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Shock and Awe

6/28/2016

Shock and awe. A military term used to describe a strategy of overwhelming power and spectacular displays of force intending to paralyze the enemy and destroy it's will to fight. This strategy was used in Iraq and in the bombing of Bagdad.
These tactics and techniques were also prevalent in the Old Testament. When Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt they got to the Red Sea. Suddenly there were vast waters ahead of them and the enemy behind them. They were trapped, certain death awaiting them. Then God's power was seen. The waters separate and the Israelites cross the dry sea bed. As soon as they are across, the waters suddenly collapse on themselves and all of Pharaoh's men are killed. That was rapid dominance.
Joshua is on a campaign to conquer the Canaanites. He gets to Jericho and the gates are shut tight. The Lord tells him to have the priests and all the people march around Jericho for six days. On the seventh day the priests blow their trumpets, the people shout and the walls come crashing down. That was overwhelming force.
Samson, blinded and weak is taken by the Philistines to their pagan temple to be made sport of. He asks to rest against a pillar and they figure, why not, he's defeated. Can't see, no power. He prays and asks God to strengthen him one last time. He pushes against those pillars, the temple completely collapses and kills 3,000 in one fell swoop.
We forget that God is a God of shock and awe. A God of power and might. We tend to see Jesus as a meek and mild man, God as a kindly old man with a beard, the guy upstairs. Impotent and unable to do anything today. That is not the God that I know. The God I know is strong and powerful, yet also loving and full of mercy.
Shock and awe? The Pharisees and other religious leaders of the day were shocked that a man from Nazareth would claim to be the Son of God. The arrogance! The audacity. The delusion. The Saviour a carpenter, the simple son of Joseph and Mary! Inconceivable! But even they could not long deny what they were seeing, what they were hearing. They were perplexed and confounded by this man who spoke the truth in riddles and reached the people. Many healed. Miracles performed. The dead rising to live again. Even they could not deny that the people looked upon Jesus with awe.
And that is what led him to be arrested. He not only was seen as a threat by the local leaders, but also by Rome. He became an enemy of the state.
We also before we came to know Christ as our Lord and Saviour were also enemies. Colossians 1:21 says, "This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions." And Romans 5:10 says this, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]." (Amplified)
There! There is shock and awe. That instead of destroying us, God so loved us that He found a better way. That the only Son of God would give his life for ours. That He would willingly lay everything down and be raised up on that cross that our salvation might be purchased.
The enemy of our soul, Satan thinks that he has won. Jesus is dead on the cross. But he didn't count on Him rising up again! Jesus has paralyzed the enemy. That is shock and awe.
There was a song done by Carman back in the day called The Champion. It tells the story of the battle between Jesus and Satan in the form of a boxing match. They are in the middle of the bout, Satan comes with all he has. He strikes a blow to Jesus that he knows will be the knock out punch. No TKO for him, this will be complete and total annihilation. Satan thinks that he has won. As the song continues, Jesus goes down. Satan is waiting on the count, expecting to hear 1,2,3, etc. Instead he hears 10, 9, 8...he screams, wait! your counting all wrong!! Then the count hits one and Jesus rises again!!
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
That is shock and awe! This is overwhelming power! There is a spectacular display of force...the force of Love!

If you want to listen to that song by Carman here is the youtube link...
https://youtu.be/zygGyT_Uppw

