Recently, a friend of mine posted an article link on facebook which I truly related to on a large scale. This article is well worth the time it takes to read, as well as further contemplation it might trigger. The article's author, BJ Stockman is a stranger to me, but I appreciate his/her approach and point of view.
What BJ Stockman teaches in this article is absolutely missing from a lot of teaching in our Christian circles. The opening line of the article sums it up well, "The key to persevering as a Christian is not your perseverance with God, but God’s perseverance with you." The fundamental reason this is so important is that God's perseverance is part of His character, which means it cannot change or fail - ever. Our perseverance can, and will, fail. God cannot fail, cannot change, cannot make a mistake. Hence, we need to focus on HIM if we are going to teach His Word. This is missing, however, at women's events.
I have yet to attend any women's conference, retreat or event without this being completely overlooked in the presentation of the female speaker chosen. What is being overlooked? The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of giving us the Gospel and all Its redeeming power, not only for our very salvation, but for our daily lives, the vast majority of female speakers give us what I call "fluff & stuff," which is just information given to target our emotions, our behavior and a response. It is not meant to target Jesus Christ and His redeeming work in our lives. That may be the intent of the speaker, herself, but that is not what she accomplishes when she sets Him aside to pursue emotion, behavior and response.
In the article, BJ said, "Your faith through difficult times, your faith to endure, does not increase by working up faith but by rediscovering what God has done in the person and work of Jesus Christ and resting in his promise to never leave you or forsake you no matter what." If women's event speakers truly believed this, then taught it as though they believe it, it would transform our events and women would actually grow in grace at these events! Imagine! Isn't that the goal anyway? We set aside these events for that very purpose. What if our speakers actually spoke of this, rather than our behavior? The difference we would see as a result would be astonishing!
I could go on with some examples, but I won't at this time. Read BJ Stockman's article; it's a good one.
~Tricia
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Mentioning Jesus/Giving the Gospel
Mentioning Jesus at the end of a funeral message is not the same as giving the Gospel at a funeral. Just so you know.
My husband attended the funeral of one of our members this week. Even though the person was a member of our church, my husband did not preach the funeral. We have no idea why he wasn't invited to do just that; it's normally a given with a sitting pastor. But, another man preached the funeral and my husband attended. And this other preacher did not give the Gospel message - not even once - during his message. He mentioned Jesus at the end of his message, but that is not the same as giving the Gospel message.
My husband is troubled. His burden - as ANY pastor's burden - is to lead his flock in light of the Gospel at all times. A funeral is always attended by those who do not know the Savior and they need the Gospel. Not only so they can know Him, but the Gospel eases the pain of their hearts at a time of utter human sorrow. My husband always preaches the Gospel at every funeral, without fail. He has preached literally to thousands through funerals over his 29 years in the ministry and he has given the Gospel at every single one of the funerals he's preached.
So, the saddest part of the day is not the fact that this family laid their loved one to eternal rest. She's in Glory with her Savior. The saddest part of the day is that NOT ONE person heard the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at her funeral. So, so very, very sad.
Where does my theology come into this? A deeper resolve to do the right thing no matter what. A deeper respect for my husband for going to show respect for that member, even though it was humiliating to be ignored. A firmer decision to live out the Gospel even in light of those who ignore it.
~Tricia
My husband attended the funeral of one of our members this week. Even though the person was a member of our church, my husband did not preach the funeral. We have no idea why he wasn't invited to do just that; it's normally a given with a sitting pastor. But, another man preached the funeral and my husband attended. And this other preacher did not give the Gospel message - not even once - during his message. He mentioned Jesus at the end of his message, but that is not the same as giving the Gospel message.
My husband is troubled. His burden - as ANY pastor's burden - is to lead his flock in light of the Gospel at all times. A funeral is always attended by those who do not know the Savior and they need the Gospel. Not only so they can know Him, but the Gospel eases the pain of their hearts at a time of utter human sorrow. My husband always preaches the Gospel at every funeral, without fail. He has preached literally to thousands through funerals over his 29 years in the ministry and he has given the Gospel at every single one of the funerals he's preached.
