God gives each of us dreams and goals in life. We may not realize it but His plans for us are the true impetus for what we call "our" dreams. Some of our dreams are so big that they are truly God-sized dreams, for they can only be accomplished through God.
When we are feeling stuck or trapped in life, perhaps it's because we've stopped dreaming. We stop dreaming because we are either too complacent or too fearful to move forward. My husband shared in bible study tonight that we've got to have a vision of something that is big enough to propel us beyond our fears. That sounds like a "big idea" to me.
So, what's the "big idea" in your life? What's the God-sized dream that you just can't seem to shake? No matter how many times you stumble and fall or become distracted or delayed, keep getting up and keep pressing toward the mark. Stretch forth in the direction of your dream.
I've got a God-sized dream and just the thought of it is like a breath of fresh air. Like many of us, I have allowed the trials of life and my own shortcomings to slow me down in my pursuit of that dream. But rest assured, even when it looks like I'm not in motion, my dream is ever before me keeping me from totally giving up or declaring that "I've fallen and I can't get up!"
Whenever I fall I can get back up because I know God can do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or imagine, and I have quite an imagination! God's promises compel me to move forward, even if it's only one step a month or one step a year.
Those of you who know the specifics of my "big idea" I solicit your continued prayers because each day I am one step closer to conquering my fears and clearing out the clouds that have overshadowed my dream for far too long.
I encourage you to not allow fears and doubts within or without to keep you from moving toward your dream. Stay in forward motion so that if you fall at least you will fall forward. And, who knows, one day you may think you're falling when you're actually stumbling upon something or someone who is an answer to your prayer and an access to your dream. When that happens and the person you've stumbled into asks, "Hey! What's the big idea?" just smile and tell them, "I'm so glad you asked!"
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
A weekly posting of encouraging and challenging thoughts about life from Rev. Karen W. Curry, a pastor's wife and mother of two who is also --in her "spare time"-- a dynamic preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, facilitator, writer, reviewer, poet, MC, liturgical dance/drama consultant and storyteller. Contact Rev. Karen at BNcouraged247@msn.com to speak at your next service or retreat.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
GO! GO! Lolo!
Olympic runner "Lolo" Jones has amazingly, boldly, carefully, faithfully and skillfully cleared one of the most difficult hurdles of her life. The amazing thing about her accomplishment is not only that she has cleared this incredible hurdle-- which is actually not a one time event but one that must be cleared on a daily basis-- but that she let the entire world in on her struggle and determination to overcome this intimidating hurdle.
This hurdle, though fiercely challenging, is not unique. In fact it's the same one faced by countless teens and young adults today, but many of them wouldn't dare speak openly about it as Lolo has. This is a hurdle that even some in the faith community have declared cannot be overcome.
Lolo Jones publicly announced that she’s chosen to remain a virgin until marriage. If you think about it, that's actually two hurdles in one--remaining a virgin in today's society and then announcing it to the world.
The 29-year-old, who has been described as having "movie star looks" was quoted this week as saying,
“It’s just something, a gift that I want to give to my husband,” Jones said. “But please, understand, this journey has been hard. “If there’s virgins out there, I’m going to let them know, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life — harder than training for the Olympics, harder than graduating from college, has been to stay a virgin before marriage.”
Well, parents, teachers, youth ministers and friends, think about it. We encourage young people to work hard and sacrifice to accomplishing great things in life, and we even commit to walking alongside them to help keep them going at times when they are ready to give up. We readily do this to help a young person achieve a goal or to even go for Olympic gold. So, where are we when their goal is to remain pure until marriage?
Are we a part of the "faith-based" movement that says the church ought to give away condoms and even demonstrate how to use them so our teens and young adults can get on board a failed campaign?
Yes, I am calling the condom campaign a failure. HIV/AIDS has been around for about 30 years and the leading approach to prevention has been to promote condom use. The last time I checked, the HIV/AIDS rate has continued to be dangerously and unacceptably high and there are hardly any pre-teens, teens or young adults who don't know about condoms. Just ask one.
If I worked for a Public Relations/Marketing firm and I launched a campaign 30 years ago that continually fell far short of a client's needs, I would have been fired long before we got anywhere close to 30 years of repeating the same unsuccessful message. It would have been a miracle if I lasted 30 months with that approach.
