Cheap Imitation

Sometimes we try so hard to be like Jesus, we forget to be like Jesus.

It's easy to do.

We try to put on blamelessness and perfection, we try to put on avoiding sin at all costs, and avoiding the places where we know sin is or is likely to be out of fear that someone will associate us with it.

Think about it for a second, if it takes that long... You can come up with a list of places that people who call themselves Christians shouldn't be, right?

It's not that we can't talk to drug dealers, it's not that we can't talk to prostitutes, it's not that we can't talk to the broken, and it's not that we can't talk to the destitute, but we wait for them to come to us on our terms.

We say Jesus make me a missionary, I want to tell people about you, but only once they walk through church doors, and if the pastor talks to them first, or maybe if you want to send me to some other country, BUT don't send me to Siberia because I can't take the cold. Or Africa because I don't like heat either.

Please don't misunderstand me. I have a list as well.

There are places I feel like I don't belong inside of, and in truth I don't.

But in those places are people that Jesus belongs inside of, and there are places that the power of God needs to be put, and there is a darkness that needs to flee from the light, and people that need to see the love of Jesus.

We try to imitate the blamelessness, and try to appear perfect to everyone because that's how we feel we imitate Jesus.

The Jesus that changed and still changes lives is the Jesus that sets captives free and ate with the “worst sinners” of the times, broke racial barriers, reached out to people the “Holy” law-followers would have deemed untouchable, unworthy, and unimportant.

I'm NOT saying that everyone should walk into questionable establishments to do whatever they please.  We all have weaknesses, and we all have strengths, and we all need God to show us where we should go, whom we should speak what to, and what His design is, and we have to allow His strengths to fill our weaknesses.

The parable of the good Samaritan comes to mind. (Luke 10:25-37)

As people of God, how often do we walk by those that are left for dead physically? Emotionally? Spiritually?

Jesus said “go unto all nations and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19)

The word disciple and discipline share the same root word.

We aren't called to go out and just save people, or just reach out to people... but once they accept Christ, to help them develop a good relationship and to teach them the disciplines necessary for having a deep relationship with God.

We lead by example.

By the words of our mouths and the works of our hands.

We have to put on the armor of God ourselves, and then help others. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

The stage has been set, and the outcome has been decided, and the fight is all around us.

After the time spent in the prayer room Alissa had mentioned in one of her previous posts, I have tasted and seen the war around us, and now realize more than ever...

What we battle is not flesh and blood, (Ephesians 6:12) and we do have an enemy and he is ready, even if we aren't. (1 Peter 5:8)

My pastor talked about the armor of God and pointed out that if you look down the list, you will see nothing to protect your backside. There is no room for retreat.

But in Isaiah it says that the Lord's Glory will be our rear guard.

This is a call to action – the cause and the effect:

Isn’t the fast I choose:

To break the chains of wickedness,

to untie the ropes of the yoke,

to set the oppressed free,

and to tear off every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

to bring the poor and homeless into your house,

to clothe the naked when you see him,

and not to ignore your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will appear like the dawn,

and your recovery will come quickly.

Your righteousness will go before you,

and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard.

At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer;

when you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’

If you get rid of the yoke among you,

the finger-pointing and malicious speaking,

and if you offer yourself to the hungry,

and satisfy the afflicted one,

then your light will shine in the darkness,

and your night will be like noonday.

The Lord will always lead you,

satisfy you in a parched land,

and strengthen your bones.

You will be like a watered garden

and like a spring whose waters never run dry.

Isaiah 58:6-11

This is how we are to be like Jesus.

There is no plan B.

There is no second string.

There is no retreat.

Vigilance.

This is how the Kingdom advances.

Needy Men are Sexy

Yup...you heard me. I said it. Needy men are sexy.

Now, if you know me, I'm sure you've ascertained that this means something more than what it appears.

Indeed, those who know Josiah and I know that I revel in his strength. I love that he is strong enough (physically and emotionally) to allow me to lean on him a good bit of the time in a way that I've never been able to lean on another person. There's freedom in the way his strength allows me to be vulnerable.

But...(and you had to know it was coming)

There is one way in which Josiah is weak and needy that is sexy beyond belief: my man knows he needs Jesus. 

He is not afraid to start each day at the foot of the cross, reaching out to his Savior saying, "I love you, and I need you. Forgive me, hold me, guide me."

And you know what? That is sexy. 

You might wonder why I'm writing this, and of course, there's a reason (other than me wanting to praise my husband).

I have a friend who posted on facebook the other day that he was sitting out in the church parking lot waiting to go in...that it was the hardest part of his week. He said it was hard for him to come to this place where he was in need and didn't have all the answers.

Praise God, he's starting to get it.

My pastor said once, there's a reason there are more women in church than men, and that's often because church brings a man publicly to a place of vulnerability, of neediness. It's a place where a man comes because he doesn't have it all together and to admit he needs a Savior.

What most men don't get is that placing themselves in that vulnerable position actually makes them so much stronger!!! 

What could David have done against Goliath without God?! Not one thing. David was only able to defeat Goliath because he knew God was with him.

How far would Moses have gotten in freeing the Israelites without God by his side? Not even a step, and certainly not across the Red Sea on dry ground.

Over and over the Bible shows us that men who admit they are weak and need God are far stronger and able to accomplish more because they know who is in control...and it's not them.

Here's the thing though...as is often the case, the world is screaming something different at our men and boys.

