In a few days I get the honor of baptizing one of my best friends, Mark and Bryan will have the honor to baptize his wife, Margot. Every time I think about this, tears fill my eyes and I am in awe how God has transformed the lives of this beautiful couple. Words cannot express what a blessing it is to be a part their amazing journey. On Sunday, before their family and friends, they are making a public declaration that they have decided to follow Jesus. I have been to many weddings, funerals, and birthdays which have each been very special. But the celebration of two people I love being baptized in the name of Jesus brings me to my knees. It reminds me of how much God loves each one of us and His desire for EVERYONE to come to him no matter your baggage, past, or even current issues. God didn't wait for Mark and Margot to "clean-up" their act first! He didn't ask them to "get it all together" before they came to him. God did not ask for them to make sure they could "fit into church" or if they knew all the right songs or Bible verses. He deemed them lovable the moment they were created! He proved his love by the sacrifice on the cross! On April 28, 2013 the angels will sing, the heavens will declare, "Mark and Margot Betram, you two are mine! I will see you in heaven where you will spend eternal life with Me." That is going to be one incredible party!
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Broken Girl
I am not part of the liberal left and I would detest ever be called the religious right. One accepts everything and can compromise accountability, the other closely resembles the Pharisees that loved the rules but not people. I don't want to be trapped by any of these ideologies that seem to stand on platforms of rhetoric rather than actually making a difference in the world. I am uncomfortable how many have bought into the idea that "the war" will be won in the political realm and not in the HEARTS of the people.
Politics will not answer the "cry for help". The church that Jesus left behind should be the ones to step in to show the world the power of God's love, grace, mercy, kindness, gentleness, and humility. In the midst of all these horrible tragedies, the body of Christ should stand up and act like the one who created them is in CHARGE! Because of His glory, beauty will rise from the ashes of evil. Hope will stamp out despair. Love will triumph over hate.
We don't need more judgment, fear, laws, fighting over our opinions, or finger pointing!! We need a 'church' that will rally around the hurting, the lost, the outcasts, and the broken, to serve and comfort them.
Instead of being known by my political party, ethnic background, sexual orientation, career choices, financial bracket or membership in a religious group, I want to be known as a broken girl, living in a broken world trying to make a difference by loving others well. Not to be a great person but to serve a Great GOD! I want to stand on the example of Jesus who didn't argue with politicians, attend parades bashing others, listen to talk radio of fools, demand for more laws to be made, turn his nose at the less fortunate, brag about who his dad was, wear bumper stickers to show what he believed or constantly fight over "nonessentials".
Instead, He walked around the earth telling everyone about God's love and washing the feet of others. Just because I am a Christian, please don't put me into ANY box, especially the ones that are so far away from the ACTUAL teaching of Jesus. Please don't judge God when I make mistakes or fail miserably at reflecting Him well.
I am just a broken girl, living in a broken world trying to make a difference by loving others.
"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing." 1 Cor 13:1-3
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
BECAUSE
"Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
-Chorus by Bill and Gloria Gaither
I love this chorus. David Crowder did a version of the song that brings me to my knees when I hear it. Usually when I sing it, I will have tears streaming down my face. Because He lives all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
-Chorus by Bill and Gloria Gaither
This song reminds me that I can wake up tomorrow with hope because He lives. Even if everything in my life is a train wreck, my hope in Jesus helps me put one foot in front of the other. When I want to put my covers over my head because the thought of starting another day seems overwhelming, my love for Him gives me strength to get up.
When I am scared, worried, or filled with anxiety I try to take a deep breath and remember He holds my future. He knows the right timing. He knows the next step. He knows my heart desires. He knows what my family needs. He holds my destiny in the palm of His hand. Because He lives He wants me to trust Him and not run around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to figure out or fix everything.
Life is hard. It can throw you curve balls, knock you to your knees, take your breath away with the pain, and you wonder, "Is all this worth it?" But because He lives, because He died on the cross, because He made the ultimate sacrifice, because He loved us more than enough.... life IS worth living.
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