Learning Along The Way

What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? (pt 2)

By

The tumbling I mentioned has continued.  This question, What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? has rolled around in my head now for two days; the backdrop transforming thought as I have lived a regular life on the outside.

I’ve made a connection, thanks to the comment left on the post.

Right theology can lead to right thinking which can lead to right action. 

Please notice I did not say an absolute ‘does’ or a guaranteed ‘will’ lead to right result.  We can know all the right things but what we do with them, the outcome, has many opportunities to get messed up.

From the spring of 2009 to the summer of 2011 I had the privilege of meeting weekly with a group of younger women.  We called ourselves NTBS (non-traditional Bible study).  We didn’t go through a traditional Evangelical Bible study workbook.  We spent our time looking together at the big idea: “what difference does being a Christ follower make in my daily life?”  We had opportunity to work through Renovare’s Spiritual Formation Handbook and grapple with weekly Soul Training exercises that caused each of us to squirm a bit in different areas of our lives.

After working through the handbook we began to read and discuss and act on The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith.  In this and the following two books in the Apprenticeship Series a concept was introduced to us that none of us had ever tackled before; the idea of narratives we tell ourselves.

A.W. Tozer said “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Slowing down to really think about our thinking about God and His Word and, when necessary, work on aligning our false narrative with the True narrative found in Scripture was the focus of our time together.

I miss meeting with these women.  We became a community within our larger community.  One was moving for grad school, my life circumstances weren’t going to allow a weekly meeting in the evenings in the fall, so we agreed it was time to take a break from NTBS.  But I am a changed woman from spending the time with these women, allowing myself to really think about what I believe and how my beliefs affect my actions.

The tumbling thought of What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? is still rolling around in my mind and has bumped up against a false narrative I have told myself for a looonnnggg time.  More on that tomorrow.

 

What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?

By

I have spent the better part of today alone and musing.  I did have some lovely outdoor time hiking a nearby trail with a dear friend, but even then I spent more time listening or asking questions than talking about what’s rolling around inside.

Our Pastor Tim asked an open-ended question of his Easter Sunday audience: “What difference does the Resurrection make?”  And I’ve been mulling it around in my head ever since.

Our family shared a huge feast with 25 others yesterday at my friend Sue’s home.  The echo of the question was ringing in my ears keeping me distracted and not 100% in attendance with everyone sharing the Resurrection Cake (angel food—hole in the center covered with whipped cream) and singing three verses of “Up From the Grave He Arose”.  I listened and asked questions, but still “What difference does the Resurrection make?” was tumbling in the background of my mind like a rock polisher at work in the garage.

And just like the rock tumbler sands off the edges and shines up a stone, pondering this gem of a question reminded me of this portion of Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers:

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

That’s a power packed sentence but it says it well.  Accepting the reality and work of Jesus Christ through the resurrection means we accept His rescue operation.  You and I can have forgiveness for all we have ever done or said or thought that has been below God’s perfection.  Not only are we forgiven but He has bought us back from the domain of darkness and put us into His kingdom!

Have you thought about this question?  What difference does the Resurrection make?

It’s big.  There’s more.  Stay tuned…

 

 

A Quick Update!

By

In my post of two weeks ago I opened a window into my world.  Good News!  My dear husband has a new job!

I was reminded of this verse:

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you. 2 Cor 2:3

I am so thankful for the words of encouragement in your comments on this post; I read them again and again.  The power of words was brought home to me yet again through this time of waiting.

This has been a very short period of unemployment.  And I am THANKFUL!  We weathered a 9- month unemployment in 2009 along with so many who have felt the economic downturn in the US.  I knew this could be another of those long dry seasons.  But it wasn’t.  Funny thing, in reflecting on all the ups and downs of life, I was reminded of something our eldest said to me years ago: “ Mom, God knows you can’t handle anything really big!  You’d freak out!” Spoken like a true, observant, and helpful teenager.

I’d like to think I’ve learned to be more relaxed and mellow as I’ve aged.  In fact, just today I shared with my friend Sue in a text conversation that “I like to think of myself as a recovering control freak, thank you very much!”

Seriously though, I do think it is possible to make incremental changes in our mindset and attitudes.  Embracing the idea that life is a journey can be transformative.  Your life is not just a “to do list” to accomplish.

For me, day by day, through His Word, I have been (and continue to be) made new by the renewing of my mind.  Again and again bringing my thoughts under control (not mine—His!) and being intentional to include God in my days has changed me.  But I am still in process, just like you!  We need each other to encourage and be encouraged.  To laugh with.  To cry with. That is the essence of community.  Where do you find your community?

So we’re rejoicing that our unemployment was short, but what maybe you’re going through is not over yet.

Life will have challenges.  Jesus flat out told us that!  “In this world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world!”

Remember what He’s done. Remind yourself of Truth.  Reach out to your community.  Rejoice in the overcoming Lamb!

