Pilgrims on an eternal journey

Some of my friends have been in their same home church for all of their Christian walk and others have changed churches for one reason or another and some of us have moved and been a part of a number of church families. In late 2011 Dan and I became members of Bethlehem Bible Church (BBC) in West Boylston, MA.

Making a decision to become a part of a local body of believers is not a decision that Dan and I took lightly. For myself, I really thought hard and long, prayed, read, researched and asked questions. As with any organization, there will be some things that we do not agree with but on the essentials we do agree. And yes, a local body of believers is both a church family and an organization. There may be a number of essentials that I could go through but for this blog post I will just talk about two: 1. The Love of Christ as demonstrated through the people and 2. The High view of God communicated by the expositional preaching of God's Word.

The demonstration of love that personally gave me the desire to become a part of BBC was the process of "church discipline." Some of my readers may think, "that is archaic" well let me explain. It was the pursuing of a dear one who was walking away from her family and the family of God reached out to her and with tears, prayers and open arms encouraged her to return and make things right. BBC as a church family had to release her, let her go, and turn her over to the LORD, with the commitment to pray that she will at sometime return to the LORD. Where else in the world do people love each other enough to say you are going the wrong way, come back, we love you, we know that life is hard? And when the person says, thanks but no thanks, those who love their dear one love her enough to let her go. Isn't this what we do as parents? Even with our adult children? Sometimes it is not clear and things get messy and we are willing to walk through the mess with one another. Is this not loving? It IS! Of course, there are many other acts of love that the dear ones at BBC do for one another, their neighbors, friends and strangers....listening, praying, making meals, helping one another move, visiting, etc. all types of family activities that demonstrate a love for one another. This is motivated by the Greatest LOVER of ALL, Jesus Christ, the LORD Most High. One other way that these dear folks love is through the preaching, teaching and heralding of God's Word. This last act leads me to the second point, which is having a High view of God through expositional preaching.

(for those unfamiliar with the term "expositional preaching" here is a good definition -Expository preaching involves the exposition, or comprehensive explanation, of the Scripture; that is, expository preaching presents the meaning and intent of a biblical text, providing commentary and examples to make the passage clear and understandable. from http://www.gotquestions.org/expository-preaching.html)

Today this very day Mike Abendroth preached about Jesus from the Gospel of Mark from Mark 1;1, 4;35-41, 6;45-52. "So yeah, he preached about Jesus. You are a Christian who else is he going to preach about?" Some might think. Today exposition of the text was with the sole purpose of again being amazed by the GOD-Man, Jesus Christ. Today, I was asked through the preaching of the Word to look up to the One who is called the Christ and see Him High and Lifted up by the lowly preacher who is a sinner just like me. He is so unlike us, yet was willing to leave His home in glory to become human like you and me.

As was said today, there does need to be more preaching on Jesus Christ so that our response is to behold the LORD and believe that Jesus is who He said he was and what the Holy Scriptures say about Him. There is plenty of preaching in today's American churches of what I would call, man-centered preaching. It is so appealing to the flesh. A "look what the Son of God has given to us" attitude instead of realizing how Great and Awesome is our GOD. It is such a subtle and fine line, because Jesus has done great things and continues to do things through the lives of His children. The point is for this Christian, I need to have a Higher view of God than I do of man. There are probably many who preach and live with too high a view of man who hold up God higher than man but it is most likely coupled with too high of a view of man. So instead of God being exalted, the gifts given to man from God are given more attention and the gifts are often manifested through man therefore man becomes the central focus of the preaching. It is the "what does this passage mean to me?" instead of "what is God saying in the passage?"

What is the crux of "having a High View of God in relations to man?" In order to get there we need to talk about holiness. A subject that I am not very comfortable writing or talking about. This past year, I took a class on growing in personal holiness A woman in Christ, currently I am finishing The Pursuit of Holiness and I have had a number of conversations with a couple of trusted friends about the topic. I believe a look at God being Holy is required in order for man to have a proper perspective. When I am able to see that the God who saved me is completely HOLY, perfect, all together pure, then I begin to understand why Peter said to Jesus "Depart from me for I am sinful man." When we find ourselves in the presence of our Holy God, our eyes are opened in that type of light to the darkness of our sin and like the angels of Revelation we go and hide our faces. Yes, the beauty, the majesty, the glory is too much for us and we cry out holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty.

