Absence makes the heart grow fonder. This is true of you and I. My time away from you has made me miss you. Again our life has been filled with chaotic beauty, and again I have found myself in need of community but intentionally avoiding it. I wonder if one day I will figure out the "why" behind my strange inclination to hibernate JUST when I really need to come into the sun.
For a while I thought I was done. I would sit in front of this computer trying to find some thought in my head that I could put into words on a screen and none would come. It didn't feel like writer's block so much as being empty. Just empty of words.
I think sometimes we do need to shut up for a while.
I was empty for words, but so full of God. So, even though the description above sounds depressing and sad, it was not. I was avoiding social media, but it was because for the first time in a long time I didn't feel like I needed it. I rely too much on this virtual world and forget that the real world is where God has me.
A sermon my husband preached a few weeks ago has really made me start thinking through things in a different light. (you can listen here if you like. It's titled The Gospel) It sort of rebooted my brain into actual thinking again. I know that may sound strange, but I have been in a strangely blank state for a while. I like to blame it on the medication. Then, after the horrific shooting in Colorado my mind began swirling with what could only be something I was supposed to write about. Different ideas kept shooting through my brain and I was finding it hard to concentrate on anything else. I found myself praying "OK, Lord. I get it. I will write this down!"
All this rambling to say this: I have missed you. I look forward to a renewed blogging spirit and renewed purpose in encouraging you guys along your journey. I know you always encourage me in mine.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Is God good?
Is God good?
This seems to be the question asked today in the wake of the senseless shooting in Colorado this week. I've seen it on blogs, facebook, and on the news and it always makes me a little sick to my stomach whenever this question comes up and well meaning people on TV actually TRY to answer it.
To an unbelieving world it is an impossible question to ask. All the answers sound like foolishness to them. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing". We cannot expect those who do not have the Holy Spirit to understand the things of God. Therefore we cannot watch the news and be angry with those who blast the well meaning Christian on some talk show who is trying to answer one of the hardest questions there is.
The problem comes when the believers start questioning the goodness of God in the wake of evil. Yesterday this question echoed through my mind throughout the day, almost a plea from God to give me an answer that makes sense. And, for me, an answer came. Not quite the answer I was wanting, all packaged nicely with a bow on top, but an answer nonetheless.
We have forgotten who God is.
The prevalent watered down gospel has turned God into something that was created for us. We have been led to believe that God exists for our happiness. He wants us to be happy, healthy, financially stable, and live the Christian version of the American dream. God is safe and tame. This is the will of God for our lives.
Yes, for someone who has come to faith in the "God" above, a tragedy like this would rock that faith in a heartbeat. The problem is, that "God" is not the God of the Bible.
The "God" above completely forgets the entire Old Testament and most of the New. It forgets the ways that God used to bring his people back to him in the wilderness when they continually did evil in His sight. Forgetful of the the fact that God is concerned with the big picture, with the sanctification of his people even if it means heartache. Does He love us? Absolutely! Will he use any means necessary to sanctify us? I believe so. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Lion of Judah has NOT been turned into a declawed fluffy house cat.
When Isaiah saw the Lord in Isaiah chapter 6, did he stand in the midst of that terrifying display and raise his hands smiling and shouting "Yes, Lord! I knew you loved me!!!"? NO. He fell on his face terrified at this awe inspiring God, fearful because he was an unclean man.
All that to say this: how do I know God is good? Because of mercy. Because I am not in hell right now, where I (and all of us) deserve to be for our sins against him. And really, I need to go no further than just that. But I will. Because even though I do not deserve it, my every day needs have been met by HIM. Because even though I am a broken and messed up vessel, he still chooses to use me and pour into me.
Because on a dark night in July, 12 people died in a horrific event, but it could have been hundreds. He could have thrown poison instead of smoke. He could have used one of the many bombs they found in his house. He could have not told the police about the booby traps at his house and many more people would be dead.
There is an enemy, people. I think we forget that too. The fluffy gospel of today leaves no room for a prowling lion seeking to destroy us. The enemy has been turned into an irritating gnat that causes us to miss the good parking spot at Walmart.
We are a schizophrenic people, on one side raising our hands in worship to a God who is mighty to save and on the other waving our fist at him when life doesn't make sense.
God is God and we are not. We will never fully understand His ways, His ways our higher than ours. I don't want to worship a God I can fully understand, there would by no mystery in that, no Holy "otherness".
Is God good? Yes, because He repeatedly tells us HE IS, and God cannot lie.
Linked up with: The Better Mom, Miss Elaine-ous Life,
This seems to be the question asked today in the wake of the senseless shooting in Colorado this week. I've seen it on blogs, facebook, and on the news and it always makes me a little sick to my stomach whenever this question comes up and well meaning people on TV actually TRY to answer it.
