Sometimes God heals us "out of" our circumstances, and then again, sometimes, He heals us "through" them. I'll never forget learning that eye-opening truth in the Beth Moore Bible study, Daniel. For some reason, that statement made perfect sense to me. Something as difficult as the healing or "non-healing" of God, was finally made accessible and totally understandable to my finite brain.
Both of these situations - healing "out of" adversity and healing "through" adversity - can be found in the Biblical narrative of Naaman.
Naaman was a man who had everything going for him. In II Kings 5, we learn that he was a powerful man in the Syrian army - 2nd in command. He was well-respected by his master, the king. He was a valiant warrior (vs.1). Even his name in Hebrew, means "delightful, pleasant, beautiful"(Bible.org). Despite his stellar reputation and brilliance, Naaman was a physically desperate man. In the last part of verse one, the description of Naaman takes a tailspin: "but he was a leper." Boom. That was it. Unless something miraculous happened, the Great Naaman - the leader of the Syrian army - the pride of Syria - was doomed.
Fast forward: Naaman was healed "out of" his adversity. He journeyed to see Elisha, who sent word for him to wash in the Jordan river seven times. Naaman, unappreciative of the lack of pomp and circumstance presented to him at his arrival at Elisha's house, was angered. He had no desire to take a dip in a dirty river. After all, there were cleaner rivers back in Syria. However, after much pleading by his servant, the prideful Naaman, humbled himself and did as the prophet had said. He went into the dirty Jordan a leper and came out of the dirty Jordan, cleaner than ever! And get this...after experiencing his healing, Naaman became a believer in YAWEH and ultimately took that belief of the One true God, back to his pagan land of Syria.
Yeah! All's well that ends well.
But wait, there's more. There's another player in this saga...a much smaller player...who's healing didn't come in a "Yeah!" moment. Nope. God didn't heal her "out of" her adversity. Instead, God healed her "through" it.
We don't know a lot about this little girl, other than she was a slave to Naaman's wife after being stolen from her home by the raiding Syrians. I can't even begin to imagine living the life of this little one. It must have been traumatic.
On the upside, she was probably treated very well and had the finest things life could offer a servant girl. But she was still a slave and all alone...separated from her Mom and Dad, brothers, sisters, and friends forever. She knew she would probably never see them - nor her homeland again. Everything she had known was gone...never to be revisited again.
If I was in her shoes, it would probably please me to no end that my captor/master had contracted the disease so feared by my people. I would secretly glory in the revenge taken upon this man who ripped me from my home to live in bondage for the rest of my life.
We're not told if she ever felt this way, but somehow, somewhere, in the midst of her adversity, this little girl found healing "through" these emotional scars. For you see, it was she that told Naaman's wife where he could find healing. Obviously, God did an amazing work in her little life, so that she didn't hold a grudge against her master, but instead, decided that God knew all things and that He still had all things under control, whether it looked like it or not. She allowed God to heal her deep hurts THROUGH her circumstances, as she trusted Him to be in control OF her circumstances.
I find it interesting that we never hear of her again. We don't know if she received her freedom for her advice, but more likely than not, she didn't. I believe she probably stayed with Naaman's wife the rest of her life - taking care of the one who's husband stole her away from her family. But somehow, I don't think it mattered to her, because she saw God not only heal her THROUGH her adversity, but also change everyone else in her life BY her adversity.
Whatever place you find yourself in today, whether you need healing physically or emotionally, or both, know that God can heal - that He does heal - that He wants to heal. But also recognize that that healing may not come in the way you'd expect. Also, know that what He's doing in the adversity that you wish He'd take away may not just be for your good, but for the good of those around you. And finally, just know that He knows what He's doing. So whether He chooses to heal you out of it or through it, trust Him to know which is best.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
So What Do We Do Now?
So what do we do now? Easter is over. The excitement and thrill of the resurrection of Christ stands as a distinct, yet distant, memory of this passed Sunday. All the celebrations and giving of thanks...all the Easter musicals performed by church choirs...all the deliciously prepared meals and Easter egg hunts...they're all over until next year.
So what do we do now? Do we just go on with life, never considering the resurrection until next spring?
In deciding that, I think we somehow have to get it into our heads that Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day, isn't just one day a year. It's not just an event that happened over two thousand years ago or something that we build ourselves up for once a year. The resurrection of Christ is SOO much more.
To Christians, it is everything.
Our faith, as Believers in Christ, hinges on the belief that God resurrected Christ. Without this supernatural event in the life of the Christ, Christianity would be a joke, and we would be the most pitiful of all people caught believing in a lie. There would be no hope of eternal security and no promise of an abundant life.
