Theology for Daily Living: A Class for Women
Session Five: Faith
Today we looked at the three compentents that make up the theology of faith- faith that saves, grows/acts, and unites us to Christ
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,” Hebrews 12:1-2
Faith Saves (Hebrews 11:1-6)
Faith tells us that God is: although we do not see Him we know Him. Through faith we know Him and we trust Him. Through faith we are connected personally and intimately to God.
1. What is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” And Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
Baker’s defines faith as “belief, trust, and loyalty to a person or thing. Christians find their security and hope in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and say ‘amen’ to that unique relationship to God in the Holy Spirit through love and obedience as expressed in lives of discipleship and service.”
2. Knowledge vs. Belief
Faith is more than simply acknowledging the person and work of Christ. There are men in the bible who knew Jesus and still did not believe. Knowledge is not enough; we can “believe” all we read in the gospels and lack faith. Faith is trust in the promises of God, that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He said He would do. Both Cain and Abel knew God, but it was Abel who had faith (Hebrews 11:4, cf. Genesis 4).
3. pro nobis
Faith is personal. Faith hinges on the distinct idea that Christ’s death and resurrection was for each of us. Martin Luther refers to this as pro nobis, that Christ was born for us individually and accomplished for us the work of salvation. This is where belief overcomes knowledge, where we move from darkness to Light (John 11:26), death to life (Romans 6:11) – when we trust that Jesus’ work on the cross was for us, personally. Faith believes that God’s word applies to each one of us (Hebrews 11:3, 6).
Faith begins, as CS Lewis said, in a point where we recognize who we are, our moral bankruptcy, and who God is, His complete supremacy – even if we could give a perfect existence to God, it would only be His due. We come to Christ empty, but faith doesn’t end there. Faith acts. Faith works. Faith grows.
Faith Grows (Hebrews 11:7-40)
In this section, the author of Hebrews runs through an Old Testament “hall of fame” of sorts. It’s all the famous heroes of the bible, men and women of faith. We see that their faith was composed of trust and obedience; their faith was one that worked, acted and grew (as our faith should – 1 John 2:3-6; James 1:21-27).
1. Trust (11:7-16)
Faith is about trusting in the promises of God. Noah trusted God when He said He was going to flood the earth (Genesis 6). Abraham trusted God when God told him to leave his home (Genesis 12). Sarah trusted God would give her a son (Genesis 21).
Hebrews 11:13-16 describes them as thinking of a “better country.” They trusted in God to work in His time and they kept their focus on what God said was real. CS Lewis describes this aspect of faith as “the art of holding onto things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods. For moods will change, whatever view your reason takes…” Remember the psalmist in Psalm 73 (from the first class)? We have to fall upon who God says He is, especially in the face of our emotions.
2. Obedience (11:17-29)
Obedience is faith in action. In every example of faith there is an overarching theme of obedience. Abraham is credited as a man of faith because he obeyed (Genesis 22). The author of Hebrews shows how Abraham’s obedience blessed and affected his generations (11:20-22), and the apostle Paul calls him the father of our faith (Galatians 3:7-9, cf. Romans 4:11).
In Deuteronomy Moses, after laying before the Israelites blessings (through obeying the law) and curses (through disobeying the law), exhorts the people to choose life, to choose to obey. “Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him,” Deuteronomy 30:19b-20.
Obeying God is a choice we make, it’s about our heart. Through faith we choose to trust Him and know that He is a rewarder of those who trust and obey (Hebrews 11:6, cf. Genesis 22:15-18). In Hebrews 11:24-29 we see that the choices Moses and his parents made were made out of faith. They “endured,” they saw Him “who was unseen” and in faith, they obeyed.
3. Work (11:30-40)
Philippians 2:12-13 exhorts believers to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you.” Faith must be cultivated, it grows or fades – it is not stagnant. Abraham grew in his faith. “Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God…” Romans 4:19-20.
Hebrews 11: 33-38. Our faith is manifested in our actions. What we believe isn’t in what we say but in what we do. The people in this section of scripture endured suffering and apparent defeat in death.
4. Right Action, Right Belief
Faith acts. Faith’s actions are born from trust and obedience. Jesus rebuked his disciples for lacking faith when they were fraught with worry, anxiety, distress and confusion (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31 and 16:8). Our lives look different when we live out our faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 says “Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.” And the actions of faith are born and exist in the union we have with God, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of us.
Faith Unites Us to Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2)
The power of faith unites us to Christ. As John 11:46 says, we have moved from darkness into Light. Faith is what moves us from a life of sin and death (darkness) to a life in Christ (Light). Paul stresses this fact with the use of the phrase “in Christ” (i.e. Romans 6:11, 23).
Luther described faith as the wedding ring which unites us to our bridegroom, Christ. He said faith “unites the soul with Christ, as a bride is united with her bridegroom.” Peter, in writing an exhortation to a church in the midst of a painful time, said of the enemy, “but resist him, firm in your faith.” Growing in our faith is like building a firm marriage; Christ is our bridegroom, our wedding ring is our faith, and we are to be faithful brides.
Hebrews 12:1-2 is both an exhortation and an instruction. Becoming ever more firm in our faith builds our relationship and is our protection in this life – like the examples of faith in Hebrews 11, who were ‘looking for a different country,’ (11:16) and ‘saw Christ as greater than riches’ (26) and ‘gained approval through their faith’ (11:39). And we live faith by putting aside sin (11:25), fixing our eyes on Christ (11:16, 12:2).
Discussion Questions
1. Habakkuk 2:4 tells us “the righteous shall live by faith.” Why is that verse so key? What does it mean to live by faith? ** the idea being that to live by faith combines right action (live) with right belief (faith).
2. The author of Hebrews says Moses “chose to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,” Hebrews 11:25. How does the idea of an “eternal perspective,” (see 11:13-16 and 11:24-27) effect the way we should live out our daily lives? How does the idea of obedience play out here? *remember Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 30:19, we have to choose life, obedience is always a choice we make…
3. After all these great examples of powerful acts of faith, chapter 11 ends with “and all these, having gained approval through their faith did not receive what was promised.” What does it say about our faith when we pray or look to God for some thing or event that doesn’t happen and we get distressed? or angry? How should we respond to seasons (or even lives) of waiting? *for example, Abraham had been waiting decades before he was blessed w/ a son…
4. What does it mean to say there is a difference between faith and knowledge? Does it make sense to you that the puritans promoted faith as something that had to occur within the whole person?
5. Martin Luther really promoted the analogy of faith as the wedding ring that unites the believer (bride) to Christ (bridegroom). What does it mean to be in union with Christ? How does Ephesians 5:25-32 impact your view of your union with Christ?
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Forgiveness and Love
I thought I’d clarify for you a comment I made on the last night of the retreat. It seemed there were many gals who didn’t want to come because they don’t feel they relate to women well. I totally respect and understand that, and definitely could have been said to feel that way myself in years past. However, my reasons were quite different. Let me explain.
I had prepared for months to do the Worship music for the retreat with joy and gladness in my heart. I was excited and challenged. I’d never led in such a capacity before. I’d led out on songs, and I’d even helped Tom make up sets before, but I’d never had the burden of responsibility so squarely put on my shoulders. However, I was confident God would be strong in my weakness and inability. I prayed for each of you who attended, that God would work in your hearts through the message and the music, and that particularly, the offerings of music would draw you to God and truly lead you in to worship. I prayed that I wouldn’t get in the way, and that the “team” would pull together in harmony.
I forgot to pray for myself, and I came under serious spiritual attack. A few days before the retreat, I began to doubt my ability to successfully navigate a whole weekend’s worth of worship sets. I began to feel we as a team had too little preparation. Thursday, I began to doubt you gals would be able to sing along, and that it would become a hobbled, rag tag performance of sorts as we limped our way through the songs. And though God calmed my fears and assuaged my doubts, I began to let bitterness grow toward others, and it started so small, I didn’t notice it.
Over two years ago, the Holy Spirit turned my life around by teaching me to forgive. I learned that my bitterness was most damaging to me, rather than those whom I harbored it towards. But what’s more, I learned that I was in disobedience to God, throwing his love—his forgiveness—back in his face. I learned that I was exacting punishment for small sins against me, while begging God to forgive my very nature. So humbling and so freeing was this revelation about forgiveness, that my marriage was restored. My life was so vastly improved by a heart willing to forgive that I couldn’t help but share the news and the value of forgiveness with others. If you want to read a few of the verses that were instrumental in learning about forgiveness, see Eph 4:26-27, 31-32, and especially Matthew 18:21-35
Ever since then, I have occasional bouts of believing I have this forgiveness “thing” figured out, and God has shown me otherwise. As soon as pride creeps in and I feel I’ve arrived and am complete, as far as forgiving others, I am challenged and I fail, and rediscover that it is only through Christ that I can forgive at all—I forgive because I have been forgiven, and that not of my own ability, but through Christ in me.
The retreat found me in such a place of pride, on the brink of a challenge, on the brink of failure, and quite simply, I didn’t want to go there. I didn’t want the pain of growth, I didn’t want to change.
I guess for once, pride served me well, because there was no way I could let Bridget and Crystal, Tammi, and Sarah down. I couldn’t face them if I gave up and bagged out. And so, I went on the retreat.
Praise God that he is faithful to himself. Nothing got in the way of his name being praised and glorified. It was an awesome weekend of worship, and you gals sang your hearts out! It was truly such a blessing and a joy to be a part of.
However, I didn’t experience the full joy and blessing of the weekend until over a week had passed. My fear of being challenged and of failure had been fully realized, and though I’d succeeded in forgiveness on some fronts, I had let a vital aspect of forgiveness slip through my fingers.
Forgiveness is not simply about turning the other cheek and forgoing retribution. It’s not about putting the past behind you. As a Christian, forgiveness is about emulating Christ, and he is LOVE. Forgiveness in Christ is about love.
And though I felt I had gone quite far enough in forgiving, and by the world’s standards, I’d gone much farther than necessary, I fell far short of Christ. How deep is Christ’s love? Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” On the cross, he begged forgiveness for his killers (Luke 23:34a), and John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” —mothers, you know how great a love it must be that a father could sacrifice his own child!
Ah, my heart. Even writing this, I am struck with how lowly I am. How foolishly I raised myself up, crowing in pride over my righteousness. How I mocked God in claiming to love and forgive those who sin against me. God’s love is so much more than I offer in my measly forgiveness. He not only gave up his Son for us, but then adopted us as his own! (Ephesians 1:5) How far did I want to go? I wanted to “forgive” and then detach. It would be easy to avoid a recurring need to forgive if I simply avoided anyone who could require my forgiveness.
The book Chris is currently taking us through, Ecclesiastes, is not my favorite, but like the retreat, it serves to reveal my sin and causes growing pains, and the growth itself is good. Chapter 7 was so perfectly timed and full of pointed truths:
Ecc 7:9 “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.”
