Forgiveness

I have probably written on the topic of forgiveness before, but since unforgiveness continually pops up in this life, I can never write enough about forgiveness. Forgiveness is one of those lessons that is painful to learn because it can only be learned by forgiving. You have to be sinned against in order to learn to forgive. In our human relationships, we are constantly being sinned against and sinning against others. Some sins are more painful than others. Some betrayals run deep. At some point we are all faced with the need to forgive.

There is a common misconception in the idea of forgiveness. I have noticed that us humans tend to see forgiveness as something we do for ourselves. We think that we need to forgive to keep ourselves from becoming bitter. We think we need to forgive to heal our own hearts. Although a true attitude of forgiveness will result in a healed heart, this is not the purpose of forgiveness. The purpose of forgiveness is to restore our relationship with God.

When we have an attitude of unforgiveness, our heart is sinning against God. Our heart is telling God that the sin someone else committed against us is worse than the sins we have committed against God. We put our pride ahead of God. We fail to see the correct perspective of our own sins. The absolute worst sin someone has committed against you cannot compare to the sins you commit against God on a day to day basis. This is a difficult realization to come to when you are on the path to forgiving others. No human wants to admit or even come face to face with the magnitude of the sin that we commit against God. However, when we have a heart of unforgiveness, we are sinning against God. The bitterness and discontent in an unforgiving heart comes because our heart is sinning against God. Unforgiveness affects our relationship with God. We cannot draw close to Him because we are not being honest about our own sinfulness.

Forgiveness is not easy. It is never easy to confront your own sinfulness so that you can put the sins of the other person in perspective. The Holy Spirit must give a spirit of conviction and humility to the person seeking to forgive. It is not a pleasant process, but it is a process that leads to a closer relationship with God. Only then can the heart begin to heal because the most special relationship is being restored. Only then can the Holy Spirit begin to reconcile relationships. Only then will the forgiver reap the benefits of the forgiveness. So yes, forgiveness is the only way to make yourself feel better, but it is not the purpose of forgiveness. Forgiveness has to flow from a heart of gratitude towards God for His willingness to forgive us when we have sinned against Him.

Being Sensitive to Suffering

I have clearly seen throughout my adult life how God usually prepares us to go through the things we go through. I feel like God gives us little warnings before the unexpected happens. Maybe it is more of a benefit of a life of discipline. When we are disciplined enough to be faithful to the study of God's word, we can find ourselves prepared.

I have been going through a 2 Thessalonian precept study. I did not really want to do 2 Thessalonian this spring, but I feel that when the opportunity presents itself, and there are no other ministries that take priority over a Bible study, you should do it. This week's study was over the first chapter. One of the insights I had while studying the first chapter, reading verses on suffering and affliction, and looking up the Greek definitions of the words is that suffering is much deeper than just suffering ridicule for the sake of the gospel. It comes from Christians and non-Christians alike when you are being obedient to God's word. You will take actions that no one understands when you are being obedient. Part of obedience is getting involved in people's lives to the point that when they suffer, you suffer with them. We limit suffering for the sake of the gospel when I think it is a little broader when we are loving our neighbor and getting involved in their lives.

For example, Jesus befriended Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He was involved in their lives. Lazarus got sick and died, and Jesus suffered. He was grieved by the pain of His friends Mary and Martha even though He knew that God would be glorified in Lazarus' resurrection in the end. He was sensitive to their suffering even though He knew the outcome. He ministered to them in their grief. He went through this grief for the sake of the gospel. Ultimately God was glorified.

Yesterday, I received news that my little guy in New Orleans lost almost everything in a fire that completely destroyed their apartment. By completely, I mean that no possession other than a few shoes in the back of the closet seem recognizable. Even though I knew that God would provide for them and that things will probably be better for them in the end, there is still a sensitivity to their suffering that must be shown. It breaks my heart to think of some of the things that they have lost. Some of it can sort of be replaced such as pictures because I have most of the pictures anyway and clothes and toys and books, but there are also those things that cannot be replaced. When you get caught up in someone's life, you have to be willing to suffer with them. You have to be ready to sacrifice something of yourself. You have to be ready to grieve. Even though no one ridiculed my faith or held a gun to my head, I believe that it was a day of suffering for the gospel. If I did not love my little guy and his mother, I would have just thought it was a sad situation, but not allowed it to disrupt my life. Instead, so that God may be glorified, I allowed myself to suffer with them. I could show them love through actions, not just words of comfort. Even better, not too long after I received news of the fire, I received an e-mail from a friend I have not heard from in months on the subject of suffering. God is so good to us!

Excuses, Excuses

Whenever someone finds out that the part of my job that I enjoy the most is representing children in CPS cases, I am usually met with excuse after excuse after excuse. I think I am going to do a global response to the excuses, although I usually am much more politically correct when I actually respond to the person. Here is what I really wish I could say.

(1) Excuse #1: I could never do that, it would just be too hard.

I usually say, yes, it is hard. I still feel like I should do it anyway. What I really want to say is, if you think it is hard for you, think about the child that has no one to speak for them. Think about the child that has lived it. Might it be nice for that child to know that someone felt what happened to them was wrong? Might it be nice for the child to know that it is not their fault, and might you be able to tell them that? Might it be nice for the child to see that you cared enough to get involved when their parent does not even care enough to go to a few parenting classes and drug rehab? The child is going through things that adults want to close their eyes and ears to and that the child is not able to comprehend.

The right perspective to have is that it is a hard job that we are called to do. The Bible makes it very clear that Christians are to be the voice for the fatherless, the orphan, the oppressed. There are not outs. It is what God requires. It is not my command, but God's. This does not mean that the only way to help the fatherless, orphans, oppressed is by getting involved in some capacity in CPS cases. What this does mean is that if you look at your life and cannot see a way that you are helping the orphan and fatherless, you might be sinning. Although I have great respect for Compassion (and support some children myself), I think that this means more than just sending a check to an agency to do the work for you. I think it means getting involved and speaking out on behalf of the oppressed. For me, it means being an attorney for the children (and parents). For you, it might look like getting involved in CASA, volunteering to be checked into for a respite possibility for a person who is housing a child, or looking into fostering. It might even look like stepping in to help a family BEFORE the state comes in and befriending that family. Take some time to teach someone how to parent. Is it tough? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes, if for no other reason than knowing that you are in God's will because His scripture commands it.

