I want the tears to come again

Sunday afternoon I thought about this coming Sunday being Easter, a day we celebrate Christ's work on the cross, and I was sad that it didn't do much in my heart. I wasn't doubting my spiritual state, but recognized I had become dry in what it means. I haven't forgotten the desperate condition I'm in without Jesus because I do find myself slowly walking the christian walk of faith and repentance. But there was a time I had cried over John 19 and I wanted those tears to come again. I want my heart to rejoice every day, not just one Sunday a year. But it just wasn't there. Until today...

In my twitter feed, I saw this video:



Then I thought about John 19 and how it doesn't end there. Christ is risen! He conquered death and gave us life.

And the tears came.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Prepare your heart now for this Sunday. Seek to marvel in Christ's work today when you are dealing with laundry, crying babies, stress at work, strain in relationships...you name it. If you are a child of the King you are not lost in His love for you. Another quote from my facebook feed: Though grief comes, God will show compassion, so great is the Spirit's unfailing love in your life. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Lamentations 3:32 & 1 Cor 13:7.

Maybe you are on top of the world, so-to-speak, and life couldn't be any better. Marvel still. One of the elders of my church asked a question along the lines of this: "What does the resurrection mean to you?" Today I saw that the resurrection shows me my self-exalting, self-sufficient, all-about-me-and-my-flesh attitude, then crushed it beneath the cross. The resurrection brings life and freedom. My best day is because of God's grace. My worst day is still ordained by my gracious God. Let us not forget why we celebrate Easter.

Here's to a great week in preparing for the celebration of the most glorious day the world has ever seen.

10 years ago I was...

...partying hard. Y2K was in the back of everyone's mind, I was working my up the corporate ladder, I loved living in Portland and I was really happy with my life. I had great friends and thought life could only get better. I spent New Year's back in southern Oregon, where I had grown up, around a bonfire getting drunk and smoking marijuana. Before making my way there, I had stopped off at my local hangout where I danced, drank and handed out "Y2K OK" stickers. These stickers were placed on the computers of the bank I was working at to ensure our customers we were in fact, ready for the millennium and the customer's money was indeed safe. Y2K OK. I sure thought I was okay, but life would never be the same in the year 2000 and would be changed forever.

It didn't take long for me to get a strong dose of reality. In January of this new wonderful start to the 21st century, I was fired from my job. Seriously? Me, get fired? Looking back I can see that I was insubordinate, lazy, disorganized and very prideful. I had come to Portland to open a new bank and I was proud as a peacock. My love for the nightlife that city living offered took control and my performance at work showed I was more interested in partying than being an asset to the company.

I wish I could say that was my only problem. Going to clubs several nights a week isn't cheap. To say I had financial problems is an understatement. I had no concept of money. Before moving to Portland I did not have to pay rent, make a car payment or pay any utilities. Every cent I made was spent on pot, drinking, dance clubs and clothes. Once in a while I would make a payment to my department store cards, but not often enough. I was irresponsible with a capital I but wanted to think I was mature. After all, I had a great job and was making my way through the corporate world smoothly and sweetly. Or so I thought.

Before getting to that dreaded Friday afternoon when I heard the words, "We are letting you go", let me tell you how I "handled" my financial hole I had dug so beautifully for myself. How do you fix a negative bank balance? You add a credit. Well, my banking skills lacked honesty, integrity and was down right illegal. In small amounts, I would take money from my drawer then deposit it into my checking account to avoid an overdraft. Believe me when I say this was done with every intention on paying it back. "Next paycheck I will get my budget under control and make good with my drawer." Well, you guessed it, that paycheck never came. Week after week passed and I not only didn't pay it back, but would continue to "borrow" and soon I realized I had stolen over $1700.00. I was able to cover it up by manipulating the paperwork and because I was the only one using my cash drawer, no one knew.

