Loving Others

I woke up yesterday with a strange thought about people who are willing to die for what they believe. I don't know why this came to mind and I'm not sure I can put it into words accurately but I'll give it a try.

The thought was that a martyr doesn't die out of stubborn, self-determination about what he believes. He is willing to die because of his love for others. His desire to get the message to others is so important that he will not deny that message. If the message and his beliefs were for his own sake, he could avoid physical pain and suffering by keeping his beliefs to himself.

There's a lot to ponder in that thought. Beyond "dying for my sins," why did Jesus die? What am I doing with the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

Mark 4:10, 14, 22, 24
"the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you..."
"the farmer sows the word..."
"For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open"
"Consider carefully what you hear..."
"With the measure you use...
             it will be measured to you"

Be careful, that last statement may not be a pleasant experience. With the measure, comes love for others and a strong sense of responsibility. It would be rather foolish to put a fire under a bed (v21).

Does hedonism affect the public at large?

he·do·nism: the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life

Yesterday I posted a link on Facebook to an article titled Why Men Go To Prostitutes. The article came to this conclusion: "Learning that women were trafficked, pimped, or otherwise coerced would not be so effective" in deterring the men surveyed from buying sex but having their activities made known publicly would be a deterrent. So, I suggested that those convicted of buying sex have their pictures put in the newspaper like those who are charged with DUI in some areas I've lived.

The first response surprised me.

"DUI affects the public at large. Prostitution (via brothels and escort services) does not. Unless there is a detriment to the public at large, no need for a law to hurt legitimate business practices. Legalize brothels as they have in specific counties in Nevada and tax it as a business."

My friend's response assumes those providing the pleasure and those receiving the pleasure are adults with the mental/emotional ability to make decisions on what they consider pleasurable for themselves.

My initial comment to the article assumes the illegality of prostitution. His comment is a valid argument if legality of prostitution is the issue. I wasn't expecting that type of response because in my mind there is a far greater issue than whether or not prostitution should be legal for consenting adults.

As with many issues argued in this country, we tend to argue results of actions rather than causes of actions. I'm beginning to think this must be due to the rampant acceptance of hedonism.

For example, I've never understood why we argue so much about abortion. The choice should come at the point of becoming pregnant, not after the result of sex. If we spent as much effort helping people understand consequences as we do trying to provide or argue solutions after the fact, I think we'd all be better off.

Human trafficking is another such issue. We can't solve the problem of human trafficking simply by punishing the victims. By the way, there are much stronger laws in place (than a public picture) for those who receive profit or pleasure from sex with a minor.

Human trafficking is a broad issue. For this post I will focus on the element of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. I will not deny that there are a number of women and men who willingly prostitute themselves. I will not pretend to be able to think like one who finds pleasure in paying to have sex with a young person - and paying more if the child is very young.

As one author put it, you don't hear little girls saying "I want to be a prostitute when I grow up."  My guess for those who willingly sell sex, the money meets their needs but not their dreams. For some it may be a desperate matter of survival. And this is where we must ask again, when we argue for legalization of prostitution, what exactly are we arguing for?

What is the mindset of one who says if I want to have sex then I should be able to pay for it or if I want to make money I should be able to provide whatever pleasure a person is willing to pay for. The mindset is that "pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life." How does that mindset affect the public at large?

The pleasure of hedonism is determined by the individual
With hedonism, each person is free to determine and receive the pleasure they desire - some might try to make this sound better by adding "as long as it doesn't harm someone else." But at what point do you know that it is harming someone else? How is "harm" defined? Only physical harm? What about emotional harm that isn't obvious immediately? Is no harm done if they don't know it is hurting them (see info on Stockholm Syndrome)?

The individually determined pleasure creates a society of distrust in the same way that most of us have encountered friends that are around only when it is pleasurable or beneficial for them. That is hedonism.

Hedonism emphasizes pleasure more than character
When pleasure overrides integrity, honesty, and hard work, our society becomes weak and unproductive. Do you know someone who fits this description? When enough individuals accept this mindset, the same result is reflected in society at large.