But JOKE, it is not. For the resurrection DID happen. Christ DID appear to His disciples, as well as over 400 other people before He finally ascended into heaven. He DID appear to the two men on the Road to Emmaus and teach them about Himself using the Old Testament. He did reconcile a beautiful relationship between Himself and Peter, who denied Him three times before mere men. He did eat fish, walk through walls, and cook breakfast for the disciples.
He truly DID rise again.
But what do we do with that information in the 21st century? What relevance to our everyday lives does it have, if any? What changes do we need to make in light of what we not only know to be true, but what has taken place deep within our own souls?
Well, what did the disciples of Christ do in the light of the resurrected Christ? Do you think they just celebrated one day by having a good meal, singing some musical stanzas down by the Sea of Galilee, hiding some Easter eggs (okay, so they didn't have Easter eggs back then), taking a nap and then going on with their daily life?
Not hardly.
The resurrection of Christ infiltrated the early disciples' lives. It affected their decisions. It took cowards who deserted Jesus in the garden and turned them into men and women willing to pay the ultimate cost for their belief in the resurrection. It changed them...not just internally for eternity, but daily for the rest of their lives.
Take Peter, for example. This boisterous disciple who denied Christ three times BEFORE the resurrection, never denied Him AFTER. He became the leader of the early Church and preached all throughout the countryside, telling others of the resurrection of Jesus. He penned at least two books of the Bible, while enduring persecution by the Jews and Romans...eventually being crucified for his faith. That doesn't sound like someone who treated the resurrection as just another day. That sounds like someone who really lived it out...who really believed that Christ's resurrection was real and had meaning for his "every day." He said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope (emphasis mine) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:3-5).
The "living hope" of the resurrection obviously changed Peter's day-to-day. My question is...shouldn't it change ours? And my answer to you and myself is a resounding, "YES, YES!" This "living hope" that Peter preached about shouldn't just be a part of my Easter experience, it should be with me when I awake every morning. It should exude from me when I go to the grocery store or drive my car in downtown traffic. It should shine from my life, so that others may wonder what it is that makes me so strong, when I should be so weak...for this hope that Christ gives to us, because of His resurrection is a living hope. It is alive and active in us...on a daily basis.
So what does it take for this living hope to become a part of our daily lives? It takes thought and effort. It takes intentionally spending time with Jesus. It takes making ourselves focus on the "Author and Perfector of our faith," when all we can physically see at the moment looks less than perfect. It takes concentrating on His thoughts every minute of the day...about how He wants to orchestrate our lives - good and bad - into something useful for His kingdom. It takes time spent contemplating the greatness and goodness of God. I think then, we will start to understand this hope that lives within us through the resurrection of Christ. Then, we will "live" Easter all year long.
My prayer is that you and I will truly experience this living hope in life today...that where-ever you and I may go, our hope will go with us and be lived out in us. May the resurrection be a celebration of our daily lives today...and not just our Easters.
Dear Jesus...Help us today to live a life of hope...the hope You provided, when You folded Your grave clothes ever so neatly and opened the grave for all to see You weren't there! Help us focus on the things that cause that resurrected life to surface in us today...things that remind us of our hope in You. Thank You for Easter, Jesus...and for the daily reminder that You live in us. We love You. Praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
So what do we do now? Do we just go on with life, never considering the resurrection until next spring?
In deciding that, I think we somehow have to get it into our heads that Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day, isn't just one day a year. It's not just an event that happened over two thousand years ago or something that we build ourselves up for once a year. The resurrection of Christ is SOO much more.
To Christians, it is everything.
Our faith, as Believers in Christ, hinges on the belief that God resurrected Christ. Without this supernatural event in the life of the Christ, Christianity would be a joke, and we would be the most pitiful of all people caught believing in a lie. There would be no hope of eternal security and no promise of an abundant life.
But JOKE, it is not. For the resurrection DID happen. Christ DID appear to His disciples, as well as over 400 other people before He finally ascended into heaven. He DID appear to the two men on the Road to Emmaus and teach them about Himself using the Old Testament. He did reconcile a beautiful relationship between Himself and Peter, who denied Him three times before mere men. He did eat fish, walk through walls, and cook breakfast for the disciples.
He truly DID rise again.
But what do we do with that information in the 21st century? What relevance to our everyday lives does it have, if any? What changes do we need to make in light of what we not only know to be true, but what has taken place deep within our own souls?
Well, what did the disciples of Christ do in the light of the resurrected Christ? Do you think they just celebrated one day by having a good meal, singing some musical stanzas down by the Sea of Galilee, hiding some Easter eggs (okay, so they didn't have Easter eggs back then), taking a nap and then going on with their daily life?
Not hardly.
