Saturday, July 9, 2011
Katie's Family Makes National News!
If you read my blog while I was in Africa, you know that I constantly suggested reading posts from Katie's blog. While I've never met her personally, I am challenged and encouraged every time she writes about what God is doing in her life and the lives of her children. If you aren't aware, Katie is a 22-year-old from Brentwood, TN, who has become Mommy to 13 orphaned Ugandan girls. I was so excited to see her story published on NPR. Read it here, and then check out her blog. If you feel led to support Katie's ministry financially, click on the "Amazima" link on the right side of my blog. (Of course, you can find it on her blog as well.)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Secret Poverty
"The greatest single hindrance to evangelism today is the secret poverty of our own spiritual experience." ~John Stott
Talk to any grandparent for five minutes and what's the most likely topic of conversation? The grandchildren. Ask any mother how her week has been, and what will her response include? The daily lives of her children. Spend significant time with any engaged man or woman, and you will leave knowing all about his or her future spouse. We all do it. We all talk about the people we know and love the most.
So what does it mean when our conversations do not naturally lead to Jesus?
I would rather not think about the answer to that question. Because the truth behind it is not something I can acknowledge and then simply continue on my merry way. The truth behind it is this: we do not know Him. Not really. If we really knew Jesus, we wouldn't be able to stop talking about Him. We wouldn't be able to stand the thought of someone else not knowing Him.
Oh, I know Him a little. I've spent time with Him. I've talked with Him. I've asked for His guidance, and I've even followed it many times. I've experienced His presence and power in my life enough to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). And I can attest to the fact that those are the times when I can't wait to share what He's done with the first person who will listen. Which is why I can also say with certainty that John Stott is right: if we are experiencing life with Jesus, we are going to be talking about it. If we are not talking about it, the spiritual poverty we try so hard to cover up with pious-sounding words and religious activity is far more tragic than any slum on the other side of the world. I've hidden in that slum more times than I care to admit.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matthew 7:21-22) You mean it is possible to prophesy and drive out demons and perform miracles in His name without knowing Him? Jesus seems to think so. You mean there are people who verbally acknowledge Jesus's lordship but have no real relationship with Him? That's what it sounds like to me.
I shudder to think of what it would feel like to hear Him say, "I never knew you."
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)
My first inclination after typing these verses was to backtrack--give a little disclaimer that I'm not questioning my own salvation or trying to cause others to question theirs. And then I thought...why do I feel the need to be p.c. and do that? The Bible commands us to test ourselves! I'm not doing anybody any favors by sugar-coating that command. Do you, do I, know Jesus? I mean really.
If not, He's worth knowing. Not for blessings on this earth or the promise of eternity in heaven, but simply for Him. He is life. He is joy. He is peace. Nothing is worth more.
The apostle Paul seemed to have that much figured out when He said, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:7-9).
It seems so obvious. Of course, everything is garbage compared to knowing Christ. I can say that with no hesitation. But do I live that way? If I examine how I spend my time, my thoughts, my money--is knowing Christ truly my priority? And what does it mean to really know Him?
"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11).
To know Christ is to become like Christ. But wow, participate in His sufferings and become like Him in His death? I'd like to think I would be willing to suffer and die for Him if it came to that, but to say that I want it? Do I want to know Him that badly? It's easy to look at those verses and feel frustrated. I don't know if I can say that, Lord! I want to know You, and I know You're worth it, but I'm not there yet! I'm glad the apostle Paul kept going...
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)
I'm also glad it's not dependent on my own efforts and motivation. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13).
And He can be trusted to finish the work He started. "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
Dear Jesus, open our eyes to see our own secret poverty. Forgive us for placing people and things above our relationship with You. Enthrall us with Your presence, and draw us to pursue You above all else. Let us experience You as our life, our joy, and our peace. Burden us for those who have never known You, and let our words and actions constantly reflect the richness of knowing You.
*If you are not sure what it means to be a follower of Christ and would like to know more, click here.
Talk to any grandparent for five minutes and what's the most likely topic of conversation? The grandchildren. Ask any mother how her week has been, and what will her response include? The daily lives of her children. Spend significant time with any engaged man or woman, and you will leave knowing all about his or her future spouse. We all do it. We all talk about the people we know and love the most.
So what does it mean when our conversations do not naturally lead to Jesus?
I would rather not think about the answer to that question. Because the truth behind it is not something I can acknowledge and then simply continue on my merry way. The truth behind it is this: we do not know Him. Not really. If we really knew Jesus, we wouldn't be able to stop talking about Him. We wouldn't be able to stand the thought of someone else not knowing Him.
Oh, I know Him a little. I've spent time with Him. I've talked with Him. I've asked for His guidance, and I've even followed it many times. I've experienced His presence and power in my life enough to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). And I can attest to the fact that those are the times when I can't wait to share what He's done with the first person who will listen. Which is why I can also say with certainty that John Stott is right: if we are experiencing life with Jesus, we are going to be talking about it. If we are not talking about it, the spiritual poverty we try so hard to cover up with pious-sounding words and religious activity is far more tragic than any slum on the other side of the world. I've hidden in that slum more times than I care to admit.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matthew 7:21-22) You mean it is possible to prophesy and drive out demons and perform miracles in His name without knowing Him? Jesus seems to think so. You mean there are people who verbally acknowledge Jesus's lordship but have no real relationship with Him? That's what it sounds like to me.
