So today I thought I would think about grace and mercy. Here is what Merriam Webster says:
Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.
Mercy: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.
Hmmm. Whatever. I guess I’m not too concerned with what the WORLD thinks about grace and mercy.
So I thought I’d do some Biblical research. The Greek word for grace is caris. “Non-meritorious or unearned favor, an unearned gift, a favor or blessings bestowed as a gift, freely and never as merit for work performed.” OK. . . ?
Mercy as defined or translated from the Greek word eleos (as used in the New Testament) means compassion (divine or human, especially active).
Okey Dokey. I’m really confused now.
So here is what I think. I’ll go with Dr. Milton Jones’ definitions:
Grace is getting something you DON’T DESERVE and
Mercy is NOT getting something you DO DESERVE.
There, now isn’t that better?
And really, isn’t this the whole basis of our Christian faith? Grace is freely given to us by the Lord, when we soooooo don’t deserve it? All we have to do is ask. And mercy. . . oh, there is so much punishment that I DO deserve, for all the things I have done wrong in my life, but JESUS took my punishment for me, He paid my fine, so to speak, in the most horrid/beautiful way ever, taking MY PLACE on a cross.
In today’s world, I guess it would go like this:
I have been found GUILTY and sentenced to die by lethal injection. But all my appeals have been denied, and the governor did not stay my execution. I have just had my last meal, and I have walked down that lonely hall to the last room I will ever live in, with the media is in that little room with the window, and I am strapped in, the IV started, and the lethal dose ready to be injected.
But wait!!!! There is a commotion! MY JESUS is here, and He says, “NO. Get up. Move out. I AM going to take your place.”
“No, no,” I say, “I did it. I deserve this. I have failed.”
“I know, my child. Yes, you did. But I am here to take your place.” And then Jesus takes my place, takes the IV, takes the lethal injection, and DIES for ME, because of what I DID.
So that is mercy. I didn’t get what I did deserve.
But instead, I got His grace, which I didn’t earn and don’t deserve.
Thank You Jesus, thank You. . .
Friday, April 23, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
I Will Rise
I had to work today, for my 2nd job, and it was in a town almost 2 hours away. As I was returning home, I was listening to the Chris Tomlin CD “Hello Love.” The number 5 track is “I Will Rise.” I am sure that most of you have heard it before. It is one of my favorites. But today, as I was singing and thinking about it, I came to realize a couple of things. #1 I am sure that the other drivers on the road think I’m nuts, driving along, singing at the top of my lungs, with my hand waiving in the air! #2 It is possible to have such severe “goose bumps” that it is almost painful. #3 I am particularly drawn to the parts of this song that feature the piano (and I know my friends Daina and Lezlie will get this part).
But #4, I came to realize some things about myself. The Lord has given me a heart filled with love for His people and eyes to see their pain. I have known since I was around 3 years old that I wanted to be a nurse. That is just how God MADE me. But being a nurse is not a JOB for me. It’s part of who I am. And part of the reason I am good at this (and this is not boasting on my part ~ the Lord has done this) is that I really do feel what other people feel. Some people might see this as a negative, and I might actually hurt a little more because of it, but this a GIFT that the Lord has given me. And because of this, the joys I feel in life seem more joyous.
But back to the song. I was thinking of the day when I will rise when He calls my name and I will feel no more sorrow and no more pain. I will rise on eagles’ wings, and before my God I will fall on my knees. . .
But #4, I came to realize some things about myself. The Lord has given me a heart filled with love for His people and eyes to see their pain. I have known since I was around 3 years old that I wanted to be a nurse. That is just how God MADE me. But being a nurse is not a JOB for me. It’s part of who I am. And part of the reason I am good at this (and this is not boasting on my part ~ the Lord has done this) is that I really do feel what other people feel. Some people might see this as a negative, and I might actually hurt a little more because of it, but this a GIFT that the Lord has given me. And because of this, the joys I feel in life seem more joyous.
But back to the song. I was thinking of the day when I will rise when He calls my name and I will feel no more sorrow and no more pain. I will rise on eagles’ wings, and before my God I will fall on my knees. . .
Monday, April 12, 2010
Life is a struggle
“When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”
"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths."
You know who said these things? Arnold Schwarzenegger. Really? The Governator? I think that we ALL have made fun of him at one time or another. I mean really. Who HASN’T said, “I’ll be baack.” OR “It’s not a tooomer.”
But when I was looking up quotes on how life is a struggle, there were the first ones that came up. I guess we all have forgotten what an accomplished body builder he was. Maybe because it’s too easy to make fun of him??
