Catalyst

There are a few common phrases that I absolutely hate when it comes to things that are contrary to God's will.  They include phrases like, "It's normal," "Everybody does that," "That's life," and "That's just who I am."  These are all phrases that serve to take away our responsibility and pretend like we don't havepower to do anything about whatever is being spoken of.  I don't think God will accept these answers when asked why we didn't do anything to help change some of the things that are contrary to His will but have come to be seen as normal.


Porn has become normalized.  Instead of fighting it, it is common for people just to expect that men will view porn and in many cases view them as odd if they don't.  Not appropriatley dealing with conflict has been normalized.  It has the power to damage and even end relationships, but it's viewed as a normal part of life and rarely seen as something that needs to be changed unless perhaps violence is involved.  Only investing in the people we want to invest in and not those that God puts in our paths that might be a challenge to love is seen as normal and totally accepted.  Being so busy that we don't have time for what's actually important and not having solid priorities is seen as normal and even as a good thing.  It's seen as just a part of the way the world works when some people suffer from lack while others have beyond what they need, and I'm not just talking about material things here.  It's also not uncommon for us to rationalize having more by saying that we did something to earn it and the other person didn't.  Rarely is failing to keep one's word thought of as an issue, and if someone is hurt by that, they're considered to be too sensitive.  This is just a small list of things that have become rationalized as being normal.


We have the power to change these things and that power begins with acknowledging that they're not just normal.  They may be normal in the sense that sin is normal, but that doesn't mean that God approves of them.  We have the power to refuse porn and there is help for those who need it.  There are healthy ways of conflict that can help build relationships if we are willing to learn and practice them.  Loving is a command- a call to action that is based on God's love and not our feelings about a person; we can show His love to the people that are difficult for us to love.  We can choose our priorities and fix our schedule around them.  We don't have to be so busy all the time.  It may require sacrifice, but we don't have to be so busy.  We can generously give to those who lack what we have extra of.  We can do what we say were going to do and be more aware of what we commit to.  Al of these things require sacrifice on our part.


Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice to help us change these things- His life.  The Holy Spirit work in us to change these things.  Jesus gave us an example of how to live that flew in the face of everone's definition of normal in some way, both then and now.  Jesus was a catalyst.  He didn't care about normal; His mission was to change people's hearts and have them embrace Kingdom values instead of the norms of a fallen world.  Sometimes they're the same, but sometimes they're not.  I've focused on the things that are normal that need to be changed, but there are also things that may not be normal that should be embraced.  Sometimes those go hand in hand with rejecting the things that are normal and not beneficial.  Jesus challenged the status quo and not just for the sake of challenging it.  He wants for His followers to be catalysts as well.  His disciples did an excellent job of this and turned the world upside down.  We can do the same if we are willing to examine the Bible and our traditions and rely on God's truth instead of norms.  The Holy Spirit is waiting to help us.


I want to be redeemed from anything which is considered normal but is not like God's character.  I believe Christ died to redeem me from that.  I alo believe that redemption is meant to lead me to participate in Christ's redemptive work in the world in whatever ways He leads me.  I believe that as I become healthier in my walk with Him, it will affect those around me.  Some may not like it and choose to leave.  Others may stick with me and God may use it to redeem areas of their lives as well and we can grow together.  I think that's a beauty of Christianity that we miss out on because of "normal".

The Ministry Of Kindness

I'm beginning to think that kindness may be a huge overlooked ministry in America.  I frequently hear public transportation workers get yelled at, mostly over things that aren't their fault.  I frequently witness difficult passengers.  I've been approached by a homeless person who considered someone willing to listen to him and pray with him to be as good as money.  Being friends with doctors has opened my eyes to how difficult and thankless their job can be.  Being friends with pastors has opened my eyes to how difficult and thankless their job can be.  

We're pretty good at making it known when we don't like something.  We're good at telling people how wrong we think they are.  We're good at being angry.

But what if we became good at being compassionate and encouraging instead?  How would things change?  I'm finding that even a little bit of thoughtfulness and kindness can go a long way.  It might make someone's day. People may look forward to seeing you again.  It might pay off for you too as you earn favor with people.  It's a simple way to be the hands and feet of Jesus, but one that is too often neglected.  It's not some grand act, but it's powerful.  It's simple and small, but a big way to show someone Christ's love for them.  Listening, thanking, smiling, being patient, etc. are all ways that we can be Jesus in the flesh in the midst of a hectic day.  Let's be people that stand out for being kind and practicing even the smallest acts of love.