Now we get to the day my boss came to me and said I was fired. I'm sure several curse words ran through my head at that very moment. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS I GOING TO DO??? They were going to count my drawer and see what I had done. I have a HUGE problem on my hands. In a panic, I quickly ran another deceitful transaction through to show my drawer had balanced. The source? A certificate of deposit belonging to my best friend's dad. This time, I'm not messing around. As soon as I get a chance, I will confess to my friend and make it right. After all, it will be much easier paying my friend who's like a sister to me than the bank. She'll understand me.

She asked me to live with her since I was no longer employed and I jumped on the offer. Oh, how I wish I could say I confessed and repented right away but truth is I was scared out of my mind. How in the world had I gotten into this mess? My friend is going to kill me. Time. I just needed more time to think it all through. In the meantime, I continued to drink, smoke and not take any responsibility for my life. Two months had past and I not only failed to come up with a plan to confess, I hadn't saved one penny. Not one! I was truly delusional. Maybe it would all go away. Riiight.

If you don't know how a certificate of deposit, or CD, works, click here. You know how I mentioned it belonged to my friend's dad? Well, he was in prison so I didn't think he'd be needing it anytime soon and I took advantage of the fact that this CD wasn't going anywhere. Another spoonful of reality came the day my friend asked me, "What's the penalty for withdrawing money from the CD before the term ends?" Uh, what? Excuse me? How providential that the sister of dear Daddy needed a small loan to save her business and kind-hearted brother was going to loan it to her. From his CD. You have to be freakin' kidding me!! I about died.

Again, I wish I would have taken this divine moment to confess and repent but I sputtered through some banking advice and went to my room. Okay, Jan, snap out of it. This is your opportunity to tell her the truth! There's no more time, no more waiting. You have to tell her NOW! Now was going to come the next morning before she left for the bank. Imagine the sick feeling I got when I noticed I had missed her. She left before I got up. Insert more curse words.

So, long story short, I was busted. The bank of course reimbursed the CD and I was now back owing them. I was very grateful my friend did not press charges. The bank on the other hand--had no problem. And who blames them. I was a thief. A criminal. A liar.

Thankfully, my sister and husband took me in and I was back in Portland living with them. I cooperated fully with the police. I spent nine hours in jail and made complete restitution. How, you might ask? From mutual funds I had invested in. Don't ask me why I didn't tap into that source before. God really had to get a hold of my heart and the only way I would listen was to be aware of my complete hopelessness.

That summer, God rescued me from darkness. I saw my sin was an offense to His holiness. And it wasn't just the sin of stealing the money from the bank, but every sin I had ever committed condemned me to spiritual death. God showed His glorious grace and mercy by opening my eyes to the work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus lived the life I couldn't live. He died the death I should have died. A line from one of my favorite songs says: "Every bitter thought, every evil deed, crowning your blood stained brow. This the power of the Cross. Christ became sin for us. Took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross."

A decade later, I am still in awe of His love toward sinners.

This new year I want to see my judgmental heart be melted away into compassion for others who are yet outside the Kingdom. I want to live in a way that shows my kids we are not better than anyone else because we go to church and act a certain way. I want to be a magnifying glass that makes me look small and God look incredibly astronomical.

If you've never come to see your need for a Savior, then you've never seen your sin. Remember, God does not judge you according to your standards but His. Click here to know more. I sincerely hope you do.

Lord bless you this New Year!

The Authenticity of our Faith

I can completely and totally relate to this video. My words said one thing, but my actions revealed the reality of my heart. The object of my faith was a prayer, a ritual and a delusional view of the christian walk. I compared myself to others, and even mimicked what they said. My heart was deceived and I was on a fast track to hell.

But, praise be to our Everlasting Father, who sought me and plucked me out of this darkness. My testimony was ripped to shreds in light of scripture. He revealed Himself to me and I crumbled under the weight of lies I was living under. I ran to the Savior.

Watch this video and evaluate what your faith is in. Is it in an idea, an action, a prayer? Are you suppressing the truth-fearful of what others might say?