So, the saddest part of the day is not the fact that this family laid their loved one to eternal rest. She's in Glory with her Savior. The saddest part of the day is that NOT ONE person heard the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at her funeral. So, so very, very sad.
Where does my theology come into this? A deeper resolve to do the right thing no matter what. A deeper respect for my husband for going to show respect for that member, even though it was humiliating to be ignored. A firmer decision to live out the Gospel even in light of those who ignore it.
~Tricia
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Reverential Respect?
Lately, I've heard the use of the phrase "reverential respect" when people are attempting to describe their "fear" of the Lord. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is not enough! I have reverential respect for a number of people. I would say I have that for several preachers and pastors that I know. I would describe my feelings as reverential respect for the president, for our state officials and lawmakers. But the Lord, God Almighty? Reverential respect? Are you kidding me? Nah. I have fear. Outright, undeniable, indescribable, bone-chilling fear. I don't have a leg to stand on in His presence, and neither does anyone else.
Daniel, that great prophet who was described by God, Himself, as one who was beloved and righteous, quaked in fear before the presence of just the angel of the Lord. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel describes himself as "without strength" and "trembling" and "vigor turned to frailty"......fear. He feared this angel of the Lord - and that was just an angel of the Lord, not the Lord, God Almighty Himself! Daniel was without strength until the angel actually touched him and that touch strengthened him. Read Daniel chapter 10 and makes notes about Daniel's responses.
We want to talk about and dwell on the love of God - after all, He loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us. However, He sent Christ to die because that was the only satisfaction for His holiness. There was no other way to appease Him for our sin. Not only did He show mercy by giving us a Solution for our sin, He sacrificed Himself to make that Solution a reality for us. Mercy. Love. Compassion. Grace. Salvation. He is the Author of it all. Reverential respect does not do it justice. The only One Who is able to justify us requires much, much more than reverential respect.
What if He came to your house today? What if the Lord, God Almighty stopped you on your way somewhere? What if He came to your job? Don't expect me to believe that you'd be swooning with reverential respect.......ah, no. You'd be prostrate on your face in fear, without a leg to stand on, trembling, quaking, hoping beyond hope that you could gather the strength to run and hide......
...............until He touches you.
Even then, reverential respect doesn't do it justice.
The fear is turned to awe ................and we are silent from a mix of fear and awe and absolute wonder. Nah, I see no reverential respect here. That phrase minimizes His holy righteousness and that has repercussions that no one can live with.
~Tricia
Daniel, that great prophet who was described by God, Himself, as one who was beloved and righteous, quaked in fear before the presence of just the angel of the Lord. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel describes himself as "without strength" and "trembling" and "vigor turned to frailty"......fear. He feared this angel of the Lord - and that was just an angel of the Lord, not the Lord, God Almighty Himself! Daniel was without strength until the angel actually touched him and that touch strengthened him. Read Daniel chapter 10 and makes notes about Daniel's responses.
We want to talk about and dwell on the love of God - after all, He loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us. However, He sent Christ to die because that was the only satisfaction for His holiness. There was no other way to appease Him for our sin. Not only did He show mercy by giving us a Solution for our sin, He sacrificed Himself to make that Solution a reality for us. Mercy. Love. Compassion. Grace. Salvation. He is the Author of it all. Reverential respect does not do it justice. The only One Who is able to justify us requires much, much more than reverential respect.
What if He came to your house today? What if the Lord, God Almighty stopped you on your way somewhere? What if He came to your job? Don't expect me to believe that you'd be swooning with reverential respect.......ah, no. You'd be prostrate on your face in fear, without a leg to stand on, trembling, quaking, hoping beyond hope that you could gather the strength to run and hide......
...............until He touches you.
Even then, reverential respect doesn't do it justice.
The fear is turned to awe ................and we are silent from a mix of fear and awe and absolute wonder. Nah, I see no reverential respect here. That phrase minimizes His holy righteousness and that has repercussions that no one can live with.
