Ten Tidbits from Maranatha (2010)

I returned earlier this week from a two-week vacation at Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference. It is a much anticipated vacation for my family because it is loads of fun. There are a host of activities for our boys, ranging from putt-putt to tennis to rock climbing to zip lining, and yet ample time to relax for hours each day at the beach pictured above. Yet it is not just about fun and relaxation, it is also a time of spiritual renewal. Each day there are two Bible-based teaching sessions. These sessions are led either by the pastor or the missionary organization that are featured that week. For example, our first week we heard from Erwin Lutzer (Moody Church, Chicago) and ABWE (specifically their project to build a hospital in Northern Togo). The second week we heard from Ray Pritchard (Keep Believing Ministries) and Wycliffe Bible Translators. It is humbling to hear all their stories and to witness the sacrifice that these people have made to serve God.

I walked away with many nuggets this year, just as I have in years past. Here is a brief sampling of some of my favorites:

1. In the Christian walk, God requires us to answer two primary questions: (1) How much do you love me? and (2) How much do you trust me? (Erwin Lutzer)
2. Faith for the future is based on God's grace in the past. (Erwin Lutzer) This means we need to be reflective and intentional enough to acknowledge and remember God's gracious provision.
3. Faith never judges God by circumstances. (Erwin Lutzer). In my opinion, there's a growing problem among Christians that overemphasizes circumstances, which is contrary to the message of the Bible. Faith should never be determined by circumstances, nor should ethics.
4. Sufficient grace comes with sufficient faith. (Erwin Lutzer). 2 Corinthians 12:9
5. All truth is narrow; God's grace is broad. (Ray Pritchard)
6. Pray for tenacious, winsome courage. (Ray Pritchard)
7. Love people where you find them, just like Jesus did. (Ray Pritchard)
8. Everything we do is tainted, yet twenty-four hours a day Jesus provides the righteousness God demands. (Erwin Lutzer)
9. Abraham was, of course, a man of great faith. He believed God in three specific areas: (1) he believed in the future and not just the present, trusting God's guidance without demanding to know the plan or destination; (2) he believed in the invisible not just the visible; and (3) He believed in promises, not explanations. (Erwin Lutzer)
10. Faith always leads to ultimate victory, but we don't necessarily see it now. (Erwin Lutzer)

So this week may we persevere in faith, trusting God's promises without demanding explanations. In short, may we exude the childlike faith that so pleases our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Jesus as LORD, Not just SAVIOR

When I was about five or six years old, I prayed with my mom to accept Jesus as my Savior. Oh the sweet relief I felt to know that I would go to heaven when I died. My faith was simple and pure, and I am thankful that God heard my prayer. Yet I did precious little to grow my faith, praying now and then, reading a devotional here and there, and on rare occasions cracking open His Word. Far from being a devoted follower of Christ, I marched through the next couple decades, with eternal security in hand, living life my own way.

It wasn't until I got married that I begin to realize how unanchored my life really was. My husband exceeded my wildest expectations in every way and I was crazy about him yet somehow marriage wasn't easy. It may have seemed like a fairy-tale from the outside, but on the inside there was a palpable absence of pixie dust. He was human and flawed. And I was human and very flawed. Boy, could I tell you some stories!

But in retrospect our imperfections were a blessing. They made reality clear. My love for Will was imperfect, as was his love for me. Yet I had a longing, even a need for perfection. I desperately wanted someone who would never disappoint me, who would love me into being a better person, a forgiving person, and a more loving person. As I began to truly study the Bible for the very first time, I realized that I had been loved like this all along. Jesus had patiently and faithfully pursued me even when I accepted his saving grace and rejected his guiding hand.

I was baptized when I was eighteen years old. I confessed Jesus as my Savior to the world, but I've often considered over the past five or so years whether I should be re-baptized. Because as Romans 10:9 states: "That if you confess with your mouth that 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." I couldn't say Jesus was my Lord in 1990, but by God's grace, twenty years later, I can.