There has been nowhere close to the amount of human and financial resources expended on a strategic, nationwide, well-researched program on abstinence that combines self-esteem, psychology, spirituality and other components related to sexual behavior, yet abstinence is called a failure.
Remember, the condom campaign has been relentless as a broken record. It even has world-renowned rappers and entertainers touting it as the best option to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases. What would a comparable, comprehensive abstinence program look like if we were really serious about it?
Maintaining sexual purity is what God expects of us, and God has promised not to put more on us than we can bear. Sure, it's difficult. But it's not impossible and it's worth the wait.
The sad thing is we simply tell our kids not to have sex, but then we strategically teach them how to use condoms. With that kind of mixed message, no wonder they fall!
"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8)
We don't invest enough substantive time teaching our kids how to abstain from sex. We behave as if we have already given up on the proposition before we even have the discussion, and they can tell.
We spend thousands of dollars and hours supporting our kids in extracurricular activities and camps, but nothing on encouraging and challenging them to truly value and appreciate God's gift of sex, which is what Lolo essentially called it--a gift.
Somehow despite the media blitz that uses sex to promote everything from tennis shoes to hamburgers, Lolo has been able to see sex for what it really is. She and all those who fight to remain virgins or who have started abstinence campaigns understand that sex is not some cheap, dirty, tawdry act that no one is strong enough to resist and or one that should be tainted by the "threat" of pregnancy or the fear of contracting a disease. So, why have we as people of faith accepted this definition of sex?
Lolo and many others recognize that it is so something so special that it's worth protecting and worth presenting only to the most special person in your life, not to every curious onlooker.
How many parents are racing to the internet to let their kids hear Lolo's story? How many are even asking God to lead them to organizations of young people that have begun to spring up around the country to help each other avoid the pitfalls of pre-marital sex. There are such organizations and they are only a click away on the internet.
There are even role models right under our noses. Here in DC we have Rashida Jolley, niece of renowned motivational speaker Willie Jolley. Rashida plays the harp and has toured with Lady Gaga, yet even in environments that completely cater to fornication, she publicly vows to remain pure.
A rising local comedian, Tommy Taylor proudly announces his virginity right in the middle of his comedy routines. He does it so matter of factly that it almost seems like it's no big deal--until you consider that the announcement is coming from a young, attractive, healthy single male who could probably have the woman of his choice. Instead, he chooses to wait until he can be with a woman of God's choice, one who will be his wife.
People, we can do and be whatever we want to be, and so can our children--at least that's what we tell them. Just because most of us didn't make it through our youth as virgins doesn't mean we have to rob that joy from the next generation. Nor should we let our guilt keep us silent when it comes time to encouraging them to wait until marriage.
I know that some young people will do just the opposite of what you tell them and that not everyone is going to wait until marriage to have sex. I do believe, however, that there are a lot more young people who, with the right teaching and support starting in their pre-teen years are smart enough to see the value in abstaining and strong enough to stand. Those are the ones who need our help. The others who are already planning to do wrong don't need our help because they can do bad all by themselves without adult consent.
I thank God for Lolo. Let's make her story as prominent at J-Lo, Celo and Go-Go and maybe we'll save one more young person from disease or distress due to premarital sex.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
This hurdle, though fiercely challenging, is not unique. In fact it's the same one faced by countless teens and young adults today, but many of them wouldn't dare speak openly about it as Lolo has. This is a hurdle that even some in the faith community have declared cannot be overcome.
Lolo Jones publicly announced that she’s chosen to remain a virgin until marriage. If you think about it, that's actually two hurdles in one--remaining a virgin in today's society and then announcing it to the world.
The 29-year-old, who has been described as having "movie star looks" was quoted this week as saying,
“It’s just something, a gift that I want to give to my husband,” Jones said. “But please, understand, this journey has been hard. “If there’s virgins out there, I’m going to let them know, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life — harder than training for the Olympics, harder than graduating from college, has been to stay a virgin before marriage.”
