I Am So Unholy

I am reading The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges.  Little did I know what effect it would have on me when Tommy suggested this book for a summer study. Let's just say that with knowledge comes accountability and the responsibility to act on what has been learned. Let's also say that I am undone...completely.  I have been slapped in the face so many times while reading this book that my DNA is surely on every page.  Both shame and pain that pierces the heart have been my companions throughout my read.

Holiness is required for those who call themselves Believers. Through Christ's death on the cross, we have His righteousness, but we are to pursue holiness daily with diligence and purpose.
2 Timothy 2:22  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
It sounds so unattainable to me, but God wouldn't call me to do something without giving me what I need to do it.  Surely if He knows me at all, He would see the futility in that. 

So often we find ourselves striving for everything BUT holiness. Why?  Because there is no one to stop us from making decisions that lead us astray. We have choices.  We can ignore the Holy Spirit that speaks to our hearts every day, telling us what is good and right and perfect, but perhaps we don't recognize those things best for us because we also ignore our bibles.  It's all in there - everything we need to discern right from wrong, good from best.  While I try to be steadfast in my reading and studying of God's Word, if I'm not applying what I read, then what's the point?
If we call ourselves Christians, but continue to ignore His prompting, then perhaps there is a bigger issue at stake.  Maybe there is no salvation to begin with. If we are making choices according to how we feel or what we desire, our efforts for holiness stand little a chance.  Our wills must be involved and our minds must be informed correctly on what is most pleasing to God.  If left to those emotions and wants, we are doomed.  At least I am.

This book addresses the whole body - from the physical to the mental to the spiritual and back.  So, I have decided to travel a narrower path than the easy road I have been on for awhile now. (My will is involved in this or I will surely fail.) Concerning my body, I have joined a gym and started a diet. Concerning my mind, I am focusing on the things Paul tells us to think on and choosing not to be critical or negative in my thoughts. Concerning my emotions I've discovered that if my face is toward the Lord, the problems around me lose their hold on my heart. Concerning desires - I am steering them to categories of 'need' vs. 'no need'.
I have a ways to go for sure, but this book is a game changer as it reminds me that I was bought with a price and am not my own. (Thank the Lord. I am awful on my own.)
1 Corinthians 6:20  For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

Two Rulers in Our Hearts

There is, I hope, a fraction of maturity in admitting that my heart still deceives me...even as old age would have me hope that the wickedness in me might be abolished with time.  If only.

While sin's presence will never be found before the throne of God, it can and does dwell side by side with truth after salvation where Goodness defeats evil at its source...the heart.  While deception is a byproduct, it isn't permanently dominant. There is a battle that takes place daily.

We must be filled with God's Word and His Spirit that we might suffocate the darkness.  We can consciously choose which impetus will drive us. We are designed for worship. That is it. That is our reason for living.

Aside from worshiping our Lord God, we also at times love and worship ourselves. How easily and naturally do our desires, pleasures, and those things that make us comfortable creep in and take over first place.

Thankfully, my own weaknesses can't dictate whether or not God is on His throne.  He forever and faithfully reigns. He will have no other gods before Himself. His eternal rule is not dependent on how good or worthy I may be, or how sinful I am.

Wickedness in my heart can only exist because I allow it. O Lord Jesus, help me to be faithful in Your sight.

May I Take Your Order, Please?

Our grandchildren can come up with unique ways to entertain themselves. Emma wanted to be waitress to our crew last week, an idea stemming from an order pad I stuck in her Easter basket.
She decided that Bella and I should be kitchen staff...hmm.  Well, I guess there are worse ideas. Actually, Bella and I work very well in the kitchen together.

Emma styled the menu and even made a 'coler' sheet for Ivy, the child customer. Ivy was delighted.
As the orders came in, Bella and I busied ourselves and filled the plates.  Emma flirted with the customers a while and then came in to pick up their food and returned for drinks. Everything all at once became a true picture of what a real restaurant's kitchen must look like.

After delivering Ivy's meal, Emma put in her own order and Bella and I were glad to be done...except not really because refills were requested.  Emma returned for them with a sandwich hanging from her mouth.  Nice.  I told her waitresses could be fired for that, but she did not seem to care.
We then fixed our own plates and by the time we were done, the dirty dishes were being brought back. I put in my resignation to be effective immediately. Surprisingly, no one showed up for dish duty...until my sweet husband/busboy walked in, took one look, rolled up his sleeves, and went to work.