And that's why on August 12, 2010 I was re-baptized at sunset in beautiful Lake Michigan. It was a wonderful celebration with many fellow believers standing on the sand, many of whom I am related to in one way or another. It was also incredibly meaningful because of who was standing next to me in the lake: my eight-year-old-son, Will. I am praying that his young baptism will mark his life in a profound way. I know he trusts Jesus as his Savior, and I believe he is serious about making Jesus Lord over all. Of course, the Christian life is a process and not just a one-time event.

There is so much I want to share about our time at Maranatha, but I thought it was appropriate to start with this. I do want the world to know that Jesus is not merely my Savior -- He is my Lord. I hope and pray that YOU can say the same!

Appearances, Shmerances -- Stories Are What Matter

Until last July we lived in a condo that was quite unfriendly for visitors. Not only was it small, there was nowhere for anyone to park. So when we moved into our new house I was determined to entertain and faithfully use the ample space that God has provided for us. I have hosted many parties and guests in the last year, and have loved every second of it. In just the last two and a half weeks we've had a number of guests. To be exact, I've had fifteen different people who only stayed for a meal, and sixteen different overnight guests. They hailed from Hong Kong and five different states. What a privilege to have glimpses of all of these stories -- thirty-one different flavors of people.

I heard embarrassing stories, hilarious stories and profoundly sad stories. I heard about suffering, about discrimination, about misconceptions, about perseverance, victory and bravery. I witnessed a baby boy, once abandoned, now lavishly loved by a family who traveled around the world to get him. In fact, four of the children who visited my home were adopted -- all of them little miracles, testimonies to love, the most powerful force in the universe.

Isn't it sad that with all the great stories out there, it is appearances that our culture seems to value most? Magazines at the checkout counter alone supply sufficient evidence that Americans place enormous value on appearances. But the Bible says, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

This week may we strive to look at the heart too. May we remember that each and every person was made in the image of God, deserving honor and respect. May we look past outward appearances, possessions and titles, and take time to listen the stories that God is writing in each life.

Sammy Lessons: Relishing Small Gifts

Why do people heat up when they sleep? I'm sure there's some very scientific explanation, but all I know is that my boys are all little space-heaters. On a cold night, you can warm up to them like you would a fire. But Sam, in particular, is a nocturnal furnace, and since he loves touch, he's like an organic heating pad. In fact, my husband observed when Sam was three months old that he was extremely "tactile." Not a word I frequently use, but it is actually the perfect word for Sam. He loves to be held and to touch. He started giving hugs and kisses when he was about five months old. He used to put his little arms around my neck and just squeeze and release, squeeze and release. He'd pull his darling head back to smile at me and then back to squeeze, release, squeeze, release. Then a few months later he added the back pat. Seriously. Now, when he is falling asleep or just waking up he tries to maximize contact. He hugs my head with both arms like some kind of stuffed animal and puts his hot little feet on my legs. Or he cups his steaming little paws around my face. It is divine, absolutely divine.

Yet in those moments, when I am getting Sam's equivalent of a hot stone massage, I am sometimes prone to think about what I need to do -- laundry to fold, emails to respond to, calls to return, activities to coordinate. But by God's grace, most of the time, I am able to just remind myself how fleeting these moments are. These years of mothering young ones are going by so quickly, and it is such a joyful time. They say the funniest things and are thrilled by the most simple gifts.

Just this morning, Sam located a pair of winter gloves. As many of you know, he has somewhat of a fixation with gloves. So Sam just grinned from ear to ear at the sight of them, "My gloves!" he exclaimed, "You found them!" Actually I'd hid them, but I couldn't take them away when he was so overjoyed. So he wore them to his "brudder's" swim practice and we played ping pong in the rain. His skill level was pretty impressive for a gloved, three-year-old playing on a puddled table.

In Matthew 18: 3 Jesus warns that "unless [we] change and become like little children, [we] will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Certainly we need the willing and simple faith of a child, but as I look at this verse today, I am struck that Jesus' statement is not explicitly limited to faith. He just says that children are prized in heaven and that we need to be like them -- willing to humble ourselves.

