"...better to be poor than a liar."
This verse has intrigued me for some time, ever since I heard the Crystal Lewis song Only Fools that quotes it. What does it mean that it is better to be poor than a liar? Are those are only choices? Is it really an either or? And how do these two concepts relate anyways.
But recently, I saw the whole verse.
"What a man desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar."
Now it makes much more sense. Our truest, deepest desire is for unfailing love - which only comes from God. Yet we fill it with... stuff, people, relationships, accolades, accomplishments, identity, knowledge, reputations... I could go on. But the writer of Proverbs lays out the simple truth. It is better to have none of that - to be poor - and acknowledge the truth - what I really want is unfailing love.
I want to grasp this. I would rather be poor in the things this world has to offer than be a liar and believe they can fill my deepest longing.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Forgiving Seventy-Seven Times
Here's a thought:
I was talking to my mom the other day about the fact that I am discovering that forgiveness is a process, not a one-time occurance. In other words, you may forgive someone today and have to do it again tomorrow. She said I should post that thought.
All of which lead me to rethink Matthew 18:21-22,
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
I know these verses are typically interpreted to mean that we may have to forgive someone over and over for many different offenses, and I believe that is basically correct.
But what if Jesus is referring to forgiving someone over and over again for the SAME offense... What if He is giving us a pattern to follow because He knows how our hearts work? We sincerely forgive, but find ourselves, at some later time, dredging up the old hurt and anger. So we have to forgive again. And again. And again.
I am sure Jesus is talking to me here.
I was talking to my mom the other day about the fact that I am discovering that forgiveness is a process, not a one-time occurance. In other words, you may forgive someone today and have to do it again tomorrow. She said I should post that thought.
All of which lead me to rethink Matthew 18:21-22,
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
I know these verses are typically interpreted to mean that we may have to forgive someone over and over for many different offenses, and I believe that is basically correct.
But what if Jesus is referring to forgiving someone over and over again for the SAME offense... What if He is giving us a pattern to follow because He knows how our hearts work? We sincerely forgive, but find ourselves, at some later time, dredging up the old hurt and anger. So we have to forgive again. And again. And again.
I am sure Jesus is talking to me here.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Dennis Prager - Do you believe in Hell?
Today I listened to a podcast from Dennis Prager on the subject of Hell. He stated that since he believed in a just God, there must be some form of punishment and reward in the afterlife. He wasn't sure if Hell was really a lake of burning fire, or if the punishment would be eternal, but he couldn't possible fathom a righteous and loving God allowing Hitler and Mother Theresa to have the same posthumous fate.
Callers began to call in with their belief for or against the idea of Hell. Each had their own opinion of what it was, who would go there and why, and what level of punishment would be fair.
All somewhat interesting comments, but I kept thinking, "Who cares what you think? What does God say?" After all, it's not like we get a vote! Who cares if I think Hell is a literal place of burning torture and all who reject God's loving advances in this life are constrained to an eternity without Him. My opinion is worthless. It's just thoughts in my head, but notice that I offered no sources, no evidence, no authority. None of the callers mentioned any Scripture either.
I think this idea we Americans have that our opinions matter and are all equally valid has spilled over into the religious arena. Too often, I hear Christians debating theological points by beginning their statements, "Well, I think..." Who cares?!? What does Scripture say?
I would say a very large majority of churches are complicit in advancing the notion that we can debate and vote on Scriptural principles, and that everyone's opinion is just that with no one opinion holding more or less weight. I don't think too many churches respond with, "Well, it doesn't really matter what you think or believe, what does the Bible say?" when faced with difficult circumstances. In fact, many times, responding with Scripture is an anathema to those in leadership. They don't want the Bible thrown in their faces.
There is actually a Biblical model for using the truth of Scripture... but that's another post! Suffice it to say that the Bible MUST be the absolute foundation for our thoughts and beliefs. Without that, we have set our ownselves up as authorities. And that is what is known as idol worship.
Callers began to call in with their belief for or against the idea of Hell. Each had their own opinion of what it was, who would go there and why, and what level of punishment would be fair.
