Amazing Grace

I saw the movie "Amazing Grace," recounting the life of William Wilberforce and his tireless work in Parliament to see slavery abolished in England, decades before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in America. I highly recommend the movie, but only if you bring a supply of tissues, and only if you come prepared to face some challenging questions, such as:

• what is my purpose here? what do I live for?
• how does injustice, sin and suffering affect me? does it affect me?
• when I pray "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," do I think about what that looks like? do I believe it can actually happen? am I willing to do anything, something, to make my world better?
• if I "resolved" to love my Lord, my God, with all my heart, soul, mind, strength, how would my world, my community, my relationships, my family, be different?

As horrific as slavery is (and yes, I know it still exists and it's a terrible thing), child abuse is ravaging; domestic violence is terrible; abortion; divorce; sexual promiscuity and abuse; addictions; pornography; these sinful, awful realities destroy people, kill relationships, sorely wound souls.

John Piper made a statement on Sanctity of Life Sunday that I still think of often. He said, " I pray that someday the idea of abortion will be as abhorrent to us as the idea of slavery is now."

And Gary Thomas proposed this weekend, and I paraphrase, 'what if our influence for godly families caused fewer divorces?'

What if our lives as believers displayed a hope that would offer more than any synthetic relief drugs or alcohol could provide?

What if we really believed that God is Who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do, and that His Word is alive and active in me? (thank you, Beth Moore, and "Believing God.")

". . . You [God] have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. " Psalm 119:4-6

That is my prayer. Will it be yours?

Where is my heart?

Ok, so this is written a week after Valentine's Day, but my timing has never been "normal" (just ask my family members). . .
As I've already confessed, I'm meditating on/memorizing Psalm 119. So far I haven't made it beyond the first sixteen verses (or the first two stanzas, for those poetry buffs out there). I imagine the psalmist composing, singing, musing, writing. . . and the central theme is the Word of God.
He says that "blessed are those. . .who seek Him [God] with their whole heart. . .I will praise You [God] with an upright heart . . .with my whole heart I seek You. . .I have stored up Your word in my heart . . ."
There's a focus here. I don't want to have my heart (my emotions and will) segmented into so many different areas. If my heart is segmented, divided, unfocused. . .then where I am headed? What's the point?
I desperately need direction, and I've found it in God's Word. Lord, I want my ways to be steadfast (not fickle or wavering) in keeping Your statutes (those laws for all people because God said so), because then I will not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I want to praise You with an upright (consistently honest) heart when I learn Your righteous rules (rules settled by God for guidance and direction). Lord, keep me focused! When I need direction, I run to You; when I need comfort, I run to You; when I am afraid, I run to You; when I need physical companionship, You will direct me; when I need wise and godly counsel, You will show me who to consult. Lord, I need to make You be first. I want my heart to be safe in Your hand.

Babylon . . . rising?

Yes, I did read the "Left Behind" series, but that is not the subject of this post. It's just a phrase that came to mind this week as I began a study on the book of Daniel (if you are interested, I highly recommend the studies on this book written by Beth Moore and/or Kay Arthur).

Yes, I had read of Babylon before, of the Chaldeans (another term for Babylon), even that the plain of Shinar is where the tower of Babel was built, and Ur of the Chaldees (i.e. Chaldeans) was where Abraham was called out of by God, to begin the Israelite identity.

But this week's study has gotten me thinking . . .where do I see Babylon in my world? Should I care? Why does God have me studying this particular book at this particular time?

A most striking insight on Babylon is found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 47, where God is speaking to Babylon ". . .you lover of pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me'. . . you felt secure in your wickedness, you said, 'No one sees me;' your wisdom and knowledge led you astray. . . "

Where do I see Babylon? Where do I NOT see Babylon?? Does anyone else have the struggle that I do to fight against indulging in whatever I WANT just because I can? Without giving a thought to whether or not it's what God wants for me?
How secure do we feel, day by day, in our car alarms, our deadbolts, our guard dogs, our preparedness, rather than give credit to God, who is my true refuge and safety?
Does anyone else battle the "what about me? when is it my turn?"
How often do I remember that the "no one really sees; I'm not really hurting anyone" is a lie straight from the pit of hell, and that hypocrisy really doesn't fool anyone?
Do I trust more in my wisdom and knowledge of this world, this culture, than I trust the God who created this world and even this culture that I live in, to teach me His Ways and how He wants to reach this world?

Just one chapter over (Isaiah 46) God speaks to His people. . .
"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose,'. . .I have spoken and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
Listen to Me, you stubborn of heart [I so don't want to be that person, but so often am] you who are far from righteousness: I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off, and My salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel, My glory."

I read that passage, and the whole "Babylon mentality" fades dramatically. I'm certain the young Daniel and his friends remembered this about God while they were being transported from their comfortable homes and families (remember, they were not peasants and beggars, but royalty and nobility of Judah) to a place and people completely unknown to them. Only this confidence and confirmed knowledge of God could give Daniel the resolve to live righteously and disciplined in an extremely unrighteous and undisciplined culture.
Oh, great and mighty God! teach me Your ways, guide me in Your truth, and teach me. Give me the strength and the resolve to not be absorbed by my Babylon.

Challenge update, week one

For those of you who accepted "the challenge" in last week's post, how's it going? What has God showed you about you?

Because of a miscommunication, I happened to make dinner for a crowd (about 12 people) only to find that I didn't need to make dinner; someone else was taking care of the meal. Now, in the past, I must admit that the resulting scenario would have more than likely included pouting, noisy pots and pans, sullen looks, and emphatic feelings of entitlement.

However, this time, I put the lid on the pot of "moose steak pottage," turned off the stove, and quietly said, "I guess this means I'm all set for dinner tomorrow." Tod apologized for the mis-communication, but the amazing thing (to me) was that he didn't even NEED to apologize. I wasn't mad;
didn't feel "entitled;"
felt no need to pout or point out how much time I'd spent;
didn't even need to "process" my feelings to get around to a sweet spirit.

Truly, I realized that I don't have to cook tomorrow. There's meals in the freezer now for when I'm really tired and it's a "high pain day" and I just can't find the energy to cook. I also have soup to share. I don't have the stress of being angry and ugly, and my husband is not walking on eggs (though, I must say he has promised to be more careful about telling me about small group dinner plans when I'm unable to attend said small group).

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in [me] will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. from Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

Isn't it wonderful to be a work in progress?!