GRACE

There is a standard, whether we want to accept it or not.  This is an absolute truth, whether we want to accept it or not.

Each person has a standard upon which he/she measures everything. There is a standard by which we determine if a sunset is pretty.  A standard by which we determine if a meal or cup of coffee is good. A standard by which we determine if a person is worth making friends with… if an act is acceptable… if someone is doing a good job.  There is a standard we measure everything by.

Where did our standards come from? What made us choose the standards we use?  The ultimate standard, of course, is God’s standard.  His holiness.  We are made in His image, and so I believe, they are instinctually created in us as we’re being knitted together in our mother’s womb.  Everything - from the smallest insignificant thing to the biggest most life/culture/humanity changing thing - either meets the standard or falls short.  Everything. Everyone.  No matter how much effort is put forth to make it, either the mark is hit, or it’s not.  Pass or Fail.  And God’s standard is one which no human can ever pass. Ever.

But for GRACE.

Do consequences exist? Yes. They have to. It’s a law of nature; a law of God.  For every action there is a reaction.  Some consequences are immediate, some take years or decades.  Some are unnoticed.  Some bring positive change.  Still other consequences bring lasting and even permanent devastation.

But for GRACE.  

But we say, what about justice?  What about bad people getting punished?  First, whether you believe it or not, there will be a day of reckoning.  There will be a day of judgment – for the living and the dead.  Each and every human will face that day.  But like many, I want to see the bad guy get it in the end.  I want to see Hitler burning in hell or pedophiles, mass murders and child abusers.  Now, I probably wouldn’t wish “burning for all eternity” on a family member of friend that betrayed me, or the client who never paid their bill, or the guy who cut me off on the freeway or took the parking spot I clearly was waiting for - with my blinker on. However, at the least, I might wish them a bad day.  We all want justice.

In the scope of daily living, if we're honest, don’t we all deserve justice? Don’t we deserve justice for things we said, things we did or didn’t do (knowingly or unknowingly)… even for things we’ve thought?

Whose standard determines that justice we feel people deserve?  Who’s to say that when I told a lie, or made fun of that different kid or disregarded the feelings of a friend… who’s to say that on some level I didn’t cause “death” or “destruction” in that person’s life? I certainly did cause harm.   (Yes, I understand there is a difference between a making fun of someone and sadistically mass murdering people.)

But for GRACE.

Grace does not negate justice.  It does not remove consequences.  Grace does not condone or accept wrong behavior.  True Grace always comes with Truth, and truth reveals wrong. Truth sets us free.

True Grace is not getting what we really deserve. True Grace is the ability to keep moving forward.  True Grace overcomes.  True Grace is the “hand” that picks us up when we’ve fallen, dusts us off and nudges us forward on the path of life again.  Grace sees the hurt, wipes the tears, holds us tight, brings healing and gives us strength to move past it.  Grace says – that hurt me, your behavior was wrong but you are important to me and I love you.  There are no strings attached.  Grace is a gift given ~ by us and by God.

With that Grace, the Truth allows the consequences to remain, for justice to be served, the lesson to be learned.  Grace and Truth say I saw what you did, you will feel its results, but now I’m giving you a “do over” – but don’t do it again.   The utter exquisite beauty of God’s Grace and Truth is that He knows us;  He sees into our hearts and He give us multiple “do overs.”

I’m not sure which is worse… to withhold Grace or to not accept it when freely given.

We ALL need Grace… we can’t survive without it.  Maybe we shouldn’t be so focused on justice. Maybe we shouldn’t be focused on getting what we think we deserve.  Maybe we should not be focused on “what’s in it for me.” 

Grace is the bridge. It breaks down any barrier.

Let’s extend more Grace.

Let’s accept the Grace given.

Our life depends on it.