It is through the Light of God's Word which some call The Holy Bible that we are able to recognize that we are sinners and in the world there is no hope for us. The good news is not a cover up of the bad news. To simply say I am free in Christ without remember what HE has freed us from can be a dangerous place. A place where I am in danger of becoming puffed up. With "I am God's child and I am free to do whatever I want to do and be whatever I want to be because I am free," upon my lips and forgetting what it is that I have been freed from and therefore lacking gratitude for this precious freedom. Before I come to a resolution for this line of thinking, I must say the following. The first word about every human being is that each one is created in the image of the triune God. We are image bearers, having a likeness of our Creator. How Awesome, how humbling! The next word is that because of Adam's sin, we were born in iniquity and conceived in sin. This is very bad news. If we hope for eternal life with the Holy One then we need to be cleansed of our sins and made holy. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we are made holy, cleansed from all our sins. Jesus says COME! He will wash you and make you as white as the new fallen snow and in Him you will be made holy and righteous in order to be in the presence of This HOLY God, Creator of the Universe, Lord of Heaven and Earth. In the remembrance of what we have been freed from - SIN and DEATH, it is in this place that I am still learning to live in gratitude for the love, grace, mercy, forgiveness and this freedom from sin and death that I can see my place with the Holy One is given to me freely as a gift from the Righteous One, the LORD Jesus Christ delivering me from my sin. This is not just good news, it is GREAT News!

Outgrown

It is not easy trying to stay in the flow of the digital age for someone who grew up in the last century. (that makes me sound old-ha) The fact is I probably do a pretty good job of it. Many of my friends can't stand new technology and the pace at which the digital world changes. It is mind blowing for those of us that grew up with phones attached to the walls not our hips. Nevertheless, I am along for the ride and most of the time I am loving it.

One of the blogs that I follow is from one of my favorite writers Angela Hunt and this morning reading her blog sent me right over here to mine. Her post shared the lessons she has been learning from her Orchid that had outgrown its pot after 8 years. On this morning, I too have outgrown a "community" for which I have been involved with in one way or another for the last 8 years. Some might call it an extra curricular activity and others "the league." Time to move on and it is bittersweet. My two youngest children, who are now young adults (we have been calling them that since each was around 15 and the younger is nearly 19) went out the door as alumni of the NCFCA speech and debate league to go judge at a practice tournament. My visible time in the league is up yet this very morning I am doing some consulting work for the first qualifying tournament this season in Region 10.

The end of a season in our lives means that the LORD is clearing things away to make room for new adventures and new lessons in our lives. The whole experience of being a part of the league without reservation I can say, that I am grateful for each and every season, tournament, person and club that we have been a part of one way or another. Thank God for the NCFCA and thank God for the opportunities that we have had through this homeschooling speech and debate league.

"A Sword will pierce through your own soul"

This phrase is found in Luke's account of the Christmas story. The man Simeon says this to Mary.

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

(Luke 2:34-35 ESV)

Oddly enough this righteous man was waiting for the consolation of Israel and now seeing the Lord's Christ welcomed his own death. Simeon could now depart in peace. Death will come to each of us, but when dead takes someone from us, the pain is great. Where do we find comfort? The only comfort for me is in believing that God is good and God is sovereign. The sovereignty of God is something that I am just beginning to understand and I imagine that by the end of my own life, there will still be much mystery gone unsolved.

As a new mother Mary was warned of the coming heartache. Every mother will or has experienced the heart breaking at the news of their own child's suffering. My thoughts and prayers have gone out to a friend of mine who's 19 year old son died this week over and over again. Having our three children home together is all the more precious in light of this tragic news. We do not know the hour or the day that anyone of us will die. Even when we are given the word and we watch someone die it does not lessen the pain.

The joy of the season is in the shadow of the Cross and for many it is a very tough time and can be agonizing especially for people like my dear friend who is weighed down with grief and great sorrow. My heart and tears go out to her.

The greatest gifts this Christmas was showing up for life and being with other people, sharing the love of Christ, being in the fellowship of other believers, and remembering that Jesus Christ came humbly as a baby with his destination already in place in order to die that we might live.

Who's Directing traffic?

When I first started this blog (nearly 8 years ago) our children were journeying with us in this life along the pilgrim highway. The girls are in college now and our son will set out sometime in 2012. My thoughts about this journey called life are daily yet my writing is not - daily. It has been some time since I have reflected on the road thus far.

