The Only Way To Know God

Though I've read the passage many times, the verse stopped me.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. (John 15:3)

Already clean?

Not understanding, I followed my footnotes and cross references.

Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17)

The Word cleans, sanctifies.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. (James 1:18)

The Word cleans, sanctifies, gives us birth.

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)

Clean. Sanctified. Given birth through. Born again.

Through the Word.

Yet again, I am reminded there is no substitution for the Word of God, no better way to find Him, no other method to improve our relationship with the Holy One, especially when you consider John 1 tells us Jesus IS the Word.

When I come to my Bible, God's Word, I come to Jesus. I am made new, washed, holy-fied, all things I can't do myself. All that from a few minutes of reading each day?! Why would I put it off?

What better way to start a new year than to get to know God more intimately? What else promises new life? Will you join me this year in seeking the elusive and resting in God's presence? Will you commit to cracking open your Bible faithfully and mining its treasures?

It's the only way to know God.



Photo Credit: Savio Sebastian

When You Want to Know What to Do

It was a dark and stormy night.

Really.

I had no idea as I left my house last Saturday night that I'd be driving into a MAJOR thunderstorm. The further north I drove, the darker and more ominous the sky got. Huge clouds moved across the road before my eyes. Soon winds shook my van and the rain, slapped around by strong gales, forced me to pull over for a few minutes.

It wouldn't have been a big deal except that my back seats held my nephews who are six and four. Other than an occasional, "Um, I'm kind of scared," they did pretty well with the storm, but when we got to their house where the power had been knocked out, everybody was upset, even the dog!

We managed to find a flashlight and decided to pass the time by reading books in bed. The six-year-old thumbed through his bookshelf and started a small pile, when suddenly he had an idea and ran over to his dresser. He picked up his Bible and brought it over to our stack of books, placing it at the bottom.

"We'll save this one for last," he said and then added, "When you want to know what to do, you look in here."

We settled in, reading about Lightning McQueen and Mater, followed by a book about Wall-E and five little ducklings. Book after book after book, yet their questions kept coming.

"When is my daddy going to be home? Is Mommy coming? Will they be here soon?"

We reached the bottom of the stack and I climbed out of bed to grab a Kleenex. The only book left was the Bible and since there were no pictures to show them, I kneeled next to the bed to read instead of sitting between them. They settled into their pillows and listened quietly. As I read about David and Goliath, the questions, the anxiousness stopped. We moved on to Noah's Ark (What? It seemed appropriate for a stormy night.) and their little eyes drooped. Before too long, they were fast asleep.

Were they just tuckered out? Would we have achieved the same effect had we started with the Bible? Maybe it's a stretch, but it made me think about the power of God's Word. Can uttering it calm even a child's anxious soul?

And then I remembered his words, "When you want to know what to do, you look in here."

At only six-years-old, he believed it. He knew there was something special about the Bible. That's supernatural, isn't it, when a child recognizes its value? Can you teach a kid to know that or does God through His Word turn on the light switch? My young nephew's conviction and the effect of the Bible's words on both boys convinced me it is more than a book.

"When you want to know what to do, you look in here."

Amen, buddy. Don't you ever forget it.

For the word of God is living and active . . .

Hebrews 4:12

Thanks to my friend Mark Canfield for his awesome pic!

From The Mouth of Babes

Ready for a treat? I hope you enjoy this video as much I did.

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Doesn't that just make you smile?

Have a great day friends!

Nothing to Say

I stare at a blank screen. Again. The pressure to click the "Publish Post" button looming.

And I've got nothing.

No hilarious anecdotes, no profound insights, no inspirational thoughts to motivate. Just me. This very ordinary, hormonal, sleep-deprived woman with one purpose.

Point people to God.

So instead of reading my words today, why not read His? Here's some of my favorite to get you started.

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:9-10

What is HE saying to you?

How Should I Unite With Christians I Disagree With?

"The Gospel alone is sufficient to rule the lives of Christians everywhere. . . any additional rules made to govern men’s conduct added nothing to the perfection already found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence
John Wycliffe

We Christians find lots of things to argue about. Should you use wine or grape juice for communion? Is it appropriate to have drums in church? Should a woman of God show any skin? Is it offensive to God to wear jeans to worship?

Or how about we put the screws on a little bit? Does a serious Christian use birth control or support feminists? Does your political affiliation matter? What about your views on abortion and gay rights?

Anne Rice, a novelist known for her vampire bestsellers WAY before the Twilight craze, shocked the nation a few years ago when she came out saying she was returning to her Catholic faith. She started writing books about God and publicly aligned herself with Christianity.

But recently she wrote a scathing comment on Facebook, distancing herself from Christians because of the condemnation she sees for differing views. In her words:

"For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian. I'm out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Christian" or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to "belong" to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten ...years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else."

And a little later she added,

"As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of ...Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."

There's a very interesting clip on Ms. Rice's website from a CNN interview with Joy Behar. I certainly don't agree with everything she says here, but it makes me wonder how I should relate with people who don't believe as I do. There's something very sad about Ms. Rice feeling like she cannot identify herself with other Christians. What happened to being known as Christians by our love? How do we maintain unity in the Body if we don't agree on big issues? If the gospel is sufficient (and it absolutely is), how do I navigate the choppy waters of actual living with others?

Our pastor preached on non-negotiables this summer, those things we absolute should not compromise on. He's identified two:

Jesus Christ is the Son of God, sent by the Father to be the once and for all atoning sacrifice for our sins, enabling us to be righteous before God and live for eternity with Him in heaven.

The Bible is the Holy Word of God, perfect and without error.

But when the rubber meets the road, when I find myself in opposition with another Christian, how should I conduct myself? I must go to God's Word.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

Or in the words of Jesus Himself:

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Matthew 22:37-39

The answer is love, loving God, loving others. May God give us wisdom to know the best way to love.

See how others interpret this quote by visiting Esthermay at The Heart of a Pastor's Wife.

A Great Word

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

Make it so, Lord. Make it so.