The resurrection of Christ infiltrated the early disciples' lives. It affected their decisions. It took cowards who deserted Jesus in the garden and turned them into men and women willing to pay the ultimate cost for their belief in the resurrection. It changed them...not just internally for eternity, but daily for the rest of their lives.
Take Peter, for example. This boisterous disciple who denied Christ three times BEFORE the resurrection, never denied Him AFTER. He became the leader of the early Church and preached all throughout the countryside, telling others of the resurrection of Jesus. He penned at least two books of the Bible, while enduring persecution by the Jews and Romans...eventually being crucified for his faith. That doesn't sound like someone who treated the resurrection as just another day. That sounds like someone who really lived it out...who really believed that Christ's resurrection was real and had meaning for his "every day." He said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope (emphasis mine) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (I Peter 1:3-5).
The "living hope" of the resurrection obviously changed Peter's day-to-day. My question is...shouldn't it change ours? And my answer to you and myself is a resounding, "YES, YES!" This "living hope" that Peter preached about shouldn't just be a part of my Easter experience, it should be with me when I awake every morning. It should exude from me when I go to the grocery store or drive my car in downtown traffic. It should shine from my life, so that others may wonder what it is that makes me so strong, when I should be so weak...for this hope that Christ gives to us, because of His resurrection is a living hope. It is alive and active in us...on a daily basis.
So what does it take for this living hope to become a part of our daily lives? It takes thought and effort. It takes intentionally spending time with Jesus. It takes making ourselves focus on the "Author and Perfector of our faith," when all we can physically see at the moment looks less than perfect. It takes concentrating on His thoughts every minute of the day...about how He wants to orchestrate our lives - good and bad - into something useful for His kingdom. It takes time spent contemplating the greatness and goodness of God. I think then, we will start to understand this hope that lives within us through the resurrection of Christ. Then, we will "live" Easter all year long.
My prayer is that you and I will truly experience this living hope in life today...that where-ever you and I may go, our hope will go with us and be lived out in us. May the resurrection be a celebration of our daily lives today...and not just our Easters.
Dear Jesus...Help us today to live a life of hope...the hope You provided, when You folded Your grave clothes ever so neatly and opened the grave for all to see You weren't there! Help us focus on the things that cause that resurrected life to surface in us today...things that remind us of our hope in You. Thank You for Easter, Jesus...and for the daily reminder that You live in us. We love You. Praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
All
Sometimes the most important words in the English language are actually the smallest. For instance, during this Easter season I've had the word "all" on my mind. Every time I read my Bible, "ALL" seems to jump out at me from the pages. So much so, I've found myself searching for the little word, whose addition to a sentence changes everything - sometimes for the good and sometimes not.
In Mark 14:31, Peter spoke emotionally charged words to Christ when he said, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" Then the verse continues and our little word appears again: "And they ALL said likewise." It wasn't just Peter that proclaimed his devotion to Christ. It was ALL of the disciples. They ALL claimed to be so devoted to the person of Jesus Christ that they would die with Him. And then just a few verses later, their devotion turned to desertion. As Judas' kiss fell on the cheek of our Savior, and the ear of Malchus fell to the ground, Scripture records: "Then they ALL forsook Him and fled." (vs. 50).
Jesus knew they would. He knew He would have to endure this horrendous death alone. It was prophesy. And yet, I can't help but imagine the pain that seared His heart as He watched them ALL run, as well as the full cup of guilt that they drank each time their feet touched the ground in flight.
If only SOME had deserted Him, maybe this verse wouldn't hit me so hard. Maybe it wouldn't have stuck out in my mind and made me think more seriously about the time before the death of Christ. Maybe His "aloneness" wouldn't strike at my heart the way it does. But it wasn't just some of them...it was ALL of them. His best friends... the people who had shared the last three years with Him...the ones that claimed they would die for Him and with Him, deserted the One they called their Master.
I know this was ALL part of God's plan, but it still makes my heart ache for my Savior. And maybe that's part of God's plan, too. The Easter season is a time of celebration - a time to remember the risen Christ. But I think, ALL too often, I focus way too much on the joyful aspect of the holy day, instead of all of the events leading up to it. I go into the season, lacking a true reverence and respect for the price He paid for me...and His "aloneness" was just a small part of that price.
ALL forsook Him. Let that word sink deep into your heart and soul. I hope it stirs in us a remembrance of the unimaginable price He paid for our souls. So that in turn, we will not be part of the ALL of our generation. We will not flee when ALL others do. We will not choose to run, when we are persecuted for our faith, whether that be emotionally or physically. We will choose to stay with our Savior and fight for His name, regardless of the outcome of our loyalty.
