Living On The Fringes

Jesus was a fringe-dweller.  He was an outcast, out-of-the-loop, in some ways.  He also knew what it was like to be misunderstood, to be judged, overlooked, underestimated.  His experiences allowed Him to understand and care about those of us who are fringe-dwellers.  But He had something else - He had His Father's attention, His Father's affection.  He knew Who He was because He knew Who His Father was.  We have that same certainty because of Jesus.  We know Who our Father is, we know we have His attention and affection.  We know who we are because of Who He is.  We can be a fringe-dweller knowing that He is right here with us, right now.  We are never alone.

Saturday I was able to watch a Christmas play live on the web because a local church cared enough to make it available to those of us who find it more than challenging to be a part of large public events.  They noticed the fringe-dwellers.  They noticed me.  It felt so good to be included.  Just once in awhile, it does feel so good.

Suffering in Children

I have some pretty wonderful friends, let me tell you.  God has blessed me with women friends that are godly, loving, compassionate, loyal and faithful.  I have learned so much and shared so much with them through the years.  They truly know God because they love others as He does.  I had the privilege of spending time with several of them yesterday and hearing their hearts.  One friend shared about the struggles of her grandchild, born with severe health issues that have been both a burden and a battle for his whole life.  We have been praying for him and his family since he was born.  While he has amazed doctors with his progress and life, he is not where he wants to be.  We will keep praying for his precious life.  Another dear friend shared her daughter's struggle with cancer that began a dozen years ago.  My dear friend would give her life for her daughter's.  We have been praying for her daughter throughout the process of overcoming.  Everyone is weary with the process, but clinging to the One Who is our Hope, the One Who has promised that all things work together for good, and that our end will be far better than we could ever imagine.  Hoping, praying, believing, hurting alongside of - my dear, wonderful friends.  Their children and grandchildren will never know how very precious they are and how very much they are prayed for.  Our God loves us all like that - we are His children, cherished, longed over, laboring with, always loving, always believing in - that's our Papa!

Set Up To Succeed

I am recently a fan of Victoria Stilwell's "It's Me Or The Dog," on the Animal Planet channel. I have really enjoyed watching her train both dogs and owners in each episode. She solves all kinds of behavior problems while instructing viewers about the nature of various breeds and the proper way to train your pet. Victoria doesn't believe in using punishment to train animals and primarily uses food treats to reward positive behaviors. In a recent episode I heard her say that when training your dog, you don't allow it to fail. You set it up to succeed.

A sudden realization zapped through me - that's exactly what God has done with mankind. He has set us up to succeed and not to fail! God Himself never fails. Since He has determined, from the "beginning" to redeem all of mankind, He will succeed. We cannot fail! How cool is that! How awesome is God!

The Master Lifeguard

Today I was helping a friend with our weekly Bible study by typing up and emailing the scripture and synopsis for each day's lesson to her. On day three, the study began with the scripture in Romans 5: 6-11 "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God - all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends with God." NLT

I've loved this scripture for a long time because it always points to God's amazing love for us all and confirms that He is the Savior of us all. As I was typing it out today, I had a sudden insight. I don't know how God speaks to you, but oftentimes for me, it comes as a sudden revelation, like a bolt of lightening; a sudden knowing, in an instant.

I saw a lifeguard on a beach. There were people on the beach doing beach-type activities, while the lifeguard was scanning the water looking for someone in trouble. All of a sudden, someone starting flailing about, calling out for help. Like a shot the lifeguard jumped from his stand and flew to the water, jumping in head first and swimming like crazy to save the drowning person. It struck me that the lifeguard never for an instant gave a thought to the worthiness of the person drowning. Eg: Is this person a thief? Does this person lie or cheat? Are they an adulterer? Have they killed or harmed someone? Is it their own fault that they are drowning? None of that went through the lifeguard's mind - just that someone needed to be saved. The saving did not depend upon the worthiness of the one being saved, but upon the worthiness and character of the one doing the saving! I knew instantly that God was showing me, yet again, a picture of His amazing love and character. He saves us because of who He is, not because of who we are. Our salvation is more than secure because it's based upon His character and worthiness! Hallelujah! What a great God we have!!

Forgiveness

Seems like the Easter season always causes us to ponder anew the topic of forgiveness. As we approach Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, we are reminded of all that Jesus suffered on our behalf and what He provided for us through the crucifixion and resurrection. As I have been considering all these things, my thoughts have taken a different path.