Hedonism is not containable
As much as we may want to act like we can live for pleasure in one area of our life but live with concern for others in another area, I don't think it is possible. Nor can we say only certain people should have a specific pleasure while others should deny themselves of that same pleasure. Most of us may try to pull that off with our children by telling them we are allowed to do something because we are an adult but they aren't allowed because they are too young. Without proper perspective of pleasure and goals, what does this teach them to look forward to as an adult?

Hedonism is never satisfied
This may be the greatest tragedy of hedonism. This is where the hedonism issue ties legalizing adult prostitution into minor sex trafficking. The mindset that believes life is about pleasure will always be looking for new pleasure and greater pleasures. The mindset that believes money brings pleasure or satisfies struggles, will always be looking for more money.

As my friend pointed out, Nevada has legalized prostitution in some counties. Las Vegas is not in one of those counties yet children under the age of 18 are trafficked into Las Vegas from 40 different states.

Legalizing a pleasure doesn't make it safe. Legalizing a pleasure that jeopardizes trust and intimacy between two life-long partners destroys families and creates a desire that is not safe for any of us.

Men seek prostitutes for a variety of reasons. The most common reason named was to satisfy an immediate sexual urge or for pleasure (32%), followed by a need for variety (21%), not having their needs met in their current relationship (20%), convenience (15%), the thrill (8%), and an addiction or compulsion (3%). (Why Men Go To Prostitutes, A New Study)

Pleasure as a goal will never satisfy. Pleasure that satisfies comes as a result of seeking good for all people. I personally have found the only way to do that is to trust in the one who created this world. Do you want to experience satisfying adventure? Participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

“If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.” ~ CS Lewis

Additional Information
headonism
child victims of human trafficking
stockholm syndrome

A World Without Insurance

This came to me at 3am this morning so I thought I'd share the craziness.

There is no need for insurance if...

1. people are more important than money
2. mercy is more prevalent than blame
3. accountability is for the good of the one being held accountable instead of personal gain for the one wronged
   

Insurance itself is a good concept  - everyone helping each other.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality. 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

But somewhere along the way, we messed it up. Insurance companies take the personal element out of helping each other. That's a shame. It would be a much kinder world without insurance.

So, what do you think? Was this 3am thought prompted by God or was the white chili waking me up?

Truth, Fiction, and Mystery

A page from my journal...

Lord, my mind is full of vague pictures - like looking into a poor mirror? I'm beginning to see how everthing in this flesh is foreshadowing what is to come.

All of the OT foreshadowed Jesus Christ. He then showed us what is to come after him. I can't see it clearly but I am beginning to see how this world that I know and understand through the senses is both significant and insignificant. Almost like everything is a parable. A parable to reveal the mystery of Christ but not everyone can see it.

We get too caught up in living it, trying to make it something rather than just experiencing it for the sake of learning what we cannot make of it. We end up "confirming" only according to our own understanding instead of finding the hidden treasures of God.

Now, how does this impact the way I live, the way I respond to my children and others?

Every circumstance is an opportunity to learn and therefore be transformed further into the likeness of Christ. Wow. That's a bit overwhelming.

When I'm frustrated or irritated... Do I see the situation as something in which I am to control the outcome with my choices? Or do I see a lesson to learn about the righteousness I have received from Christ?

These thoughts came after reading Psalm 119:137 Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right. Followed by Colossians 1:24 - 3:4. My mind is also fresh with the influence of C.S. Lewis' The Great Divorce, and a discussion with a friend as to whether fiction is worth reading. I believe there are many things God wants to reveal to us that we cannot understand within the realm of comprehending only according to the senses. Fiction (parables) provides the imagination to reveal more even if it is fiction written by someone who knows nothing of Jesus Christ.

Ultimately, I think what I'm getting at is that truth is not what we understand but what we experience. Don't ask me to explain that further. I can't.

Your Weakest Link

Discerning our unique calling is not always a simple thing. We need to be quiet enough to hear God's still, small voice. We must also faithfully read the Scriptures, pray diligently, follow the Lord's teachings, listen to wise friends who know us, and consistently make ourselves available to serve. Finally, we have to remain open to God's possibilities, always willing to take the outrageous risk and do the unpredictable thing. (Stearns, Richard. The Hole in Our Gospel. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009)

Read through the above quote again. There are seven elements listed as essential to discerning your unique calling. Which ones are you missing? Maybe that's why you're frustrated. I know why I'm frustrated - #5 and #6 are my weak links.