Jesus, I love You. I thank You for ALL You endured for ME on the cross, so that I could not only be worthy of Your name, but proclaim IT worthy to those around me. Help me, Lord, to stand for You, when others flee. Give me strength to fight in Jesus' name for Your name. Thank You for the crucifixion, for without it, ALL would be lost. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
In Mark 14:31, Peter spoke emotionally charged words to Christ when he said, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" Then the verse continues and our little word appears again: "And they ALL said likewise." It wasn't just Peter that proclaimed his devotion to Christ. It was ALL of the disciples. They ALL claimed to be so devoted to the person of Jesus Christ that they would die with Him. And then just a few verses later, their devotion turned to desertion. As Judas' kiss fell on the cheek of our Savior, and the ear of Malchus fell to the ground, Scripture records: "Then they ALL forsook Him and fled." (vs. 50).
Jesus knew they would. He knew He would have to endure this horrendous death alone. It was prophesy. And yet, I can't help but imagine the pain that seared His heart as He watched them ALL run, as well as the full cup of guilt that they drank each time their feet touched the ground in flight.
If only SOME had deserted Him, maybe this verse wouldn't hit me so hard. Maybe it wouldn't have stuck out in my mind and made me think more seriously about the time before the death of Christ. Maybe His "aloneness" wouldn't strike at my heart the way it does. But it wasn't just some of them...it was ALL of them. His best friends... the people who had shared the last three years with Him...the ones that claimed they would die for Him and with Him, deserted the One they called their Master.
I know this was ALL part of God's plan, but it still makes my heart ache for my Savior. And maybe that's part of God's plan, too. The Easter season is a time of celebration - a time to remember the risen Christ. But I think, ALL too often, I focus way too much on the joyful aspect of the holy day, instead of all of the events leading up to it. I go into the season, lacking a true reverence and respect for the price He paid for me...and His "aloneness" was just a small part of that price.
ALL forsook Him. Let that word sink deep into your heart and soul. I hope it stirs in us a remembrance of the unimaginable price He paid for our souls. So that in turn, we will not be part of the ALL of our generation. We will not flee when ALL others do. We will not choose to run, when we are persecuted for our faith, whether that be emotionally or physically. We will choose to stay with our Savior and fight for His name, regardless of the outcome of our loyalty.
Jesus, I love You. I thank You for ALL You endured for ME on the cross, so that I could not only be worthy of Your name, but proclaim IT worthy to those around me. Help me, Lord, to stand for You, when others flee. Give me strength to fight in Jesus' name for Your name. Thank You for the crucifixion, for without it, ALL would be lost. I praise You, Jesus. Praise You.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Word of God Speaks
Sometimes I just don't know how to pray. My mom was rushed unexpectedly to the hospital yesterday, my dad's having an x-ray on a lump as I write, and my son is awaiting a possible head CT tomorrow. Needless to say, I awoke this morning in tears. I cried out to the Lord and told Him I couldn't think - that I couldn't even focus enough to pray. It was then that the Comforter, Himself, whispered sweet words of peace to my heart..."when you cannot pray, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words."
I wiped my tears, leaned over and picked up my Bible. I didn't want to read, but was compelled. "Just a few verses..." I thought. My devotional book was in another room, so I just let the pages fall open. They separated at Romans 8, and I began reading. Little did I remember or have the presence of mind to recall what the passage was about before reading it.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
I felt eased...so my "few verses" turned into "a few more." I kept reading, unprepared for what I was about to experience:
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
A smile covered my face...the kind of smile a daughter gives to her father when she realizes he did something just for her. My Daddy, my Father, comforted me first through speaking to my spirit in prayer, and then through showing me the same Words in print. It was as if He knew I needed that verse to sink into my heart and take root in my soul.
Jesus spoke AND interceeded for me, for my family, for everyone involved, in the midst of my distress....according to His Father's perfect will. He took my deep wordLESSness and created words...my inability to pray coherently for my family and turned it into a prayer on my behalf...all in accordance with my Father's will.
Just had to let you know He's real. He's alive. He's personal...and He's interceeding for you and me, even now.
I wiped my tears, leaned over and picked up my Bible. I didn't want to read, but was compelled. "Just a few verses..." I thought. My devotional book was in another room, so I just let the pages fall open. They separated at Romans 8, and I began reading. Little did I remember or have the presence of mind to recall what the passage was about before reading it.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
I felt eased...so my "few verses" turned into "a few more." I kept reading, unprepared for what I was about to experience:
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
A smile covered my face...the kind of smile a daughter gives to her father when she realizes he did something just for her. My Daddy, my Father, comforted me first through speaking to my spirit in prayer, and then through showing me the same Words in print. It was as if He knew I needed that verse to sink into my heart and take root in my soul.
