She Did What she Could II

I am continuing today with a further explanation of Elisa Morgan's book She did What She Could.  Morgan continues with an explanation of  the significance of Mary's gesture.  Mary could have done anything to show Jesus she loved him. Yet, she took a very expensive jar of nard and poured it on his head. 

Mary got it. She did this to prepare Jesus for his burial.   Jesus knew this and exalted Mary for her deeds. 

Mary couldn't do a lot in society because she was a woman. But her bold move showed Jesus and the people that she cared more about Jesus than culture's dictated role for her. She loved Jesus, and she didn't let anything stop her. 

The point of it is that Mary gave her very best to Jesus.  She did " what she could" in 

that moment to someone else. 

Morgan poses a question to the reader in the next section. What if I, or in this case you, " did what you could" during  your ordinary day in your ordinary life? What difference would that make to the world?

We'll talk about this in my next post. 

The packaging is Everything

I am attracted to shiny objects. I really am.   I can turn my head from a mile away if something catches my eye. It might be the phoniest item there, but if it is packaged right, it will grab my attention. In the same way, if we package Christ in a way that is condescending or arrogant, many people won't want to open the package. 

Now, I know what you are thinking. You're thinking " God is not something to be packaged or wrapped or any sort of gimmick  to get people to like Him."  That is true. However, we have spent all of our time showing the world what we are against, and not what we are for and we have made an unbelieving world turn their head in disgust. 

I realize the apostles preached and said what was on their heart and mind wherever and whenever God led them. I also realize that John The Baptist never watered down his message to get his point across. Then, dear reader, you must also realize the end to that story..... HE WAS BEHEADED!  

Not a very happy ending.   Bottom line is, we cannot preach the same way as the apostles.  Think we should? Then, perhaps we should bring back the whole stoning and crucifixion thing, too....

I have a friend who runs a food pantry. Her life exudes Christ and Him crucified. Why? Because she is living among the broken everyday. She meets their need, cares for them and  gives them a foundation of Christ that cannot be denied. People are attracted to her for the same reason.  Does she water down her message because she is not announcing with a microphone: " Repent , for the Kingdom of God is near?"

A life lived everyday in obedience to who God really is may never have to say a word about who He is. People will already know.

All because of the packaging. 

She did what she could

I have been reading a great book by Elisa Morgan called " She Did What she Could."  In it, she explains the passage in Mark 14:3-9 where Mary, the sister of martha, anoints Jesus' heard with an expensive jar of nard, or perfume.  Morgan camps on the five words in verse 9: " She did what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time." Jesus goes on the say that this deed will transcend time and wherever His name is mentioned people will remember Mary's deed to Jesus. Morgan then urges us, the reader to " do what we could" in our everyday lives. 

We cannot fix everything. We cannot solve world hunger in a blink of an eye or resolve the ever impending wars between countries. But, we can be the light of Jesus to the people that we have been put in contact with in our lives. Sometimes it means money. Sometimes it means time. Other times it may mean great sacrifice.  She urges the reader " What is your could?" 

So, I today, in turn, urge you, my readers  " What is your could?"

The Power of Action

I have the privilege of speaking at a church conference  in Feb.  and have been wrestling with my subject matter.  I have been reflecting on the idea that spiritual growth comes from action before knowledge, not the other way around. I know there are verses that talk about " being a well watered garden" after  exhibiting the desired attributes, but didn't quite know where else to go. I was in my chiropractor's office ( who is a Christian) and he had Colossians 1:9-10 as one of his daily verses on his desk: "For this reason, since the day we hear about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God  to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding . And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God ..."

I know as Christians we devour every Christian book, watch every movie, and listen to every speaker we can get our hands on in order to "grow" spiritually.  

The reality is, if you want to grow, you have to act.  You want to grow in kindness, be kind,. You want to grow in forgiveness, forgive. 

We know how to do it.   We just have to do it. 

Even when we don't  feel like it.

Especially when we don't feel like it. 

Perfect love drives out all fear....

Perfect love drives out all fear.  That's what the Bible says. But, I never really understood that. Does it mean that if I love God the way He should be loved, that I will never have any fear? Can we achieve that in this lifetime? It is hard to fathom.

I thought all those butterflies I get when I have to confront someone in love, or make a presentation, or  talk about something embarrassing was just a part of " the anxieties of life."  Would we never have these if I love God with all my heart? Or, do those butterflies make me depend on God in my weakness? Just a topic of conversation on which  to comment to interact..... I appreciate your thoughts.... 

Love is not a feeling II

There a lot of things I don't feel like doing. I don't feel like exercising. or being a good Christian. or eating right.  In fact, if I had it my way, I wouldn't get out of bed. But, I do. I get up and do it, even if i don't want to.  

That is life. And that is the Christian life. 

The bible talks about putting on the full armor of God. This means the word, my salvation , and above all, righteousness.  I don't want to. But, I should if I want to be on guard against the evil one. 

There are a lot of days when I don't feel like writing. I don't always know what to write about.  But, I made a promise to myself. and 14 years ago, I made a promise to God that i would live for Him. 

So, i write. And I live. And i do what is right. And I love.  Even if I don't want to.

She Said Yes

She said yes.

That is the title of a book from Cassie Bernall, the girl who was shot in the head after confessing she believed in Christ during  the Columbine shootings over 10 years ago. 

For those of you who may not remember, Cassie Bernall was approached by one of the shooters and asked if she believed in God.

She said yes. 

You know the rest of the story.

I was having a conversation with someone recently who was struggling in her walk with God. " But sometimes I feel really connected with God, and sometimes I don't." I went on to explain to her that faith is not based on a feeling. It is based on a response.  I don't always feel like doing the right thing. Or exhibiting the fruits of the spirit.  Or even following God. sometimes i just want to crawl into a hole and be left alone, left to my own reasoning to figure out how life works.  But, that is not how God designed it.  God cares about our desire to know Him more.  He cares about our willingness to change and to be more like Him. 

For 14 years I have been a Christian. For 14 years  God has asked me to do things I don't want to do. Or feel like doing.  But, he has cared about my willingness to say yes.

She said yes. A whole country now knows of her bravery and will tell about it for years to come because of it.

She said yes.

Will you?