Why are there weak links? For me, it is an issue of trusting others. It's hard to "listen to wise friends" if I don't let friends really get to know me. People get to know me more than I like when I "serve." And why is it hard for me to let people get to know me? Satan has fed me a little lie that I've eaten up for most of my life... no one is interested in what I have to say or what I think.

Ironic, isn't it? Satan uses lies that relate directly to what God is calling us to do. That sly devil.

What is your weak link? What lie is Satan using to keep you weak?

Good according to who?

Do good to your servant according to your word, O Lord. Psalm 119:65

Hmm, ever been frustrated or angry at God because he wasn't being "good" according to your perspective. Been there, done that. Really helps to check out life according to HIS Word.

Is Hell Eternal?

As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:18-19

Strange how a question can take me to far away perplexity. This morning's Bible Study question on Romans 5:6-11 was "How often do you share with others what it cost for God to reconcile us to Himself? Why?"

My response: "Not often. Probably because I don't fully understand why Christ had to die. Why is death the wages of sin? Why did God create people with the ability to sin? Is hell eternal?"

Yeah, that last question catapulted me into a thought processing quandary. Off to Ecclesiastes I went (beware, Ecclesiastes can make inquiries go in circles). Eccl 3:9 says God has "set eternity in the hearts of men."

With the input of Solomon, I reasoned that being a Christ follower has little to do with the concept of heaven (reward) and hell (punishment). It's much more about experiencing life right now as the Creator intended.

So, what is life? What is hell?

Beth Crawford's next Bible Study question pushed me a little further: "How has God's reconciling work through Jesus changed your life?"

General response: I'm joyful instead of bitter. I have hope instead of doubt.

This is not a response of logic and understanding. So what is it? The only thing I can figure is that "life" comes from receiving the Holy Spirit.

The two or three pages I journaled on this thought come down to this:

• Without the Holy Spirit we are no different than animals.
  


• Sin is a self-directed life as opposed to a Holy Spirit directed life. We are self-directed, like an animal, by the needs and desires of the flesh.
  


• The flesh was created. That which is created had a beginning and is subject to decay.
  


• The Holy Spirit is eternal with no beginning and no end. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the flesh has an "end" of some sort.

I'm still not sure where that leaves hell. The question now is, Do we have an eternal spirit apart from the Holy Spirit? I'll be diving into scripture with the Holy Spirit as my guide to see what I can find.

Feel free to comment. Controversy can be a great teacher.

ADDITIONAL READING:

• HELL: Eternal Torment or Complete Annihilation? by Jeremy K. Moritz
• IMMORTALITY OR RESURECTION? by Samuele Bacchiocchi
Chapter VI - HELL: ETERNAL TORMENT OR ANNIHILATION?

Perpetual Wonder

There is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is this question - "What do you expect to do?" You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely. It is this attitude that keeps you in perpetual wonder - you do not know what God is going to do next. Each morning you wake it is to be a "going out," building in confidence on God. ~ "Ozzy" Chambers

Great quote. And I love the "Ozzy" instead of Oswald. Makes the advice much friendlier. Check out Veronica Zamora's blog. She has some additional thoughts worthy of pondering for anyone with decisions or making changes in their life based on what they believe God has called them to do.

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Romans 11:8 NLT

It's actually comforting to think that if I had all the plans figured out then I wouldn't be following God's plan, I'd just be following my plans. Perpetual Wonderer. Yeah, I like it. Sounds risky. Adventurous.

Think I'll follow that thought awhile and see where God has me end up... today.  How about you? Is there anything you are afraid to do because God hasn't given you the whole plan? That would take all the fun out of it, wouldn't it?

a laugh and a prayer

I have a coffee mug that says "Start each day with a laugh and a prayer." My prayer wasn't going so well so I went in search of a laugh. God provided.