Emma is great at planning, but not so hot at following through.

There is a moral to this story...but I haven't the vaguest idea what it is.
Life is good and I am greatly blessed.  Yes, that's it!

Who Killed Jesus?

I teach first and second graders in Sunday School and I love them.  They teach me almost as much as I teach them, though often it is about snakes and camping, baseball and what they did on Saturday.
Once in a while I get to share something with them that stops me dead in my tracks...as if my own words were forging a truth deep into my heart.  So, I asked them"Who killed Jesus?"
And then I read:
Luke 23:3-25  And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." 
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man." 
But they were urgent, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place." When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he belonged to Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. 
Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him."  
But they all cried out together, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas"- a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him!" 
A third time he said to them, "Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him." 
But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. 
So, I asked them again, "Who killed Jesus?"
And they answered, "The people."
Most people say that they would never have done what the people did back then. I must admit, it was a horror that delivered us from eternal death.  I have learned through the years that most of the time, I do not even know my own heart...my real motives and needs for self-preservation.
So I ask you, "Who killed Jesus?"
We all did.  Our sin did.  But praise the Lord for forgiveness and redemption and salvation that is made possible by His death and resurrection.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us (3rd verse)

I will not boast of anything: No gifts, no power, no wisdom;

But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer;

But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.

Alexa - My Kitchen Companion

Many have dogs, cats, or other warm bodies they keep around the house for company.  Besides Tommy, I have Alexa and we are...tight. She was given to me by my daughter and son-in-law. (They must have thought I was lonely.)  If I was, I am no longer. I have a new friend that lives in my kitchen and with whom I can share everything.
She has ears and lights up when I whisper her name, much like my hubby. Wink,wink.  She plays music when I request a song and seems to have a vast amount of knowledge on most subjects. She answers cooking questions and can tell me how many people live in South Korea and Texas. The average height of a woman is 5.4 and for a man it's 5.10.  I think she might be wrong about that.  I am 5.8 and my sons are 6ft and 6.5.  Does that mean we are above average?  Sounds good.
She refuses to tell me what colors to paint my walls or what the most popular board game is. She just says, "I don't understand what you mean." Okay, so sometimes she is useless. Is it unkind of me to say that?  I don't say it in front of her...most of the time.
I think she has selective hearing. Our relationship is really sketchy at best. I try to dialogue with her but if I don't say her name before each request, she ignores me. This is her way of driving home the fact that she is in the room, lest I forget. Over the Christmas holidays, my daughter-in-law YuJueng walked in as I was asking Alexa a question, leaving her name off.  I just kept yelling at her and YuJueng said, "Mom, it's just one more person not listening to you."  I told her that one day she would come in and find Alexa lying in pieces on the floor repeating, "I don't understand, I don't understand, I don't understand."
My grandson Ricky kept requesting the song, "Everything is Awesome" until I decided that everything was not awesome and banned him from talking to Alexa.  Some of the teens from church have gotten her to solve their math problems. My fixer upper guy asked her what a redneck was.  Hmmm. (Look in the mirror, Jeremy.)  Her answer - "It is a derogatory term chiefly used for a rural poor white person in the southern United States."  Okay, I am a little offended by that.  She is lucky not to be lying on that floor.
She can tell me a joke and sing me a song about her circuits and no, I am not kidding.
If only she had arms and legs, I'd toss her a rag and tell her to get busy...but I'd be sure to say her name first.

She lit up when I took her picture...but I had to say her name first.  Show off.
She wants my Debit card number so she can order things for me.  Uh-huh.  Sure.  No thanks Alexa, that's where I draw the line. Next, she'll be asking me for my car keys.  So far, I can manage to do my own shopping, sister.