I have been thinking about the nature of forgiveness and what it really means to be forgiven and to forgive. I'm not totally sure that I have really understood how deep forgiveness really goes. For most of my Christian life (40 years), I've viewed forgiveness as the eraser on a chalkboard. Every time something is written on it, I've got to confess my sin and ask forgiveness. Then Jesus takes His eraser and wipes the board clean. Since I could never be sure that my board was wiped clean, I've lived with a constant since of guilt and recrimination. You've seen that chalkboard that, even though erased, you can still see the faint etchings or the powder left from the erasures - that's mine. The words are erased, but the chalk is still there.

I'm just starting to understand that there really is no chalkboard - only the one in my mind. The evil conscience that Paul speaks of is not a conscience that fails to advise us of our sin, but one that never lets us forget our sin, even when we have confessed it and asked forgiveness.

I'm also realizing that Jesus didn't suffer and die because God needed a sacrifice - we needed a sacrifice. We needed someone to take the heat and we needed someone to pay. God through Jesus stepped up to the plate and, in effect, said, "blame me - I'll take the heat and pay the price - you can let yourself off of the hook."

It is so easy to forgive others if we can see that Jesus did the same thing for them. If I can accept forgiveness for myself, I can extend it to those who offend me. Since I am "the chiefest of sinners," and all other sins pale in comparison to mine, I can throw out my chalkboard record for others as well.

So . . . during this reflective season I am asking God to deliver me from my evil conscience. I pray the same for you as well.

There's Just Something About That Name

As I was reading through some posts on Facebook, I came across one in which the author said, "I just love saying the name of Jesus!" As I read that, my heart was touched, and I started to wonder how long it had been since I felt that way myself. I remember the power and assurance and faith that just saying His name evoked in me. Nothing was impossible and no fear too threatening and no night too dark. There is power in His name, and how easily I have allowed myself to be burdened with the challenges of life and have forgotten that power.

I began to sing, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that Name." I felt His calming peace come over me again as my anxieties drained away. So simple, so easy, so peaceful. There is something about His name!

Thank You, Jesus, for being the Name above all names!

The Problem with Truth

I used to think that truth could only be truth if it were the same for everyone. And, of course, the truth I knew was the truth! In fact, a pastor once said, "In order for truth to be truth, it must be true for all people in all places at all times." When I heard those words, I thought them profound and began to repeat them in any situation that challenged what I knew to be truth. It felt comforting and further settled me into my established line of reasoning.

Then I found out that there are over 3,000 Christian sects in the world . . . all claiming to have the truth!! And that doesn't even include the Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims or any other flavor of religion!! What a shocker!!!! How could all of these people, sincere, seekers of God, wanting to follow the truth, all come up with different truths, all claiming to hear from God??

Just recently it occurred to me that God isn't showing the same truth to everyone. Wow!! What is that about? It would be sooooooo much easier on all of us if He did.

So, now what? I must follow what I know as truth until God reveals something else. Further, I must also allow that He is showing others something else as true. What a challenge that is! I'm so used to insisting that I'm right! (What an opportunity to love others!)

This is my bottom line - God is Who He says He is; He is love personified; He keeps His promises; He has a good future planned for all of us; He never fails or gives up. I could add more, but you get the idea. The rest I just have to give to Him and let Him sort it out.

By the way, I've been sprinkled and dunked, just in case!

Love

I'm a "johnny-come-lately" for some of the dramatic series that are available on TV, and one of my recent enjoyments is reruns of Grey's Anatomy. If you've not seen the program, it's your typical medical drama that seems to focus more on the personal relationships between the doctors than anything medical going on. Last night was an exception to the rule. One of the vignettes focused on a man and woman, unrelated, one black, male and older, one white, female and younger. The two had been in a train wreck and were impaled on a pole facing each other. Both were conscious and in no pain, amazingly. As the story unfolds, the doctors discover that, of the two, the male has a much better chance of survival. Once the pole is removed, the female will bleed out too quickly to save, and she is more seriously injured.

The two patients begin to interact with each other as the doctors do their assessments. They are in a hugging position in order to keep the pole from shifting and doing more harm. As the doctors tell them the bad news, both of them begin to plead for the other's life, not for their own. The female winds up comforting the man when the reality of the situation is finally accepted. She will die and he will live. Later, just before the man and woman are put under anesthesia, she leaves a message with the head surgeon to relay to her husband when he arrives. She knows that she will be gone before he gets there. The surgeon tells the husband later, "She wanted you to know that, if love were enough, she would be here with you now."

I almost sobbed through the show. I was so touched by the complete selflessness of this woman. Her concerns were for the man attached to her on the pole, and her husband. She expressed no regrets for herself, and pleaded for her fellow victim. She knew this man for minutes and hours, not days, weeks or years. She gave without thinking and thought only for the comfort of her husband and this man in front of her. What an incredible example of the love of God! Selfless love. Self-sacrificing love. Not ooey-gooey emotions - just the rubber hitting the road.