I’m not sure eager is the best description of what was going on in my heart, but I was inclined to become angry, which is essentially the same thing.
Ecc 7:16 “Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?”
Chris explained that being excessively righteous is self righteousness. That’s exactly what I was.
Ecc 7:20 “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who {continually} does good and who never sins.”
A very true statement, and a very good reason not to be self righteous.
Ecc 7:21 - 22 “Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.
For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.”
What good advice! Why should I take so seriously words that are not given much consideration by the one who speaks them? And another good reminder that I am not above sin.
Ecclesiastes 7 was God piercing my heart with truth.
But in my pride and blindness, I refused to fully comprehend the purpose of these verses in my life for that moment. So God pressed me further with fruitful fellowship. The final stroke, when my eyes were truly opened, came from a conversation with Beth Stitt, in which I spoke of my mom, who looks for the good in others rather than the bad. I’ve strived to cultivate the same perspective. My mom is inclined to love others rather than critically regard them, finding weakness and flaws. She sees people as unfinished projects, and shows love even in the face of unkindness toward herself.
As I related this, I realized that Christ’s love is so much greater even than this. My mom’s love requires that she be able to recognize some character trait as good. Christ loves us in spite of clearly seeing all our bad points, and seeing, too, that our good points are rather more like our least-worst points, hardly good at all. I want to look on others with Christ’s eyes, and have Christ’s love.
What’s more, the love of Jesus is not a one time thing, there is no limit to it. And so each day we sin against him, and each day, our all-knowing God loves us anyway, forgiving us and being in our lives and exposing himself to more of our sin tomorrow. (Lamentations 3:21-23, Psalm 100:5)
In all my unworthiness, God, in all his greatness, loves me. Who could possibly be so unworthy as to not deserve my love?
There is no one.
I’ve prayed for the last year that God would give me His heart of love, and I can say with confidence that I now have a fuller understanding of what that means, and that I have a heart more like his than ever before. It’s worth all the pain it took to get there. What a joy and what a blessing. Praise God!
I had prepared for months to do the Worship music for the retreat with joy and gladness in my heart. I was excited and challenged. I’d never led in such a capacity before. I’d led out on songs, and I’d even helped Tom make up sets before, but I’d never had the burden of responsibility so squarely put on my shoulders. However, I was confident God would be strong in my weakness and inability. I prayed for each of you who attended, that God would work in your hearts through the message and the music, and that particularly, the offerings of music would draw you to God and truly lead you in to worship. I prayed that I wouldn’t get in the way, and that the “team” would pull together in harmony.
I forgot to pray for myself, and I came under serious spiritual attack. A few days before the retreat, I began to doubt my ability to successfully navigate a whole weekend’s worth of worship sets. I began to feel we as a team had too little preparation. Thursday, I began to doubt you gals would be able to sing along, and that it would become a hobbled, rag tag performance of sorts as we limped our way through the songs. And though God calmed my fears and assuaged my doubts, I began to let bitterness grow toward others, and it started so small, I didn’t notice it.
Over two years ago, the Holy Spirit turned my life around by teaching me to forgive. I learned that my bitterness was most damaging to me, rather than those whom I harbored it towards. But what’s more, I learned that I was in disobedience to God, throwing his love—his forgiveness—back in his face. I learned that I was exacting punishment for small sins against me, while begging God to forgive my very nature. So humbling and so freeing was this revelation about forgiveness, that my marriage was restored. My life was so vastly improved by a heart willing to forgive that I couldn’t help but share the news and the value of forgiveness with others. If you want to read a few of the verses that were instrumental in learning about forgiveness, see Eph 4:26-27, 31-32, and especially Matthew 18:21-35
Ever since then, I have occasional bouts of believing I have this forgiveness “thing” figured out, and God has shown me otherwise. As soon as pride creeps in and I feel I’ve arrived and am complete, as far as forgiving others, I am challenged and I fail, and rediscover that it is only through Christ that I can forgive at all—I forgive because I have been forgiven, and that not of my own ability, but through Christ in me.
The retreat found me in such a place of pride, on the brink of a challenge, on the brink of failure, and quite simply, I didn’t want to go there. I didn’t want the pain of growth, I didn’t want to change.
I guess for once, pride served me well, because there was no way I could let Bridget and Crystal, Tammi, and Sarah down. I couldn’t face them if I gave up and bagged out. And so, I went on the retreat.
Praise God that he is faithful to himself. Nothing got in the way of his name being praised and glorified. It was an awesome weekend of worship, and you gals sang your hearts out! It was truly such a blessing and a joy to be a part of.
However, I didn’t experience the full joy and blessing of the weekend until over a week had passed. My fear of being challenged and of failure had been fully realized, and though I’d succeeded in forgiveness on some fronts, I had let a vital aspect of forgiveness slip through my fingers.
Forgiveness is not simply about turning the other cheek and forgoing retribution. It’s not about putting the past behind you. As a Christian, forgiveness is about emulating Christ, and he is LOVE. Forgiveness in Christ is about love.
And though I felt I had gone quite far enough in forgiving, and by the world’s standards, I’d gone much farther than necessary, I fell far short of Christ. How deep is Christ’s love? Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” On the cross, he begged forgiveness for his killers (Luke 23:34a), and John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” —mothers, you know how great a love it must be that a father could sacrifice his own child!
Ah, my heart. Even writing this, I am struck with how lowly I am. How foolishly I raised myself up, crowing in pride over my righteousness. How I mocked God in claiming to love and forgive those who sin against me. God’s love is so much more than I offer in my measly forgiveness. He not only gave up his Son for us, but then adopted us as his own! (Ephesians 1:5) How far did I want to go? I wanted to “forgive” and then detach. It would be easy to avoid a recurring need to forgive if I simply avoided anyone who could require my forgiveness.
The book Chris is currently taking us through, Ecclesiastes, is not my favorite, but like the retreat, it serves to reveal my sin and causes growing pains, and the growth itself is good. Chapter 7 was so perfectly timed and full of pointed truths:
Ecc 7:9 “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.”
I’m not sure eager is the best description of what was going on in my heart, but I was inclined to become angry, which is essentially the same thing.
Ecc 7:16 “Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?”
Chris explained that being excessively righteous is self righteousness. That’s exactly what I was.
Ecc 7:20 “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who {continually} does good and who never sins.”
A very true statement, and a very good reason not to be self righteous.
Ecc 7:21 - 22 “Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.
For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.”
What good advice! Why should I take so seriously words that are not given much consideration by the one who speaks them? And another good reminder that I am not above sin.
Ecclesiastes 7 was God piercing my heart with truth.
But in my pride and blindness, I refused to fully comprehend the purpose of these verses in my life for that moment. So God pressed me further with fruitful fellowship. The final stroke, when my eyes were truly opened, came from a conversation with Beth Stitt, in which I spoke of my mom, who looks for the good in others rather than the bad. I’ve strived to cultivate the same perspective. My mom is inclined to love others rather than critically regard them, finding weakness and flaws. She sees people as unfinished projects, and shows love even in the face of unkindness toward herself.
As I related this, I realized that Christ’s love is so much greater even than this. My mom’s love requires that she be able to recognize some character trait as good. Christ loves us in spite of clearly seeing all our bad points, and seeing, too, that our good points are rather more like our least-worst points, hardly good at all. I want to look on others with Christ’s eyes, and have Christ’s love.
What’s more, the love of Jesus is not a one time thing, there is no limit to it. And so each day we sin against him, and each day, our all-knowing God loves us anyway, forgiving us and being in our lives and exposing himself to more of our sin tomorrow. (Lamentations 3:21-23, Psalm 100:5)
In all my unworthiness, God, in all his greatness, loves me. Who could possibly be so unworthy as to not deserve my love?
There is no one.
I’ve prayed for the last year that God would give me His heart of love, and I can say with confidence that I now have a fuller understanding of what that means, and that I have a heart more like his than ever before. It’s worth all the pain it took to get there. What a joy and what a blessing. Praise God!
Monday, May 26, 2008
May 31st....
....is our last class! Same time (9am) and same place (seaside)- I hope we see you all there!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
(a bit late) April's Notes
God the Spirit
Well, due to a bout of "walking" pneumonia I didn't actually teach (or attend) class this month. However I do have notes for all of those who missed and a summary of class (thank you Susan!!). I would encourage you to look over the notes and verses and grow in understanding of the person and work of God the Spirit!
"Some good discussions on the Holy Spirit being a person of the Trinity and not a thing (ie. how our sin grieves the Spirit). We then looked at some practical applications on "being led by" and "walking in" the Spirit. We used examples as to how we are all being led by something (t.v., music, books, mag., people) and it's in the discerning of whether it's wisdom from the ages or Spiritual wisdom that is directing our paths. And we then closed with "being unified by the Spirit" and how we can become dogmatic with our methods (pregnancy, parenting, education, work, food,etc), which, when our focus is being "right" instead of seeing that God uses all things for His glory, the result is separation and isolation."
The Holy Spirit guides and directs God’s people
Note the contrast b/w desires of the flesh and desires of the Spirit.
Our lives should be responding moment by moment to the desires of the Spirit, fighting off the desires of the flesh (Heb 12:1). The Greek word for “desires” is a word that refers to strong human desires, beyond simple intellectual wants. The implication then is that we are to follow desires produced/prompted by the HS in us.
Well, due to a bout of "walking" pneumonia I didn't actually teach (or attend) class this month. However I do have notes for all of those who missed and a summary of class (thank you Susan!!). I would encourage you to look over the notes and verses and grow in understanding of the person and work of God the Spirit!
"Some good discussions on the Holy Spirit being a person of the Trinity and not a thing (ie. how our sin grieves the Spirit). We then looked at some practical applications on "being led by" and "walking in" the Spirit. We used examples as to how we are all being led by something (t.v., music, books, mag., people) and it's in the discerning of whether it's wisdom from the ages or Spiritual wisdom that is directing our paths. And we then closed with "being unified by the Spirit" and how we can become dogmatic with our methods (pregnancy, parenting, education, work, food,etc), which, when our focus is being "right" instead of seeing that God uses all things for His glory, the result is separation and isolation."
The Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity, equal to/is God. The Holy Spirit’s role is described as “Helper,” “Counselor,” etc, and when we come to belief and accept Christ then it is the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, confirming our hearts transformation. This is a gift of God who has placed His Spirit in us giving us access to Him.
See: Ephesians 2:13-14, 18,Ezekiel 36: 26-27, Acts 2:17-18; 38-39, 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19-20
V.9-12 - The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth
God has always been the One to make Himself known. In the O.T. He did this through visible showings (miracles, signs, fire, etc). In the N.T. Jesus was the revealer of God in the flesh, and finally the Holy Spirit has become the One to reveal the mind of God to His people now.
