Transformational Descipleship- A Lifeway.com Resource

Transformational Descipleship- A Lifeway.com Resource

The Big Picture

There, on the cross, a criminal faced himself, feared God, and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in to your kingdom." The dying criminal had more faith than all the rest of Jesus' followers put together! How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man who alone saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory! JESUS! Show me the bigger picture! Do not allow me to be so simple and narrow minded that I miss a single lesson you want to teach me!

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" -Jesus, Luke 18:8

Authentic biblical freedom feels the wind of the Spirit while standing steadfastly on the Rock of Truth. -B. Moore, Believing God.

Rocking The Boat.....

Paul in a letter to Timothy says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent (1 Timothy 2).” This passage is used to support the 2000 addition of “the office of pastor is limited to men” to the Baptist Faith and Message Statement. Paul supports this statement because Eve was the one deceived in the Garden of Eden and therefore is solely responsible for the “original sin.” (May I just say that the man, being the husband/leader/protector, should never have let that serpent near Eve to begin with!)

Paul continues in his letter to Timothy about many specific things that a woman can and cannot do such as; praying only with a veiled head, forbidding women from wearing jewelry or expensive clothes. It seems that Paul is addressing specific concerns in a letter to a specific audience. I feel that it is unlikely that Paul was trying to establish universal religious practices.

Paul’s statements to Timothy seem to differ from some of his very own statements seen elsewhere. To the Romans, Paul publicly commends his sister in Christ, Phoebe, who was also a deacon at the church of Cenchrea (Roman 16:1). In the same letter he mentioned several other women for their hard work and dedication to Jesus. Furthermore, in a public letter to the Galatians, Paul says, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith... There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).”

So as Christians what must we do when we can find passages from the Bible to justify both sides of this discussion? I feel that it is our duty as believers in Jesus to examine scripture from his teachings. The Baptist Faith and Message of 1963 states, “the criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.” By the way, this statement is no longer in The Baptist Faith and Message of 2000.
http://www.baptiststart.com/2000_1963_1925.htm

During Jesus’ time on earth, there was a prevailing prohibition against interacting with women in public. Contrary to this, Jesus did not hesitate from talking with a Samaritan woman at a public well, Jacob’s well. After speaking with Jesus this woman accepted him as Christ, and by no accident became the first evangelical witness sharing her testimony with the town of Sychar (John 4). While the disciples where hiding in a secret place, it was Mary Magdalene that visited the empty tomb and then was instructed by Jesus to go and tell the disciples to meet him in Galilee (Matthew 28:10).

Examining Jesus’ ministry, I don’t see any reason why women should be deprived of the right to serve Christ in positions of leadership. We see in Jesus’ ministry that the first witness for the Lord was a woman. The risen Lord first visited Mary Magdalene. Likewise, we see in the early church that Paul was grateful to many women including Phoebe, a deacon, for their hard work and dedication.

In our modern heritage one of the most celebrated missionaries is Lottie Moon, a brave and faithful woman that served until her last breath. Men and women are equally responsible to share the good news that effects eternity. As a result it is my opinion that an individual’s gender should never be used as a bridle to hinder being a servant for God.

Taken from SBC.Net-Women in Ministry
"Women participate equally with men in the priesthood of all believers. Their role is crucial, their wisdom, grace and commitment exemplary. Women are an integral part of our Southern Baptist boards, faculties, mission teams, writer pools, and professional staffs. We affirm and celebrate their Great Commission impact.

While Scripture teaches that a woman's role is not identical to that of men in every respect, and that pastoral leadership is assigned to men, it also teaches that women are equal in value to men."

*****(The following is an article I found that was of interest to me. It is directly quoted, and I do not take any credit for any part of the writing that follows:
"What Would Lottie Say?
By Allen Thomason, Coordinator for the North Central Region of The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

You can count on one hand the Missionaries that have had as great an impact on the missionary movement as did Lottie Moon. Outside from the Apostle Paul, William Carey, the Judsons, and Luther Rice, it is hard to find anyone else that has a legacy that has lasted and made the crater-type of impact as has the legacy of Charlotte Diggs Moon. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is the single largest annual offering gathered by any group of Christians in the world, and it was her idea. She is an acknowledged saint to a faith tradition that is suspicious of saints. She has become a cultural heroine to a degree unapproached by any missionary - or for that matter, any American - that ever went to China. In spite of all that, one can only wonder what role Lottie Moon would be allowed to play if she were just starting out in ministry today. Would Lottie Moon gain an appointment by the current international Mission Board (IMB)? It is possible. It depends on how well they got to know Lottie.