I shudder to think of what it would feel like to hear Him say, "I never knew you."
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)
My first inclination after typing these verses was to backtrack--give a little disclaimer that I'm not questioning my own salvation or trying to cause others to question theirs. And then I thought...why do I feel the need to be p.c. and do that? The Bible commands us to test ourselves! I'm not doing anybody any favors by sugar-coating that command. Do you, do I, know Jesus? I mean really.
If not, He's worth knowing. Not for blessings on this earth or the promise of eternity in heaven, but simply for Him. He is life. He is joy. He is peace. Nothing is worth more.
The apostle Paul seemed to have that much figured out when He said, "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (Philippians 3:7-9).
It seems so obvious. Of course, everything is garbage compared to knowing Christ. I can say that with no hesitation. But do I live that way? If I examine how I spend my time, my thoughts, my money--is knowing Christ truly my priority? And what does it mean to really know Him?
"I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:10-11).
To know Christ is to become like Christ. But wow, participate in His sufferings and become like Him in His death? I'd like to think I would be willing to suffer and die for Him if it came to that, but to say that I want it? Do I want to know Him that badly? It's easy to look at those verses and feel frustrated. I don't know if I can say that, Lord! I want to know You, and I know You're worth it, but I'm not there yet! I'm glad the apostle Paul kept going...
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)
I'm also glad it's not dependent on my own efforts and motivation. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13).
And He can be trusted to finish the work He started. "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
Dear Jesus, open our eyes to see our own secret poverty. Forgive us for placing people and things above our relationship with You. Enthrall us with Your presence, and draw us to pursue You above all else. Let us experience You as our life, our joy, and our peace. Burden us for those who have never known You, and let our words and actions constantly reflect the richness of knowing You.
*If you are not sure what it means to be a follower of Christ and would like to know more, click here.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Bachelor: Biblical Reality Television at Its Finest...Well, Sort Of
One dude. Thirty women. Let the catfights begin.
I do not watch The Bachelor. Not usually. Not on purpose. At least not unless I just happen to have the tv on as background noise while I'm grading papers.
Ok, so sometimes I watch it. I probably shouldn't. Because usually by the time the show ends, my pride is puffed up a little for comparing myself to these girls who are stooping to all kinda crazy to fight over a man who is clearly having his cake and eating it too. They sob and they rant when he chooses one of the other girls, and I find myself yelling at the television, "Honey, did you not watch the show last season? You signed up for this!"
It doesn't take a relationship expert to recognize that any situation involving more than one woman competing for one man is a recipe for jealousy, insecurity and confusion. In a word: DRAMA. And ABC entertains 15 million viewers with it weekly.
Esther has been on my mind a lot lately (not at all evidenced by the fact that I am pulling Biblical analogies out of reality tv...ha). In the summer of 2008, several of my closest friends and I went on a 10-day mission trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. We had the privilege of serving with Steve and Teresa Kinsley, full-time missionaries and founders of Mission Sebenzela. Towards the end of our trip, Mrs. Teresa prayed for our group. As she prayed specifically for the girls, she mentioned that God was "raising up many of these girls to be Esthers." At that moment, I had chills that literally went from my head to my toes and back again. It wasn't like the little goose bumps you get when you are touched by a message or a song. I knew God was telling me to pay attention.
This was a pivotal point in my life because I was just coming out of a period of avoiding God. No, I wasn't living a lifestyle of flagrant sin. No one would have known it but me. I went to church, faithfully attended my small group, and did all the right things--purposefully keeping God at a distance the whole time. My relationship with Him had become almost non-existent, and I was beginning to think that God had probably given up on me. Until He called me Esther.
I still don't have much insight into what that means. At the time, the meaning behind it wasn't nearly as important as the fact that I felt God speak to me. To say that He wanted me. To say that even though I had run, He loved me and had a purpose for my life. That was the only thing that mattered to me in the summer of 2008. But now, 2 1/2 years later, as I pray towards a possible future in overseas missions, I want to know...what does it mean to be an Esther?
As for the real Esther...
- She was raised as an orphan by her cousin Mordecai.
- She was chosen by the king's overseers as one of probably hundreds of beautiful young virgins to compete for the king's affections.
- She found favor with Hegai, the king's eunuch, and with all who saw her.
- When it was her turn to meet with the king, she took only what Hegai advised.
- She was chosen by King Ahasuerus as queen in place of Vashti. (Had she not been chosen, she would have spent the rest of her life in the 2nd harem, living a life of virtual widowhood. How's that for a final rose ceremony?)
- As the new queen, she risked her life to save her people from genocide.
It reminded me of what my pastor David Platt says is his constant prayer, "God, I pray that today, now, you would lead me to the people, places, and positions where I can most effectively make disciples of all nations." For me, it is a reminder that no matter how much I may consider a future overseas, today my "positions" in His kingdom are teacher, coach, small group leader, daughter, sister, and friend in Alabama. God's purposes for salvation will stand with or without me, but it will be my loss if I choose not to be a part of them. May I not keep silent about the gospel in such a time as this.
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