Well, parents, teachers, youth ministers and friends, think about it. We encourage young people to work hard and sacrifice to accomplishing great things in life, and we even commit to walking alongside them to help keep them going at times when they are ready to give up. We readily do this to help a young person achieve a goal or to even go for Olympic gold. So, where are we when their goal is to remain pure until marriage?
Are we a part of the "faith-based" movement that says the church ought to give away condoms and even demonstrate how to use them so our teens and young adults can get on board a failed campaign?
Yes, I am calling the condom campaign a failure. HIV/AIDS has been around for about 30 years and the leading approach to prevention has been to promote condom use. The last time I checked, the HIV/AIDS rate has continued to be dangerously and unacceptably high and there are hardly any pre-teens, teens or young adults who don't know about condoms. Just ask one.
If I worked for a Public Relations/Marketing firm and I launched a campaign 30 years ago that continually fell far short of a client's needs, I would have been fired long before we got anywhere close to 30 years of repeating the same unsuccessful message. It would have been a miracle if I lasted 30 months with that approach.
There has been nowhere close to the amount of human and financial resources expended on a strategic, nationwide, well-researched program on abstinence that combines self-esteem, psychology, spirituality and other components related to sexual behavior, yet abstinence is called a failure.
Remember, the condom campaign has been relentless as a broken record. It even has world-renowned rappers and entertainers touting it as the best option to prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases. What would a comparable, comprehensive abstinence program look like if we were really serious about it?
Maintaining sexual purity is what God expects of us, and God has promised not to put more on us than we can bear. Sure, it's difficult. But it's not impossible and it's worth the wait.
The sad thing is we simply tell our kids not to have sex, but then we strategically teach them how to use condoms. With that kind of mixed message, no wonder they fall!
"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8)
We don't invest enough substantive time teaching our kids how to abstain from sex. We behave as if we have already given up on the proposition before we even have the discussion, and they can tell.
We spend thousands of dollars and hours supporting our kids in extracurricular activities and camps, but nothing on encouraging and challenging them to truly value and appreciate God's gift of sex, which is what Lolo essentially called it--a gift.
Somehow despite the media blitz that uses sex to promote everything from tennis shoes to hamburgers, Lolo has been able to see sex for what it really is. She and all those who fight to remain virgins or who have started abstinence campaigns understand that sex is not some cheap, dirty, tawdry act that no one is strong enough to resist and or one that should be tainted by the "threat" of pregnancy or the fear of contracting a disease. So, why have we as people of faith accepted this definition of sex?
Lolo and many others recognize that it is so something so special that it's worth protecting and worth presenting only to the most special person in your life, not to every curious onlooker.
How many parents are racing to the internet to let their kids hear Lolo's story? How many are even asking God to lead them to organizations of young people that have begun to spring up around the country to help each other avoid the pitfalls of pre-marital sex. There are such organizations and they are only a click away on the internet.
There are even role models right under our noses. Here in DC we have Rashida Jolley, niece of renowned motivational speaker Willie Jolley. Rashida plays the harp and has toured with Lady Gaga, yet even in environments that completely cater to fornication, she publicly vows to remain pure.
A rising local comedian, Tommy Taylor proudly announces his virginity right in the middle of his comedy routines. He does it so matter of factly that it almost seems like it's no big deal--until you consider that the announcement is coming from a young, attractive, healthy single male who could probably have the woman of his choice. Instead, he chooses to wait until he can be with a woman of God's choice, one who will be his wife.
People, we can do and be whatever we want to be, and so can our children--at least that's what we tell them. Just because most of us didn't make it through our youth as virgins doesn't mean we have to rob that joy from the next generation. Nor should we let our guilt keep us silent when it comes time to encouraging them to wait until marriage.
I know that some young people will do just the opposite of what you tell them and that not everyone is going to wait until marriage to have sex. I do believe, however, that there are a lot more young people who, with the right teaching and support starting in their pre-teen years are smart enough to see the value in abstaining and strong enough to stand. Those are the ones who need our help. The others who are already planning to do wrong don't need our help because they can do bad all by themselves without adult consent.
I thank God for Lolo. Let's make her story as prominent at J-Lo, Celo and Go-Go and maybe we'll save one more young person from disease or distress due to premarital sex.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
How Did All of This Get Started?
The President's endorsement of same-sex marriage has generated a lot of noise--cheers on one side and jeers on the other.