But really, life IS a struggle. And there are days when I just don’t have any fight in me. Days when the pain of life (either literally or figuratively) is just too much. And I know that I am not alone. I have friends that struggle just like I do. I see status updates on Facebook about how life is a constant disappointment and about how people want the sadness or pain to end.
I learned on Sunday Scripture that tells me again that I am God’s treasured possession. But you know what? Sometimes I don’t feel too treasured. When I see my children hurting, when I crash my car into little old ladies, when I see my bank balance going the wrong way, when I have so much physical pain I can’t think. . . I don’t feel very treasured.
But guess what? I AM. I am a beloved child of the King. He has paid my ransom. My treasure is in heaven. My God knows the number of hairs on my head. The Holy Spirit of God lives IN ME. I am not alone.
So when I tend to dwell of the struggles of life, I know that I need to not surrender. I need to stay strong. I need to keep my faith in the One who has plans not to harm me but to prosper me.
After all, He will be baack!!!!!
"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths."
You know who said these things? Arnold Schwarzenegger. Really? The Governator? I think that we ALL have made fun of him at one time or another. I mean really. Who HASN’T said, “I’ll be baack.” OR “It’s not a tooomer.”
But when I was looking up quotes on how life is a struggle, there were the first ones that came up. I guess we all have forgotten what an accomplished body builder he was. Maybe because it’s too easy to make fun of him??
But really, life IS a struggle. And there are days when I just don’t have any fight in me. Days when the pain of life (either literally or figuratively) is just too much. And I know that I am not alone. I have friends that struggle just like I do. I see status updates on Facebook about how life is a constant disappointment and about how people want the sadness or pain to end.
I learned on Sunday Scripture that tells me again that I am God’s treasured possession. But you know what? Sometimes I don’t feel too treasured. When I see my children hurting, when I crash my car into little old ladies, when I see my bank balance going the wrong way, when I have so much physical pain I can’t think. . . I don’t feel very treasured.
But guess what? I AM. I am a beloved child of the King. He has paid my ransom. My treasure is in heaven. My God knows the number of hairs on my head. The Holy Spirit of God lives IN ME. I am not alone.
So when I tend to dwell of the struggles of life, I know that I need to not surrender. I need to stay strong. I need to keep my faith in the One who has plans not to harm me but to prosper me.
After all, He will be baack!!!!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Bethany
Happy Birthday, Beloved Child!
I have known you and loved you since the first little pink plus sign. (You know the one. I still keep it in the drawer in my bathroom.) I can still remember that little fluttery feeling I got in my heart, thinking that you were coming. I remember the amazing feeling of you kicking me, sticking your big ole feet into my ribs. I wondered what you would look like, what kind of personality you would have, and I longed to hold you. Then it happened, in the early morning hours of April 9th, 1993 ~ my water broke! Back to that fluttery feeling in my heart, wondering what it would be like to be in labor and to bring you out into this world. It went by so quickly. Yes, I remember some pain, but there was just this current of excitement. And then you were there! You had these scrawny, long legs and big feet! And the most incredible blue eyes! And you LOOKED at me, and you KNEW me. There was this CONNECTION there. It is hard to explain. OK. Really, I cannot explain it. I don’t really think anyone can. It is just a GIFT from the LORD.
I can remember one night when it was late, and I was tired, and I had just fed you, and I was looking at your fingernails. And I remember so clearly crying, thinking of how PERFECT you were and how GOD had taken the time out of all the problems in the universe to make sure that my baby had perfect fingernails. Every little thing about you was perfect. And it still is.
And then things seemed to go so quickly from there. You sat up, you walked, and man of man, you TALKED!! There really isn’t a word in our pitiful language that explains what you were/are to me. Joy is just not enough. I can remember looking at your gorgeous blue eyes, so filled with wonder and curiosity. I remember your hair was so blonde it was almost white.
And smart! Oh, my gosh you astounded me! I couldn’t believe the things that you learned and how early you did things. If I had a dollar for every book I read you, I could retire a rich woman! And because you were so smart, you weren’t content for me to just READ the words, I had to talk ABOUT the book, making it new every time. I would kind of paraphrase each page and make it different and exciting.
By the time you were 3 or 4, I could tell that you weren’t just smart, you were GIFTED. And as you grew up, our bond just got stronger and stronger. For so many years of your life, it was just the two of us, and we developed something that went a little deeper than what most moms and daughters get. Maybe since it was just us, we learned to lean on each other and we LEARNED each other so well.