First of all, "the pilgrim highway" was the subtitle for this blog in its early stages because my husband became a traveling nurse and we set out on experiencing more of the United States with our children. In a physical sense we returned to our homeland of Massachusetts but in life's journey there are no U-turns. The highway keeps going, the scenery changes as we change and our children become adults and forge ahead and our parents grow old and slow down.

When I think about the comparison of the physical life and the spirit life, I keep seeing reflections. Coming into this world in the late 60's, I didn't ask to be born, I didn't choose my parents or where I would be born or the time that I would start out on this journey we call life. So it is with the spiritual life, I didn't choose the time or the place. It just so happens that I was 21 years old when Jesus changed the course and direction of my life. Jesus invaded my heart and I responded with gratitude to this outpouring of grace upon me, that Jesus would shed His own blood for the forgiveness of my sins. My freedom from sin had been bought by the precious blood of My LORD, the Holy and Perfect sacrifice required by the LORD Most High, the Holy God, my Heavenly Father who is the One who made The Way through His Son.

Our lives do not stop, they don't make U-turns and eventually life on the earth will come to an end. For those who are on the Pilgrim Highway en route to the Celestial City, life will never end we will only be changed. The thing is that during this life on earth we are traveling on both highways, our earthly life is like 128 which is a part of 95 from Canton or Norwood up to Peabody which is just a short stretch of 95 which runs from Maine to Florida. As the saying goes, "we are just passing through."

Life itself throws us road blocks, detours and traffic jams. At times we throw up our hands because none of it seems to be making any sense and we tire and maybe we just want to give up. These are not random acts of frustration to see how much we can take but these are our steps being directed by Some One greater who not only sees the beginning from the end but is the One who has laid out this road we are on. We have the choice of how we will respond. Whatever the obstacle is, it is usually something that we can't do anything about. It reminds me of a prayer I learned when I was 19 years old, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference." So many things in this life we have absolutely no control over but our attitude, how we respond to those unmovables is completely up to us.

Who is directing traffic? Unless this is the first time you have read my blog then you know that I believe it is The Creator, the One Living God, Maker and Custodian of Heaven and Earth. He has set each and everyone of us on this highway and the thing that trips us up is that some of us are for noble and some for ignoble purposes. God is altogether Holy, Just, Loving, and Sovereign. (not a complete list of His attributes.) But as far as directing traffic goes, He is Sovereign and His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts Greater and more perfect than ours. We don't get it. However, I do believe that there is some things to help us accept what we indeed cannot change by getting to know God through His Word..

God has not only revealed Himself through His Word but He has preserved The Book, the Holy Bible. There have been times when men have tried to destroy the Bible and God has seen fit for it to be preserved. Extra time spent reading, studying, meditating and memorizing the Word of God is for this Christian not simply a discipline or to become a biblical scholar but for the sole purpose of getting to know God, who He is. And as I like to say my religious view is that I see through a mirror dimly. There is so much mystery, there are so many unanswered questions and so much more to see as I walk the Pilgrim Highway trusting that not only did God building the Road but that by the Holy Spirit He is walking with me and lately The Son, He has been carrying me.

While working at my brother-in-law's store yesterday, I heard this song that I have probably heard at least a hundred times over the last 20 years. Of course, I knew the artist but not the name of the song.....it spoke into my soul like it has never done before (and what I am about to write may seem so simple) 1/2 of my problems would fade away in the light and execution of these lyrics the artist is U2 and the song is One from the Achtung Baby 1991.

Is it getting better?

Or do you feel the same?

Will it make it easier on you now?

You got someone to blame

You say...

One love

One life

When it's one need

In the night

One love

We get to share it

Leaves you baby if you

Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without?

Well it's...

Too late

Tonight

To drag the past out into the light

We're one, but we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One...

Have you come here for forgiveness?

Have you come to raise the dead?

Have you come here to play Jesus

To the lepers in your head?

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot

You gave me nothing

Now it's all I got

We're one

But we're not the same

Will we

Hurt each other

Then we do it again

You say

Love is a temple

Love a higher law

Love is a temple

Love the higher law

You ask me to enter

But then you make me crawl

And I can't be holding on

To what you got

When all you got is hurt

One love

One blood

One life

You got to do what you should

One life

With each other

Sisters

Brothers

One life

But we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One... life

One

While working at my brother-in-law's store yesterday, I heard this song that I have probably heard at least a hundred times over the last 20 years. Of course, I knew the artist but not the name of the song.....it spoke into my soul like it has never done before (and what I am about to write may seem so simple) 1/2 of my problems would fade away in the light and execution of these lyrics the artist is U2 and the song is One from the Achtung Baby 1991.

