Tag: Grace

Go Deeper

Go Deeper

Tomorrow i have the privilege of speaking at family camp at the morning teen service.  i am so excited to be able to speak into the lives of the teens on our district.  The theme this year is “Go Deeper” which fits really well with where i am on my own personal journey with Jesus.  i was preparing for Sunday Edition a few weeks back and stumbled upon this quote from Wesley, “Have you availed yourself to the means of grace this week?”

In thinking about this it really does draw one to a deeper thought, making one “go deeper” into who Jesus is…which is where we are with Coffee with Jesus; “Who do you say Jesus is?” Based on Jesus’ own question to His disciples in Mark 8:29.  The idea of understanding who Jesus is to us, how He is revealing Himself to us or stirring in our hearts helps us to draw nearer to Him.  Of course in turn Jesus draws nearer to us, which brings us to the camp verse, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:8a

Although i must say that i am not one for partial verse extractions like this…so here it is in its contexts; James 4:7-10 (NLT).

“7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

In its context we read there is a lot involved in drawing near to God…but it really does boil down to Wesley’s question, “Have you availed (made yourself available) to the means of grace (God’s grace, freely given) this week?” Have you drawn near to God? Well, have you?

You are loved,

cj

The Art of Not Understanding

The Art of Not Understanding

It is hard to understand sometimes, what you ask?  Life.  That is pretty much a no brainer right?  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion that life doesn’t always make sense.  In fact kids will say it all the time, “That doesn’t make any sense!”  And, they are usually 100% correct but we try to pacify them with things like, “You’ll understand when you get older” or my personal favorite, “You don’t need to understand.”  On the contrary helping people to understand, the art of not understanding is vital to civilization.  Life, isn’t always fair.  Let’s look at a story in Scripture about “talents”; We find it in Matthew 25:14-30.

Here is the story in a nutshell; The master of the house is setting out on a Journey.  He gives to three of his servants some money.  To one he gives 5 talents or basically 5 sacks of gold or silver. To another he gives two talents and to a third he gives one.  He gave to each of them according to their ability.  Let me pause here to make a point, Jesus is telling this story, and it is good and profound.  But, it doesn’t seem to make sense now does it? i mean why the difference in amounts?  i get that it is based on ability but even if one has a lesser ability shouldn’t he at least have equal chance? Meaning equal opportunity with equal resources?

These questions stump a lot of people.  We live in a world that has struggled with this idea and have made attempts to make things “fair” for all.  Time and time again these efforts have fallen short, for various reasons.  Life just isn’t fair, and that doesn’t make sense therefore, we as an intelligent species attempt to correct it.  i mean why not, shouldn’t life be fair?  This is going to be a two part series, this week i want to focus on the first part of this story told by Jesus.  The master gave to his servants, according to their abilities.  Did you catch that? Their ability.  We all have various abilities and we receive based on those abilities.

Shouldn’t we all have the same ability, the same chance, the same resources?  Why are some abilities worth more than other abilities?  What was Jesus trying to teach his disciples with this story?  i think the lesson is multifaceted.  1.  Not all abilities are worth the same however, all people are worth the same.  2.  Opportunities are earned.  3.  Abilities are another form of diversity.

We should spend less time worrying about fairness and spend more time finding out where we fit in.  How does our diversity help society better itself?  You see one seeks its own, the other shares;  One maintains status quo, the other expands its horizons; One hides, the other explores.  Jesus is looking for those that will share, expand, and explore.  The take away, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness….we won’t always understand but we always have opportunity to share, expand and explore life.

You are loved,

cj

Speak what is true…

Speak what is true…

Often there are things that happen that i sit back and scratch my head wondering, what did i just actually witness?! Baffling at times are the behaviors, choices, made by people in day to day living. All of which make me question humanity.  To often the Churches response is one of two extremes, total grace or total damnation.

As i type this i am inspired by the lyrics in a Crowder song, “Here’s My Heart”. The line that i am on is, “Here’s my heart Lord….speak what is true”  My mind and heart has been preparing for the shift, from our year long journey through Acts, to our next stop, Colossians.  Paul, speaking truth about the simplicity of Jesus.  It’s the same truth that Jesus spoke often to those He came in contact with, (paraphrasing) “I love you now, go and sin no more”.

