Abiding ... and growing

I took this picture in spring earlier this year - one of the many dogwood trees that grow around our house.  Dogwoods always make me think of Christ's death on the cross ... but not in a sad way -- in a redeeming way!  They remind me of what He did for me!  As Christians we know (intellectually) that Jesus’ redeeming work on the cross is all sufficient and wholly complete to reconcile us to God; however, we do not always live as if we believe this.

I am reading a really great book by a fellow sinner – J.D. Greear.  The book is simply called “Gospel” and it has made me do a lot of thinking.  I highly recommend it if you are also a sinner (… that includes all of you, in case you weren’t sure).  The book basically reminds us that (if we are in Christ) there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and conversely, nothing we have done to cause Him to love us less.  This is a hard fact to grasp because as humans, we are very works-driven.  We tend to love folks who are sweet to us and do things for us, and we also tend to not like those who aren’t so nice or actually cause us aggravation or harm.  We are incredibly wishy-washy.  Martin Luther called this “works-righteousness” – the idea that what we do influences the way God feels about us.¹   

Jesus tells us to abide.  Abiding is our reminder to counteract this wrong thinking.  Here’s what J.D. says about this:

• What if you gave away all your money, wouldn’t He love you just a little bit more?  Nope.
• What if you went to live on the foreign mission field?  No again.
• What if you finally began to treat your spouse with grace? Nada.
• What if you took out the trash for her like she asked?  She might love you more, but God wouldn’t.
• What if you went one full-week without a single, lustful thought?  God’s acceptance of you is based on the fact that Christ went a lifetime without sinning against Him in even the slightest way.  Now, you are in Him and He is in you.  Thus, God could not love you more than He does right now, because He loves Christ perfectly.

You must dwell on this great truth daily.  Sometimes hourly.  Sometimes every minute.  It is the only way to drive out fear, unbelief and temptation … God’s acceptance is given to us, in its entirety, as a gift we receive by faith, to the praise and glory of God.  Make your home in that awareness.  As you do, you will abound in fruitfulness.²

¹ J.D. Greear, Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary

(Nashville, TN : B& H Publishing Group, 2011) 48.

² Greear 57-58.

Trouble in this world ...

I am struck by sadness today over so many things.  The sudden death of a dear co-worker; the threat of serious illness in a wonderful young woman I know; a friend who is distraught over an unfulfilling relationship; stress and fear overtaking another friend; injustice and persecution; separation from family and people we love; bombs and senseless killing of civilians in Syria; our own country turning steadily from God.  You know, no matter where you are or your station in life, sin and death and sadness are just part of this world.  You don't have to live in a 3rd world country, or be destitute, or enslaved or any other horrible situation imaginable - human beings everywhere share this common emotion - sadness.

However, we also all have Hope ... in Him.  Today I am casting my cares on Him, because really that's all I can do.  I have no real control over what touches my life, or the lives of those I love.  But He does.  He is in control.  He is sovereign.  He has overcome.  Cast your cares on Him, too.

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.". - John 16:33

Sharing for prayer

Rachel and I were so fortunate to be able to share last night with about 20 friends and family members at my parents' home in Louisiana.  Among the guests were Aunts and Uncles, and several of my parents' close friends and fellow church members through the years.  All of these people had a role in my formative years - many of them teaching me about God and His Word, and about missions.  It was good to be able to share our experiences and what we learned with people who already have hearts tuned to God's work and His mission in the world.  Seth also shared his testimony of his recent salvation with these dear ones.  At the end of the evening, they all gave me their mailing or email addresses, and committed to pray for those living in darkness, and for the workers who seek to shine the Light.

Honored Guests!

Briyani, fried eggs, tahini with jam, cucumbers & tomatoes, olives, yogurt, flatbread, fruit, cookies and of course - Chai.  My family all helped cook and serve a taste of Central Asia to some dear friends last night.  Some ate on the floor, traditional K-style, and some ate at the table ... but we had lots of conversation about culture -- things in common and things that are different. It was great to watch my own family join in the conversations helping to describe life in K-land!  I see them share with the same enthusiasm that Rachel and I have, and that is very exciting.  Smelling briyani cooking on the stove, I felt like I was in a K kitchen again. 

Our guests seemed to really enjoy the evening and I think learned a lot about the people group that Rachel and I got to experience recently.  They left several hours later with hearts tuned to prayer for the people and especially the women of Central Asia.  It also opened more doors to future opportunities to share and to pray.