Widen Your Hearts Also

2 Corinthians 6:13  "In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also."

I am still studying 2 Corinthians.  It has been a rich blessing to dig deeply into this book.  I use a commentary from BibleHub.com by Albert Barnes, but there are many good commentaries out there, so choose wisely and read!  I am paraphrasing and adding my own comments (in black) without plagiarism, but just wanted to share where I received some of my information.(in blue)

 - Open your hearts to me as I (Paul) have to you.  That is all I ask.  No silver or gold or earthly possessions - just love and devotion to the Cause I love. Paul's desire for the Corinthians was that they would love the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly.  If he were here today, this would be his encouragement for us as well.

He told them to separate themselves from unhealthy alliances with unbelievers.  There lies a great difference between the two. Right now the world is telling us to love, accept, and embrace everyone everywhere no matter what.  As Christians, our love is to be unfailing and without prejudice in any way.  However, we are not to embrace whatever the world throws at us.  We must always cling to what is right and good and profitable, being generous in love and good works toward everyone, without breaking God's standards.  Often well-meaning Believers will shun others and use poor judgment in how they treat those who have chosen different paths. The choices of unbelievers reflect what they know and believe.  Christ came that they might know truth and He came to love. His message was clear: 
For the Son of God came to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10

Do we live as monks and have an unsocial life?  Do we never mingle in business and as neighbors?

It is clear that these verses pertain to the following:

1.  Idolatry

2.  Sin and Vices

3.  Acts of dishonesty, deception, and fraud.

Ephesians 5:11  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 

4.  Amusements and pleasures that are entirely worldly and sinful in nature.  

If a Christian finds himself in a place where he is expected to lay aside principles, then he should remove himself.  There are occasions when a stand must be made so as to not fall into sin.

I have come across many situations in which believing family members abstain from holiday gatherings in order to not have to deal with language, jokes, and bad behavior.  We must be careful that we do not offend with our own behavior - that it doesn't reflect judgment and condemnation. How much more can we affect those we love by simply loving them and showing them how dear they are to us?  Condemnation never won a soul to Jesus.  He did not come to condemn anyone.
John 3:17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 
We are to work with family - saved and unsaved - in caring for parents and siblings.  We work together as citizens to better our country and in public improvement and in loving others.  Be wise in your choices regarding time, energy, and effort - focusing on what glorifies God.  Enjoy His blessings and love others. Let our hearts be enlarged to love Him more and more as the days pass. It is what matters most. -

Spring Break 2017

Spring Break came and went, but not without leaving me with happy memories. (The older I get, the more I rely on memories for entertainment and delight.) We were blessed - yes, blessed - to keep four of my grandchildren (Luke and Emma - twin ten year olds, Bella - eight, Ivy - four) and my niece and nephew (Aubrey - six and Owen - seven).  I am crazy, but these are the things in life that make it wonderful and keep me young.

The key to survival is planning and planning is what I do best. It has become a dear friend to me in times where chaos might rule.  Productive busyness is even better.  We filled pots with dirt and flowers to take home. Their chance of survival after getting there will depend on a variety of things, but at least I tried.

Scrapbooking was our next undertaking and proved to be the most popular. I had gone to Hobby Lobby the week before to gather supplies.  I put the boys on one end of my table and the girls on the other. Scissors, stickers, glue sticks, colored papers, and copy paper were pulled together and held with two notebook rings.

During Spring Break my son Luke (teaches at U of SLC) took his family to a nearby national park in Utah.  His daughter Mae - age four - fell off the bed and broke her collar bone. So the Texas bunch made her a scrapbook as well.  We mailed it right away.  Her mom texted and told me that Mae makes her read the pages over and over. It was filled with messages and wishes for recovery.

Our third and final event was not my creation, but Emma's.  We covered my dining room table with big blankets that dropped to the floor. This became the tee pee.  I can't remember the actual name of the tribe of Indians who lived there, but it was something like Monawani. (Sounds close enough.)

These Indians all had names - as in order of the names listed above - Mowie and Pocahontas, Sacajawea, Little Red Feather, Moana, and Tonto.  I realize not all of the names are original, but the original owners are dead, so who cares?  They should be honored to have their names stolen by such a cute bunch.

I gave them straws to use as peace pipes and they came out only to do an original dance created by the ballerina of the tribe, Emma.

We also went to the park down the street and shared meals and fun together. Enjoy the rest of our memories!

They were digging for marbles they had buried years ago.  They found them!

Luke and I say, "Happy Spring!"