whatnot, but that's not gonna cut it.  The law was only created to show you how much you don't deserve God on your own, regardless of how fabulously religious and Jewish you are, so "no one will be declared righteous in his [God's] sight by observing the law."  This was a colossal disappointment to the recipients of this letter, which makes the "BUT NOW" so great.  If you were a Jewish member of the church in Rome and someone was reading this letter to hundreds of people and you heard "But Now, a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known," you would be thinking that this guy reading the letter could not spit the next part out fast enough... what is it!?!?!?

vs. 22-23 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  there is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  Did you catch it?  The little verse I learned in AWANA sandwiched between all that great news...  Paul goes on to explain, in a rather systematic way, what all that entails and how it works.  But, for today, we can end there.  We can end with "There is a righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ to anyone who believes."  Anyone.  Me, you, that murderer in prison, that prostitute, that self righteous fundamentalist, ....  There go I but for the grace of God.

1 John 1:9 says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

So, do you...?  Believe?

Prayer

I have 3 students that have gone from being a major pain to a total joy this year - as a direct result of prayer.  I'm talking, over night.  Literally.  Huge issue Monday...prayer Monday night and Tuesday morning... problem eliminated.  Okay okay I admit - not eliminated entirely, but the transformation has been so large with each of these students that it feels as if each problem just disappeared entirely.  The minute traces of negativity that are left seem hardly worth the energy to address.

Prayer works. 

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

John 14:13-14 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Phillipians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossions 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

James 1:7 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

As I grow closer to God, I am more convinced than ever that there is nothing as powerful as prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.  People need our prayer - our neighbors, our families, our friends, our coworkers, our country's leaders.  So, Who or what have you prayed for lately?  What have the results been? 

Believing in the power of prayer,
Renee

It is well

Here are the lyrics to one of the best hymns of all time.  My favorite verses are the first and last, but even the ones no one ever sings in church ring with great truth.   

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain: It is well with my soul, 
            it is well, it is well with my soul. 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
lest this blest assurance control, 
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul. 
(Refrain) 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain) 

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)

Amazing Grace

The most important decision you every make is whether or not you choose Jesus.  The Bible says...

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ." (Romans 6:23, 3:23)

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  (Romans 10:9)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16)

My dear friend and former roommate gave her life recently to Jesus Christ. I asked her several questions in hopes that we could piece together her story of faith and post it on this blog... here's her response in its entirety:

I think my story begins like one of your favorite songs Renee, "Amazing Grace," where I would say "I once was lost, but now am found" because that is how I feel now after having this life changing experience and what I feel is joy!


I have felt like there was an emptiness inside of me for a long time that I tried to fill with other things, but I have gradually realized that none of those other "fillers" really worked. I found myself searching for different solutions, and exploring other faith based communities, but it was not until I went to this one nondenominational church in Indianapolis in October that I really felt at home, and allowed myself to completely accept Christ into my heart. I have gone through some life challenges already, from dealing with my parent's divorce to transferring schools, to getting into a pretty serious car accident, and any challenge, in life is even harder I feel to go through without turning to God.


I feel like I find new passages from the Bible every day that really speak to me, but I really like where it says in Lamentations "Because of the Lord's great love we are consumed. For his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, the Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him," and whenever I feel like I am lacking in wisdom on what to do or choices to make I turn to James 1:5-7.


I would not say I necessarily had negative experiences with religion or Christianity, but I never really thought it did anything for me. I grew up going to church every Sunday, but I didn't really have any good reason for why I went except that that was what I thought you were supposed to do on Sunday. So, I would sit there and not really listen to the sermon, but instead wait for the hour and a half to pass. I now get excited to go to church on Sundays and go to my bible study group every Thursday, as just another way to worship with a group of people.


As I mentioned before, I explored many other religious faiths, and one that I was drawn to for several years was the Quaker religion. I liked and still like many aspects of this religion because there is a heavy focus on social justice and pacifism. These two aspects can be found in the teachings of Jesus so I greatly admire this aspect of the religion, which is why I think I was so initially drawn to it; however, I felt like there was too much of an attitude that maybe this is right or this could be right without ever coming to any conclusions. I think at some point there needs to be a choice made, and I've decided to accept Jesus.


Many people might be afraid that they could experience ridicule from other nonbelievers, but I would say I have not experienced ridicule but many questions. My family is very supportive, but I think they are still trying to "figure out" this change within me. I welcome the questions and the discussions, and it has been eye opening for me to be on this side and answer the skeptical questions that I would have asked myself only months ago. This goes along with my day to day life experience that I have as well. Being a Christian is a choice, but one that is lived out day-to-day. Beliefs on marriage, relationships, friendships, certain morals have drastically changed for me, and I am better I think because of it. Knowing that God has a purpose for me and my life is amazing, and allows me to see my earthly life differently.


Renee, you have really been an influential person in my life who has helped point me to Jesus, and I'm definitely not just saying that because you asked me these questions. I think I began to realize the emptiness I felt more after getting to know you better, and I am glad to finally discover that accepting Jesus fills that emptiness. Also, the members of my house church have really helped me continue to grow as a Christian and kept me accountable with my relationship with Jesus.


In this coming year, I expect to continue to grow as a Christian, and put my trust in God whenever I feel lost.