Healing Beyond The Scars

scar“When you feel like quitting, remember that sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right. Sometimes you have to go through the worst, to arrive at your best.”

When I was a young teen, I had a surgery. They weren’t sure what was wrong with me so they performed an exploratory surgery, an incision straight down the middle of my stomach. After coming home from the hospital, I broke out with water blisters all around my incision, allergic to the steri-strips. The Dr. said we could take them off. The next morning I woke up and my incision had burst open. They couldn’t just sew it back up because I had been exposed to unclean air, to sew me up could potentially sew up an infection. For 3 Months I had an open wound being cleaned multiple times a day. What should’ve been a normal healing process of a few weeks, was much more intense and longer than expected. It formed an ugly scar, because of the way it healed, not a nice clean surgeon cut line. The scar was very ugly. Thick scar tissue, wide across my stomach, pulling at the skin that made it look like the scar was a sink hole and my skin was falling in. It was very embarrassing, especially to a 13 year old. I felt ashamed and ugly. But, I learned to live with it. I didn’t wear anything that showed my stomach, and I learned to just not look at it. At least it was healed and I could resume life again. 

As an adult, I had to have a c-section with my second daughter, Anna. I had prayed hard to not have to have a c-section, but then there I was. I was disappointed, I did not want another surgery. As the doctor is telling me I am going to have to have a c-section he says  ‘Good news is you are going to have a beautiful baby girl soon, and I’m going to fix that scar when I cut you open”. He even cut me differently than most so he could fix it. That scar from when I was 13 years old that had been marked with shame, even in ways I have not expressed fully here, had come full circle. The next surgery I had was not to cut out infection but to bring something beautiful into this world, and as a result removing the scar tissue that wasn’t necessary anymore, and making a clean scar that is now attached to a beautiful memory; that’s where Anna came into our world.  

Spiritual Relation Revelation:  

Sometimes our scars are good reminders that we’ve healed, that we survived whatever trauma, tragedy, or wound we endured and now we are stronger for it.

Or… We simply have tougher skin that will make it harder to hurt us there again. We have built a thick hard tissue to keep from being exposed to hurt or infection again. But sometimes, no matter how much we say we are healed, that mangled scar only exposes that while we closed the wound and we can live with it, something went wrong in the healing process. We are ‘healed’ but not whole.

I have found myself in several areas of my life struggling with some deep cut wounds. I have thought I was healed, pushed in a little and found my wound fully exposed again. I was wrong. I wasn’t ready. Took the bandages off too soon. Now it has been exposed to a toxic environment, and it’s going to take even longer to heal than before. Every time it heals over, the scar tissue is thicker and harder than before. I am thicker and tougher and harder than before.

 I do not want to be a scarred person in order to prevent others from hurting me. I feel myself being cut open again, but this time I am begging God to do the cutting. I am asking him to not cut me open just to remove what’s wrong, but to bring something beautiful out of it. To bring out the joy of my salvation, the smile and openness to my heart I used to share so willingly with others. To repair the scar tissue that once protected me, but now only serves as an ugly mess preventing me from my full beauty. I pray other’s may see the scar placed by a skilled surgeon, and not that of someone who bandaged it themselves and allowed it to scar over poorly. I want to show my scar proudly and say “this is what God has done”.

Why Go To Church?

Children often ask questions that can really make us stop and have to evaluate things we have taken for granted in our lives. Maybe we had the answer at one point, but now as we reflect, searching for an answer for them, the answer is different than it was before.

Last night Anna asked me “why do we need to go to church?”

While it seemed simple enough, this made me pause because I have been struggling with this question myself for quite some time.  There is a saying that “your greatest strength can also be your double weakness”, church has certainly been that in my life.
Raised in a ministry family I have seen the best and worst of church goers. I have seen the best and worst of church leaders, and it has had the best and worst effects on my life. Perhaps only those raised in “Ministry families” can understand that. Much like Military families, or Politician’s families, there is a whole different culture (and sometimes dysfunction) that no one else can understand. (I have many times over the years seriously contemplated a ‘ministry’ just for “ministers kids”.) However, I think anyone raised in church can all relate to hurts and disappointments caused by church members and leaders.

If you have been a part of any organization or social circle long enough you will have hurts and disappointments because they are full of human error and imperfect people, but church seems to bring a different level of pain. Perhaps because we do hold those to a higher standard, forgetting that even the leaders are still very much humans trying to walk out a message just like us. Perhaps because we, too, are judged at a whole different level. Perhaps because where we should be most accepted, loved and forgiven, challenged and encouraged, we are judged, measured and found lacking.

