NOW LIVE IN FREEDOM!

It's the Fourth of July!

Sparklers for everyone!!

****************

Today is the 240th birthday of our United States of America!

It is a day of fun and celebration, but it's also a good day to reflect on the concept of freedom.


Freedom is: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; the state of being physically unrestricted and able to move easily; the state of not being subject to or affected by (a particular undesirable thing); the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity; unrestricted use of something.

(Synonyms: independence, self-government, self-determination, self-rule, home rule, sovereignty, nonalignment, autonomy, democracy, liberty, liberation, release, deliverance, delivery, discharge, exemption, immunity, dispensation, impunity, right, entitlement, privilege).


Every war the United States has fought in has been over the issue of freedom – (at least in theory, let's not get stuck talking about political agendas here!).  

We seek to maintain it for ourselves, and we fight to secure it for others.

There is nothing frivolous about freedom – even when we sometimes take it for granted.

Today we should take the time to remember what it cost, and continues to cost, to maintain freedom in our country and in our lives.

We should remember, and be thankful.

But let's also expand on the idea of freedom, and ponder the concept as it applies to the believer's life.


Last week I talked a lot about battling in the spiritual realm.

I talked about *standing* after the battle.

About the importance of not only winning spiritual territory, but also in occupying it so the enemy can't take it over again.

This is what I want to focus on today.

I have a picture in my mind –

A war-torn, battle-weary soldier standing in a muddy battlefield.  He's dirty and scraped and bruised, maybe a bit bloodied by the fighting.  He stands, barely balanced, but he stands strong nonetheless.  In his right hand he holds a pole with a flag attached to it reading, "The LORD is my Banner!"  This he has firmly planted in the soil, claiming the new land of victory.

Then I see the General quietly approach him.

The General looks long and hard at the soldier.  

Finally, he gives him a firm handshake as he states, "Well done."  

Then he gives the soldier a hearty salute, and just before he turns to leave, he issues this command:

"Now live in freedom!"


You do see the spiritual parallel here, don't you?!

I think of how often the Lord and I win a spiritual battle, just for me to cede the territory again at a later date.

I talked last week about following up, about occupying the *just-won territory* with something other than what the enemy wants.

And part of this *occupation* must certainly be the idea of living in the newfound freedom that the battle won!

We all know what it looks like when it fails.

A battle won, a victory secured, freedom is established.

But then, occupying forces leave.

And all too often, the country and its people return to their old ways.  And sometimes this leaves them in a position to be overrun by enslaving powers once again.

Take politics out of it, and we can see the same principle occur in our spiritual lives, too.

That's why today I'm thinking about this *fight after the fight* idea.

I'm thinking of the General who tells us, "Now live in freedom!"

It's no use if we are set free, if we don't use that newfound freedom to live free!!


Thinking about this idea of being set free, and then not living free, I thought it might be interesting to see how many prisoners who are set free actually return to a life of crime.

I found a report from the U.S. Department of Justice (2005) that detailed the recidivism (relapse into criminal behavior) rate of federal prisoners upon release (about 400,000 prisoners in 30 states):

More than a third of released prisoners were arrested again within six months of their release.  That number rose to 56.7% by the end of the first year, 67.8% within three years, and 76.6% within five years.

I find that staggering, don't you?!

But are we any different?

How often do we win a battle against sin, only to be tempted to sin in the same area once again?

And how often do we succumb, once again falling into the same trap of enslavement?

Rhetorical questions, because we know the answer is – we do it all the time.

How come?

Why do we return to enslavement, imprisonment, reoccupation?

I can think of several reasons:

1. The outside world is too tempting
2. We don't think we deserve freedom
3. We don't know how to function in freedom
4. The old ways and old places are too familiar
5. We associate with the wrong people
6. We're afraid of new choices
7. We return to comfortable, instead of making change
8. We try to do it all alone


On the surface, we might think it foolish that anyone who, once having tasted freedom, would willingly return to a life of captivity and restriction.

It's easy to point fingers at people who fail in this area, who "relapse" into old habits and sins.

(My opinion?  We all tend to be a motley bunch of "log in the eye" pretenders who delight in bringing to attention the "motes" in others...)

Sometimes I think it's because we're so ingrained in our propensity to "rate" sins.

We like to reproach the alcoholic or addict who falls into addiction again.  Or the cheater who gives in to infidelity again.  Or the criminal who keeps committing crimes.