Jeremiah 17:9 says our hearts are deceitful above all else and desperately sick or wicked. Don't be fooled, God will not be mocked. See God as who He is: Holy. See yourself as who you really are: destitute and full of all kinds of wickedness. Then, see the Savior: the One who lived the life we were suppose to live and received the punishment we should have received.

Amazing grace.

To my rescue...

My friend, Loraena, found the quote I referred to in my last blog post. As I re-read it, images came to mind at how many times I have ran away from opportunities to share the gospel because of a cultural line. This is to my shame. As a mom, I want to protect my kids (and who am I kidding, myself) from the foul language, the stench of pot smoke or the smell of neglected hygienic practices. But, is that what Christ did? Absolutely not. And, aren't they a picture of our un-regenerate state? Most definitely. Read this and tell me how you and your family are getting around cultural barriers. And, might I add, we will not teach our kids to have a love for the lost until we model it to them. Please, let me know what you do to share Christ to all people. And, if you're like me and you aren't, pray with me to have a desire to reach out to the unlovely. Praise God, He did!!

"Now that the wall is down, the servants of Christ are called to crawl over the rubble with the message of salvation. It is comfortable to stay in the sphere of people like ourselves, seeking refuge in a familiar ghetto of Christian contacts. But we cannot wait for non-Christians to cross the culture gaps, to scale the walls to get to know us well enough to see Christ’s grace in our lives...We who have experienced this grace are the ones who must climb the walls, build the bridges, and suffer the stresses of culture shock. People who know Jesus must pay the price to pierce the barriers between peoples." -Dennis E. Johnson

Jesus and the Rose

Last week Doug and I started listening to Matt Chandler's sermon: A Shepherd and His Unregenerate Sheep from the Desiring God Conference '09. From the moment he started talking, I was intrigued and amused. He has a passionate love for the Lord and is a good preacher.

In his opening, he shared his background and one particular story that I want to share with you. As a young Christian, his heartbeat was to share the gospel and lovingly become intertwined in sinner's lives for the purpose of sharing God's grace and mercy. Then, he ran into an enemy: The church.



Tell me if you can relate. Not with how the church has failed to communicate truth, but how you personally have failed to handle God's word with reverent, humble, utter dependence on the Spirit to reveal that truth.

God has been doing a work in my own life, showing me how I was living by tradition and not by the simple truth of God's own word. I too, have tried to make a biblical point outside of the gospel. The results were confusing at best and left me looking like a know-it-all, unloving "religious freak".

I echo the prayer of my church that we crawl over the rubble and get into our community with one. simple. message. The gospel of Jesus Christ.

Of First Importance

gos·pel: the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation
co·a·li·tion: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action

Both of these words were copied and pasted from one of my favorite websites: Merriam-Webster dot com. I'll explain why I have chosen to write about these two words, but first, I need to expound on the definition of the gospel. Yes, it is a message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God and salvation, but it doesn't say what that message is. Simply put: Jesus Christ lived a perfect life in our place, died a painful and shameful death in our place, and rose triumphantly from the grave for those who would repent and believe in order to be reconciled to God.

See how Paul put it in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." ~emphasis mine

And this message of good news is not exclusive to non-believers. In Romans 1, Paul longed to go to Rome and visit the believers there so he could "...preach the gospel." He was not ashamed of the Gospel because he knew it was the power of God unto salvation. This power of God is not a one-time experience. As long as I am clothed with my sinful flesh, I am in desperate need of God's power. And where does that power come from? The Gospel.

Of all the things the Apostle Paul wrote about to the early churches, the Gospel was of first importance. Don't look past these two words too quickly. That was his delight and number one message. And it's a message we need to hear and meditate on today. It wasn't the order of services or what kind of lectern was to be used. It wasn't about having drums, no drums, piano only, dresses only, KJV only, or if the vocalists could hold their mics. The most important message that was preached then, is the same important message that needs to be preached now.

Now, the second word I listed is coalition-the coming together for one unified interest. That's what the Gospel Coalition is all about. Having one heart, one focus, one common interest. This conference is in session this week in Chicago and I'm so glad the elders from my church are there with other men who want to carry on this vision: To make the Cross of Jesus Christ central in all faith and practices.