Mentoring

Today's a special day to me.  It marks the 3 year anniversary of the first time my mentor and I got together for mentoring.  I got to get together with her for mentoring this week.  I also got to get together and catch up with an incredible young woman I used to mentor and I've had the privilege of watching grow in her faith over the years.  She's currently going to school to be a youth leader.  I'm pretty proud of her.

The mentoring relationships I've been in- whether as the mentor or mentee- have brought me some of the greatest joy.  There have been incredible moments.  There have been tough moments.  There have been a ton of moments that fall somewhere in between.  All of them have helped me to grow.  They've taught me to love better.  They've been safe places for me to take risks and grow- more so on the mentee side with this one.  I've been a part of formal mentoring relationships where we've committed to a mentoring relationship and I've been a part of many more informal mentoring relationships.

There's something highly beneficial about close, cross generational relationships.  Both people in the relationship seem to benefit from it.  It's a great way to develop faith as older generations pass on what they've already learned and younger generations are eager to learn from the older generations.  It can mean the world to someone to know that someone else is willing to invest in their life and it is highly rewarding to watch someone grow as a result of that investment.  

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) One of the best investments we can make in this life is an investment in the life and faith of a brother or sister in Christ!  Mentoring is a great way to store our treasures in Heaven!

Me and my mentor.  I love her and am super grateful for her and the way she's invested in my life over the last 3 years!

Is Social Media Bad?

Social media has a tendency to get a bad rap.  But is social media the problem?

I recently witnessed some people respond to some insensitive comments only to be told by countless people that they were too sensitive and if they couldn't handle it, they shouldn't be on social media.  Here's the thing, though- Facebook didn't post those comments- a person did.  And the fact that it's on social media doesn't make it acceptable. The problem is not that people are too sensitive to be on social media; the problem was people behaving unkindly.

I would argue that social media in and of itself is neutral.  It is what we make of it.  The real "problem" is that it brings our heart issues into the light.  The real problem is that we blame those problems on social media instead of realizing that we have some issues we need to work on and then dealing with them.

Luke 6:45 says that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  What do our posts reveal about our hearts?  It's not always bad; sometimes they reveal the good, too.  But the bad ends up there , too.  What could we gain if we had the courage to examine our hearts and change what needed to be changed?  With the knowledge that Christ already seen the bad parts and loves us just as much anyways?  With help from some Christian brothers and sisters who will stand by us and support is while we work on it?  The Christ part is guaranteed; the second part requires that we also step up and be willing to stand alongside others as they grow.

Sometimes looking in the mirror is hard.  We don't always like what we see.  The good news is that God is making us more and more like Him; like His image.  We all have some ugly to face, but if we're willing to face it and submit it to Christ, He'll give us the best makeover ever!  We'll look more like Him.  And gradually, there'll be less and less ugly and more and more beauty.  But we have to be brave enough to look in the mirror and own up to what we see.  And we need to see Christ there with us waiting for us to let Him turn it into something beautiful.

Childlike Faith

Today I spent a portion of my drive listening to children's music on a Christian radio station.  It reminded me of the songs we sing at Royal Family Kids Camp.  In fact, one of the songs was one that we sung at Camp 2 years ago!  Sometimes there are some pretty cheesy songs thrown in; they are for kids after all.  But there are a lot of songs that do a lot for my faith.  They're songs about the simple, yet core concepts of the Christian  faith.

"Jesus loves me, this I know.  For the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong."

"Faith to see beyond what I can see.  Faith to know that You will do great things.  I will trust You, Lord; I'll always believe, as I hold on to my faith, Jesus, You are holding on to me."

"He knows my name.  He knows my every thought.  He sees each tear that falls and hears me when I call."

I heard one today that I couldn't find the lyrics to, but it had a line about imagining where we would go if we would follow where He leads.

These songs are so simple, yet so profound.  Yet so often we take the profound for granted because of the simplicity.  I think adults need to internalize these simple truths just as much as children do.  We need to hear them often.  They're comforting.  Some express joy and some express sorrow.  All express the truth that God is with us and for us.  There's a sense of awe towards God.  There's  a sense of childlike faith- a very simple trust in a good God who looks after us.  

The sad thing is, so many of us grow out of that childlike faith.  Those who weren't raised in the church may not even get the chance to experience it.  While our faith should definitely mature, there's a childlike faith that we are meant to hold onto.  Jesus spoke of it Himself.  These songs present the basics of our faith.  If we believe them and accept them with the childlike faith that God is good, He is with us, He is for us, etc., I think it would drastically change the way we live out our faith.  But what are the implications for our faith if we neglect these basic foundations of it?