However, if we're honest, we do the same thing, because we turn a blind eye to our own shortcomings.

For how often do we return to gossiping, or lying, or self-righteousness, or criticizing, or complaining, or anger, or...the list goes on.

We don't judge our own "minor" sins as harshly as those we point out in others.

But there is no such thing as a *sin scale* in the eyes of God.

SIN. IS. SIN.

It's ALL falling short of His standard – no matter if it's practiced in big or little ways.

Therefore, *reoccupation of the land* can occur with a marauding army of invaders, or by one little voice that sows doubt and discontent.

This is why it's very important, very necessary, to attend to our hearts after a battle against the enemy.

Especially when we start feeling too secure in our victory.


So, how do we occupy the land?

Our pastor recently gave a message about God's peace, and about how He promises that it will guard us.  It was a study on the first part of the 4th chapter of Philippians.

Let's listen in to Paul’s words:

"…in this way stand firm in the Lord."


OK, Paul, tell us how to do that!

(Verses taken from The Amplified Bible)


1. "Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!" (verse 4)

2. "Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people." (verse 5) 

3. "Do not be anxious or worried about anything…" (verse 6)

4. "…in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." (verse 7)

5. "Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]." (verse 8)

6. "The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life]…" (verse 9)


Fantastic!

What's the payoff, Paul?

"The Lord is near…and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you…And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]." (verses 4, 7, 9)


I am beginning to see…


Go back to my image of the soldier on the battlefield.

The General has just said, "Now live in freedom!" – and he is turning away.

If the soldier lets him go, he's left alone to hold the territory, in his own power and strength.

This scenario most likely ends in reoccupation by the enemy.

End of story.

But wait!

What if there's a different ending?!

What if, as the General begins to walk away, the soldier shouts out:

"Wait!!  I cannot maintain this victory alone.  I need a guard, a trustworthy sentinel who will protect the borders of this territory.  I need someone who will keep watch, and warn me of impending danger."

The General turns back...

The soldier speaks once more, "Please send help."

At this the General smiles.

"Yes, it is the wise soldier who understands the importance of a watchman."

At this, he motions forward another person.

"I present to you the one who will guard and protect you.  Always listen to him."

You do know who the *watchman* is, don't you?

The Holy Spirit.

Might these words from Paul also be the parting words of the General?

"Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me – a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:13-14, NLT)

Oh yes, amen.


In that all-important aftermath of battle, in that *fight after the fight,* in that time of victory, might we recognize our deep need of The Watchman – or as my pastor called Him, the "Silent Sentry."

And might we depend on Him to guard and protect us.

For the enemy will approach once again – loudly and softly, with an army or a whisper.

Tempting us to cede territory, and to return once again to a state of occupation.

We must not listen.


Focus on these things (from my pastor's sermon, reflecting Philippians 4:8):

What's real vs. what's phony
What matters vs. what's frivolous
What's right vs. what's convenient
What's clean vs. what's dirty
What's unifying vs. what's divisive
What's helpful vs. what's harmful
What's best vs. what's inferior
What's positive vs. what's negative


Happy Fourth of July, my friends!

May you have a wonderful day doing what you do to celebrate!

Barbecues, pool parties, fireworks.

Maybe even a main street parade like our little town!

But might we take a moment or two (or many) to reflect upon the idea that this is a day when the cause of freedom in our country became a reality.  

Therefore, let this be a day when we ponder the meaning of freedom.

It's a day that's also called Independence Day.

And in every real sense of the word, our own *Independence Day* occurred when we believed in the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Having won His victory on the cross, He now encourages us to fight on as conquerors.

To battle for the faith, to stand our ground, and to claim our territory.


I hear His parting words…

"Now live in freedom!"


Yes.



Are you living in freedom, or are you ceding territory to the enemy?

Here in the power of Christ
I stand.



