The walk of faith

For we walk by faith and not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Practically, how do we walk by faith?  Well, first let’s look at what it means to walk by sight.  Walking by sight means that I am governed by my emotions (or hormones!) or my circumstances.  To walk by faith is the antithesis of that – my behavior is not dictated by what I feel like nor what is happening around me.  Instead, I obey what His Word tells me to do…I am controlled – empowered – by His Spirit within me.  The life of faith is one of obedience.  To Him.

Trust – be confident – that He is at work within you, perfecting you, at work around you to accomplish His plan.  He wants us to be whole even more than we want it for ourselves! 

What is He speaking to you about today?  When you quiet your heart before Him, what is He telling you to do?  To share a good word with a neighbor?  To forgive someone who has wronged you? To give generously? To cease from a certain activity, even if it’s not a sinful one? To reconcile with a family member or a friend?

It seems counterintuitive but when we walk by sight, we are unsteady, weak, uncertain and easily thrown off course.  But when we walk by faith, we are sure, confident, strong, and effective.

The "why" of our blessings....

“What a blessing!” “I am so blessed”. We toss that idea around about everything from a promotion at work to a new car or a healthy report from the doctor.  Certainly God is generous to us and often gives us so many wonderful gifts of His grace for us to enjoy. But we would do well to understand His purpose in the blessings He bestows. That very well might change how we steward them…

In Genesis 12:2, God tells Abraham “I will make you a great nation and I will bless you. And make your name great and so you shall be a blessing.”

Instead of seeing God’s generosity as something for us to enjoy or even as a sign of His preference towards us, let’s view blessings like our good health and our material prosperity as a means to bless others. May we be like the church at Corinth whom Paul commended because “at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want.”  Rather than being a place where blessings stop for self-consumption, may we be a vessel through which God pours His gifts out to others.

The Language of Love

A number of years ago, a book about "love languages" became widely popular.  The book explained how people give love, as well as feel loved, differently.  Some folks express love to others with acts of service while some of us employ words of affirmation, gifts, spending quality time together, or meaningful touch to convey love.  Great read - I recommend you check it out.

As good as the book is, however,  it leaves out the primary love language of my family.  In my family of origin, my husband's family, and our own little brood, we speak "LOVE" with "F-O-O-D".  No doubt about it. You might prefer flowers or perfume but we give and receive love with something good to eat.   Often you hear mention of "comfort food"but this is way bigger than that!  I am talking about the ability to channel affection, affirmation, appreciation, ardor, or adulation with chocolate cookies!

Maybe it's a Southern thing but my family speaks "LOVE" with food. When a friend has a new baby, we take food. ( For the Mom and Dad - we figure they can feed the baby.)  When someone has a tough week, I bake my chocolate chip pie. If you move in to my neighborhood, you might get chicken and dumplings or a big pot of homemade chili. In December, a small group of cherished friends get my Chambers Christmas Jam and yeast rolls.  Birthdays at my house call for the celebrant's favs which might be oatmeal scones, cheese grits or homemade Cheerio bars for breakfast.  Reuben sandwiches (or Barberitos!) for lunch.  And dinner of steak or shrimp or corn spoon bread.  Candles have been stuck in ice cream sandwich cakes, coconut sheet cakes, or chocolate chip cookies. Even the crews that have been doing some work on my house lately have been treated to cinnamon rolls, caramel popcorn, and lots of cookies.   Whatever tastes like love.

Now I not only dispense love via food, I receive it, too.  When I go home (as in "where Mama and Daddy live"), my Mama makes fried chicken and creamed corn and sausage balls and fudge.  And "The Mix" - which is her own secret dish for her grandchildren.  When she comes to vist, she brings goodies that are specific to each person's individual palette.  Sure feels like love when she remembers that Mary likes ramen noodles, Chip wants sausage balls, Betsy craves PopTarts (cuz her own Mom won't buy them!) and Katie loves chocolate chip cookies dough. 