Jesus spoke AND interceeded for me, for my family, for everyone involved, in the midst of my distress....according to His Father's perfect will. He took my deep wordLESSness and created words...my inability to pray coherently for my family and turned it into a prayer on my behalf...all in accordance with my Father's will.
Just had to let you know He's real. He's alive. He's personal...and He's interceeding for you and me, even now.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
It's Time to Take a Stand
"The only way for evil to prevail is for good men(women) to do nothing."
Now, I'm not normally one to get on a band wagon about something, but I figure this is as good a time as any to do so. I recently received an e-mail from HSLDA - Homeschool Legal Defense Association - which concerns me, greatly. It seems that ABC is airing a new show in the fall called, "Good Christian Bi---es." I hope you see immediately, the glaring oxymoron in this title. It's based on a book that depicts a divorcee coming back home to Texas after her failed marriage. Evidently, her friends - the Christians - make her life even more miserable when she returns, because of jealously towards her.
Now, I have to say, I have not read the book or watched the show, YET. I have, however, read a few reviews. Despite that, the title alone should sound some sort of alarm in every Christian's heart. It's an attack on Jesus, period.
ABC-TV has decided that it can take direct aim at Christians with what amounts to hate speech. This is the premise of its new program GCB (which stands for Good Christian B*****es). We need to fight back.
This program ridicules Christians, Christianity, the Bible, and Christian symbols in ways that would be unthinkable if aimed at any other religious group. For example, in the official Facebook page for GCB it said that “cleavage will help keep your cross straight.” Can you imagine the reaction in the Muslim community if that kind of message (complete with a highly suggestive photo) would have been made aiming at a symbol of the Islamic faith?HSLDA
See what I mean?
My husband has recently been preaching about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the wall around the city was torn down. That was a devastating blow, for the city wall symbolized protection. Without it, any marauding group could simply walk in and steal everything the people had. Jerusalem needed that wall. They needed the protection a wall could give.
And wouldn't you know it, when they finally started rebuilding, the groups around Jerusalem got upset and tried everything they could to keep the walls torn down. For you see, they had everything to lose and nothing to gain, if the Israelites became a safe, protected nation once again.
They shouted at the Israelites. They tried to deceive them into letting them "help" with the rebuilding. They tried sending discouraging messages throughout the camps. They even threatened the lives of those working on the wall. They pulled out every stop and tried every trick to end the work.
Finally, Nehemiah had had enough. He stood and addressed the people working on the walls: And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.' And it happened, when our enemies heard that is was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work."
I don't know about you, but I have "brethren." I have sons. I have a daughter. I don't have a wife, but I have a husband. And I have a home. Far too long, I have watched things happen and said in my heart with disgust, "That's a shame." However, now that the attack on my Jesus and my belief is so blatant, I can no longer sit and be silent. It's time to fight.
Now, I'm definitely not suggesting violence against ABC, but I am suggesting action. They say the pen is mightier than the sword. And with that in mind, I am wielding my sword, now. I encourage you, Believer. Go to the ABC website abc.go.com/site/contact-us, and fight for your family...for your "brethren," for your sons and daughters, wives (husbands) and homes in a Christ-like fashion. If we respond with anger and aggression, not only will we NOT please Jesus, but we will just solidify the material in the show. Please tell them of your concern, but do so in spirit of gentleness and conviction.
I don't know about you, but I'm done sitting...it's time to fight.
Jesus, we need Your help here. This type of thing makes us angry and fearful of the future. Help us to be neither, but also help us not to sit back and let this just happen. Teach us to fight for You, Lord Jesus, in a Christ-like manner so that the world will know that You are real and that You are, in fact, the Savior of it. We love You, Jesus. Help us to prove it in a manner worthy of Your great name. Amen
As an added note, here are the sponsors for the show:
• Verizon
• Comcast xFinity
• Rooms to Go
• SC Johnson
• Conagra Foods for Chef Boyardee
• PepsiCo
Now, I'm not normally one to get on a band wagon about something, but I figure this is as good a time as any to do so. I recently received an e-mail from HSLDA - Homeschool Legal Defense Association - which concerns me, greatly. It seems that ABC is airing a new show in the fall called, "Good Christian Bi---es." I hope you see immediately, the glaring oxymoron in this title. It's based on a book that depicts a divorcee coming back home to Texas after her failed marriage. Evidently, her friends - the Christians - make her life even more miserable when she returns, because of jealously towards her.
Now, I have to say, I have not read the book or watched the show, YET. I have, however, read a few reviews. Despite that, the title alone should sound some sort of alarm in every Christian's heart. It's an attack on Jesus, period.