(From "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townsend) 

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, NIV)

"So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me…Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" 
(Romans 7:21-25, NIV)

"Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning?  Of course not!  Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?  You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.  Thank God!  Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.  Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living." (Romans 6:15-18, NLT)

"When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us,…evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power.  Now we can serve God…in the new way of living in the Spirit." (Romans 7:5-6, NLT)

"'For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.'" 
(Luke 11:21-22, NLT)

"'…if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out!  Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.  But you must subdue it and be its master.'" 
(Genesis 4:7, NLT)

"…you are not controlled by your sinful nature.  You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you." (Romans 8:9, NLT)

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, NASB)

"'…you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'" (John 8:32, 36, ESV)

"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17, NLT)

"'And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.'" 
(John 14:16-17, NLT)

"…for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth." 
(1 John 2:20, NLT)

"I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost.  There I will wait to see what the LORD says…" (Habakkuk 2:1, NLT)

"Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous.  Be strong." 
(1 Corinthians 16:13, NLT)




Linked with:

SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, MOM-TO-MOM MONDAYS, MOMENTS OF HOPE, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THE LOFT LINKUP, GRACE MOMENTS, GROWING IN GRACE, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, FUNTASTIC FRIDAY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, DANCE WITH JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, FRIDAY FEATURE PARTY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, TGI SATURDAYS, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WOULD JESUS WEAR JEANS?

It's a good question.

Now, hold on…

I don't mean this question to be facetious, flippant, disrespectful, or sacrilegious.

I want it to spur us on to some serious thought.


When my sons were young, they asked me questions about Jesus all the time.

Did He get tired and hungry?

Did He get sick?

Did He get blisters?

Did He ever have a headache?

Did He ever trip and fall?

On and on the questions went.  

At first, I was tempted to think that they were being impertinent.  But then I realized that they were very sincere, and that what they were really asking was this:

"Is Jesus like me?"

All these questions gave me a wonderful opportunity to tell my boys that yes, indeed, Jesus was just like us – except with no sin.


Sometimes I think about what it would be like if Jesus walked the earth today.  

I like thinking about that...

What would He look like and wear?

Where would He go, and who would He talk to?

What would make Him angry, and what would break His heart?

And who would rise up against Him?

It's interesting to me to contemplate these things.

And based on what we read about Him in the Bible, I think we can make some educated guesses to answer those questions.


What would He look like and wear?

I don't think that Jesus would look like a movie star or fashion model.

I don't think He'd be dressed in designer suits, stylish sunglasses, or fancy shoes. 

I don't think He'd be driving a Ferrari. 

Jesus was humble and simple.

Isaiah described Jesus as looking like an ordinary man, and that there was nothing special in His appearance that would make Him stand out.  

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2, NIV)

So sure, He might be wearing jeans or cargo pants!

And maybe Birkenstock sandals???


Where would Jesus go?

I think we might be surprised at the answer to that.

I don't think He'd expect to be eating at gourmet restaurants or staying in five-star hotels.

I don't think He'd be seeking center-stage, or hungry for the spotlight.

I don't think He'd worry about crowds flocking to Him, or desire to perform in front of cheering throngs.

I don't think He'd be running for office.

Rather, I have a strong feeling that Jesus would go to places where He could encounter people in an intimate way.

(Maybe He'd find His way to the local Starbuck's, and wait for the opportunity to speak to someone?!)

He would quietly go about the business of His Father, wherever that led Him.

"'For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.'" (John 6:36, NLT)


Who would He talk to?

Again, I think we might be surprised.

Jesus was always reaching out to the marginalized, the ostracized, the minimalized, the victimized – the persecuted, the mistreated, the abused – the weak, frail, and infirm.

When I think about it, I can picture Jesus speaking to those same people today.

I can see Him on Skid Row or working in a soup kitchen.  I can see Him at the feet of a homeless person.

I can see Him in hospitals and hospice care centers – with the sick and dying.

At nursing and assisted living facilities – with the old and forgotten.  

On a college campus – with the seekers and the skeptics.  

In a prison – with the angry and hopeless.  

At a rehab clinic – with the addicted and broken.

I can see Him talking to the people that are so easily vilified by society…(and sometimes by Christians??).

People who persecute us, or whose lifestyles or religious beliefs are different than ours, or who do hateful and ugly things.

Jesus would be found in the company of those who needed Him most.

Even if it was politically incorrect, unacceptable, or scandalous.

"'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:17, NIV)


What would make Jesus angry?

This is an interesting question to ponder.

Of course, my first inclination is to think that Jesus would be angry about the things that make me angry.

Injustice, hatred, cruelty.

And yes, Jesus would be angered by these things.

But He would also be angered by things He might see in me.

Hypocrisy, self-righteousness, pride.

And Jesus would also be angered by the things He might observe within His church.

By white-washed tombs of impurity, and empty words, and prideful boasting, and false piety, and critical spirits, and unforgiving hearts, and sanctimonious posturing.