This language of love is such an integral part of my emotional DNA that I married a man whose family speaks (or tastes!) the same way.  My dear Mother-in-Love makes oatmeal-peanut butter-chocolate cookies that I know will be served in Heaven.  In fact, my term for them is "righteousness" - the more you eat, the more you want!  And for my husband's birthday or when we gather at her house for holidays or just when she wants to love on us, we are treated to a great big batch of these goodies.  (I have been known to hide them from the rest of my family but that is probably an issue for another blog.  Or a counseling session.)

I don't see it as an expanding waistline - I just feel loved.  When a friend showed up with chicken tetrazzini the day I had some above average demands on me, I felt loved.  When my BFF brought dinner the day we brought my grandson home from the hospital, I felt loved. When some amazing and precious friends offered to make food for Katie's wedding reception, you can bet I felt loved.  One of 'em even DESIGNED the Groom's cake to reflect the drug-dealin' Bride and Groom!!!!  When my dear friend (and pastor's wife!) delivers a loaf of homemade bread to me, I feel loved.  When my 10 year old makes her chocolate sheet cake, we ALL feel loved! 

I want to hear from you all.  What makes YOU feel loved?  (And if it's food, feel free to share a recipe or two!)

Originally appeared on October 3, 2012


 

Faith that works

James 2:14-26


 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? ¹⁷ So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰ Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³ and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. ²⁴ You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. ²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? ²⁶ For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.




Faith.  Works.  How do these two go together? 



This passage can lead to some confusion so let's be clear right from the start -- we cannot be made right with God by doing good works.  Scripture is crystal clear on that truth (see Ephesians 2:8-10, Isaiah 64:6).  So what is James telling us here?


Simple.


Not that our works justify us before God.


But rather that our works are the evidence that we have faith in God.


Like the green leaves on a tree in the spring aren't what makes the plant alive but it is proof that it is indeed alive.


And "alive" faith produces works - results - that change life for not only those who possess it but also those connected to that possessor.


Results like Mercy Health Center, providing free health care to the poor in our area.  Like Kupendwa, saving lives of women and their babies in Uganda.  Like Sparrows Nest and Downtown Academy and Samaritans Purse.  To name a few.


Results like an encouraging word from the dental office receptionist.  Like extending a helping hand to an acquaintance who needs a job.  Like fostering kids in crisis homes and paying a power bill for a single mom and restoring a fractured relationship.


If we have faith, it will show up in how we live.


And God will be made visible to those around us.


That's faith that works.

In spite of the circumstances................

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you.   Philippians 2:17

I was on the listening end of a courageous conversation the other day. A really brave young woman dared to whisper through her tears "sometimes I just want to leave".  She didn't have to admit that to me. She could have done her best to maintain an image of one who has it all together. Polished her faux halo of perfection.  Kept me believing that  her life was peachy keen and worthy of envy and emulation.


She's not alone in her desperation. I've heard similar sentiments recently from several other really incredible young women.  A couple were young mommies, one was a more seasoned mom and others were 20something career gals.  Diverse life stages.   Women who seemed to have everything "necessary" for a good life - including Jesus! - yet reality reveals a very different picture.  Loneliness. Deep sadness. Frustration.  Thinking that they've climbed the ladder they thought was success, only to find it was leaning against the wrong wall.  Feeling angry inside and not knowing how to process it.   Wanting to get out of the pit they find themselves in...leaving at least emotionally if not physically. Depending on unsuccessful ways of coping against the feelings they don't want to have. Sure that there must be a better way and wondering if it just has a different zip code.


My heart hurt.  I prayed.  But I felt...feel...inadequate to help.  What do I have to offer them that will get them to a place of hope?  That will keep them in the places they committed to?  That will deter them from false promises of happiness? 


I don't know.


But I have to try.  Each of these gals sees my life as perfect.  And, most of the time, I'll admit, it's darn close.  They think that's the secret to my joy.  But it's not.  I have trials and failures and feelings just like everybody else.  I think that, maybe, my joy is the secret to my life instead of the other way around.  So today is a feeble attempt to share some things that fuel my joy. These suggestions may not seem like a solution to you but they are critical components of my life.  Maybe some of them will help somebody else.


1.  Commit to a body of believers.  Don't just join a church - participate. And don't keep church hopping. Commit.  Be there.  Be around people that share your faith, walk the walk, and make it a priority.  I know going to church won't make you a Christian anymore than walking in a garage makes you a car but it's a good place to start.  Commit to being a part of a local church.  Yeah, there will bea lot of imperfect people at whichever one you choose.  Be glad - that means you'll fit right in!


