The Sunrise

Being a teenager is tough.

Over the last couple of months my husband and I have been reminded of all of the pressures that bombard teenagers as we have watched our oldest daughter struggle through some rough times. 

This past week she simply could not face the pressure.  And we had to face the fact that we could not take care of the problems without help.  Immediately doors were opened for a referral, an assessment, and therapy one day after another.  After two months of trying to get in to see someone who could help along with lots of prayer from us and many others, this sudden progress seemed miraculous.

It had been a long week on Friday as we drove an hour away for her final appointment of the week.  No, scratch that.  It had been a long couple of months.  Usually when I drive her somewhere I play her favorite band, McFly, on my iPod.  However, on this morning I chose Bruce Springsteen.  He sang to us as we quietly enjoyed the drive and the music.

As we headed east, the light from the sun started to filter into the sky.  Living in “fly over” country, there were several plane trails streaking in different directions like long, thin white clouds in the sky over a flat landscape that stretched on for miles and miles. 

The first flash of sunlight was brilliant.  As we continued to move eastward and the time continue to tick by, the sun rose a little further.  “Isn’t it beautiful?!”  Honestly, it nearly took my breath away. 

We both watched in awe as a bright orange-yellow globe rose until it was halfway up, peeking at us over the horizon.  “I’ve got to pull over and take a picture!”

A little further in front of us, a dirt road stretched from north to south.  I put on my left blinker and waited on a car to go past before turning off the highway onto the road.  As I was doing so, I was thinking, Why didn’t I just turn right?  I would not have had to wait on traffic and the sun would’ve been right outside my own window.  Tana also noticed and verbalized this thought, “Why didn’t you just pull off to the right?”  I laughed.  “I don’t know!”

We rolled down the window and I snapped a couple of pictures while leaning over my daughter.  Then I turned us around and pulled back out on the highway to head to our destination.

Once we arrived, the doctor called Tana back and I decided to take a look at my new photos.  When I opened the picture, I was awestruck.  That was NOT there when I took this picture!  I waited for Tana to return to me feeling much more peaceful than I had when we walked in the door.

A while later as we prepared to leave, I handed her my phone.  “Look at the picture, Tana, and tell me what you see that wasn’t there when this picture was taken.”

“There’s a cross!” she exclaimed.  “Yes,” I answered.  As a smile lit up her face, I thought God wants us to know that He is here.  He’s with us.  He cares.  And we will get through this with His help.

It’s a sign.  Not just figuratively, but literally.  When I blew it up larger I could tell that it was a road sign that was turned at just the right angle that it looked like a cross in the shadow of the picture.

If I had turned onto a different road, no cross.

If I had turned right, no cross.

If the time of day had been a little earlier or later, no cross.

If the sign had been turned at a little different angle, no cross.

What a strange place for that type of sign.  Have people wondered for years why that sign was on that road out in the middle of nowhere?  Was it put there all those years ago just for this one day…just for this one picture?

I believe in the providence of God.  Everything is going to be okay.

Rob Bell and Universalism

I want to start out by saying that I have learned much from Rob Bell's teaching.  He is engaging and insightful.  The man has been a leader in taking the art of preaching to a new level...one that teaches and also delights the listener.  

This is even more cause for concern over his theological views.

The Bible supports this stance when James says (3:1-2),  "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check."

Nobody is perfect.  There are times that we get things wrong.  There are things in the Bible that are hard to understand and vague.  Many things are subject to interpretation.  Everybody has an opinion.

However, this is not one of those things.

Jesus taught us that hell is real.  It's a place of eternal torment.  Once you are there, there is no leaving.  We get one shot at life and then we are judged.  If we have chosen a life without God, He loves us enough to grant us what we desire...an eternity without him. 

This is not my teaching.  This is Jesus' teaching.  I have many questions about hell that may never be answered.  I actually hope that most of these answers are never revealed to me.  However, God has revealed the facts above to us all through the Bible.

What I'm sharing here is not special insight that God revealed specifically to me.  It is not vague.  It is not something we have to interpret.  Jesus makes this quite clear.

However, it is not currently politically correct.  This view is not culturally acceptable.  People simply don't want to hear the truth.

"That is not fair!  God would not do something that is not fair!"  Correct.  God is just.  However, we are all sinners so "fairness" would indicate to me that we should ALL pay the price for our sin.  So if we are going to use this view, shouldn't we all go to hell?

"But God is loving!  A loving God would not send people to a place of torment for eternity!"  God is loving.  He is so loving, in fact, that He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins so that we would not have to pay this price.  What a beautiful gift from a loving God!  All we have to do is accept this precious gift through faith in Jesus.

1Timothy 2 tells us that God "wants us all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."  He must mourn when we choose to deny Him.  How would you feel if you sacrificed to give your child a gift, and he/she took it and just threw it in the trash?  He loves us all.  He desires that we all choose Him.  And He gives us the free will to decide for ourselves.