(2) Excuse #2: I would just worry about the children all the time and be unable to sleep at night

I have had very few sleepless nights as a result of my CPS work. Part of the reason is that by the time that the case gets to me, the children are out of danger. Yes, I have feared for the children when the judge put them back with a parent. I also have called a caseworker to move the kids because I feared for their safety. When you are in the case, if you really fear for the child, you are able to do something about it. I guarantee you that I would lose more sleep from the realization that I am not in God's will than I lose knowing I am at least trying to fulfill His will. My response is usually that I sleep just fine, you learn to shut your brain off. What I wish I could say is how are you able to sleep when you are doing nothing and this is going on all around you? You should be the one losing sleep!

(3) Excuse #3: I do not have the time

I am usually pretty blunt with this one and suggest that the person find a way to make time, whether it be by volunteering one hour a month at a local pregnancy center, a little more to be a CASA volunteer, or donating some time to a local group home. I always emphasize the giving of time more than money in that situation. See I usually know that the person who says it religiously watches American Idol or Biggest Loser or some other TV show that takes at least an hour of their time each and every week. I do not usually get this excuse from the young mother who really does not have spare time and is raising her children in the way that God lays out in Scripture and truly may be in a season where sending the Compassion money and donation checks is how she is able to contribute.

(4) Excuse #4: If I helped out other kids, it would take something away from my own

My usual response is a faked, obviously lying, "I understand." I compound sin by sinning myself. Really, I do not understand. This is the excuse that gets under my skin the most. The reason it does is because those who say it are usually the people that are idolizing their children. They do not see themselves as idolizing their children. However, they are the ones that are posting tons of pictures of their own children in the best of clothes with the best of stuff taking the best vacations and bragging about the accomplishments of the children. The children become the center of the parents' universe. The children become even more important than God, often made clear by the parent choosing the child's activities over religious upbringing. I am not saying that if a parent has a hard time feeding their own child, that they should take a foster child in. I am saying that when a parent spends all of their time and energy and money on their child instead of teaching the child to do without in service to others, there is a problem. The children often grow up selfish and conceited and do not have a concept of sacrificing for the benefit of others.

I propose that families should evaluate whether fostering and adopting might be a way to put the gospel on display for natural born children. Instead of saying that it might take something away from the natural born children, families should look at how children might learn about the gospel through the family's actions. Christians are God's children by adoption. Think about how great it might be to show children about how God adopts us through an earthly adoption. If adoption is not the route that can be pursued for various valid reasons, consider at least teaching your children about the needs of the fatherless and orphans and oppressed and let them see what you are doing to help. It does not help your children for you to shelter them or even try to, especially when you send that child to public school. Guess what. There is a pretty good chance that your child is going to school with another child who is being abused, neglected, talking about drugs, using curse words all before the child is a teenager. Your children are exposed to it day in and day out. Teach them to be part of the solution.

If your sixteen year old son is on drugs, yes, you probably need to focus on that child. If your children are babies and toddlers, you probably are right that it may not be best to foster/adopt at that time.

(5) Excuse #5: There might be something wrong with the child and I do not know if I can handle it

I usually say, you are right but there are ways provided for you to handle it. If you are a CASA volunteer who finds yourself in over your head, there are others who are more experienced that can step in. If you are a foster parent who finds yourself in over your head, there are opportunities to change the child's level of care so that they can get the help they need. If you are a prospective adoptive parent, you will have the child in your home for six months (at a minimum) before the adoption will go through. I also hate to burst your bubble, but your natural born child can reject the morals and values he/she was raised under, and break your heart too. It is part of the sacrifice you make when you start to actually love by thinking of the other person's well being before your own. You may have to make some tough decisions that may include the child being outside of your home, but in some situations you can continue a relationship with the child even when you are unable to provide the forever home.

(6) Excuse #6: That is easy for you to say, you do not have children

I usually get this one when I have accidentally lost control of my tongue and said any of the what I really want to say in #1-5. I usually respond to this one with all honesty by saying, "You are right. I realize that if God blesses me with children, I am going to have the temptations to make any of these excuses about why I should not get involved. I can only thank God now that He has made it clear to me that it is a command, not an option, and it is His will. I also have to pray that if I do have children, God will guard me from the temptation to use any of the excuses for not getting involved. I also pray that if I ever stray from God's will in this matter, someone will have the courage to point out to me my sin. I may not take it well, I may be offended, but I still hope someone will point it out to me."

(7) Excuse #7: I am not called to do that kind of work

Yes, you are ... by God ... in the Bible. You are called to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. You are called to help the widow, orphan, fatherless, poor and oppressed. There are no exceptions given that I have found. You want to know God's will for your life? It says it in the scriptures by the type of things we are commanded to do. Stop waiting for a direct call, and start following commandments. It is as simple as that ... and often the direct call comes from the obedience.

I fully recognize that there are other places in scripture that I am not fully following the commands that God has laid out. However, I hope that I will not use the excuse, "That is not my calling." There are exceptions in Scripture for titles, but not lifestyles of obedience. I know there are areas I need to work on. I pray that I can stop making excuses in those areas. I also pray that I can continue to follow God's will in the areas I do recognize are part of His commandments, not suggestions.

Driving Sin

I am a sinful driver. One of the side effects of being self-employed is that I now spend more time in a car. I like driving. I like the time to myself that it gives me as I think on life, pray, sing, listen to books on tape, or practice what I am going to say. God has used this time to point out some sins that I need to work on. One sin caught me off guard.

Integrity is firm adherence to a moral code or a state of being undivided. I have heard it explained that integrity is acting the same way in a group of people that you would in a room by yourself. There are not many people in this world who have this value. For me, as you can see from yesterday's post, I have been thinking quite a bit on what it looks like to love enemies (and friends). I have also been thinking about the quality of humility. One day as I was thinking on these things, I noticed that my driving was sinful because it was not exhibiting love or humility. I am a selfish driver.

I noticed this when someone else was a selfish driver. It is often so easy to point out the sins in others, but we often can recognize our own sin by seeing the sins of others. Someone cut me off. I was delayed probably less than two seconds as I had to slow down then pass the driver that decided that he should pull out in front of me. I was annoyed. The thought that popped into my head is "What makes him think that his time is more important than mine?" The wheels in my head started turning. I often do just that. I pull out in front of someone because I am valuing my time more than their time. I am showing a lack of respect for the person I am pulling out in front of or cutting off or running through a yellow/red light. If I want to be a person of integrity that values loving people and humility, I am going to have to start in my driving. There is no recognition for being a respectful driver. The other driver is not going to know that I am making a conscience decision to be respectful of his/her time. The other driver is not going to realize that I am valuing their time more than mine. I have decided that this is a good test of integrity for me. Plus, I fail at this test of integrity each and every time I am on the road. Old habits are hard to break. I am constantly having to pray that God will make me more respectful of other drivers by bringing this to mind. There is nothing more humbling than realizing that you are not a person of integrity because you fail to put the morals and values you claim to practice when no one is looking.