There are so many things that stand out in your elementary school years that I was so proud of. I loved to watch you play soccer and then volleyball and to watch you breeze through school like it was nothing. Friendships came so easily to you and everyone loved you, especially your teachers.
When you hit that awkward, preteen, middle school time, I remember feeling so confused. WHERE was my girl? Others would tell me that this was just part of life, that all girls went through this, and to be patient ~ you would return. But it was such a hard time for me.
And little by little, things started to change. I would see little glimpses of my sweet girl. I could see the love you had for your baby sister. I would see you include her when your friends were over. I would see you laughing with friends at church. And then you just seemed to grow up. I don’t know WHEN it happened, but it just seemed to be DONE.
And what you turned out to be is this wonderful, sweet, kind-hearted young woman! Once again, our pitiful language fails, and PROUD just isn’t enough. LOVE just isn’t enough. When I see you volunteering with church, when I see you helping the homeless, when I see your heart soften when you look at a little old lady, when I see how you treat handicapped people, and when I see the tears glisten in your eyes and your heart overflow with love when someone you love is hurting ~ ~ I know that my job is done. With the help of the Good Lord, you have become a caring, feeling, empathetic, loving young woman, and there is no greater accomplishment than that.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." A new command I give you: Love one another. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I know that life is difficult, and there will be many times when you are faced with challenges and struggles and pain. It will not be an easy road. But it is my solemn promise to you to always walk it with you, loving you, supporting you, and praying for you.
And when I think of who you are and who you have become, I think “well done.” And I get that little fluttery feeling in my heart.
I have known you and loved you since the first little pink plus sign. (You know the one. I still keep it in the drawer in my bathroom.) I can still remember that little fluttery feeling I got in my heart, thinking that you were coming. I remember the amazing feeling of you kicking me, sticking your big ole feet into my ribs. I wondered what you would look like, what kind of personality you would have, and I longed to hold you. Then it happened, in the early morning hours of April 9th, 1993 ~ my water broke! Back to that fluttery feeling in my heart, wondering what it would be like to be in labor and to bring you out into this world. It went by so quickly. Yes, I remember some pain, but there was just this current of excitement. And then you were there! You had these scrawny, long legs and big feet! And the most incredible blue eyes! And you LOOKED at me, and you KNEW me. There was this CONNECTION there. It is hard to explain. OK. Really, I cannot explain it. I don’t really think anyone can. It is just a GIFT from the LORD.
I can remember one night when it was late, and I was tired, and I had just fed you, and I was looking at your fingernails. And I remember so clearly crying, thinking of how PERFECT you were and how GOD had taken the time out of all the problems in the universe to make sure that my baby had perfect fingernails. Every little thing about you was perfect. And it still is.
And then things seemed to go so quickly from there. You sat up, you walked, and man of man, you TALKED!! There really isn’t a word in our pitiful language that explains what you were/are to me. Joy is just not enough. I can remember looking at your gorgeous blue eyes, so filled with wonder and curiosity. I remember your hair was so blonde it was almost white.
And smart! Oh, my gosh you astounded me! I couldn’t believe the things that you learned and how early you did things. If I had a dollar for every book I read you, I could retire a rich woman! And because you were so smart, you weren’t content for me to just READ the words, I had to talk ABOUT the book, making it new every time. I would kind of paraphrase each page and make it different and exciting.
By the time you were 3 or 4, I could tell that you weren’t just smart, you were GIFTED. And as you grew up, our bond just got stronger and stronger. For so many years of your life, it was just the two of us, and we developed something that went a little deeper than what most moms and daughters get. Maybe since it was just us, we learned to lean on each other and we LEARNED each other so well.
There are so many things that stand out in your elementary school years that I was so proud of. I loved to watch you play soccer and then volleyball and to watch you breeze through school like it was nothing. Friendships came so easily to you and everyone loved you, especially your teachers.
When you hit that awkward, preteen, middle school time, I remember feeling so confused. WHERE was my girl? Others would tell me that this was just part of life, that all girls went through this, and to be patient ~ you would return. But it was such a hard time for me.
And little by little, things started to change. I would see little glimpses of my sweet girl. I could see the love you had for your baby sister. I would see you include her when your friends were over. I would see you laughing with friends at church. And then you just seemed to grow up. I don’t know WHEN it happened, but it just seemed to be DONE.
