Clear As Water

If we were to be completely honest with ourselves, everything we live for is about appearances. Even those who intentionally rebel or are obnoxious are doing it to create the look they want.

As a society, we have gotten very good at a habit of lying. We smile to one person's face, then tear them to shreds behind their back... or in our heads. But, we want the image of looking good and polite, so we don't really think it's a problem. Ultimately, God is the One we answer to. And He really doesn't care what we look like on the outside, He's concerned with our heart. He knows what we think about.

Psalm 139 is a horrible Psalm for those who are content with their life. It invites the One who sees our innermost thoughts to bring them to light and purge them with the intent of changing one's life. I dare anyone who reads this to truly pray and apply this Psalm to their life.

Someone told me this summer that coveting is the only one of the Ten Commandments that you can break in your head. Have you ever had something that really just nagged and bothered you? Yeah, this has been that thing for me.

It's clear in Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28 (Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.... Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.) That we can sin in our minds. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that what we say in our heart is who we truly are.

So, with all that said, let me tell you how it applied to my own personal life. 

I've been taught my whole life that the only thing required of myself in my family was obedience. That's what the Bible said. I remember a bunch of messages as a kid directed toward what obedience is and what it is not, and I got really good at it. Yeah, I messed up occasionally, but I am pretty much the model daughter. 

But trouble was brewing in my heart. Though no one could tell from the outside smile, in my heart I was disobeying. 

In my head I'm standing up

I had traded true respect and submission for obedience. The thing that caught my attention was that this attitude was spreading in my life. Content to obey so long as I could complain in my head. Whether it was about teachers assigning too much homework, not getting the people I wanted on my crew at camp, not getting even the job I wanted when I wanted it. All around me are people who hold some claim to authority in my life. Some I've voluntarily allowed, like my boss, others are defaulted, like my parents. But there is One who've I've voluntarily allowed to be my defaulted authority.  (He's my authority whether I were saved or not, but I chose to live by His authority while I'm still alive). 

Sin is like blue food coloring in water. It starts out stark and noticeable, only affecting a small part of the water when first dropped in, but soon diffuses itself to the entire cup. Only a drop, you would never think it were there unless you looked for it. 

But that's what God does. He looks, not just for the rock at the bottom of the cup which can be quickly removed, but for the subtle stuff that is much harder to filter out. He wants our lives to be pure, and clear so that others can see Him through our lives, not a tainted image. 

Praise Him for continually drawing us to Himself!

Psalm 139

O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Because of Him,

Missa

Mirror Image

Mirrors are interesting things. Why did God create something that would show an image of oneself? Reflective surfaces are something we take for granted.... yet have you considered how much of a miracle they are?

I once heard a pastor say that everything is a sermon illustration...

Maybe that's why God created mirrors.

I was reading James 1 this weekend, and this verse caught my eye:

James 1:23-24 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

Common enough verse... I've read it a dozen times, memorized it in elementary school, yeah, I got this.

Well, this week this verse took on a whole new meaning to me. 

Mirrors tend to be a bit bigger than one's face. This generally means that you can see more than just yourself... you can see what's behind you. 

If you were spend all the time you have dedicated to the mirror focusing on every single person behind you, you might not look your best. In fact your flaws may not have been improved in the least.  You walked away... not knowing what matter of man you are.

What I'm trying to get at, is I have a huge personal flaw. When I look at God's Word, instead of looking for imperfections I need to fix, I instead see the uglies of everyone else.

"If only _____ could see that verse"
"Well ______ needs to change that"
"______ would be under such conviction if they had the dedication to learning that I do"

As Lucile Ball would say:

Ewwwwww

Wow. Where does that pride come from? I'm gazing at the written word that communicates the essence of God, and all I can do is play god by matching the verse to it's obvious recipient (i.e. NOT ME).

So, you will probably never (not very often) hear me say this again. When you are studying your Bible on your own, this is the time to focus on yourself..... in the most non-self-focused way possible. One of the purposes of Bible study is to grow your relationship with God. We can use the mirror of the Scripture to see where our blemishes are, what sin is it that's keeping us from God. It's a time to examine ourselves.... and let One who knows us better then we do examine us (Psalm 139:23-24). God's Word demands a response. We have the ability for that response to be ignoring our ugliness, or our response can be to clean ourselves up.

Will my life reflect what the Holy Spirit has done in my heart?

Because of Him,
Missa

Unattainable Quality?

Some things I don't understand.

Like Baseball on TV... Really!  Who decided that was remotely entertaining?
And letting 3rd graders learn how to "play" the Recorder....  Worst screeching noise ever.... like a dying Banshee.

But I want to know why one of the most desirable Christian qualities seems to be unattainable. Just when you think you've got it... you've lost it.

I'm talking, of course, of humility.