By misinterpretation and misrepresentation of God's Word.

By anything and anyone who thwarts the cause of the Gospel.

"Do not cause anyone to stumble…even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:32-33, NIV)

Jesus would be angered by the *log-in-the-eye folks* who spend so much time pointing out the *specks* in others.


What would break the heart of Jesus?

I think it's easy to think of some things – disease, affliction, suffering, loss of innocence, and the like.

He would be saddened by the way His beautiful world is broken and filled with sin.

But, I think He would also be saddened by apathy and complacency amongst His beloved followers.

As I write this, it is Palm Sunday, the remembrance of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

But as Jesus approaches the city, we see a most unusual reaction:

"...as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep." (Luke 19:41, NLT)

Why did He cry?

Surely not for His own sake, though He knew He was approaching the crucifixion.  

No, He wept for His own:

"'How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes…because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.'" (Luke 19:42, 44, NLT)

Jesus was anguished by those who were not saved – and His heart still bleeds for them today.

He is grieved when we who do know Him do not obey Him, when we shirk the responsibility of bringing His Gospel to others.

He is troubled when we remain in our comfort zones.


And finally, who would rise up against Him?

Truth be told, I don't think it would just be the "bad guys."

Because I think Jesus, the Person, would rail against all the artifice of "religion."

He would single-mindedly oppose counterfeit teachers and false doctrine.

He would speak out against idolatry, and all of the myriad ways that it manifests itself – fame, fortune, reputation, beauty, possessions, people.

He would hate everything fake and conceited and pretentious.

Jesus is still the two-edged sword, the One who divides households and nations. 

The One who brings controversy and contention, because He stands for Truth.

He would not win a popularity contest.

"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" (Matthew 10:34, NIV)

If Jesus walked the earth today, would He still be crucified?

Sadly, my friends, I believe He would.

Because Jesus would not remain quiet.

And the world would want to silence Him.

For the heart of mankind is still proud, selfish, stubborn, and cruel.


Next Sunday is Easter.

The day when we celebrate the greatest day on earth.

The day when Jesus rose from the grave, paying our sin debt, and conquering death.

But just 40 short days later, He returned to heaven, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

So, in every real and mysterious and overwhelming way, He now walks the earth in us.

Therefore, we must go where He would go, talk to who He would talk to, be angry at what would make Him angry, and let our hearts be broken by what would break His.

We must be courageous and brave, determined and resolute, when others rise up against us.

We must open ourselves to His work in our lives, and seek to obey His calling.

We must venture out of our comfort zones.

We must represent Him well.


Would Jesus wear jeans?

Maybe.

But let me just say this – 

Truthfully, He's wearing what YOU put on this morning…

Now go and be His hands and feet!!



How can you *wear* Jesus this week?

I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go
where You send me
And I'll try
to touch the world
like You
touched my life.



(From the lyrics to "Hands and Feet" - songwriters:
Tyler Burkum, Bob Herdman, Charlie Peacock,
William McGinniss, Mark Stuart) 

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15, NLT)

"For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:13, NIV)

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17, NLT)

"Because God's children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14, NLT)

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 
(2 Corinthians 5:18-20, ESV)

"As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it." (2 Corinthians 6:1, NLT)

"'You are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.'" (Matthew 5:13-16, NLT)

"'…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…" 
(1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, NLT)

"Sing to the LORD; praise his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves." (Psalm 96:2, NLT)

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness.  All day long I will proclaim your saving power…" (Psalm 71:15, NLT)



HAPPY EASTER!  


HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!



Linked with:

INSPIRE ME MONDAY, SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, RA RA LINKUP, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WISE WOMAN, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, TUESDAY'S RUBIES, THE LOFT LINKUP, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP, & FAITH, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

JUST A "SMALL" LEAK??

Saga.

"A long, involved story, account, or series of incidents."

And every good story starts with a single event, a seemingly innocuous incident that starts the ball rolling.

Like a snowflake starts an avalanche.

Like a water droplet starts a flood.

I have a good story for you.


It began a couple of weeks ago when my mother said to my brother and I...

"Can I show you something?"

Those words sound harmless enough, right?

But it occurs to me that they are ominously portentous – like saying to someone:

"Can we talk about something?"

So, my brother followed my mom into her bathroom area.

A few minutes later, I wandered in, only to meet my brother halfway.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Go look," he replied, with a rather grim expression on his face.