I pledge to make a conscience effort to be a more loving driver on the road. I pledge to try not to value my time above the time of the other drivers. I know I will fail at this almost daily causing me to realize my need for a Savior. I confess that for years I did not realize how sinful my driving was. It scares me to think that there are other areas of my life as simple as driving where I am unconscious of the sin. Because of this I am more thankful of God's grace and conviction as the little sins come to light to be dealt with.

Preschoolers and Missions

I have the privilege each Sunday of teaching 4-5 year olds in Sunday school. This can be a challenge since the curriculum ordered by the church leaves much to be desired and because the audience is 4-5. I decided a few weeks ago to try something new. Actually the idea is really, really old. Instead of reading just the watered down, sanitized version provided by Lifeway, I have started reading the stories out of the Bible. Sometimes I have to stop and explain a word or concept. Sometimes I quickly read through a concept I do not want to explain (i.e., the woman at the well's living with someone she was not married to). I have found this approach to lead to some of the biggest changes in how the 4-5 year olds understand the stories and apply them to their lives.

For example, I have several groups of friendships in the class where the friends were treating each other more like enemies. One Sunday I was tired of having to scold the children for the ways they were talking to their friends. One of the books in the classroom had pictures to go along with the concepts that Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount about loving enemies. It was almost word for word from the Sermon on the Mount with a few words brought down to their level. I gathered the students and read to them about loving enemies. The children were surprised to see what Jesus said about loving enemies and that we are supposed to treat people the way that we want to be treated.

I have this thing against making children share because I believe that it teaches children an entitlement mentality, increases selfishness in the asker, and is not a realistic preparation for adult living because I, as an adult, do not have to share. To put this simply, I do not like whining children who are trying to manipulate the sharing system to get what they want instead of learning patience being rewarded for the behavior by forcing another child to share. Are there times to share? Yes. Should teachers think about forcing children to share or even teaching them to share? Yes. I prefer to encourage the children to give the other children an opportunity to play with the toy. If they do not want to, I do not force them to give. I have noticed that this approach actually results in more "sharing" but with the children learning how joyful it is to give.

Once I was finished teaching about loving enemies, I observed the children. My form of discipline that day was simply "Is that how you would want him/her to talk to you?" When a child would ask another child for a toy, I would ask the asking child, "Would you want him to ask you for the toy if you were playing with it?" Then I began to notice something strange. The child playing with the toy would give the other child more than the child asked for, a concept clearly taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. I also noticed that all of the children started talking to their friends better. Clearly, if we are to love our enemies, we are to love our friends. It was exciting to see this change. Plus the change has continued and some of the children are still talking nicely to their friends and getting along with everyone better.

This Sunday's lesson was the woman at the well. Again, I read the story to them from the Bible stopping to explain different things. At the end of the lesson we were discussing how the woman at the well would have been considered an enemy of Jesus and his people because she was a Samaritan. Something happened that I never anticipated. I was talking about Jesus showing love to His enemy by taking the time to talk to her and to share with her about who He is. One of the little boys said, "But if we have to tell our enemies about Jesus, we have to tell the whole world!" Yes, my dear friend, yes! You understand! Using God's word to teach led to four and five year olds understanding it is necessary to do missions. Of course one little girl made it clear that she is not going to the world with the message of God's love, and I hope to be able to remind her of that as I contribute to a mission trip to Africa in fifteen years so that she can see how God changed her heart. A simple lesson in loving your enemies led to missions. I am excited to see where God takes us next!

Seasons of Change

It seems that everything around me is changing. Fittingly this season of change is starting in the fall when the leaves change and the weather changes rapidly. I have made a big change in my professional life. After five years of working for a firm, I decided that it was time for me to try solo practice. The timing just seemed right. I realized that I was not working on the cases that I like and that I am passionate about. I also realized that I could if I started my own practice. Therefore, I decided to give up the easy paycheck to work the cases that I am passionate about.

In the weeks leading up to my decision, I kept coming back to the Bible verse Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" I feel like I can best put this verse into practice by devoting the majority of my time to CPS cases and criminal law. I realized that I could maintain my lifestyle with the income from the cases that I love. I have no desire to be the richest lawyer in town. Nothing is more humbling than working with persons who come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds and who have no foreseeable opportunity to move forward in life. I feel that God has given me a passion for this type of law, and I trust that He will take care of me as I pursue what I feel that He would want me to do. I know that there will still be material temptations, but I never want to have to choose between a case that pays more by the hour or a case where life and death really are on the line. As of November 1, 2010, I work for Cyndia Hammond, Attorney at Law!

Two Completely Unrelated Things

(1) I have a new reason to watch The Biggest Loser this season. One of the contestants is a woman who was one of my really good friends in middle school and part of high school. You can read more about Sandy here. She lived within walking distance of my house, so I remember hanging out quite a bit. I hate the color pink, but I will be rooting for pink this season on The Biggest Loser! Sandy's brother, Mike, died this past spring just a few days after trying out for The Biggest Loser. His death was due to complications because of his weight. I hope that Sandy and Mike's story will encourage people to get up and get moving. So if you see any Facebook/Twitter posts pulling for pink, I have not lost my mind, but I am cheering Sandy on!

(2) It is probably unfair to include this in the same post since it is so completely unrelated. I do not usually write about things that are too written about on blogs, but I am making an exception for the Florida church. There are some things that strike me about the burning of the Koran in the Florida church. One of the things that struck me was covered here with some of the same thoughts I had about how it might not be smart to burn other people's religious books. Something else that I have been pondering is that this Florida church seems to be willing to risk other people's lives for what they think is the gospel instead of their own lives. It is no secret that certain Muslim zealots are willing to kill, riot, terrorize when someone does something offensive to a belief that they hold dear. There were murders, riots, and calls for death due to a cartoonist drawing a picture of Mohammed. This Florida church knows this. Yet this church is willing to risk the lives of others around the world because it wants to prove a point? What point it is exactly that they are trying to make anyway? We are called to risk our lives for the gospel, not the lives of others. Sometimes our actions for the sake of the gospel may put others at risk. New converts are often subject to persecution and therefore, conversion can result in a risk. However, this church is putting lives at risk without conversion, without risking their own lives, without actually taking the gospel where it needs to go.