The Holy Spirit guides and directs God’s people
-Be led by the Spirit
Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18 (moreover the idea of being led by the HS implies an active personal participation by the HS in guiding us- Acts 15:28, 16:6-7, 20:22-23
-Walk by the Spirit
Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:16-26-Walk by the Spirit
Note the contrast b/w desires of the flesh and desires of the Spirit.
Our lives should be responding moment by moment to the desires of the Spirit, fighting off the desires of the flesh (Heb 12:1). The Greek word for “desires” is a word that refers to strong human desires, beyond simple intellectual wants. The implication then is that we are to follow desires produced/prompted by the HS in us.
V.13 - The Holy Spirit Sanctifies us
Knowing God better and better (through the Spirit) shows through in our actions. We and God (HS) work out our salvation together: Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 8:13
V.14-16 – The Holy Spirit unifies us
Spiritual matters can only be understood by those who have the indwelling of the Spirit. God’s desire for His church is that we would be one body, sealed by the Spirit, with one purpose of making Jesus known.
Philippians 2:1-3, Ephesians 4:3
**The point each class should make is that we already are living what we believe; but right living only comes through right theology. If we’ve been living without the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit then we’ve been short changing ourselves and probably have gone astray more times than we ought.
Questions –
1. How has today’s study helped you to better understand the
Holy Spirit and His role in your life?
2. Can you give some practical examples of when you have known you
were living in submission to the Spirit of God?
3. How can this information be helpful to others you know?
What about in your own home – is your spouse or roommates living a life that shows the presence of God’s indwelling power? Why or why not?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
just kidding
Women's Theology this Saturday (April 19th) is NOT canceled (for those who read the post before it was edited). I was waiting and waiting to get better from this bug since the end of march-but I got worse not better...well, it turns out I have "walking" pneumonia.
So, we will be having a guest speaker this month (Miss Susan Swan) and it should be very exciting. The topic is still the Holy Spirit: notes will still be posted-but probably later then usual.
So, we will be having a guest speaker this month (Miss Susan Swan) and it should be very exciting. The topic is still the Holy Spirit: notes will still be posted-but probably later then usual.
Lastly I just wanted to take a sec to encourage anybody who is free around 3pm Saturday to hook up w/ Brytt and help out at the pregnancy resource center (bkeel@strategyrealestate.net). Have a great weekend ladies, see you at Fort Warden!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Chrissy P.'s Story
Well Seaside is reaching for the bottom of the barrel when they ask for my testimony, did I say that out loud ? Crystal asked me about doing this I believe a month ago. It sounded like an easy task, but one day went into another and I struggled for what to say or not say. Don't really feel qualified or good at being a Christan, still pretty amazed that God really wants an intimate real relationship with me, a schmuck from Bremerton. So I am praying this will be received in his authority and not my own. If anything , I would love my family and friends to hear how and to whom I profess my faith, so I guess it's all good.
I feel like God's hand was on me and in my life since early on. Didn't always acknowledge this and struggled with his purpose in the pain not only for me , but particularly the people in my life. Our family like so many were victimized by abuse and abandoned at times by this fallen world. No one ever wakes up and says hey I think this good looking , manipulative individual is cute I think I'll marry him so my children and loved ones can be tormented. It just happened. If anything I have learned a lot of offenders are snakes, some are very successful, good looking, seem nice, and spiritual leaders in some places. I am explaining that I was not the only victim, so read this with mercy and grace, we were all victims . God's permissive will allowed this to happen, but he also gifted me with a huge obnoxious mouth which often gets me into trouble. Had I not had this annoying mouth the abuse would have never been discovered or stopped at the age of 5. Never saw my biological s---- doner, or my grandmother on his side any more. What is interesting my brother later contacted him 2 yrs. ago and he never thought he did anything wrong, nor do I expect him to, unless its Gods will, my Grandmother lives in a nursing home in Florida and is 93, I guess I look like her, I have been petitioning in prayer for their forgiveness and peacefulness, probably out of pity because I know there is a just a fair God whom will make them know , and also hope even for them that they might know Christ and be forgiven as well........It only took me till I was almost 40 to do this,I am a slow learner.
I was baptised by my Grandpa at the age of 8. I knew God and Jesus loved me , and I felt loved during my baptism . But God and Jesus seemed distant still, literal like up in heaven. Someone I spoke to when things were reallllllly bad. Mom re-married , knucklehead #2, we all thought he was OK, we met him at church.... After years of my mother being emotionally abused, my bro. physically , and finally me as a young teen sexually abused. I would say the best thing that came from all this was my little sister, and all the free counseling, part of WA state's reformation program, thank you tax payers. He still was a bad guy but the abuse stopped, but I believe it was that loud mouth that I was blessed with that stopped it all again and protected my sister, it was God. we spent years in counseling, sometimes we would go 2-3 nights per wk. It was another blessing, I needed it to live. I was suicidal at times and put myself in scary situations over and over mostly because I felt responsible for it all. Again God's hand was on me at church camps, and protected more times than I even know, because physically I came through some pretty dark scary Godless places unscathed, Thank you God.
My Grandpa was, my hero, he was orphaned young, barely educated past the 3rd grade. But he was a great Grandpa, and he loved everyone , appropriately, he was safe, and the closest thing to a Dad I had known. Everyone knew him, he waved at everyone, even sometimes to no one, he fought on Normandy beach, he was one of my protectors. He died at the age of 62 while we were camping, I fished with him that morning. You always saw love and God at work in him even when he mumbled under his breath, or whatever, I think that's why everyone loved him. I finished nursing school by the grace of God, it was tough. I was engaged for 8yrs. to Jourdan's biological dad. I helped raise 4 of his 5 teens, Scotty for 6 yrs. I always seemed to pick good looking guys who were emotionally and physically unavailable, much of what I grew up with,so it seemed tolerable. Jourdan was born when I was 26yrs. It was one of the best things in my life, the scariest, the most humbling. We split up, due to Gods plan to give me a better life, which I didn't know was possible. At the time I hit bottom, wasn't that there was this great relationship lost, I lost the kids I took care of forever that was horrible, it was the last straw for me. I am sure I wouldn't have made it through all this without Jourdan. It wasn't the affair, I had come to expect little from most men. It was the fact I still felt responsible for everyone leaving. I was depressed, bitter,and angry. The only reason I made better choices for my life was for my child, and then after a while they became for me as well. I began to pray more when I became a Mom. With God's hand still on me I quit smoking after 10 yrs. I met and married a great guy, George. Talk about ascary leap of faith; he was more normal than I thought possible, was a great Dad and proposed to J as well as me, and he really loves me......I know it totally blew my mind too. I still only gave us a year, I had no faith in marriage. We laugh about it now. My Mother, who is another hero to me, married my now adopted dad, Loren, who has been in my life in an appropriate, safe way for 11 yrs. I didn't know how much I needed a dad till God gave me one. And God threw in extra family with him too, if it could get better. My Mom is so happy. God is good.
Ryley was also a gift in my life, she really completed and brought both of our families together. Because of her I got to learn about re-prioritizing, and learned time with my family was so much more important. I took 4 yrs. off work, and joined Mops. I met a good friends Tanna and Tarra there, they bought me a Bible, which I have read cover to cover, and over and over again. Thanks God. I started looking for a church to participate in. My neighbor had been inviting me for a while, I thought she was a Bible thumping freak......I was right, thank you Brytt. Since then I have prayed to know and walk with God more intimately. God has surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses at seaside whom have seen me through a couple different jobs, seen me struggle with pride and control, with my old wounds. George had quadruple heart bi pass surgery last March where they artificially stopped and fixed his heart, I was so supported and loved on by God, through my family, my family and friends and seaside, even by some atheist friends whom I am sure were prompted by God to also fix my gutters, chop wood, and fix the heater, all which went to shit at the same time. During this time I kept reflecting on Lazarus, and Jesus' mercy as he wept for Lazarus.
I am still and will be a continual work of God till his time with me on earth is done. I now know that God seems to have a thing for all these wretches in the bible; Paul, Mary Magdalene, Judah, the tax payer, etc. I know now that my Abba and king in heaven is powerful , sovereign and more loving than is even fathomable. I don't regret any of this time or anything here, in fact I am thankful because now I can testify to you, but also I now work with other young girls and broken people who are full of despair whom have been cast aside, abused and have given up, and I can look at them with confidence and know that there is HOPE AND HEALING IN CHRIST FOR EVERYONE, because of what he has done to me, my family and friends. Now that big mouth I have been blessed with,still gets me into trouble sometimes but now I get to sing in a rock band at church and worship God......Amazing Love!!
Favorite scriptures:
Philippians 4:7, Philippians 4:13, Ephesians3:20-221, Psalms 18:2, Romans8:35-39*
Thanks to the Theology Class Psalms 73,(Thanks Bridget)
I feel like God's hand was on me and in my life since early on. Didn't always acknowledge this and struggled with his purpose in the pain not only for me , but particularly the people in my life. Our family like so many were victimized by abuse and abandoned at times by this fallen world. No one ever wakes up and says hey I think this good looking , manipulative individual is cute I think I'll marry him so my children and loved ones can be tormented. It just happened. If anything I have learned a lot of offenders are snakes, some are very successful, good looking, seem nice, and spiritual leaders in some places. I am explaining that I was not the only victim, so read this with mercy and grace, we were all victims . God's permissive will allowed this to happen, but he also gifted me with a huge obnoxious mouth which often gets me into trouble. Had I not had this annoying mouth the abuse would have never been discovered or stopped at the age of 5. Never saw my biological s---- doner, or my grandmother on his side any more. What is interesting my brother later contacted him 2 yrs. ago and he never thought he did anything wrong, nor do I expect him to, unless its Gods will, my Grandmother lives in a nursing home in Florida and is 93, I guess I look like her, I have been petitioning in prayer for their forgiveness and peacefulness, probably out of pity because I know there is a just a fair God whom will make them know , and also hope even for them that they might know Christ and be forgiven as well........It only took me till I was almost 40 to do this,I am a slow learner.
I was baptised by my Grandpa at the age of 8. I knew God and Jesus loved me , and I felt loved during my baptism . But God and Jesus seemed distant still, literal like up in heaven. Someone I spoke to when things were reallllllly bad. Mom re-married , knucklehead #2, we all thought he was OK, we met him at church.... After years of my mother being emotionally abused, my bro. physically , and finally me as a young teen sexually abused. I would say the best thing that came from all this was my little sister, and all the free counseling, part of WA state's reformation program, thank you tax payers. He still was a bad guy but the abuse stopped, but I believe it was that loud mouth that I was blessed with that stopped it all again and protected my sister, it was God. we spent years in counseling, sometimes we would go 2-3 nights per wk. It was another blessing, I needed it to live. I was suicidal at times and put myself in scary situations over and over mostly because I felt responsible for it all. Again God's hand was on me at church camps, and protected more times than I even know, because physically I came through some pretty dark scary Godless places unscathed, Thank you God.
