We all love to hate politicians. We pick on their propensity to say what people want to hear and then do whatever they want to do. They are reviled, ridiculed, threatened, and repeatedly voted back into office. I guess our judgment of them is normally fairly accurate. However, accurate doesn't make it right.
Romans 2 tells us not to judge lest we be judged. "But I would never lie that way," we might say. The political system we have just makes it easier to attack others' faults because they are right out there in the open. Carl Paladino, Republican candidate for governor in NY forwarded emails that were off color, offensive and demeaning to different groups of people (women, blacks, etc.). We say off color, we mean sinful. Sinful because the spirit of those emails violate God's law first and foremost. Why did he do it? Because he found humor in them to some degree and thought that others would find humor in them as well. We would never do that! Our first reaction. Yet, how often does someone tell a joke, prefacing it with "It's a little dirty, but it's really funny." What would the spotlight of political campaigning show in our lives?
The truth is, we can never change another person. No matter how hard we try, we just cannot make another person behave in the way that we think is appropriate. So, do we just throw up our arms when it comes to politics? Absolutely not! But when it comes to finding faults that need to be fixed, we need to focus the spotlight on our own lives. It is easy to focus on the faults in another's life. But what about those faults in my life? What excuses do I make for my shortcomings (also translated as sin).
What should we do? We should use the same intensity as an investigative journalist to ferret out the sin that is present in our own lives. We should be relentless in discovering, digging up, and disposing of those things that are not conformed to the image of Christ in our lives.
What about others? We need to show grace. Every time we see something in a politician that we don't like, it should motivate us to make sure our lives are not the same way. If we do, their sin will help us clean up our sin. That would be a nice way to recycle the trash from someone else's life into something beautiful in our own.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Forgiveness
When we first learned to forgive, we were probably standing next to a sibling or a classmate. They were very reluctantly or insincerely offering an apology for something they probably didn't feel any remorse for. And we were taught to say "I forgive you" and the adult told us to hug, shake hands, smile or whatever. And now everything was better. I'm not against that system of teaching by any means, but it has come to my attention that sometimes we, as adults, still try to make forgiveness work in the same way.
We will forgive, sure, if you count being able to vocalize that we forgive someone for something. Although, adults rarely face their offenders, and if they do, have learned to cover over the reluctance and insincerity with many more layers and facades.
For the past several years, I have been learning that forgiveness isn't just an academic flipping of a switch. We cannot just say that we forgive. I have learned that forgiveness hasn't happened until the pain is gone. Often, people will say that they have forgiven, but will readily state that they will not be hurt by that person again. Pain is still present. Or, "Oh yes, I've forgiven them," but go on to say that they can't stand to see them, or hear them talk about some matter, or be reminded in some way of what they did. Pain is still present. Forgiveness does not happen until the pain is gone.
Several posts ago, I focused on pain. Pain is a blessing given by God to alert us that there is something wrong. No one enjoys suffering with pain, in fact, my back let me know that something was wrong yesterday, and I wished it could have waited to give me that message until a more convenient time. However, pain is there to tell us something is wrong and we need to fix it. I cannot 'fix' other people. I cannot remove what other people have done. I can only fix my responses, my feelings, and my choices in the matter. When there is still pain, it is never that the other person needs to change. It would be nice if they would. It would be a big blessing if they would. But pain alerts the person who feels it that something is wrong.
What is wrong when we feel pain for an offense that has not been forgiven? There are several things wrong. First: we have not forgiven in the same way that God has forgiven us. If we love God, we need to keep His commandments, otherwise, we will feel pain. Second: when we choose not to forgive, we give a small slice of control over our life to the person who hurt us. As a Christian, God is the only one who is to have that control. And even apart from that, who willingly gives control of their life to a person who has hurt them? Thirdly: when we don't forgive, it places a burden on a relationship that God may have given us to be an opportunity for ministry. All of these reasons cause pain, because their is something wrong that we need to fix.
By all means, keep going through the motions of forgiveness. Say you're sorry. Say "I forgive you." Give a hug, send a card, smile. But make sure the pain goes away when you do it. If it doesn't, remind yourself that they are forgiven. Give another hug, send another card, bake a pie, cake or cookies (for them :)), and make sure that the pain is gone. Love them until it is completely gone. And then keep on loving them.
We will forgive, sure, if you count being able to vocalize that we forgive someone for something. Although, adults rarely face their offenders, and if they do, have learned to cover over the reluctance and insincerity with many more layers and facades.
For the past several years, I have been learning that forgiveness isn't just an academic flipping of a switch. We cannot just say that we forgive. I have learned that forgiveness hasn't happened until the pain is gone. Often, people will say that they have forgiven, but will readily state that they will not be hurt by that person again. Pain is still present. Or, "Oh yes, I've forgiven them," but go on to say that they can't stand to see them, or hear them talk about some matter, or be reminded in some way of what they did. Pain is still present. Forgiveness does not happen until the pain is gone.