Finally, if you have a heart for reaching the Islamic world for Christ, you are not going to do what is quite possibly the most offensive display towards the Muslim community in an effort to reach the community for Christ. We are called to love our enemies, not hate them. Burning the Koran is a sign of hate. I do not like to see millions/billions of people around the world deceived by the Koran, but that makes me pray for those who are sharing the gospel to Muslims around the world, or send money to missionaries in that part of the world, or research ways to share teh gospel with a Muslim, or show acts of love and mercy towards Muslims. Love would not lead you to burn the books just to be completely shut off from all opportunities to share the gospel because of your act of hatred.

I am slightly encouraged to see that the pastor is now "praying" about his decision due to the government attention that he has received and due to the counsel he is receiving from others in the Christian community. I sincerely hope and pray that he considers whether his church's actions are going to bring glory to God and further the spread of the gospel or hinder the spread of the gospel. I cannot think of how this act will spread the gospel. Instead I can only see how it can potentially endanger mission efforts around the world. I do trust that God can use this event to open conversations in mission efforts around the world and hopefully lead God's people to prayer and a commitment to spreading the gospel to those who are of the Muslim faith.

The Ugliness of Sin

I have a confession to make. As I watched the Ohio man whose wife ran off with another man give an interview this morning, I wanted him to say what church he attended. Why? So I could immediately begin justifying what occurred and reasoning that the same could not happen in my church. It started with the piece leading up to the interview saying that the mother felt that she could not get a divorce, but instead would have to run off and start a new life because of her deeply held spiritual beliefs. Immediately I thought, she must be Church of Christ because of the stand that they take on divorce. I jumped to that conclusion because surely it had to be a church that put so much emphasis on the outer and works. My next thought was, maybe it is not a Christian church, but Mormon or some other type of religion. Mormons have the reputation of being oppressive to women. Cults are often oppressive to women. Soon the husband was talking, and I was only looking for hints as to what type of church it might be. Who cares if they are supportive, what do they believe? Who cares if they are stepping up and showing you love as the body of Christ (if it is a Christian church) should, what are they doing about her? Are they giving you permission to divorce since it is probably justified in Matthew? These are the things I wanted to know. Sure, I said one of those token prayers that you say for someone when you know it is the right thing to do so you do it, but your heart is not fully behind it. You know the type - the ones we pray in church to justify the spreading of gossip in the guise of prayer requests. There was no mention of the name of Jesus or even of God by the man, so maybe he is Scientologist or Episcopalian (don't they have an atheist preacher?) or Unitarian. All of these thoughts were going through my head.

These thoughts are sinful. I wanted to find some way that my religion and religious systems were better than this family. I wanted to distinguish myself from this family because the word church was used. I wanted to be able to say, well, what do you expect from a religious system that does not believe the true gospel, or is oppressive to women, or is legalistic. In reality, this situation could happen in any church that teaches the true gospel. Divorce is sinful. So is adultery. Churches should take both very seriously. If the church does take it seriously, it may result in decisions like this woman made. Instead of judging or distinguishing, I should have been driven to sadness over the sin at the heart of the scandal. Humans are sinners. There is a family hurting because of many sins, some of which are now very public, and some of which are probably very private. A church is hurting, and I sincerely hope it is a church that preaches the true gospel because the church has an opportunity to be the picture of the gospel to this family. I should also be humbled because my own sinfulness is apparent as I judge complete strangers and try to make myself feel better than them. I will also try to allow the Holy Spirit change the mindset that allowed me to think the sinful thoughts first into thinking about the ugliness of sin in my own life when I see others caught in a public way.

Countdown to 30: Day 1

Tomorrow I turn 30. Today I am still in my 20s. I am going to write today about one of my best decisions that I made in my first 30 years of life in one of the moments of extreme difficulty.

I got the phone call that Guy had been shot and killed at 5:24 p.m. on August 17, 2008. He had died approximately 30 minutes before I received the call. It is weird how you can remember dates and times like that sometimes. I also remember exactly where I was when he was shot and killed (and what I was thinking/praying about at the time) even though I did not know the shooting was occurring at that time. I remember exactly where I was at when I received the phone call - approximately 1 mile from the Turkey Creek and Meeker exit on I-49. I had just seen the exit sign when my phone rang. I basically had less than a mile to make one of the most important decisions of my life. I had to decide whether to turn around and go straight back.

I was prepared to make the decision. I do not think that I even considered continuing home at that time. I had already been through the hurricane with my kids. I had already missed one funeral. I had spent a week just being a sister to Birdie. Ironically, I had packed extra clothes to last through the weekend just in case - that was my thought as I packed them, although I did not have any clue what the "just in case" would be. There was no question that I was heading right back to New Orleans that night.

Many people have come and gone out of the lives of the kids at the Center. Everyone knows that it happens. The kids have gotten used to it. Although people promise to come back, and even make a few trips, eventually life happens and separates the kids from those whom they love. It seems inevitable. I think that the kids used to worry that I would do the same thing. Sure, I went in 2001 and 2002 and 2003 and 2004, but would I come back after the hurricane? I surprised the kids by remaining faithful to come see them. I had been away for over a year when I went in that week in April, but I also knew as I left that I could not possibly stay away that long again. When Guy's murder happened, I am sure that almost everyone would have understood if I did not turn around. I had to work the next day. It was not safe for me to go back when the boys were being targeted. It hurts too much to continue in this type of ministry. Almost everyone would have understood if I did not go back, and if I did not go to the funeral, and if I cancelled any future trips.

Galatians 6:9-10 says "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." I heard the versions mentioned in a sermon about a week and a half after Guy's death. I realized then that those verses were the reason I turned around that day, even if I was not thinking of those verses. I believe that God has a plan for the kids that I have invested so many years building relationships with. I believe that God has a plan for the Center and for each child that goes through the Center. I believe that I was able to convince more people of my love for them by going back that night. My actions spoke louder than any other words I had spoken to them in the previous seven years to that point. Yes, most of them would have understood if I did not come back, but I would have lost something in my relationships with them. I knew that there was a brother who needed me, but would never call me to let me know. It was up to me to be there because now he knows to call me and tell me he needs me. I would not trade in that type of relationship for anything. There is another boy who is currently sitting in a jail cell. I pray that God will remind him of His love because that boy knows I love him since I came back that night. It is easy to say I love you but harder to prove it. He knows I do, and I pray that it will lead him to God's love someday.