To their credit, the IMB has no shortage of single women serving as missionaries. No single demographic group of people has done as much for the cause of missions as single women. But if the new SBC leadership has done one thing well, it is to make their position clear on the role of women in ministry: "you can't be pastors, obey your husbands, you can't be deacons, you can't teach men, and do as the men tell you." Would Lottie Moon meet this type of criteria? Would she play ball and be submissive to her male missions directors? Clearly, her acceptance as a missionary candidate would depend on her willingness to abide by SBC and IMB policy. How would she fit in today?

The key lies in looking at how Lottie conformed to the standards of her day in 1873, when she sailed for China, and the 40 plus years she spent there. Lottie had been a teacher, and continued as one when she began her work in China. She quickly mastered the language and was adamant about adhering to Chinese culture when it did not directly conflict with her faith. She was a pioneer in contextualization, becoming the first missionary in China to adopt wearing Chinese clothing and using Chinese customs primarily in order to gain trust among the Chinese. In these things and others, Lottie was a pioneer, although her immediate supervisors considered her more of a loose cannon than a visionary.

Very soon, Lottie became frustrated. She became convinced that her talent was being wasted and could be better put to use in evangelism and church planting. She had come to China to "go out among the millions" as an evangelist, only to find herself relegated to teaching a school of forty "unstudious" children. Lottie felt that she was chained down, unable to be used as God had called her. She viewed herself as an oppressed class - single women missionaries - and her writings were an appeal on behalf of all those who were facing similar situations in their ministries. In the article The Woman's Question Again, published in 1883, Lottie wrote: "Can we wonder at the mortal weariness and disgust, the sense of wasted powers and the conviction that her life is a failure, that comes over a woman when, instead of the ever broadening activities that she had planned, she finds herself tied down to the petty work of teaching a few girls?"

One might wonder if there are any current single female missionaries that feel the same way, or perhaps any single females that would like to be missionaries, but aren't allowed to be, that feel the same way.

Most people get the feeling that the current SBC leadership doesn't like women that "rock the boat". If that is true, then they definitely would not like Lottie today. Lottie was accused of "lawless prancing all over the mission lot," because of her ideas and her strength of spirit. She came under fire for writing things like: ".what women want who come out to China is free opportunity to do the largest possible work. What women have a right to demand is perfect equality." Lottie was not pleading for women's rights as much as she was pleading for the right to use her God given talents the way that God was leading her. Lottie's boat was not headed the direction she thought God had called her to go, so she started rocking it to get it to go in the right direction.

Lottie insisted that God was calling her to do evangelism and church planting. Her field director did not see it the same way. She was needed to teach and to do "women's work." That was her specific assignment from the Foreign Mission Board, and was administered by her field director, T.P Crawford (a man that had trouble dealing with both Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong). Fearing that the few rights that women in the missions field had might be revoked, Lottie continued her writing. "Simple justice demands that women should have equal rights with men in mission meetings and in the conduct of their work." Lottie left no room for doubt on her position. In regard to her field director's attempts to pigeon hole her and limit her effectiveness as a minister, she wrote, "[His plans] would make him, through the Board, dictator not only for life but after he had passed from earthly existence. If that be freedom, give me slavery."

Lottie's effectiveness as a missionary and her lasting testimony is tied directly to her strength as an individual and her belief in her call. Had she done as she was told, Baptist life may have never known her name, other than one of the names on the list of all those that have given their lives in the service of the gospel. That list is special, indeed, but we all know Lottie's name, and it's because she valued her call from God more than any of the directives she received from the SBC pipeline.

Forbidden by the SBC to teach men, or to plant churches, or to evangelize, Lottie did all three. She plunged into the local life of her village like no other missionary before. She eventually gained the trust of her village, and soon she was the driving force behind what became the largest evangelical movement in China up until that time. She continued her life's work until 1912, when she went to be with her God that she loved so much. She died partly because she was so malnourished. She had literally given all her food away to the hungry villagers she shared her life with.