In any case because of yet another set of disappointments in my life, both of others and myself, the last few years have left me questioning what God intends “the church” to look like. What was/is His plan for those who call themselves Christians? Does what we do every Sunday really look like “Worship” of The Great Creator? Does what we do every Sunday really look like “spreading the gospel to all the world” and laying our lives down for a cause? Does attending a one or two hour service weekly, or attending yet another bible study really bring change in my life or anyone else’s?  This is the very brief explanation of why I struggle with this question myself.

I am nothing if not honest with my children. I told her I honestly am not sure that going to church, in the format that we do, is what we need to do, and I am trying to figure it all out myself. What I can tell her is what I know for sure to be true and what I know for sure to be what God has instructed us to look like. 

1) We need to spend time with other believers, we need to encourage each other with testimonies that God is still working, To ‘spur’ our faith to “keep calm and carry on” =)

Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  –

2) We need to come together to pray for one another. (Ask yourself when is the last time you gathered with other believers and began to pray for one circumstance, one purpose, until you saw the miracle?) 

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him……Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison….he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”Acts 12:5-13

Why do we need to come together to pray? Simple.. “I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for themby my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19-20

3) We need to come together and make sure no one has need. 

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all  that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Acts 4:32-35

4) We need to Praise and Worship together.
Because music and worship releases the grip of what torments. Even secular studies show the power of music and the power of speaking positive words on our minds and bodies. God knew it a long time ago.

I have experienced Praise and Worship alone. I have sang songs and praised him at home and felt His Prescence, the release of my deppression, anxiety, and even the resolution to the natural problem. Praise and Worship literally and spiritually and Emotionally sets the captives free:

 “After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:23-26 

 but there are times when you can’t seem to muster the strength to sing songs, or praises to God. Perhaps you are just overwhelmed.  When that happens we can certainly use the encouragement of another to sing the song for us, the corporate worship, or leader …

“Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” …. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” 1Samuel 16:14-23

So then, is this the picture of the American Church?

This is not a post to say “I have the answer to the modern day church”, rather a post to say I am seeking the answer …This is what I know is true, something in our practice is a miss. More people have felt wounded by “the church” than healed, restored, and loved. In a conversation with an atheist he stated “I need rational evidence. If Jesus came down and started performing miracles then I would believe, but I see nothing. ” (This man I was told was hurt by the church in his youth)

Now, while we know that FAITH is the evidence of things NOT seen,  let me throw this at you …. Miracles, Signs, and Wonders… Miracles are signs that make you wonder. When Paul and Silas were freed from Prison it goes on to tell of the soldier who nearly killed himself because of the shock of it all, but they stopped Him and led him to the Lord. When Peter was led out of Prison by the angel He told the believers to go and tell the others. The speaking of tongues? It’s very first use and purpose was a sign that made the unbeliever wonder. The men who spoke in their language sharing the gospel and they KNEW these men did not know how to speak in their language, thousands were saved on that day…. after what? Believers gathered together and prayed for Holy-Spirit to show up.

They didn’t rent out the Coliseum to host a conference and simulate the form of entertainment offered by the world so that people might come. (and no I am not opposed to Christian Concerts, or the such) They didn’t promise wealth or comfort for their belief, quite the opposite, they guaranteed persecution and even death. They lived in a culture just like ours, that enjoyed entertainment and a heightened sense of stimulation. Yet, they could walk down the street and people sought them out. Beggars not looking for gold or food, but for what they had inside of them.

So what’s the difference between the early church spending not a dime to bring THOUSANDS to Christ in a single day, and the modern day church who makes an altar call, after spending many dollars just on the lights and entertainment, with little to no response? That is the question we need to ask ourselves. Is church doing what it was intended to do/be? Is church about being a family, or a business? Are we changing the world? Are we even really changing ourselves? Are we edifying, encouraging, and spurring one another on through our testimony? Are we providing for one anothers needs that no one have lack? Are we praying and believing for a person or purpose that includes more than more people coming so that we can have more givers and build bigger buildings? Are we standing and believing together for signs to make them wonder?

 

 

 

 

 

Who Told You?