I cannot give up on the kids in New Orleans. God promises that we will reap if we continue to do good. I think that too often, we give up too easily. We want an instant reaping, but like growing a crop, it takes time for the seeds to grow. Weeds spring up fast and die quickly, but the fruit-bearing crop takes time. I do not know what God's plan is for the boys I love. I do know that if I had made the wrong decision that day in that split second when the decision was made that I would have missed out on one of the biggest blessings of my life - sharing in the day of little guy's birth! Ironically, I received the phone call that he had been born as I was less than one mile from the Turkey Creek and Meeker exit on I-49. Plus, his daddy had learned his lesson and called me because he needed me that day so I could share in his joy. I feel like I made a huge decision that day, which is strange because it was made without thinking about the consequences one way or the other. It was made without any thought of my own safety or potential heartache or really without any thoughts of myself at all. I am sure that the decision did not make sense to a lot of people, but often God causes us to make decisions that do not make sense so that He is glorified. I believe that God was glorified more by that decision than any other choice that I have made because His love was on display for all to see - both in New Orleans and outside. I just pray that God will continue to be glorified in my love for my kids and their kids for years to come!

Countdown to 30: Day 16

I have been listening to sermons my entire life (even in utero), but there is one sermon that sticks out as the most important sermon that I ever listened to. Today I want to share it as part of my countdown series.

The sermon was suggested by our youth minister at the time. It was back when I had bought or received as a gift my first mp3 player, but prior to the iPod days. I listened to the sermon for the first time in February 2006. I had been dealing with Hurricane Katrina for quite a while by then. Someone I knew had been murdered, and it was the first person I knew that was murdered that I can remember. It was a difficult time, but a great time for me sorting out what I believed about God and His plan. These were events that were difficulty brought on by something other than my own sin, so I needed to figure out how to deal with everything in a biblically correct way.

The name of the sermon is A Beliver's Response to Difficulty and it was preached by Dr. Rick Holland. I know nothing else about the person who gave this sermon. The focus scripture is Lamentations. Some things that stick out about the sermon even more than three years later are the truths about how God is never surprised by natural disasters or tragedies in our lives because He is sovereign. The believer's appropriate response is grief and rejoicing; sorrow and praising God. The sermon ends with a letter that a man who was to be executed for his faith wrote to his wife reminding her that his death was God's will and God's plan and that believers should be full of grace and courage in the midst of difficulty. I highly recommend listening to this sermon. Different sermons mean different things to different people depending on what they are going through at that time of their life. I am glad that I listened to this one when I needed to hear it most.

Link to download the sermon

If the link does not work, you can go here, chose the year 2006 and the category Lamentations.

Countdown to 30: Day 18

Today I thought I would share a memory that has sustained me through some difficult times. When you work with children in the inner city, it is pretty much inevitable that one of the children you are working with will be shot and killed. I am now up to three kids that have been killed by violence and two or three(that I know of - I am sure there are more that have been grazed) that have been shot but survived. I also knew one of the parents of the children that was shot and killed in a shot meant for the son. It is a rough world for these kids.

One of my favorite memories of New Orleans is the Chasing Rabbits memory. Since I have already blogged about it in full, I thought today I would just link to my highlight for today. Days such as the day that we chased rabbits allow me to remember that these teenagers and adults were once children who acted like children and loved like children and played like children. Remembering those days reminds me to love them now and pray for them. Since this memory includes two boys who have been shot and killed, it is one of the sweetest memories of them for me. Enjoy my adventure chasing rabbits in inner city New Orleans!

Countdown to 30: Day 22

My grandfather died during my junior year of high school. Although I had known people who had died in the past, it was really the first time I dealt with grief in the context of the death of a person I was close to. I was old enough to understand the reality of death, and the pain that comes from the knowledge of knowing that I would not see him again in this life.

My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer around the same time of the Oklahoma City bombing. I do not remember if it was that day or the day before or if the news was broken to me and my brother only on that day. It was a pretty odd time though with the family sadness and the national tragedy overlapping. The next few months were filled with treatment and the realization that the cancer was terminal. Eventually he got to the point where he had to be hospitalized, and then basically slipped further and further away as he was unable to communicate. My family traumatized me by forcing me to go in to see him when he was so bad the day or two before he died. I swear that I have had a fear of hospitals since that time (parents – don’t force your children to do things like that please!). It takes a pretty big event for me to go to a hospital to visit someone, and I usually will not go to a maternity ward even to visit a new mother and baby. I will not go to a hospital alone, and I am a BIG baby when it comes to actually walking into a hospital. Just ask my boy in New Orleans who had to come downstairs and outside to coax me in to see his new baby in the freezing cold.

It is odd to lose a family member to cancer. As you watch the person waste away in pain, you actually reach a point where you are praying for them to die so that they do not have to suffer anymore. It was an incomprehensible feeling for me to have at the time, but it is the point that you come to. Since that time, I realize it is OK for us to pray for God to allow someone to be released from pain at the same time that you are praying for God to heal them. It is a good lesson in learning to pray that God’s will be done in a situation.

I would not say that each death of someone close to me since my grandfather’s death has been easier, but I have dealt with each death better as I have learned more and more about God and the comfort He provides in that situation. I have also learned to see God’s grace in death. God did not allow my grandfather to suffer long. His cancer was quick spreading. However, we had a chance to prepare for his death and say goodbye. My grandfather lived a good life. God allowed me to have a relationship with my grandfather who was a godly man and good example for me. God also allowed my grandfather to see how his faithfulness to God contributed to the spread of the gospel down to my generation. All these things are blessings that God has enabled me to see through the life and death of my grandfather, helping to shape my theology of death.

Countdown to 30: Day 23

(Yesterday life happened and this did not get posted, although it was already written. That just means two posts today!)

For the spring break mission trip in 2000, our college and high school groups went to Flagstaff, Arizona. I learned so much about God on that trip that it probably was the turning point in making the faith of my parents my own. Too often in college children turn away from the teachings of their parents, but I had the opportunity to build upon the foundation that my parents had built.

Our mission trip to Flagstaff was to an Indian reservation where we were to have a vacation Bible school type ministry to the children and attend church on the reservation. When we arrived, it was around 70 degrees and nice enough that a group of us were able to climb a mountain. It was the first mountain I climbed (and I believe the last to this point), and the view from the top made the struggle of the climb worth it. The beauty of creation pointed toward the Creator. It was awesome. The next morning we woke up to a foot of snow on the ground. At that point I learned that a place has crazier weather than Texas!

