Hammer on Anvil '

On Valentine's Day, my husband and I took the States (what we call our children) to a local pizza buffet/arcade center. Incredible Pizza wasn't extremely busy, because most couples opt for more romantic settings for Valentine's dinner, but there were several families with the same idea we had, so we had to stand in line to order. While we waited, the man behind us began to huff and puff about the wait. His grumbling became more audible as minutes passed, and he got to a point where he was actually complaining about the fact "so many children" were there. Yeah, um, it's a pizza place with  bumper cars. Kids are to be expected, Reginald Grump.
 
The only jobs I've ever had were in retail/customer service, so my heart began to feel burdened for the one person manning the counter and the super grumps he would have to serve. To make matters more chaotic, there was some hubbub over a gluten-free pizza order. It became apparent that the guy behind the counter was actually the manager, and he was literally doing four jobs at one time. I've been there before, so I tried to be patient and extra kind to the manager when it was our turn at the register. Shortly after we ordered our game cards and began to proceed to buffet glory, we heard the man behind us yell once more at the obviously overworked manager because he had to wait, like everyone else.

Ugh. I so often want to hit those types of people in the face with a chair, but that sorta negates the "be kind" mission I am on. So I just said a quick prayer for peace for the manager and I gave Reginald Grump the "you're in trouble" glare I have mastered since being a mother.

With pizza consumed, I made a dash to the dessert buffet for a gooey cinnamon roll and cup of coffee. The Reginald Grump, as now he will be forever called, was standing at the other side, complaining about the lack of options on the buffet. There were, no joke, four huge covered tables brimming with food. This guy was just a complainer and we all know how God feels about complainers (Numbers 14). I don't like confrontation and I knew that nothing I could say could melt Reginald Grump's cold heart, so I did what any respectful lady tempted to reprimand would do: I glared more intensely and slowly shook my head at him. Then I saw it: He was wearing a Christian t-shirt.

Rage. There is no excuse for his behavior, but the fact he had a shirt on that claimed my Savior makes his offense absolutely grave. People, this is the image of the American Christian church. To the world we are huffed up on ill-perceived holiness, boasting about a generic faith through copyright infringement t-shirts and impossibly hateful attitudes. Our shirts say "Jesus," but our actions yell "@%#*%$*." That's taking the Lord's name in vain, friends. We have got to stop it.

Believers, the sub-culture we have created by playing it safe has left us with a great void of actual culture and no sense of how to treat people. Our idea of "edginess" is stealing junk food slogans and adding Jesus, and we think that since our clothing boasts His name, we don't actually have to be kind to others. That's absurd. We are supposed to, as believers, have a direct line to the Creator, so why, WHY are we so sans creativity and compassion?

True talk: I tried to listen to our local Christian radio station last week. Two songs in and I was running to my Macklemore Pandora playlist for some much needed flavor. Seriously, our faith looks bland, boring and apparently real grumpy. That's crazy, guys. We are doing this all wrong.

Church, the things we did, and often still do, to separate ourselves from nonbelievers are pretty much what the Pharisees were doing all along. Read Matthew 6 and tell me that is not how the American church sounds. It's true and if it hurts your feelings, you are in good company. I can't tell you how much I want to break free from the chains of bland faith, boring culture and safe worship. Seriously, I have had enough. If the Lord is not present in how we treat others or how we talk to strangers, then there is nothing that separates us from nonbelievers. Just because you wear that t-shirt, or go to church, or think Halloween is evil does not make you a Christian. It's His presence in our life, in our actions, in how we treat others, that sets us apart.

Look at the example Jesus gave us! How did he treat others? With grace and compassion. For everyone. Sure, He turned the tables over, but read the words in Matthew 21. He was angry at the church -- at the people who claimed to be set apart, but did not have the Lord's presence in their lives. Friends, revival is coming. If we don't change, God is gonna start flipping tables over.