In Luke 16:10 Jesus says that "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." Although this passage is primarily about handling money, it's also a principle with wider application. Whoever can be trusted with small blessings -- like finding one's gloves --can be trusted with more. It makes sense, doesn't it? If we are thankful for small things we are preparing our hearts for bigger blessings.

We can learn so much about humility and simplicity from our children. We should lovingly study them because Jesus told us to be like them. So what's one tangible way you can carry out this command?

As for me, I'm determined to appreciate every second of cuddle time with Sammy and to grin from ear to ear over some small gift every day.

The Ten Commandments of Hebrews 13

I am not a very methodical person, not in the manner that I clean house, plan meals, do laundry, or even blog. I've been going through the book of Hebrews for months now, but my method is pretty simple. I pick up a Bible and read through the next few verses and see what pops out at me. But I've done that a number of times with this last chapter, and I just cannot pick one or two things to focus on -- it is too rich.

So at the pool today, where I have a favorite spot at a picnic table under tall pine trees, overlooking the lap pool where my boys have swim practice, I decided to make a list of the great principles of Hebrews 13. They are not the moral foundation of the Commandments given to Moses, but they are nonetheless transformational.

Hence, the Ten Commandments of Hebrews 13:

1. Show brotherly love.
2. Be hospitable to strangers. You may even unknowingly entertain angels.
3. Remember those in prison as though in prison with them.
4. Remember those who are mistreated, since you have a body and can appreciate how demeaning it must be.
5. Hold marriage in high esteem.
6. Watch out for greed. Instead be content with what you have.
7. Model your lives after strong disciples of Christ.
8. Don't be led away by "diverse and strange teachings." Instead be strengthened by grace.
9. Offer up a continual sacrifice of praise -- "that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."
10. Share what you have and do not neglect to do good.

It doesn't take too much self-reflection to make a quick assessment. I'm doing alright on a couple of these, but mostly I could do better, much better. How about you?

May I offer some resources? I am familiar with all of these and contribute to some; each is on point for the respective commands.

1. Wellspring International The humanitarian arm of RZIM.
2. CouchSurfing This is not something I've actually done, but my friend, Michelle, has. She exemplifies this command and I admire her greatly for it. Plus, she has made some wonderful friends through Couch Surfing, modeled hospitality for her children like no one else, and gained some utterly fantastic stories as well.
3. Prison Fellowship A wonderful ministry to prisoners and their families.
4. International Justice Mission A human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression.
5. Love and Respect Ministries A great marriage resource, with wonderful tips for getting off the "crazy cycle."
6. Crown Financial Ministries Our bank statements reveal much about our priorities. This ministry is dedicated to helping people take a hard look at how they spend their money. It is biblically-based and I highly recommend it.
7. The C.S. Lewis Institute This ministry is a great way for people in DC, Atlanta, and Annapolis to connect with strong followers of Christ. The mentoring ministry of your local church is another good resource. We must be intentional if we hope to have strong believers in our lives. We can and should pray that God will connect us with good mentors, but we should also be humble and vulnerable enough to ask someone to be a mentor.
8. RZIM Ravi Zacharias is amazing. He preaches grace and truth and reason. He is funny and brilliant and kind. I am also blessed to be at McLean Bible Church each week, where I am strengthened by grace.
9. Getty Music One way to keep praising Jesus is to read the Psalms. Another way is to listen to great music, like that of Keith and Kristyn Getty.
10. Operation Blessing and Compassion International are two ministries that are doing great things all around the world. Operation Blessing is more of a relief organization, and Compassion International connects you via sponsorship with individual children. Both are showing the love of Jesus Christ to many in need.

So this wraps up Hebrews. I've been amazed by how much is in this one book. I'm looking forward to reading it through again with notes and commentary. I know I've only skimmed the surface here on the blog, but I greatly appreciate your willingness to read and learn with me.

As the book itself ends, so will this series: "Grace be with all of you."

Bitter Roots

Sometimes life is dang complicated. I need not go into detail, but my complication meter has been reaching some never-before-seen heights. And yet I know that even these record-breaking levels will one day be shattered. Because although life with three boys is busy and important and foundational now, I know my life will grow even more complex as they get older. And quite honestly, it scares me. I want them to know in the depths of their souls that my love is unconditional. I want to be Christ-like, loving them beyond measure -- never fully reaching how deep, how wide, how long and high is my love for them.