Knowing this is the heart of my church's leadership, brings a smile to my face and anticipation in my heart. What does God have in store for His people? The world needs to hear the message of hope and it's not going to come from the men behind the pulpits only. To advance the Gospel means believers need to live in its truths every moment of every day so it becomes a natural outpouring of our lives. If you were saved from a burning building, I'm sure the story would be on the tip of your tongue, waiting eagerly to be shared as you retell the excitement of your fear and your heroic rescue. If you are a believer, you know how great a salvation you have. If it's fuzzy, please stop reading the Internet and get into your Bible. And believe me, I'm preaching to myself here as well.

Glory in the Cross of your salvation and might I exhort you to join with me in examining why we do what we do. Does your faith stem from the gracious work of Jesus, or on your own works? Are you practicing to live in the Gospel? What is the center of your life? Sad to say, it's not always in my Redeemer.

Lord, please continue to do a work in me that makes me hunger and thirst after righteousness and the God of my salvation.

~Last plug for the Gospel Coalition. I thought the video that introduced the heart behind the conference was very good. Here are men from different congregations, denominations and backgrounds setting secondary issues aside to focus on what is "...of first importance...": the Gospel.

How Deep

It's hard to think of celebration and death in the same sentence. When remembering one who has past away, it might be said the funeral will be the time to celebrate their life but with great heartache to be sure. Grieving a loved one or friend who has passed is never easy. I remember crying so hard when my dad past away, I didn't think I could cry anymore. Then I would.

But, let me turn your attention away from sadness and grief of a loved one and turn your attention to the One who died, suffered and endured shame for His people. Tonight at our Good Friday service at church, we were reminded that we should remember Christ's broken body and shed blood with joy. If Christ had not come, we would be lost forever-banished from God, spending an eternity under His righteous wrath.

But, praise be to God that Jesus absorbed the waves of wrath on the Cross so we could go free. The lyrics I'm about to share with you were taken from The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions and causes me to humbly rejoice at all that Jesus has done so that I might live.

How Deep
You were broken that I might be healed
You were cast off that I might draw near
You were thirsty that I might come drink
Cried out in anguish that I might sing

How deep is Your love
How high and how wide is Your mercy
How deep is Your grace
Our hearts overflow with praise
To You

You knew darkness that I might know light
Wept great tears that mine might be dried
Stripped of glory that I might be clothed
Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own
~Sovereign Grace Music, Valley of Vision album

As the weekend plugs along, don't miss the extraordinary message of the resurrection. Join with me in meditating on these words of life: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." 1 Corinthians 15:17

He is risen, He is risen indeed!

The last time I had a Jehovah Witness at my door was after I had either Lydia or Micah. I had been home only days and was in no mood to talk. That was either two or four years ago. Living in the country really cuts down on the door-to-door calls we used to get in the neighborhood.

Have you ever experienced the panic, don't-know-what-I'd-say feeling when anticipating these knocks on your door? I sure have. But, this day, I was excited when I saw I had a J.W. on my porch. I stepped outside without any hesitation. I knew what I believed and I knew I knew my God. Personally. All through the redemptive work of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. And, I have the Spirit of the living God abiding in me. Bring it. :)

So, here we stand with smiles, convictions, scripture, and passion. Neither is budging. It was peaceful to know I could defend my faith but heartbreaking to see that here two women stand so sure they are right, but someone HAS to be wrong-and it wasn't me.

That sent me on a self-searching journey. Why isn't it me? How do I know I have eternal life? Because I know my God. He is a Triune God, Creator of all and I have sinned against Him. I deserve His justice-eternal separation and an eternity of punishment. I know His incredible love for me. Instead of leaving me in my desperate state, He poured His wrath on His only Son-my Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, she left content for us to be in disagreement and I shut my door with a heavy heart. Oh, that her eyes would be opened as were mine.