The church was small and obviously filled with poverty. For example, to go to the bathroom, you had to use an outhouse ... without a door. Did I mention that there was a foot of snow in Flagstaff? Although there was not a foot of snow at that point on the reservation where the church was located, it was cold enough to have a foot of snow on the ground. The outhouse hole acts like a wind tunnel blowing right on your bare bottom. The scenery was also such that you really, genuinely expected Doc Holliday to come riding up on a horse over the hill and declare, “I’m your Huckleberry” while you did your business.

Although the church did not have much, that church was full of love and generosity. The people showed us hospitality providing food for us and serving lovingly even though you knew it was a sacrifice. The faith of the people in the midst of their adversity was a lesson for me. My church at the time met in a grand building, and even showed hospitality to college students, but we did not have the love that could be felt in this small, faithful congregation. My church’s attempts at worship fell short of what this congregation did with a small keyboard, maybe a guitar, and off-key singing that truly came out of a heart of worship. It was unlike anything that I remembered experiencing up to that point.

Since we were in Flagstaff, we were close enough to plan a trip to see the Grand Canyon. First, we went on the reservation to see where the actual start of the Grand Canyon is. Surprisingly, it starts as a small canyon that you can easily climb down into and did not go very deep. It was unamazing except for the fact that you knew that the Grand Canyon was present many miles away. We also, during the midst of a slight blizzard, went to see Sedona Canyon. The rock formations were amazing, and I remember thinking, “I do not see how the Grand Canyon can top this!” Boy, I could not have been more wrong!

I was not expecting much driving up to the Grand Canyon. Sure I had seen pictures that were amazing. However, I had been told that it was not as awesome as everyone acts like it is by someone else who had been there. I thought that the hour that we were planning on spending there would be too much. I was excited, but not overly excited.

I will never forget the first time I walked up to the sight of the Grand Canyon. My first surprise was that the side we were on was covered in snow. I always thought of the Grand Canyon as a desert. The other side looks like a desert. Much to my surprise, though, there is a forest on the tourist side. As we walked through the tourist trail up to the first observation point, I began to think that I might be in for a bigger surprise once I reached the view. Seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, I was speechless for several minutes. The first statement out of my mouth was, “There is a God.” I knew that, but standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, you cannot deny the existence of God. God is obvious. There are colors that cannot be described or recreated by man. There is beauty that points to a Creator. Pictures do not do justice to the sight that you see. There is no way to make the Grand Canyon overrated or overcommercialized. It is a creation that God uses to point to Himself and to give delight to mankind. It was amazing.

Later in the trip as I enjoyed more of God’s creation, I read Psalm 139. It was probably not the first time that I read the Psalm, but it was like reading it for the first time. God had planned for me to go on that trip and to see His creation. God had created me just as He has created all of the other beautiful things that I had seen on that trip. God was preparing me to serve Him and had a plan for me. Psalm 139 became one of my favorite passages at that point, and the Grand Canyon is a testimony of the reality of God for me. Although I do not think that I have ever doubted the existence of God, or if I have, it was not for long, I do know that since viewing the Grand Canyon, I cannot deny the existence of God. Everyone needs a Grand Canyon moment.

Countdown to 30: Day 30

I am going to start with the post that if I was prioritizing the list building up to what has shaped me most would fall on Day 1. I feel like it is a good place to start because it forms the foundation for all of the other posts. In some ways it also allows me to build up the suspense for the rests of the posts because the one that most people would guess is the most life-changing is first, so what else am I going to write about?!

I became a Christian at a very young age. I think I was five, but I may have been as young as four. I remember the event vaguely, and I think it is a good thing that the memory is kind of fuzzy. I do not have security in my salvation based upon an emotional experience that I had as a five year old, although I am confident that my salvation dates back to that time. Instead, my security comes from being able to see how God has worked in my life from that time to the present.

The gospel has shaped my life from that time forward. I am fortunate to have learned at a very young age the important principles of the gospel. I knew that God was a holy God because I heard God preached about and taught about and I sung Holy, Holy, Holy. I knew that God did not like it when I disobeyed Him. I learned the different ways that I disobeyed God from Sunday school teachers, preachers, and my parents. I knew that I was a sinner and I hated my sin. I knew that Jesus loved me and came to die in my place on the cross even though He had not sinned. I knew that Jesus had risen from the dead. I knew that I had to be sorry about my sins, love God, and turn away from my sins and towards God. I knew all of that at five. I did not fully understand what I was doing, and I do not fully understand to this day my salvation. I do know that God changed my life that day, and that I am who I am today because of the change in my life. This change of heart at a young age has shaped who I am today. Twenty-five years later, I can see how God has blessed my life because of my obedience as a five year old.

Glamour Shots

I have a confession to make. During my teenage years, I secretly wanted to have a glamour shot photo shoot. If you are over the age of 25, you probably know what I am talking about. Big hair, professional make-up, all blinged out, fancy clothes, and model poses. Many of my friends had those shoots and I thought that their pictures looked so cool. However, I do not think that I ever got up the nerve to ask my parents, and they probably would have said no anyway because the shoots were a whole lot more expensive than my yearly yearbook pictures that chronicled that awkward phase nicely enough.

Now, I really wish that I had endured one of the glamor shot photo shoots. Have you seen the pictures now that the fad is over? Laughable is an understatement! I am sure that a glamour shot would now provide me with hours of amusement as I laughed at my own picture. I also think that it would show how false that reality would be. I was a plain teenager, dorky really, because I was not allowed to get contacts until I was a junior in high school. It would be a reminder that although I could get all dressed up and dolled up, I was just the same, normal, plain, non-glamourous teenager despite what the picture portrayed. It would be a humbling reminder that a glamorized exterior does not tell the story of who a person is on the inside.

I have noticed on the Fox News website the past few days that they have been showing off pictures of celebrities without their make-up. It is a reminder that what we see portrayed on TV is just glamor shots, but that these people are really just plain, average looking people. Sure, when you completely coat the exterior in professional make-up, professional hair, provide the right lighting, etc., these stars are gorgeous. But the reality is that all of those things are really just covering up normal, plain, non-glamorous people.

Don't get me wrong - I am thankful for make-up and the ability to hide some of the imperfections. I am just pondering how our outward appearance is comparable to our inward lives as well. We present as a pretty a front as we can to the public, but whatever we are able to act like on the outside does not change who we really are on the inside. The only way that any of us can be truly glamourous is through Jesus Christ. I am thankful that God will see Jesus covering all of my imperfections and ugliness on the day of judgment and that I will then inside and glamourous outside will match!