ABC-TV has decided that it can take direct aim at Christians with what amounts to hate speech. This is the premise of its new program GCB (which stands for Good Christian B*****es). We need to fight back.
This program ridicules Christians, Christianity, the Bible, and Christian symbols in ways that would be unthinkable if aimed at any other religious group. For example, in the official Facebook page for GCB it said that “cleavage will help keep your cross straight.” Can you imagine the reaction in the Muslim community if that kind of message (complete with a highly suggestive photo) would have been made aiming at a symbol of the Islamic faith?HSLDA
See what I mean?
My husband has recently been preaching about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the wall around the city was torn down. That was a devastating blow, for the city wall symbolized protection. Without it, any marauding group could simply walk in and steal everything the people had. Jerusalem needed that wall. They needed the protection a wall could give.
And wouldn't you know it, when they finally started rebuilding, the groups around Jerusalem got upset and tried everything they could to keep the walls torn down. For you see, they had everything to lose and nothing to gain, if the Israelites became a safe, protected nation once again.
They shouted at the Israelites. They tried to deceive them into letting them "help" with the rebuilding. They tried sending discouraging messages throughout the camps. They even threatened the lives of those working on the wall. They pulled out every stop and tried every trick to end the work.
Finally, Nehemiah had had enough. He stood and addressed the people working on the walls: And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, 'Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your homes.' And it happened, when our enemies heard that is was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work."
I don't know about you, but I have "brethren." I have sons. I have a daughter. I don't have a wife, but I have a husband. And I have a home. Far too long, I have watched things happen and said in my heart with disgust, "That's a shame." However, now that the attack on my Jesus and my belief is so blatant, I can no longer sit and be silent. It's time to fight.
Now, I'm definitely not suggesting violence against ABC, but I am suggesting action. They say the pen is mightier than the sword. And with that in mind, I am wielding my sword, now. I encourage you, Believer. Go to the ABC website abc.go.com/site/contact-us, and fight for your family...for your "brethren," for your sons and daughters, wives (husbands) and homes in a Christ-like fashion. If we respond with anger and aggression, not only will we NOT please Jesus, but we will just solidify the material in the show. Please tell them of your concern, but do so in spirit of gentleness and conviction.
I don't know about you, but I'm done sitting...it's time to fight.
Jesus, we need Your help here. This type of thing makes us angry and fearful of the future. Help us to be neither, but also help us not to sit back and let this just happen. Teach us to fight for You, Lord Jesus, in a Christ-like manner so that the world will know that You are real and that You are, in fact, the Savior of it. We love You, Jesus. Help us to prove it in a manner worthy of Your great name. Amen
As an added note, here are the sponsors for the show:
• Verizon
• Comcast xFinity
• Rooms to Go
• SC Johnson
• Conagra Foods for Chef Boyardee
• PepsiCo
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sometimes You Just Need a Little Help
Sometimes you just need a little help. Actually, sometimes you just need A LOT of help. I have become increasing aware of that lately. Watching men walk in and out of our home, carrying plywood, nail guns, and particle board has been a great reminder. We thought we could do the majority of it ourselves, but soon realized we were in over our heads.
Back in late summer of last year, we had a water/steam leak which reaked havoc on the downstairs area of our house. Everything had to come up...nails, flooring, plywood...everything. We moved ourselves into a hotel and a couple of Pack Rat storage units and got to work. However, we quickly realized we were in over our heads. The work was taking way too long, and a lot of the stuff was too detailed for us to handle.
That’s when THEY showed up - in pickup trucks and trailers...with power tools and hammers...with energy and smiles to boot. I don’t know exactly how many have been in and out of our front door, but finally, the MONSTER - that our home had become - is being tamed...and groomed, all at the same time.
THEY’ve sweated. THEY’ve taken time away from their families. THEY’ve had sore muscles and some slight injuries. THEY’ve worked without complaint and without recognition. And for what reason? Well, I haven’t exactly asked them that question, but I think I know the answer. I think THEY’d tell you it has nothing to do with them and everything to do with Jesus.
Scripture tells us "...let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." I John 3:18 (NAS). Or as the New Living Translation says, "...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." Somewhere along the way, these men were either taught that verse or learned it for themselves. THEY know that love spoken without evidence, means nothing. But love exemplified is everything.
The ultimate example of love in action can been seen in the life of Christ. He didn’t just tell us He loved us, He proved it on the cross. And THEY’ve exemplified that love to my family, in a very precious way. THEY’ve put my home back together...and I never even asked them to.
Now, I walk through the front door of our home and don’t feel the heavy weight of destruction, but feel humbled by the love of Christ fleshed out in their lives. Jesus has loved me, through them. How precious is that!