 

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting.
He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

 

Sacred Space

By

Have you ever been across the table from someone who has something really heavy to talk about?  If you are a friend who listens well then you have been in that seat.  It’s not easy to see pain on the face of someone you love.

 

I’ve been thinking about watching pain in light of my own pain.  I recognize now what a gift sufferings are: a gift of empathy for the pain of others.

 

This week is heavy with this remembering.  I hold out to others what I call Sacred Space; the very present sitting with them in their pain, the hearing, the knowing, the seeing what is real for my friend.  I remember.  It hurts.  It is deep down to the fibers of being.  Is there an end to the pain?

 

This week is heavy with this awareness.  As Jesus stepped each day toward the Cross His own awareness heightened.  His very real love for all of us drew Him forward to the deepest empathy one could have:

 

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

 

The Sacred Space of knowing is held out to you today, by the One who knows you best and loves you perfectly.  What will you do with this gift offered you?

Risk

By

Truth be told, I am often scared to be to real; to risk being vulnerable in places where I don’t know all the faces.  Sharing heart, showing scars; risky business, that.

 

I’d really rather stay in my comfy, cozy circle of friends.  They know me, at least the parts of me I’m willing to share.  But then I remember …

 

All my brokenness has a purpose.  Not just for me to say, “this is what I’ve been through” but so that the One who watched and grieved in sorrow over my wounds would use those same wounds to invite others into healing.

 

Being real, being authentic takes risk.  To face the fear of rejection and ridicule means I must be brave, be strong.  Reminds me of a verse…

 

“Be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid.  For the Lord your God is with you.  He will never leave you or forsake you.”

 

Be Transformed

By

“I know sometimes what messes our life up most—is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like.  Entitlement can leave you feeling entirely empty.” Ann Voskamp

 

Sometimes I hear my thoughts expressed through the words of another.  Eerie really.  How did they know I felt like that?  Or thought like that?

 

I have lived in the cell of unmet expectations.  I have circled the disappointments time and again in my head.

 

Perhaps what was penned in the book of Ecclesiastes has meaning here:

 

That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.

 

So the stress and fear I am tempted to be stuck in, the regrets I have for time wasted or misspent, the longing for the time back with my sons when they were little?  All these things are common to others as well?

 

Outside life looks easy.  But inside the wrestling, the revisiting, the battle wages on.

 

God’s Word, the balm.  The renewal that comes with a mind fixed on Him.

 

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  A living sacrifice. 

 

Being made new into the likeness of Another; not losing who I am, my uniqueness, or how I’m wired for moving through the world but letting go of the thoughts that hold me in the cell.  The door is opened behind me; it has been since He set me free.  I didn’t see it; didn’t know it was open.  I have been looking at today through the lens of the past hurts.

 

Be transformed

 

It’s a process.  The metamorphosis does not happen in a moment.  Nor does it happen without dying: to damaging thoughts, to un-real expectations, to tapes of hurtful words spoken from brokenness.

 

The changes take time.  I am in the process.  What are you called to lay down before the One who died to free you from it all?

Leap of Faith

By

It has been an interesting week.  Facing no income for my husband starting today.  Lots of opportunities to worry; every piece of mail for our son to consider various colleges that arrived, every bill, get my hair cut or not, talking about our other son’s wedding plans.  Do I trust or do I worry?

I’m choosing Trust.  in this moment.  I believe God gives us reminders of His promises throughout our days, if we keep our hearts tuned to Him.  Those reminders come in funny ways for me; He is mindful of my frame…yours too.  We’re unique you know.  He knows what we need to be encouraged.

Since I am wired to be a visual learner, I think in pictures (that I can’t duplicate like my artistic friends!) and this film clip so often comes to mind when I think of taking a step into the unknown.  Click on the title to watch this 2 minute clip.

Leap of Faith

And think about your own leap of faith.  Where are you having to take an unknown step?  Need help or encouragement?  Let me know; I’m in it too!

By

 

 

 

 

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately pondering this idea of transformation.  I had the privilege of sharing with a Biola student ministry team at their retreat this past weekend and this was the retreat focus.  If you read my post yesterday then you know the very real struggle that is going on in me right now.  In this real life, how does transformation look?  How does it really happen?

 

Real issues like job loss and all the unknowns, or having your words and actions misunderstood, or hearing the whisperings of past failures and poor choices battling for mental attention are all examples of the proving ground for transformation.

 

You see, I’m finally learning that it’s a process.  Change of any kind does not happen with one decision.  Change is a process.  Change is hard, but change is good.  For the longest time I thought that if I decided to change, made effort to change then any normal person would be able to “just do it” like the Nike tag line says.  The fact that rarely has that worked for me has been an internal battleground of shame and blame: “what’s wrong with you Lisa?”  “Why can’t you just do _______?”