Is it getting better?

Or do you feel the same?

Will it make it easier on you now?

You got someone to blame

You say...

One love

One life

When it's one need

In the night

One love

We get to share it

Leaves you baby if you

Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without?

Well it's...

Too late

Tonight

To drag the past out into the light

We're one, but we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One...

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/u/u2/one_20141388.html ]

Have you come here for forgiveness?

Have you come to raise the dead?

Have you come here to play Jesus

To the lepers in your head?

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot

You gave me nothing

Now it's all I got

We're one

But we're not the same

Will we

Hurt each other

Then we do it again

You say

Love is a temple

Love a higher law

Love is a temple

Love the higher law

You ask me to enter

But then you make me crawl

And I can't be holding on

To what you got

When all you got is hurt

One love

One blood

One life

You got to do what you should

One life

With each other

Sisters

Brothers

One life

But we're not the same

We get to

Carry each other

Carry each other

One... life

One

http://youtu.be/ftjEcrrf7r0

Wanna get away...............

Disputing the Data........

Homeschoolers need not apply.......

The second half of the Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 15-28)

“Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

(Matthew 16:16-17 ESV)

The kingdom is mentioned 52 times in the Gospel of Matthew and 21 times in this second half of the book. The phrase, “the kingdom of Heaven (or God) is at hand” is a very interesting saying. If it implies that it is within reach wouldn’t it make sense to say that it is here and now?

Throughout my reading this week, I have been drawn to the King and have a great curiosity about His Kingdom. One of the questions that have been on my mind over the past 6 to 9 months is: “What does it mean to have an eternal perspective?” As I continue to study the Word of God, I really want to understand to the extend that I can about life in the light of Eternity. One thing I do know; there is disagreement among God’s children.

In Matthew’s writings, there are some clues. As children of the King we are to have childlike faith and trust in our Heavenly Father. We are not to be concerned about position. There is to be no hierarchy among us. If you want to be great Jesus says you need to have the humility of a child.

What kind of King will rule the Kingdom of Heaven? He will be like a King described by Jesus whose forgiveness is so incredibly bountiful in mercy that our response is to be like him. We are to forgive each other because we have been forgiven so much that we could never repay. Peter was asking about forgiving one another. The language in this answer from Jesus in Chapter 18 certainly sounds like it is applicable to the here and now.

Entrance into the Kingdom is difficult as Jesus explains the parable of the rich young ruler, “but with God all things are possible.” So Peter is taking this in and says to Jesus in Matthew 19 “we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” v. 27-29 Three more questions arise about the kingdom: “what is this new world? Is Jesus talking about the kingdom of heaven? Isn’t Jesus sitting on His Glorious Throne now?

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King is the King of Celebration as depicted in the parable of the Wedding Feast. It shows that we really have no business saying you don’t belong here at the table and you do belong because it really is the King who clothes and provides for those who will sit at His banquet. (chapter 22)

The verse that grabbed me and will not let go is also from chapter 22 v. 32 “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” In Jesus answering the Sadducees about the resurrection and pointing to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. If God is King and if we are living along with the saints who have gone before us, then wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that the Kingdom of Heaven is now?

Jesus being questioned by the high priest in chapter 27 says, “from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” The Kingdom is now and later?

Famously quoted by Christians for different reasons, but what does the Resurrected Jesus means by this in regards to His Kingdom, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Immediately followed by “Go therefore and make disciples…” Is this an indicator that the Lord has involved us in Kingdom building today?

“this gospel of the kingdom” This is Jesus Christ…..His Gospel. Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand. If the Gospel is true and for us now? How about His Kingdom? These are real questions. I am searching. These questions are not rhetorical for me.

NanoWrimo is here. Our family has been participating in NanoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month = November) since 2005 when we lived in Quechee, VT. For more info go here. So, we are 8 hours in and I have not written a word. Not to worry, I will begin later. At least I know what I am writing about this year.

The story begins in the mid 1990's families across the country have taken on the responsibility and challenge of educating their own at home. (a topic that I am intimately familiar with) The focus we be upon this family that shelters their children into late adolescence which cripples them in their early adulthood. My story can be summarized by a recent tweet of mine where I quoted my husband, "Some homeschooling parents interpret the verse to say, "You are to be as wise as serpents and as ignore as ostriches." This is a harsh reality in the homeschooling community. Parents hearts have been broken. Young lives shattered.