First, to examine the opposite characteristic: that of pride.  Pride is referred to multiple times, particularly in the Proverbs, as being an abomination to God. There seems to be no middle ground to cling to.  You are either humble or proud. So is this a sin that we are constantly in servitude to?  Can we never gain victory over it? If our relationship with God is constantly out of whack... are we never to enjoy the privileges of children of God?

Sounds extreme.... but... well... it makes sense if you follow the thought to it's natural conclusion....

You know what... it's hopeless. We all fail at Christianity. Let's quit trying!.... to do it ourselves....

And now that that is out of our system, we can figure out how to "attain" the unattainable....

And. you. can't. do. it.

This is where God comes in. Actually, He should have been at the beginning, if we were to truly put Him in His rightful place.

We have before us, the best example of humility to be found anywhere. There are 4 biographical books written on Him in the New Testament. Of course I am referring to our Lord, Jesus Christ, Creator of the universe.

One thing that stands out to us, as it has to Christians for millennia is the incident when He washes the disciples' feet. God, kneeling down to wash filth off of the lowest of the low's feet.  Wow. This is humility.

It still feels a bit ambiguous to me, though. Here's some definitions/anti definitions of humility.

• Humility is not insisting you don't deserve something. Christ never set that example anywhere that I can see. He deserved everything, and yet gave up all... which leads to my next point
• Humility is knowing what you deserve, and yet giving all up for the benefit of another.
• Humility is when we realize that life is not all about us, but rather about God, which leads us to serve others.
• Humility and confidence are not mutually exclusive

When your life becomes about something Bigger than your life, it will change your life. What humility really is is a switch of focus. Pride is complete focus on yourself, Humility is focus on God, which produces the fruit of service.

One final facet of humility comes with confession of sin. In our pride, we rationalize all of our sin: the blatant outward sins on bad days or other people, the quiet inner sins that "didn't affect anyone else". I wrote a post here about being willing to apologize for your "justifiable" sin, but before our relationship with others can be mended, we need to repair the relationship with God. It takes a lot of humility to view yourself in the light that God views you and your sin.

So, is humility unattainable? Yes... in your own strength. God gives us the proper tenderness of heart for us to properly represent Him in this world with humility.

Because of Him,
Missa

Definition: Complaining

So in continuation of my previous post, I've been thinking a lot about what complaining actually is.  I was reading the Psalms lately and in several of them, it looks like David is complaining:

Psalm 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? 
Psalm 11:1-3 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 
Psalm 13:1-3  How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 
Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 

Whoa!  Where did that come from? David is a man after God's own heart, and he complains and doubts God?

Is he really complaining?  Psalm 13 puts it the most succinctly:

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
  
What I've discovered is that the focus is what matters here.  Complaining is completely focused on oneself, looking for sympathy, pity, more special treatment, a justification, and a judge to make it all "fair".  The children of Israel complained. Why? Because they were tired of what God had given them, they wanted comfort, they wanted Moses to give them give them sympathy.  I call it looking for the "aww, baby" syndrome.

But we, as people,  really do have problems! We have health needs, irritating family members, loved ones who don't know the Lord, friends who make wrong choices.  There's bad hair days and just plain old bad days.  But what is our focus when we are praying about these issues?  

God uses everything to bring our focus back to Him. So, we can give Him our burdens, He welcomes it! (1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.) But our focus should be steadfastly fixed on Him, learning what it is He has for us.  Contrary to popular belief, we don't just learn about our God in the 15 minutes we take for devotions, He's always there, always drawing us!

And He has given us the gift of godly Christian friends who listen to us and bear our burdens as well. It is such a comfort to have friends who join in with us in entreaties to the Most High, to have friends who point you back to the One who is in control of the tough situation, to have friends who are willing to ask the tough questions in order to take the focus off yourself and place it back on the Marvelous One. (Galatians 6:2, Matthew 18:20)

When we have the correct definition of Sin, and a perspective on Grace, life is so much the better for it.

Because of Him,
Missa

Content to Whine

"I'm bored!!!!"

This is the most frequently used set of words among 10 year old Americans.

Well, at least I think it is....  I hear it all the time. Whether it's in Wal-mart, or when I'm babysitting....

Or on Facebook....

Take that back - that phrase is the most commonly used phrase in America. Even if we don't say it in those exact words, we think it and act on it all the time (this is the only reason why they put Baseball on TV.)

But instead of doing something productive in our lives, we tend to be content to whine about it, and then use time-wasters like Facebook, watching TV, or eating.

And this week, I realized how content I was to whine to God.

If any of ya'll have ever worked in camp ministry or any other short term full time ministry, and then have to "come home" at the end, you'll understand my plight. It is so hard to keep a proper focus on God and His Word! Even though I have absolutely wonderful friends who keep me "accountable" it's so easy to switch back to the old checklist mode.