 

Anyone else have this internal battle?  Well it’s a narrative I have told myself for years.  I’m finally seeing the fruit of the seeds of transformation.  I now stand up to this false narrative and say NO!  I have learned a new narrative, the true narrative, in light of the Kingdom of God.  He loves me as I am, fearful, messy and broken and the God of All simply wants me to run to Him with my skinned knees, bruised heart and hurt feelings and crawl up in His lap to let Him comfort me.

 

Recognizing the simplicity of just being in His Presence, taking my 24/7 time, pushing the pause button and being with Him, acknowledging Him during the day in the middle of crazy thoughts, is a process of transformation too.  Even writing this has been like a sigh; an exhale of tension that is replaced with a slower more peaceful breath.

 

What have you learned in your transformation process?  Please share with us.  We need true community that is willing to be authentic.  Not sure what I’m talking about?  Let me know that too!  It’s all a process!

 

https://learningalongtheway.com/255-2/

New Direction

By

My husband was laid off on Thursday.  His work was no longer needed by the company.  That was it. No severance, no two weeks notice, just work through this Wednesday the end of the pay period and good bye.

Now mind you on that particular day I was in the throes of preparing and finalizing details for a retreat I had been asked to lead on Saturday.  So at that time, my response was “Really?!? What a timely distraction from where my mind and heart need to be!  It’s obvious God wants to do a great work on Saturday!”  I didn’t melt into a puddle of tears, I asked my prayer warrior friends to jump in and I simply trusted God.  I didn’t start to worry about what and how and where and why. Not then.

Today however is a new day and the temptation to worry that is common to us all was present again.  I found myself swift to my to do list; taking control of the things I knew needed doing that I had in my power to do.  Three hours into my day, after neglecting my regular habit of entering into the day slowly by having coffee with Jesus, I stopped midstream and sat down and cried.  I cried out my worry, my fear of the unknown, all the pent up hurts from sudden and uncontrolled change in my life to date.  And just as suddenly as the flood came on, it receded.  I picked up my devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, and read today’s entry:

“Waiting, trusting, and hoping are intricately connected, like golden strands interwoven to form a strong chain.  Trusting is the central strand, because it is the response from My children that I desire the most.  Waiting and hoping embellish the central strand and strengthen the chain that connects you to Me.  Waiting for Me to work, with your eyes on Me, is evidence that you really do trust Me.”

This was a love gift; a tangible reminder of love and provision even when I don’t see HOW. or WHERE. or WHAT. or I don’t know WHY.

GOD, the Maker of the heavens and earth and all created things, KNOWS.  He CARES.  He reminded me of this picture that I took at Christmas of 2008.  It was the first Christmas without both my Mom and Dad.  I saw this sign as just that; a sign to remind me that living in the past was just as it reads: Dead End.

In the same way, when I go down the path of thinking about what if? or how will? or why? it’s the same Dead End.  The knowing belongs to the One who is Omniscient (All Knowing).  What belongs to me is to Trust.  Thank you Sarah Young for your writing such a great devotional book.  Thank you Lord for Your perfect timing of this gift of words to remind me, and hopefully you as you have read this, that GOD is STILL in CONTROL!

I don’t know details, but I know the One who does!  How about you?  Where do you put your trust?  If you’re in a place of unknowing I’d love to hear from you.  Leave a comment or email me.  We can be in this together!

Leftovers

By

Whew!  The past three days have been a whirlwind in our house: Company on Sunday, missionary visitors for lunches on Monday and Tuesday.  All meals I planned and prepared. And now I am tired!  Now don’t get me wrong, I love practicing hospitality.  In fact I am constantly spurred on to love and good deeds by my friend Sue, who daily blogs about the challenge and the blessing of hospitality.  She has encouraged me to think about the difference between entertaining and hospitality.  You might think of having people in your home as entertaining and see it as a burden.  Too much work!  I have learned to think about the blessing of practicing hospitality, a welcome heart, to those who cross my path and sometimes my doorstep.

 

Here’s the difference: entertaining is really putting on a show.  Sometimes that’s appropriate; bridal showers, baby showers, and birthday parties are all examples of entertaining.  They’re events for which time is needed to plan and prepare.  Hospitality on the other hand can be as easy as inviting someone over for coffee and a chat.

 

In fact, practicing hospitality can simply be offering to share a meal of leftovers!  What?  Leftovers for company?!?  Outrage, right?  Not at all!  When you take the simple lunch of what you have, like loaves and fish, and offer it to the One Who can multiply our humble offering and make all things new, hospitality takes on a new purpose.

 

Offering what little you may have in the refrigerator and pantry is not as important as giving your time and attention to the person (or people!) This is my definition of showing hospitality: “making people feel at home in your presence.”  It does take an attitude adjustment and a shift in mindset, which can be super challenging, but you can practice hospitality wherever you are!  If you need encouragement like I have, check out Sue’s blog here.  If you feel paralyzed about how to shift your thinking from entertaining to hospitality, let’s get together!  We can overcome the obstacles that keep you from willingly opening your home to show God’s welcome heart through hospitality!

Follow Me…

Categories