Shout outs to Dan, Grace, Katie and Michael! My wonderful family. God has blessed me so much. I am grateful for each and everyone of you! All NanoWrimo winners and beautiful loving people. I love you guys!

Looking at the Gospels

This fall I had the opportunity to sit under the teaching of an older and wiser woman, Vida Farrar. She led us through a 7 week course on Growing in personal holiness. We did read through 3 of the 4 gospels for some of our homework. Here are my brief reflections on the first 14 chapters of Matthew's Gospel.

Matthew the Taxman called to be a disciple left his money collecting in exchange for the riches that can only be found in bowing the knee to the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“King of the Jews,” is found only at the beginning of the gospel of Matthew referring to the child Jesus who was born to save his people from their sins. The rest of the gospel writers use this title toward the end of their gospels during the Passion of the Christ . Looking to Jesus as my King through the eyes of His servant Matthew is welcomed meat to this growing Christian. In SO many ways, I still have a lot of growing up to do and again, I am finding myself in a season that I just can’t seem to get enough of God’s Word.

During the reading of these first 14 chapters of Matthew, I did more reading and pondering than actual writing. Although, I did write something down for each chapter. Unlike other weeks, I could probably fit it all here on one page. However, I want to just reflect on this office of the Lord. In the Westminster Catechism its says in the answer, “Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.”

In Matthew after the Incarnation, wise men come to worship the Baby born King. In the Jordan Jesus is baptized by John and with the Holy Spirit descending upon Him, the Father declares Him as His Beloved Son! In the desert Jesus wages War with the devil in a battle of biblical proportion with all that He is through His Very Words. In Capernaum, Jesus proclaimed that the Kingdom (His Kingdom) of heaven was at hand. In the streets, on the sea, and upon the mountains Jesus heals diseases, casts out demons, astonishes the crowds, the Scribes and Pharisees and his disciples with His authoritative and totally outside the box teachings.

Through this part of the gospel I see the King who provides, heals, teaches, defends, rescues and calls out the disciples to Himself. This tax collector who was formerly employed under Herod the tetrarch, now found himself under the authority of a King whose kingdom, was the very Kingdom of God. Matthew helps me to be in awe, reading straight through helps me to be amazed at the One I call, Savior, Lord, Brother and Friend, is my ruling King. There is No One like Him. How can I help but bow!

Also, in the gospel of Matthew I see how far I have to go along the pilgrim highway, the LORD holds up a standard that in my own power, I cannot even begin to scratch the surface. My first step toward the Savior is to repent of my sin, my inability to do what the Word of God says, even though I have died and my life is now hid with Christ, I frequently suffer from identity crisis and find myself in the middle of my sin and with Paul I cry out what a wretch I am! But thanks and glory be to God who rescues me from myself. There is so much in this gospel that I love but I will just point out two things: what I grew up calling “The Our Father” for it is indeed our prayer to our Heavenly Father. Jesus the one who gives us access to the Father gives us words to say in prayer. Secondly, at the end of chapter 11, Jesus declares again His position with the Father and then those tender words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (v. 28-30 NIV)

A humble King who often carries me is walking beside me enabling me to learn to walk in His ways. May I continue to sit at His Feet as well as walk along the way with Jesus.

Preaching the Gospel to myself

There are many God dependent brothers and sisters in the faith that are calling us back to the Gospel and reminding us of the Gospel. These dear ones give testimony to the fact that they are preaching the Gospel to themselves; others call it rehearsing the Gospel. Recently I have had the opportunity of reminding some young people from Christian households about the Gospel both with my own words and in presenting a short presentation from a preacher who is sometimes affectionately called, "Smarty Pants." It has crossed my mind that one of the great ways to preach to myself is through writing and perhaps some of those dear people who take time to read my blog might enjoy a reminder as well.

The apostle Paul who wrote a good percentage of the New Testament said in essence, "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." (1st Corinthians 9;16) Earlier in this same letter Paul states that he decided to know nothing among the Corinthians except Christ and Him Crucified. (1st Corinthians 2;2) In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he talks about the gospel in terms of reconciliation. Before I can even get to that, I have to ask myself a couple of questions:

What do I believe about man?

What do I believe about God?

What do I believe about God relating to man?

What do I believe about man relating to God?

These are some of the big questions about life. To assert anything about reconciliation, I first must state briefly what I believe about each of these things in regards to reconciliation. (To answer in there entirety would take several blog posts.)