“…the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was Lord God called to the man, Where are you? He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid. And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?…” Genesis 3:8-11 NIV

 

Genesis tells us of Adam and Eve’s demise, their fall to sin. When God comes looking for them they are hiding in the garden. (Ok, that makes alot of sense, hiding from All-present, All-knowing God. Yet how many of us try to do just that? But I digress.) When God finally “finds” them, they ashamedly admit why they were hiding, “…I was afraid because I was naked..” . God’s response here was “Who told you that you were naked?“.

We do not know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden before the fall, maybe centuries, maybe millenia, because before this there was no death. They had lived this whole time unashamed and walking freely with God, and suddenly NOW they realize their nakedness? They know they will be exposed for the failures they are if they stand before God. However, when God finally does find them He asks, “Who told you that you were naked?”

In this world there are two voices crying out to us. I ask you the same question God asked Adam. Who told you that you were naked? God says you are “clothed with the garments of salvation, that you are covered with the robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) If God says you are not naked, you are worthy to stand before the King, then what idiot told you that you were naked?!

In everything you believe about yourself, ask this question, “Who told me…?” “Who told me I was a failure? Who told me I could not be what I was meant to be?” Stop asking “But how I’ve never”, and start the new year with “Nothing you see is impossible with God!”. Begin to throw out the things that God did not say about you, and choose to believe the good things. You are a success! You are valued! You are Beautiful! You are divinely placed here with a destiny and purpose for your life! Nothing You See Is Impossible With God!

Your “Never” Doesn’t Matter To God!

Gabriel greeted her:Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David;

He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.“And Mary said, “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:26-38TM

 

We are not far from celebrating the greatest miracle and gift to mankind. Mary could not have known it, though she knew it was big, the fullness of what role she would hold in history when she agreed to God’s will. When this stranger, Gabriel, visited her small Jewish home.

Like many of us, it wasn’t that Mary was not willing to do whatever God asked of her but her human mind tried so hard to wrap her brain around HOW God would accomplish His will. HOW could God use this little girl to perform the greatest miracle in history.

Mary’s response to this word from God was “But How? When I have never slept with a man”, Gabriel’s answer was simple, “Nothing, you see, is impossible with God!” Luke 1:34

When God has given you the vision and shown you your destiny you may say “But how I’ve never…”. You may “have never”, but “Nothing you see is impossible with God!”.Nothing you have done, or not done, can keep God’s purpose from being fulfilled as long as the servant is willing. God is not concerned with the education, the accolades, the people you know, your age, or the amount of money in your bank account. He is only looking for someone to say ” Yes, I see it all now: I’m… ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.

The “But How’s?” may be following you everyday this Christmas season. But How will God provide for my bills? But How can God ever restore what is broken? But How can I ever see hope again? But How will God bring this big vision I carry into reality? But How can I believe again, trust again? But How?  Even the most faith-filled person asks “but how”? …. Nothing You See Is Impossible with God!

No matter what challenges face you, do not abort or miscarry what God has placed in your heart because of fear or doubt. Mary had to face shaming her family, financial insecurity (I mean her child was born in a barn!), being left at the altar, even possible death. But, just as was the case with Mary, carried to full term God may use you to change the world!

Being Rooted

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecclesiastes 3

Once we were given a maple tree, well, a maple twig. It was in a small pot and we were told to leave it there until it was big enough and strong enough to plant. For a long time it didn’t look like anything more than a twig. Finally after years of being in that pot it began showing growth and the twig looked a bit more like a single strong branch with some leaves on them. 🙂

We finally transplanted it. It was too big for that pot and if it was ever going to grow to its full capacity it had to be moved to a place where its roots could grow deeper and wider; now after 8 years that ‘twig’ is the beginnings of a tree with multiple branches of leaves, and every year gets a little bigger.

My mom says I may have to move it once more because it is planted by our house. She said “You can leave it there and it will be fine. But eventually it will come to a point that it will stop growing for lack of room for it’s roots to grow. There is nothing wrong with that, it will be fine, but if you move it out in the middle of the yard it will grow even bigger and wider than just there by the house.” Being planted is good, but when the soil and the ground is no longer able to sustain the life that needs to grow sometimes it is necessary to move it. Be careful, though, any horticulturist will tell you pruning, uprooting, and replanting has to happen in the right season.