Why do I know truth? Because of undeserving GRACE.

Thank you, Lord.

After these encounters, it's so easy to self-evaluate and wish this and that would have been said. Scripture came to mind after she had gone. This keeps me humble that I need to commit God's word to memory and to plead for the work of the Holy Spirit to bring it to my mouth.

This is my third time listening to this message. Entire message is timely for Christians in America.

Sharing the Gospel in a Most Humble Way

This past Saturday, I found myself in an embarrassing situation. It started when I decided to get the girls' hair cut.

Pigtails and Crewcuts is a children's salon I spotted several months ago while sitting in the parking lot waiting for my sweetie to return from R.E.I. When the time came for Emily and Lydia to get their hair cut, I was excited to take the girls in to this establishment. Everything about it seemed a perfect way to treat my girlies. Mommy and daughter time. Oh, and Nana time, she was with us. A girl's day out.

So, I call to make an appointment and was told they don't make appointments but if I call on my way in, she'll put our names on the list. Okay, this sounds great. I call when I am ten minutes out and get on the list.

Before coming in, I had shown pictures of other locations to Emily and Lydia and so they are excited too. The idea of getting to sit in your choice of vehicle and watch a movie while you get your hair cut was too cool!

Here we go hand-in-hand off to have some fun at Pigtails and Crewcuts. Even the name puts a smile on my face. That smile soon turned to pursed lips soon after walking through the doors. As we enter, I am met with a forced smile from the receptionist and have a clipboard shoved at me informing me I need to fill this out. So, I do. No thank you when I hand it back and no indication that someone will be with us soon. My biggest disappointment here is that my kids weren't greeted.

There were two stylists, both busy. One was finishing up and the other maybe about half-way through. We sit and wait. And wait. And wait. When the first stylist had finished, I notice she disappears. Hair is still on the floor from her client and there's no sign of her. Anywhere. The receptionist then leaves and I notice her down the hall and out back smoking. Nice. I sure hope she doesn't bring that breath in to my children. Thankfully, she's only the receptionist. Well, moving on.

By this time the second stylist has finished and I have waited over 15 minutes without one person talking to me. Oh, except the friendly clientele. In the meantime, the receptionist has cleaned the first station and does a good job putting things back in place and wiping things down. Then, I get the shocking question, in an I'd-rather-be-somewhere-else-tone, Okay, who's going to be first? Oh, nuh-uh. We did not just sit here for a very long time being ignored to have my girls go one at a time causing an even greater delay in my day. "We are on a time schedule. I was under the impression both of my girls could get their hair done at the same time," I say. "Well, the other stylist is on break," she says. HELLO!! Could she not have told me that when she walked away? Wouldn't it have been nice to say, "Thanks for waiting, she'll be with you in a moment." To say I was irritated is an understatement. I'm big on customer service. My wait time can be tolerated if you just smile and let me know what's going on.

This is when my flesh and all my warm fuzzy expectations that just got squashed take control. The gal on break comes out after hearing me complain to the others that I have waited a long time and I thought the girls could go together. When she comes out, I hear in a rather fake, forced voice, "Oh, look, here she is now." No way am I going to be the cause of this poor woman missing her much needed break. I've worked retail. I understand the need to step away. I do not hesitate to tell them that from the moment I walked in I felt as if we had interrupted a private party and that I was not impressed with their customer service. I waited too long and we were not staying. I take my children and we leave. All the way to the car I'm getting, "Mommy, how come we're not staying?" I reply sharply, "Because those women weren't very nice."

Huh. Who's not being very nice here? All of a sudden I have a wave of convicting thoughts. Look at how you have just behaved, I hear. I must go back in and apologize to those women. My mom says she is going to wait in the car so it's me and my girls. I take a deep breath, ask the Lord for wisdom and enter back into the salon where the three ladies were chatting and I genuinely apologize for my behavior. I should not have gotten so upset and been so rude but most importantly I tell them, "I am a Christian and what I did was not glorifying or honoring to God and that's what my life is about." Silence.

