Anticipating Snow

(Don't worry!  This picture is not looking out my back window.  It was taken during a trip to New Mexico a few years ago).

Only in Oklahoma do schools close the night before anticipating a snow or ice storm.
With schools closed, I didn't have to help at the book fair and I actually sat down to write a blog.

This predicted snow storm reminds me of waiting.  The anticipation builds!  Like waiting for an exciting trip, you plan, pack, and wait.  Finally, you get to enjoy the much awaited voyage.

It also highlights “prediction.”  In Oklahoma, you really never know the actual forecast for weather.  Poor weather men.  They really try.  I guess people think they are God, the only One who can accurately forecast the weather.  One degree can be the difference between rain and ice, between snow storm and flood.  I find it ironic that people will complain about the forecasters, yet still listen to them.  I think the weathermen (and women) deserve more grace.  If everyone prepares for snow and we never get it, better than not being prepared and it comes.

With a snow storm predicted, people rush to the stores and the gas pump to prepare.  The fool doesn’t prepare.  He drives on a low gas tank daring the weather to change.  He can deny it all he wants, but it does not change the truth.  When the snow begins (when the forecaster are actually right), the fool can continue to deny the truth or change his mind and prepare.  In some cases, the snow may too quickly for him to be safe.  Better to prepare than dare.

Preparing for a snow storm reminds me of preparing for Jesus’ return.

Even though the Bible promises the day (or night) will come, some people live in denial.  The fool chooses to live lives as if they will never be judged for their actions that separate them from a holy God.  Sadly, when Jesus comes, it will be too late to prepare.  

    

Others prepare wrongly.  Everyone would laugh at the woman at the carwash the day it is predicted to snow.  Does she know the forecast?  Or does she have an obsession for a clean car?  Is she preparing correctly?

Similarly, some people believe if they just “clean themselves up”, try their very best, perform good deeds, they will be prepared for Jesus.  Are they preparing correctly?

The Bible shares the way to prepare, the only way.  Yes, one must be “clean.”  However, the Bible tells us we cannot clean ourselves.  The only way to be clean is through forgiveness.  So how can you have forgiveness?  Hebrews 9:22b says, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Why blood?  From the beginning of the Bible (Gen 3), God taught the penalty for sin is death.  In the garden, Adam and Eve disobeyed God.  They tried to cover their shame themselves, with fig leaves.  However, God showed them they couldn’t become clean before God in their own way.  God provided the way.  He killed animals and covered Adam and Eve with the animals’ skins.  Animals’ blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin.  Adam and Eve should have died for their sin, but the animals died in their place.  

Later, when God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, He also gave them a way to have forgiveness.  God instructed the people to build a tabernacle (dwelling place for God).  One special room, the most holy place, contained a wooden box covered with gold.  The lid, called the mercy seat, had two cherubim (angels) facing each other.  God dwelt between the cherubim.  For the people to have forgiveness, God required the High Priest to kill a perfect goat, catch the goat’s blood, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat.  

What an appropriate name, mercy seat.  Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve.  The people deserved death for their sin (the penalty for sin is death).  Yet, God allowed the goat to die in their place.  

The name of this yearly ceremony: The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16).  A day that sins of the people were atoned, “purged of sin, wiped clean .“[1]   

Then the next day, the people would return to more sacrifices for their daily sins bringing sacrifices of animals to the altar of burnt offering (Leviticus 4).  God’s continual message:  The penalty for sin is death.  There must be blood for the forgiveness of sins.  The animals died in place of the people.

All of the lessons of forgiveness before Jesus were preparing the people for Jesus.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus (John 1:29) he proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus: the perfect Lamb, sinless.  Jesus: the perfect sacrifice, a man (yet, also God) dying in the place of a man (or woman).  Jesus: the substitute for me.  I should die (spiritually separated after my physical death) for my sin.  Yet, Jesus died in my place.  

I could write pages on the details of Jesus being our final High Priest (Hebrews 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10).  I will let you read more if you are snowed in today (even if you aren’t snowed in).

Some of my favorite verses are Hebrews 9:24-26:

“²⁴ For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. ²⁵ And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. ²⁶ If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.”

Jesus’ death provided a way for us to have forgiveness of sin.  If we believe he died on the cross in our place, turn from our way of pleasing God, and ask Jesus to forgive us and take control of our lives, each of us can be prepared for His return.

Jesus provided a way and promises to return.  Unlike unpredictable forecasts, when Jesus gives us a promise, we know He will keep it. 

John 14: 1-6 says “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Are you prepared for Jesus?  Or are you preparing in your own way?  Do not be a fool.  Prepare today!