But I’m an imperfect person, and therefore an imperfect parent. That means as much as I hate it, I have already done things to harm the fragile psyches of my beloved little boys, and I’ll continue to make mistakes that hurt them emotionally. Yet the last thing I want to do is to embitter them, to plant bitter roots that can grow and infect others. The writer of Hebrews understood this completely, warning “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” (12:15) In essence, bitterness is like any other weed, it has the potential to take over, to choke out the life around it. The weed killer is the grace of God, and we cannot fail to obtain it.

So bitter roots are eradicated by the grace of God, that's great news. But how do we obtain the grace of God? We simply admit we don’t have all the answers. We admit that we’ve fallen short. We acknowledge that in our human effort we will always fall short. Wouldn’t it be terribly arrogant to maintain otherwise? And yet the existence of sin is forcefully resisted. There’s an ever-present temptation to compare ourselves to others. We tell ourselves that we not as bad as this person and certainly not as bad as that person. But it’s not relative. Other people aren’t the standard. God is. And Jesus lived the standard here on earth in human flesh. A lack of information is not our problem.

So to obtain the grace of God, all you have to do is acknowledge your own need. And to quote Beth Moore, “Once we get it, we give it.”

So my prayer this week is all about grace. I’m praying that I will get grace. That I’ll understand it like never before, that I’ll give it like never before. My prayer is also that my boys will get it and give it, even to their very own mother.

Living in Radical Peace

I'm hoping to close out this series on the book of Hebrews in the next week or so, but to do that I'm going to have to gloss over some fantastic verses, so I hope you'll take the time to read these last two chapters in their entirety. They are incredibly rich: Hebrews 12 and Hebrews 13.

Hebrews 12:14 instructs us to "Make every effort to live in peace with all men." If you stop to think about it, that is an absolutely radical statement. All men? All men! Really? Does that include the people we want to hate? Because if we're honest, everybody wants to hate someone. Right now, many Americans want to hate Carl-Henric Svanberg (Chairman of BP) and lots of Brits want to hate Robert Green (English World Cup goalkeeper). But these aren't unique times, someone is always being demonized by some group. The "Hate is Not a Family Value" bumper-sticker was common during the Clinton era, yet vehement hatred was just as common during the Bush years. So maybe it's not surprising that Barack Obama's message of change has yet to quell the wave of hate. And think of the animus mustered for wayward husbands, from John Edwards to Mark Sanford to Jesse James. To be honest, it is my strong inclination to loathe John Edwards and Mark "Soul Mate" Sanford. But as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am called to live at peace with everyone. I am called to pray for those I'm inclined to hate, even for those who would persecute me, and wish only goodwill towards every single person. It is a high standard. How can we possibly meet it?

The truth, of course, is that we cannot, in our humanness, purify our emotions. Our battle in the flesh is futile, and the fruits of the spirit are divine. No one can just wake up in the morning and decide to be more loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle or self-controlled. Apart from God, any progress is small and fleeting. Very simply, we need Jesus. By focusing and relying on Him we can become more like Him. And He is all of these things. Jesus is all-loving, full of joy, ever-patient, always kind, forever good, ceaselessly faithful, gentle and self-controlled.

But the great heart physician, does not perform His work without consent. He does not change you against your will. You will never become more like Him without recognizing that YOU NEED HIM. So may we take a hard look at our own lives. Do you feel like you could never ever be Carl-Henric Svanberg, Bernie Madoff, O.J. Simpson, John Edwards, or Mark Sanford? Do you think you are beyond certain sins, that it's just not in you? Well, until we recognize the dark, dark corner of our own hearts, we will never have compassion on these people, and we will never live in radical peace with all men.

This is a tough road. In fact, it's an impossible road, but for the grace of God. Although I want to hate and feel superior to wretches like those mentioned above, I need to remind myself daily that I too am a wretch, and that God's economy is never merit-based, but grace-based.

This week may we recognize God's abundant mercy and love, and live at peace with all men.