Her story is so much more than a legend to us. It has inspired generations of us. It has shaped the modern missions movement. She was a century ahead of her time in adapting to the ways of the people among whom she lived in order to bring the gospel to the lost. She had no time for people who would stand in the way of what God had called her to do. She broke the rules that she found to be unjust. She called for radical policy changes. She demanded that women be treated equally as men in regard to ministry. She angered many of her "superiors" and was constantly being chastised for her methods. She rocked the boat, and she paved the way. She set a sterling example for missions and ministers that her denomination is ignoring.

Would Lottie Moon be appointed today?)"*****

I believe in my heart of hearts, that The Lord has purposed me for greater things! I can relate to Lottie. It seems as if I'm constantly rocking the boat at times... after reading the story above, I am encouraged that God still calling me forward, and still wants to use me to further His kingdom. A man I respect greatly recently said, "I may not have the ability, but God wants to use my availability."

I AM COMPLETELY AVAILABLE LORD, I am willing and I am striving to be obedient to you, to trust you! No matter how many boats get rocked in the process! I have faith that you will guide and provide! I thank you Lord, for being so readily available when I seek you! Thank you for limitless resources that help me to understand the TRUTH of your words! I ask that you continue to give me wisdom and discernment concerning all spiritual matters! Thank you for those who have more knowledge about things than I who are willing to come beside me to teach me and correct when correction is warranted!

Thanks Pastor ED!!! For loving kindness, and for your obedience to our Saviour!

John 8- Responding to Sin

We all struggle with sin....How am I going to respond?

Misperceptions about Sin:

• If we publicly expose it, we can deal with it...the more people that know about it, the easier it is to deal with the problem.
• The church can fix our problems, if we just go more, do more pray more, serve more etc.

Jesus fixed our sin problem.

• Rally around the Cross...not the church!

What do I do when there's no one to go to?
What do I do when the Cross is all that I have?
Jesus kept his knowledge of the sin between himself and the sinner.
I am to follow the example of Christ-deal with sin one on one.
First and foremost, I should be ready and willing to look within myself before casting stones of judgment and pointing out other people's problems or sins!
I need to seek to restore the person before condemning the sin...
Jesus said to the woman, "Go, and sin no more..." He wanted the adulterous woman to go from there, and live a new, changed life. A life of freedom from the sinful life that she was living prior to her encounter with the loving Christ. He was concerned with restoring her to a fulfilling, Godly life.
I need to allow my conviction to be motivation for myself to change.
In addition, I need to allow God to convict the hearts of others into being their motivation for change.
Conviction is not about guilt. It is about the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Father, God! I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead my life and also lead the lives of those around me.

(1-10-2010 HCBC...S.B.)

Loving Out Loud....Forgiveness

Loving Out Loud....Forgiveness....written by Stephanie Cawthron

Our youth Pastor, Sam, challenged us Wednesday night...

Sam reminded us that Christ had done nothing wrong. Jesus, of all people!!! Had plenty of reason to take revenge on his accusers....but he did not.

The challenge, was this.... Apologize to those who wrong me.... WHAT IF...?

God's word says in Colossians 3:12-13:
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15:
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

John 20:
Jesus Appears to His Disciples


19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"
20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Ephesians 1:19-20
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.


Paraphrased: The same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead is available for us who believe him.
 
At the time that we make our decision to believe that Christ is who he says he is, and ask him into our life to do what he says he can do, we recieved the power of the holy spirit to be who God says we are.
 
Galatians 3:14
By faith, we receive the promise of the Spirit.
 
Romans 8:9b
(...those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
 
Acts 2:38
Repent of your sins, and turn to God...then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 
Sam said last week that we need to pray-ask God to help us to forgive those who hae wronged us-that we might be repentant and empowered (made able) by Christ to forgive others.
 
So...I ask you....What is forgiveness? (Don't just take my answers....think of how you really feel about this!)
 
Is it toleration?
Letting go of the wrong done to us?
Letting them off of the hook for what was done? said?
Letting go of anger?
Rationalize it? (I must have done something wrong!)
 
What does it mean to forgive?
 
To show love to/for others?
Obeying God's word?
 
So, how then, do we forgive others?
 
Pray?
Let God show us how?
 
Think about this statement....based on scripture....
 
UNFORGIVENESS IS A SIN.
 