My Grandpa was, my hero, he was orphaned young, barely educated past the 3rd grade. But he was a great Grandpa, and he loved everyone , appropriately, he was safe, and the closest thing to a Dad I had known. Everyone knew him, he waved at everyone, even sometimes to no one, he fought on Normandy beach, he was one of my protectors. He died at the age of 62 while we were camping, I fished with him that morning. You always saw love and God at work in him even when he mumbled under his breath, or whatever, I think that's why everyone loved him. I finished nursing school by the grace of God, it was tough. I was engaged for 8yrs. to Jourdan's biological dad. I helped raise 4 of his 5 teens, Scotty for 6 yrs. I always seemed to pick good looking guys who were emotionally and physically unavailable, much of what I grew up with,so it seemed tolerable. Jourdan was born when I was 26yrs. It was one of the best things in my life, the scariest, the most humbling. We split up, due to Gods plan to give me a better life, which I didn't know was possible. At the time I hit bottom, wasn't that there was this great relationship lost, I lost the kids I took care of forever that was horrible, it was the last straw for me. I am sure I wouldn't have made it through all this without Jourdan. It wasn't the affair, I had come to expect little from most men. It was the fact I still felt responsible for everyone leaving. I was depressed, bitter,and angry. The only reason I made better choices for my life was for my child, and then after a while they became for me as well. I began to pray more when I became a Mom. With God's hand still on me I quit smoking after 10 yrs. I met and married a great guy, George. Talk about ascary leap of faith; he was more normal than I thought possible, was a great Dad and proposed to J as well as me, and he really loves me......I know it totally blew my mind too. I still only gave us a year, I had no faith in marriage. We laugh about it now. My Mother, who is another hero to me, married my now adopted dad, Loren, who has been in my life in an appropriate, safe way for 11 yrs. I didn't know how much I needed a dad till God gave me one. And God threw in extra family with him too, if it could get better. My Mom is so happy. God is good.
Ryley was also a gift in my life, she really completed and brought both of our families together. Because of her I got to learn about re-prioritizing, and learned time with my family was so much more important. I took 4 yrs. off work, and joined Mops. I met a good friends Tanna and Tarra there, they bought me a Bible, which I have read cover to cover, and over and over again. Thanks God. I started looking for a church to participate in. My neighbor had been inviting me for a while, I thought she was a Bible thumping freak......I was right, thank you Brytt. Since then I have prayed to know and walk with God more intimately. God has surrounded me with a great cloud of witnesses at seaside whom have seen me through a couple different jobs, seen me struggle with pride and control, with my old wounds. George had quadruple heart bi pass surgery last March where they artificially stopped and fixed his heart, I was so supported and loved on by God, through my family, my family and friends and seaside, even by some atheist friends whom I am sure were prompted by God to also fix my gutters, chop wood, and fix the heater, all which went to shit at the same time. During this time I kept reflecting on Lazarus, and Jesus' mercy as he wept for Lazarus.
I am still and will be a continual work of God till his time with me on earth is done. I now know that God seems to have a thing for all these wretches in the bible; Paul, Mary Magdalene, Judah, the tax payer, etc. I know now that my Abba and king in heaven is powerful , sovereign and more loving than is even fathomable. I don't regret any of this time or anything here, in fact I am thankful because now I can testify to you, but also I now work with other young girls and broken people who are full of despair whom have been cast aside, abused and have given up, and I can look at them with confidence and know that there is HOPE AND HEALING IN CHRIST FOR EVERYONE, because of what he has done to me, my family and friends. Now that big mouth I have been blessed with,still gets me into trouble sometimes but now I get to sing in a rock band at church and worship God......Amazing Love!!
Favorite scriptures:
Philippians 4:7, Philippians 4:13, Ephesians3:20-221, Psalms 18:2, Romans8:35-39*
Thanks to the Theology Class Psalms 73,(Thanks Bridget)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
with solemn heart
For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins. It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves- Leviticus 16:30-31
How often do we take time to consider our sins? Are we blasé about our sin?
Are we glib when we speak of the cross?
The Day of Atonement was the most serious day of the Jewish year, the people were to cease from working and fast. The point was to meditate on their sins. God desired humble hearts for his people, so that when the priest made atonement for their sins their repentance would be born out of humility.
On Good Friday we gather in a similar way, with solemn hearts, to think about the price paid for our sin...but are we really meditating on our own sins?
Honestly- I could do a whole lot better. Growing up as a Christian, I tended to look forward to Easter and see Good Friday as the hoop you jump through to get to the candy. Now I have learned to think on the excruciating death God died for sinners (me).
Where I fall short is this idea of meditating on my own sin. When I think of my sins, it like an old credit card that is paid off, the debts paid in full, its all good. But that's not the right attitude. /the ideal would be to walk in, thinking of my own sin, and listening to the truth that my God, Jesus, died for all my pettiness. He died the most painful, awful death.
So instead of thinking about Easter, or thinking about a terrible death, I am going to think about my sin, my inability to save myself, right my wrongs. That without Jesus I cannot stand before God. What a terrible weight to bare, yet Jesus bore it all.
How often do we take time to consider our sins? Are we blasé about our sin?
Are we glib when we speak of the cross?
The Day of Atonement was the most serious day of the Jewish year, the people were to cease from working and fast. The point was to meditate on their sins. God desired humble hearts for his people, so that when the priest made atonement for their sins their repentance would be born out of humility.
On Good Friday we gather in a similar way, with solemn hearts, to think about the price paid for our sin...but are we really meditating on our own sins?
Honestly- I could do a whole lot better. Growing up as a Christian, I tended to look forward to Easter and see Good Friday as the hoop you jump through to get to the candy. Now I have learned to think on the excruciating death God died for sinners (me).
Where I fall short is this idea of meditating on my own sin. When I think of my sins, it like an old credit card that is paid off, the debts paid in full, its all good. But that's not the right attitude. /the ideal would be to walk in, thinking of my own sin, and listening to the truth that my God, Jesus, died for all my pettiness. He died the most painful, awful death.
So instead of thinking about Easter, or thinking about a terrible death, I am going to think about my sin, my inability to save myself, right my wrongs. That without Jesus I cannot stand before God. What a terrible weight to bare, yet Jesus bore it all.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Notes from Saturday
Atonement
Session Three: Jesus Our Savior
We Have A Debt To Pay
We are sinners. The word sin basically means, “to miss the mark.” We are constantly missing the mark; we cannot meet the standard, which is God. God says in Leviticus 11:44, “Be holy, for I am holy.” This is the mark we missed, and so are separated from God.
1. Dead
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind…” Ephesians 2:1-3.
2. Irreversible
We are, by our very nature, sinful. Paul explains this in Romans 5— we are born to sin. Through the disobedience of our first parents (Genesis 3) we inherit a will that is bent on sin. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned,” Romans 5:12.
3. Inescapable
And we cannot escape this sinful nature, we cannot correct it. Paul goes on to explain this when he says even when we desire to do what is right, we fail. “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me,” Romans
The penalty for sin is death (Romans
The Day of Atonement
We are condemned to die. God is holy and He told the people of
1. God’s
This they could not do, so God set up a system that would allow Him to dwell among them (Ex 29:45). To accomplish this, God set up a dwelling place (Hebrews 9:1-5) and a system of Law to show the people their sin and a sacrificial system whereby people would sacrifice a perfect, unblemished animal to pay the penalty of death for their sins.
God’s holy dwelling place was called the tabernacle or the tent of meeting. To read about the design more fully check out Exodus, chapters 25-28. There is a courtyard, inside of that was the “tent” which actually had two rooms. The first was called the holy place, where members of the priesthood were burning incense and offering sacrifices each day. The second room, within the first but behind a veil, called the “Most Holy place.” This is where the presence of the Lord was, and no one could enter (Lev 10:1-2, 16:1-2).
2. Kepher
In Hebrew the word translated as “atonement” is kepher. It generally means “cover over” and “pacify” and “propitiation.” God set aside one day specifically for the purpose of atonement. It was the only day of the year when any one could access the presence of the Lord, and then it was only the High Priest (Lev 16).
For God’s people, this was a day of mourning, a day of remembering their crimes against God. Leviticus 16:29-31 instructed them thus-“You shall humble your souls and not do any work, whether the native or the alien who sojourns among you; for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is to be a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, that you may humble your souls…”
On this day the high priest would first sacrifice a bull as a sin offering for himself and his family, so that he would be able to be God’s agent for the people. He would then cleanse himself with water and put on the holy garments (see Ex 28). All the people of
The other goat would be the “scapegoat.” When, through the blood of sacrifice, atonement was made, the high priest was to offer the live goat. He would put his hands on the goat and confess all of the sins of
3. But Sin Remains
And yet, for all of this, the people did not have access to the presence of God. The author of Hebrews puts it best, explaining the deficiency of this to propitiate the sins of the people. “For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” Hebrews 10:1-4.
Once and For All
Jesus’ work so fully satisfied God. There is no more need for the Old Testament system. Through His sinless life, His death and His resurrection He became our perfect sacrifice, our eternal scapegoat and our permanent high priest.
1. Jesus our Sacrifice
Jesus died for our sins. Isaiah 53:3 says “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. Jesus was, like the sacrifices of the Old Testament, perfect, unblemished, without the stain of sin.” See also Hebrews 5:9.
Jesus is our perfect sacrifice because he truly freed us from the penalty of our sins, bearing our suffering and the death we deserved in our place. Romans 8:1-3. We have been justified by Jesus’ death; His blood has cleansed us and will cleanse us, bringing us into relationship with God, Romans 5:8-10.
He was more perfect because He is infinite; therefore the death He died only needed to occur once to cover all sins of all people, Hebrews 9:22-26. A once and for all sacrifice required not a finite being but an eternal one. Jesus’ life was the only payment an infinite God could accept for full atonement, Hebrews 10:10-12.
2. Jesus our Scapegoat
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” 2 Corinthians
Jesus’ lived to take away our sins (1 John 3:5) and when He died He bore the weight of every sin (1 Peter
Therefore, Jesus was both our unblemished sacrifice and eternal scapegoat and because of this we now have right standing before the Lord (Romans
3. Jesus our High Priest.
God, being perfectly satisfied with the work of His Son, is also perfectly satisfied with those who put their trust in Him. In this way, Jesus is our High Priest, representing us (the people) before the Lord (1Timothy 2:5). And Jesus has surpassed the office of high priest, as the author of Hebrews tells us in
The point is that we have a High Priest. Jesus. He is our mediator, our confessor, our intercessor (Hebrews
In light of what we have gained, undeservedly and at terrible price, look at Hebrews 10:19-22. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Dominic
When we have a son, his name will be Dominic. Kit let me in on this decision the day before we were married...and I didn't like the name. But then I read about St. Dominic, a mendicant who lived in Italy in the 1200's. I like Dominic.