I then ask if they would please cut my daughters' hair? They smiled and said they'd be happy to. Smiles were still forced and I'm not sure they enjoy their jobs but when they finished (both girls got to go together), I thank them and apologized once more. One tells me it's fine, we all have our days. To that I replied, "It's just a reminder to me at how imperfect I really am and how grateful I am to Jesus Christ who took my punishment on the cross." To the receptionist I also apologize and she says it was just a misunderstanding. To her I say again, "I'm reminded at how I mess up and need the work of Jesus Christ."

This is not my ideal way of showing my faith but boy, is it the most honest real way. Yesterday, it was a great day to be in the house of the Lord. The message reminded me that the gospel of Jesus Christ is unstoppable because Jesus is alive and working. The gospel is spread abroad by the working of the Holy Spirit through His people. I don't want the ladies of that salon or you, the reader, to see a woman who had a case of guilty conscience and did a good thing by coming back in. On the contrary. I want them and you to see a hopeless sinner who serves a mighty God. I hope they are curious about this person mentioned, Jesus Christ and ask themselves, what does it mean that He took the punishment. I can only trust in the working of the Holy Spirit to take my fumbling words and open hearts as He so chooses.

I will be back to Pigtails and Crewcuts and hope to always bring in the light of Christ and the Love of God.

Motivation for Christian Living

sermon notes from Applications from the Mockings of Jesus 9-21-08 Hanafee

Two things will motivate us to live upright and godly lives. One is guilt. The other is gratitude. When guilt is the motive, we're like a 4th of July sparkler. It's like holding a wick to a stick of dynamite. The flame ignites lots of productive activity that looks appealing but instead of burning down to something explosive, it just fades out and is dead. I've been here many times. A sermon will prick my heart and stir my spirit. I feel the weight of a Holy God looking down on me in disgust and I crawl out from under my rock and pull myself up and say, "Okay, Lord. From now on, I'm going to do better." Then, reality sets in. I sin. And the cycle starts all over again. This routine is not only defeating but un-biblical.

Romans 8:1(ESV) says: "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." my emphasis added. This is the key for seeking sanctification with a heart of gratitude. Thanking God for what He has done for us. But what does that look like and how can we protect our minds from believing the lies that make us think a.)we have the ability to change and b.)God is looking down with disapproving nods so we better get our act together.

First, read Mark 15:16-21. Then, ask yourself, "What does the gospel bring to bear in this fight for sanctification?" Let's look at 4 cross-centered weapons.

1. If Christ went through all of this for me, He will not forsake me in my trials and struggles. Being a Christian, doesn't mean we will be perfect but it also doesn't mean we can't have victory. After failing time and time again in one area it's easy to think we will never overcome. We think we have to just settle for this "lot in life." We give up and quit in that particular area. Let's see what the Bible reminds us. Isaiah 49:15b-16a (ESV) says, "...yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Romans 8:32 (ESV) says, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" See, when we give up and are content to not allow the Spirit to work in those difficult areas of sin, we are saying Christ's work wasn't good enough. Listen, Christ died for sin. Period.

2. Drop the shame. We carry a backpack of shame that's not ours to carry. We need to preach to ourselves the atoning work of Christ. My study Bible writes, "An atonement is a reconciliation of alienated parties, the restoration of a broken relationship. Atonement is accomplished by making amends, blotting our offenses, and giving satisfaction for wrongs done." It continues, "According to Scripture every person sins and needs to make atonement, but lacks the power and resources for doing so. We have offended our Creator, who's nature is to hate sin (Jer. 44:4; Hab 1:13) and to punish it (Ps. 5:4-6; Rom. 1:18, 2:5-9.)" Christ is our atoning sacrifice. He paid the ransom and absorbed God's wrath. The weight of our sin is no longer on us. When we do sin, confess, repent and then rest in God's grace. 1 John 1:9