( It leads to anger/rage/hatred/jealousy/revenge....)
 
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.

God's word clearly tells us, more than once, that we must forgive as Christ forgave us!
Colossians 3:13 says Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.

I have a few questions for you.

Did God have to give his only Son to die for us?
Did Jesus have to come to earth and leave his heavenly place?
Did Jesus have to allow all the events of the crucifixtion to happen?

God the Father made the choices so that we can be reconciled to him, so that we may be saved from our sin! He did not have to die for us!!! He chose to do what he did! He continues to choose to forgive us because he loves us.

John 3:16 (New Living Translation)


16 “For God loved the world (you and me!) so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone  (you and me!) who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.


John 3:17
17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Ok. So, we are to forgive as Christ forgave right?

How did Christ forgive?

Really...think about this for a minute.

Remember the things we mentioned before?

Did he tolerate sin?
Did he let it go? Ignore it? Rationalize it?
Did he let anyone of the hook?

No is the answer to all of the above.

Christ CHOSE to forgive.

Forgiveness begins with a choice. A conscious decision to forgive.

God already did what was required by the Cross.... there's nothing more we have to do.

By choosing to forgive those who have wronged us, we are freed from the burden of prolonged anger/rage/hatred/jealousy/revenge.....all that results from the sin of unforgiveness.

If we forgive, we are freed from the weight of those feelings.

The one(s) you choose to forgive never have to know that you have forgiven them. They are not off the hook for the wrong they have done. They may not care or even be aware that you feel that they have done anything wrong. Forgiveness loosens the chains of sinful anger/rage/hatred/jealousy/revenge, and frees us to be who God created us to be.

Romans 2:2
And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who is wicked.

Forgiving someone does not let them off the hook for what they have done or are doing. God WILL hold each of us accountable for our lives, and the choices we make at the right time. His time.

So, how many times must we forgive?

The choice to forgive does not magically erase the offense. The offense may even continue as long as we have relationship with certain people.

Matthew 18:21
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"

22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

The scriptures are unconcealed. The message is unmistakeable.

Forgivness is a choice.
It begins in our heads, with a conscious decision.
Forgiveness is for the person who is a target of offense.
We must forgive as many times as it takes for us to be free from sinful consequences of unforgiveness.


I will tell you that I did not come up with this overall idea by myself. Obviously, God's word is the basis of the entire message. In addition, though, if I had not been exposed to the actual demonstration and inclusion of the forgiveness process, I could not speak with the confidence I have that it works. It does take time. But through prayer, and obedience to God's ways, I have personally experienced true freedom from many consequences of sinful unforgiveness...shame...guilt...unreasonable expectations....and I am  now very aware of the lies that satan tries to get me to believe. The enemy will try to tell us, it's our fault. We deserved the offense. We can't forgive, the offense was too horrendous.

With God, all things are possible. Through Him, we can live the life that He has called us to; life abundant. Joy filled. A relationship with Christ that is more intimate than any other. We can walk with him, through life's ups and downs. He never leaves us. He works all things out for his glory, and he has perfect timing.

Today...in this moment....will you choose to forgive?

The Snowy Gate....

2-17-10

I love snow! About a week ago, we got snow galore all around the Dallas areas and in my hometown!!! The sight was nothing short of spectacular! Everywhere I looked, the landscape was completely transformed-TRULY a masterpiece of the one and only living God!

John 15:12-13
My Command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

After the Snow...

Today, I learned something about myself...

The picture to the left is of the gate (from the inside) of our playground at the Christian pre-school where I work. Notice the snowbank!!! Generally speaking, that is about all that is left of the beautiful snow-scape that God painted with his very breath only a week ago! This is where my lesson began. A co-worker of mine thought it would be best to shovel out a wider pathway in the snow to allow the gate to open toward the outside. So...she got her shovel, and began the endeavor. Another of the ladies I am priveledged to work with asked if she could help, and then another pitched in to help the first as well.

I stood by, pondering how anyone could think there is any good reason to mess up somethign so beautiful....as it were, my opinion was that the gate opened just fine swinging inward...I just didn't get it...and I even vaguely voiced my opinion...."I just don't get it..."

When the path was cleared as she had envisioned, the gate opened to the outside. I watched as these three ladies encouraged each other, and thanked the first for doing such a great job. As I observed the love that these 3 ladies exhibited towards one another, I began to realize what had really just happened....