The way things worked at that time was the really religious guys would go out into the woods, retreat from the world and cast off all their worldly possessions. Francis of Assisi was the big name of the day, and he was strict in his asceticism- so much so that he didn't allow his followers any religious texts (or any other possessions, for that matter). Another movement of the time was the Albigensians, who converted the people of southern France to Catholicism by force. "Convinced there was a better way to combat heresy, Dominic set out to preach and teach orthodoxy." He encouraged his followers to be well armed intellectually, and encouraged training in truth to combat the heresies of the day.
Heresy is an idea that is held in opposition to orthodoxy, or to put in more plainly, its an idea that is skewed from what the bible has laid down for us as truth. Sometimes the heresies of our day are plain, for example, the idea some people put forward that "Jesus was a good guy but he never claimed to be God," or "There's no one way to get to heaven."
Sometimes they are more subtle (i.e "when Paul told women to submit to their husbands he only said it because that was what the world was like at the time and it doesn't apply to us today."), or the thoughts are posed in such a way where we want to scratch our heads and say, "Does the bible really line up with that?" (a la Eve).
Here is where a practical knowledge of the bible and theology comes in handy- this is what we mean by theology for daily living...A firm knowledge of God and His Word that equips us to combat the heresies of our day.
C.S Lewis in writing about the necessity of theology in our daily lives, said, "Theology is intensely practical: especially now. In the old days there was less education and discussion, perhaps it was possible to get on with a very few simple ideas about God. But it is not so now. Everyone reads. Everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to theology, that will not mean you have no ideas about God. It will mean you have a lot of wrong ones..."
The order Dominic set up is called the Dominicans (creative, huh?). The goal was to teach intelligent, orthodox beliefs to their followers to enable them to go forward and make sound arguments against the heretics of their day. As we talk with our non-Christian friends (and our Christian ones), its good to have a sound doctrine, a firm knowledge of what God has said, of who His Son is. Not so we can take them down a notch, not to obtain "knowledge which puffs up" but "wisdom that builds up" so that we can "speak the truth in love" and "hold fast to the confession of our faith."
The way things worked at that time was the really religious guys would go out into the woods, retreat from the world and cast off all their worldly possessions. Francis of Assisi was the big name of the day, and he was strict in his asceticism- so much so that he didn't allow his followers any religious texts (or any other possessions, for that matter). Another movement of the time was the Albigensians, who converted the people of southern France to Catholicism by force. "Convinced there was a better way to combat heresy, Dominic set out to preach and teach orthodoxy." He encouraged his followers to be well armed intellectually, and encouraged training in truth to combat the heresies of the day.
Heresy is an idea that is held in opposition to orthodoxy, or to put in more plainly, its an idea that is skewed from what the bible has laid down for us as truth. Sometimes the heresies of our day are plain, for example, the idea some people put forward that "Jesus was a good guy but he never claimed to be God," or "There's no one way to get to heaven."
Sometimes they are more subtle (i.e "when Paul told women to submit to their husbands he only said it because that was what the world was like at the time and it doesn't apply to us today."), or the thoughts are posed in such a way where we want to scratch our heads and say, "Does the bible really line up with that?" (a la Eve).
Here is where a practical knowledge of the bible and theology comes in handy- this is what we mean by theology for daily living...A firm knowledge of God and His Word that equips us to combat the heresies of our day.
C.S Lewis in writing about the necessity of theology in our daily lives, said, "Theology is intensely practical: especially now. In the old days there was less education and discussion, perhaps it was possible to get on with a very few simple ideas about God. But it is not so now. Everyone reads. Everyone hears things discussed. Consequently, if you do not listen to theology, that will not mean you have no ideas about God. It will mean you have a lot of wrong ones..."
The order Dominic set up is called the Dominicans (creative, huh?). The goal was to teach intelligent, orthodox beliefs to their followers to enable them to go forward and make sound arguments against the heretics of their day. As we talk with our non-Christian friends (and our Christian ones), its good to have a sound doctrine, a firm knowledge of what God has said, of who His Son is. Not so we can take them down a notch, not to obtain "knowledge which puffs up" but "wisdom that builds up" so that we can "speak the truth in love" and "hold fast to the confession of our faith."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understaning?
I was just reflecting over the discussion questions from last month's theology class. At our table we didn't quite get to all the questions, so this was the first time... in a long time... I have had a moment to sit and meditate over them. The last question stuck out to me....
"In light of the fact that we our God’s kids, how then should we relate to one another? We are in fact one family- is it difficult for you to view other Christians as your brothers and sister? Do you treat the church body as intimately as you do your immediate family?"
As I think of this question... and the questions we have been going over in home group, about how we are maturing in Christ and Serving the Lord, it is easy to go straight to YES!!! But as yes is so rarely the answer... I took it a little deeper. Am I patient with people? Am I quick to judge? Do I show grace? Do I even do this for my immediate family. I like to think I have grace, but as I have slid deeper and deeper into serving, I have found myself frustrated with how slowly it all gets done. Patience is the key theme to my life. God is pounding this lesson into me from all directions right now. In service, at work, in health, at home, in love, and with people. And just as I think that I have learned the lesson of patience.. God provides another situation for me to learn even more.
So this question... No Christians are all my brothers and sisters... some seemed a little more estranged than others. Having grace for people and fighting bitterness are so important. Not only for me but those around me. My complaints about other people, no matter how truthful do not portray God in the light He deserves. Shame on me.
I leave you with portion of Acts 8:21-24
21"You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
24But Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
"In light of the fact that we our God’s kids, how then should we relate to one another? We are in fact one family- is it difficult for you to view other Christians as your brothers and sister? Do you treat the church body as intimately as you do your immediate family?"
As I think of this question... and the questions we have been going over in home group, about how we are maturing in Christ and Serving the Lord, it is easy to go straight to YES!!! But as yes is so rarely the answer... I took it a little deeper. Am I patient with people? Am I quick to judge? Do I show grace? Do I even do this for my immediate family. I like to think I have grace, but as I have slid deeper and deeper into serving, I have found myself frustrated with how slowly it all gets done. Patience is the key theme to my life. God is pounding this lesson into me from all directions right now. In service, at work, in health, at home, in love, and with people. And just as I think that I have learned the lesson of patience.. God provides another situation for me to learn even more.
So this question... No Christians are all my brothers and sisters... some seemed a little more estranged than others. Having grace for people and fighting bitterness are so important. Not only for me but those around me. My complaints about other people, no matter how truthful do not portray God in the light He deserves. Shame on me.
I leave you with portion of Acts 8:21-24
21"You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22"Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
24But Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Abba! Father!
So, I received some news a little over a week ago, which, at the time, was VERY disturbing. My mother announced that she would be getting married and moving to Arizona. Coupled with the manner in which she told me and the knowledge AND lack of knowledge of the details surrounding this, I was like a deer in headlights. I wanted to run away from her and cry, a reaction I would expect out of a young child.
For the next week I would begin processing this news. At first, it was disbelief, anger, hurt and feeling like I didn't even know how to turn to God for help. What would I pray for? I didn't know.
Well I began to pray for comfort and peace, at first. I didn't know how I could make sense of it all. So I just wanted peace with it. Of course, immediately, God began to do just that. Through His deep and constant love for me he took hold of me by my right hand and started the process of, not only, peace BUT understanding.
He took me to an OT story of Nabal, Abigail and David in 1 Samuel 25. There's much more to the story (read it), but, David took Abigail to be his wife when her husband died. He would be her protector and provider for the rest of her life. First and foremost, this is most important to me for my mom~ protection, a provider, she won't be alone anymore. I had such peace after reading this knowing that God was giving me the answers I needed. And so quickly! Thank you Father!!
God is wise! His wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).
God is sovereign! He does "work out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).
This past week, God has "guided me with his counsel" (Psalm 73:24). I am gaining such understanding of this marriage to be, my mom's heart, Darwin's (her fiance) heart, there desires and considerations for everyone (the kids) involved. I now have confidence that God is at work here. His plans are perfect and He is accomplishing His will. I may not understand all the details (the speed at which it is happening). But, God is showing me that it doesn't matter. I don't need to understand everything. I just need to trust Him who knows EVERYTHING.
While I'm happy for my mom and the desires of her heart, I'm actually starting to feel excited for her. The anger, hurt and disbelief have been turned into joy. That can only be from God! He IS the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73: 26).
It's strange for me to think that I will soon have another dad. But, all I really need is my Heavenly Father. I have "received a spirit of adoption as sons by which I DO cry out ABBA! FATHER!" Romans 8:15. I am his kid. How sweet is that?!!!!!
For the next week I would begin processing this news. At first, it was disbelief, anger, hurt and feeling like I didn't even know how to turn to God for help. What would I pray for? I didn't know.
Well I began to pray for comfort and peace, at first. I didn't know how I could make sense of it all. So I just wanted peace with it. Of course, immediately, God began to do just that. Through His deep and constant love for me he took hold of me by my right hand and started the process of, not only, peace BUT understanding.
He took me to an OT story of Nabal, Abigail and David in 1 Samuel 25. There's much more to the story (read it), but, David took Abigail to be his wife when her husband died. He would be her protector and provider for the rest of her life. First and foremost, this is most important to me for my mom~ protection, a provider, she won't be alone anymore. I had such peace after reading this knowing that God was giving me the answers I needed. And so quickly! Thank you Father!!
God is wise! His wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).
God is sovereign! He does "work out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).
This past week, God has "guided me with his counsel" (Psalm 73:24). I am gaining such understanding of this marriage to be, my mom's heart, Darwin's (her fiance) heart, there desires and considerations for everyone (the kids) involved. I now have confidence that God is at work here. His plans are perfect and He is accomplishing His will. I may not understand all the details (the speed at which it is happening). But, God is showing me that it doesn't matter. I don't need to understand everything. I just need to trust Him who knows EVERYTHING.
While I'm happy for my mom and the desires of her heart, I'm actually starting to feel excited for her. The anger, hurt and disbelief have been turned into joy. That can only be from God! He IS the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73: 26).
It's strange for me to think that I will soon have another dad. But, all I really need is my Heavenly Father. I have "received a spirit of adoption as sons by which I DO cry out ABBA! FATHER!" Romans 8:15. I am his kid. How sweet is that?!!!!!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
discussion notes
Theology for Daily Living: A Class for Women
Session Two: God is Our Father
About the Class:
Classes meet the third Saturday of each month at
Who is God?
Last month we looked at how the knowledge of theology (who God is) reflects itself in our daily lives. This month we will look at the first person of the trinity, God the Father, and His character.