What do I believe about man?

I believe that man is inherently sinful and in need of God's grace and forgiveness.

What do I believe about God?

God is all powerful, all knowing, perfectly just and altogether loving. He is the Redeemer and Restorer of all things.

What do I believe about God relating to man?

As our Creator, God is a Loving Father, the sun shines and the rain falls abundantly upon the just and the unjust. As our Father, He sent His Son through whom He reconciled us to himself, making us new creations, and adopting us as His Beloved Children.

What do I believe about man relating to God?

There are so many ways to describe this incredible relationship. Finite man in relationship with an Infinite God seems most unlikely, a Holy God relating to sinful people. God is incredibly merciful. Gaining an understanding that it is only through Jesus Christ who is God that we have a way to the Father. The one thought that keeps coming back to me when I think about man relating to God is He is the Potter and we are the clay. In a recent video by Francis Chan he says in light of this thought from chapter 9 of Romans, "it is like I am a piece of clay trying to explain to other pieces of clay what the Potter is like, none of us can claim to be experts about the Potter." It is a humbling place to be. Jesus says, unless you become like this little child you can not enter the kingdom of heaven. So, as a daughter of the Living God, I am to trust him. This trusting needs to be one of the outstanding characteristics to my relationship with God.

God has reconciled us to himself through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. I am a sinner who has been saved by grace through faith and I didn't do anything to add to grace because that would just cancel it out. Jesus Christ lived the perfect life that I could never live, died the perfect death that I should have died, He shed his blood for my sins and then HE conquered death by rising from the grave. As the old hymn writer wrote Jesus paid it ALL, all to Him I owe sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.

Even though I am his daughter and have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, securing my inheritance, I am still walking around in the flesh, that is my sin nature, and I still sin. I am daily in need of His grace, His mercy and His forgiveness. If I wasn't in need of being forgiven regularly then I would not need to hear the Gospel but one time on that day that I was reconciled to my Father in Heaven. Jesus did indeed save me once, I have been justified. The beauty of the Gospel is that it is also for my ongoing sanctification. It is the Righteousness of Christ that has given me access to our Holy and Heavenly Father. Indeed, I want the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be a part of my daily "bread" to live in the Light of the Truth and to know how GREAT the Father has lavished His Love upon us.

"God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2Corinthians 5;21

The Purpose for My Blog

I am so tempted to just move on (which I do plan on doing in January 2012) to a new blog address and continue my writing there. A fresh start. Last night and this morning I was going through my published posts. This blog was started in January 2004, nearly 8 years ago. The purpose was to journal about our journey along the Pilgrim Highway both in the spiritual sense with our sights set on the Celestial City and our travels up and down the east coast while Dan was a travel nurse and we lived in different places with our growing children.

The journey continues. We did take the plunge and become members of Bethlehem Bible Church (BBC) in West Boylston but more amazingly they took a gamble on us by welcoming in a couple of Ragamuffin Christians. I think we will add to the diversity of this local body of believers. ;-) We have been at the same address for 23 months now, with hope of staying in this area. Traveling, living and journeying with our children was the norm for many years. They very much are still on the Pilgrim Highway with us as we are all on the road with Jesus Christ who not only leads us but is The Way to The Father but our times together as a family physically is limited. We now make plans for those times. Michael is still home but has made a number of trips without us recently. He is working toward and looking forward to the next leg of his trip through this world.

My desire for both myself and Dan and our children, is that we will make a difference in the lives we touch both in this world and in the next. A spiritual father of mine, Sam Shoemaker who I only know through his writings, wrote a poem as an apologia for his life called I Stand at the Door. He never forgot about those who hadn't heard the good news of Jesus Christ who is the Door and he sought to point them to the Way. For those who found there way into the House of God and were scared off by those who were deep inside, Sam wanted to be there for those too and let them know that they didn't need to be afraid that it was much better in the House. The road is not always easy, in fact it is hard but we are journeying on with the LORD and one another. The destination is eternal joy, never ending glory and our Heavenly Father will be singing over us!