And what you turned out to be is this wonderful, sweet, kind-hearted young woman! Once again, our pitiful language fails, and PROUD just isn’t enough. LOVE just isn’t enough. When I see you volunteering with church, when I see you helping the homeless, when I see your heart soften when you look at a little old lady, when I see how you treat handicapped people, and when I see the tears glisten in your eyes and your heart overflow with love when someone you love is hurting ~ ~ I know that my job is done. With the help of the Good Lord, you have become a caring, feeling, empathetic, loving young woman, and there is no greater accomplishment than that.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." A new command I give you: Love one another. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I know that life is difficult, and there will be many times when you are faced with challenges and struggles and pain. It will not be an easy road. But it is my solemn promise to you to always walk it with you, loving you, supporting you, and praying for you.
And when I think of who you are and who you have become, I think “well done.” And I get that little fluttery feeling in my heart.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Today, I am celebrating the birth of my beloved mother, LoRee. To say that I have been blessed to have her in my life is a supreme understatement. I am so blessed to have my mother be my best friend. She is the one I want to talk to every day. She is the one I want to go to the movies with. She is the one I want to go to dinner with. She is the one I want to take trips with. And I get the blessing of doing these things OFTEN with her!
Every now and then, I talk to someone who doesn't have a good relationship with their mom, and I feel so sorry for them. I just can't imagine it. My Mom had a great relationship with my Grandma Fretia, and I have a great relationship with my daughters. I guess it's just a family thing ~ this friendship between mother and daughter. And I count it one of God's GREATEST blessings.
My Mom would not think so, but she is a very smart woman. She has traveled extensively and she has read more than any person I know. She knows so much about cultures and different countries. She has also seen more movies than anyone I know. Now I don't think I'd ask for her help with "cyphering" though! She and Jethro aren't so great at that! But she can be on my team for Trivial Pursuit!
My Mother is also a great example of what a wife should be. She is a great companion to my Dad. She has loved him and supported him and kept his home for almost 52 years.
She is also a WONDERFUL Nanny to her 5 grandchildren. The love my girls have for her is something wonderful to see. I am so very glad that they have her in their lives. She is always there for them, willing to drop anything to be there for them.
Now some might say that she has a little, tiny bit of a tendency to be crabby. . . well. . .that could be. . . but I love her more than my luggage! I wrote a poem for her years ago saying I hoped I lived to be 70 and her 94. . . but now I'm thinking that won't be long enough! I hope the Lord blesses me (and my family) with her for even longer than that.
I hope that you have had (or get to have) the pleasure of knowing my Mom. She will make you laugh, and you will be able to see LOVE coming from her.
And isn't that what life is all about?
I love you, Mom, and thank God for you!
Every now and then, I talk to someone who doesn't have a good relationship with their mom, and I feel so sorry for them. I just can't imagine it. My Mom had a great relationship with my Grandma Fretia, and I have a great relationship with my daughters. I guess it's just a family thing ~ this friendship between mother and daughter. And I count it one of God's GREATEST blessings.
My Mom would not think so, but she is a very smart woman. She has traveled extensively and she has read more than any person I know. She knows so much about cultures and different countries. She has also seen more movies than anyone I know. Now I don't think I'd ask for her help with "cyphering" though! She and Jethro aren't so great at that! But she can be on my team for Trivial Pursuit!
My Mother is also a great example of what a wife should be. She is a great companion to my Dad. She has loved him and supported him and kept his home for almost 52 years.
She is also a WONDERFUL Nanny to her 5 grandchildren. The love my girls have for her is something wonderful to see. I am so very glad that they have her in their lives. She is always there for them, willing to drop anything to be there for them.
Now some might say that she has a little, tiny bit of a tendency to be crabby. . . well. . .that could be. . . but I love her more than my luggage! I wrote a poem for her years ago saying I hoped I lived to be 70 and her 94. . . but now I'm thinking that won't be long enough! I hope the Lord blesses me (and my family) with her for even longer than that.
I hope that you have had (or get to have) the pleasure of knowing my Mom. She will make you laugh, and you will be able to see LOVE coming from her.
And isn't that what life is all about?
I love you, Mom, and thank God for you!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
He is RISEN!!
There is something magical about this time of year. And no, I don't mean bunnies who bring lots of chocolates and colored eggs. It's a magical time of year when Christians all over the world think of the astounding sacrifice our sweet Jesus made for us. And it's magical time of year when people who normally sleep in on Sundays drag out of bed, dress up and GO to church!
On Friday, I went to my church and went through a dramatazation called the Stations of the Cross. It is a depiction of the likely last hours of Christ. Our particular church provides a little booklet that Scripture references and suggested prayers to think on as you go from place to place.