I heard a minister say once constantly uprooting a tree will cause its roots to wither. Stay planted, stay rooted where you are and your roots can grow deep and strong able to face any storm. This struck a chord with me because I believe in the power of being planted. So many times I have wanted to run from things, but choosing to not run away because of fear or hurt, well, this was something God really had to work in me. My childhood was not one of many long term roots. Church to church, moving around quite often, my parents in ministry, out of ministry, and many different jobs. I had to choose to sit still even when my behind was being held to the fire. I needed a season of establishing my family, my children and bringing me into maturity of being the wife and mother I need to be.

I was planted, the soil was rich with resources to help me grow in all the things I needed to grow in. I was blessed to have mentors and counselors, marriage classes, all the things we needed to grow a healthy family tree. 🙂 (don’t get me wrong this is an ongoing process of pruning and growth, but my roots are a lot stronger than they used to be. 🙂 )

I had come to be content to let my roots be where they were and not move. I felt like I was beginning to bear some fruit and become a mature tree. I was getting all I needed and had grown so much where I was, surely this was the best soil for me… Here’s what I forgot, fall and winter always follow Spring and Summer.

During the fall and winter there is a dying away – it appears on the surface that you (the tree) are dying… But it is actually at this time that the roots are digging in and going deeper so that when spring comes around it is stronger than ever. It lets go, for a season, of all that is unnecessary in its life. The leaves are beautiful and nice and apart of what makes the tree beautiful… But not necessary for its survival. It lets those things go, knowing that they will come back even more beautiful and the roots will be even stronger to support it. The really incredible thing about this is that even as the tree lets go there is beauty in the dying. The most exclamations of admiration for God’s incredible paintbrush is in the life and, what seems to be, the death of a tree.

When God began uprooting me, I couldn’t understand the “why”. I felt like moving me was indeed causing my roots to wither, my fruit began to die and I went into a dormant season. I wondered for a long time when God was going to “replant” me, and then I realized, He was teaching me, yet again, my source for life has always been rooted in Him. All the ‘unnecessaries’ began to fall away, the real crux of all that is important has remained, and I am beginning to see growth and fruit, yet again.

“But blessed is the man who trusts me, GOD, the woman who sticks with GOD. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers— Never a worry through the hottest of summers… Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

I Can Not Be Cursed – Why I Support the Nation of Israel, but Not CUFI & End Time Fears …

All their talk about the law is gas. Theythemselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible!

14-16 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!

I believe we (the United States) made a commitment to Israel and we should stand behind them. I understand their struggles, and I support the efforts to push the President and government to stand by their word to be their ally and defend them.
What I don’t understand is this:

I have many people that love Israel and the Jewish people (seemingly) more than they do the church at times. They use biblical rhetoric to convince people they are in downright sin if they do not support the nation of Israel, or worse God is going to curse them and anyone who doesn’t rally the U.S. to get on board and blow up all of their enemies.

I was in a church which strongly supported Israel and the “Christians United For Israel” organization (John Hagee). I attended several gatherings of Jews and Christians together to support Israel. The church organized trips to Washington to be involved with the CUFI rallies, and took special trips to Israel. What amazed me in all this, whether intentional or not, the message seemed to not be about trying to reach the Jewish people to Christ, but rather there was a heavy tone that they did not need to be reached. So then one can only assume it was a purely political rally, yet they used scripture (inaccurately I might add) to infer that I would be ‘cursed’ if I don’t support the government of Israel.

Before an event hosted at our own church the Pastor actually stood in the pulpit and said “Now, we are not here to convert the Jews, and we don’t need to be praying ‘in the name of Jesus’ …” I couldn’t believe it. I remember thinking to myself, we can’t pray ‘in Jesus name’ at football games, public schools, and now CHURCH? for offense of offending someone? They are coming here to rally our support for them, including political leaders from Israel, but we are told we can’t even say “Jesus” for fear of offending? Wow, politically correct has crossed a line now.

This really confused me and I began asking myself some hard questions… do Jews need to be saved? If there is a “last days” of God opening the Jewish people’s eyes what would that look like? What does that mean? Does that mean that every Jew before and after are exempt from accepting Jesus? There is no longer Abraham’s bosom, so where is the atonement for their sins to allow them into heaven? (and even if sacrifices of animal blood were still acceptable to God, they have not been made for a long time.)

Very few could answer these questions with certainty, even those radically supporting “CUFI”. I have only met one ministry couple who could tell me that attending a Messianic church (A church of Jewish people who accept Jesus as the savior) was about them seeking to understand the culture because they actually have a heart to be missionaries to Israel. In other words, they want to share Jesus with the Jewish people, not shy away from him in order not to offend. (I am pretty sure Paul nor any of the other apostles who walked into the synagogues ever held back the name of Jesus.)