 And yes, we are now getting snow.  Reminds me of the scripture, "Wash me and I will be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:7)

 

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[1] Mounce, William D. Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Word. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.

Life: Short and Unpredictable

Picture after the Boston Marathon bombing
Courtesy: Ben Thorndikehttp://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Life's short and upredictable.

Last week we celebrated the life of Tim Pickle, buried in my hometown at the age of 38.  He died of a heart attack.  A beautiful six-year-old girl left fatherless.  Life is short.

In the middle of a day of celebrating my oldest daughter's 12th birthday, news reports shout of bombings at the Boston marathon.  People that gathered to congratulate runners become victims or survivors in the matter of seconds.  Life is unpredictable.

With reminders that life is brief and always changing, people react in different ways.  One classmate went to get his heart checked demonstrating physical life and health are important.

Others gather to pray for victims of the Boston marathon.  Sometimes crisis bring us to our knees.  God, our only help and comfort, is always near. 

Some people may ask more spiritual questions through tragedy.  As they realize they may not be promised tomorrow, they may ask themselves if they are ready for death. 

But today I had a different reaction.  I told my athiest friend about Tim's sudden death.  My friend could relate to heart problems with a history of open heart surgery and blood pressure issues.  His response, "I guess we all die sometime and turn to dirt."  Yes.  He's right.

As I began to ask him questions about what would happen to him after he died, he quickly jumped to evolution.  He tried to say there is no God.  He agreed it would take more faith to believe in evolution vs. creation, yet held his ground.  I asked him if his study of science gave him hope.  "No," he responded.

He didn't want to hear about the God-particle, evidence that nature couldn't happen by chance.

He began to ramble about the Bible as if it were fiction.  Sadly, he wouldn't listen to proof that the Bible is the Word of God given to share God's love story to us.

It came down to this, my friend didn't want to hear about the Bible.  He has hardened his heart against truth.  Of all the tragedies this week, this is the saddest for me.  If my friend were to die today, he would be separated from God forever and live in eternal punishment.  It makes my heart sad that he won't even listen.  

Because life is short and unpredictable, followers of Jesus, we can't keep our mouths shut about the promise of hope in the Bible.  Hope that helps people in tragedy.  Hope that gives us a reason to live.  And hope of eternal life when we die.

Do you have hope?    http://stacyneus.blogspot.com/2012/04/need-hope.html

What has been your reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing?

 

 



New Year Focus

(picture from Power Point clip art)

You may make New Year's resolutions every year.  That's great.  I'm not good at it.  I guess I don't like the pressure that comes with making a list of goals.  I don't think it's wrong, it's just not me.  Don't misunderstand me.  I have plenty of areas in my life that I would like to be different.  I would love to always have a clean, organized, decorated house; new, delicious recipes every night; spend two hours a day at the gym to reshape (or kill) my body; write a blog every day; put in a garden.  Ok.  I've gone a little too far.  This list actually stresses me out.  Maybe that's another reason I don't have a list.  I also don't want to fall into the trap.  You know:  the list, the failure, the quitting, the not starting again until the next year. 

So I'm trying something new.  I'm changing the word "resolution", hoping to change my focus.  I'm changing the word "resolution" to "relyution".  Yes, I made the word up.  When I think of resolution, I think of what I can do in my strength to make me happy.  I'm using the term"relyution" to mean "relying on Jesus to use His strength to please Him."     

World vs. the Word

This idea of relyution goes against everything you hear from this world.  You hear, "Rely on yourself.   You can do anything you put your mind to do.  If you work hard enough, you will succeed."
 
However, the Word (Bible) says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."

Long term vs. Short Term

With resolutions, you make long term goals.  You may decide to do this.  That's great.

But relyutions are daily goals.  Actually, moment by moment goals. 

Relyution Daily Plan

A-  Ask God what He would have you do today.
B-  Be flexible.  God may change your plans mid-stream.  Always listen.
C-  Call on him for help.  Rely on His strength, not yours. (Isaiah 41:10)
D- Don't get distracted by sin, self, or stuff.  (probably another blog post)
E-  Examine your motives.  Why?  For whom?
F- Fight against comparison.  God has made you unique and for His purpose.
G- Guard your Mind.  Be alert.  Ready to fight against the evil one. (I Peter 5:8) (another post)
H-  HOPE.  Help Others Prepare for Eternity (the whole reason for this blog).  This may be a word of encouragement to another believer, or words of truth to the non-believer.  Look for opportunities to share hope.

