"And we'll not fail to give You all the honor and glory, Jesus."

"And we'll not fail to give You all the honor and glory, Jesus."  

Ever said those words, friends?  I know I have.  Whatever bind I had gotten myself into or some trouble that only Jesus could save me from and this promise (or one similar to it) flew from my lips in my attempts to make my burden an "If-you-do-this-for-me-Jesus-then-I-will-do-that-for-You" vow.

Hmn.  Wonder what my old Mars Hill University Probability and Statistics teacher would make of this "If/Then" statement?  I know he sure put me through a lot of improbable dilemmas.

Seriously though, as I contemplate my prayer life, I found myself pondering these words of David written so very long ago.  I was reflecting on me (one of my favorite topics) and how many things God has brought me through.  That led to me thinking of Prayers and Praises time at church and how we (definitely me included) spend so much time asking (whining?) about problems and so very little time praising for what we've been brought through.  It's almost embarrassing at times when we've been given the opportunity to list our woes and then comes the moment when Brandon or Pastor Dale asks if any of us has a praise.  Sometimes--even though the floor is carpeted--one could hear a pin drop as silence envelops our now- stilled tongues.

What happened to those vows we made, to give God ALL of the honor and glory when it was all said and done?  Was our problem just not that big to begin with that it didn't deign being thanked for?  Did we just want to have our voices heard by others and--truthfully--not even go home ourselves and pray for what we had just asked others to do?  That time spent letting others know about Aunt Jill and our neighbor Fred and his cousin Billy Bob who worked with a man who had some type of disease that can't even be pronounced and oh, by the way, we really need to pray for...

Do you feel me, friends?  Though I am offering these examples in a comical way, it happens nearly every service.  Someone I don't know a thing about is being introduced via prayer time and I am being told by others that this is how I should spend my time--praying for this one--and then later, when I ask about the progress of that soul, often I get a blank stare as the one who asked valiantly tries to recall just what the heck I am talking about.

Sigh.

I am so guilty of this.  I'd rather pass the buck on to my spiritual friends who have time to pray for these souls that I'd rather not fool with.  I'd rather burden them with my load because they are just so much stronger, so much closer to God than I am that surely He will respond better to them on my friend's behalf (and other parts of his/her body).  Their effectual fervent prayers will reach God's ears before mine even float to the ceiling.  Right?

Heavier sigh.

Nonetheless, when a promise is made to God, we ought to keep it.  His Word tells us it's better to not say anything than to make a promise we can't keep (Ecclesiastes 5:5).  

In closing, I’m not writing these words to criticize (even though my toes feel a bit stepped upon) but instead I am writing them to propose a challenge to you, to me.  What if right now we all just took a moment or two (or twelve) to thank God for answered prayers--and maybe even some unanswered ones?  It doesn’t have to be a public praise but you are surely welcome to share here if you like.  Back in my Flemings Chapel days, there were some lovely ladies who kept prayer journals.  They would review them, place a checkmark beside the answered ones, and reflect on God’s goodness in His discernment to do what He felt needed done.  I myself keep several logs and think I am going to review them now and do a little thanksgiving myself.  It’s about time I kept my word to God, huh?

Let’s pray!

Dear Lord, as I shamefacedly approach Your throne, I’m not going to dwell on what I should have done and put the focus on me.  For You see, Father, this time is about You and about how wonderful You are and have been in taking my prayers and the prayers of others and dealing with them.  I may not have always liked Your answers and some of these prayers I surely would have answered more quickly had I been You (ahem) but that in itself is another praise to You, for Father, had I been in charge?  I shudder to think what a mess I might have made since I have no foresight as You do.

Thank You for all the times You have spent listening to my cries--whether they were silent or aloud.  Thank You for mercies in not giving me what I thought were the desires of my heart.  Thank You for healing, for security, for love, my precious family, and for my church.  Thank You mostly, Lord God, for redemption through Christ Jesus.  Sigh.  May my words be fewer except when speaking of You and Your marvelous grace is my prayer.  In the merciful and patient name of Jesus I pray.  Amen!

The Better Way

I feel that in retrospect, he’d take it all back if he could.  That he wish he’d never have said those words, those words that pierced my heart that was already wounded, that was already hurting.  I feel that if given the opportunity to do the whole sorry conversation over, I really believe he would have made better use of his words, of his emotions, and of his reactions.  Sadly though, once out there, those words just cannot be erased, cannot be wiped out with the backspace key, cannot be erased from the paper, cannot be blotted out nor have the White-Out applied to them for you see, when they roll off of the tongue without consideration, too often their permanence has been ingrained and the damage done.

That’s why I love the written word!  Ahh yes, the spoken word is great also but like mentioned above, once it’s been said, there are no take backs.  But when something is scribed with a pencil, with a keyboard, or with mini- strokes on a keypad there is always that opportunity to stop, to consider if that was the correct, the best word choice, or even if maybe the whole sentence should be erased.  Remember my “Letters That Have Never Been Sent” file?  Yeah, those letters are in a nice, safe place and not out there, wreaking havoc with my emotional thoughts and opinions and spewing venom and hurtful things.  They are in a drawer and/or computer file, and unable to hurt because the words penned in them have no target.

