"God Knows Who I Am"

I have this little piece of paper on my wall. It says, "God knows who you are." It's from a post on a funny blog I read, "Stuff Christians Like," which occasionally also has profound stuff. Here's the beginning of that post:

One of the first things you hear whenever you start an adventure is the phrase, “Who are you to think you’re qualified to do that?”

Whether it’s a new job, a new ministry, a new blog or simply a new conversation with a neighbor, this question is bound to pop up. A friend will say it. A family member will say it. Someone well intentioned and close to you will say it. And eventually, after hearing “Who are you” or “Who do you think you are” enough times, you’ll start to hear it inside.

I know a lot of you don't like links. Just reading this blog is enough effort for you. But please, click here and read Jon's blog about what God says to us. It has been hanging above my desk for three months, and every time I read it I'm reminded of how firmly God is in my corner (yours, too).

As I love to say, God is not a communist.

"Express Cook"

I work with an amazing staff at Fellowship, and one of those amazing peeps is Jeff Ream, Worship Pastor. Now, I know that the title might fool some of you, but this guy is more than just a pretty voice. I asked him if I could republish what he put on his blog last week, and he graciously said yes. I know you'll love it as much as I did. And, by the way, if you want to check out his blog, it's linked here.

Hostage Thoughts

This morning has been a good start to the week. Monday is my day off so I have the boys home with me today. I started the day off by putting a k-cup in my coffee machine, 20 seconds later a perfect cup of coffee. Then I cracked a few eggs, beat them, tossed in cheese and bacon bits, and poured it into our GT - Express (As seen on TV - it was a gift) cooker and 4 minutes later…beautiful yummy omelets.

Isn’t technology incredible these days. Technology has made our lives easier in so many ways. We throw a bag of popcorn in the microwave and hit a button…4 minutes later we have perfect movie theater popcorn without the lines and a $9 movie ticket. We live in an express world.
As I reflect on the past several weeks of our series entitled “Hostage” I wish somehow that the problems in my life, mind, and heart could be fixed as easily as I fixed breakfast this morning. I wish my fears could instantly vanish, I wish my anxious heart would just one day wake up and be calmed. I wish I could hit the “express cook” on my spiritual journey and immediately find myself having arrived.
But that’s not how it is.

Philippians 2:12 puts it this way.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Wow, that’s not so encouraging. One chapter later in Philippians 3:12 it says

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Here we find Paul, the guy who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else giving insight to his own struggles, admitting that he doesn’t have it all together either.

Why in the Christian realm of society do we think that we have to be perfect? Why are we afraid to admit like Paul that we don’t have it all together? How can we be real with others if we never take our masks of perfection off?

This brings me back to our HOSTAGE series. Let me take my mask off and let you know that this series has totally rocked me to my core. I have had to admit who I really am. I have had to admit my struggles. I have come to the place where I have to admit that I cannot fix them myself. I do not hold the keys to the chains that weigh me down. Jesus Christ does. He wants to free me from my struggles. We wants me to not hold on to the things that I do. God wants to free me just as He wants to free you.
This series has once again helped me look into the mirror of my soul and my heart.
I am so glad that God put this series on John’s heart. God knew the incredible work that needed to take place in so many lives.

So God, continue to work as we continue to be real!

Random Things

So, I know this isn’t a typical post from me, but I just love those chain emails/Facebook threads where you write in stuff about yourself, send it to your friends, and then get all their replies back with stuff about them. Love it, love it, love it! Can’t collect too many random facts about your friends. How else will you know how to blackmail them later?

So, since I’m busily gallivanting about this week, thought I’d break the devotional blogging mold and post my reply to the latest Facebook thread my friends are sending me. After you’ve read it, send me some random facts about YOU!

25 Random Things About Me

1. I’m from Alaska
2. I love to read books (my fav: The Preservationist)
3. I love my pets! Scamp, Whiskers, Tiggs and Samson
4. English Breakfast is my favorite drink (it’s tea)
5. I’m obsessed with my nephews
6. My job can be really, really fun – esp. the research
7. TV is great! I love HGTV, House and BBC America (Top Gear)
8. Anxiety stresses me out
9. My goats’ names are Handsome Rob and Chip
10. I love teeny-bopper movies (like She’s The Man)
11. My husband really is God’s gift
12. I actually like living in PA
13. Can’t wait for my sister to move here!
14. I collect AKan art by Cherie Govertson-Greer
15. I majored in American Lit
16. Starbucks is way too much fun (green tea latte w/ extra matcha)
17. Travel is my accidental hobby
18. Quilting, scrapbooking and knitting are my intentional hobbies
19. I spin my own yarn
20. I struggle with my attitude … I think it’s my “thorn”
21. If I could be a fictional character for a day, it would be Sydney Bristow
22. Or Veronica Mars
23. Or Buffy (in the Angel years)
24. I’m not organized but I’m creative
25. I have a black bear on my railing (and a fox, beaver, caribou…)

Bowling for Bitterness

At life group the other night, our leader prepared us for serious discussion with a little Wii bowling. In a close girls vs. guys game, the guys pulled ahead for the win. Congrats, guys. It was a fun start (after the pizza, of course) to a great meeting. But I think I missed how the bowling was supposed to tie in to our lesson on bitterness. Maybe the bowling trash talk was supposed to inspire some bitterness we could then reflect on. Like when the guys pulled in their ringer for a double strike, and then rubbed it in. Not that we minded.

We started with Colossians 3:12-15, which you Fellowshippers will recognize from John’s HOSTAGE talk on bitterness. “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts, for as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

Seems pretty straightforward – make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you – and covers a lot of ground. But then, our intrepid leader led us further. When we’ve been offended, how do we go about preventing bitterness? He gave us four steps.

Step one: Realize that God is working through the actions of the offender. (Whoa! I told you this was going to tie in to the whole “opportunity” discussion. Though people may treat us badly, we have the option of viewing it from a broader lens and looking for how God might be working through the situation.) Genesis 50:20 – You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me into this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Step two: Thank God for the benefit he brings through each offence. James 1:2-3 – When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Step three: Determine what character qualities God wants to develop in us through this experience. Galations 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

Step four: Expect to suffer for doing right. There’s a lot of reasons we suffer … our own fault, others’ faults … but being good or doing the right thing doesn’t insulate us from attack. In fact, the bible says we can expect to sometimes suffer for doing good. Philippians 1:29 – You will suffer for [Christ’s] sake.

What’s going on in your life right now? Anyone you’re not too thrilled with? What hurts do you still carry from years ago? Is there any other way you could view the situation than you have been? Any opportunity for something good to come out of something bad? Here’s what God promises in Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him.