To an unbelieving world it is an impossible question to ask. All the answers sound like foolishness to them. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing". We cannot expect those who do not have the Holy Spirit to understand the things of God. Therefore we cannot watch the news and be angry with those who blast the well meaning Christian on some talk show who is trying to answer one of the hardest questions there is.
The problem comes when the believers start questioning the goodness of God in the wake of evil. Yesterday this question echoed through my mind throughout the day, almost a plea from God to give me an answer that makes sense. And, for me, an answer came. Not quite the answer I was wanting, all packaged nicely with a bow on top, but an answer nonetheless.
We have forgotten who God is.
The prevalent watered down gospel has turned God into something that was created for us. We have been led to believe that God exists for our happiness. He wants us to be happy, healthy, financially stable, and live the Christian version of the American dream. God is safe and tame. This is the will of God for our lives.
Yes, for someone who has come to faith in the "God" above, a tragedy like this would rock that faith in a heartbeat. The problem is, that "God" is not the God of the Bible.
The "God" above completely forgets the entire Old Testament and most of the New. It forgets the ways that God used to bring his people back to him in the wilderness when they continually did evil in His sight. Forgetful of the the fact that God is concerned with the big picture, with the sanctification of his people even if it means heartache. Does He love us? Absolutely! Will he use any means necessary to sanctify us? I believe so. God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The Lion of Judah has NOT been turned into a declawed fluffy house cat.
When Isaiah saw the Lord in Isaiah chapter 6, did he stand in the midst of that terrifying display and raise his hands smiling and shouting "Yes, Lord! I knew you loved me!!!"? NO. He fell on his face terrified at this awe inspiring God, fearful because he was an unclean man.
All that to say this: how do I know God is good? Because of mercy. Because I am not in hell right now, where I (and all of us) deserve to be for our sins against him. And really, I need to go no further than just that. But I will. Because even though I do not deserve it, my every day needs have been met by HIM. Because even though I am a broken and messed up vessel, he still chooses to use me and pour into me.
Because on a dark night in July, 12 people died in a horrific event, but it could have been hundreds. He could have thrown poison instead of smoke. He could have used one of the many bombs they found in his house. He could have not told the police about the booby traps at his house and many more people would be dead.
There is an enemy, people. I think we forget that too. The fluffy gospel of today leaves no room for a prowling lion seeking to destroy us. The enemy has been turned into an irritating gnat that causes us to miss the good parking spot at Walmart.
We are a schizophrenic people, on one side raising our hands in worship to a God who is mighty to save and on the other waving our fist at him when life doesn't make sense.
God is God and we are not. We will never fully understand His ways, His ways our higher than ours. I don't want to worship a God I can fully understand, there would by no mystery in that, no Holy "otherness".
Is God good? Yes, because He repeatedly tells us HE IS, and God cannot lie.
Linked up with: The Better Mom, Miss Elaine-ous Life,
Sunday, July 08, 2012
Cozy Spot
*GIANT SIGH* We're moved. Done. We are officially no longer in the tiny on-top-of-each-other house. Mostly unpacked, the house is livable. It's possible I won't unpack another box for months. It's possible I'll just throw out everything in the garage before I ever unpack it. I'm just so DONE.
I am happy. The family is happy. This is a good move for us and I am so thankful for this little cozy spot on M Street that my husband has deemed "Winter Past". If you've ever read the Mitford books, it's what Ms. Sadie's fiance had carved into the beam in the attic in their house to represent the happiness that would happen in their home.
We named another house "Winter Past" once, and then it almost burned to the ground. But let's not think about that right now....
And from one adventure to another: we're off to camp for a week. My husband is the camp pastor at a youth camp and the whole family is going. I'm looking forward to camp food, bug bites, swimming every day and lots of family time. But, this means I will not have Internet access, so apparently I'm taking off the whole month of July.
I'll miss you guys. Make sure you come back, I won't be gone forever!!! Have a great July!
I am happy. The family is happy. This is a good move for us and I am so thankful for this little cozy spot on M Street that my husband has deemed "Winter Past". If you've ever read the Mitford books, it's what Ms. Sadie's fiance had carved into the beam in the attic in their house to represent the happiness that would happen in their home.
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| Best climbing tree ever! |
And from one adventure to another: we're off to camp for a week. My husband is the camp pastor at a youth camp and the whole family is going. I'm looking forward to camp food, bug bites, swimming every day and lots of family time. But, this means I will not have Internet access, so apparently I'm taking off the whole month of July.
I'll miss you guys. Make sure you come back, I won't be gone forever!!! Have a great July!
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