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(Ir)relevant

6/21/2016

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I've been watching the television show "Person of Interest" since it first came on. Very interesting premise; post 9/11 the government wants a machine built that can monitor all cell phones, every camera, etc to detect acts of terrorism. The machine is so good though that it can detect violent crimes of all kinds. The government considers crimes between 'normal' people to be irrelevant. The man who builds the machine takes it and with some assistance from some people who are 'irrelevant' in their own way tracks down these so-called irrelevant numbers and helps them.
Irrelevant. Not important, immaterial, not pertinent, insignificant, trivial. There have been times I have felt that way. Have you? Times it seems no one in the world cared. That no matter what you do it's not good enough. That if you died today, who would even notice? I think we all have had those moments, sometimes periods of time where we felt irrelevant.
We have all probably had moments of feeling unloved, unwanted, unnoticed. I know I spent many years feeling that way. A child of alcoholics. An introvert. Overweight and not attractive; basically invisible. My best friends, my dog Holly and my radio. Hours spent alone in my room wondering what was wrong with me. I spent years wanting to be seen and to be loved.
It wasn't until years later, after much damage done to myself in that search for love that I truly found it. I found it in the person of Jesus Christ. I found it in the Man who was the Son of God. It didn't happen overnight. I had to truly begin to believe that He loved me. ME. That was a foreign thought for me. That someone could love me, and I didn't have to do anything for it. I didn't have to take enough drugs to feel loved. I didn't have to drink enough alcohol to feel worth something. I didn't have to give myself away to someone to feel wanted. He loved me and felt I was worthy and wanted because of who He was. All I had to do was accept that love, that sacrifice and begin to walk in that relationship with Him.
There was a very thought provoking quote in one of the recent episodes of Person of Interest. "What is love if not being seen". What a concept. I had always felt invisible. Even when I first got saved, I doubted that in this whole wide world that He really saw me, really noticed me. But I never really knew I felt that way until one day I had a dream, or maybe a vision, I really don't know. But I do know that whatever it was changed my life. What I saw was Jesus walking down this dusty street. Many, many people everywhere. He is smiling and talking to them. Touching them and hugging them. Then it's like I can see myself from above and I am huddled in this little ball, curled up on myself. Knowing that He could never see me, never love me like He loves those others. I bury my head down between my knees and just feel so alone, so bereft. Suddenly I feel this presence. I feel this touch. He never speaks, He just comes down to where I am and holds me. I am enveloped in this feeling of pervasive love. I am touched to the core of my being. I AM LOVED. I felt this soaring joy. I feel it now just thinking about it. I am seen. I am loved. Even though I am seen I am loved. What a concept. That this One, the Living Son of God, the Word made flesh, miracle worker, healer, Lamb of God would place so much value on me that He would die for me. That He would give all so that I could have a relationship with Him.
That must mean I am not irrelevant. Let's look at some scriptures that tell me who I am in Jesus...
John 1:12, I am a child of God
John 15:15, I am a friend of Jesus
Romans 3:24, I am justified and redeemed
Romans 15:7, I have been accepted by Jesus
2 Corinthians 15:17, I am a new creation in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:21, I am the righteousness of God in Christ
Galations 5:1, I have been set free in Christ
Ephesians 1:24, I am chosen, holy and blameless in Christ
Ephesians 2:10, I am God's workmanship
Colossians 3:12, I am chosen of God, holy and beloved
1 Thessalonians 1:4, God loves me and has chosen me
Let's make a comparison...
Irrelevant, inconsequential, unnecessary, unfit, undesirable
OR
Accepted, righteous, chosen, holy, beloved
I am relevant, because I am His.
Period, end of story, finito

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Fight or Flight

6/14/2016

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I was interacting with someone online the other day who had responded to a post I had shared about introverts. Which I very much am. I responded with something talking about God and my faith in Him and a few minutes later she responded that she was an atheist. I wrote back some things and then after a bit she finally said, whew, I was expecting an argument. I have heard similar responses from others who are atheists also and it just makes me wonder and shake my head.
I honestly hope I don't make people angry about this, but I don't think that most Christians respond rightly to this. They either get offended and angry as this young woman had dealt with before or they run away, afraid they can't offer up an answer. Fight or flight.
First of all, I am not a scientist. I am also not a great theologian. I cannot tell you in eloquent terms why I believe that only an intelligent Creator could have made all of the magnificent things that I see around me. The elegance of the design of the universe. The sheer beauty of all that was made. The intricacies of our bodies and how they function. And yes even the sheer whimsy of some of God's creations.
I can tell you what I DO believe though. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God who created all of this, who created me and you. And who not just created it all, but beyond all of His creations, He loves US with an everlasting love and proof of that is that His Son gave His life that we might know Him and have eternal life.
I know what He has done in my life. He changed me. I was basically an alcoholic by the age of 19, a child of alcoholics. Used whatever drugs were put in front of me. Was a victim of molestation. Because of all that I gave myself to anyone who would have me just so that I would feel loved and valued. Funny how that didn't work out so well. I had an abortion by the time I was thirteen. I was broken. I was lost in a world of sin, adrift from anything worthy. I had truly never felt loved or needed or worth anything. I was hurt and angry and drinking my life away.
And then I met Him. Through His mercy He sent me a man who would introduce me to Jesus, who became my Lord and Saviour. My relationship with Jesus changed me. There is no 12 step program that can cause you to stop drinking and doing drugs overnight. There is no self help book that can make you realize you are loved and cherished and valuable just by opening it. There is no program that can make you see that people are not here just to hurt and use you, but are also just sometimes used and hurt themselves. But that is exactly what happened to me. There is nobody who can take that experience away from me. There is no one who can tell me that I am not different because of Him and Him alone.
Also no one can take away the fact that I was healed from fibromyalgia. Sick and weak and in pain one day, totally healed the next. So, yes I do believe there is a God and He loves me. Nothing can change that.
But you see, I can share that with someone, but it is their choice to listen and believe or not. I don't have to fear anything from them, they cannot steal my faith. I won't run because I am afraid I cannot defend what I believe. Truthfully I don't think that is my job. It is also not my job to argue with anyone. Really, you think thumping someone over the head with a bible will bring them any closer to a relationship with God? If that was so, believe me I have an antique heirloom bible at least 6" thick that should do the job then.
I believe that we are both the best witness and the worst witness there is for God. It depends on how we represent Him. I always used to tell my kids that we are an ambassador for Jesus. How we live and what we show others is the greatest indicator of who He is to others. My God loves people. So much that He gave His Son to die for our sins that we would have fellowship and relationship with Him. My God loves me and cherishes me, sometimes chastens me, but that is part of love too. He has given me great gifts. Salvation, a family that loves me, hopefully this gift of writing that I try faithfully to share. He desires good for me. But that means that I will do my best to represent Him faithfully. That does not include berating people. Does not mean I have the right to belittle others. I cannot humiliate or embarrass someone into seeing the truth. I am to be a lover of the truth, not a fighter.
I know many may not agree with this. I am sorry, but when I look at the scripture, even Jesus knew when to let go. In John 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000. He walks on water. He speaks to His disciples saying that He is the only way to the Father. Many of the disciples start to grumble over this hard truth. In verses 66 and 67 He says this, "From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
Jesus didn't go find the Torah and whack them over the head with it. He did not get into a fist fight demanding that they stay. He did not cajole and wheedle them into turning back to Him. He let them go; and these were disciples, not unbelievers. Each person has his own decision to make. Jesus knew that and knew that no amount of debating, disputing or contending would change their minds. He let them go in peace. Knowing I think something that we often forget. The Spirit of God is always at work. He is the one who draws men to the Father. He speaks quietly into their spirits and whispers of God's love for them.
We are to exhibit God to others. We are to exemplify who He is to a lost world. The scripture does not say, Cram it down their throats, it says "Taste and see that the Lord is good". Be such a sweet taste of God to others that they want to know what it is you have. Show them love and kindness, respect. Show them that the God you serve is a loving God, not an angry petty one. Engage, not enrage. Be yourself, warts and all.
Quietly answer the best you can, and then leave the rest in God's very capable hands.
It's not a matter of fight or flight, it is a matter of knowing what you believe and standing your ground; peacefully, respectfully, lovingly.

