Saturday, July 28, 2012

An Aromatic Presence

 To those of us who are followers of Jesus how we live profoundly matters.  It is so important that it led the apostle Paul to say to the church, "I…implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called" (Eph. 4:1).  Then he calls for certain actions and attitudes: humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, peace (Eph. 4:2-3).
           
We followers of Jesus have a high calling to live out the meaning of our faith in a way that reflects the honor and dignity and love of God.  Is there a way to be Christian in this world?  There is.  Paul says it is to live a life reflecting what we see in Jesus -- humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, peace.
           
I am wondering how well the Christian community has lived out the miracle of redemption, a redemption that has been worked into their lives.  It is easy to talk the talk but a far different reality to walk the walk.  The Bible calls us to walk the walk. 
           
When Jesus called us to follow Him I'm quite sure He meant living in His mind and spirit.  The apostle Paul said it this way, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma" (Eph. 5:1-2).
           
A fragrant aroma -- what a wonderful way to say it.  We are called to be an aromatic presence emanating a distinctive and pleasant smell, as it were, -- the fragrant aroma of Jesus Christ.
           
We can handle that, can't we?  By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can reflect outwardly what has happened to us inwardly. Surely we must.  The reputation of God is on the line.  Let's go out and make God look good.  He is, you know.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Plunged Into The Arms of God

 In her book, My Story, My Song, (Upper Room: Nashville, 2012), Lucimarian Roberts speaks of the difficulties she faced during and after the hurricane Katrina catastrophe. It was a most difficult time.  Her life was upset, she lost many of her possessions, and the pain of it all was almost unbearable.  Yet, the result of it all wasn't anger or bitterness or utter frustration on her part.  Instead, Lucimarian Roberts wrote, "Katrina plunged me into the arms of God" (109)
                       
King David wrote, "Even though I walk through the valley of the deep darkness, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Ps. 23:4).  Lucimarian Roberts, a solid rock disciple of Jesus, had bumped into God early on in her life and when the deep darkness of Katrina hit she found herself safe in the arms of God.
                       
Life is filled with pain  born of a thousand sources but there is safety in the arms of our God.  He is the Shepherd and He comforts His people with the divine rod and staff.
                       
What is your Katrina?  Are you safe in the arms of God?  Remember that God is present and as Mrs. Roberts says, "Wherever we stand is holy ground if God is revealed and revered there (99)"
                       
May God embrace you today.  Let your Katrinas plunge you into the arms of God.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Grace And Mercy Have Faces

 
I don't recommend cancer to anybody, but if you have to go through it, it is a gift the greatness of which is beyond description, to go through it in the grace and mercy of God. 
                       
In my journey grace and mercy have faces. They are the faces of the people of my little flock who love me and care about me, and who daily pray for me.  Their hugs and notes and gifts reflecting their hearts of love and prayer have touched me over and over in ways I am incapable of expressing.  I just don't have the words.  Bresee Church you may be small but you are great.  You remind me of another church who was praised by a missionary once for her "work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus" (I Thess. 1:3).  Paul's letter made it into the New Testament canon.  I'm quite sure this missive won't have that impact but I am also sure, that out of your lives flow grace and mercy.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
                       
God's grace and mercy have another face, too. Her name is Vonnie.  On December 7, 1968 she said, "I do," and married me for better or worse; Over 43 years later I am quite convinced she really meant it.  Now, in this daunting health journey she has again incarnated God's grace and mercy to me. 
                       
On December 7, 1968 Vonnie didn't really know what she was getting into.  Forty-three years later, she knows it fully; and, get this, she still loves me.  Who would have thought it? I don't think I am missing the mark when I say she loves me even more.  And, as much as I know how to love, I love her with all my heart.
                       
Grace and mercy have faces, don't they.    

Saturday, July 07, 2012

The Valley Of Deep Darkness

 
Psalm 23 came alive for me one day when I was getting ready to speak to a group of recovering alcoholics.   I wanted to speak about the shepherd heart of God but I was lost in how to communicate that to a group of men who had hit the bottom, and who were trying to recover and embrace life again with hope and meaning.
           
In my prayers that early morning my eyes fell on an alternate translation of the words, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”  I would have had no problem using this historic translation, but for this assignment the alternate reading crashed into me at light speed and became the theme of the day.”  The alternate reading?  “Even though I walk through the valley of deep darkness.”
           
The valley of deep darkness is all around us. Deep darkness.  I suspect that if you took a moment right now to think about it you would name some people in your life who are going through that valley right now.  Maybe you are one of the people you would name. 
           
My friends with whom I shared the message sure got it.  It became a more powerful image even than death.  We set around for two hours after the message and just talked about light and darkness.  Many of them had lived on the streets of L.A. in a drunken stupor for years.  One day they bumped in to God.  Their darkness was embraced by God’s light, they were adopted into God’s family, and now they were recovering from the darkness, seeking to live in the light of Jesus.
                       
No valley is too deep, no darkness so dark, no person so lost that Jesus can’t shake the foundations and take broken lives and turn them into something beautiful for God.