Since no one could (or wanted) to definitively answer my questions on this I had to go to the source. The answer lies in understanding the covenant. Not two covenants, the covenant. There is one covenant spanning from Abraham to now, with Jesus bringing the fullness of the covenant. To understand my point of view on this we would have to take a little history lesson. Come with me for a few moments….

Long, long Ago in a faraway land..(j/k – but not really 🙂 )

Genesis tells us the story of God’s covenant with Abraham and why he chose Abraham: 

Twice God promises to bless Abraham, 1st in Genesis 12 when God tells him to leave his father’s land:

“I’ll make you a great nation and bless you. I’ll make you famous; you’ll be a blessing. I’ll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I’ll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3

Then again, in Genesis 22:15-18 after God stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac on the altar:

The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: “I swear—God’s sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I’ll bless you—oh, how I’ll bless you! And I’ll make sure that your children flourish—like stars in the sky! like sand on the beaches! And your descendants will defeat their enemies. All nations on Earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me.” Genesis 22:15-18

God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son on the altar. God stops Abraham just before killing his son Isaac, to whom God promised, and then because of his obedience and great love God  tells him this:

a) “BECAUSE you have gone through with this not refusing to give me your son, I am going to bless you – your children will flourish like stars in the sky, like sand on the beaches… And your descendants will defeat their enemies.” –

I think we can all agree, This promise has already been kept…. Moving on…

b) “ALL nations on earth will find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me” = Jesus


Because Abraham loved the Lord so much he was willing to give his son as a sacrifice, God in turn gave his son to be the sacrifice for all of our sins, and all nations on earth can find themselves blessed through the descendant of Abraham – Jesus – fulfilling the promise to Abraham.

… Seeing a pattern, promise kept…

What about the scripture that says “Those who bless Israel are blessed and those who curse Israel are cursed”? Well, it does not mention Israel, it mentions Abraham. No matter what translation you look up, it says the same. In the KJV it states “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen 12:3)

Those who bless ABRAHAM will be blessed, and those who curse ABRAHAM will be cursed. I have never cursed Abraham, nor had an opportunity to bless him, since he lived thousands of years before I was born. I am going to say I am pretty sure I am free from that curse or blessing.

For further understanding of the position of the Jewish people today (those since Jesus) let’s look at what Jesus had to say. (Most reliable source I would say)

As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up in a panic and said, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.”Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.”
“Oh, no,” said the captain. “I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine. I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; to my slave,‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and how he works. This man is the vanguard of many outsiders who will soon be coming from all directions—streaming in from the east, pouring in from the west, sitting down at God’s kingdom banquet alongside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then those who grew up ‘in the faith’ but had no faith will find themselves out in the cold, outsiders to grace and wondering what happened.” Matthew 8:5-12

 

“Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went.”The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went.

“Which of the two sons did what the father asked?” They said, “The first.”
John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.

“Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the grapes, he sent his servants back to collect his profits.”The farmhands grabbed the first servant and beat him up. The next one they murdered. They threw stones at the third but he got away.The owner tried again, sending more servants. They got the same treatment.The owner was at the end of his rope. He decided to send his son. ‘Surely,’ he thought, ‘they will respect my son.'”But when the farmhands saw the son arrive, they rubbed their hands in greed. ‘This is the heir! Let’s kill him and have it all for ourselves.’They grabbed him, threw him out, and killed him. “Now, when the owner of the vineyard arrives home from his trip, what do you think he will do to the farmhands?” “He’ll kill them – a rotten bunch, and good riddance,” they answered. “Then he’ll assign the vineyard to farmhands who will hand over the profits when it’s time.” Jesus said, “Right – and you can read it for yourselves in your Bibles: The stone the masons threw out is now the cornerstone. This is God’s work; we rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it! “This is the way it is with you. God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.Whoever stumbles on this Stone gets shattered; whoever the Stone falls on gets smashed.” When the religious leaders heard this story, they knew it was aimed at them. They wanted to arrest Jesus and put him in jail, but, intimidated by public opinion, they held back. Most people held him to be a prophet of God. Matthew 21:28-46

If you have taken the time to read these scriptures so far surely you know he is talking to the religious leaders of the Hebrew/Jewish faith and he is foreshadowing their destiny should they continue to reject first the prophets (i.e. John the Baptist), and then the son of God himself – Jesus.   Jesus drives the point home again with this:

“Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12: 48-50

(Jesus was a Jew by blood…. think on this.)