There is much happening in our world, some we need to stay clear of and much more that we need to be a part of. It has been said that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. I don't think I agree. Our culture says we should avoid pain and suffering, that there ought to be a no tolerance policy. We (mankind) are entitled to all that is good upon the earth. In a perfect world that would be fine. Where is this thinking coming from? It has permeated much of American Christendom. I will contend that it is a misconception of the fall and particularly, the sin that has plagued men and women for all times. Out of one side of their mouth Americans will say "we deserve" and on the other side they excuse wrongs and say, "I am only human." There is truth in the latter. I am only human, inherently sinful. Our inclination is to be selfish and want our own way. There will be pain AND suffering in this world, we can run and hide from it or face it head on knowing that we are not alone. That there is One who understands, there is One that stands beside us, there is One who is walking through it with us.

The road is different when you watch your children, not just walking and running but flying. Now under the protection and care of their Heavenly Father but still at times coming back to us, walking with us desiring to be in the refuge of our family. There are others along the road too and we enjoy sweet fellowship there as well. There is that special bond between parents and children. A love for them like no other. We have always had our fellow pilgrims along the way but our perception changes when our children are no longer our constant companions. Our footing changes as well. Their young lives still occupy much of my mind and my prayers and at the same time, new avenues are opening up for me as a woman, a daughter of the King of Kings and my delight is in being His child. The changes continue to come fast and furious and just like the pace of the digital sphere that has become a part of our lives, I am doing my best to keep up and press on. Grateful for the road traveled thus far and looking with hope to the road ahead. Hopefully, that will include more writing.

Comfort

fBlessed be the gGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and hGod of all comfort, 4iwho comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in jChrist's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.1 6 kIf we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you lshare in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2Corinthians 1; 1-7

Remembering those who still refused to be comforted and never recovered from the horrors of 9/11. If memory serves me correctly, our country had not seen bloodshed on our soil since the Civil War. Up until 10 years ago the bloodshed happened in other countries around the world. Plenty of American blood being shed in other lands. For the war on terror thousands of men and women in our armed forces have been killed. Our country is torn about whether or not we should have entered this new type of warfare.

The Apostle Paul continues:

For we did not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

2Corinthians 1;8-11

So we want to prayerfully support those in uniform and the lives forever changed by the events of 9/11 and to always hold out the Banner of Hope.

Getting together & Gratitude

First, the get togethers: I was thinking about how in 15 to 30 minutes I can kinda check in with friends via facebook, twitter and oh yeah, email. Even if they live 15, 150, 300 or even 3000 miles away. If I really want to visit with someone, then I can place a phone call or text or skype or g-chat but it is not often that we walk down the street knock on some one's door and say, hi, how are you doing today? Our ways of socially interacting can be overwhelming at times.

So, there I was in my kitchen doing my best to remember how I kept in touch with people when I was 18 to 22. The phone answering machine! It was a time when the public restroom did not double as a "phone booth."My most frequent way to keep in touch was via the answering machine. Some people still have one in fact a friend of mine, screens ALL her calls. I like to leave long messages on it. It is kinda fun. Whether I was on my way home from work or having been dancing or to a movie, once I got closer to home, I would think, I wonder if so and so called back or I hope so and so called, we were suppose to get together this weekend. Some of my friends had pagers (and they were not all drug dealers), so they could get there calls "instantly." If they wanted to talk to that person, they went to the nearest pay phone or asked to use a phone.

Long conversation over coffee were uninterrupted unless another friend showed up at the coffee shop. We had no idea how our friends (near or far) were doing unless one of us dropped in on the other or picked up the phone. The time we took to be with each other, we gave all of our time and attention to that person. Sure on occasion, my mind would wonder but not too far unless of course, I planned on being rude. Rarely, did I dial in remotely to check my answering machine but I knew how to do it. (I am not scolding anyone here but it is making me think about being a better steward of my time.) It is good to think about and I don't like the fact that more and more I find my head down in my phone (an android, a portal to most anywhere in the digital world). Taking stock of my use of technology is not a bad idea. Did anyone say spot-check?

The last word on connecting with others and then we will move right into gratitude. The really old fashion way of keeping in touch - letter writing. I freely admit that it is still so fun to get a personal hand written letter in the mail. I got one just the other day. =)

Gratitude

We can also say appreciation or thanksgiving but I like to say, here I will express my gratitude. All of the following I link back to GOD who is our provider. The human beings who created things that I am grateful for are after all image bearers and since we are made in the image of The Creator - all the Glory can and will go to GOD.

Electricity gets the top of the list. There are friends who are getting through day 4 without it due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene.

Sump pump - we had water in the cellar due to the storm SO electricity gets another shout out!

My phone and all the phones in my phone plan that keep me connected to my family. We are land line free.