When it comes to matters of politics or political correctness, the line between "right" and "wrong" is often extremely blurry. It's definitely not right to discriminate against or injure someone who lives or believes differently than others; at the same time it is not right to negatively label or penalize someone for "loving the sinner while hating the sin" as part of their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Politicians walk a precarious tightrope with every decision they make in their unattainable goal to appease everyone. Of course, since there is no way to please everyone, I am never surprised or shaken when I hear of a decision that a politican has made that doesn't sit right with me. I never get too worked up about it, because regardless of what they do or don't do, say or don't say, my life is in God's hands, not theirs.
As a responsible citizen, I cast my vote for a candidate, but I pledge my ultimate allegiance to God who knows all, sees all, and is surprised by none.
With that said, while politicians dance along the tightrope of appeasement and struggle to do what is "right" amidst all the competing definitions of "right," I continue to pray for them-- as God has instructed us to-- and remember that God doesn't play the appeasement game.
We have been given God's Word as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. God is not concerned about how we feel about that light or whether we want to argue about the wattage or the color of the bulb in the lamp. God's Word is what it is no matter how we try to shade it.
If we want to know how all of the confusion about holy matrimony got started, we have to go all the way back to where everything started. For those of us who believe that God is the author and finisher of our faith, regardless of our denomination or scriptural interpretation, our beginning is found in the book of Genesis. Those who don't believe in God, I assume are not interested in holy matrimony, so perhaps common-law marriages or civil unions would be their starting point. As an ordained minister, I am only equipped to address God's Word. I will leave the other secular arguments to secularists.
And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:22)Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25)
So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply.... (Genesis 1:27-28)
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 7:2-3)
There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. (Genesis 7:9) And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (Genesis 7:15-16)
Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. (Genesis 8:16-17)
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. (Genesis 9:16)
A lot has changed on earth since the beginning. And, yet, God's Word has not changed. God is not the author of confusion, which is why God's Word is clear on the basic things we need to know about creation and God's plan for us as beings created in the image of God.
Each of us has to read and understand God's Word for ourselves. I don't know what picture emerges for you out of the Genesis story, but I see God initiating the act of holy matrimony and then pairing all of the animals in like manner. I see God instituting the rainbow as a sign of a divine covenant with all living creatures to not have them suffer utter destruction, therefore allowing them to continue to be frutiful and multiply in the way in which they were originally designed and directed to do.
God's plan looks pretty clear here to me. It's our plans that get twisted. Our confusion is no different than the confusion Eve experiened when, in spite of God's clear instructions to Adam, she entertained the insidious question, "did God say....", a question that led to her and Adam becoming co-conspirators in the fall of creation.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1)
Some of us comb the scriptures, not for richer understanding but to find "contradictory" statements that allow us to raise that same loaded question, "did God say...."
Others of us feel it is appropriate to attack or hate those who define marriage differently than what is found in scripture. Those who follow the model of Jesus Christ will find no support for mistreating anyone in the name of the Lord.
In Genesis 3, we learn that everything that looks good, tastes good and sounds wise or reasonable to us may not be good for us:
And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.(Genesis 3:6-7)
Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were together, naked, and not ashamed. Afterward, they immediately began to literally cover up their shame. Regardless of what politicians allow or don't allow, man-made laws or the lack thereof will not provide a cover for us to disregard what God established.
God cares intensely about what we do with and to our bodies, since we were created in the image of God and our bodies are considered temples. Anything we do that defiles our temples causes us to fall short of God's plans and commands for our lives. The good news is that even if we allowed the crafty serpent to deceive us into denying God's truth, God has provided a way for us to be redeemed.
Jesus' sacrifice covers all of our sins--those we knowingly committed, and those we unknowingly committed--and all of us have done one or the other. Thankfully, once we are able to admit that we have missed God's mark, all we have to do is believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that God raised Jesus from the dead and we are redeemed from the sinful, deceitful tricks and traps of the enemy who roams about seeking whom he may devour. As redeemed children of God, we have the blessing of the presence and power of God's Holy Spirit, who will lead and guide us into all truth about how God views our life choices and how we can walk uprightly.
