Sunday, November 26, 2006

FEAR

It's easy to be scared isn't it? We were talking about that in our Bible study the other day. Some were talking about the fear of losing their husband or their child. Some talking about the fear of being humbled. I get scared that God isn't going to take care of me. It seems silly when I read all of his promises, and when I read how good and holy he is, but we can't just "poof" the fear away as if it were a simple trick, disappearing in a flash. We learn degrees of non-fear as we go on through life, I suppose. That's what sanctification is - the process of being made more like Him. And its a process that doesn't end until heaven. My nephew was asking me today why we have to wait all the way until heaven to be able to be together all of the time. I don't quite know why, except God says so, and he is the best and most powerful one in the world. But on days like today, when I am thinking about all the people in my life who are so dear to me moving away in the next months, and how scary that is, and wondering whether or not I should go with them, and not being sure, and feeling scared about that too, then I wish that we didn't have to wait any longer to have that perfect peace that comes with knowing that God is there. But until then, I need to keep praying for faith in the Lord, because moments like this, I don't have very much of it.

Friday, November 17, 2006

WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT SIN FROM THE MOVIE "THIRTEEN"

"Margie and I work hard to keep our fingers on the pulse of our postmodern world. None of the themes which are woven into Thirteen are new to us. We know about the constant barrage of pressure that descends on young people concerning body image—and know that no one who lives in our culture can escape the relentless messages that are displayed on billboards, magazine covers, and even many Christian publications. We are concerned for the fragmentation that is tearing apart families, producing a painful confusion and deep anger in an entire generation. We know how numb so many young people feel, and how for some, cutting themselves brings a moment of relief, a reassurance that they are, after all, alive. We hear questions and confusion in their music, and see in their eyes the yearning that someone would be there for them. None of this is new to us, and yet we are glad we watched Thirteen. Though we have been graced by young people willing to let us into their broken lives, this powerfully disturbing film helps us see more clearly how their world looks from the inside. Seeing more clearly drives us to pray, to listen with greater attention, and to be sure our explanation of the gospel fits their need and questions."This is a direct quote from Denis Haack about the movie "Thirteen" from his web site: http://www.ransomfellowship.org/M_Thirteen.html
Rated R for drug use, self destructive violence, language and sexuality—all involving young teens.

My roommate and I watched this movie last night. I came away frustrated that the church seems to be so out of touch with the world. I came away wanting to encourage everyone I know to watch it, and I'm not sure if that's right or not because its a very vulgar movie in a lot of ways, and has issues that could make many stumble. But the thing about it that I want others to see is the parts of it that are so disturbing. The world that we live in is DISTURBING. I got the wonderful opportunity to interview Dianne Langberg yesterday - she is one of the women that I most respect in this world - a true mentor to me. My brother and I are co-writing an article about how the church can love those who are struggling. So I was given the opportunity to ask her what she has learned in the 35 years she has been passionate about loving those who are struggling and hurting. As I asked her about how she works against the savior complex, how she lets Jesus be the Savior and doesn't try to save the world herself, she told me how she learned long ago that she simply is no match for the depth of sin in us all. She said that it took learning that sin is so much deeper than just our thoughts and our words. We as a church need to see that sin is so much more than our thoughts and our words, and we need to fall completely onto our Savior who is the only match for sin. This movie will help you see how deep and intrenched sin is in the world, and that's why I want to urge people to watch it. Don't hide your eyes - it won't protect you anyways.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

COMMUNITY AND FAMILY IN CHURCH

My church is very much a family to me. I desire to have children of my own; I don't, but I still have many opportunities to "parent" and to be in the lives of children. Here are some examples. This morning I was sitting behind a family who has invited me to be really involved in their family. And because of their invitation and my desire and willingness to enter in, then as I watched the mom struggle with 3 wiggly kids as the dad was helping lead worship at that moment, I leaned up and whispered to the 4 year old, "Do you need to come back and sit with me, or are you going to be able to stay here and have self control and sit quietly like Mommy asks?" This 4 year old already knows that I love her and we interact positively all the time. So on that basis of love, this family invites me to love her even more and help her and her entire family out like this. The little girl began to sit still and stop fighting with her sister, and the mom mouthed, "thanks" to me. Later during the fellowship time, a 5 year old came to me and asked me to help him get some juice. No matter what size the issue, its sweet to be ale to "mother" in a way. What an honor and privilege to get to be such a part of childrens' lives.

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

SEXUAL ABUSE

I know woman who was sexually abused as a child. Her father sexually abused her, mostly with sexual kissing. And so did the basketball coach, and the father of the friends down the street. And her father also brought the business men that he was trying to win the approval of, to her, so that these men too could kiss her.
She's now in her mid 30's. She's dealt with it as well as anyone can, with many years of intense and healing counseling that helped her emotionally and spiritually. She knows the gospel. She knows Jesus intimately. She could be a poster child on counselors' walls for someone who tries and doesn't shy away from the hard work of change and growth. But this still rocks her world, often. It affects her as she tries to date, it affects her as she hangs out with friends both male and female, it even affects her as she tries to learn from her pastor. Can men be trusted? Can God be trusted? Is God good enough to follow wherever He may lead? Very vulnerable. I tell you this because half of you women reading this have been sexually abused in some way. And the other half of you are sitting in church pews next to them. We have a vulnerable church. Let's be a vulnerable church to these vulnerable members.