MY BLOG POSTS

I was listening to Casting Crowns’ song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners,” in the car and was struck by this line:

“Jesus, friend of sinners/ the truth’s become so hard to see/ The world is on their way to You/ but they’re tripping over me.”

It’s easy to think of other people who are guilty of this: people who are hateful “in Jesus’ name” or who gossip but call it “sharing,” who criticize and say they’re “just being honest.” People who make Christians look so bad we understand why so many unbelievers don’t want anything to do with our Savior.

 

But then I thought about myself. Am I ever guilty of tripping people who might be on their way to Jesus? The word Christian means “little Christ.” Am I living the life Jesus modeled? Or am I behaving more like the pharisees – the hypocritical religious leaders that Jesus himself condemned?

If I am being perfectly honest, I have to admit that I struggle with pharisee-like thoughts and actions sometimes. It is easy to look at others and think of ways that I am “better” than them. But those thoughts are awful, destructive, and sinful. Those thoughts break God’s heart and prevent me from being able to serve others the way He has commanded me to serve. Because those thoughts come out through my words and actions, “tripping” others who may be on their way to Jesus.

So rather than tripping people along the way to Him, I want to come alongside them, help them, pick them up when they fall, dust them off, hug them when they’re hurting and cheer them when they are victorious. I want people to look at me, to be around me, to know me and be encouraged. I want to be like Jesus – a friend of sinners, of whom I am one, saved by His grace.

Sometimes, life can really stink. I’m not talking about bombing a test or getting a ticket. I’m talking parents are divorcing, Grandma has cancer, that kind of stuff. The stuff that is awful. Stuff that makes you wonder if God really cares. Stuff that makes the verse that says “God works all things for good to those who love the Lord” seem like it doesn’t apply to you. How can good come from tragedies? What good can be found in a divorce or a death, in heartache?

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard broken-hearted people ask, “Why would God allow this to happen?” He could have stopped that divorce, healed the cancer, prevented that accident. But he didn’t. He let it happen. Why?

I understand that sentiment – I have felt it, too. But as I study God’s word, I see character after character who suffered – painfully. Joseph was punished for his purity. Job was attacked for his righteousness. Jeremiah was rejected for preaching God’s words…

Those men, and so many others, serve as examples to us – examples of how God redeems the rotten circumstances of life. That doesn’t mean what happened to them was good. Being falsely imprisoned is not good. Losing home, health, and family is not good. Being perscuted is not good. But God allowed good to come from it. But for two of those three, the good wasn’t seen during their lifetimes. Job never knew why he lost so much. Jeremiah never saw the people respond positively to his message. Only Joseph saw the good that came from his tragedies. But even that knowledge didn’t erase the terrible memories of being abandoned by his family and being imprisoned for being pure.

What I cling to during the times that life seems rotten is my faith. Not the “I believe I can fly…” faith-in-faith stuff, but real faith in a real God. A God who is so much better than I can imagine and who knows so much more than what my finite mind can grasp. Faith in the truth of God’s word. Faith that someday, I will understand everything. Faith in an eternity so wonderful that the trials I face here will disappear from my memory. Faith that the God of the Bible – the God I serve – walks with me through the worst of times and redeems even the most rotten situation.

I love Christmas.

Everyone says that, but I have actual reasons. That’s right. Reasons. If I were on trial for loving Christmas, I would be found guilty. Given a life sentence of Christmas cheer.

So why, you ask? Why this arrogant assumption? This preposterous proposition?

Because during Christmas all of America loves what I love all year long:

• Jesus
• Old music
• Classic films

That’s right. Folks might say “Happy Holidays” at the department stores, but “Silent Night” is still playing in the dressing rooms. Jesus is everywhere during the Christmas season. Nativity scenes fill shelves and yards and window displays. Christmas trees are topped with angels or a star — both reminders of the story of Jesus’ birth.

And when “Silent Night” isn’t playing, what is? Top 40′s music? Rap? Country? Oh, no. Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Dean Martin. Great singers crooning great music that is 50+ years old. I listen to that music all year long. They did sing more than just “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Lots more. And it’s fabulous.

And when families gather together around the Christmas tree with hot chocolate and popcorn, what movies do they pull out? The classics — “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, so many more. And musicals — the epitome of entertainment — are on TV everyday. Ah, the joy of seeing people spontaneously break out in song at any moment.

As a matter of fact, I’m thinking of doing that right now…

“Do You Hear What I Hear?”

I am finishing up a study of Galatians in my personal bible study, and I ran across a verse yesterday that I don’t think I really thought about before: Galatians 6:6 “And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.”

I am married to a pastor’s kid, was raised in the church, Dave and I were missionaries for four years, and Dave, for a short time, was an associate pastor…so I am familiar with the ministry. I understand the needs families in ministry have. And, having seen church from both sides of the pulpit, I know that giving is one of those issues that makes people uncomfortable. Some people hate it when giving is mentioned at all. It makes them angry – how dare they ask for money?? Others just don’t think about it – they are barely making ends meet as it is!

But, folks, giving isn’t optional. It is required. The verse above is just one example – one that reminds us that, when we have people investing their lives in us, to teach us the word, to counsel us, to help us and our community, we must share what we have with them so they can keep doing it.

The Old Testament word is “tithing” and it means 10%.In the New Testament, we are told to be cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7). We are shown the example of the Macedonians, who gave to Paul, not out of their wealth, but their poverty, to ensure the work of the ministry continued, even though they had to sacrifice in order to see that accomplished (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

We are to give generously to those who invest so generously in us. The plate or bucket or whatever it is that is passed around at your church isn’t there to make you feel guilty or angry. It is there to help you be obedient. It is there to allow you to help your church run – to pay the bills, to meet payroll, to help missionaries, to feed the hungry…

It’s easy to make excuses – especially around this time of year. But those excuses aren’t from God. He – not your pastor – has told you to give, generously and cheerfully. And as with all his commands, there is great joy in obedience.

God gives us all many good things. Don’t forget, in this season of giving, to share those good things with your church.