All somewhat interesting comments, but I kept thinking, "Who cares what you think? What does God say?" After all, it's not like we get a vote! Who cares if I think Hell is a literal place of burning torture and all who reject God's loving advances in this life are constrained to an eternity without Him. My opinion is worthless. It's just thoughts in my head, but notice that I offered no sources, no evidence, no authority. None of the callers mentioned any Scripture either.
I think this idea we Americans have that our opinions matter and are all equally valid has spilled over into the religious arena. Too often, I hear Christians debating theological points by beginning their statements, "Well, I think..." Who cares?!? What does Scripture say?
I would say a very large majority of churches are complicit in advancing the notion that we can debate and vote on Scriptural principles, and that everyone's opinion is just that with no one opinion holding more or less weight. I don't think too many churches respond with, "Well, it doesn't really matter what you think or believe, what does the Bible say?" when faced with difficult circumstances. In fact, many times, responding with Scripture is an anathema to those in leadership. They don't want the Bible thrown in their faces.
There is actually a Biblical model for using the truth of Scripture... but that's another post! Suffice it to say that the Bible MUST be the absolute foundation for our thoughts and beliefs. Without that, we have set our ownselves up as authorities. And that is what is known as idol worship.
Drew Bowles (Parkcrest) - React with praise
Parkcrest is going through Acts and delving into the ways of the early church.
Acts 16:16-40 tells the story of Paul and Silas getting dragged into prison, quite unfairly for casting out a demon. Their reaction is one of praise as they sat in the pitch darkness of a horrific dungeon.
Oh, I know that wouldn't have been my reaction!
I have been struggling lately with the idea of how I react. I know I often react very badly and not at all the way God would have wanted me to. But I also know, like so many things, learning to react and how to react is a process. He's teaching me not to fly off into my own way of thinking, but to seek Him for direction.
But that takes time! In the moment, as situations unfold, our reactions are often instant. I haven't yet figured out how to know exactly the way God wants me to react in the heat of the moment.
That's where the brilliance of this passage comes in. It's so simple, I missed it. They didn't react, rather they took the time to praise God - at that instant. In the time they were praising and praying, God showed up, literally as an earthquake freed them from their bonds and ultimately led to the salvation of the jailer and his family.
That's it! If I can simply react to whatever gets thrown in my path by praising God, my own fleshly reaction can have time to simmer down and I give God space to show up. How many times have I crowded out the Holy Spirit because I am so busy responding in whatever way just pops out of me? Simply praising God rather than answering back in the flesh - that's gonna be hard!
Acts 16:16-40 tells the story of Paul and Silas getting dragged into prison, quite unfairly for casting out a demon. Their reaction is one of praise as they sat in the pitch darkness of a horrific dungeon.
Oh, I know that wouldn't have been my reaction!
I have been struggling lately with the idea of how I react. I know I often react very badly and not at all the way God would have wanted me to. But I also know, like so many things, learning to react and how to react is a process. He's teaching me not to fly off into my own way of thinking, but to seek Him for direction.
But that takes time! In the moment, as situations unfold, our reactions are often instant. I haven't yet figured out how to know exactly the way God wants me to react in the heat of the moment.
That's where the brilliance of this passage comes in. It's so simple, I missed it. They didn't react, rather they took the time to praise God - at that instant. In the time they were praising and praying, God showed up, literally as an earthquake freed them from their bonds and ultimately led to the salvation of the jailer and his family.
That's it! If I can simply react to whatever gets thrown in my path by praising God, my own fleshly reaction can have time to simmer down and I give God space to show up. How many times have I crowded out the Holy Spirit because I am so busy responding in whatever way just pops out of me? Simply praising God rather than answering back in the flesh - that's gonna be hard!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Mike Goldsworthy, Hebrews, and Andy Stanley - You'll never be good enough
So I put all those names in the title because usually when God hits me something, He does it over and over (see the Peter connection here?).