Missing My Old Life

Sometimes I wish I had never left Los Angeles or my life there. It was a good life. A blessed life.  I had a great apartment that I loved, a fun secure job in the entertainment biz that I've always been passionate about with some of the best co-workers who remain great close friends; the money was good w/full benefits. My sister lived 2 doors down in my building; the first time we’d lived “together” since she was 3 and we were able solidify as iron our bond as sisters and friends. I had the most amazing mentors/Bible study teachers who included and involved me in their ministry and I attended some wonderful churches. My friends were/are bonded to me for life… not to mention it was Los Angeles! Hollywood! Stars, sites, food, entertainment, beaches, snow, mountains, shopping, perfect weather year ‘round… San Diego to the south and San Fran to the north! It was certainly not without difficulties – I was profoundly lonely, I was literally across the country from my family with whom I am intricately bound, I went through a terrible accident and walked with my sister through 2 extremely difficult surgeries… Life in Los Angeles – the longest I had lived anywhere my entire existence – was a really good life.  I miss my adopted family there, my apartment, my job, my mentors & Bible Study – I miss California.

Yet at the same time, I can’t imagine my life being anywhere but here, right where it is now… struggling to stay afloat amongst so many unknowns and so many new experiences (surroundings, people, and culture) - in New England.  I’m still newly married (just 2 years down) and our entire relationship has been topsy-turvy… Finding each other as we enter middle age, dating began long distance (LA/Afghanistan then LA/KS then LA/Iraq). I moved to Kansas, and symptoms that began in Iraq became a full blown life changing injury. We married and the injury turned into disability that carried with it a myriad other medical issues & PTSD for my husband. Those in turn generated a 2 ½ year battle with surgery, doctors, new diagnosis, specialists, dealing with his Command and the bureaucracy of being medically retired from the military… Finally culminating in returning to his “home”… to his children here in New England.

I can see why the West was settled, as life in the middle of the country (Kansas) was HARD! And it was no different for me, for us.  But how surprising, yet typical of God to bring forth beauty in the mess.  In the midst of all the chaos and pain and struggle that surrounded us in Kansas, we were blessed beyond measure! We had a great apartment, I had a good job, with amazing co-workers… found a precious mentor, a wonderful church literally around the corner and my husband even attended with me for a short time. The pastor took us under his wing, extending friendship to my husband who’d never had that kind or friendship before… and two fantastic women became my lifeline. One who paved the way for my move to Kansas and encouraged me at just the right moments throughout my time there… the other was (and is) walking a very similar path with her husband and so we are sisters bonded in Christ and as battle buddies. She holds me up continuously and I am grateful. We had the Hill family who are our adopted family having gone through deployments together, births, weddings, vacations… My husband and I began our life together there, we were able to have the boys out to visit several times… we created a little garden oasis on our back patio… had favorite restaurants that delivered… Life was good in Kansas.  Life was blessed.  I miss life there, too.

A new chapter has begun now in New England… we’re getting settled… there are a lot of adjustments. I’m learning to be a full-time caregiver… my husband is learning to live with his new disabilities… learning to be husband/wife within these new roles & boundaries… my husband is re-adjusting to having his amazing boys in his life again and I’m learning to be around kids regularly and being a stepmother for the first time.  So much is still unknown… so much is still being tossed about in the blender of circumstance and we have a ways yet before the dust settles. Many unanswered questions remain yet, needs are being met, pieces are falling into place. We have a comfortable place to live… I hope to start a business from home… we love our time with the boys…I can't imagine life any other way. Life is good. Life is blessed.

The leaves are changing; the air is crisp… all the stunning colors of fall that New England is famous for are bursting onto the scene… God’s design never ceases to amaze and fascinate me! The seasons each year are a reflection of the seasons of life… not only as an entire life span, but even a reflection of a few years’ time.