2.  Connect with a group within this body.  It might be called Sunday School or small group or Ladies Discipleship but whatever it is - connect.  Do life with these folks.  Rejoice with them, cry with them, and "do life" together. You don't have to share every detail of your finances or marital strife or vacation plans with them but just walk alongside them.  Be together.  Laugh and have fun together.  Raise kids together.  Get frozen yogurt together.  Yes, it'll get messy sometimes and your feelings will get hurt -- and you'll hurt some feelings - and you'll be tempted to pull back or give up.  But don't.  Stay connected.


3.  Contribute to this body.  Put all kinds of treasure in these folks and your heart will follow.  Not just your money (but you oughta do that too) but your talents and your time as well.  Serve in a capacity where it matters if you don't show up.  In other words, don't simply walk up to the welcome desk one day and ask if they need you to hold a door open.  Get yourself on the schedule and be the regular, dependable volunteer!  (BTW - I highly recommend doing the door greeting thing.  It very well might be the best job at church, next to baby nursery.  It's grand!!) Contribute to the body corporately as well as individually.  Use your sanctified imagination and God-given gifts to serve.  I've seen folks paint murals, mow grass, manage money, sew pillowcase dresses, bake bread, write notes, make phone calls, fill up cups with KoolAid, decorate tables, and type Bible studies all for Jesus.  Contribute.  When you water other people's lives with love, your own will supernaturally be replenished.


4.  Consume large and consistent quantities of God's Word.  There is no way I can overstate how critical this is.  Read it for yourself.  Listen to it at Bible study.  Download it in podcasts. Hear it in music. Study it intensely.   And then obey it.  James 1:21-22 tells us that obeying His Word will heal our soul.  Our hearts, our minds, our emotions are under assault from this world.  Great damage has been done and we are in need of repair.  God's Word is what will rebuild the ruins, restore the beauty, regenerate the carnage.  But you have to get it in you first.  And frequently.  Immerse yourself in it. And, just like that beauty ointment that will eliminate the wrinkles around your eyes won't do you any good unless you put it on your skin, you gotta apply what you learn to your life. 


5. Count the cost.  Count the cost of your choices. You can choose to whole-heartedly live the life you have or you can half-heartedly exist.  You can choose to be generous or selfish. You can choose to accept responsibility or you can blame your spouse, parents, siblings, whomever for your pain. You can choose joy or self-pity. You can choose to forgive or to hold onto the hurt. You can choose to try and please yourself with any number of options or you can choose to invest yourself in other people.  You can choose to adjust to the curves life has thrown you or you can whine about how hard you have it to anyone who will listen.  You can choose to obey Christ or to excuse your disobedience.  You can choose.  We all choose .  The question is which choice will be make?  Untold damage has been done by folks who have checked out, blamed other people, or longed for grass that promised to be greener.  Damage to scores of innocent people...and to the one making that choice.  Don't be deceived.  Choices have consequences.  For a long time.  The decisions we make every day will bear fruit -- if they are self-serving choices, the fruit will inevitably be, at best, bland but more likely bitter and toxic.  But if the choices are instead self-denying, Christ-honoring, and others-focused, the fruit will be sweet and life-giving.  And all that fruit - well, fruit has seeds.  Seeds that blossom and grow into more of the same.  Fruit that feeds those around the grove...as well as the sower herself.  Please count the cost.  I could tell you a hundred sad tales of bad fruit borne out of self-centered choices.  And I can gladly brag about a thousand more tales of women that planted good fruit - in hard places - and lived to see a harvest of life-giving fruit in their own lives and the lives of those they love.  And the seeds from that fruit will bear fruit for a thousand generations.
Those aren't my thoughts -- that's His promise - "showing (building, constructing) lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love me and keep my commandments" (Exodus 20:6)


If you're staring up out of a place of hopelessness, you're gonna be tempted to think this is hokey and not helpful at all.  I understand.  But I ask you to give it a try - for at least 6 months - a good solid try with all your heart.  Then let me know what you think. 


I'm cheering for you!