3. When we are tempted to sin, we need to think of His mocking. Call to mind the scene in Mark 15:16-21. The King of kings and Lord of lords endured brutality and shame and was rejection for sin. My sin. Your sin. Protect your mind. Don't indulge the place in your mind that is a secret place for sin. Do everything possible to keep the gospel in the forefront of your mind. Endeavor to live in the gospel. Remember, the gospel is not a door. It's a building. A place we go into for healing, rejoicing and a place to be armed. Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

4. When our motivation to live a holy like comes from gratitude and not guilt, we have the makings of radical living. Christ went outside the camp to face reproach for us. He has asked us to treasure Him above all else. He will not leave us or forsake us. Heb. 13:5

Are you struggling under guilt or soaring with gratitude?

Two more and I'm done

I'm really not trying to stretch out my birthday blabbings but I forgot to mention some very special gifts I received for my birthday. One friend has an amazing ability to remember people (all ages) on their birthdays and then gets them special, relevant gifts. She knows exactly what would be appreciated and this last birthday was no exception. My dear friend gave me a lovely Willow Tree ornament that commemorates kindness and an Evangecube. I love this thing. It's a great way to share the gospel and the beautiful thing is, it doesn't have words. I love tracts and pamphlets about Christ but sometimes you have to interject truth or correct false doctrines. The EvangeCube is illustrated nicely. If you don't have one, I suggest getting one. It can keep you polished on sharing the gospel and if you're a visual person like myself, the images can be a guide as you talk about Christ even if you don't have the cube with you.



One more loving gift was dinner and a movie with some very dear friends. This was the first time the six of us have gotten together without any children. Between the three couples, we have 8 children that were watched by loving family members. The fellowship was sweet, the food was good and the movie was excellent. At some point I want to write a review on the movie Fireproof. Let me just say that this is a must see!

Yah, what she said...

This blogging business is much harder than I realized. When I first started, I had the idea that I would use it as a sound board to share what God is doing in my life and to hear from others as they walk through the sanctifying work of Christ in their own lives. Problem is, to find time to blog is difficult. My children seem to take up my free-time. Imagine that. :o)

I have a list on my desk of potential blog entries but soon time passes and the idea is no longer fresh or the moment has passed. Is it too late to blog about my dear husband's surprise birthday party...two weeks ago?

One entry was going to be a follow-up to The Gospel. Then, I saw that my idea was articulated very well (much better than I would have) here.

The beautiful thing about blogging-linking.

The Gospel

What's the gospel? It's the good news. The way of salvation. How I got saved. What others need to hear. What I should preach or proclaim. It's what evangelists yell from the pulpit. It's that one-time event in which I gained access to heaven. hmmm...

This used to be the extent of my understanding of the gospel. I used to discredit my salvation by thinking the gospel was the act of me recognizing Christ died for my sins but now it's up to me to start doing the Christian thing. Yes, I would need the power of the Holy Spirit but the gospel was no longer relevent. When the gospel was preached, I would sigh and endure...thinking, I've heard this before...then I would start praying for all the lost souls in the room to be moved enough to accept Jesus as their Savior. To me, there was little affect on my life. I say little, not none.

Oh, what a different story it is now. The gospel is my LIFE!! I need it day-by-day, moment-by-moment, sin-by-wretched sin. As John Piper put it, (and I'm paraphrasing), we use the cross as a ticket. A bloody ticket to "get us in." Once into heaven, we're home free and free sailing. What do we do with a ticket? We throw it away. Once we've gained access, we're done with it. Christ is NOT our ticket! He is our atoning sacrifice. The Just for the unjust. Our redeemer. Our means of coming to the throne of grace. Words do not begin to describe the awesomeness of who Christ is.


But the word of God does. Once I saw who God is-who He is according to His word and not by my own imagination, then I saw who I was-vile, despicable, a hater of God. Then, I saw who Christ truly is. The One who bore my shame. Bore my wrath. Took my punishment. Now, why would I want to throw that away? I don't.



Take six minutes to listen to the following excerpt: The Gospel in 6 Minutes.



Lord bless you!