1. The Character of God
The bible provides us with God’s actions, words, thoughts and feelings from which we can derive (limited) insight into God’s Character. We have God’s own words about who He is from Himself (Exodus 34:6), His prophets (Zeph
2. Loving-
A. Hebrew
Our God loves us. But it looks so very different then what we define as “love.” In the Hebrew, there are two words for “love.” One is the same as the English word, the other, chesed, means something more. This love is “loving-kindness,” it also means “steadfast love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness and devotion.” Chesed is always used to describe God’s love (i.e. Exodus 34:6, Deut 7:9, Psalm 136, Neh
B. Greek
Paul talks of the complexity of God’s love in Ephesians 3:17-19. The Greek word for love is agapao, and like the Hebrew word chesed, expresses a deep and constant love. Think about the famous passage on love in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul uses 16 descriptions trying to paint us a picture of what God’s love, untainted by sin, looks like.
C. One Last Definition
Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, defines God’s love this way- “God’s love means that God eternally gives of Himself to others.” 1 John 4:8 says “God is love.” God does not just love, He is love. Everything God does, decrees, says, etc. flows from that love. Love’s culmination is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice and redemption of our sin (see John
3. Wise
Our God is wise (Job
4. Sovereign
Our God is sovereign. He is in control, all-powerful. He can accomplish all His purposes. “Our God is in Heaven, He does all that He pleases,” Psalm 115:3. God’s power is infinite, He is not limited in any way, rather, He “accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will,” Ephesians
-good (James
-bad (Gen 50:20, Prov 16:4)
-“accidental” (Job 37:6-13, Prov
God is Our Father
1. God is a Father
Another attribute of God we see within the word is that of “father.” In the Old Testament God is called the “Father of Israel” (Deut 32:6, Jer 3:4, Mal
In His earthly ministry Jesus stressed that He was the Son of God (e.g. “I and the Father are one,” John
3. Adoption
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so we are…” (1 John 3:1). Adoption results when we possess saving faith, Romans 8:11-17. In Christ we are adopted as children into God’s kingdom. John
God choose us from the beginning to be His kids (Rom
God, in his perfect wisdom, planned to make children of us (who were previously “children of wrath” Eph 2:3), in His love He chose to adopt us into His family and by His sovereignty it was done.
It’s important that we recognize what God has done through adopting us:
- Relationship with God- We relate to God as a Father, we come to Him as His kids, which is so much more precious then just a distant savior (Gal 4:4-7, Eph 1:4-14).
- Relationship with each other- Being God’s kids means we are brothers and sisters, members of one Family. Christianity is not merely something we have in common with each other; it is an intimacy of perfect family (John
- We are co-heirs with Christ (Gal
Discussion Questions:
1. Read Hebrews 12:5-11. Discipline can be defined as “training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior.” God’s discipline is a benefit of being adopted into God’s family, but we often see it as a burden or something to be avoided.
Proverbs 3:11-12 says, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, or loathe His reproof, for whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Do we accept the discipline of Our Father our do we run from it? In times of discipline how can we fall back on what we know about God’s character to carry us through in times of discipline?
NB: The word used to describe God’s discipline in Hebrews 12:6 is scourge. This word is hard, but it isn’t meant to refer to a penalty we are receiving but to the passion and sometimes intensity of God’s discipline. God’s discipline can be severe, but it is not to be confused with punishment. Punishment is reactive whereas discipline is proactive.
2. We looked at some of the characteristics of God which make Him utterly unique. How do we tend to take away from God’s might, wisdom and love by allowing the character of our earthly fathers to interpret the character of our Heavenly Father? Is there a character trait about your earthly father that prevents you from giving complete trust to God who is your Father?
3. In light of the fact that we our God’s kids, how then should we relate to one another? We are in fact one family- is it difficult for you to view other Christians as your brothers and sister? Do you treat the church body as intimately as you do your immediate family?
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. In light of the definition, “God’s love means that God eternally gives of Himself to others,” how does this alter your view of what it means to be part of a family (earthly family and/or church family)?
2. James and Proverbs speak extensively on wisdom. What does it mean in your daily life to trust and know that God’s wisdom is above your own earthly “wisdom?”
3. God is sovereign and all the circumstances of your life, past, present, and future, flow through His hands. How should you react (or repent) in light of this truth?
4. Study on your own more of God’s character (i.e. mercy, grace, Holiness, patience, truthfulness, etc…) and consider how knowing truths about His character influence your daily living.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A Hymn for Valentine's Day
Here Is Love
Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of life, our ransom,
Interposed His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He will never be forgotten
Throughout heaven's eternal days.
On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened, deep and wide.
Through the floodgates of God's mercy
Poured a vast and gracious tide.
Peace and love, like mighty rivers,
Flowed incessant from above.
Heaven's peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Crystal's Story
Please understand as you read this that I post this only by the grace of God. When I was asked to post my testimony... I was struck with fear. I knew at once that God wanted me to do this. I have struggled with what to share and what not to and I have chosen to be fairly candid... This said... it is a little long.
I sometimes feel like I have led several separate lives. There is my childhood, filled with fear, anger, chaos, and scattered with pleasant memories of love. I grew up in a family of 8. I was the oldest middle child. Depending on what year you look at in my childhood, you will see varying happy memories, these became fewer and farther between as I got older, and my mother got more immersed into heroine usage, and my father spent more time in prison. This time correlates almost exactly with my walk with Jesus.
I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints or Mormon church. My mother hates it when I call them Mormons. I never questioned it. I would wear my pretty dress on Sunday and answer all my Sunday school questions with the exact same wording and the exact same voice inflections as all the other little girls in their Sunday school dresses. I could tell you my testimony... which was the exact same as all the other children's testimony... no problem. I never questioned it. I didn't have to accept Jesus... because I was taught that to focus on the cross was disrespectful and morbid. Jesus wasn't God... he was my cool older brother sent here to make neat stories for Sunday school.
I was given the Holy Ghost as a gift when I was 8, by 6 old men in 3 piece suits in front of the church, while my mother looked on and cried, and all I could think was..."These guys kinda smell funny." I didn't know what it was to praise Jesus or feel the Holy Spirit. This was all fine... why question it? This is until I hit high school.
It was only in the year previous to high school, that I began to figure out that my life wasn't the same as other kids. They were allowed to leave the house, they didn't watch their mother get beat up by their father... or worse listen to their father beat up their brothers. I spent my childhood trying to protect my brothers from the same fate I had. So I had taken on this role of mom. I made dinner, worked after school jobs so I could by them things, made sure they got off to school, and often took the beatings for their mistakes.
As I hit high school I moved out. I continued in the Mormon church, even taking the 5 am "scripture" classes. But as time went on... and I met my first boyfriend... I began to question it. What did I believe in? A friend I had met in middle school... who is my oldest friend to this day... began to ask me questions, about why I believed what I did....and I couldn't really formulate an answer. All I knew is that I lived in constant guilt and fear of my parents. Somehow... I think, at first just in an attempt to feel loved by anyone, I ended up at her church. 1st Presbyterian. I liked it... though a little weirded out... but the services were 2 hours shorter and the music was fast and pretty. As time went on... and I moved in and out of my parents house...in hopes to protect my brother from whatever crazy strung out people were coming in and out of the house at the time... I became much more involved in the youth group. I went on retreats where I remember just crying because I was so confused... I didn't know what was true and what wasn't. You see I had a Jesus as a Mormon too.
There is no official date of acceptance of Jesus into my heart. Honestly I am not sure I ever did in high school. I like to think I did... I like to think all those teenage warm fuzzies I felt on mission trips to Mexico... and on retreats must have meant I loved Jesus, but I still wasn't sure I trusted Him. And I still wasn't living the life of a Christian. I would smoke and party with all my friends from school Saturday night (and Monday through Friday...well except Wednesday... that was youth group night) and be to church seemingly perfect on Sunday. Very few people knew of my family, or my background... and even fewer knew of my chosen lifestyle.
As I went off to college, having finally gotten my younger brothers out of my parent's house, and into what seemed like safer homes, I was excited at the possibilities. I went to a Nazarene college, having no idea what a Nazarene was. I quickly became aware that there were separate denominations in Christianity, and having been a fairly new Christian, if a Christian at all, I shut myself off. I didn't feel like I belonged.... and I carried this with me for the next several years of my life....
We can call this life number 2... I trusted no one... why should I? No one ever came through for me? I found a small group of people and together we all turned our backs on what little faith we may have had. I, having just recently had one of my best friends killed by a drunk driver, gave up. I dropped out of school moved to Chicago, pretended to attend art school for a few quarters and partied like it was 1999... (except it was 1999... but I digress). I spent the next 5 years, pretending I had never heard of God. I occasionally felt guilt for the incredible sinful lifestyle I was leading, but this was easily cured with pot or alcohol. I moved back home a couple years later.
There I ran into an old friend of mine... who months later I found myself living with and engaged to. My life was no longer in my control. I worked to pay all our bills, I put on a cover for our family and friends, and I Put up with extreme verbal and emotional abuse. The only thing I can credit this man with is bringing me to Bremerton. In hopes to distance himself from my family... as they were catching on... he move us here... nearer to his family.... and it wasn't but 2-3 months later that he was out all night, stoned all the time, and become increasingly abusive. By the time this man and I last saw each other... aside from a court date... I was staring up at his furious eyes while he had me pinned under the hood of the stove.... thumbs place in the exact right spot of my neck... trying to kill me. Turns out... He was a lot like my father was. Luckily for me, against his authority... I had made a friend who called the police and saved my life that night.
I tell you this long list of whoa is Crystals for one reason and one reason only... to illustrate the miracles of Jesus. To show you what my Lord pulled me out of. Four short years ago... I found myself in a crumpled ball not able to leave my house... about to be homeless... and having no idea who I was. A long road later and I can say with full confidence that I am in life 3... or something like that! I am born again. I have found a life in Jesus. I have found myself. I know my purpose now is to be a servant. God has blessed me with a family through Seaside... a family I had really never known before.
I have struggled with trust... especially in men. I have overcome the fear that God will leave me just like my father did. God has put a love in my heart for others and children.... and it is a sincere love. I have always been a servant... but in this case it is not an enslavement.... it is a joy. I have been able to overcome fears of marrying and having my own children....so much so it is one of my deepest desires. I always feared my parents lack of love and affinity towards violence was genetic... but I have truly seen God's grace and I have grown a heart that is capable of so much love. I have been able to truly forgive those that have hurt me, and discovered God's protection in setting boundaries.
So no, I have never said a prayer on a back of a card, but I have truly felt the spirit in me. I am so grateful that my Lord and savior died on that cross for all my many sins. And I am just blessed with my own personal testimony of the wreckage that the Lord has pulled me out of.
As I walk this walk, I truly desire that I can exemplify Christ. I hope my story may be helpful to another woman who may have been abused or child who is getting abused. I know the life I have lived has given me both wisdom (to some degree) and empathy toward others in this situation. And I am open if ever any woman may need a listening ear. This too is all Jesus.