The world is telling them to be tough and independent, not to need anything or anyone. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for teaching boys to be strong, but in the right way, and strength is Jesus Christ is the strongest you can get.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

So men, you've seen the bumper sticker - "Real Men Love Jesus" - and it's true: real men do, indeed, love and need Jesus. Know it.  Accept it.  Live it.

And ladies, spread the word. Share, tag, blab, brag - do what you need to do, but get the word out because our Christian men need to know we love their dependence upon God!! 

So, to my friend who was in the parking lot, admitting you don't have all the answers and leaning on God for understanding makes you infinitely stronger than you could ever be on your own. You'll get more comfortable with that the more you come to that place of vulnerability, the more you place yourself at the foot of the cross each and every day, not just on Sunday. 

And then, my friend, when you come to that place, you'll be racing me to the church doors, and I'll be happy to let you get there first...and I'll even let you open it for me. :)

Early Christmas Present

Tonight, I couldn't sleep. Why? 

I was having a pity party.

I'm not even joking, folks; I was having some kinda night. I don't know if it's because my hormones are wacky, or I'm just mentally exhausted, or what, but I was distraught.

I felt lonely. I felt like I missed the boat on something. I felt like I just couldn't make anyone happy.

I prayed. 

I prayed getting changing into my sleep shirt. I prayed brushing my teeth. I got down on my knees by my bed and I prayed, knowing that I was thinking wrong and feeling wrong, but feeling powerless to stop it. 

So, there I lay in my bed, soaking my pillow with tears...until....

Until I finally decided I couldn't go to sleep anyway, so I might as well get up. When I did, I saw a message from a VERY dear friend, asking me if I wanted to go to the "DEEPER Christmas" event with her (by Established Footsteps). That, in and of itself, lifted my spirits. On a night when I felt so alone and just unlovely, my sweet friend sent me an invite.

Oh, my dear Lord Jesus...how you know what I need. And it gets better....

It seems, this DEEPER thing is a three part event. The first two parts have already happened, but you can listen to them online, too...FOR FREE! So, what do I do...I listen to the first one, of course.

And it was brilliant.

Sharon Thomas (founder of Established Footsteps) speaks about trying to find the true meaning of Christmas in her life and what God has been showing her...

and it's in John 4:3-42.

Yeah, you read that right. It wasn't the first chapter or two of any of the gospels that helped her. It wasn't the sweet baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger with the cattle, oxen, and sheep. It wasn't gifts of gold, frankincense, or myrrh, or angel announcements on a starry night.

Nope...it was the Samaritan woman at the well.

Now, I strongly encourage you to listen to Sharon tell you this...strongly. But, just in case you want the cliffs notes, here goes.

The Samaritan woman was mixed up in oh so many ways, not the least of which was her mistaking Jesus trying to give her literal water instead of actual water. She was mixed up in her life all over the place.

John 4:10 says:

Jesus answered her, 

“If you knew the gift of God 

and who it is that asks you for a drink, 

you would have asked him 

and he would have given you living water.”

Eventually, he does just that, gives her the living water.

I knew all that...but I still didn't connect it with Christmas.

But then Sharon takes us over to Isaiah 9:6. AHA! This is a familiar Christmas passage, right? Yes! I know this one! I'm all like Elf in a Gimbel's screaming about Santa - "ISAIAH 9:6!!! I KNOW THAT! I GET THAT!" - but I didn't...not all the way, anyway.

That verse reads:

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Where she rested with this one was on "Wonderful Counselor." She says the meaning of the Hebrew word there for Wonderful is not just "great", it's like "awesome beyond all possible comprehension."

God sent us a Counselor that is awesome...beyond all possible comprehension.

He sent me a Counselor that knows me better than I know myself; who created me; who loves me; who knows the beginning and the end.

My Counselor doesn't just point me in the right direction; He can give me the power I need to walk that way!!

My Counselor knows. I don't have to wait a week or two and keep a journal and try to remember what my problem was on Wednesday of last week. He knows now.

He knows when I'm lying in bed having an all-out pity party and soaking my pillow. He knows me. He loves me. And He (and ONLY He) knows how to fix me!

Praise be to GOD!

And get this, that is our Christmas gift folks!!! The baby in the manger was SUPER awesome, really and truly, but the sacrifice of our Savior on a cross, the sending of the Counselor, and our ability to have a relationship with God is the REAL gift!

Well that's Christmas, folks. Wrap it, bag, it, and take it home.

So, back to the Samaritan woman...she's all confused looking for literal water, and here we are, all confused, trying to find the perfect Christmas gift for people, and make every play, and bake every cookie and cake, and sing the right notes, and find the right sweater.

It's just earthly water, people; it might quench your thirst for a minute, but not for long.

Sharon calls it "Present Day disconnect." Get it? "Present Day." That's punny!

But God has already given us the best gift ever. He's given us the living water! He's given us water that will quench our thirst into eternity. He gave us a Counselor. Hear me? 

This is important - He gave YOU a Counselor. 

YOU. 

Yes...YOU.

Praise be to GOD!

So, this year, while you're having so much fun at Christmas (and by all means, have fun), make sure you take some time to talk to your heavenly Counselor; drink some living water. And while you're at it, let someone else know about the gift, too!

And listen to Sharon say all this because she really is a lot better at it. I'm sure I'll have more to say after I listen to the second and third installments.

But for now, I'm going to go back to bed, cuddle my husband, and hope my pillow is dry by now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!