Several posts ago, I focused on pain. Pain is a blessing given by God to alert us that there is something wrong. No one enjoys suffering with pain, in fact, my back let me know that something was wrong yesterday, and I wished it could have waited to give me that message until a more convenient time. However, pain is there to tell us something is wrong and we need to fix it. I cannot 'fix' other people. I cannot remove what other people have done. I can only fix my responses, my feelings, and my choices in the matter. When there is still pain, it is never that the other person needs to change. It would be nice if they would. It would be a big blessing if they would. But pain alerts the person who feels it that something is wrong.
What is wrong when we feel pain for an offense that has not been forgiven? There are several things wrong. First: we have not forgiven in the same way that God has forgiven us. If we love God, we need to keep His commandments, otherwise, we will feel pain. Second: when we choose not to forgive, we give a small slice of control over our life to the person who hurt us. As a Christian, God is the only one who is to have that control. And even apart from that, who willingly gives control of their life to a person who has hurt them? Thirdly: when we don't forgive, it places a burden on a relationship that God may have given us to be an opportunity for ministry. All of these reasons cause pain, because their is something wrong that we need to fix.
By all means, keep going through the motions of forgiveness. Say you're sorry. Say "I forgive you." Give a hug, send a card, smile. But make sure the pain goes away when you do it. If it doesn't, remind yourself that they are forgiven. Give another hug, send another card, bake a pie, cake or cookies (for them :)), and make sure that the pain is gone. Love them until it is completely gone. And then keep on loving them.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
- Ephesians 4:32
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I Choose Joy
Each life will have it's ups and downs
Each day brings both smiles and frowns
A lesson I learned long ago
Despite the sorrow, I choose joy
At times our hearts will ache and break
And we not know what we can take
Yet through it all the lesson stands
Even in pain, I choose joy
The Bible gives a promise true
A promise that is for me and for you
The lesson for each, at any time
A choice we have, I choose joy
I know my Savior loves me so
He paid a debt that I did owe
His gift has made it plain for all
There is a choice, I choose joy
Through years of life, through bad and good
I've found that my God always would
Do good for me in all I've seen
The choice is clear, I choose joy
Today we have a difficult day
It's even hard to stand and say
Yet by God's grace in even this
We each can say, I choose joy
Eber Kinne
Home with His Savior ~ October 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Adjusting Schedules
Since the last time I posted here, we have started school. With 4 kids being taught this year, and adjusting to taking over the math class for my two oldest, we have been ironing out the schedule. Whenever it seems we have another wrinkle ironed out, another one pops up. We've tried moving around the math classes, and spreading out the kids for various tasks throughout the house when they need to say things out loud, or read where someone else's instruction won't disturb them. I think we have come to realize that homeschooling in a house with 6 children will always include some wrinkles.
The same holds true for our personal schedules. We try to plan ahead, to check on things to make sure there aren't wrinkles. But almost without fail, a wrinkle (or two, or more) will enter our lives. I thought my schedule was going to work out for a laid back Monday this week. Monday is my usual day off and I try to make it a day with very little on the calendar. So Monday ends up being one of the days that most often gets attacked with wrinkles. Probably because there is nothing scheduled, when someone asks if I am available to help, . . . I normally am.
I suppose if we know wrinkles are coming, we need to determine in advance how we will respond to them. It would be a great world to not have any wrinkles, but maybe the world could be just as great if we determined to not allow wrinkles to affect us negatively. How? By determining ahead how we will respond. By asking God for strength to respond appropriately. By trusting that God has a purpose for the wrinkle that we may not understand, but can fulfill by responding in a way that honors Him.
I hope your day progresses without wrinkles today. But I pray that we will each respond to whatever wrinkles we find in a way that glorifies God.
The same holds true for our personal schedules. We try to plan ahead, to check on things to make sure there aren't wrinkles. But almost without fail, a wrinkle (or two, or more) will enter our lives. I thought my schedule was going to work out for a laid back Monday this week. Monday is my usual day off and I try to make it a day with very little on the calendar. So Monday ends up being one of the days that most often gets attacked with wrinkles. Probably because there is nothing scheduled, when someone asks if I am available to help, . . . I normally am.
I suppose if we know wrinkles are coming, we need to determine in advance how we will respond to them. It would be a great world to not have any wrinkles, but maybe the world could be just as great if we determined to not allow wrinkles to affect us negatively. How? By determining ahead how we will respond. By asking God for strength to respond appropriately. By trusting that God has a purpose for the wrinkle that we may not understand, but can fulfill by responding in a way that honors Him.