*You can find the pictures shown above and more at the Sexy People website - I almost posted the before/after pics of the Glamour Shot models, but you can find them for yourself on the Sexy People website here and here.

Getting to know the people of the Bible

On Friday, I was reading some blogs as a quick mind break at work like I do periodically to keep myself from going insane or consuming too much caffeine. As I read the different blogs, I thought about how the passion of the authors of the blogs comes through when I read them. Part of the reason that I can imagine the passion is that I have listened to sermons by many of the people who write the blogs I read and I have read their books. Due to this familiarity with their whole body of work (sermons and books), I can understand the passion that is coming through when they say what they say.

I also thought about how the same thing is true for the blogs of friends. I can read the sarcasm in what they are writing because I know their personalities. I often imagine them speaking what is written and that adds to the experience.

When I read fiction and nonfiction, I am often able to imagine characters coming alive. Good authors feed you enough details about the character that you get to know them and can understand the decisions the characters made. One of the best examples of this for me is Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. This is one of my favorite books of all time. The subtle description by Paton made me picture the main character as James Earl Jones. Jones just fit the description. I read the book probably about five times before I realized there was a movie, and that Jones played the main character in the movie. I have also found that the more works you read by a particular author, the better you understand books that you take the time to go back and reread.

I have started making it a point to write letters to some of the boys in New Orleans for various occasions. As I write the letters, I hope that the boys know me well enough to hear the love and concern and encouragement contained in the letters. Part of the purpose of a letter is to communicate feelings as well as news in the letters. My letters to New Orleans also contain communications of the gospel.

Taking all of this into consideration, the thought that hit me Friday was simply this: why do I not allow the characters, the authors, and God to come alive while reading the Bible like I do when I read all other types of literature or when I write letters. Part of this requires me to be familiar with the big picture of the Bible, understanding its main purpose, and reading it as a whole. When I read about a particular character in the Bible, I need to get to know that person. When I read a letter from Paul to a church or a person, I need to know something about Paul's life so that I can read his passion. I need to know something about the recipient so that I can understand Paul's love for them and the concern that he is communicating. Most of all, I need to listen to God's voice throughout all of the Bible and use it to understand Him more and more. Get to know Jesus through reading through the gospels. Understand why He made the decisions He made by reading through the Old Testament and seeing Him in every part of it. Everything I have been reading, secularly and religiously, for the past year probably led to the one thought on Friday afternoon. Simply put, the Bible and the God behind the Bible should come alive for us by reading the Bible just as our favorite characters from good books come alive. I am challenging myself to read this way for the next few weeks so that maybe this will become a habit for me. It definitely makes reading the Bible more enjoyable!

Why I prefer Christian hip-hop over Christian rock

As some of you readers know by now, I spent some time this week at Freedom Experience, which included a Christian hip-hop artist and a Christian rock band. I am not sure that my hearing will ever recover. I did not mind the Christian hip-hop, but I was not a fan of the Christian rock.

I believe that Christian music is most glorifying to God when it is teaching instead of entertaining. I think that music must be entertaining (to an extent) to glorify God because boring music, even if teaching, will not benefit the listener. Talent is also nice, but neither talent nor entertainment is the primary purpose.

Since teaching should be the primary purpose, I also want to point out that it should not take much to teach truth in song. However, the more truth that a song contains, the more potential you have to teach those around you the truth. I think that Christian music is important because it does teach truth to people who do not understand concepts until they sing about them. For example, many children are able to accept the reality of the Trinity as truth because of singing Holy, Holy, Holy as a child ("God in three persons, blessed Trinity"). Although it may be a concept not understood, it can be accepted as truth when it becomes part of the church conversation, even in song.

I think that both Christian hip-hop and Christian rock have the potential to teach through song. However, I think that Christian hip-hop may be a more effective medium to teaching truth through song. First, rap is a lyric driven music form with the beats taking a backseat to the words of the artist. Rappers are gifted at telling stories in a form that is catchy, quick, but packed full of truth. Second, if you listen hard enough, you can understand the rapper (usually without getting a headache). Although it is fast paced, and therefore hard for some people to catch what is said, many Christian rappers are presenting pure truth in a format that is gifted and entertaining. Third, that type of lyrical flow takes pure talent. I believe that it is a God-given talent, and I am pleased to see young men using that talent to glorify God. Fourth, many of the young men who are rappers are going to seminary or involving themselves in intense Bible study so that they can make sure that what they are presenting is true. These men are committed to biblical music and are concerned that their lyrics are true. This shows me that they understand that they can fulfill their purpose of glorifying God best by teaching through music.

I think that I have been listening to the wrong Christian rock bands, and maybe that is why I am not a huge fan of their music. First, I cannot understand them. The instruments are drowning out the lyrics (even the best secular rock bands know the importance of not allowing the instruments to drown out the lyrics!). The screaming instead of singing makes it hard to discern what is said. How can you teach if the audience cannot understand your words? Maybe I have not trained my ears to hear the words in Christian rock as well as I have in Christian rap, but honestly, the screaming gives me a headache. Second, there is a lack of depth in most songs. A song can be deep and filled with truth without many words (Just Give Me Jesus comes to mind - not Christian rock, but just an example of a simple, truth-filled song). Some songs are shallow with a lot of words (including some Christian hip-hop songs). Most Christian rock songs seem to be in the middle (number of words-wise), yet lacking in deep spiritual truths. I will confess that maybe I am missing the deep spiritual truth because I cannot understand what is being said. Third, I am sure that some do, but I do not hear Christian rock artists speaking things that indicate depth in their own spiritual lives. Part of teaching is training others to follow your example in being committed to learning more about God. I hear Christian rock artists talk a lot about experience (although the group this week did not - so this is not a complaint about their presentation), but not enough about the importance of God's word. Finally, most Christian rock artists incorporate very little of God's word into their music. The best way to convey truths about God is to include how God revealed Himself through His word.

I know that people can point to one or more of these points and say "What about ___________, they do not do this or they do that?" I think that the main point that I am trying to make is that Christians should be discerning in choosing music. Just as discernment is required when listening to teaching and preaching, it is required when listening to music. If there is something theologically incorrect in a song, we should train ourselves to catch it. We cannot allow entertainment to excuse us from the duty that all Christians have to discern. If the audience is more discerning, and encouraging musicians to teach truth over entertainment (but while remaining entertaining), then the quality of Christian music, hip-hop, rock, or otherwise, will improve to a level far above what we currently have available to listen to. I encourage believers to be active instead of passive listeners. Hold musicians accountable for what they sing. Encourage those singing truth. Finally, enjoy music because it is a gift from God.