No matter what plans we have been holding on to or defending, there is absolutely no plan greater than what God has for each of us. The emptiness, anger and confusion many of us experience is often not due to what others have done to us, but what we have done to ourselves in refusing to totally yield to God and let God complete the good work that was begun in us.
How did all of this confusion, hatred and division about holy matrimony get started? I believe it began as all sin--which is to miss God's mark--began. It began when we, like Adam and Eve, turned away from what God started and set our sights in a direction that seemed right to us, but in the end would lead to destruction.
Let's get back on track. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But, even though we've fallen, we can get back up. Let's allow the cleansing, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ to take us back to God's beginning and let's move forward from there.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
When it comes to matters of politics or political correctness, the line between "right" and "wrong" is often extremely blurry. It's definitely not right to discriminate against or injure someone who lives or believes differently than others; at the same time it is not right to negatively label or penalize someone for "loving the sinner while hating the sin" as part of their sincerely held religious beliefs.
Politicians walk a precarious tightrope with every decision they make in their unattainable goal to appease everyone. Of course, since there is no way to please everyone, I am never surprised or shaken when I hear of a decision that a politican has made that doesn't sit right with me. I never get too worked up about it, because regardless of what they do or don't do, say or don't say, my life is in God's hands, not theirs.
As a responsible citizen, I cast my vote for a candidate, but I pledge my ultimate allegiance to God who knows all, sees all, and is surprised by none.
With that said, while politicians dance along the tightrope of appeasement and struggle to do what is "right" amidst all the competing definitions of "right," I continue to pray for them-- as God has instructed us to-- and remember that God doesn't play the appeasement game.
We have been given God's Word as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. God is not concerned about how we feel about that light or whether we want to argue about the wattage or the color of the bulb in the lamp. God's Word is what it is no matter how we try to shade it.
If we want to know how all of the confusion about holy matrimony got started, we have to go all the way back to where everything started. For those of us who believe that God is the author and finisher of our faith, regardless of our denomination or scriptural interpretation, our beginning is found in the book of Genesis. Those who don't believe in God, I assume are not interested in holy matrimony, so perhaps common-law marriages or civil unions would be their starting point. As an ordained minister, I am only equipped to address God's Word. I will leave the other secular arguments to secularists.
And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18) And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (Genesis 2:22)Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25)
So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply.... (Genesis 1:27-28)
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that [are] not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 7:2-3)
There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. (Genesis 7:9) And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein [is] the breath of life. And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (Genesis 7:15-16)
Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. Bring forth with thee every living thing that [is] with thee, of all flesh, [both] of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth. (Genesis 8:16-17)
And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. (Genesis 9:16)
A lot has changed on earth since the beginning. And, yet, God's Word has not changed. God is not the author of confusion, which is why God's Word is clear on the basic things we need to know about creation and God's plan for us as beings created in the image of God.
Each of us has to read and understand God's Word for ourselves. I don't know what picture emerges for you out of the Genesis story, but I see God initiating the act of holy matrimony and then pairing all of the animals in like manner. I see God instituting the rainbow as a sign of a divine covenant with all living creatures to not have them suffer utter destruction, therefore allowing them to continue to be frutiful and multiply in the way in which they were originally designed and directed to do.
God's plan looks pretty clear here to me. It's our plans that get twisted. Our confusion is no different than the confusion Eve experiened when, in spite of God's clear instructions to Adam, she entertained the insidious question, "did God say....", a question that led to her and Adam becoming co-conspirators in the fall of creation.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1)
Some of us comb the scriptures, not for richer understanding but to find "contradictory" statements that allow us to raise that same loaded question, "did God say...."
Others of us feel it is appropriate to attack or hate those who define marriage differently than what is found in scripture. Those who follow the model of Jesus Christ will find no support for mistreating anyone in the name of the Lord.
In Genesis 3, we learn that everything that looks good, tastes good and sounds wise or reasonable to us may not be good for us:
And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.(Genesis 3:6-7)
Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were together, naked, and not ashamed. Afterward, they immediately began to literally cover up their shame. Regardless of what politicians allow or don't allow, man-made laws or the lack thereof will not provide a cover for us to disregard what God established.