The laptop computer that I am writing this blog post upon

Social Networks especially those ones that keep me connected to all of my "outside of the area" friends.

My LORD and my GOD, three in One, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

My dear family, Dan, Michael, Katie and Grace.

The abilities to read and write. All the other abilities that God has given me, Lord help me not to take them for granted.

For all of my friends. Sometimes you just have to name one: Nancy Myers.

The Word of God, living, active, fire, hammer, sword, Jesus Christ, who is The Word who became flesh, dwelt among us, died, was buried, rose from the dead and will come again! COME LORD JESUS COME!

“Stahm’s(storm) comin’”

We have the non-perishables, flash lights, extra batteries, a meeting plan, Hello Hurricane queued up in the play list, etc. all in preparation for Hurricane Irene. Did you secure all those potential outdoor projectiles? Are you ready?

“Stahm’s comin’” is a one liner from the movie Shutter Island from the captain of the vessel when DeCaprio’s character is headed to the island as a “federal officer.” It is a storm that we can see just like Irene. The technology to get a really good look is incredible. It would be easy to sit in front of the TV and just watch. People will make there way down to the shore, risking their lives to experience the storm. (We could even talk about DeCaprio’s character’s internal storm…..and how prophetic that one liner is in the movie, maybe another time. Perhaps if I watch the movie again, it is very disturbing – psychological thriller.)

There is another way that we need to be prepared and some of us have already made this preparation, others don’t see any need for preparation and still others say things like, “Time to say your prayers.” “Better get right with your Maker. People are going to die in this one and you might be one of them.” The truth is we all face death every day. Unless, you have a date with the Executioner (for heinous crime or by your own hand) then none of us knows when we will die. It leads to one of those philosophical questions that most human being ask at some point in their life – what happens when I die? Which of course leads to other questions.

For the purpose of this blog post, I want to ask the question this way of myself and give my answer, “Are you ready to die?” The short answer is Yes. Of course, this is answered on the presupposition that there is an after life (for me Eternal), all mankind will face judgment, there is a God who is altogether loving and altogether just, sin and death are real and because of Jesus Christ there is HOPE.

Just the other day, I was in a conversation about facing death and refrained from saying anything, without biting my tongue, just listening and praying silently. Leaving I was a caught in the middle of an internal dialogue that was not meant for that meeting. There was definitely not enough time.

It is probably not my time to die, but if it is I am ready. With tremendous gratitude, I stand having had my sins paid for by the blood of Christ believing with my heart that at the Cross Jesus conquered sin! Only by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ am I able to face and stand in the Loving Presence of a Holy God. In every other belief system, I must “get right” with my Maker, and ONLY in True Christianity am I MADE right by the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ upon the Cross. I said it myself before I knew such LOVE, such GRACE, such an outpouring of Mysterious Mercy – “So what?” which is why I need to qualify my YES.

The forgiveness of sins is only part of this Eternal Perspective. Christ Jesus did not just conquer sin but death as well. He did not remain in the grave, but He beat death by the power of God, raised Himself from the dead and is today The Resurrection and The Life. Those who die in Christ will also live and be raised up with Him. This is not to say that I would just lie down and die. There is so much more of life that I want to experience! With everything in me I will fight to live but while I fight, I will not fear death because of Christ Jesus the One who has given me Eternal Life. This is why; I will say with the prophet, Isaiah, “You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you.”

Those of us who believe can cry out to Our Father in Heaven, protect us through the storm, be our peace, and give us grace. We trust you LORD, not only the Maker of Heaven and Earth, but also Sovereign LORD of both. Not to test nature but in trusting God we can say, “bring it Irene, we are ready!”

An Assemblage of Graces

To cradle a newborn infant,

To hear a song for the first time and it brings me to tears,

To drive toward the shore and smell the first hint of the salty air

To witness one person come along side another with comfort and compassion

O to be comforted!

The first bite of a meal prepared for you, the aroma prepared your glands.

A story told with passion;

words meant only for you;

Commitment reaffirmed.

Swimming in a sea of hope,

Helpless!

Sipping the first hot cup,

Cool breezes after the heat,

Sun catching and settings glorious.

Your smiling and dancing eyes,

The curve of your face and light of your countenance,

The sound of your voice.

Beholding!

Laughter contagious,

Kindness in trouble

Love in the midst of war

At the center of the storm - peace

Joy not denying the pain,

Thoughtful!

© Catherine Mullaney 2011