The grace and freedom that Jesus taught, Paul speaks of, a heart  marked by a transformed life…In Chapter 3:5-8 we read;

“So put to death the parts of your life that belong to the earth, such as sexual immorality, moral corruption, lust, evil, desire, and greed (which is idolatry).  The wrath of God is coming upon disobedient people because of these things. You used to live this way, when you were alive to these things But now….”

There is a mark of grace we receive, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with its passions and its desires. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

Here’s my heart Lord, speak what is true….

You are loved,

cj

The World in Tumult

The World in Tumult

It seems the world has gone mad! i read something today that said there has been a terrorist attack somewhere in the world every 10 days so far this year.  Even with social media putting it in our faces more, the 24 hour news availability…this isn’t something one can just shake off as having “always been like this”.  Racial tension in America is on the rise, fanned by the main stream media and social media. We can choose to be blind, willfully ignorant, or just plain skeptical of its actuality…however, that doesn’t dismiss the fact that many people see it and it is being pushed in our faces.

There is a passage in Matthew, in Chapter 24; where Jesus, foretells the future. In Verse 6 it says, “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.” The whole chapter is full of warnings of great trials. In fact the only positive thing about it is that in there somewhere, Jesus returns.  It talks about persecution and of a deception so great that even the elect, if possible, will be deceived.

What hope is there, what joy, what blessing? Here is part of the point; our hope, our joy, our blessing isn’t of this world or this age…it is yet to come fully. What we have now is the Spirit within us the Kingdom Come in Power within us that stays our hearts in times of trouble.  Whether or not you believe the end is near or not, one cannot deny the world is a tumultuous place.  That there is unrest in the Nations…here is where i find my hope:

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those that weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”    Romans 12:9-16

You are loved,

cj

For We Are All One

For We Are All One

Today, as i sat in the building in which a small portion of the Church gathers, i listened to our pastor’s impassioned plea for unity.  It hit me, as i heard his words and saw a glimpse of his heart that this is the same conversation i have been having with Rachel our Axiom manager. Just a regular woman, who just happens to be dark complected, a person of color, black, to be PC, African~American.  i can’t pretend to know how it feels to be a person of color, any color other than white, in America.

We could spend lots of time arguing i am sure, all points and sides, from “Black Lives Matter” to “All Lives Matter”.  Simultaneously arguing the same points but blind because neither side can truly understand the other completely.

So, as i sat in the building with the Church i was reminded of this passage in Galatians Chapter 3…beginning with verse 26;

26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

The CHURCH must rise up above the racial tension in America. It must begin to show unity in tangible ways to those around us. This isn’t a political issue, although it has been made into one…it is rather a social one.  The Church for all of its flaws, has an opportunity to show Christ. To live out this principle in Galatians. To live out the mandate of Scripture to love, show mercy, have compassion, and live in a place of grace and forgiveness…it is for us, the Church, to walk humbly.

i am thankful that we took 30 teens to camp last week and we were the most diverse group there. i am proud of that fact and felt even better when one of the counselors was talking to me and pointed out the fact.  To be honest, i hadn’t thought about it.  i like to think that i don’t see color, that i live out Galatians everyday.  Not that i am already perfected, but forgetting what is behind, i press on toward the goal of Christ Jesus.

Rejoicing always, i attempt to let my gentleness be an outward expression of who lives within me.  i try not to be anxious but in everything though prayer i am thankfully hopeful. i am paraphrasing parts of Philippians, but let me close with this quote from the same 4:8,9

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

You are loved,

cj

Stinky Projects

Stinky Projects

This week my wife finally had it with the odor that was coming from under the sink. i have to admit that all though i often don’t smell all that she can, she has a very sensitive nose, but i did smell that and it was bad! Jen called the landlord and asked if she could pull out the shelving under the sink, it had sever water damage, thinking that would be the solution. They agreed and she wasted no time. When she started tearing it out she began to uncover an even bigger mess, black mold! Another call to the landlord and i was called in to take out the sink, and cut out the molded drywall. i did.