Last Saturday, Mike Goldsworthy of Parkcrest was talking about the obstacles the early church put in the way of the new believers. I braced myself for a typical "Isn't the church awful and don't we throw up a lot of obstacles to non-believers?" kind of sermon. But once again, he surprised me and didn't go that route. Instead he talked about the obstacles we throw up in front of ourselves in our journey of faith.
He talked about the idolatry of identity. We want a purpose and significance. But anything other than living a Christ-centered life is sin.
Then he hit me with the obstacle of religion. This is the idea that we can earn our salvation. Now I know I can't earn my salvation, but I definitely struggle with the thought that I can be good enough that God will find me acceptable.
Since I've always lived a "good girl" sort of life, I generally believe I deserve whatever blessings come my way. I've followed the rules and continue to try to follow them. Obviously God owes me, right? Hear how awful that sounds? I'm very close at times to believing that I don't really even need God's grace. After all, I haven't screwed up in any major way. This leads me to such judgementalism where I want to tell other, Stop screwing up. Just do everything right. How hard is that?
But as he was talking I realized that the fact that I have been able to lead a "good girl" life at all is because of His grace. If life is like a race, I was born a step from the finish line and figured I was an Olympian athlete. God gave me every advantage - great family, raised in church, never in poverty, good schools, great influences. I actually had no excuse NOT to live a good life. Now I dare to take credit for what He gave me! Instead of looking down my nose on those struggling in the race, I should be the one helping them along. Just who do I think I am anyway?
Now we are studying Hebrews, a book written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to turn back to the law. Living under grace was too easy. They had to DO something to EARN God's love and acceptance. I identify.
Then Andy Stanley talked about working for the Lord. It's not WHAT we do that brings us significance, it's WHO we are doing it for.
The fact the God loves me and has accepted me no matter what, that it is not dependent on anything I do, and is only dependent on Christ's death is somewhat incomprehensible to me. It can't be ME that He loves, it's the me that follows the rules, right?
Oh, I gotta wrap my mind around this one.
Last Saturday, Mike Goldsworthy of Parkcrest was talking about the obstacles the early church put in the way of the new believers. I braced myself for a typical "Isn't the church awful and don't we throw up a lot of obstacles to non-believers?" kind of sermon. But once again, he surprised me and didn't go that route. Instead he talked about the obstacles we throw up in front of ourselves in our journey of faith.
He talked about the idolatry of identity. We want a purpose and significance. But anything other than living a Christ-centered life is sin.
Then he hit me with the obstacle of religion. This is the idea that we can earn our salvation. Now I know I can't earn my salvation, but I definitely struggle with the thought that I can be good enough that God will find me acceptable.
Since I've always lived a "good girl" sort of life, I generally believe I deserve whatever blessings come my way. I've followed the rules and continue to try to follow them. Obviously God owes me, right? Hear how awful that sounds? I'm very close at times to believing that I don't really even need God's grace. After all, I haven't screwed up in any major way. This leads me to such judgementalism where I want to tell other, Stop screwing up. Just do everything right. How hard is that?
But as he was talking I realized that the fact that I have been able to lead a "good girl" life at all is because of His grace. If life is like a race, I was born a step from the finish line and figured I was an Olympian athlete. God gave me every advantage - great family, raised in church, never in poverty, good schools, great influences. I actually had no excuse NOT to live a good life. Now I dare to take credit for what He gave me! Instead of looking down my nose on those struggling in the race, I should be the one helping them along. Just who do I think I am anyway?
Now we are studying Hebrews, a book written to Jewish Christians who were tempted to turn back to the law. Living under grace was too easy. They had to DO something to EARN God's love and acceptance. I identify.
Then Andy Stanley talked about working for the Lord. It's not WHAT we do that brings us significance, it's WHO we are doing it for.
The fact the God loves me and has accepted me no matter what, that it is not dependent on anything I do, and is only dependent on Christ's death is somewhat incomprehensible to me. It can't be ME that He loves, it's the me that follows the rules, right?
Oh, I gotta wrap my mind around this one.
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