I sometimes feel like I have led several separate lives. There is my childhood, filled with fear, anger, chaos, and scattered with pleasant memories of love. I grew up in a family of 8. I was the oldest middle child. Depending on what year you look at in my childhood, you will see varying happy memories, these became fewer and farther between as I got older, and my mother got more immersed into heroine usage, and my father spent more time in prison. This time correlates almost exactly with my walk with Jesus.
I was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints or Mormon church. My mother hates it when I call them Mormons. I never questioned it. I would wear my pretty dress on Sunday and answer all my Sunday school questions with the exact same wording and the exact same voice inflections as all the other little girls in their Sunday school dresses. I could tell you my testimony... which was the exact same as all the other children's testimony... no problem. I never questioned it. I didn't have to accept Jesus... because I was taught that to focus on the cross was disrespectful and morbid. Jesus wasn't God... he was my cool older brother sent here to make neat stories for Sunday school.
I was given the Holy Ghost as a gift when I was 8, by 6 old men in 3 piece suits in front of the church, while my mother looked on and cried, and all I could think was..."These guys kinda smell funny." I didn't know what it was to praise Jesus or feel the Holy Spirit. This was all fine... why question it? This is until I hit high school.
It was only in the year previous to high school, that I began to figure out that my life wasn't the same as other kids. They were allowed to leave the house, they didn't watch their mother get beat up by their father... or worse listen to their father beat up their brothers. I spent my childhood trying to protect my brothers from the same fate I had. So I had taken on this role of mom. I made dinner, worked after school jobs so I could by them things, made sure they got off to school, and often took the beatings for their mistakes.
As I hit high school I moved out. I continued in the Mormon church, even taking the 5 am "scripture" classes. But as time went on... and I met my first boyfriend... I began to question it. What did I believe in? A friend I had met in middle school... who is my oldest friend to this day... began to ask me questions, about why I believed what I did....and I couldn't really formulate an answer. All I knew is that I lived in constant guilt and fear of my parents. Somehow... I think, at first just in an attempt to feel loved by anyone, I ended up at her church. 1st Presbyterian. I liked it... though a little weirded out... but the services were 2 hours shorter and the music was fast and pretty. As time went on... and I moved in and out of my parents house...in hopes to protect my brother from whatever crazy strung out people were coming in and out of the house at the time... I became much more involved in the youth group. I went on retreats where I remember just crying because I was so confused... I didn't know what was true and what wasn't. You see I had a Jesus as a Mormon too.
There is no official date of acceptance of Jesus into my heart. Honestly I am not sure I ever did in high school. I like to think I did... I like to think all those teenage warm fuzzies I felt on mission trips to Mexico... and on retreats must have meant I loved Jesus, but I still wasn't sure I trusted Him. And I still wasn't living the life of a Christian. I would smoke and party with all my friends from school Saturday night (and Monday through Friday...well except Wednesday... that was youth group night) and be to church seemingly perfect on Sunday. Very few people knew of my family, or my background... and even fewer knew of my chosen lifestyle.
As I went off to college, having finally gotten my younger brothers out of my parent's house, and into what seemed like safer homes, I was excited at the possibilities. I went to a Nazarene college, having no idea what a Nazarene was. I quickly became aware that there were separate denominations in Christianity, and having been a fairly new Christian, if a Christian at all, I shut myself off. I didn't feel like I belonged.... and I carried this with me for the next several years of my life....
We can call this life number 2... I trusted no one... why should I? No one ever came through for me? I found a small group of people and together we all turned our backs on what little faith we may have had. I, having just recently had one of my best friends killed by a drunk driver, gave up. I dropped out of school moved to Chicago, pretended to attend art school for a few quarters and partied like it was 1999... (except it was 1999... but I digress). I spent the next 5 years, pretending I had never heard of God. I occasionally felt guilt for the incredible sinful lifestyle I was leading, but this was easily cured with pot or alcohol. I moved back home a couple years later.
There I ran into an old friend of mine... who months later I found myself living with and engaged to. My life was no longer in my control. I worked to pay all our bills, I put on a cover for our family and friends, and I Put up with extreme verbal and emotional abuse. The only thing I can credit this man with is bringing me to Bremerton. In hopes to distance himself from my family... as they were catching on... he move us here... nearer to his family.... and it wasn't but 2-3 months later that he was out all night, stoned all the time, and become increasingly abusive. By the time this man and I last saw each other... aside from a court date... I was staring up at his furious eyes while he had me pinned under the hood of the stove.... thumbs place in the exact right spot of my neck... trying to kill me. Turns out... He was a lot like my father was. Luckily for me, against his authority... I had made a friend who called the police and saved my life that night.
I tell you this long list of whoa is Crystals for one reason and one reason only... to illustrate the miracles of Jesus. To show you what my Lord pulled me out of. Four short years ago... I found myself in a crumpled ball not able to leave my house... about to be homeless... and having no idea who I was. A long road later and I can say with full confidence that I am in life 3... or something like that! I am born again. I have found a life in Jesus. I have found myself. I know my purpose now is to be a servant. God has blessed me with a family through Seaside... a family I had really never known before.
I have struggled with trust... especially in men. I have overcome the fear that God will leave me just like my father did. God has put a love in my heart for others and children.... and it is a sincere love. I have always been a servant... but in this case it is not an enslavement.... it is a joy. I have been able to overcome fears of marrying and having my own children....so much so it is one of my deepest desires. I always feared my parents lack of love and affinity towards violence was genetic... but I have truly seen God's grace and I have grown a heart that is capable of so much love. I have been able to truly forgive those that have hurt me, and discovered God's protection in setting boundaries.
So no, I have never said a prayer on a back of a card, but I have truly felt the spirit in me. I am so grateful that my Lord and savior died on that cross for all my many sins. And I am just blessed with my own personal testimony of the wreckage that the Lord has pulled me out of.
As I walk this walk, I truly desire that I can exemplify Christ. I hope my story may be helpful to another woman who may have been abused or child who is getting abused. I know the life I have lived has given me both wisdom (to some degree) and empathy toward others in this situation. And I am open if ever any woman may need a listening ear. This too is all Jesus.
Just a Couple Notes...
Hi Ladies,
I am so excited about the breakaway weekend. It should be an awesome time of fellowship. We are really going to focus in on Worship, and will be breaking down different practical aspects of how we worship. Our first session will start at 7:30 PM Friday night more maps and details coming soon.
So just a couple things we want you to know. This year it is at Fort Warden. We are renting a few houses there, and they will be equipped with kitchens. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday is included in the registration cost. Dinner Saturday night will be a Potluck style Italian meal. Please let Crystal Woodrich or Anna Stenwick know if you are interested in helping with that.
We are encouraging you to go enjoy the sites of Port Townsend, whether it is at the beach or the the waterfront shops, this said as we will not be together at one site at this time, lunch will be on your own. Feel free to dine in town, bring something from home, or join together with other ladies and put together your lunch potluck style.
Lastly, this year we are really encouraging women to get signed up early. We have limited space and want to make sure as many women can come as possible. This said at the time of registration the fees will be due as well. We do have some full and partial scholarships available. Please help us with this need, as we need all funds in by March 9th to make this weekend possible.
We appreciate your cooperation with this. We know this will be a blessed time in worship of our Lord and we look forward to getting to know all the women God has brought to Seaside church.
Thanks.
I am so excited about the breakaway weekend. It should be an awesome time of fellowship. We are really going to focus in on Worship, and will be breaking down different practical aspects of how we worship. Our first session will start at 7:30 PM Friday night more maps and details coming soon.
So just a couple things we want you to know. This year it is at Fort Warden. We are renting a few houses there, and they will be equipped with kitchens. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday is included in the registration cost. Dinner Saturday night will be a Potluck style Italian meal. Please let Crystal Woodrich or Anna Stenwick know if you are interested in helping with that.
We are encouraging you to go enjoy the sites of Port Townsend, whether it is at the beach or the the waterfront shops, this said as we will not be together at one site at this time, lunch will be on your own. Feel free to dine in town, bring something from home, or join together with other ladies and put together your lunch potluck style.
Lastly, this year we are really encouraging women to get signed up early. We have limited space and want to make sure as many women can come as possible. This said at the time of registration the fees will be due as well. We do have some full and partial scholarships available. Please help us with this need, as we need all funds in by March 9th to make this weekend possible.
We appreciate your cooperation with this. We know this will be a blessed time in worship of our Lord and we look forward to getting to know all the women God has brought to Seaside church.
Thanks.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Question
Here's more questions raised at our first session.
Think about God's awesomeness. He knew from the very beginning of time that we would need a Savior. Jesus was from the very beginning. That's somewhat difficult for me to wrap my mind around. His will. His purpose. His foreknowledge and calling us to Him. These are all things that I can struggle with really comprehending. God is so much bigger than us. It's hard to grasp. I am in absolute awe of His mightiness. Speechless is another word that comes to mind. This is fear of the Lord~ reverential. But at the same time, while He is so much bigger than us, He is our Father~ loving, kind, generous, protecting, humorous, sensitive, comforting. He can be all these things to us yet still be Almighty God.
I'm still not sure about the fear of the Lord. How do you reconcile that with Jesus' life on earth? He wasn't feared.
Also, how do we have a personal realtionship with God and fear Him?
When I think of Jesus' life on earth, "He came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). His purpose, as foretold by scripture, was to preach, proclaiming justice and peace to the nations, and to heal. He taught, performed many miracles, and healed many. People were amazed at his teachings as someone who had authority (Matthew 7:28,29).
He was completely humble, the ultimate servant always ready to the requests of the distressed and sick. What a picture of our Savior.
Yet, He was despised, rejected and ultimately beaten beyond recognition then killed, just as the scriptures said it would be.
Luke 9 tells us that Jesus said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." His death and resurrection would be the ultimate proof of who He was~ the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord.
When Jesus was arrested Peter came forward in an attempt to maybe rescue/protect Jesus. Jesus' response was, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" (Matthew 27:53,54).
Isaiah talks about Jesus as an ordinary man. There was nothing special about him. "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). He was not feared, respected. People hated him, rejected him. He took on our suffering though. He was peirced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). This was the Lord's will. But, He was raised and lifted up and highly exalted (Isaiah 52:13).
"God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32,33). Upon hearing this and the fact that God made Jesus, who they so ruthlessly crucified, to be Christ, the people were "cut to the heart" and asked Peter "what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). The ultimate proof was in his death and resurrection. I can only imagine the regret they now were feeling over what they had done and their lack of belief.