God cares intensely about what we do with and to our bodies, since we were created in the image of God and our bodies are considered temples. Anything we do that defiles our temples causes us to fall short of God's plans and commands for our lives. The good news is that even if we allowed the crafty serpent to deceive us into denying God's truth, God has provided a way for us to be redeemed.
Jesus' sacrifice covers all of our sins--those we knowingly committed, and those we unknowingly committed--and all of us have done one or the other. Thankfully, once we are able to admit that we have missed God's mark, all we have to do is believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that God raised Jesus from the dead and we are redeemed from the sinful, deceitful tricks and traps of the enemy who roams about seeking whom he may devour. As redeemed children of God, we have the blessing of the presence and power of God's Holy Spirit, who will lead and guide us into all truth about how God views our life choices and how we can walk uprightly.
No matter what plans we have been holding on to or defending, there is absolutely no plan greater than what God has for each of us. The emptiness, anger and confusion many of us experience is often not due to what others have done to us, but what we have done to ourselves in refusing to totally yield to God and let God complete the good work that was begun in us.
How did all of this confusion, hatred and division about holy matrimony get started? I believe it began as all sin--which is to miss God's mark--began. It began when we, like Adam and Eve, turned away from what God started and set our sights in a direction that seemed right to us, but in the end would lead to destruction.
Let's get back on track. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But, even though we've fallen, we can get back up. Let's allow the cleansing, redeeming blood of Jesus Christ to take us back to God's beginning and let's move forward from there.
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
It's A Small World After All
Some of you may remember the song, "It's a Small World After All." I'm pretty sure the song is still played somewhere on the grounds of Disneyland and Disney World for those who are not familiar with it from "back in the day."
The longer I live, the more I realize the truth in those lyrics. The world is a much smaller place than we think, and we are truly all connected to one another in ways in which we have no idea until everything starts to fall in place--or fall apart.
A "chance" encounter here, a timely word there and suddenly we are able to peer into God's world-wide web and discover that we have key people, places and things in common with individuals we would never have expected, or we find ourselves affected by those whom we never knew we were connected.
The more we step out in faith to do the things God has called us to, the more He connects us with someone who knows someone who knows someone who is key to accomplishing each of our divine assignments. It's God's way of reminding us that our most important job is to say "yes" to Him and He will lead us and guide us through the rest.
Whenever we stop leaning on our own understanding and let God direct our paths, we find that answers to prayers can come from anywhere in the world, or from right around the corner. It's all the same to God because time, distance and space are not barriers in God's eyes.
The more we fully accept that it's a small world, after all, and that our great God is in charge of it, we can better accept that living in a small, small world means our problems must be even smaller than we thought -- especially since there is nothing new under the sun and nothing too hard for God.
With that in mind, we can stress a lot less over our "problems" because not only are they smaller than the small, small world in which we live, but because we know that "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands." I don't know about you, but knowing that "He's got you and me brother, in His hands...He's got you and me, sister, in Hands...." gives me the "Blessed Assurance" that enables me to slow down and take life "One Day at a Time."
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
The longer I live, the more I realize the truth in those lyrics. The world is a much smaller place than we think, and we are truly all connected to one another in ways in which we have no idea until everything starts to fall in place--or fall apart.
A "chance" encounter here, a timely word there and suddenly we are able to peer into God's world-wide web and discover that we have key people, places and things in common with individuals we would never have expected, or we find ourselves affected by those whom we never knew we were connected.
The more we step out in faith to do the things God has called us to, the more He connects us with someone who knows someone who knows someone who is key to accomplishing each of our divine assignments. It's God's way of reminding us that our most important job is to say "yes" to Him and He will lead us and guide us through the rest.
Whenever we stop leaning on our own understanding and let God direct our paths, we find that answers to prayers can come from anywhere in the world, or from right around the corner. It's all the same to God because time, distance and space are not barriers in God's eyes.
The more we fully accept that it's a small world, after all, and that our great God is in charge of it, we can better accept that living in a small, small world means our problems must be even smaller than we thought -- especially since there is nothing new under the sun and nothing too hard for God.
With that in mind, we can stress a lot less over our "problems" because not only are they smaller than the small, small world in which we live, but because we know that "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands." I don't know about you, but knowing that "He's got you and me brother, in His hands...He's got you and me, sister, in Hands...." gives me the "Blessed Assurance" that enables me to slow down and take life "One Day at a Time."