As you live out Proverbs 3:5-6 and practice the A,B, C's of Relyution daily, you will please God.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Why, or why not?

If you like this post and want to receive it in your e-mail, it's easy to sign up.  In the right hand column, enter your e-mail address in "Follow by Email".  Or, "Join this Site", if you are a blogger.  Thank You.

Happy New Year!


 

Senseless Gunman: Did Anyone Tell Him?

Picture by Adrees Latif/Reuters

Horrific news again!  A senseless gunman takes 26 innocent lives, including 20 children in an instant.

How could this happen?  Why?  Questions that will never be answered. 

I cannot imagine the deep, gut turning pain the parents felt at the words, "I'm sorry.  Your child didn't make it."  Holding the lifeless body in their arms with no words, just thoughts.  Overwhelmed with emotions of sorrow, anger, dread. 

As I hear my children laughing downstairs after a long day at school, I'm thankful.  I pray I never have to feel the pain of the parents today, but we never know. 


(About the gunman)
I wonder...
Did anyone tell him about a man,
who never did anything wrong?
Why would someone harm another so innocent?

Fear of a riot,
the crucifixion complete.
Only close friends and family mourned.

Did anyone tell him about a man,
different than anyone else.
He healed, forgave, proving to be God,
yet he died with the criminals.

Fear of a thief,
they guarded the tomb
with soldiers that didn't grieve.

Did anyone tell him about a man,
who died, but didn't stay there?
He rose again, three days later
with power over death and the grave.

Fear of a lost friendship, or other excuse,
believers near him stopped short of opening their mouths.
I wonder if life would be different today, if they had told him about the man.


When I tucked my seven-year-old daughter in tonight.  We prayed for everyone involved.  She said, "I hope the children knew about Jesus."
Who do you need to tell?






Linked with Cornerstone Confessions; Time warp wife

Islam Adoption vs. Mine

 

I had an interesting conversation with a Muslim friend yesterday.  After English class, she invited me to tea, as usual.  I've known her for a year and a half now, and consider her a close friend.  With her permission, I share our conversation with you.

As her precious, black, curly haired one-year-old daughter and buzz cut, three-year-old son played next to us at the kitchen table, I asked her questions about Islam's four wives policy.

In her country, men began only taking one wife around the 1950's and 1960's.  She said most men couldn't financially afford more than one wife (I can understand that.  I'm sure there are other reasons they can't afford more than one wife).  Muslim men would formerly take another wife if his wife was ill and couldn't meet all his needs, or couldn't provide him with children.     

She asked me what we do in America if women can't have children.  I told her some families choose adoption as an option.  She said Islam permits adoption, but they forbid the adopted child from getting the family name. 

The parents would take care of the child until he or she grew up.  But, the child could not receive the inheritance because they did not belong to the family. 

However, the parents could give the child "gifts" when they still lived.  She said most families now give adopted children the family name, even though Islam forbids it.

Of course this made me think of the importance of the family name.  Only children with the same family name receive the inheritance.

This led to overwhelming thoughts of my heavenly Father's inheritance.  When I put my faith in His only Son, Jesus, I joined His family.

My adoption reminded me of three points:

1.  The expense of my adoption

Earthly adoptions cost large amounts of money.  Sometimes the cost discourages families from adoption.

More so, my adoption cost my Father a great deal.  It cost Him more than earthly, temporal riches.  It cost Him His one and only Son, Jesus.

Isaiah 53:6 says, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way ; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him".  All our sin was placed on Jesus on the cross. 

As Jesus hung on the cross, the Father had to turn His head, forsaking Him because of our sin. Matthew 27:46 says, "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI ?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?'

I haven't heard of any one forsaking their own child to adopt another child.  Wow!  What love my Father has for me and you!

2.  The eternal effects of my adoption 

He changed my name from Stacy to beloved, daughter Stacy FOREVER. 

John 1:12 (New Living Translation) says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." 

I share my Father's name, therefore, I get an eternal inheritance.

1 Peter 1:3-4 says,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,       to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,"

3.  The evidence of my adoption

When God adopts us, He expects us to act like we belong to the family.  That doesn't mean we will be perfect, but it means we have changed. 

Our hearts break in the same way our Father's heart breaks.  Our priorities line up with His.  We obey His Word. 

I John 2:4 and 5 says, "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:"

What about you?  Have you been adopted?  If so, do you act like it?

Do you need to ask the Father for forgiveness and believe His Son's sacrifice paid the penalty for your sin?  If you believe, John 1:12 (above) says you will be a child of God.  Welcome to the family!  


 Linked with:Cornerstone Confessions