The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:
1.Jesus is condemned to death
2.Jesus is given his cross
3.Jesus falls the first time
4.Jesus meets His Mother
5.Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
6.Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7.Jesus falls the second time
8.Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
9.Jesus falls the third time
10.Jesus is stripped of His garments
11.Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12.Jesus dies on the cross
13.Jesus' body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
14.Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
As I went from place to place, I will admit that some of them touched me more than others. #4 when Jesus meets His mother is especially touching for me. As a mother, we never want to see our children suffer. I can not even begin to imagine the anguish that Mary felt, seeing her CHILD punished this way. Yes, I know she understood that He was her Lord and Savior. But you know, this was her CHILD. The baby that she delivered herself, that she nursed at her breast, that she watched take His first steps. And to watch Him make that journey to that Cross. . . man, I just can't imagine.
I also personally struggle with the specific aspects of the Crucifixion. A former minister spoke once on what likely happened to His body, in a very physical way, as far as dislocations of His shoulders and hypovolemic shock. As an RN, this really touched me. And so whenever I see a representation of Christ's crucifixion, I can't help but think on the specifics. And it hurts my heart.
But you know what? It is SUPPOSED to hurt my heart. I am SUPPOSED to think on the sacrifice that was made for MY sins. I am SUPPOSED to think of how He lived a perfect, sinless life and took the most horrible, severe form of punishment known to man, in MY PLACE. So my heart has been heavy in the last 2 days, dwelling on these things.
BUT TOMORROW!!!!! Oh, wow! TOMORROW will be a CELEBRATION! Tomorrow we will read about and study what happened next! The stone was rolled away and the TOMB WAS EMPTY! Because our gracious God had already RAISED OUR JESUS FROM THE DEAD!!!! He now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us! Hallelujah!!
So I am so excited about tomorrow, thinking on the wonderful, MAGICAL time I will have in my beloved church home, sitting next to my MAN, sharing in the Lord's Supper, and celebrating the wonder of God's perfect plan. . . for my salvation . . through the tortured blood of Christ Jesus. . . my Savior!!!
THANK YOU, LORD
On Friday, I went to my church and went through a dramatazation called the Stations of the Cross. It is a depiction of the likely last hours of Christ. Our particular church provides a little booklet that Scripture references and suggested prayers to think on as you go from place to place.
The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes:
1.Jesus is condemned to death
2.Jesus is given his cross
3.Jesus falls the first time
4.Jesus meets His Mother
5.Simon of Cyrene carries the cross
6.Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7.Jesus falls the second time
8.Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
9.Jesus falls the third time
10.Jesus is stripped of His garments
11.Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12.Jesus dies on the cross
13.Jesus' body is removed from the cross (Deposition or Lamentation)
14.Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense.
As I went from place to place, I will admit that some of them touched me more than others. #4 when Jesus meets His mother is especially touching for me. As a mother, we never want to see our children suffer. I can not even begin to imagine the anguish that Mary felt, seeing her CHILD punished this way. Yes, I know she understood that He was her Lord and Savior. But you know, this was her CHILD. The baby that she delivered herself, that she nursed at her breast, that she watched take His first steps. And to watch Him make that journey to that Cross. . . man, I just can't imagine.
I also personally struggle with the specific aspects of the Crucifixion. A former minister spoke once on what likely happened to His body, in a very physical way, as far as dislocations of His shoulders and hypovolemic shock. As an RN, this really touched me. And so whenever I see a representation of Christ's crucifixion, I can't help but think on the specifics. And it hurts my heart.
But you know what? It is SUPPOSED to hurt my heart. I am SUPPOSED to think on the sacrifice that was made for MY sins. I am SUPPOSED to think of how He lived a perfect, sinless life and took the most horrible, severe form of punishment known to man, in MY PLACE. So my heart has been heavy in the last 2 days, dwelling on these things.
BUT TOMORROW!!!!! Oh, wow! TOMORROW will be a CELEBRATION! Tomorrow we will read about and study what happened next! The stone was rolled away and the TOMB WAS EMPTY! Because our gracious God had already RAISED OUR JESUS FROM THE DEAD!!!! He now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us! Hallelujah!!
So I am so excited about tomorrow, thinking on the wonderful, MAGICAL time I will have in my beloved church home, sitting next to my MAN, sharing in the Lord's Supper, and celebrating the wonder of God's perfect plan. . . for my salvation . . through the tortured blood of Christ Jesus. . . my Savior!!!
THANK YOU, LORD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)