A magazine article said that the way to achieve inner peace is to FINISH things I have started. -- Today I finished four bags of potato chips, a cherry pie, and a small box of chocolate candy. I feel better already! Laughter from Heaven by Barbara Johnson

Sweetness of Knowledge

Knowledge without love is like cocoa without sugar.

If knowledge is intended to be a medicine for healing and correcting,

a spoonful of love helps the medicine go down.

Spiritual Warfare

“Jesus has called us into the army

but most western Christians

are trying to figure out how to remain civilians.”

~Steve Robbins, Vineyard Church of Columbus, Spiritual Warfare Seminar, June 2008

Faith

Faith does not give us the ability to make God do things. Faith gives us the ability to see and be involved in what God is doing.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…. ~ Acts 1:8

Thoughts on Getting Involved

Here’s a question I attempt to ask with involvement decisions, is it something I feel I “oughta” do or is it something I feel God drawing me to? There are times God calls us to do things out of obedience but even then, I think there is a different sense of drawing rather than sluggish pushing ourselves. Make sense?

I’m also learning that what I picture as the involvement may not be at all what God has in mind. So, it doesn’t do me any good to try to figure out if I have the time because I may not be committing to as much time as I think or it may be way more than I would ever consider possible for my current schedule.

Experience tells me that God generally calls us into relationships rather than time commitments.

So, what is God calling you to today? What are you fretting about because you or another person is pushing on you?

Say yes to God. To everyone else, just say no. You really don’t have to explain it to anyone – it may not make sense to them anyway.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. ~ Romans 12:2

Church Attendance

"Those who attend a conventional church are generally content to show up and accept whatever their church has on the agenda; they place the responsibility for their spiritual growth on the shoulders of the church. We found that most conventional church goers have no desire to help improve their congregation’s ministry, nor do they feel a need to increase their personal spiritual responsibility.” January 8, 2006 The Barna Update House Churches Are More Satisfying to Attenders Than Are Conventional Churches www.barna.org.

In another article, The Barna Group says, “American Christians are not as devoted to their faith as they like to believe. They have positive feelings about the importance of faith, but their faith is rarely the focal point of their life or a critical factor in their decision-making.”

Hmm, it’s easy for me to respond with “Boy, that sure is true in the churches I’ve been in.” But then I feel this little sting in my chest. If I see that, what am I doing to change it?

Do we, as a culture of professing Christians, fear God? I don’t think so. When is the last time you stepped into a church or gathering to worship God and experienced a physical alertness to the power of God. I am always amazed with the discussion of “fear God” among Christians. It always seems to come to a comfortable statement of “revere God.” We’ve made God a powerful and gentle human.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami gives a picture of the church. One website shows people who have been enjoying a day at the beach running for their lives. That is the fear of power.

How often do we go to worship God as we would go to the beach? We go to enjoy or receive something for ourselves – sometimes that “something” is a sense of satisfaction in doing even if we complain about it. I’m guilty of this. Maybe that’s why God has given me a full year to just be in his presence with little involvement in either of the two churches we’ve been attending.

Are you ready to see the power of God? That to me is what it means to fear God. We should always be aware of his overwhelming greatness and power. Yes, he loves us as his children. But he is not human. “God” is not his name. “God” is what he is. Just as I am a woman – a human being created by the infinite almighty being we call God.

Oh that our church gatherings would be filled with fear. Just imagine the worship.

Some Bizarre Thoughts on Trees

It’s been a while since I blogged. I’m working on my first paid assignment and the deadline is tomorrow so I won’t take the time to explore these thoughts too deeply. Just wanted to share with you where my mind is today.

What was Adam and Eve’s sin? What has been God’s plan from the beginning? What if Adam and Eve had not eaten from the tree of knowledge of good and evil?

Today, because of Christ, we are able to be one with God through his Life (the Holy Spirit) dwelling in us.

Adam and Eve walked with God but God was not in them. Was God’s plan from the beginning to have a relationship with mankind like he had with Adam and Eve or did he intend for the relationship to be even more meaningful from the beginning?

Was the crucifixion of Jesus his plan from the beginning or was pouring his Spirit into man his plan?

What if Adam and Eve had eaten from the Tree of Life instead of the Tree of Knowledge? Would they have received the Spirit and oneness with God as God desired? Would the Word have been eaten in the form of fruit from a tree rather than death of a man on a cross?

