Holiness

I've been thinking about the song by Sonic Flood called, "Holiness." Lately I've been coming into contact with people - well-meaning people - who are a little off track. They want to do this or that good thing, but they have hidden reasons for their actions. Private agendas. A personal benefit of some sort for the good that they are doing. I confess, I've even seen the tendency in myself. I think it's easy to rationalize the goodness of the act, but in doing so, we're really lying to ourselves.

The song has been playing in my head over and over as I am praying this evening. It says, " Holiness is what I long for; holiness is what I need. Holiness is what You want for me." I always change the word "want" for the word "ask." I think holiness is a choice

By Grace

I have a guest post, today from Maria Morgan about a great new site that I'm enjoying myself.

Staying connected with family and friends is easier than ever. Social networking sites have made it ultra simple to keep up with all the latest news and important information. I have to admit I was a bit leery of Facebook when it first got started back in 2004. But a couple years ago, I couldn’t resist my Mom’s invitation to be her Facebook ‘friend’, and I have to say, I’ve enjoyed the chance to interact with friends on a regular basis and connect with people I wouldn’t have

The One and Done Boys

I just have to post about the NBA playoff game that I just witnessed. This game was just full of lessons. A minister could make a month full of sermons on this!

1st Jason Terry - Jason was unashamed to give glory to God not only for this win, but for the last two wins as well. Even during losses, Terry showed a Godly attitude, maintaining calm. His reputation was obvious during the first game of the series when he lost his temper in a rare episode. The announcers honed in on it with shock because they had so very rarely witnessed it before. JET deserved the player of the game award that he received tonight.
Romans 1:16

2nd Mark Cuban - Mark makes some really stupid statements once in a while. He is, by far, less than perfect besides his brilliance in making money. Still, this man is like so many of us, just struggling to do his best, amidst a multitude of mistakes - IE: normal, fallen. He hit a homerun after the game tonight. It was pure class and I was so delighted to see Don Carter there, getting to share in the credit of the team he built.
Phil 3:12-14

3rd Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk didn't play his best tonight. He struggled throughout the entire first half, but gave credit to his team since he wasn't in a rhythm. "They carried me," he said. How like the Body of Christ, where one person or group will fill in where another person or group is fading. In fact, during the third quarter, 3 men from the bench played almost the entire time, maintaining the lead and allowing the stars a much needed rest, so they could then push through to the end.
Romans 12:4-5

4th Jason Kidd - Jason, at 38 years old is the oldest player ever to start in the NBA Finals next to Kareem Abdul Jabar. With amazing experience, he has the wisdom that comes with his age. After the cockiness that was displayed from opposing teams, he could have done an "in yo face" type of thing, but instead he made a point to compliment the HEAT for an amazing battle. His interview comment echoed some of the personal "private" comments that he made to some of the Miami players, just proving his integrity. He didn't just give lip service to the opposition because it looked good on camera. He sincerely applauded them both on camera and "off." There is much to be said for a man in such a position who exemplifies such a humble attitude.
Phil. 2:5-11

"This is a group of castaways and now they're champions" is what Mark Jackson, one of the game announcers, said. So let me draw a few conclusions:

1. The NBA world considered these players to be near the bottom of the barrel. (I really did find that hard to believe, but with Jackson's comments and the perpetual underdog image that the media gave them for the past 2 months, I guess I should start accepting that fact.) 
2. The team itself accepted the championship with all humility, making a point to give away credit instead of glorying in their own achievements.
3. The players of this team recognize their inability to carry the team alone and are stronger for it.

Not to say that the Miami Heat or any other team is less than honorable, but isn't it sweet when the righteous prevail???

Weekend-spiration - Worship and Maverick Basketball?

I can find myself all over this cartoon by Gary Larson! I'm the geek in the skirt (without the beard!) who misunderstood the directions - again! I'm also the appalled woman standing next to the geek with her mouth hanging open at the audacity of the man to show up at a formal event dressed so shamefully! I'm even Jacob the Stutterer, who's so stinkin' excited to get out the news that he double clutches every other word.

This cartoon just delights the tar out of me!

As I look at it, though, the actions of the people with the branches aren't so unlike the actions of the guy in the skirt - well ... except for the skirt and the belly hanging out over it. The people that gathered on that amazing day when Jesus came back to Jerusalem were cheering him on.  It was an ancient parade, for pity's sake.  I liken it to our reaction to a rock star or even the enthusiasm of a sports event. 

Seriously, when was the last time you cheered at a sports event?  Mavs won!  Even from our living room I was hollering and I bet they heard me down at the Triple A! Yelling at sports is nothing new for me. I made myself hoarse at my boy's football games when he was in high school. He really wished I had been hoarse before I arrived, but I told him I would just buy a loud, obnoxious bell if that happened.

Next question: when was the last time you cheered at church?

Was that a cricket?