So, for all of the THEYs who’ve been used by Jesus in our home, "Thank You." Your love for Him is evident in every nail you’ve pulled up and put down, every board you’ve carried, and every sweat drop that’s fallen from your forehead. "Thank you" for being His example of love still radiant here on this earth.
Jesus, may you bless abundantly and exceedingly, these men and their families, who have exhibited love to my family in the last few weeks. Teach us to follow their example - the example of Christ - and love not just with our mouths, but with our hands and feet. Thank You, Lord for using Your servants to show love to me. You are indeed, amazing. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
Back in late summer of last year, we had a water/steam leak which reaked havoc on the downstairs area of our house. Everything had to come up...nails, flooring, plywood...everything. We moved ourselves into a hotel and a couple of Pack Rat storage units and got to work. However, we quickly realized we were in over our heads. The work was taking way too long, and a lot of the stuff was too detailed for us to handle.
That’s when THEY showed up - in pickup trucks and trailers...with power tools and hammers...with energy and smiles to boot. I don’t know exactly how many have been in and out of our front door, but finally, the MONSTER - that our home had become - is being tamed...and groomed, all at the same time.
THEY’ve sweated. THEY’ve taken time away from their families. THEY’ve had sore muscles and some slight injuries. THEY’ve worked without complaint and without recognition. And for what reason? Well, I haven’t exactly asked them that question, but I think I know the answer. I think THEY’d tell you it has nothing to do with them and everything to do with Jesus.
Scripture tells us "...let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." I John 3:18 (NAS). Or as the New Living Translation says, "...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." Somewhere along the way, these men were either taught that verse or learned it for themselves. THEY know that love spoken without evidence, means nothing. But love exemplified is everything.
The ultimate example of love in action can been seen in the life of Christ. He didn’t just tell us He loved us, He proved it on the cross. And THEY’ve exemplified that love to my family, in a very precious way. THEY’ve put my home back together...and I never even asked them to.
Now, I walk through the front door of our home and don’t feel the heavy weight of destruction, but feel humbled by the love of Christ fleshed out in their lives. Jesus has loved me, through them. How precious is that!
So, for all of the THEYs who’ve been used by Jesus in our home, "Thank You." Your love for Him is evident in every nail you’ve pulled up and put down, every board you’ve carried, and every sweat drop that’s fallen from your forehead. "Thank you" for being His example of love still radiant here on this earth.
Jesus, may you bless abundantly and exceedingly, these men and their families, who have exhibited love to my family in the last few weeks. Teach us to follow their example - the example of Christ - and love not just with our mouths, but with our hands and feet. Thank You, Lord for using Your servants to show love to me. You are indeed, amazing. I praise You, Lord. Praise You.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Why Not Today?
I read this e-mail from some friends of ours in Haiti and just had to share it with you. I hope it blesses you, as much as it has blessed me.
Hello Friends,
Well here we are back in Haiti. Only the Lord knew we were coming back and He did not tell us until recently. We are here relieving a wonderful Missionary couple, Wanda and Bobby Temple so that they can get some home time. We plan to return for May and August.
So much has changed and so so much remains the same. We are not doing construction anymore so our teams are just small medical teams. In fact we do not have a team this week. Janet and I did something on Sunday afternoon that we had never done in the two years that we have been coming to Haiti. We took a nap. ( that's sleeping in the day time for you young people). At first the light work load felt good, but after a few days we began to miss the volunteers. Mostly we miss seeing their joy grow each day in the service of the Lord. The weather is cool for Haiti mid to high 80's some days. Very different from the Haiti that I know where you melt away several pounds each day then some more each night. Much of the earthquake rubble has been cleaned up, but there is still trash everywhere and more tent housing along the road from the airport. The poverty, sickness, hunger, lack of education, and neglected children are still as common as the smoke and constant dust of Haiti.
"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." 1 John 3: 18-19
While in the US we are sometimes blessed to be invited to speak at Churches about the work of Baptist men. Sometimes the Churches would give us a cash gift. At first this was embarrassing. We did not need the money and were accustomed to giving to the Church... not receiving from it. Then from time to time friends and family would do the same thing. So we realized that God had a plan for these funds. We started taking any gifts we were given along with us on mission and sure enough the Lord always revealed the intended purpose . As we arrived this time in Haiti, we talked with the doctors about any special need that they may know about. We then got busy in the day to day operation and forgot about money that had been given us.
On Friday noon, out of the blue our trusted driver and friend Jude Belzey turned and said to me " When are you going to Emmanuel's (orphanage)?" Now you must understand that I had not planned to go to Emmanuel's Orphanage but the question went so deep to my heart and I felt as if God had just spoken to me. So, I said "When do you think would be a good time?" Jude immediately responded.