And my prayer life dynamic changes.  I become a whiner to God.

"Where do You want me to go?"
"What do You want me to do?"
"I want a job!"
or even
"Why aren't I growing?"

Now, these are good questions... unless we refuse to do something about it.  These shouldn't be an ongoing, recurring theme! 

But, that's what I've kinda been doing lately. How can I know what to do or where to go if I'm not actively living a Christian life? This Christian laziness is just so much easier. When I was a kid, it was dangerous to say I'm bored because that meant that mom would find something for us to do.... and normally it wasn't anything fun like TV or a game or toys... it always was chores. We were not allowed to sit and whine when there was stuff that could be done.

The problem is, as Christians, we're good at doing stuff....  just not growing in His grace. We give up way too easily, take our focus off of Him, and steadfastly gaze at ourselves. It's then that we whine.  I've discovered that the times I've grown the most was when I just didn't have time to make myself look like a Christian, but I had to keep my focus on Him. It takes more time and effort, but the effects are so worth it.

Let's stop being couch potato Christians. 

Because of Him,
Missa

Facebook Followers (of Christ)

I've just realized a harsh truth.

You can't believe everything you read on the internet.

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble. I was just Googling quotes for a project I'm doing and this one just captured the essence of my problem:

"The problem with quotes on the internet is that it is very difficult to verify their authenticity."

 ~Abraham Lincoln

And Facebook is the worst as far as falsified info goes. The point of Facebook is to have friends, make people like you, and show (the best parts) of your personality. There are very few people who are "real" on Facebook. I kinda think about it like a date. For an hour and a half you and the other person are on their very best behavior.  Girls spend literally hours on hair, makeup, and wardrobe - and I'm sure guys at least take a few extra minutes to apply deodorant..... maybe.  :)

The problem is, the only thing you see is the very best, and most of the time it's not the real person. 

Are we, as a society, turning into Facebook Followers (of Christ)? What's super popular right now is to share nice pictures with "Christianese" quotes:

I really think the last one is so sad. Really? I don't love God if I don't share this picture? Wow, what a horrible person I am! 

There are pages "Like if you love Jesus!" "Jesus is my Superman!" "I love Jesus Online"

Just so everyone knows, if you don't have an awesome blog like mine, post at least once a month, and share this link with 100 of your best friends, God will deny you before the angels at the final judgment! 

How ridiculous!!!!!!!

And here's the thing, these things are posted by people who then go on to live like the rest of the world.  

I want to see REAL Christians. What did you read in your Bible today, and how does it apply to your life?  What has God been teaching you through (insert name of any person in your life)? 

I'm not saying you shouldn't maintain a Christian testimony,but maybe we need to re-learn what it means to be a Christian. 

Oh, and this doesn't just apply to Facebook.  If you have a Christian bumper sticker on your car, drive like a Christian. Instead of taking the social time at Church complaining (or bragging) about your past week, take time to encourage the other believers. If our lives are changed and we are doing all things to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31, Col 3:17, etc), then we really need to live it.

Being a Christian is a 24/7 responsibility.  Stop letting Facebook be your daily Christianity "date".

Because of Him,

Missa

Get the Picture?

A good biblical counselor always brings people back to.......

What? The Bible?

Yes, but try and go deeper.

Look at this picture and tell me what the subject is:

What? You don't see it?

It sounds weird, but maybe, sometimes, oftentimes, we take God out of the Bible.

How can you do that?

Well, how often do we open God's Word and neglect to seek out the wisdom that only comes from Him via the Holy Spirit? We have the author of the Bible living in us, and yet when we read, we do not pray as we ought. It becomes merely checking the chore off the list, and we leave no wiser then when we began.

Then, for those of us that have opened the Bible for the purpose of instructing others (which, by the way, should be all Christians) We give commands, and verses that are meant to convict and instruct, but in all honesty, we might as well be opening a law book for all we do. Say, for example, you are discussing an issue of lying. You open up to Exodus 20, read commandment 9, pray an I'm sorry prayer, and move on with life, changing nothing.

It is God who is working in us to draw us closer to Himself, we come under conviction, and somehow manage to forget Him when we are actually looking at what His word says!

A good Biblical counselor should bring people back to the Character of God.

So how is that different from bringing people back to the Bible?

Well, it gives us a reason why we should change.  Our  goal in life is to be Christlike:

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)

So if we are gazing upon the character of God, our own evil tendencies are brought to light and we understand Who it is we are trying to exemplify and how to do it based on the Word of God.

Referring back to the example of the picture. When I take the subject out, it makes no sense. Without God, our life, even when we read the Bible, makes no sense.  It's just rules.

Oh, and because I love this picture so much, I'll show you what it looks like.

Because of Him,
Missa