I poked my head into her bathroom, and instantly felt like I had entered a horror movie.

There were winged bugs all over her floor, all over her toilet, all over…

As I stood there aghast, my brother returned.

My mom's bathroom has a little window with shutters in front of it.

Shut shutters.

My brother and I knew we needed to look.  So we gingerly opened the shutters…

(If this was indeed a horror movie, this is the point when the audience starts screaming, "Don't open the shutters!  Don't do it!!)

Oh my.

A literal mound of bugs was heaped behind those shutters.  A hive of winged insects.  A pile of grossness.

And if there was a *queen* inside, she would have been the size of a baseball, I'm sure about that.  (Needless to say, we did NOT go looking for her...)

"What are those?" I whispered to my brother.

"I think they're termites."

Well, we *RAIDed* that pile, and cleaned up carcasses, and called a termite company.   They came out about a week later for an inspection.  And yup, Mom's house was infested.

Treatment Day was scheduled.

Fortunately, this company uses a non-toxic way to treat termites.  No tenting, no need for anyone to leave the house (though we did arrange for Mom to be gone for the day).

Treatment Day arrived.

So, this non-toxic method entailed drilling holes every foot around the entire perimeter of the house, down to the soil, treating every square inch of the attic and fascia board around the garage, and injecting an orange oil concoction into each hole.

The noise, the dust, the inconvenience, the disruption – feet in the attic, drills and hammers pounding, cement dust flying.

Ugh.

At one point, one of the workers said that he was having trouble drilling down to the soil in the patio.  His drill bit got stuck, and they were awaiting a new, longer one to arrive.

This is the point in the story where the plot twists…


Mid-morning my brother was called outside.  And then came back inside with one of "those" faces – oh no, bad news coming.

"We've had to turn off the water.  They hit a pipe somewhere, and there's a leak."

And so began a 58-hour ordeal.

We had to have the water turned off – except for momentary moments in order to wash hands, brush teeth, and use the restroom.  However, each time we did that, a fountain of water erupted in the patio, and poured out ($$$) all over!

At the mercy of the termite company, because repair work was now in their court, it was 48 hours until their plumber came.

He proceeded to jackhammer the patio to locate and cap the broken pipe.

Except he didn't.

Turns out this guy's "regular" job was heating and air conditioning.  And he only did plumbing "on the side."

So, after an hour of futile and destructive work, he informed me that he couldn't fix it.

Multiple phone calls ensued.

Miscommunication, delays, double-bookings, faulty promises – finally, a guy arrived at our house.  And worked for hours in a valiant effort to remedy our problem.

He did.

At the cost of removing drywall from several areas inside the house in an effort to locate the source of the leak.  And cutting and capping off pipes that compromised the water supply to downstairs.

Needless to say, we were grateful to have running water, finally, at 9:00 PM that night.

This saga is not yet done – as there are more calls and negotiations for leak-plugging, piping restoration, drywall repair, concrete re-pouring, patio re-tiling, etc.

But the whole experience showed me something…


One "small" incident can lead to a whole lot of suffering.

One "small" leak can be anything but…

Have you ever fooled yourself into thinking that a "small" sin is OK?

A fib.

A minor cheat.

A harmless flirtation.

A quick look.

A snap judgment.

I know you're like me (you are, right?!) – and I have been guilty of committing "small" sins, sins that I deemed innocuous, sins that hardly seemed worth the effort of thinking about.

Sins that could hardly be called sins.

Except…

Those sins were just the beginning – the first domino tipping over and starting a chain of events that tumbled out of control.

We humans are funny creatures.

And I think it's a temptation all in itself to *rank* our sins.  

Some are not-so-bad, some are oh-that-wasn't-so-good, and others are really-and-truly-terrible.

And when we are guilty of committing "little" sins, it's easy to dismiss them, to ignore them.

Until a "small" leak turns into a flood.

We must not be fooled.

Small leaks have a way of permeating our souls.  

Every sin costs something.

Consciences can be dulled, integrity can be jeopardized, honesty can be compromised, relationships can be broken, and trust can be demolished.

And more than anything, any kind of sin diminishes and threatens our relationship with God.

You see, in God's eyes, there is no ranking of sins.

There is only SIN – a fatal condition of the human heart.

Yes, sin manifests itself in a million different ways – a million different wrongdoings.

But God's holiness is perfect.