I thought about how frustrated I tend to feel when others don't get excited about something I am fired up about.

...God showed me that I have that very same tendency! I can't even lay my opinions aside and RECOGNIZE that the opportunity to love and encourage someone is RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!! How could I possibly be prepared to lay down my LIFE for my friends? For my family?

I did not love my sister the way that Christ has loved, and continues to love, me.

I wonder, now...how often do I react out of my own feelings and opinions, rather than out of the love and compassion that is being cultivated within me through my Saviour, Jesus Christ?

...and I don't even realize it when it is happening....?

I wonder if I'm the only one...

2 Cor. 13:7 examine yourselves to see whether we are in the faith...

Mark 4:20

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of 30, 60, or even 100 times as much as had been planted...

~Is the soil of my heart ready to recieve the seeds of God's word....am I making sure that I am being fed and watered by listening to and seeking out God's word for my life? Will I be ready when God wants to reap a blessing of harvest out of my life? Am I sowing seeds into the lives of others, so that God may bring a harvest from them as well?

Galatians 6:9-10

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith.

~Am I investing my gifts into the family of Christ? Have I given up on meeting with fellow Christian followers of Christ? Do I do what I am called to do, in regards to speaking God's truths into the lives of those around me? Sowing seeds for my Lord?

Ephesians 1:22-23

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ who fills all things everywhere with himself.

~Am I submitting to the authority of Christ? Am I a help or a hindrance within the body of Christ, allowing him to fill me completely with himself?

Ephesians 2:20-21

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

~ Am I living a life with Christ as my cornerstone? Am I living as if I am joined together in him? Am I allowing Christ to make me into a holy temple for himself?

Ephesians 4:1-4

Therefore, I, (Paul), a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each others faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves together with peace. For there is one body, and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

~Is my life worthy of what God has called me to?
~Am I humble? Gentle?
~Am I patient with myself/others? Am I forgiving or judgemental of the faults of others?
~Can others see the love/peace of Christ through me?

Mark 2~~~How are Passion & Trust/Obedience developed?

13110
Demonstrating my complete trust ant confidence in the Grace of God is never a waste of time or devotion!

~Learn to risk something for His glory...

?When is the last time I actually gave something up to Glorify Christ?

~Don't allow obstacles to hinder our obedience!
-Don't wait....DO IT NOW!
-Don't worry about what others think.
-Jesus is the best friend we'll ever have!

v4- I don't want to be a part of a crown that keeps anyone from Jesus!

~Live everyday with confidence in God's grace and power!

Am I a part of the problem, or the solution for God to do His work in my life?

Romans 1:5  ....Obedience comes from faith....

Truth Vs. Deception

1-23-2010

I am focusing on God’s truth, not the deception that Satan would have me to see in myself.

According to Scripture…

Romans 6:4-11 (New International Version)

4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:14 (New International Version)

14because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Romans 5:12-13 (New International Version)

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.

Galatians 5:1 (New Living Translation)

Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Romans 6:18 (New International Version)

18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 1:18-20 (New Living Translation)

18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[a]

19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version)

