Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Last night Kristi, Gracelyn, and I were on our way back home after a trek to the local Wal-Mart, when Gracelyn said, "You know why we have the bestest family?"

Kristi inquired, "why?"

Gracelyn then replied, "because we love each other."

Gracelyn seems to be a source of wisdom often for me. Although Gracelyn said very little, her words still resonate in my heart today. She knows that we love each other. She can feel it. This love isn't just a love that lets her do whatever she wants whenever she wants at the expense of everyone else. This love has boundaries. Sometimes it disciplines, sometimes it hurts, sometimes it comforts. It forgives, it listens, it gives... To her, this is what characterizes our family.

The church is supposed to be a family right? If so, then what should characterize it? Jesus says in John 13:34, 35 that all men will know we are His followers if we love one another as He loved us.

Love should characterize our church/our family. This love isn't just a love that says, "you do whatever you want, and I will love you." This love has boundaries. Sometimes it disciplines, sometimes it comforts, it forgives, listens, gives...Yes, it is true that we should love each other regardless of what we do, but letting someone do whatever they want, isn't love. That is being a poor steward of the relationship that God has allowed us to be a part of. We must consistently find ways to love each other the way that we have been loved by our Creator.

I hope that we will all be able to say to each other, "You know what makes us the bestest church family...we love each other."

May God bless you and keep you today, and may He give you the courage to love one another as He loved you through Jesus.

Friday, March 26, 2004

Ok...with all this pressure to blog, I don't know if I can perform. It's almost like when I go into the bathroom to urinate and there is some guy at the urinal right next to me. I get nervous...I can't go. I keep telling myself, "go already. this guy's gonna think you're some weirdo." Then when he walks out I am finally able to go. So, in other words. You guys get out of the bathroom!

TBA
Thursday, March 25, 2004

Blog coming soon, so please stay tuned...

Thursday, March 04, 2004

Kristi and I were having a conversation the other evening about a conversation that she had with a woman at work regarding the movie by Mel Gibson, the Passion of the Christ. This woman was very upset about the portayal of Christ in the film because all she saw was suffering. She kept saying, "What's the purpose? People still suffer today."

I was thinking about this today as I was reading through 1 Peter, and I didn't find a whole lot of answers as to why suffering still happens today. In fact, I don't think that when Peter wrote his letter that he wanted to explain specifically why people suffer. It seems that his purpose was to encourage them that they are not alone. They suffer as Christ suffered, and they should have hope because just as Christ was glorified after his suffering, so they too will be when salvation comes in its completion.

so, I'm not completely sure why many suffer today, but I do know that Jesus has not left us alone in our suffering. We can be encouraged that Jesus suffered as we suffer. We can also be encouraged that our brothers and sisters around the world endure suffering as well. So, I don't think we should try to explain why we suffer. We can't. It is a mystery. However, there is peace in knowing that we are not alone.

Whatever it is that you are suffering through, I want you to know that I suffer as well. I get discouraged, afraid, confused, and weary. I want you to know the same thing that Peter wanted his readers to know: Suffering is part of the refining process of our faith (1 Peter 1:7). In the midst of our suffering, we must purpose to have the same humble mind as Christ (1 Peter 4:1ff). Let's continue to cast all of our concerns on the God who cares for us, knowing that in His time He will exalt us, just as He did with Christ (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Finally, let's continually remind ourselves that the God of all grace, who called us for His purpose and His glory will restore us, make us strong, firm, and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10). For His is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. AMEN!