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Go Hard or Go Home!
The Apostle Paul was one tough brother. I mean really tough. I was reading about him in the book of Acts today and I was reminded about how hard core Paul was when it came to his beliefs. Even when he was wrong, he was strong, sparing nothing and no one when it came to what he thought was necessary to honor God.
Before his conversion, he strictly followed the laws of his Jewish ancestors, which led him to believe he was honestly and legitimately doing the right thing in persecuting Christians. Paul was raised to believe, as many Jews are today, that Jesus' claims were blasphemous and dishonoring to God. He therefore set out to silence those who were spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Until of course, he had a divine encounter on the Damascus road.
Once Paul experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ, he didn't run and hide from those he used to hang with. He didn't even run and hide from those he used to persecute. He boldly went to both groups, put all of his pride aside and told his story to all who would listen.
Paul was strong enough and confident enough in the truth that had been revealed to him that he readily admitted his mistakes in persecuting Christians. He made no defense of his actions to explain them away as some of us might do. There was no shame in his game when he was killing followers of the "Way" of Jesus Christ, so there was no shame in his game when he went around proclaiming Jesus' words of life.
The very man who had put both men and women into prison, beating them and snatching some right out of the synagogues would himself be beaten and imprisoned for the same thing--perhaps even by some of the same jailers he used to work with!
That's hard!
Sometimes, we forget that being a Christian is about more than showing love to everyone. Certainly, as an old song says, "...they'll know we are Christians by our love." But, they must also know we are Christians by our strength.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of character.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of convictions.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of commitment.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of consistency.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of courage.
If we are too embarrassed for our old friends or colleagues to know we are Christians saved by grace through faith, we need to get it together and go hard or go home.
If we are unwilling to sometimes be uncomfortable when it comes to dealing with matters of faith, we need to break out of our comfort zones and go hard or go home.
If we are unable to admit that we've made mistakes--sometimes even in the name of the Lord--we need to put our egos and check and go hard or go home.
Brothers and Sisters, our walk and our witnesses can give Christianity a good name or a bad one. Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us. He proved how far He was willing to go for our sake. How hard are we willing to go for Him?
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
Before his conversion, he strictly followed the laws of his Jewish ancestors, which led him to believe he was honestly and legitimately doing the right thing in persecuting Christians. Paul was raised to believe, as many Jews are today, that Jesus' claims were blasphemous and dishonoring to God. He therefore set out to silence those who were spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Until of course, he had a divine encounter on the Damascus road.
Once Paul experienced a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ, he didn't run and hide from those he used to hang with. He didn't even run and hide from those he used to persecute. He boldly went to both groups, put all of his pride aside and told his story to all who would listen.
Paul was strong enough and confident enough in the truth that had been revealed to him that he readily admitted his mistakes in persecuting Christians. He made no defense of his actions to explain them away as some of us might do. There was no shame in his game when he was killing followers of the "Way" of Jesus Christ, so there was no shame in his game when he went around proclaiming Jesus' words of life.
The very man who had put both men and women into prison, beating them and snatching some right out of the synagogues would himself be beaten and imprisoned for the same thing--perhaps even by some of the same jailers he used to work with!
That's hard!
Sometimes, we forget that being a Christian is about more than showing love to everyone. Certainly, as an old song says, "...they'll know we are Christians by our love." But, they must also know we are Christians by our strength.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of character.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of convictions.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of commitment.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of consistency.
They will know we are Christians by our strength of courage.
If we are too embarrassed for our old friends or colleagues to know we are Christians saved by grace through faith, we need to get it together and go hard or go home.
If we are unwilling to sometimes be uncomfortable when it comes to dealing with matters of faith, we need to break out of our comfort zones and go hard or go home.
If we are unable to admit that we've made mistakes--sometimes even in the name of the Lord--we need to put our egos and check and go hard or go home.
Brothers and Sisters, our walk and our witnesses can give Christianity a good name or a bad one. Jesus was willing to go to the cross for us. He proved how far He was willing to go for our sake. How hard are we willing to go for Him?
BNcouraged!
Rev. Karen
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