Each week we will provide you with

new words of encouragement

that will help you, and us, to see

the markers that Christ has set out before us.

Found any Golden Cows Lately?  2/21/11

Can you recite the 10 commandments?  Do you think they have little or no relevance on our lives today?  You might pick up the book, The Ten Commandments from the BackSide by J. Ellsworth Kalas.  I am only on Chapter 4 and have already found quite a bit of conviction.  Kalas provides an in depth conversation about the whys of the commandments at the time they were given and the application for current day.

In writing on the graven images of the 2nd commandment, Kalas comments, "If one bows again and again before the image of an ox, one begins to take on that image - not, of course, in a physical sense, but in self-perception.  The ox becomes the measure of my person; after all, if I humble myself before the ox, I acknowledge that I am the ox's inferior, and that the ox posssess something I need."

What is it that you bow down to each and every day?  What do you love more than anything?  Is it your money, your car, food, a certain activity, a person?  By putting those things first are you acknowledging that those things or those who have those things are better than you?  More loved than you? 

To take it further, what can those things that you bow down to give you?  Are they consistent?  Will they never disappoint you?  Will they always show mercy on you and provide you steadfast love? 

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The bottom line is love...  from "The Other Donna"    2/14/11

Recently I wrote about Christianity as relationship (rather than religion).  Maybe I should admit that was prompted by a friend for whom denominational beliefs are a real stumbling block.  It isn’t just a screen to hide behind; he knows the doctrine!  He can tell you exactly what Methodists believe; Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics too.  He can tell you where they contradict each other, where they agree, and what event sparked their opposing views.  I’ll admit I’ve had my own doctrinal struggles, eased only by prayer and study.  I went back to the basics:  What did Jesus say we are to do?  How did Jesus teach us to pray?  What did Jesus say the most important commandment is?  What did Jesus teach and show us love looks like?  I found these answers and a personal understanding within my relationship with Christ. 

I also found that tension in belief and practice isn’t new.  It is right there in the pages of the New Testament:  Which days should be honored?  What foods are allowable to eat?  Should traditions be upheld or replaced?  Paul answers many of those questions in detail but his bottom line is “love.”  In Romans 14:1 Paul says, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.”  Basically he is saying that love, for those whose opinions on the controversial subjects differ from ours, MUST continue.

My friend, and go to Bible scholar, Beth, saved the day for me when she shared this quote from Rupertus Meldenius, a 17^th century theologian:

In all things essential, there must be unity                     

In all things non-essential, there must be liberty.

In all things there must be love.

I’m going to totally quote Dr. Mark E. Ross (Assoc. Dean at Erskine Theological Seminary) as he sums up the quote and gives my poor heart peace and hope:

“The sayings of Rupert Meldenius strike the right balance.  It calls for unity on the essential things, the core of truth in our union with Christ.  In non-essentials (not the unimportant, but those things, which if lacking, do not prevent our union with Christ), It calls for liberty so that all might follow their conscience under the Word and Spirit.  In all things, however, there must be love (‘charity’ from the Latin, ‘love’), ‘which binds everything together in perfect harmony.’” (Col. 3:14)

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Love Goggles 2/7/11

           We all have them!  We really do.  Yours are probably a bit different from mine.  Your neighbor’s, your spouse’s, and your friend’s are all different too.  And, you probably have more than one pair of them!

          Some people have love goggles that are flashy, colorful, or sparkly.  Some are dull and grey, quite boring, and seldom noticed.  No matter what, we all have them!  And the funny thing is, is that we wear them all day long.

          I have met people who have more than one pair of love goggles that they carry around with them.  I even have more than one pair myself, when I’m willing to admit it.  I tend to wear a different pair when I’m tired, frustrated, or just fed up with the way that the world is going around me.  Of course I also have that pair that I pull out just for special events like a friend’s big birthday celebration; and that pair for Sundays at church, I can’t forget those ones.

          I actually wish I only had one pair of love goggles.  I know what pair I would want too.  I would want the pair that let me see the world through God’s eyes.  That is the pair that gives me patience, kindness, and love.  That is the pair that shows me forgiveness, gentleness, and thankfulness.

          I try hard to keep my other love goggles locked away but somehow the drawer gets opened; sometimes it gets opened when I’m not even aware of it.  I have that money pair of love goggles.  They are very cool looking with their flashy dollar signs, green envy glitter, and enticing sparkles.  When I put them on I see the world in a whole new light.  Everything I see comes into focus a bit differently.  I see things from the perspective of financial gain or loss.  How can I make money from that person or event?  What is having a relationship with him or her going to cost me?  Would I look better to the world if I spent my money on that?

          I also have my old party pair that I wore a lot in my early 20s.  Wow, those were some times.  Some of those times I sure wish I could erase from my history now.

          Then there is that designer pair of love goggles.  The world really looks different through them.  Especially when you start categorizing relationships based on labels.  Luckily I have never been able to afford that pair of love goggles for very long. 

          My question for you and myself this week is, “How would the world look different if you always had your God goggles on?”  If we saw our friends and neighbors the way God sees them.  If we saw the people we work with, even the extremely annoying ones, the way God sees them. 

          What would it look like when we are driving through rush hour traffic?  Would we hear the message on the radio station that was meant for us?  Would we spend the extra time we were given in conversation with God?  Would we make that phone call that has been on our heart for weeks?  Or would we just get angry, frustrated, and a stiff neck? 

 "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:  30 – 31 NIV

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