And it doesn't matter if we fall short by an inch or a trillion miles.

WE. ALL. FALL. SHORT.


Oh, dear ones, we cannot afford to be casual about the "small" sins.

We must be ruthless in our determination to find them and eliminate them in our single-minded pursuit of God.

But let us not be like the plumber who thought he could fix the problem himself, and couldn't, because he wasn't a professional.

We are like that – only amateurs in this sin business.

Therefore, we must allow, we must invite the Holy Spirit to do the work that only He can do.

He knows our hearts intimately, better than we do, and He is the only one who can stop the leaky "small" sins before they escalate into something bigger and more damaging.

It might take some jack-hammering, some digging behind walls, some exposing of hidden leaks, some capping off of pipelines that are the source of sinful behavior.

It might take some time, and it might be expensive, costly.

For it will involve dying to self.

But in the end, it's worth it.

Let LIVING WATER flow again!!

Oh Lord,
it seems I've sprung a leak,
I am not displaying
the holiness You seek.

So please search my heart
where sin doth lurk,
And let Your Holy Spirit
do His work.

***REMEMBER to check out DAILY GRATEFUL THOUGHTS here***

  
(Updated DAILY GRATEFUL WORDS, A WORD FROM THE WORD, A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD, and FOOD FOR THOUGHT can be found on the sidebar.  Thank you!)



(A lot of Scripture today, but let it have a *domino* effect in your heart!)


"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." (Romans 3:23, NLT)

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." (James 2:10, NASB)

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2, NIV)

"I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3, Berean Bible)

"You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God." (Hebrews 3:13, NLT)

"For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness – my sinful capacity].  For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not.  For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want…For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self [with my new nature], but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members.  Wretched and miserable man that I am!  Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]?  Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:18-19, 22-25, AMP)

"If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:8-9, NLT)

"'The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?  But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.'" (Jeremiah 17:9-10, NLT)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, AMP)

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God…Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry…In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you must put them all away…" (Colossians 3:2-3, 5, 7-8, ESV)                                   

"So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." (James 1:21, NLT)

"We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives.  We are no longer slaves to sin." (Romans 6:6, NLT)

"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, ESV)



Have you sprung a "small" sin leak?



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE MASKS WE WEAR

Halloween in our small town was so much fun.  

Everyone met up at the top of our main street, and then at 4:15 PM (more or less), a fire engine started rolling down the hill, and the costume parade started!  All along the parade route, people in lawn chairs, or people with the trunks of their vehicles open, or local businesses – handed out treats!

It was a fun and safe way to celebrate.

"The Hub" and I dressed up in our Western regalia.  I still can't believe how often he got stopped for a photo – but, after all, he does look like a pretty authentic Virgil Earp!

Oh, the sights we saw!!

I continue to be amazed at the creativity of people.

Homemade costumes, store-bought costumes, barely-a-costume costumes – we saw it all!  There were scads of cute, scary, creepy, pretty, clever, that's-funny, that's-disgusting, what-is-that, costumes.

I saw a dog dressed up like a squirrel.

I saw a squirrel dressed up like a dog – (not really, but wouldn't that be hysterical??)

Then, when we arrived in town, there was music and booths and food galore!

We went with our neighbors, who dressed up as 80's rockers.  I joked that we were representing a century of fashion – all the way from 1880 to 1980.

After the parade, we went out to dinner.

Most of the employees were dressed up, including a very persistent Smurf who kept asking us if we were warm enough – (we were seated outside, and his upper body was covered with only blue paint!)

The strangest moment came when a guy dressed in a full-body skeleton leotard came up and asked us if we were having a good evening.  A crazy conversation followed – including "The Hub" asking if he had any ribs for our dinner – before he scampered off down the street.

Gotta admit, I just love dressing up.  It's fun pretending you're someone else for an evening.  

But, it also got me thinking about the masks we wear in our *regular lives.*

Masquerade.

This is the word from which we have derived the word "mask."  The origin of this word is Middle French, from the Old Italian dialect mascarada – (from Old Italian maschera – mask).  Its first known use was in 1587.

We're all familiar with the idea of a masquerade ball, a costume party.  I suppose in some ways, our parade was just that sort of thing.  But the word masquerade can also mean this:

A way of appearing or behaving that is not true or real.

Oh.

This is what I'm talking about.

Not being who we are, not doing what we should, not saying what we mean.