The seasons are a living example of our lives right now… Kansas literally and figuratively took us through some arid, scorching hot, tornado prone summers, hard bitter cold winters yet sprinkled and drenched with moments of spring flowers... of new life. Our recent move to New England corresponds with fall – beautiful bursts of color and beauty mixed with all the unknowns and chaos, the dropping off of our old life; the dropping off of what was familiar and safe.  And we've got winter yet to endure… I'm prayerful that it will be a mild winter and not too bitter or harsh…

From time to time, I do miss my life in California, my life in Kansas and all the precious people and wonderful things I left behind…

But we are on the road… we are moving forward… we are together. Life is good. Life is blessed… Spring WILL be on the way!  Bringing with it new beginnings... new life!

• For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 1:5)
• Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
• And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
• Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
• You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

It's Raining

It's been raining both literally and figuratively A LOT the last couple months... But even in the grumbling and complaining... even in the "if I had a preference... I choose sun" moments... I am GLAD for rain... for ALL the growth and healing and renewal it can bring... BE ENCOURAGED! ~~ Laurie

Do you like the rain? As I write this, the rain is pouring down. I've looked out the window for sightings of cats and dogs, but I've only seen raindrops!

We tend to not like rain very much. It gets in the way of our obsession with comfort. Rain gets in the way of the comfort of a dry day. Rain gets in the way of the comfort of nicely coiffed hair. Rain gets in the way of dry shoes and pressed clothes. It makes outdoor entertainment and activities difficult.

Few of us look out the window on a rainy day and say, "What a great day!" But that's exactly what God's people in the Old Testament did. When you're living in desert-like places, a rainy day is a good day.

In the Bible, rain is often used as a metaphor for blessing. The Bible talks about blessings raining down on us. Perhaps there's a connection between the way we tend to respond to rain and the way we tend to respond to blessing.

God blesses us in surprising ways, ways that don't always seem like blessing. He sends the rain of difficulty, not because He doesn't love us, but because He does, and He’s calling us beyond ourselves to find new and deeper hope in Him.  (emphasis mine)

He sends the rain of an honest friend to confront us with the need for growth, because He wants to bless us with maturity. He sends the rain of failure, so that we’ll get our identity from Him and not from our achievement. He sends the rain of want, so that we’ll grow in faith and courage. All of these things are blessings of His love, but we tend to not see them as blessings. In fact, in the moments when we’re experiencing these things we’re often tempted to question God's love.

How about looking out your window and thanking God for the rain. And how about asking Him to give you eyes to see the surprising blessings He’ll rain down on you because He loves you.

May God rain his blessings on you until you are sopping wet!

God bless

Paul David Tripp

Climbing...

My life's journey is like rock climbing...

My ability and training allow me to climb well for the most part. However, Christ is my guide, my leader, in whom I follow behind and am tethered.

Naturally there are easy sections of the mountain where we cover a lot of ground easily, at a good pace, singing, talking. Other sections are a bit harder, so we're focused, concentrating - on occasion in our own zones. Still other sections are extremely dangerous and highly difficult. It's at these sections where just being tethered to Christ is not enough. At these sections it is impossible to get through without holding fast to Christ's hand!

The past few years, we've been working through a very difficult section of the mountain. We've gotten so high that we are enveloped in thick clouds... my view is very limited, at times I'm unable to see at all. Strangely there are these enormous flocks of birds and helicopters and planes circling so the noise is just insane.  I've lost my grip on Christs hand. I'm reaching for it... with the clouds I can't see and the noise is drowning out His voice. I'm beginning to panic... I can't see His hand.  I can't feel His hand. I can't hear His voice. I know He's there, I'm tethered to Him and the tether can never be severed. I know I am safe.  I know all is and will be well - regardless of this blind and deaf spot.  I've just lost my hold... I need to get it back in order to get through this section.

Guess it's like Peter (and the other disciples) when crossing the Sea of Galilee, a storm was brewing and suddenly Jesus is beside the boat. Peter is panicking - so He asks Peter to step out and come to Him... Peter does so. Peter is walking on water!... But then, he gets distracted by what's happening around him and loses sight of Jesus. He begins to sink... Jesus is still there, never left, telling Peter to stay focused to look at Him... but, Peter is still flailing - maybe he was sinking too much to focus, could only manage to concentrate on not drowning... so Jesus reaches out and pulls Peter to safety.

