Ephesians 1:7-8

           Ann Voskamp constantly emphasizes the need for preaching the Gospel to ourselves every day.  Take this verse with you throughout today, and I will do the same.  Ephesians is a balm for our souls, a beautiful one.   

            "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight." Ephesians 1:7-8

Don't Figure Out Your Life, Don't Save Yourself

              We've turned Christianity into a self-help guide.  If we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts that we can't save ourselves, why do we spend so much time fortifying our own walls - in the name of our Savior?  We come up with theories, ways to view love or our bodies, life changing trips.  But why?  There's a drive within many of us, forever whispering in our hearts that I have to not let this _____ get to me, I have to come up with a way to deal with what's consuming my life.

              Saving ourselves is hard in two ways: to figure out, and to put into action. 

              There's a simple way to see how sinful humans are inside.  Here it is.  We turn God's 100%  sure solutions into the hardest choices to make.  God never told us to figure out our lives - the magic equation, word that will solve our problems.  Instead, He revealed the greatest mystery, His Son, and even does us the favor of telling us that we cannot fathom Him.  He just says believe Him.  His words are more secure than anything else we will ever know - He created it all.  
              "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens--what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave--what can you know?"  Job 11:7-8  "No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." John 1:18

               Our Savior never told us to save ourselves.  That foolproof remedy found through sweat and tears?  We cause ourselves more tears when we fail, or when it fails and life is still a mess.  I wonder, what would happen if we remembered the depth of our need for an Immanuel when trying to patch ourselves up, in order to live the next day?  Meanwhile, you have a salvation that renews world.  It's the same solution, every day, for eternity.   

             "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10  "When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:25-26
             Tonight let's pray to remember our contract, our agreement, to Jesus' salvation and that the Church will proclaim it.  We need it. 

Brandon Booth

Here's the first article of its kind I've seen on this issue that we struggle every day with. 

How can Christians be simultaneously dead and alive? 
"So when you think of your sin, picture yourself the way Scripture does."   

http://www.brandonbooth.com/2013/11/zombies-and-the-gospel/

Jeremiah 2:10-14

“For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."  Jeremiah 2:10-14

My challenge to myself and you: Are you seeking the Lord with all your heart?  Whether your week has been amazing or it's been worst week possible, our God wants us to cling to the hope that we'll have a good future.  When we seek Him, we will find Him.  Wherever He is, it is good.  If He is in our future, our fortunes are restored - there is nothing better than a Savior. 

How to Rake Leaves

Otherwise known as a make up for not posting. 


Step 1:
Go to the lawn with the least leaves (as to not discourage yourself too quickly) and become depressed that Autumn is already receding, although it's only the first week of October. 

Step 2:
Begin preparing your mind to tackle the worst job first.  There's no denying it.  

 

Just look at these prickly, sly monsters. 

 

Take a REALL good look so that rage and fury can enter your soul and fuel your inevitable victory.  

Step 3:  

Rake, hack and fling at these innumerable foes with your tenacious grip until you've gathered a pile.  (A few choice battle cries can help kick the smaller piles together)  

Note: Stomping on the pile discouraged, as it only disperses your hard work as you flatten it.   

Step 4: 

Despair at further dispersing of your enemies when piling onto a tarp.  Then, run into the woods while dragging the tarp to minimize your chances of being murdered or eaten, (clearly no time or hands for pictures in this step).

Step 5:  

Lastly, take a look at the leaves around that have already fallen that you (or a family member) must rake.  Notice more pine needles among the leaves.

Retreat to contemplate from inside how many more leaves and pine needles will fall. 

 

for Women (sorry, males)

A simple question.

Which is right? 

Is it best to be satisfied with who you are?  Or to know that you're beautiful (even at times you're fighting it)?  Which one has more integrity, more truth, more love? 

Women's Christian culture seems to be obsessed with either the first or the second ideal.  So many of the ideas within the whole are so intriguing, but the image of God in our brokenness is so wrapped in mystery, it seems to me that this quandary will take a lifetime. 

In the meantime, we cling to the perfect person of our God.

Psalm 24:8-11

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.


Edit: added wisdom from Harriet Beecher Stowe  
"Far, far away, the roars of strife fall silent,
And loving thoughts rise ever peacefully,
And no storm, however fierce or violent,
Disturbs the soul that dwells, O Lord, in Thee"

AiG: "Thank God you're wrong."

To all of my friends, 
    
     Answers in Genesis has started a radical billboard campaign in Times Square, LA, and a few other places.  NYC is receiving the most press.  Pictures are worth a thousand words so here's two. 

     I know that Answers in Genesis isn't always popular with many Christians, but I hope that you can respect my opinion about AiG;s choice and here's why.  Christians aren't called to be nice. We're in the middle of a war - not just a rhetorical battle, or the battle of the ads, but over souls.  Precious souls.  Souls that live for eternity, in extreme bliss or extreme torture in separation from God.  AiG's campaign is, "To all our atheist friends, thank God you're wrong."  There's no question whether this causes discomfort.  It's designed to prick consciences and consciouses.  It's very painful, but that's the point.  Should Christians care about momentary pain in this life or what happens in eternity?  I'll leave that as a personal question for you. 

Here's Ken Ham's explanations of his actions to fellow Christians and how he believes this billboard will advance the kingdom of God.  http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2013/10/11/billboard-big-bang

    I could go on and on but, like AiG, I wanted to begin a conversation to make a few readers think. 

-Sarah