Jesus was clear that no man comes to God, except through him. (John 14:6) “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him will have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Once the covenant with Abraham was fulfilled (Jesus) we are all now able to come into the new covenant of grace. This was not a replacement of the covenant with Abraham, this was the fulfillment. We (the Christian church – including Messianic Jews ) are not a “replacement” of the Jewish people but, instead, it was always the plan of God to reconcile all mankind to himself. It was through Abraham, and those of his lineage that followed God, that God was given the door to send Jesus, but it was always God’s intent that we all be in this covenant.

The apostles have to deal with this issue in Acts 15 when the ‘Jewish converts’ are attempting to require the ‘Gentile converts’ to Christianity to follow the Jewish customs and religious practices of the Jewish faith:

“Friends, listen. Simeon has told us the story of how God at the very outset made sure that racial outsiders were included. This is in perfect agreement with the words of the prophets:
‘After this, I’m coming back. I’ll rebuild David’s ruined house; I’ll put all the pieces together again; I’ll make it look like new So outsiders who seek will find, so they’ll have a place to come to, All the pagan peoples included in what I’m doing.
“God said it and now he’s doing it. It’s no afterthought; he’s always known he would do this.” Acts 15:13-18

The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way —Jesus!— a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:
God gave his word; he won’t take it back:“You’re the permanent priest.” This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant. (Hebrews 7)

It was no afterthought! We from the beginning, starting with Abraham, were already apart of God’s plan to be in the covenant with him. This being true the Jewish people of today stand no more ground of inheritance or rights to the covenant than we do now, except through Jesus Christ.

Is God done with the Jewish/Israeli people? no – I don’t think so. But then again, the whole point of New Testament is the inclusion of anyone who accepts Jesus, not exclusion of the Jews… Paul talks about this here:

Does this mean, then, that God is so fed up with Israel that he’ll have nothing more to do with them? Hardly. Remember that I, the one writing these things, am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham out of the tribe of Benjamin. You can’t get much more Semitic than that! So we’re not talking about repudiation. God has been too long involved with Israel, has too much invested, to simply wash his hands of them.
Do you remember that time Elijah was agonizing over this same Israel and cried out in prayer?
God, they murdered your prophets,
They trashed your altars;
I’m the only one left and now they’re after me!
And do you remember God’s answer?

I still have seven thousand who haven’t quit,
Seven thousand who are loyal to the finish.

It’s the same today. There’s a fiercely loyal minority still— not many, perhaps, but probably more than you think. They’re holding on, not because of what they think they’re going to get out of it, but because they’re convinced of God’s grace and purpose in choosing them. If they were only thinking of their own immediate self-interest, they would have left long ago.

And then what happened? Well, when Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursuing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed. The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue his interest in them, and as a result received his stamp of legitimacy. The “self-interest Israel” became thick-skinned toward God.
(Romans 11:1-10)

Paul goes on to say that:

There was a time not so long ago when you were on the outs with God. But then the Jews slammed the door on him and things opened up for you. Now they are on the outs. But with the door held wide open for you, they have a way back in. In one way or another, God makes sure that we all experience what it means to be outside so that he can personally open the door and welcome us back in Romans 11:28-29

One minister said “Jews can be Jews without Christians, but Christians can not be Christians without Jews.” This is true. I have a high regard for the truths of the Old Testament, and all that has been given to me through the blood line of Abraham.

It was Jews who began the church. Jesus, Peter, Paul, and all the disciples, were Jews. I believe that those who have have ears to hear have heard and, still, many will hear. I believe that there will be a great revival in the last days before Jesus returns, which may very well begin in Israel and draw again the Jewish people. Remember Peter and Paul always started in the synagogues first, beckoning the Jewish people to believe. It would make since that the last, greatest, world wide revival would start in Israel. (Hopefully there will be missionaries who are daring to use the word ‘Jesus’ over there.) However, I do not believe that being born a Jew gives you automatic atonement, or exemption from accepting Christ. It didn’t even in the Old Testament, otherwise they would have not needed sacrifices. 