One of the gifts I've received as a volunteer at RFKC is the gift of childlike faith.  Each year, it develops a little more, especially with the songs.  The kids at this camp are all in foster care, which means that they've all experienced some sort of trauma.  How can we ask kids to put their faith in words like these if we can't?  Does my life show that I believe these words?  Is my life changed because of that?  My prayer for all the kids at camp is that theirs would be.  And I pray that ours would be as well.  These aren't meant to be just songs.  They carry truths that should shape our view of God and the world- not just truths we confess, but truths that we live out.  RFKC pushes me to do my best to live those truths out before those kids for the week that I am with them.  To show them that God is all of the things the songs claim He is instead of just telling them.  Their lives are filled with crushed hopes. I want them to know that when they put their hope in Jesus Christ, they are putting their hope in something real.  In the one person who will never fail them.  And I want to do the same.  My faith becomes more tangible to me.  My faith matures as I learn to practice childlike faith.  But sometimes maturing in faith means growing into childlike faith instead of growing out of it.

One of the most beautiful things about camp is witnessing the faith of the children.  It's such a glimpse of Heaven!  There's just something about childlike faith that makes me yearn for it even more...

When Freedom Hurts

What do you think of when you think of Christ setting you free?  I think I'm beginning to realize that I usually tend to think of Him setting me free from things I don't like.  I'm only beginning to realize that sometimes He also sets us free from things that we love and care about deeply, things that may even be good, but that hinder our growth.  Those are often the things that can have the strongest grips on us and keep us in bondage merely by the fact that we don't want to leave.  Yet if we don't leave, we may not experience all that Christ has in store for us.

Sometimes we may not even have to leave.  We may just have to reach the point where we are free enough to be willing to leave and trust God with the results.  Following Him into freedom may mean letting go of something we cherish or it might make it better.  What's important to the freedom process is that fear is replaced with faith.

I love the song "Painting Pictures of Egypt" by Sara Groves.  So often, we like the Israelites, paint pictures of Egypt and leave out what it lacks as God tries to bring us into a better place.  Freedom didn't come easily for the Israelites.  They had to leave all that was familiar to them for the unknown.  All they had was what God had told them.  All they needed was that and the faith to believe it.  But they struggled and clung to the ways they knew and many of them never got to enter the Promised Land because of it.  Freedom is difficult.  How often do we hear that?  How often are people truly set free from all that hinders them from what Christ has to offer, especially the things they want to cling to?  When we reach the point where it hurts to stay but we're scared to go, will we stay and continue to be hurt or will we trust Christ and follow Him to freedom?

Life From Death

As usual, we enjoyed a great discussion in my life group tonight.  We have been going through the book of Acts since September.  One of the things that has amazed us is how much the church grew in times of heavy persecution.  Large numbers of people came to Christ even as the people preaching the Gospel suffered hardships many of us here can't even imagine for sharing their faith.  The suffering wasn't a deterrent.  These people wanted Christ.

Should this surprise us, though?  After all, our faith is built on the horrific death of Christ and the hope that comes from Christ defeating death.  The apostles had seen the risen Christ.  They knew death had no power over them.  As the enemy came after their lives, the church only grew.

A similar situation is currently being seen where unimaginable persecution is taking place.  I've read stories about how fleeing from ISIS has allowed Christians to reach people that had previously been unable to reach.  In Niger, the Gospel is spreading after attacks on the Church. The pastors are filled with joy believing that this will lead God's Kingdom to grow.

All of this has shown me that there are two different ways to look at the situation.  One is to look at it as the enemy defeating the church.  The other is to look at it as as God defeating the enemy. The latter is counterintuitive, but Biblical.  I am choosing to believe the latter and think that it will be proven to be true.  Our God is a God who brings life from death. Death is equated to a seed being planted in order that new life and more of it may be brought forth.  I think that is what will happen here.  I think there will be a large harvest that will come from this time when Christian persecution is at a high.

I think we also have roles to play here.  WE are the Church.  WE are being attacked.  Let's be in constant prayer for our brothers and sisters that face persecution.  Some of us might be able to help financially.  There are groups trying to provide for ISIS victims.  There are groups trying to help Christians who may have lost everything in Niger rebuild. The world is more connected than ever.  I think the most amazing thing that could come out of this would be for the Church to stand together in unity in whatever ways possible in the power of Christ.  I think that would make Satan tremble.  Let's do it!