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Made Perfect

6/7/2016

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I love to bake. I taught myself over the years and have come quite a long ways from where I was 30 some years ago. I remember the first birthday cake I baked for my son Aaron. I am sure he didn't really care what it looked like when he was just a year old. And I think I was so excited to have actually made something myself that I overlooked most of the flaws.
Over the years I have become more proficient, but I have also become more critical of what I make. I see all of the little errors. The frosting is too thin, the cake is uneven, the shape could have been better; on and on and on.
I expect a lot from myself and get frustrated when I don't perform up to my standards. What I need to do is take a deep breath and just commit to doing a better job next time, rather than beating myself up over a few small missteps.
I thank God that the One who made me isn't so harsh. He knows I am human, He knows I will continue to make mistakes and fail sometimes, but He loves me anyway. He loves me just as I am, sloppy frosting and all.
Because I have given my heart and life to Jesus and received salvation through Him, I am considered perfect right now. Because I am seen through the filter of the blood of Jesus. Ephesians 1:4 says this, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Holy, meaning we are sanctified by God and connected directly to Him. Blameless or irreproachable and guiltless. That sounds pretty amazing to me. Sounds like more than what I am. Wait, that is exactly what I am, through Jesus. His blood covers me because of my confession of faith in Him. Because I have accepted the sacrifice He made, I am changed. "For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy", Hebrews 10:14. Because He chose me before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless, then He has made me perfect. Not is making me perfect, HAS made me perfect.
We set our standards by the world's idea of perfection. A standard measured by performance, by quid pro quo and sometimes just by sheer emotion. God's standards are vastly different. His standards are based on position. Ephesians 2:4-7 says this, " But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved-- and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms—all because of what Christ Jesus did. And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ." Our position, because of the grace of Christ when we receive salvation is in heavenly places. That is our position because of His great love for us. And Romans 8:39 says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Meaning that our position can not be changed.
Now, yes, sometimes our performance leaves something to be desired. We have days where we blow it. Where it seems that getting up on the wrong side of the bed was the best decision of the day. Where we not only seem to let ourselves down, but we also feel that we have let God down. But remember, our position does NOT change. John 10:28 says that no one can ever snatch us out of God's hands. That is our position.
And because of our position as children of God we never have to fear that we are less than. We never again have to believe that we are somehow lacking. We never have to think that He is ashamed of us. Read that scripture in Ephesians 2:7 again, it says now God can always point to us as examples.
Have you ever gone into a fancy bakery? You know the kind, with beautiful pastries and amazing wedding cakes set up for display. Chocolate of every kind. Danishes that just invite you to take a bite and gain a few pounds. Pies piled high with whipped cream or gravity defying meringue.
You don't see a pie with a broken crust. You don't see a wedding cake that looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You don't see crumbled cookies or squashed danishes. You see the best of the best. You see the creme de la creme. You see what is supposed to sell you on the idea of spending money and ingesting calories, all with great abandon.
You see perfection.
YOU are PERFECTION. You are chosen. You are holy and blameless. You are loved and cherished. You are seated in heavenly places. You are held in His hand and cannot be removed. You are all these things and more, not because you chose Him, but because He first chose you.
You are His display for the whole world to see. A display of His love and mercy, His compassion and His generosity. A display of a Son's sacrifice and a Father's grace.
You are a display of His perfection. Front and center display, beautiful and magnificent. Inviting others to taste and see that the Lord is good.

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Shock and Awe

(Ir)relevant

Fight or Flight

Made Perfect

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