A Life Worthy

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel–which is really no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7).

If you’re not super familiar with the book of Galatians, it might help to have a smidge of background.  The church in Galatia had a number of believers who were not of Jewish descent, and so really knew nothing of the Law.  They just grabbed hold of the ideas of love and repentance and forgiveness of sins and they ran with them.  But…the church also had a number of former Jews, who still clung to aspects of the Law, and were pushing the Gentile believers to abide by it.  The situation was, in theological terms, a sticky mess.

Enter Paul, who writes a letter that we read, oh, a couple thousand years later.

And which is still relevant.

So, as we dive in here, there’s a question to ask yourself:  What do you add to Jesus?  Don’t be too quick to answer, there.  Think about it for a while; let it roll around in the old noggin.  What “haftas” have you made part of your relationship with Christ?  We all have them.  They creep in around the edges and muddy our faith.  So, what are yours?  See if you can identify them.  It might make the next days easier

or harder

but definitely more productive.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age… (Galatians 1:4).

I have huge admiration for the soldier, the cop, the firefighter, for their willingness to stand between us and the danger that threatens.  When disaster strikes, you will find these brave men and women running toward the danger while everyone else is running away.  The thing that amazes me is that these people get up and go to work every day, knowing that there’s a chance they might not make it home that night.

It’s similar to being a middle-school teacher, though perhaps not quite as dangerous.

Consider then Christ Jesus, the ultimate rescuer.  He came to Earth, not with the chance that he might die, but with the full knowledge that he would die.  It was all part of the plan.  

Remember, Beloved–he knew what was awaiting him here.  

He knew.

He came anyway.

For you

Remember that as you go into battle today.

Happy Wednesday Beloved.

Grace and Peace One-a-Day Tuesday  7/26/16

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ… (Galatians 1:3)

Without grace, there is no peace.

Seriously…why would there be?

Without grace you are dead in the water…and dead in your sins.

Without grace, you get what you deserve:

pain

emptiness

darkness

loneliness

eternity apart from love.

But…

you are not without grace, are you?

It flows over you, in you, through you.

You don’t deserve it, but that’s kinda the point, is it not?

You have found favor with God.

You are healed

and filled

and whole.

So…walk in grace today, Beloved.

Know his peace.

Happy Tuesday.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

I want a running Director’s Commentary on my life.  You know, like when you buy a DVD, you can look in the “bonus features” section and watch the movie with the director talking over the action. He explains the backstory, provides behind-the-scenes tidbits, and gives insight into why certain production decisions were made.

I want the Holy Spirit to provide running commentary for me.  As I go through my day he can whisper in my ear—better yet, he can have an angel appear from time to time with a little scroll.  You know, something tangible, ‘cause I don’t always trust voices in my head.  Anyway, he can point out the Father’s will in every situation, and explain why things happen the way they do.  That would be good.

While we’re at it, I want a pony.

OK, this is odd.  I was composing the above in my head while driving home from work.  As I got to the part about the pony, I glanced to my right and saw…

A pony.

It was just standing there, by the side of the road, munching on some random flora.  I have driven this road twice a day every workday for ten years.  Never once have I seen a pony.  I attach no spiritual significance to this, other than proof that God has a sense of humor.

And yet…

I did not stop and collect the pony, partly because I don’t want a felony on my record, and partly because I really do not want a pony.  I was only pretending I wanted a pony.

Which makes me wonder…do I really want the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me, passing me notes, or am I just pretending I do?  Do I really want to be responsible for knowing God’s will?  Because, frankly, not being sure of his will gives me a certain amount of wiggle room that I often exploit.

This passage suggests to me that, as we allow God to put our minds back in whack through his Word and his Holy Spirit, we actually do get something akin to Director’s Commentary.  But as with any gift, we are responsible for how we use it.

What do you say, Beloved?  Are you willing to accept the gift God offers?  Are you willing to be transformed and renewed, to be able to, “test and approve what God’s will is…”?  Because what he gives, you must use.

Unless he gives you a pony.  A pony you may leave by the side of the road.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

My favorite image of transformation is the butterfly.

I’m sure there are cooler images I could come up with, something involving thunder, and magic, and arcing electricity, and tectonic movement, and chaotic forces battling in the nether realms…

But I like the butterfly.

For one thing, it’s quiet.  No trumpets announcing it.  No commemorative coins struck in its honor.  Mr. Caterpillar simply goes off into a corner, or a bush, or whatever, and lets it happen. So calm.  So peaceful.  So fundamentally life changing.

For another thing, the butterfly transformation is amazing.  Think about it—there are few creatures that God has seen fit to create that are uglier than caterpillars.

Goblin sharks?  Yes, um, goblin sharks are uglier than caterpillars, but they do not transform, so they do not really apply here, do they?

Anyway, the transformation from ugly, ground-bound, leaf-eating caterpillar to beautiful, graceful, floating, soaring, nectar-sipping butterfly is nothing short of astounding.

It’s wondrous.

It’s miraculous.

It’s what he wants to do in you, Beloved.

So, you know…let him.

Happy Wednesday.