We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) including the Jewish people. We all need the salvation of Jesus Christ and no one comes to the father except through Jesus. (John 14:6)

Paul tells us, again, there is hope for them, but by hearing and believing the truth of Jesus Christ, as with any other.  “… if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again” (Romans 11:23)

I support Israel politically because I don’t think we need to leave them over there to stand alone.  I believe in learning from history – as in WW2 – we turned a blind eye and it wasn’t our problem until it came on our shores. If we ignore and allow their enemies to continue to prevail over them that seeks to destroy them, then they will come after us next.

“The only thing for evil to reign is for good men to stand by and do nothing.” Leaders like Iran’s, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, have made it clear it is their mission to destroy Israel, and then us. So whether we disagree about how much land really belongs to them or not (based on biblical or U.N. standards) we need to remember “the enemy of our enemy is our friend”. 

I also support the reasons for giving Israel the land back to them to begin with, so that they have a place to call “home”; that they never suffer the persecution that they suffered in Germany again. It’s why Christians came to the Americas and began a nation where we could have freedom to worship the way we wanted without persecution and, I believe, they deserve the same freedom.

But…

 Not supporting the nation of Israel’s political status, while not right in my opinion, is not a biblically immoral choice.

Truth be told God never intended Israel to have a king or have a “wordly/traditional” government, and their real problems began when they cried out for that.

“…now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord.The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” -1 Samuel 8:6-21

Every king they ever had either was corrupt, at least at some point, or they wound up in captivity under other ungodly leaders. When Jesus came they were looking for a savior, not of the spiritual kind, but a king who would overthrow the Roman Empire and establish them as their own government once again.

They rejected Jesus because he wasn’t there to do exactly what so many Christians are crying out as a mandate from God for us to do today, establish them as an unshakeable government.

Remember they are still looking for a savior. (My problem with men like John Hagee is they seem to be attempting to place themselves in such a position, even eliminating the need for Jesus. He becomes the political savior they are looking for.)

So if you are going to address the support of Israel as a nation and a government that the U.S. should support,  then you should do this from a political argument not a spiritual one. You are not going to be cursed if you do not support the nation of Israel, and you will not be any more blessed than you already are through the blood of Jesus Christ.

(all references are from the Message for plain understanding, however they have been crossed referenced for accuracy. You are welcome to look them up. Greek/Hebrew/ or KJV )

Here is another interesting post on the topic my husband led me to as I was writing this. He has a bit of different reference on the subject. Very insightful… Catch Kevin.com

Don’t Burn Out

Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Romans 12:2; 11-13

Every time you turn on the news today we hear gloom and doom.  The media reports that this big ship is sinking, and we all need a “savior” to come and rescue this country for better times. While I will exercise my right to vote this November, I also know that my hope is not in the President (whoever that may be) nor do I rely on the tax breaks, or promises the candidates make, to make my life abundantly blessed.

The above letter from Paul could have been written today. How many times have we allowed ourselves to watch the news and find ourselves fearing for our children, our future, our economy? How many times do we look at our bill books and ask ourselves “who is going to fix this”? Our actions speak that our trust is not in God.

I have heard people talk about corrupt leaders, and I have experienced injustice in my life. But when Joseph was exalted to second in command of the greatest nation on the earth, it was not a “Judeo-Christian” government, when Daniel was placed in wise counsel with the King, it was not a godly government. The early Christian church grew more under a non-Christian government than the church in America has in the last 50-100 years! Each of theses examples did begin with persecution and injustice, and even in the pit and in the Lion’s den God was there.

So why do we fret and worry that our job security, retirement, or health care is going to be left up to politicians and government.  (Did you know when the Israelites were in the desert for 40 years, no one got sick, no one even had to work for food because it was there every morning, and no one outgrew their clothes or shoes!)

No matter what the next 4 years bring, or the leader chosen to lead this country, I know that my God is bigger than any of that. We must stand secure that God is all the things he promised he would be, including healer, provider, and righteous judge.

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder!

Coincidence or Miracle??

This is a post from a couple of years ago that I wanted to share again. I love looking back and remembering the good things God has done. It has been great to write them down so that we do not forget ALL the good things God can do for us.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew6:33)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Phillipians 4:6)

This year has been difficult on my husband and I financially, as it has been on a lot of those I know, specifically my sister and brother-in-law. While God has pulled some real miracles off for us this year, things have been tight and we have not felt like we could do much extra than just “get by”. I will have to chronicle all the miracles God has done for us this year, but for now I want to share one in particular. This one includes my sister who, even more than I, needed to know that God had not forgotten about her.