~Tricia
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Tears in A Bottle
"Tears In A Bottle" is the title of my 2nd book, which is now available on Amazon as a Kindle e-book. "Tears In A Bottle" is a collection of articles, some previously published elsewhere, that display my walk with God in a genuine and transparent way. These articles show some things I've struggled through, including my son's two deployments to Iraq. One article, "About Letting Go," is under consideration to be a tract to be produced en mass, then distributed to families of our military men and women.
I hope that a few people will buy this easy-download e-book and receive a blessing!
No Kindle is required - you can download a free Kindle app for your PC, iphone, ipad, etc.
Thanks!
~Tricia
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Challenge
The challenge is this: My oldest daughter and her 5-year-old son are living with us while her son's dad is deployed to Afghanistan. I home school my kids and the youngest is 12, so having a 5-year-old in the house is a challenge all by itself. There is extra noise and extra chaos; and this is a lot of extra work on my part - emotional work that I don't feel up to.
How does my theology play into this? In several ways:
1. I must keep my relationship with my daughter as a priority. This means I might have to overlook some inconveniences and allow her to "go first" in the kitchen, etc.
2. I must keep my relationship with my grandson as a priority. This means I have to remember my role and place in his life & not usurp his mom's authority.
3. I must keep school as consistent as possible for my 3 kids who are still in school. This means I can't allow 2 new people in the house to disrupt school any more than is necessary. So, I have to get a little bold & ask my daughter to conduct phone business in her room so as not to disturb the boys' studies in the dining room (which is where we home school). I also must retain discipline in their lives so that they learn to give and sacrifice, too. But, at the same time, my relationship with each of them is also a priority, so I can't sacrifice that and they need to see that they are still a priority even with the added people living here. And I have to accomplish this while making dinner, or folding laundry, or schooling them, because moms do not get to take sabbaticals.
4. First and foremost, I have to keep in mind my objective as a believer in Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, I want to lie down with a clear conscience, knowing that I've done right by my family, to the best of my ability, and also done right in the sight of God.
As I think of my challenge in a theological way, it's easier to bear, although it's still a challenge and very stressful.
Theologically speaking, nothing about God changes when our circumstances change. This realization is representative of how theology influences my life. It's not about ME; it's not about THEM. It's about HIM. The verse which comes to mind on this one is Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Praise the Lord, HE never changes. So, I will rest in this: that HE never changes, no matter how much my daily circumstances change. And my main focus, even in all this chaos and uncertainty, will be the Lord Jesus Christ, and not myself, my family or my current challenges. Just Him.
~Tricia~
How does my theology play into this? In several ways:
1. I must keep my relationship with my daughter as a priority. This means I might have to overlook some inconveniences and allow her to "go first" in the kitchen, etc.
2. I must keep my relationship with my grandson as a priority. This means I have to remember my role and place in his life & not usurp his mom's authority.
3. I must keep school as consistent as possible for my 3 kids who are still in school. This means I can't allow 2 new people in the house to disrupt school any more than is necessary. So, I have to get a little bold & ask my daughter to conduct phone business in her room so as not to disturb the boys' studies in the dining room (which is where we home school). I also must retain discipline in their lives so that they learn to give and sacrifice, too. But, at the same time, my relationship with each of them is also a priority, so I can't sacrifice that and they need to see that they are still a priority even with the added people living here. And I have to accomplish this while making dinner, or folding laundry, or schooling them, because moms do not get to take sabbaticals.
4. First and foremost, I have to keep in mind my objective as a believer in Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, I want to lie down with a clear conscience, knowing that I've done right by my family, to the best of my ability, and also done right in the sight of God.
As I think of my challenge in a theological way, it's easier to bear, although it's still a challenge and very stressful.
Theologically speaking, nothing about God changes when our circumstances change. This realization is representative of how theology influences my life. It's not about ME; it's not about THEM. It's about HIM. The verse which comes to mind on this one is Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." Praise the Lord, HE never changes. So, I will rest in this: that HE never changes, no matter how much my daily circumstances change. And my main focus, even in all this chaos and uncertainty, will be the Lord Jesus Christ, and not myself, my family or my current challenges. Just Him.
~Tricia~
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