(Although I do not want to start a discussion of election here, I will say that I am convinced that God also "chooses" people He will save.  Since the Bible indicates that he wants all people to be saved, the defining factor seems to be faith.  Does faith come through our free will or through God's grace?  I think both.  But we can discuss this at a later time.)

Honestly, as I've listened to Bell's podcasts and also as I read his book, "Velvet Elvis", red flags were raised in my mind.  And I have conveniently dismissed them.  Darn it.  I like the guy.  I like how he teaches!  I love that he loves God and has made it his life's mission to bring more followers to Christ!  I did not want to find fault with him!  Christians get enough criticism without other Christian's pointing fingers at them!

However, Bell should be rebuked for this misleading theology.  In fact, other Christians have a responsibility to call him out...especially on such a foundational issue.

The recent press about his new book, "Love Wins", was not my first inclination that something was wrong, it was the tipping point.  I was finally pushed over the edge...just by the video promo.  Yes, I'll read the book when it comes out. 

In fact, I listen to and read many different teachers that have different points of view.  Even atheists.  I think it is important that Christians hear different perspectives and work to improve their ability to discern with the help of the Holy Spirit.  If we only listen to one side of a story, we never really consider the others sides after all.

So, even after the hubbub started last week, I found myself listening to one of Rob's podcasts on my way to an appointment out of town.  The podcast was on Matthew 25. 

Take a listen.

First of all, Bell misses the point when discussing this parable.  Every commentary I've ever read on this scripture agrees that this story is about those who will not be "ready" when Jesus comes for them.  Bell seems to think being "ready" means something different than I do.  His emphasis is on works while mine would be faith (which, by the way, leads to works).

But he actually goes on to say that grace is for us all. "That's why religion can be so destructive. That's why being a part of a faith system can be so lethal. Because it can ever so subtly teach you, 'Well, if I do the right thing, you know if...I'm moral. I'm righteous. I believe in Jesus.' No. It's grace. It's grace."

What?  Bell equates moralism, self-righteousness, and belief in Jesus?

I agree, being moral doesn't give us grace.
I agree, being righteous does not give us grace. (Well, it would if we could, but we can't, so it won't.)
But, I do NOT agree with the last statement.  Believing in Jesus DOES give us grace.  We are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ!

Those who do not believe do not receive this free gift.  

Rob Bell is preaching universalism.

How dangerous is this?  So what if he's leading listeners to believe that all people will go to heaven?  Why is this a big deal?  At this point, I'm not sure if Bell even believes there is such a thing as hell.  But the rub comes when one considers that Bell is choosing to teach doctrine that is in direct opposition to the teaching of Jesus.  

If Bell has this wrong, what else does he have wrong?  What exactly is Jesus' message to us through His teaching?  Can we rely on a teacher who lacks discernment about a matter that is directly addressed by Jesus to have discernment over more controversial matters?

I believe that God reveals himself to people in His time and in His way.  Maybe God closed Bell's eyes to this truth for a reason, and He will open them now.  I pray that this is the case.  We need engaging preachers to fight to bring more people to the truth of the Bible...

...to the TRUTH of the Bible.

We need teachers who are willing and able to share the truth.  As Bell would ask, "Are you with me?"

Comforts of Home

It's official...tomorrow is my kids' third snow day in a row.  Well, it's actually not the snow that's the problem, it's the temperature.  Wind chills in Kansas are currently dipping down to about -25 degrees.  It's insane.

The kids, however, are giddy!

It's always exciting to have unexpected days off.   They've already enjoyed two full days of lounging around the house in their PJs.

I, on the other hand, always work from home.  But, I've also enjoyed the company of the kids on these bitterly cold days.  There is something nostalgic about these lazy days with the kids that make them special.

This morning as I sat at the table with my laptop and fresh cup of coffee, I considered the fact that my kids were still tucked into their beds...all warm and cozy...sleeping in.  They're warm.  They're with me.  They're safe.

Not everyone is so lucky.

As I sat in my warm home drinking my hot cup of coffee, I tried to imagine spending the night outside with dirty clothes, a coat, and an old blanket or two to keep me warm.  I tried.  I failed.  I simply can't imagine it.

This line of thought led to the next:  What is my responsibility?

The answer is...I don't know.

What I do know is that I can think of lots of excuses for inaction.  There are shelters, right?  I donate to charities that help these people so I'm doing my share.  What could I do to help anyway...bring strangers to my home?!  I don't even know where to find these people!  Yes, lots of excuses.

And even when I start brainstorming things I could do, other issues enter my mind.  After all, there are millions of problems in this world and I only have so much time available in a day.  Starvation.  Lack of clean water.  Loneliness.  Homelessness.  War.  Abuse.  Neglect.  The list is endless, global, and overwhelming.  Pain and suffering are alive and well.