I hope your day progresses without wrinkles today. But I pray that we will each respond to whatever wrinkles we find in a way that glorifies God.
"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
Monday, August 23, 2010
Choose Wisely
We are faced with choices almost non-stop in our daily lives. When to get up, what to do, what to wear, what to eat, how to respond to others, when to go to bed, and each choice impacts other choices we make.
Growing up, I remember often hearing the phrase "Choose wisely." It was probably applied more to friends and how I responded to my parents in obeying what they had asked me to do. Today it reaches out into far more areas. In grocery shopping, I try to choose wisely by buying the size and brand that gives me the most food for the least money. Many purchase decisions involve a balancing act between quality and price. Time management is based on accomplishing things of value rather than wasting time.
How often do we think of choosing wisely as adults? We don't have a parent leaning over our shoulder reminding us to measure the wisdom of our choices. Many times, our choices end up being made by what feels right at the moment, whether we're feeling pain, discomfort, hunger, anger, or joy, our decisions are often based on our circumstances.
In I Samuel 25, David was responding to his circumstances in anger. He was going to get what was due him. Providentially, God sent Abigail to David to remind him of his need to choose wisely. He did, and blessings were all around for almost all involved.
It reminds me of how we need to be voices reminding others to "choose wisely." Not scolding and railing on, but gently reminding others to consider the consequences of their choices. We also need "Abigails" in our lives to remind us to think about the choices we make. Maybe this will be a needed reminder for you today, I'm hoping it will be a reminder for me when I am tempted to respond without considering the consequences.
Growing up, I remember often hearing the phrase "Choose wisely." It was probably applied more to friends and how I responded to my parents in obeying what they had asked me to do. Today it reaches out into far more areas. In grocery shopping, I try to choose wisely by buying the size and brand that gives me the most food for the least money. Many purchase decisions involve a balancing act between quality and price. Time management is based on accomplishing things of value rather than wasting time.
How often do we think of choosing wisely as adults? We don't have a parent leaning over our shoulder reminding us to measure the wisdom of our choices. Many times, our choices end up being made by what feels right at the moment, whether we're feeling pain, discomfort, hunger, anger, or joy, our decisions are often based on our circumstances.
In I Samuel 25, David was responding to his circumstances in anger. He was going to get what was due him. Providentially, God sent Abigail to David to remind him of his need to choose wisely. He did, and blessings were all around for almost all involved.
It reminds me of how we need to be voices reminding others to "choose wisely." Not scolding and railing on, but gently reminding others to consider the consequences of their choices. We also need "Abigails" in our lives to remind us to think about the choices we make. Maybe this will be a needed reminder for you today, I'm hoping it will be a reminder for me when I am tempted to respond without considering the consequences.
And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
- I Samuel 25:32-33
Monday, August 9, 2010
He meets my needs!
We had a good week of seeing God's provision and I thought I would share to encourage you in your walk with the Lord as well.
Just over a week ago, we headed out to go to garage sales. We sat down and made up a list of the things that were needed in our wardrobes for the coming year. We aren't psychics, but just looked at what we had, where the kids are size wise, and where we think they will be by the end of the coming school year. After piling into the van, we prayed and asked God if He would meet these needs through the garage sales we would find that day. And if not, would He meet them in whatever way the He desired.
The first several (loosely translated as 20-30) garage sales were fairly lousy, but toward the end of our hunting, we loaded up on a couple of hand made jumpers for Larissa, some pants and jeans for Austin, some assorted clothes for most of the kids, and even a few small bonuses. All told, we hit some of everything on the list, except 1 or 2 that weren't really necessities. We came home praising the Lord for His provision.
This past week, we settled in, looked at the garden, and realized that it was not going to meet all of our produce needs for canning and freezing. So, off to the produce auction I went. On Tuesday, all the produce went for twice what I would be interested in paying. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed. Thursday, we were given almost a bushel of beautiful tomatoes. We ate some, and canned 14 quarts of tomatoes. We also were able to get 2 bushel of sweet corn for $10. We froze, and felt much better about how things were looking. Even so, I headed to the auction Friday morning, as well. And prices were lower than I have seen all year. I bought sweet corn for $3.50 a bushel, plum tomatoes for $5.00 a half bushel, and a bushel box of green peppers for $6.00. We also picked almost a bushel of green beans out of our garden. In 2 days time, we canned or froze 104 quarts of veggies!
On Sunday, we were given a very full bushel of green beans, and today, at least a half bushel of green & yellow beans. We look and see God's gracious hand of provision in all of these things. Whether through our garden, or through the generosity of God's people, or through the providence of His hand at the auction, God has been very good. I hope you have been encouraged by seeing His hand of provision in our lives, and I hope it has helped you to see His hand more clearly in providing for your needs, as well.