In my church we are going through some hefty changes and transitions. God is renovating people, cleaning house and making His presence known, but with revival comes opposition from the enemy. And boy howdy do I feel it. Believers, there is no simple way to say it: If you are making efforts to be closer to the Lord, you will be attacked. If you are not being attacked you are playing it safe and are not considered a threat. I can say, most certainly, that my church is under attack and I know it's because the people are crying out for the Lord and abandoning the things we thought set us apart. As soon as we began to press into the Lord, we started seeing the individual attacks from the destroyer. Health, finances, cars, relationships. Things are getting wonky. Or as my friend said during her recent attack, "Whoa. Things is gettin' real." But we knew this was going to happen. Spiritual warfare is real, so put on the armor of God and quit complaining. Yes, things are difficult, but odd as it sounds, we should be encouraged with these attacks. It means we are doing something right.

I want to encourage you. Simply, act like Jesus, don't wear t-shirts that say Jesus, but look like the Reese's slogan. Seek the Lord and make your faith mean something -- something that can't be bought at mall kiosk. But remember when your faith means something you become a threat and you will be attacked. That's going to suck, but you will develop perseverance and when perseverance is complete you will be mature, lacking in nothing (James 1:1-8). And let's call it like it is, Reginald Grump was immature and lacking in lots. Friends, don't be that guy. Our churches are overflowing with those people. Let's start clothing ourselves in the character of Christ and leave the embarrassing shirts in the rubbage bin where they belong.

It is amazing how much people resist change. Now don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of change. I need plenty of time to prepare.

My wife understands this about me. If she is planning on rearranging our furniture, she always makes sure to tell me. She learned that if she didn't it would take me about a week to get used to the new arrangement. I mean sure it looks good...but it's different!

This morning I saw that Monopoly is taking away the iron piece and replacing it with a cat. Reading through the comments on the post I saw all kinds or resistance (not that it will do any good). "Why can't they just leave things alone?" was a question many people were asking.

Even thought we don't really like change, it happens around us all the time. Family changes, we move, or others move, laws change, even our tastes change. It is just something that happens in life.

This is why I love God so much. Check these out:

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." - James 1:17

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever" Hebrews 13:8

How wonderful! Even when everything else changes, our God does not. He stays the same! He is consistent!

For this reason He is called things like our rock, our fortress. He doesn't move. The precepts He has put in place are the same now as they were when the Church first began.

We can trust Him to keep His word because He always has! He loves us and always will!

What a great reassurance that even when our world feels like it is slipping away, our God stays the same.

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Social media is an ingrained part of today's culture. Although the innovation appeared some years after my generation reached adulthood, it has transcended many of the hallmarks that once separated my grandparents, parents, and children. We are shocked when faced with a person (even someone elderly) who says, "What's Facebook?" I read an article yesterday chronicling the story of three U.S. colleges who say they've invented a "Facebook score" that employers can, in theory, use to screen potential employees. Check out the article here. Which brings me to my message today.

Followers of Christ are taught that our outward demeanor will tell people much about us. The above verse from Ephesians is one such instruction. The message is clear: use your tongue to build up, not tear down. There is another which is like it: Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.-Colossians 4:5 Having taught not only students, but also adults in Sunday school, I can recall lesson upon lesson that attempts to drill this concept into the minds of God's children.

There seems to be a great disconnect between social media and God's command to speak kindly to one another. So many of the posts I come across are slams against someone. Arguments between friends are becoming public knowledge. Hatred toward a political party (or candidate) or a celebrity is expressed freely, and without remorse. Friends and enemies alike use social media as an opportunity to publicly humiliate each other.

Please do not misunderstand me. I am not trying to say that Facebook is evil. This problem is manifested in other arenas as well. Customer service reps are regularly badgered, badmouthed, and cussed out over the phone by customers who are dissatisfied with their company's service. (Regardless of whether that particular rep is personally responsible for the issue). I myself have suffered such wrath from people who, in their rage at something they feel slighted by, fail to recognize that I am a person with feelings just like them.

The heart of the problem is just that: our hearts. We feel angry toward someone or something, and we lash out. And the fact that we don't have to look our victim in the eye while we're doing so makes it all SO much easier. We can pretend that the person on the other end of the line is just a recording. That the person we are posting nasty things about either won't see the post or won't know it's about them. We can pretend that our very public sin against them won't actually hurt them.

Paul reminds us of Jesus' teachings on this subject. Be angry, and yet do not sin; don't let the sun go down on your anger."-Ephesians 4:26 Jesus got angry. And how! He turned over the tables of the merchants selling in the temple! How's that for a public display? The difference is that Jesus' anger was righteous, and His actions were backed up by words that did not aim to hurt or humiliate. His words were meant to call others out on THEIR sin and to bring them to a point of repentance.

