Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Heroes- Part 4

A lot of talk about change these days...

Regardless of where they are spiritually, almost anyone I talk to about their salvation experience says the same thing: "I have changed." I know I have. I can't really explain the difference between the old and new me. I was raised a Christian, and except in my young teen years, I didn't really embrace a Christ centered life. One of the concerns/questions that came up when I tried to explain what happened to me to my family was:

-"I don't understand what you are talking about... You've always been a nice person..."

As nice as this comment sounds, I know that something deeper happened when I decided to start my walk. "Being a nice person" simply wasn't good enough... I needed more. I am still working on explaining what is happening to me. In a way, it is a easier to "live out" what is happening, than to describe it.

It's also a little easier for me to understand why so many of us can relate to Peter's transformation after his encounter with Christ. He was an ordinary man, a fisherman, a sinner, a regular Joe-six pack (I had to make an election related comment...) who became a pillar of the early church. He had no any idea that his life would change so dramatically when he met Jesus, he just knew that something was happening. Maybe he decided to follow Christ because he was grateful, or tired of being a fisherman... Either way, it sounds like a switch was turned on in his heart, and he just knew that he needed to leave everything behind. Sounds familiar.

More on change as the new year approaches...

EED

Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Heroes- Part 3

I sometimes wish I had a 7-step manual to making solid decisions (decisions I will NEVER regret). I am so scared of making the wrong choice that I often end up paralyzed with fear. A recent time of fasting and prayer made me realize that I should not confuse patience (in this particular case hearing from the Lord) with inaction. The following verses are very reassuring when it comes to making important decisions, or asking God for direction:

So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left." Genesis 13:8-9

It really didn't matter which direction Abram went... he had already received his promise. Every time Abram and Sarai tried to "make it happen" (I am not a big fan of this expression anymore...), they made such a mess that God had to intervene to make things right again. It's really reassuring to know that even though I make mistakes along the way, I am never alone. He is always there to set me on the right path... or sometimes knock me off course when I decide to do it on my own...

One of my favorite songs "I can only imagine" speaks to a lot of people. I personally loves this song, because it gives me hope. Hope that regardless of the steps I take, the decisions I make, the mistakes I will surely make, I still can't imagine "what it will be like when I walk by His side"

EED

The book of Judges, or stories of disobedience and mercy

Continuing my reading of the Old Testament...I recently finished reading the book of Judges. It was so exiting!

I was seriously blown away by God's mercy! Mercy for his forgetful people, mercy for his flawed judges/leaders, mercy for me! It's so easy to break eye contact with God, so easy to get distracted, so easy to worship others gods, whether work, money, TV, stars...or even worse, ourselves. It's so easy to get lost!

"Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD... "

This verse is repeated multiple times throughout the book. After the Israelites realized they were lost, they suddenly remembered how their God heard them, answered their prayers, and led them out of the land despair. It is hard for me to imagine why He keeps forgiving their sins; fully knowing that they will sin again.

"The LORD replied, "When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!" Judges 10: 11-14

Almost immediately followed by:

"Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel's misery no longer." Judges 10:16

I can't possibly imagine why He keeps coming to my rescue. Is that what love is? Unconditional love? Wow! Obviously, I am speechless...

EED

Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Heroes- Part 2

Is heroic faith exiting? Well, READING about heroic faith is exiting, but I am not so sure how I feel about jumping in a blazing furnace... I am a bit of a chicken, you see?

I tried to imagine the equivalent of what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did, in 21st century Dayton, OH (or anywhere really). A quick look at the local news confirmed the absence of maniac, self centered kings who required me to worship gold statues.. that's actually great news for once! (from what I hear, a blazing furnace requires a considerable amount of time, energy and money in maintenance). More seriously, there are a few things I refuse to do because I sincerely believe they are outside of the boundaries for my faith (or simple common sense). I wouldn't call them heroic acts of faith, but it is sometimes necessary to take a stand on relatively small things, in order to take one on bigger decisions.

I like how SS often talks about the difference between faith and foolishness. Refusing to bow down to a statue at the risk of being burnt alive might sound borderline foolish, but it was the right and only thing to do for these three young heroes. With God on their side, they knew that anything was possible. If they were scared, they didn't really show it; except maybe when they admitted that they needed to be realistic.

But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. Daniel 3:18

Pretty bold if you ask me. I often pray for this kind of boldness. Boldness in my daily life, boldness in my prayer life, boldness to jump in my own blazing furnace, knowing that God will protect me, walk with me, and leave me "unbound and unharmed".

EED

Ah, teenagers...

I was talking to a teenager a couple of nights ago, and she was telling how she could not wait for her birthday next month...

Teenager: I cant wait to be older, wiser and more mature!

Me: How old are you going to be?

Teenager: 14!

I just smiled...

A good one...

I heard this joke the other day:

"If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!"

I wonder how true that is...

EED

One of my heroes

The "Heroes series" prompted me to think about my own heroes, both Biblical and around me.

I was talking to someone a couple of days ago, and he mentioned one of my heroes from the Bible: the Samaritan woman, better known as the woman at the well... He talked about a few different theological aspects of this story, but all I could think about was what must have been going through her mind while she was talking to Jesus.

Here is a woman, who woke up that morning and went to her daily activities, not knowing that her life would be dramatically changed by one encounter. When she talked about worshiping on the mountain versus worshiping in Jerusalem, it reminded me of all the times I have a prayed for a miraculous sign or some kind of divine answer. Instead, the answer was often given to me through a friend, or a smile, an encouraging word, a phone call... I love when that happens!

I wish I knew her name...

EED