John 6:54 says “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” In John 14:6 Jesus says “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches (John 15). We are one with God through the vine.

Mark 8:35 (NLT) “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.”

Did Adam and Eve try to keep their life for themselves by eating from the tree of knowledge? Is that still our biggest struggle? Do we want to figure out life through knowledge we gain through our own efforts?

I know that was my struggle 17 years ago. How about you? Are you eating from the tree of knowledge or the tree of life?

Just Writing

Today I am writing to be writing. What will come of this?

I went on a Spiritual Formation Retreat last weekend. Seems God is trying to tell me that I have eaten enough and slept enough. It’s time to come out of the cocoon. Hmm, what will I be? A beautiful gentle flowing butterfly that makes people stop and admire the beauty of God’s creation in me? Or an annoying moth frantically fluttering toward the Light hanging on to those who are as transparent as I’d like to be.

The entire retreat was an encounter with God holding up a mirror I wasn’t sure I wanted to look into. Who am I? The Tin Woodsman from the original story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz? (written by L. Frank Baum in 1899) I’d never heard of the book that inspired the movie. I’ve never been a fan of Oz but I think I’d like the book.

What keeps me from sharing myself – being authentic? Is authentic something I can become or is it a lifetime process?

Sunday evening brought another amazing encounter with God. This time it involved some of my authentic self (alone in my car) shouting commands at satan. Whew, that was pretty cool. God’s power in me is exciting while at the same time a little frightening. What could God do through me if I truly allowed Him to – if I was truly authentic all the time? What could He do through His Body if we all were authentic all the time? The thought is mind-boggling!

Here’s what I think would happen:
1) Christ followers would unite (no more denominations)
2) Seekers would believe because they would see Christ rather than individuals in the unity. They wouldn’t wonder why there are three churches within a mile of each other – or side by side!
3) There would be a significant chasm between believers and unbelievers
4) And maybe, just maybe, Christ would answer the call of believers today as stated in Revelation 22:20 “Amen, Come Lord Jesus.”

On My Mind Today 1/18/2005

The WeatherBug says it’s five degrees outside. Brrrrr. Hot coffee at my side. Nearly impossible to keep this two-story house warm on the first floor without having a sauna on the second floor. Note: consider a second furnace unit. What’s a woman to do but sit with her coffee, God and her laptop.

Ok, God. What do you have for me today? Blogging? Working on the Prayer Experience I’m going to be leading in less than three weeks! Ahhh, Oh, what is that scripture about not worrying about what I will say because you will speak for me?

Exodus 4:11-12
"Who makes mouths?" the LORD asked him. "Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say."

That’s not the one I was thinking of but it fits better. The other scripture is in Matthew and refers to being arrested. I don’t think I’m getting myself into a controversial situation. I am an out of the box thinker. Reverent would not be an adjective to describe me. But I think I’ll be ok with the “religious leaders” of Crossroads.

I’m working on two articles – yeah right, articles. Sounds impressive, like I’m a writer. Ha, still dreaming. It’s fun to dream as long as God is the Dream Giver.

So what is my dream? To help others get to know God as I know him from my perspective. He is so life-changing. So life-giving. He gives life meaning. If others could get inside my head and experience what I have experienced of God, with God, it would change perspective of life for some. Success? Redefined. Pleasure? Eternal. Personal purpose? Meaning of life? Sense of direction? Insight, insight, insight.

Too many “Christians” just trying to be good. Hello! If being “good” is the answer to life, then Jesus’ crucifixion was just a gory story about a really good man. Sorry to inform some of you. We are not to be like Christ. We are to be the body of Christ. Bit of difference there. Has to do with who is in control. Jesus is the head of the body.

Ok, enough rambling today. I think I’ll blog this. Might help some of you to know me better. Scary thought. Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is {considered} prudent.” Hmm, maybe I should just keep my thoughts to myself.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this blog full of random thoughts and fragmented sentences.

Have a cozy day. Forget trying to be good. Just join with the head and let Him determine what you do. He doesn’t have to "try". Amazing things happen when he just speaks!