Think about God's awesomeness. He knew from the very beginning of time that we would need a Savior. Jesus was from the very beginning. That's somewhat difficult for me to wrap my mind around. His will. His purpose. His foreknowledge and calling us to Him. These are all things that I can struggle with really comprehending. God is so much bigger than us. It's hard to grasp. I am in absolute awe of His mightiness. Speechless is another word that comes to mind. This is fear of the Lord~ reverential. But at the same time, while He is so much bigger than us, He is our Father~ loving, kind, generous, protecting, humorous, sensitive, comforting. He can be all these things to us yet still be Almighty God.
In our personal relationship with Him, we fear God through honoring, respecting, submitting, obeying and worshiping him. Fearing God can be a very intimate thing. For example, worshiping God through prayer.
And, there is definitely a dominoe effect. The more I worship God, praying, reading scripture, submitting to His will for me (and seeing the fruits from that submission), the more I fear Him. We all have the opportunity to have this kind of precious relationship with our Heavenly Father. That is absolutely pleasing to Him.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Q&A
Another purpose of this blog is to answer questions that come up in class or in the month between classes. Please feel free to email or post (in the comment section of the discussion notes) any questions you may have as we study theology together and on our own.
This blog will address the first question, which is in relation to verse 15 of psalm 73 ("If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed the generation of your children.").
"What's the difference b/w feeling and verbalizing the feeling?
If there is a difference- how upsetting is that to God?"
Remember that our psalmist was looking at those around him and felt that all the wicked were prospering and by comparison his circumstances were impoverished (v 12). In verse 13 he says, "All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." He truly feels that his obedience to God has been to no avail. Those thoughts, those feelings are a betrayal to God (as the psalmist admits in later verses). The question is, would it have been worse if he had given voice to those feelings (and if so, is that sin even more upsetting to God).
We have to start with the premise that because of our sinful nature even our thoughts and feelings are rooted in sin. What a circumstance causes us to feel is not necessarily what is true. This is why the bible tells us to "take every thought captive," (2 Cor 10:5) and rather then change our feelings, to "renew our minds," (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23).
So, in between that time of feeling and thinking thoughts that are rooted in our sin and conforming our thoughts to Christ, we have to choose (as the psalmist did) to work out our sin within our hearts, or give voice to it. There is a moment of choice, when we feel bitter or angry or hurt, and we must choose to not let sin compound sin by giving voice to our sinful thoughts (for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, Matt 12:34).
Ephesians chapter 4 is a great chapter on transforming our hearts and speech. For the purpose of answering the question we'll look at verses 29-32 (but read the whole chapter if you have time). "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
The word corrupting can be translated as unwholesome, rotten, etc...The very opposite of speech that blesses the hearer(s). Our talk must not be fueled by the emotions of our hearts but by the truth of our God. Therefore, as the psalmist says, he knew he was struggling with sinful thoughts, but he knew well enough to work it out with God (ps 73:16-17) rather then speak out against others or call his friends and "vent."
As far as feeling or verbalizing, is one being more upsetting to God, I think the issue is really about the sin. When we speak out the sin in our hearts we are choosing to sin further, and we not only pursue more sin ourselves but may lead others to sin (ps 73:15). As James says, when we let our tongues loose we can work mass destruction (James 3).
The word corrupting can be translated as unwholesome, rotten, etc...The very opposite of speech that blesses the hearer(s). Our talk must not be fueled by the emotions of our hearts but by the truth of our God. Therefore, as the psalmist says, he knew he was struggling with sinful thoughts, but he knew well enough to work it out with God (ps 73:16-17) rather then speak out against others or call his friends and "vent."
As far as feeling or verbalizing, is one being more upsetting to God, I think the issue is really about the sin. When we speak out the sin in our hearts we are choosing to sin further, and we not only pursue more sin ourselves but may lead others to sin (ps 73:15). As James says, when we let our tongues loose we can work mass destruction (James 3).
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
bridget's story
A couple years ago my mom bought me a magnet for my fridge. It is black, with a picture of a climber looking out at mountain tops covered with clouds. Below the picture it says,
PROCRASTINATION
"Hard work often pays off after time,
But laziness always pays off now."
We laughed at it, because we both know that in a moment of choice I am always inclined to choose whatever offers the most immediate pleasure.
When I think about my testimony, about what God has done in my life and saved me out of, I always begin by thinking of who I would be without Christ-a promiscuous party girl, living solely for pleasing my self. Literally living without self-control over my temper, desires and actions.
I prayed the special prayer when I was eight and asked Jesus into my heart, and while I know this fact, I have no memory of it. When I was sixteen I decided I should be baptized (I had been baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church) and this was just after I had been grounded for six months as I had thrown a party while my parents were in
Really it was just an interlude between the double life I was leading: one within the church with my Christian friends and the other seeking immediate gratification with whomever wherever I found it. When I went away to college at WSU, I planned a new beginning. I would be sold out for Christ and not do any “bad” things.
The reality was that it was more work then ever, and I consciously decided I would rather pursue the lies of the world than the truth of God. I remember literally saying to God (after a mere 3 weeks) “Ok, I know Jesus is my salvation, but I am going to do my own thing here and I will get back to You after college.” Really I saw God as the ultimate kill-joy and growing up meant Jesus and no fun. I wasn’t excited about heaven, it just sounded better then hell. The fact is that I lived, like James says, as one who looked at my face in the mirror and then walked away, forgetting what I looked like.
The truth that I see now is that God is a patient Father. I love the word best when it is translated as “long-suffering.” Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, describes God’s patience as “God’s goodness in withholding of punishment to those who sin over a period of time.” Mid-way into my sophomore year I was fairly disenchanted with the life I was living and wanted to drop out.
I finished out the year and moved into my Dad’s basement in
I didn’t notice I was changing. God’s work was so slow and so fun. God had better things for me than I had sought for myself. He worked changes in me that others saw before I even noticed. I began living for the gospel and it was beautiful. God’s work in me, what we call sanctification, began there. It wasn’t that powerful conversion moment I thought would happen. There were no tongues of fire or visions of rapture, there was just life lived daily for Jesus, who I now believed in, rather then “knew” about.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Encouragement
In the last couple of weeks our family has been going trough some tough times. These have been ongoing trials but in the last couple of weeks they have been especially trying to my husband Andy and myself.
I have been so confused and without a clear direction, not wanting to sit back and do nothing to remedy our situation, for fear that God would think I was being complacent or lazy. I knew in my mind that these thoughts had no biblical basis, but in my spirit I was searching for God, and trying to place him in all the circumstances around me saying, "maybe this is God, or maybe it's Gods will for this to happen". I was a mess inside, with no peace and no contentment.
Over the last couple of months "well more like all year", I have been convicted to journal, but have not done it. I have my 2007 women's retreat Journal just sitting here brand new, with nothing in it. One day a couple of weeks ago, with no where else to turn and feeling like I was going to explode, I gave in and wrote my first entry in my 2007 journal. I also opened up my bible and began to read in the Psalms, as I knew that many people I know had found hope in these scriptures. Well guess what? He spoke to me, but only after I was obedient to his "clear direction" for me to journal. By submitting to God's calling me to journal he put it on my heart to turn to Psalms.
I did not know where in Psalms I was supposed to turn, I just felt led to go there. I began to read and the peace that passes understanding began to overwhelm me. As I read on he answered my prayer and gave me the very clear direction that I had been so frantically searching for. Psalms 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
The very thing that I had been afraid of doing, because I did not want God to think I was being Lazy, was the very thing he wanted me to do. He knows my heart and my struggles better than I do. So now I knew what I was to supposed to do. Thank you lord!
Within a couple of day's the Lord began to answer more of my prayers that were now written in my journal, I had been peaceful all week but towards the end of the week I had begun to start slacking in my journaling. Now that I see his plan for our family, I have been having a hard time not being anxious to get to the end of this trial. The lord kept telling me in my spirit "Be anxious for nothing" I knew I had read this before, but didn't know where. I called my mom to update her on how Jesus has been taking care of us, and told her what the spirit had been impressing on my heart, "Be anxious for nothing", she immediately recognized the scripture and told me where they were in the word.
Philippians 4:6/7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
I have been praying daily that the lord would continue to give me peace, and today he gave me this scripture. It has summed up all that he has been showing me in the last couple of weeks. It is amazing to me that I had read this scripture before, but only now is it alive to me. Please be encouraged and know that God is working, but that we need to be obedient to the convictions he gives us even if they seem to be to simple or even irrelevant, They aren't!
We don't need to know "why" he has asked us to do something, only "that" he has asked us to do something, and by your obedience he will give you answers even if they are not what you expect them to be.
Your sister in Christ,
Jessica Husted
I have been so confused and without a clear direction, not wanting to sit back and do nothing to remedy our situation, for fear that God would think I was being complacent or lazy. I knew in my mind that these thoughts had no biblical basis, but in my spirit I was searching for God, and trying to place him in all the circumstances around me saying, "maybe this is God, or maybe it's Gods will for this to happen". I was a mess inside, with no peace and no contentment.
Over the last couple of months "well more like all year", I have been convicted to journal, but have not done it. I have my 2007 women's retreat Journal just sitting here brand new, with nothing in it. One day a couple of weeks ago, with no where else to turn and feeling like I was going to explode, I gave in and wrote my first entry in my 2007 journal. I also opened up my bible and began to read in the Psalms, as I knew that many people I know had found hope in these scriptures. Well guess what? He spoke to me, but only after I was obedient to his "clear direction" for me to journal. By submitting to God's calling me to journal he put it on my heart to turn to Psalms.
I did not know where in Psalms I was supposed to turn, I just felt led to go there. I began to read and the peace that passes understanding began to overwhelm me. As I read on he answered my prayer and gave me the very clear direction that I had been so frantically searching for. Psalms 27:14 - Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
The very thing that I had been afraid of doing, because I did not want God to think I was being Lazy, was the very thing he wanted me to do. He knows my heart and my struggles better than I do. So now I knew what I was to supposed to do. Thank you lord!
Within a couple of day's the Lord began to answer more of my prayers that were now written in my journal, I had been peaceful all week but towards the end of the week I had begun to start slacking in my journaling. Now that I see his plan for our family, I have been having a hard time not being anxious to get to the end of this trial. The lord kept telling me in my spirit "Be anxious for nothing" I knew I had read this before, but didn't know where. I called my mom to update her on how Jesus has been taking care of us, and told her what the spirit had been impressing on my heart, "Be anxious for nothing", she immediately recognized the scripture and told me where they were in the word.
Philippians 4:6/7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.
I have been praying daily that the lord would continue to give me peace, and today he gave me this scripture. It has summed up all that he has been showing me in the last couple of weeks. It is amazing to me that I had read this scripture before, but only now is it alive to me. Please be encouraged and know that God is working, but that we need to be obedient to the convictions he gives us even if they seem to be to simple or even irrelevant, They aren't!
We don't need to know "why" he has asked us to do something, only "that" he has asked us to do something, and by your obedience he will give you answers even if they are not what you expect them to be.
Your sister in Christ,
Jessica Husted
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