" Why not today?" I told Janet what had happened and we went right then to the local street market to buy a lot of rice, beans, oil, pasta,tomato paste, soap, and, of course, cookies. As we moved from stall to stall we made several vendors very happy at their good fortune to make such large sales.
We proceeded unannounced to Emmanuel's Orphanage. Evon (the director) was not there, so about fifty very happy children gathered around us as we unloaded the food. We passed out the cookies making sure each child got a whole package. The children then stood and sang an amazingly beautiful French version of " How Great Thou Art". We stood with tears in our eyes as each one of the kids from two to ten stood and prayed for the people that had provided the food ( in many cases that was you). By then it was late afternoon (supper time) and Jude noticed that there were on cook fires, no cooking pots boiling. So we looked into their store room and sure enough there was no food supplies. Soon Evon returned and we found out that the kids had eaten their last meal that morning and that he had been out looking for a way to get some food. "Why not today", kept repeating in my mind.
Some of you may believe that this incident was just good timing, but I hope not. I do trust that most will see that this was God's hand and nothing short of His good plan. As I finish this story, I feel led to ask each of you " WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO EMMANUEL'S?" When are you going to take that church job, join a disaster relief or recovery effort, or go on that mission trip, etc.. I am convinced Jude has the same answer God would give. "WHY NOT TODAY?"
In Christ's love and service,
Scott and Janet Daughtry
Titanyen, Haiti
2.16.2012
Hello Friends,
Well here we are back in Haiti. Only the Lord knew we were coming back and He did not tell us until recently. We are here relieving a wonderful Missionary couple, Wanda and Bobby Temple so that they can get some home time. We plan to return for May and August.
So much has changed and so so much remains the same. We are not doing construction anymore so our teams are just small medical teams. In fact we do not have a team this week. Janet and I did something on Sunday afternoon that we had never done in the two years that we have been coming to Haiti. We took a nap. ( that's sleeping in the day time for you young people). At first the light work load felt good, but after a few days we began to miss the volunteers. Mostly we miss seeing their joy grow each day in the service of the Lord. The weather is cool for Haiti mid to high 80's some days. Very different from the Haiti that I know where you melt away several pounds each day then some more each night. Much of the earthquake rubble has been cleaned up, but there is still trash everywhere and more tent housing along the road from the airport. The poverty, sickness, hunger, lack of education, and neglected children are still as common as the smoke and constant dust of Haiti.
"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." 1 John 3: 18-19
While in the US we are sometimes blessed to be invited to speak at Churches about the work of Baptist men. Sometimes the Churches would give us a cash gift. At first this was embarrassing. We did not need the money and were accustomed to giving to the Church... not receiving from it. Then from time to time friends and family would do the same thing. So we realized that God had a plan for these funds. We started taking any gifts we were given along with us on mission and sure enough the Lord always revealed the intended purpose . As we arrived this time in Haiti, we talked with the doctors about any special need that they may know about. We then got busy in the day to day operation and forgot about money that had been given us.
On Friday noon, out of the blue our trusted driver and friend Jude Belzey turned and said to me " When are you going to Emmanuel's (orphanage)?" Now you must understand that I had not planned to go to Emmanuel's Orphanage but the question went so deep to my heart and I felt as if God had just spoken to me. So, I said "When do you think would be a good time?" Jude immediately responded.
" Why not today?" I told Janet what had happened and we went right then to the local street market to buy a lot of rice, beans, oil, pasta,tomato paste, soap, and, of course, cookies. As we moved from stall to stall we made several vendors very happy at their good fortune to make such large sales.
We proceeded unannounced to Emmanuel's Orphanage. Evon (the director) was not there, so about fifty very happy children gathered around us as we unloaded the food. We passed out the cookies making sure each child got a whole package. The children then stood and sang an amazingly beautiful French version of " How Great Thou Art". We stood with tears in our eyes as each one of the kids from two to ten stood and prayed for the people that had provided the food ( in many cases that was you). By then it was late afternoon (supper time) and Jude noticed that there were on cook fires, no cooking pots boiling. So we looked into their store room and sure enough there was no food supplies. Soon Evon returned and we found out that the kids had eaten their last meal that morning and that he had been out looking for a way to get some food. "Why not today", kept repeating in my mind.
Some of you may believe that this incident was just good timing, but I hope not. I do trust that most will see that this was God's hand and nothing short of His good plan. As I finish this story, I feel led to ask each of you " WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO EMMANUEL'S?" When are you going to take that church job, join a disaster relief or recovery effort, or go on that mission trip, etc.. I am convinced Jude has the same answer God would give. "WHY NOT TODAY?"
In Christ's love and service,
Scott and Janet Daughtry
Titanyen, Haiti
2.16.2012
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