About a month ago, we knew that “High School Musical On Ice” was coming to town. As we were driving down the road with a friend, Tracy Hurst, we saw a billboard and discussed how we would really like to take the girls to that but knew we would not be able to afford it this month. There was just no way. She stopped us then and there and said “Let’s just pray for it”. She began praying “Father we just thank you that you care for us and the desires of our heart, down to every detail. We pray that you just allow Jo Anna and Angel the opportunity to bless their girls and take them to this event. Lord, do it in a way that they would clearly know that it was from you. In the name of Jesus, Amen” That was it. She said now look for it, it’s coming. (Insert my sister’s sigh 🙂 ) I did remember a time which Ben’s boss gave us tickets to see Disney on Ice because he and his family could not go. We had not been looking to go, but it was a nice blessing. So I pointed out that we did not have to have the money to go, just the tickets. (This would be better, because when you are tight on money nothing is “extra” money )

This past weekend was the last weekend the show would be in town. I had tried to figure out how we could afford it, but it was just not possible. You must understand this, I would not go if my niece could not go. As it was, neither of the girls really knew about it, but if just Emily went Sydney (my niece) would have been upset. Therefore it had to work out for all 4 of us, or none of us. We gave up and decided to forget about it and move on to what else to do for the weekend. Sunday morning I had a message on my voice mail from the night before. It was a friend I do not talk to on a regular basis, Corrie. She said she wanted me to call her, she wanted to ask me a question. I decided I would call her back after church, around 11 am, to ensure she would be awake. As I was in my car on the way to church she called me to tell me this: “Someone gave us 6 first section tickets to see High School Musical On Ice today at 11 am. I am taking Taylor, and have 4 more. Do you and your sister want to come and bring your two girls?” She even had a free parking pass which meant we walked right into the Arena. These were not just any tickets, we were only about 5 rows from the ice. Even if we had been able to afford tickets we would not have been able to get these tickets. My sister and I cried on the phone together, realizing how good God is.

I know this may seem insignificant to some, but for me it is even more powerful to how much God cares for me than paying my electric bill. Why? Because God cares about all of the desires of my heart, not just my needs. Even the smallest thing like being able to take my daughter to see “High School Musical on Ice”. Because when we seek after God He says all these things will be given to you as well.

To the very last detail, whatever it is you are believing for, God will provide. He does not do it half way either, like we would. He can do it with no debt, and no nose bleeds sections. 🙂 Believe it today that God wants to bless you the same way, He is no respector of persons.

Healthy Lunches

I have talked about the importance of healthy lunches. I told you about some of the harmful things in the marketed “healthy” items for kids, and some alternatives. This week, I wanted to share some more practical tips on how to prepare healthy lunches.

  • Sneak in fresh vegetables and fruits. While your child may leave a whole apple untouched, she may love cut up grapes in her chicken salad. (Click here for a great Chicken Salad recipe with grapes.) Cut up apple or a whole banana with Peanut Butter to dip it in.  Anna loves “trees” (Broccoli heads) and branches (carrots) with her ranch dip. (Be sure to get a natural ranch with no additives. Fat is better than the high fructose corn syrup found in the light versions – Look in the produce sections for your dressings, they are typically better on ingredients… But read the labels! )
  • Get creative: Use cookie cutters to carve sandwiches into fun shapes. Use a cool sports bottle for their water, or splurge $2 a week for the little aquapod fun shaped water bottles.  I stock up on the individual Horizon milks at Kroger at the beginning of the school year. They run them on sale for a long time and I can get coupons. I average about 50 cents for one and then I have organic milk to send them and it will stay in my PANTRY for  a long time. They love it, and it is in a cool box and straw. 😉
  • Prep lunches with leftovers from dinner the night before. (We discussed this one last week) It is fast, easy, and it is cost effective.
  • Don’t be afraid of things that seem “snacky”. For instance,  home made Peanut butter crackers can be healthy. The benefits of all natural Peanut butter is fabulous. Protein, and fiber, and all the benefits of nuts. Cheese cubes, carrots and grape tomatoes with ranch dressing. All great snacks, and lunch items! (Back to Nature is a great brand of “Ritz” type crackers – has nothing bad in it. And I love the nut butters that have almond and/or cashew butter mixed with Peanut butter – MORE  nutrients.
  • Indulge in desserts, but don’t go overboard. Total overkill on “health” food can cause an uprising. So every once in awhile treat them a little.
  • Choose to introduce new things, and reinforce the things they do not love, at home rather than school.