More on yesterday's blog

Last night the pastor prayed for those will be eternally separated from a relationship with God unless they come to a saving knowledge of God. I think that this is correct. Even though persons in hell will be experiencing God's wrath and judgment, they will not have a personal relationship with Him. At least the wording was a step in the right direction!

What Hell is Really Like

Sometimes I hear preachers say things that get me all stirred up inside (in a negative way), and I do not feel better until I have said something about it. Fortunately my blog can be a place for me to express my views in a way that isn't criticizing a person, but a thought. Our church is in revival this week, and the preacher is passionate about the word of God and preaching expository sermons – two things I believe are completely essential for a pastor to be faithful to be faithful to Scripture (there is a place for thematic sermons, but that is another blog post). What this preacher said though that has me bothered came in a prayer he said at the end of his sermon last night. In the prayer he said something to the effect that he did not want anyone present to go to hell and experience eternal separation from God. In fact, that is what many Christians say. They mean well, but they are wrong. There are at least two reasons that it needs to be pointed out that they are wrong. Those in the church need to be careful how things are phrased.

First, hell is not eternal separation from God. Instead, it is being in the eternal presence of God's judgment and wrath. Those in hell no longer are in the presence of God's love, grace and mercy. In this world, the Bible makes it clear that all are in the presence of God's love, grace and mercy. In Matthew, Jesus says that God causes the sun to rise on the just and the unjust. Rain comes for the believer and non-believer. Believers and non-believers may receive food, clothing, and shelter. Believers and non-believers all have the ability to make moral choices. Believers and non-believers have the capacity for thinking and growing in knowledge. There is a restraint that God has placed on all humans that keeps us from being as bad as our sinful hearts desire to be. These are all examples of the love, grace, and mercy of our God. The other side of the loving, gracious, and merciful God is the wrath and judgment that He pours out for sin. In the present world, God restrains from pouring out the full cup of His wrath on the world and from allowing His full judgment to come on the world. We still see examples of His judgment and wrath. Just look all throughout the Old Testament, and we have commentary about periods of God's judgment and wrath during human events such as the flood, the defeat of Egypt, the conquering of the nations in Canaan, the exiles of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel, etc. We even see the judgment and wrath today, although those are not popular subjects to talk about. In this world, it is clear that all humans see both sides of God's nature even if (as Romans says) they suppress the knowledge of God and fail to recognize the works of God.

Once this world ends, and once a person dies, eternity is spent either in heaven or in hell. We know from God's nature that He is love, grace and mercy, but also, because of our sin, He is rightfully full of wrath and judgment on sin. If those in heaven experience the eternal love, grace, and mercy of God, it also follows that those in hell experience the eternal wrath and judgment of God. He is still present, but the justified wrath and judgment are the attributes of God that those in hell will see for eternity. They will not be outside the presence of God. They will just be outside of the blessings of God. Quite frankly, that is a much scarier picture of hell than what is often preached. Those in hell will not believe that what is happening to them is unfair. Instead, they will be consciously aware that they have eternally offended the God of creation who is a holy and righteous God, and they will agree that they should be subjected to eternal punishment. Again, that is a much scarier picture of hell than what is often preached.

The second reason that we should not preach hell as an eternal separation from God should be motivated by our love for sinners. Many (maybe even most) sinners would love nothing more than to be separated from God. It is not a concept that scares them one bit. They have already built up a mental separation from God, and they cannot see how separation from God would be a bad thing. They do not have love for God, so why would it hurt them to be separated from God? They want to be separated from God and His holiness in this life, and the idea of eternal separation from Him in the next makes them feel that they will finally get what they want. They will not be motivated to accept Jesus' sacrifice for their sins because they think that they want nothing to do with God in the first place. The book of Romans makes this clear. Therefore, our love for sinners should motivate us to have the right concept of hell. All men know that there is a God, but they suppress the truth and trade it for a lie. All men know that they are sinners and that their sin is an insult to God. Therefore, it is necessary to explain the truth to them. Hell will not be eternal separation from God. Instead it will be the eternal wrath and judgment of God poured out on sinners. Man cannot get away from God. God's love or God's wrath will follow all men into eternity. If we truly love men, we will not preach hell as they want to hear about it (eternal separation from God), but we will preach hell as it really will be – the eternal pouring out of God's wrath and judgment on sinners.

Now my love for sinners requires me to give a short account of the gospel in case there is someone reading this blog who has not heard the gospel before, and does not want to experience the eternal wrath and judgment of God. God is a holy and righteous God. He requires man to live a completely perfect life and live up to His holiness. Those who cannot live a perfectly holy life are condemned to die an eternal death for their sins. Man was created holy and righteous by God, but man sinned against God. All men sin against God. It is not possible for any man to live a life without sin. Therefore, all men are condemned to experience the eternal wrath and judgment of God. All men are without hope in their own attempts to live up to God's standard. BUT GOD … some of the sweetest words that sinners will hear. But God knew that man would not live up to His standard, and sent Jesus Christ to live up to His righteous standard for us. Jesus was God and was man. As God, He was able to live up to the standard of God. As man, He was able to take our place and die our death as the punishment and judgment for our sins. Believers are able to experience God's eternal love, grace and mercy through eternal life because the judgment fell on Jesus. Sinful man must realize that he is worthy of eternal death, that he has sinned against a holy God, that his sins are filthy compared to the holiness of God, and that his only hope is to put his faith and trust in the life that Christ lived and the death that Christ died. Sinful man must realize that he needs the presence of God in his life in order to enable him to act in the manner that God desires. Sinful man must realize that he needs to surrender his life and actions to the authority of the Most High God. It is more than praying a prayer (although that is where new life often starts), it is living a life alive in Christ, able to do works of righteousness.

I have to admit that I, at one time, would describe hell as eternal separation from God. I really do not know when I came to the realization that hell is much worse than I was representing. I cannot remember a specific sermon or book or passage in the Bible that led me to the proper understanding. I think that my studies of the book of Romans probably played a large part in my clearer understanding. I know that the clearer (although probably not perfect since I am human) understanding of hell has been put in my mind and heart by being faithful to the study of God's word, which the Holy Spirit writes on our minds and hearts. I wish that hell was not as harsh as what I understand it to be, and the scariest thing is that hell is much worse than I can ever imagine. Therefore, I think that we should present it in the strongest language possible while remaining true to God's word. Our love for sinners requires it.

Jesus Messiah

I have this song stuck in my head today ...



At least it is not a bad song to have playing in your head all day!!!