Now, I'm not gonna lie (irony here), there are two instances when I think husbands can be allowed a little forgivable fibbing.  

When answering these two questions:

1. Does this make me look fat?

2. Do you think that woman is prettier than I am?

Might I just say…powder keg.

These answers, though honest, might not be advisable:

1. You're beautiful no matter what size you are.

2. You're so pretty for your age.

Might I humbly suggest these alternative answers:

1. No.  (Or better yet – "Of course not!")

2. No.  (Or better yet – "What woman?")

But I digress. 

Wearing masks, living a masquerade life.

We all do it.  

The reasons why we do it are as diverse as we are ourselves.

Lack of self-esteem, fear of rejection, ulterior motives, jealousy, pride, stubbornness, shame, avoiding confrontation…this list could go on and on.  

And you know what's on your list.

In the end, wearing masks all comes down to hiding.

I remember years ago a very wise person said to me that if the way I was living on the outside didn't match the person I was on the inside, then I'd never find good mental health.

He talked about the idea of congruence – (agreement or harmony; compatibility).

In math, two objects are congruent if they have the same dimensions and shape.  

Might it also be said that we are living a congruent life, a real and authentic and transparent life, when the shape of what we do and say matches the shape of our hearts.

Alternatively, hiding behind masks alters the shape of who we are.

Jesus is the only person who has ever lived that is completely and actually and honestly HIMSELF.

With Him, what you see is what you get.

No hidden agenda, no ulterior motives, no scheming or conniving, nothing but the Truth.

Therefore, He is our example of what it means to live with integrity.

And it is only by allowing the Holy Spirit to completely infuse us that we can become more like Him.

You see, living without masks is easier said than done, and the challenge is often made more difficult because we might not even be aware of the masks we're wearing.

The human heart is deceitful.  

We are skillful in the art of hiding from ourselves.

And if we're not careful, we can start believing the charade, the sham, the façade.

We can look oh-so-good-and-holy on the outside, while the inside is languishing in a self-made, whitewashed tomb.

Such contradictory living, such a lack of integrity, takes a huge toll.

I know.

There was a period of time when I was living an incongruent life.

And finding all sorts of creative ways to fool myself.

But, inside I was dying.

For if you belong to the Lord, masks become suffocating.

I finally changed when I got tired of smothering.

Halloween is fun, and I like dressing up as someone else.

But in my real life, I want to live life real.

I want no masks, no masquerade.

I want to be the real *me* – inside and out – and I want Jesus to shine through.

It's not an easy path.

It might require some really difficult work, as the Holy Spirit must be given full access to the innermost person.

He must explore and expose the hidden places.  

He must uncover the secret and darkened corners.  

He must remove the closet doors of deception, and throw open the windows of Truth.

His light might be blinding, and what He reveals may be painful to face.

But, it is the only way to have any hope of becoming someone different, someone better, someone whole.

Jesus wore no masks – (except maybe the veil of humanity that "masked" His glorious majesty.  Remember that one time He glowed?!)

Jesus lived a life true to Himself, true to others, true to God.

This is what I want, don't you?

Lord, remove the masks that I wear to look better, to impress others, to get what I want, to deceive myself.  Reveal to me the innermost parts of myself that You want to change, to transform.  Shape me into the person that You created me to be.  Teach me to live out the virtues and values that You have placed within me.  Produce transparency and honesty and integrity in everything I do and say.  

Make my outside match my inside – and make my inside match You.

When Someone loves you
for a long, long time,
REALLY loves you,
then you become
REAL.

And once you are Real
you can't become
unreal again.
It lasts
for
always.


(Paraphrased from "The Velveteen Rabbit")

WE WEAR THE MASK

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties...

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise...

-- Paul Laurence Dunbar 
"Lyrics of Lowly Life" (1896)

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13, NIV)

"For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths." (Proverbs 5:21, NIV)

"'...I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person.'" (Revelation 2:23, NLT)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23, ESV)

"Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.  For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth." 
(Psalm 26:2-3, NASB)

"You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver." 
(Psalm 66:10, NLT)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12, AMP)

"'I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you.  I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.'" 
(Ezekiel 36:26, NLT)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

"...put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God's image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]." 
(Ephesians 4:22-24, AMP)

"I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there." (1 Chronicles 29:17, NLT)


"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?  
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."

(Psalm 15, NIV)



Are you wearing any masks?



Linked with:

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"