I envy that kind of love. I envy the ability to give so freely - to give all - to sacrifice even though it cost everything. I over-analyze, and worry about consequences. I think too much about the cost. Few of us will ever be called to such a sacrifice as this woman made, or that Jesus made. I'm called to love the people that are in my life and that I encounter every day in my life. I get testy at other drivers and waiting in line, or things just aren't going the way that I want them to go.

Worse, I remember those whom I've failed to love - harsh words, uncaring deeds. My mother is a constant source of regret. She was mentally ill long before I was born. Life was hard growing up, and I focused far too much on how it affected me, and not nearly enough on how it affected her. Mental illness is a terrible burden to carry. There were five of us kids, and I know that she did the best that she could. It wasn't her fault that her love wasn't enough. She died almost 20 years ago, and all I can remember now is how she suffered with the burden she carried. I didn't know much about love then, but I do now. I have been the recipient of much self-sacrificing love. I cannot undo the past or re-write it. However, I am grateful beyond grateful that she is at peace now, and she knows love now too.

Acceptance

I've been thinking about acceptance lately. I remember years ago it was popular to say, "God loves you the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way." On the surface, it sounded right and good. God loves you - that's good, right? He's going to help you to change - that's good, right? Years later, I'm finding that it's a mixed message, much like a lot of messages we hear in some circles. Here's another: "whatever you're afraid of will happen to you, so don't be afraid." Now that is just nuts! Do you know anyone who has stopped being afraid because someone told them that?? Oh well, I'm getting off topic!! Back to acceptance.

God is into setting people free and making them whole. That's Who He is. Acceptance is genuine love - a love that won't walk away if the loved one doesn't change. It's not so easy for we humans. Our love is limited and our acceptance is oft tested. I don't do so well in that category myself. I want to think that I'm an accepting person, but I think a "disapproving tolerance" is probably closer to the truth with some I encounter. I have a long way to go in accepting people the way God does.

I think we have to begin by accepting God for Who He is. Let Him be God. Then we need to accept ourselves with all of our hangups and quirks. Not tolerate, not deny, but really accept that our differences and unlovely places are things God uses in our lives to help us depend upon Him. Then we can pass that on to others.

Just recently a dear friend said to me, "I love you just the way you are - I wouldn't change a thing." What a gift! I felt a deep acceptance and a release of a burden. There is much healing in those words. I heard God's voice in those words. Interestingly enough, I also felt the freedom to change at the same time! What a paradox! The pressure to change was lifted and was turned into an opportunity. God's ways certainly aren't ours, are they? I am truly blessed!

A Very Present Help In Trouble

I have been having car problems and I've been feeling discouraged about that. I seem to have a long track record in that area. When I am overwhelmed by problems or issues, my first response is to think that it's all up to me to find a solution, and my resources are all I have to rely upon. Basically, I forget that God is my Father, and a very good one at that! He is everything to me, and I forget to take all of my needs and worries and concerns to Him. How crazy is that! Instead I worry, I fret, I work myself into a little self-pity party and crawl into a corner. And not to suffer quietly, I whine to everyone who will listen. How pathetic that is!

Then my wonderful heavenly Father comes along and meets my need. He doesn't lecture me about my not coming to Him, or about my whining. He just takes care of everything and blesses my socks off! He truly is my "very present help in trouble," as the psalmist says.

Really, now, how much sense does it make to depend upon me when I can depend upon Someone Who is loving and powerful and more than enough for me?

Amazing Grace!

Yesterday morning I was up with the birds, as usual. I flipped on Joseph Prince. While I don't watch every morning, he usually has a one-liner that captures my attention when I do. I don't even remember the bulk of his message, but this is what stuck with me: "put your faith in grace, not in sin." He referenced the Romans passage, Rom 5:20 "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Wow! It was as though I had never heard that before. You know what it's like - did someone pencil that in while I wasn't looking or what? How many times I've read that passage and never heard it as I did yesterday!

I realized that I've been putting my faith in sin, not grace. So has most of the church, frankly. We are so sin-conscious, it's pathetic! It's not God's amazing grace that keeps me awake at night, but all the ways I sin or have messed up. Grace is God's idea and His standard. He doesn't want me to be sin-conscious, but grace-conscious. How liberating is that!? I can live in perfect confidence that grace always excedes my sins and shortcomings! I can never exhaust it or outrun it. It will always be the frontrunner, and will be so at the finish line. Hallelujah! How great is our God!!