We need to step up and recognize the sin we are committing when we post hurtful things on Facebook. At the very least, remember that those words are out on the web FOREVER. Even if you can mend the broken relationship caused by them, you can NEVER take them back. And the ripples of those short moments when you have allowed the devil a foothold will follow you throughout your life. If you continue in this type of behavior, don't be surprised if it comes back around during a job interview.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

I missed my blog last week. Actually, to be more accurate, I didn't miss it at all-until Sunday evening. A feeling that is all too familiar hits me in the middle of my stomach..."I can't believe I forgot something so important!" Guilt seeps in to the point that I begin to believe I can't do anything right.

I've written in the past about trying to 'have it all'. In today's culture, there's another myth that is just as insidious-trying to 'do it all'. We read the verse above and take it to mean we can do everything. All at once. But that's not what this verse is about at all. Listen to Paul's words just prior to this verse: "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:11b-12.

"I can do all things" isn't about trying to fit in every possible activity. It's about being content with what you have because of Christ's work in your life.

As a mother of a teenage daughter, I see the beginning of the cycle. Sports, social activities, clubs, music lessons, homework, boyfriends...they all add up to zero time for the Lord. Even in the midst of church activities, you can get so caught up in the task at hand that you miss experiencing God. As my teenager's mother, I see that it only gets worse. Job, family, household chores, husband, social activities, chauffeur; and then add to that the items in my children's lists in order to be a successful parent. No wonder I can't keep track of all my appointments!

Why do we do it? For fun? That's a lie we tell ourselves. This roller coaster is not fun; it's exhausting. To keep up with our neighbors and friends? That's so old it's almost a proverb. :P Perhaps we do it to fill our lives with meaning. Unfortunately, that doesn't work either, because by the end of the day, we are too tired to care whether or not we've done anything profound. The truth is that none of it can really give us purpose. That's God's role in our lives, and if we insist on filling every minute of every day with meaningless chaff, we push Him out.

It's time we start being content with less in our lives. Whether that means less money, less comfort, or just less activities, the Lord wants us to examine our lives and remove the things that aren't part of His plan for us. The beautiful thing about this concept that we miss so often is that it doesn't mean we give away everything that pleases us. God does not want to take away our happiness, he wants to increase it.

I love how God reminds me to slow down; to be content with less. I especially love how many times he reminds me; because I need constant vigilance in this area. Satan uses popular culture to tell us we're not good enough or we're not doing enough, and without the Lord's guidance in our lives, we can buy into that.

"Be still and know that I am God"-Psalm 46:10
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope."-Jeremiah 29:11
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.”-Matthew 11:28-30
"And He said, 'My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."-Exodus 33:14
"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."-Psalm 116:7

What things in your life are competing for your time with God?
Are you stubbornly holding onto control of something because you don't want to give it up?
When was the last time you evaluated your activities from God's perspective?
Will your happiness be reduced if you drop some of the balls you are juggling?

Let go; give God control. (I know it's easier said than done-believe me.) He's so much smarter than us, He cares for us more than we can ever comprehend, and He can guide us safely through the time between so that we can truly look forward to Heaven with joy and look back at our lives without regret.

Today, I want to share with you a song that has been really powerful in my life. The song is a new one from Mat Kearney on the Young Love album.

Interesting side note on Mat - his name has one "t" because of an error on his birth certificate. His mom accidently spelled it Mathew. Then in red ink added the other "t" some time later. He saw it as a kid and embraced the single "t."

Random? Yes, but interesting! :)

OK - this song is basically the testimony of his father. In the link I have embeded, he tells the story a bit.



Pretty powerful stuff if you ask me...
the power of the gospel and how it changes your life.
the power of Jesus and how he redeems what is lost.
the power of Jesus and his love for the lost.
the power of a person who is determined to break out of their frame.
the power of starting over and making much of God.
the power of change in your life.
the power of grace and mercy.
the power of being stubborn and not letting circumstances determine your life outcome.
the power of a success story in one life and how it can encourage us.

Each of us must make choices every single day that determine whether we will live life to the fullest for God or choices that compromise who we really are in Him.

Choose today - to make the most of every situation and to glorify God in all that you do.