I honestly don't know where to begin.

This is why it's so important that I pay attention to what God is calling me to do.  God has blessed me with specific gifts that will allow me to fulfill a specific purpose in His plan.

To be quite honest, I have not yet figured out my purpose.  No matter.  God knows...and He'll lead me as long as I continue to pay attention.

This world is as close to hell as I ever plan to get.  Sadly, this world is as close to heaven as some will ever get.  All of the issues of pain and suffering I listed above take a back seat to this one fact.

So tomorrow in the warmth of my home with my kids lounging in their pajamas, fuzzy socks on my feet, and something tasty simmering in the crock pot, I will thank God for my blessings.

And I will feel guilty for my blessings. 

Lord, use me!  If not to bring comfort to others in this world, use me to bring Your children to You.  So they can be warm.  They can be with You.  And they can be safe.

In the comfort of Your house.

For eternity.

No Strings Attached

"Ma'am, can I help you out with this?"

"No...I can get it.  Thanks."

Why is this always uncomfortable to me?  As I was walking out to the car, I was pondering this.  It is just awkward to accept "no strings attached" gifts from others.  Dillons' policy says that they cannot accept even tips for helping.  There is absolutely no incentive for them to be helpful, but it's part of their job and they always dutifully ask.

And I always decline. On the few occasions that I have accepted, I felt guilty.

After all, I'm perfectly capable.  There are others who may need help...but not me.

Hmmm...

After loading up the groceries, I headed home.  On the way I found myself thinking, "Now if the kids have surprised me by cleaning the house while I've been gone, THAT would be a gift I could accept!"

Why is that?

Well, they owe me.

Wow...I sound like a great parent.  But you know what I mean. I do things for them all the time--make their meals, wash their laundry, help them with homework, etc.  It would've been a great surprise, but it most certainly would not have been a gift that I was uncomfortable to accept.

No worries...it didn't happen.

But now I was pondering both situations.  What was the difference?

It's simple.  I feel the need to earn my gifts.  With my own kids, I earned the (much wished for) surprise of a clean house but I didn't earn the favors of a grocery-toting kid.

I think the same is true of the free gift of grace we receive from God.

Many simply don't accept it, because they didn't earn it and they don't want to "owe" God.  It just can't be the truth. No other "gods" give away salvation without expecting something in return.

Jesus, however, paid the full-price for my salvation...and yours.  It's free.  Take it!

I need to focus on simply being grateful for this gift...humbly accepting and cherishing it.  Stop with the guilt!  My energies would be better spent helping others see the beauty of this free gift that they, too, can receive.

No strings attached.

American Idols

Worship [wur-ship] verb: to feel an adoring reverence or regard.

Idol [ahyd-l] noun:  any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion.

The first warning by God toward the human desire to worship was written on the tablets brought down from Mount Sanai by Moses.  The very first commandment written with God's own "finger" is:

 ³ “You shall have no other gods before me.
 ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.  (Exodus 20:3-6)


We all have a desire to worship.  It's an instinct that was built-in to our design by our Creator.  What we worship, however, is a choice that we make with our free will.

Will I worship the Creator?  Or will I worship the created?

It seems like an obvious choice!  Who would struggle with this one?  I have no interest in making a golden calf and asking it for blessings!  That just seems ridiculous.  We look at the Israelites who waited impatiently at the bottom of the mountain for Moses to return and just shake our heads at their stupidity.  (Exodus 32) As if we are any better.

When I consider in my own life that things that I worship, I ask myself these questions.  After my physical needs are met:

1. To what do I give my time?
2. To what do I give my energy?
3. For what would I risk my health?
4. To what do I give my money?
5. What could I not live without?

Ask yourself these questions.  It may reveal your false gods to you.

Idols come in many forms with some being more obvious than others.  It's not likely that you have a little statue in your home that you worship, but you very likely have one in your heart.

How about...

Your home.  How important is that house you live in?  Is this where you extra money goes?  Do you spend your extra time decorating and cleaning?

Your bank account.  If your account was wiped out tomorrow, would you be suicidal?  Find yourself working long hours to make your bottom line grow?  Do your kids see you as much as your co-workers do?

Food.  When you need consolation, do you turn to food rather than God?  How about when you are celebrating?  Is extra money spent on buying soft drinks, expensive coffees, and eating out?

Your children.  Are you teaching your kids that they are more important than anything else...including God.  Do you make sacrifices to assure that all their wants are met?  Is your time spent running from one kid activity to another?  Do they feel that the world revolves around them?

Technology.  Drugs.  Your looks, favorite NFL/collegiate/NBA/NHL...etc team, spouse (or boyfriend/girlfriend), pets, bands, college degrees...

The list goes on and on.

In reality, this is one of the biggest issues that we, as Christians, face in our daily lives.  I wish the issue was as simple as avoiding little statues.