22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Plastic People

Stained Glass Mascarade lyrics by Casting Crowns Is there anyone that fails?Is there anyone that falls?Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small?Cause when I take a look aroundEverybody seems so strongI know they'll soon discoverThat I don't belongSo I tuck it all away, like everything's okIf I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it tooSo with a painted grin, I'll play the part againSo everyone will see me the way that I see themAre we happy plastic peopleUnder shiny plastic steeplesWith walls around our weaknessAnd smiles that hide our painBut if the invitations openTo every heart that's been brokenMaybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masqueradeIs there anyone who's been there?Are there any hands to raise?Am I the only one who's tradedIn the altar for a stage?The performance is convincingAnd we know every line by heartOnly when no one is watchingCan we really fall apartBut would it set me freeIf i dared to let you seeThe truth behind the personThat you imagine me to beWould your arms be openOr would you walk awayWould the love of JesusBe enough to make you stay? Plastic By Stephanie Cawthron You know, I really love the lyrics to this song. The words are so very true. So many of us doubt, and are unable to trust anyone enough to be ourselves. Even the very people who claim to have the heart of Christ. Our Pastors. Our church leaders, our church members. . The very people who are called by God to share his message of love are unable to love. Unable to be real and transparent. Why? Well, I have several thoughts on this issue. · I believe that there is much undue expectation put on our pastors, and deacons, and members. Not even as much from others…but from themselves. · I believe that there are many of us who have never experienced the true love of Christ from others…so that we are unable to accurately portray that love to others. · I believe that un-forgiveness haunts every single one of us as humans. o We are unable to forgive and forget… o We trip over stuff we swept under the rug ad tried to forget… o We still feel the pain despite all the rationalizing … o We are guilty from feeling the pain of the offense, whatever it may have been… o We are ashamed of things that have happened to us that aren’t even our fault… o We are internally angry, bitter, and unloving. Stained Glass is essentially small pieces of colored glass arranged to form patterns or pictures, held together (traditionally) by strips of lead and supported by a rigid frame. God knew each of us and planned us from before the beginning of creation. Each of us are made perfect in his image. And then sin entered the world. Consequently, as we go through life, we are broken to bits and torn to pieces. We are colored, and shaped from our experiences, both good and bad… And we are held together by false securities in whatever we can grasp. We are held together by rigid sets of rules and habits that we’ve grown accustomed to as our days of moulding, breaking, and bonding continue on. Sounds a lot like that stained glass to me. It looks real pretty to those who can see the outside. But on the inside, we are all broken. We are all imperfect. And we all have expectations of ourselves that are unfulfilled because of one thing or another. The longer we each go on, walking behind that masquerade, the longer we hurt. The longer we suffer. The pain grows with all of the guilt and shame of our past…and in many instances…our present. I can’t tell you how to fix every problem in your life. I can’t give you all the answers to what you may feel like you need. What I can do, is share with you how I am beginning to break the bondage of my stained glass… I now realize that I no longer have to be defined by all the bits and pieces of my past. I no longer have to feel the guilt, or the shame of my actions, or of the abuse that was done to me as a child. It has been a long road…and one that will continue for the rest of my life. It is a process. Most of what I am learning has not come easily…or overnight…but as difficult as it is to change, I am here to tell you…it’s worth it. It’s worth it! Yes, our sin may be comfortable, it may be all we know…but, there is light at the end of whatever tunnel you are currently stuck in. That light is the answer. There are many ways to find that light. I don’t know all of them. I can only draw from my well of experiences…and share with you what I have found. I have found sme great friends. Not just fair weather friends, but really deep down in the pit with me family! They are there for the good, they are there in the bad and ugly. I can count on them. Because I count on the creator of heaven and earth. And so do they. Jesus is the answer. These friends loved me enough, through Christ, to speak truth into my life so that I am clear of all the baggage I had because of my life. And I can now see clearly the road before me. I have a new perspective. And I have a faith that is rooted in the existence of love… 1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I no longer want to wear that mask the song talks about. I won’t tuck it all away, or pretend that it’s okay! I no longer feel the constant need to please others. Christ has given me the freedom to be myself, and is giving me the strength to endure whatever God brings me through. And right now, it is facing the fact that when I change…when I am doing a new dance for God, it forces others to change their dance. That change is very uncomfortable for others… It is so “unnatural” that they do not see it for what it is…blessings and miracles of God! But they look at is as evil. Because they see evil in themselves. They do not recognize the light of God’s true love, because they have not experienced it for themselves yet. That is why I feel so led to speak God’s truth and love into other’s lives. God’s Truth is always wrapped in love, even if it hurts. God disciplines those He loves. Sometimes, He uses us to speak. Or to reach out, and hold… The cool thing about God is that He can do whatever He wants, in whatever ways He decides. The hard part is, that it can be difficult to be obedient to what He wants, and often when we do…. It may be unappreciated at the time. Bottom line…. Grace empowers us to be all we are called to be, and do all we are called to do. The very concept that this ministry is based off of is the parable of the seed. Though it is sometimes easy for me to plant seeds…it is very difficult for me to step back and wait for God to grow it, and to know that I may very likely not be the one who harvests those seeds. It is also very difficult for me to accept that sometimes the ground is just too hard…too rocky for the soil to be fertile… Father, I pray for the grace to accept the life you’ve given me! This is the truth behind the person you imagine me to be. Will your arms be open? Will you walk away? Will the love of Jesus, be enough to make YOU stay?