I'm distracted by all that's happening in my life right now. I'm sinking... I need to be pulled to safety, now...  ME OF LITTLE FAITH. Father, I believe... just help me with my unbelief. Help me grab hold again... Clear the clouds, let me see... Silence the noise so I can hear...

The good news is... He will.

Matthew 14:22...Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 

4 Work Habits That Are Making You Sick (& How to Stop Them)

Eating lunch at your desk, never taking a day off - these good-girl practices are actually bad for you, experts say.  Here's how to do better!

Scary but true: A batch of new research shows that the little routines women think make us superstar employees are actually risky for our health, says David Ballard, Psy.D., of the American Psychological Association.  

Please - break these four habits immediately!

1. SHOWING UP SICK

It has a name - presenteeism - and experts say it's an epidemic among women.  "We tend to say, 'Getting the job done is the most important thing. So I'll just ignore that I'm feeling like crap,'" says Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., author of A Happy You.  But pushing through an illness just means you may be sicker longer.  And never head to the office if you're running a fever or felling achy, "both signs that you may be contagious," says Saundra Dalton-Smith, M.D., an internist in Anniston, Alabama.

2. SITTING STILL ALL DAY

Did you know that you burn an average of 124 fewer calories on the job every day than a woman in the 1960's would have?  Work just isn't as active. And staying glued to your chair all day is a recipe for health disaster.  It can lead to weight gain and raises your risk for heart disease and diabetes.  Try walking to coworkers' desks instead of emailing, suggests Toni Yancey, M.D., a health professor at UCLA. (And if it's 6:00 PM and you haven't moved since morning, consider some gym time on the way home.)

3. EATING AT YOUR DESK (my biggie, laurie)

In a recent study, people who were told to use a computer during lunch not only had trouble remembering what they'd eaten, but actually ended up eating about 125 calories more later in the day than those who didn't work through lunch. "If you don't pay attention to a meal, it's almost like it never happened," says Lisa R. Young, Ph.D., author of The Portion Teller Plan.  Don' let lunch amnesia happen to you!  Run outside to get something - or at least take 15 minutes to savor that sandwich.

4. BEING TOO PLUGGED IN

Fielding calls and emails after hours is more stressful to women than men, research shows, because we feel guiltier about being out of the office. Set boundaries about how much you'll be available.  "Otherwise, collegaues will note that you will email back at 9:00 P.M.," say Jessica LeRoy, clinical director of the Center for the Psychology of Women in L.A. "If you must write an email at night, consider saving it, and hit 'send' in the A.M.  

-  published in Sept 2011 Glamour Magazine by Nicci Micco

Care Less

Recently someone I love was extremely hurt, even felt betrayed by something I did. What I did was a general action. It was not directed toward this person or any persons. The relationship is restored, but a little strained at the moment.  I'm confident things will be back to normal soon. They always are as we love each other and always will... But in a closing statement this person said "I've learned, again, not to care so much."

I know that feeling well. Have uttered those words repeatedly through my life and have heard it uttered by many others.

But I got to thinking...  what an astronomically selfish statement:

“I have learned to care less.”  

“I shouldn’t care so much.” 

“I could care less.”  

I am making no judgments about people, myself included, who have made this statement. On the one hand it seems rational and even appropriate in situations of hurt and betrayal or even unreciprocated care.  It’s a very universal feeling and expression of the human experience.

Yet, that statement conjures up indifference, dismissal, judgment… even condemnation and unworthiness of/toward the other person. Often we are withholding ourselves from that person and exacting those feelings toward them without their knowledge.  Worse even… if we say those words out loud – to the person – then they now carry the weight of our rejection.  Even if we maintain relationship… that dismissal, that indifference remains a part of the dynamic.