Just over a week ago, we headed out to go to garage sales. We sat down and made up a list of the things that were needed in our wardrobes for the coming year. We aren't psychics, but just looked at what we had, where the kids are size wise, and where we think they will be by the end of the coming school year. After piling into the van, we prayed and asked God if He would meet these needs through the garage sales we would find that day. And if not, would He meet them in whatever way the He desired.
The first several (loosely translated as 20-30) garage sales were fairly lousy, but toward the end of our hunting, we loaded up on a couple of hand made jumpers for Larissa, some pants and jeans for Austin, some assorted clothes for most of the kids, and even a few small bonuses. All told, we hit some of everything on the list, except 1 or 2 that weren't really necessities. We came home praising the Lord for His provision.
This past week, we settled in, looked at the garden, and realized that it was not going to meet all of our produce needs for canning and freezing. So, off to the produce auction I went. On Tuesday, all the produce went for twice what I would be interested in paying. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed. Thursday, we were given almost a bushel of beautiful tomatoes. We ate some, and canned 14 quarts of tomatoes. We also were able to get 2 bushel of sweet corn for $10. We froze, and felt much better about how things were looking. Even so, I headed to the auction Friday morning, as well. And prices were lower than I have seen all year. I bought sweet corn for $3.50 a bushel, plum tomatoes for $5.00 a half bushel, and a bushel box of green peppers for $6.00. We also picked almost a bushel of green beans out of our garden. In 2 days time, we canned or froze 104 quarts of veggies!
On Sunday, we were given a very full bushel of green beans, and today, at least a half bushel of green & yellow beans. We look and see God's gracious hand of provision in all of these things. Whether through our garden, or through the generosity of God's people, or through the providence of His hand at the auction, God has been very good. I hope you have been encouraged by seeing His hand of provision in our lives, and I hope it has helped you to see His hand more clearly in providing for your needs, as well.
"Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?" - Psalm 78:20
Monday, August 2, 2010
Chicken Eggs
Within the last week we have been enjoying the first eggs from our little flock of chickens. Actually, just from one of the chickens, so far, but since Mara began laying, we have had a new egg just over 24 hours later.
Chickens have given me a great chance to observe instinct in animals. God has pre-programmed chickens toward certain behaviors. A rooster will learn to crow - even though he has never heard another rooster crow before. A rooster will learn to fertilize the hens, even though he has not received any training. Chickens will clean themselves, take dust baths to clean themselves and get rid of mites and bugs.
And the ultimate, in my book, hens will lay eggs. No instruction manual, but inside of their bodies, they form the yolk, surround in with the white, and lastly, surround that with a shell that hardens when it hits the outside air. Why do hens produce delicious eggs? Because they are hens! Very simple, but a great illustration.
The Bible tells us that Christians are to live in the Spirit - to allow the Spirit of God to control their lives, to abide in Christ, and fruit will come. We tend to work at fruit production, read books, make plans, get discouraged if we don't see fruit. But the truth is, if we would let the Spirit rule in our lives, abide in the vine, let the Word of God dwell richly in us - all phrases indicating our submission to God's will & way in our lives, we will produce fruit. Why? Because that is our character, that is what we were made to produce, that is what will naturally flow out of our lives.
Who knew I would learn so much from chickens? I hope my chickens can be an encouragement to you today as well. (Or at the very least, an illustration of God's power at work in our lives)
Chickens have given me a great chance to observe instinct in animals. God has pre-programmed chickens toward certain behaviors. A rooster will learn to crow - even though he has never heard another rooster crow before. A rooster will learn to fertilize the hens, even though he has not received any training. Chickens will clean themselves, take dust baths to clean themselves and get rid of mites and bugs.
And the ultimate, in my book, hens will lay eggs. No instruction manual, but inside of their bodies, they form the yolk, surround in with the white, and lastly, surround that with a shell that hardens when it hits the outside air. Why do hens produce delicious eggs? Because they are hens! Very simple, but a great illustration.
The Bible tells us that Christians are to live in the Spirit - to allow the Spirit of God to control their lives, to abide in Christ, and fruit will come. We tend to work at fruit production, read books, make plans, get discouraged if we don't see fruit. But the truth is, if we would let the Spirit rule in our lives, abide in the vine, let the Word of God dwell richly in us - all phrases indicating our submission to God's will & way in our lives, we will produce fruit. Why? Because that is our character, that is what we were made to produce, that is what will naturally flow out of our lives.
Who knew I would learn so much from chickens? I hope my chickens can be an encouragement to you today as well. (Or at the very least, an illustration of God's power at work in our lives)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Colossians 3:16-17
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