Whoa!  What happened to you?  You look like you’ve been in a bar fight!  

The words, if spoken by a friend, could more easily have been swallowed.  However, since they came from a stranger and since he cringed from my presence when seeing my bandaged face, they stung.  As I wrote above, in hindsight he more than likely would have controlled that beast of a tongue instead of it controlling him.  He probably would have offered some sympathy instead of expressing horror, making me feel like a freak.  He might even have questioned what happened to a sweet ol’ gal like me instead of assuming I had been out on the prowl, visiting in places I have no business of being in -- just as he had no business coming to my home with his agenda of selfishness.  I guess we’ll never know, huh?

As I close today, consider with me the passage from James 3:5-11.  Yeah, we’ve discussed it in this blog before and knowing me, it will come up again.  Nonetheless, my prayer for me and for you is that these words from scripture will permeate our hearts, lead us to consider our words, and to use our tongues for blessing and not cursing, for sweetness instead of bitterness.  When we see others--instead of passing immediate judgment and condemnation--let’s ponder for a moment or two that all may not appear as it seems to on the surface.  Jumping to conclusions and then voicing those opinions often leaves a trail of mayhem when if we’ll just be quiet, just think, then there’s a good chance we can make someone’s day a more positive one.  Amen?  Amen!

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father;  nd therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

My Review of "The Shack"

“Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat......Forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established.........Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation.........Forgiveness does not excuse anything.........You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely. And then one day you will pray for his wholeness......” ― William Paul Young, The Shack

Last night Steve and I went to see the movie version of “The Shack.”  It was based on the novel of the same name, written by William P. Young.  Several people wondered what I thought of it.  That’s not an easy question to answer briefly but I will try.

The year was 2008 when I first read this novel.  Like many others, I was skeptical about God--my God--being represented as a woman.  I read the book with my token religious haughtiness at hand, ready to throw the book across the room at its blasphemous words should I find the need to do so.  However, as I delved further into the story of Mackenzie and his struggle to believe in God when his world was falling down all around him, I was drawn into the story of forgiveness, acceptance, and the mighty power of God’s love.  For you see, I too was facing these dilemmas as my father and sister died within four weeks of each other and the devastating effects left behind as I watched what was left of my family implode allowed me to relate to Mack’s feelings of anger, betrayal, and loneliness.

Much has changed in my life since those events nearly nine years ago.  I have grown spiritually as my sweet and patient Lord has worked in me my own ability to forgive those who hurt me the most.  Like the male version of “Papa” told Mackenzie, I too had to let go of some throats.  I too had to release folks from their “crimes”--often several times a day.  I too had to forgive--even though establishing relationship with them was not going to be an option.  Mostly though, I had to realize God was in control of it all and was using it for my good even though for the life of me I could not understand where He was in all of this chaos.

As I watched the movie, my thoughts were more on the present and how this movie would impact me now.  My awareness of God in His many roles has evolved and I was curious to see how this motion picture would depict Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  I’ll definitely say it was interesting and-- with an open mind--enjoyable.  For you see, God can be so many things to us, His children, and He is sensitive to our needs as we reach out to Him.  When one has had an abusive father figure, it’s easy to see why relating to God as a loving daddy would be hard to do.  Long ago, The McKameys sang a song that sums this up better than I can:

“Sometimes I try to tell what Jesus means to me, and I find myself searching for words to say just what I mean. Well I never can quite describe how good He’s been to me.  But I know whatever I need that’s just what He is.

He’s my rock and my deliverer, He’s my strength, my God, and my King. He’s my shelter in the time of trouble, yes I look to Him for everything. He can be a mother, a father, or friend and on Him I can always depend, for I know whatever I need that’s just what He is.”

In conclusion, what did I think of the movie “The Shack”?  I think it’s a great conversation starter for those who are curious about the Lord, the real Lord, and not just wanting a pat response about Him when their salvation is at stake.  Too many folks have been hurt by religion and false teachings to want to even think of or try to pursue a relationship with God.  Watching this movie just might give you an opening to tell them who Christ is to you and as you tell your story of how God has redeemed you, you just might encourage them to seek Him out too.  

Let’s pray!

Dear Lord, there are so many ways You use to reach Your children.  This movie has the potential to bring people to You as they search for the one true God.  Lord, so many have been raised to fear You--but not in a reverential way, Father.  Too many think of You as judge, jury, and executioner, just sitting on Your throne, waiting to rend Your judgment on them because they are so unworthy and bad.  As they watch this movie, read the book, hear true stories of You, and see You in a different light, my prayer is that You will soften their bruised hearts and melt the ice around them.  I pray that You will continue to have mercy as they fight the lies and discover just how wonderful You are!  Lord, so many, so so many don’t know what love is.  My prayer is that eyes will be opened to embrace You the way You embraced us first.  Be our Papa, our Abba, our Father for we need You so very much.  In the name of Jesus I pray:  amen.