On the other hand “to care about someone” by definition means displaying kindness toward, concern of or to make special preference for another; to be solicitous of; to have thought or regard for; to make provision or look out for.

Simply put… to care for someone is to love them.  It requires action/interaction/presence.  When we care, it means we have feelings that bind us to the other person. It means we want the best for them; we want them to be happy, to succeed and to not be in harm’s way or to fail.  It also means we wouldn’t do anything intentionally to hurt or sabotage them. To love/care means taking a risk; stepping out on that limb. It means accepting that we may and will get hurt on occasion.

“Caring for” is about the other person – not about us.  By saying "I should care less" we are saying that our priorities, our self-protection outweigh the relationship with the other person.

Don't get me wrong - there are circumstances in which the hurt/betrayal is a violation of ones being and continued contact or association is detrimental.  You can care less of those monsters/abusers… those violators.

But I'm talking about in the very human, fallible course of all relationships. The Good Book says the commandment that surpasses the law, which surpasses all commandments, is to love your neighbor as yourself.  In other words, we are to put others before ourselves.  So as believers, when it comes right down to it, we have no right, no authority to care less. We're certainly not to be doormats, but we are to always care. We are to always put others first. We are to care with every fiber of our beings… regardless.

The flippant and angrily said words “I’ve learned, again, to care less” said by this beloved person, left me far more hurt and cut to the quick, then they felt by my action.  Thank goodness, I know them well, their heart and intentions… my hurt was short lived.  No harm, no foul.

A Prayer about Our Restlessness and God’s Quieting Love

Zeph. 3:17

• He will quiet you by his love. English Standard Version
• He will rest in his love. American Standard Version
• He will be quiet in his love. New American Standard
• With his love, he will calm all your fears. New Living Translation
• The quietness of his love will calm you down. New International Readers Version
• He’ll calm you with his love. The Message
• He will renew you in his love. Revised Standard Version

     Dear heavenly Father, I am thankful for all the ways this one tiny portion of the your Word is transmitted from Hebrew to English.  For every one of these translations speaks to our restless state and your quieting love. As your people, we are so thankful that we can bring our fidgety, on edge, uncertain, confused, ambivalent hearts to you. For you welcome us; you understand us; you promise us peace.

     Father, for those of us living in the dis-ease of lingering guilt and paralyzing shame, bring the truth and grace of the gospel to bear in great power. We praise you that, because of what you’ve done for us in Jesus, you are completely at peace with us; we don’t have to be afraid of judgment. You are resting in your love towards us. We don’t have to cower in doubt or busy ourselves with penance. We’re not in a doghouse; we’re in your Son. Your brow isn’t furrowed, but your arms are outstretched.

     Father, for those of us off balance and out of kilter because of career confusion, unsettling providences or developing stories of unrest, let us hear you say loud and lovingly, “Be still and know that I am God.” Quiet us, Father. Center us, settle us. The only thing we want to do quickly is run to you. Show us the bigger picture of the story you are writing. Save us from our “need” to have all the answers right away. Spare us of trying to be, yet again, our own savior and deliverer.

     Father, for those of us reeling and wrenching in the face of heartbreaking news, calm us down with the quietness of your love. Hold us close and tight. For the unsettling medical diagnosis just received, be our peace. For feelings of “parent-failure” arising from another round of our kids making foolish choices, be our sanity. In response to “pink slips,” foreclosure threats, divorce papers, moral failures, addiction discoveries… harness our fears; quell our anger; be our wisdom; give us hope.

     For the occupied throne of heaven, the unsearchable riches of the gospel, the promise of sufficient grace and the certainty of our returning King, we give you great praise, Father. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ strong and loving name.

Scotty Smith

Pastor for Preaching

Christ Community Church

1215 Hillsboro Rd.

Franklin, TN  37069

615-468-2230 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            615-468-2230      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      

posted: July 9, 2011 at 6:36am

It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace Hebrews 13:9