That project spurred other projects and as we were taking out and putting in the work was hard and i often wondered, “there has to be an easier way”. This morning i finished the plumbing of the new sink after finishing the drywall yesterday and Jen painted last night. i started on laying the new floor while the sink was out, so the new floor is half in and the project continues…there is an end insight but i hesitate in saying that because as we have progressed new projects have popped up. The good news in all this is that the landlord is paying for the renovation and taking rent off for our labor, a pretty good deal if you ask me.

Life is like this project. We often don’t see a need to change until there is an odor. That thing that just begins to stink in our life that makes us say, “I can’t take this anymore, something has to change!” Its at this point that we start tearing into the problem, only to find, more often than not, a bigger problem. The task becomes daunting and our minds wander to, “there has to be an easier way!” Most times there isn’t. Change is hard especially when there is something that stinks.

Here are some truths i have rediscovered as i progress through this project:

1. Change is hard but when its necessary, its worth it!
2. Chances are the more you discover about the “stink” the more “stink” you will find!
3. Tackle one project at a time…it is ok however, to put one aside if it makes sense to do another thing first…like for me and the floor, it was easier while the sink was out to do that part of the floor down, then i finished the sink, now i will finish the floor.
4. Think, Ask Question, and Seek help from those that know or have experience with what you are facing.
5. Set small goals along the way…there is satisfaction in accomplishing parts of the main goal.
Paul writes to the Philippians:
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:12-14) Read the whole chapter here.

What “stink” are you working on this summer?

You are loved,

cj

God is Strong

God is Strong

“Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit”…”Stephen, brimming with God’s grace and energy”…”Stephen, they found they couldn’t take their eyes off him-his face was life the face of an angel!” These verses found in Acts tell of an amazing moment of God’s Faithfulness through a man full of Jesus.

Ephesians 6 says this:
“God is strong, and He wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the devil throws your way.”

What we know of Stephen is that he was living Ephesians 6. Without a doubt. As we head into Thanksgiving next week and then into the Advent season it is a good time to reflect. A moment of introspection in which we look at our lives, what we have to be thankful for and in being thankful living lives of thanksgiving. A life of Thanksgiving in which God is strong, because He is strong.

Because He is strong, we can live in faith that He will…
As we rely on Him, seek Him, rest in Him, He fills us with more of Him, His Holy Spirit…
The more we are full of the Holy Spirit the more our lives reflect grace…
Grace, when given fills us with power to change our environment…

This is Jesus’ heart for you.

You are Loved,

cj

God’s Holiness and Love: Insights from the Lord’s Prayer

God’s Holiness and Love: Insights from the Lord’s Prayer

May Your Name be kept Holy

Continuing with, “Our Father in Heaven…Matt 6:9-13

Our Father in heaven,
may Your name be kept holy.
10 May Your Kingdom come soon.
May Your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who offended us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

Let me remind us of another passage we find in scripture 1 Peter 1:16   “For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” Now this passage in reality is impossible apart from Messiah. We can not on our own ever achieve holiness. So how can we be holy? Well, we know that Elohim is Holy, and if Elohim dwells in us and is changing us into His likeness then we are made holy through Yahoshua. It is His righteousness, His grace, His mercy…not our own works that we can boast.

There is another aspect of our part of holiness. It is a set-apart holiness. Although we live in the world we are to be separate from it. We are not to partake in its sins. We put on the new creation brought through repentance and baptism. This new way of life is sanctified in Yahoshua. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us we are enabled to live holy set-apart lives for the Father.

Yahoshua, in teaching us to pray reveals the very nature of Elohim. Holy, yes, but also love. Yes, love. As we hear Yahoshua say, Elohim is Holy…we also see the Love of Yahoshua displayed in every action. Elohim’s love at work in and through the person of Yahoshua reveals His Holy Love. To make us Holy as He is Holy so that we might dwell in His presence. Messiah’s holiness in us…may we keep His name Holy and wholly before us.

you are loved,

cj