I'm not pointing fingers! On the contrary, I wish I was bold enough to act on the excitement I feel sometimes during worship, but my church just isn't big enough to cover my embarrassment if I started whooping. I'd rather just sit in the back and be as inconspicuous as possible. Shame on me!

I'm not sure the guy in the picture has the wrong idea at all!

What are your thoughts? Are you uninhibited when you worship corporately or would such emotion make you uncomfortable?

Character Flaw: Anxiety Attacking

I am not a worry wart. No really. I grew up with a worrier and, although at times I feel it creeping up on me, I avoid worry and all the stress it entails. Do I sound like I'm in denial?


Seriously, I have learned to go soundly to sleep even when my son is out and about. I can set aside my imaginary tragedies when my girls are spending the night somewhere. I have even been known to cast off the frustrations of my sweet hubby about his various jobs - well, sometimes!

I realized, though, that this is just training. The more I practice peace through the midst of daily days, the better I will live in peace when something really does happen. (But I'm not asking for an exam at this point, Lord!)

My goofy boy

I had a situation that put me to the test a couple of years ago. In the middle of hosting a scrap-booking retreat, I got a call from my sweet hubby. A Sunday morning call, during church hours when his plate was always totally full, alerted me that something was up.

My son was on a mission trip to Honduras, with a week there and a week to go. All my hubby had to say was "I got an email from the mission people" and I burst into tears. So much for training!


It ended up okay. (Isn't it always easier to look back on worry issues than to live through them?) Even though there had been a military coup, the kids had all gotten back safely, albeit early, but the whole event and the pins and needles that I sat on for 3 days waiting to hear from my boy were eye-opening and revealed a flaw in my character that I really thought I had under control. The truth slapped me up side the head; I am a worry wart! I don't practice it daily, but I don't prepare to avoid it as well as I should.

I don't look like a worry wart, but it's what goes on inside that truly reveals the character.  That is the place where I need to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and choose not to entertain even the imaginings of tragedy. Meanwhile, I work on the daily practice and pray for the safety and health of my kids and sweet hubby, then set them back in my Father's hands where they belong.

I don't pretend anymore that I'm not a worrier. That's a lack of faith that even the disciples experienced, but I will persevere with my training and put my hope in Him that whenever a peace-requiring situation does arise, I will have what I need to give Him honor through it.

Are you a closet worry wart, too?  Don't let me think I'm the only one!  What would you tell this worry wart?

Holiness

I've been thinking about the song by Sonic Flood called, "Holiness." Lately I've been coming into contact with people - well-meaning people - who are a little off track. They want to do this or that good thing, but they have hidden reasons for their actions. Private agendas. A personal benefit of some sort for the good that they are doing. I confess, I've even seen the tendency in myself. I think it's easy to rationalize the goodness of the act, but in doing so, we're really lying to ourselves.

The song has been playing in my head over and over as I am praying this evening. It says, " Holiness is what I long for; holiness is what I need. Holiness is what You want for me." I always change the word "want" for the word "ask." I think holiness is a choice that we make - with every choice that we make! Rationalizing our choices because they're no big deal or that they don't really matter in the big picture is wrong because our practice of poor choosing DOES hurt the big picture. If we don't choose holiness in the small things, what makes us think we will choose it when the matter is really important, or the stakes are really high? What makes us think we'll choose the high road when the pressure is on to short cut?

As I'm writing, I'm noticing my living room. In a homeschooling family, the living room is TRULY LIVED IN! I notice the scratches on the wall where the loveseat used to sit hiding them. Really need to paint this room. And there is dust up high where I took down a swag that had been up there since we moved in. Surely I can find something long enough to get that down. And my sweet twins vacuumed for me today. Yep, there's a piece of popcorn under the treadmill, and another crumb at my feet. A couple of pieces of paper are under a little table they didn't move and something black, but it's not moving, thank goodness, is in front of the tv.

My Lord could certainly do that with my life, as well; "yes, you've hit the high points, but then there's this. And this is really not up to my standards. While you're at it, you might try doing this a little better." Thank Him that He doesn't, though! The holiness He wants me to have - to do - is FOR MY BENEFIT. Just like I want my kids to make and learn from their mistakes now, while they're young, when the mistakes aren't as crucial. He wants me to develop holiness because of what it will do for me.

The bottom line is, He already sees me as holy because of Christ's blood.

That doesn't get me off the hook, though. His Word says, "Be holy, as I am holy." It's not a matter of my salvation - that's already bought and paid for. Holiness is an element adding to the joy that I can ENjoy living in this terribly unholy place until I can experience the fulness of the joy of being with Him. Every decision I make to honor God in my daily life develops this holiness and all the fruits that go with it - patience to wait for His timing instead of pushing through on my own, peace that He's got everything under control in the midst of the daily grinds, confidence and satisfaction from knowing I obeyed Him, the gentleness and humility of practice to submit to Him, not to mention the joy that wraps it all up. Just like daily workouts can benefit our muscles and stress levels, daily submission to His will builds up the benefits listed and will ultimately create in us an attitude of holiness.