The WHOLE Truth

It is 6 AM. I am  pinned under two dogs and relegated to about 16" of space on the sofa. I'm looking at the roll that has begun to form somewhere under my laptop and above my thighs. Emotionally, I find myself, comforted by my dogs who love me -- or, perhaps, my sofa -- and disgusted by this fleshy, abhorrent roll. I know I am fat. But I am also very comfortable. So rather than take the dogs for a walk, I do some ridiculously lame leg lift-things as I type away on the computer.

All this to say, I am a physical, emotional, intellectual being, with the ability to make decisions, engage in physical -- or not so physical activity -- and enjoy the company of others. To label me as any one of those things, singularly, would be to miss out on the complete being that is me.

I found the following images in approximately 30 seconds-worth of searching on the old interweb:



A History Book

An Instruction Manual



A Love Story

Is anyone one of these more true than another?

Recently, someone has encouraged me to look at the Bible a little differently -- to notice how New Testament writers were influenced by Old Testament Scriptures, to see how one prophet employed the writings of another to make his point, to consider the emotion and character of the writer, and to examine various accounts of the same event in light of the writers and their relationship with The Author. I have to say, I never thought of examining the Bible this way.

However, for me to study Scripture this way, to the exclusion of details and language, would be wrong. For instance:

Psalm 121:1-3

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills --

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

"He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber."  

Plenty of metaphor in these verses. But, if I were only to treat it as figurative language, meant to stir my heart to worship a faithful, mighty God, or as a psalm of encouragement to keep me fighting against principalities and walking according to God's direction, I would miss so many other truths.

"Lifting my eyes up to the hills" could mean looking for allied forces to deliver, or looking for deliverance from idols worshipped on hillsides in that day. Thus begs the question "from where/ how" will I be rescued. Or maybe the hills are the hills of Moriah and Zion, where the Ark of the Covenant, the presence of God, was stationed. There are word pictures here.

"The Lord who made heaven and earth," who "will not slumber," certainly makes me feel as though I have hitched my wagon to the right star -- a God who created it all, who watches over me without pause. But is that all this verse is about -- making me feel good about being on the right team? invoking reassurance and the motivation to push on? I get that; I really do, but if I were to say that's all I get, or primarily what I get, I am doing the Holy Scriptures an appalling disservice.

The Word of God is living; with every reading it brings new truth. The Bible is timeless; it never becomes irrelevant, and its truths are never obsolete. It is a Book of reality -- not emotion and a general type of inspiration, exclusively; its promises will come to pass! And IT IS INERRANT!

Some folks don't like the rigidity of some of these ideas, and would prefer to see the Bible as a half-truth or figure of speech. Some folks like a little more wiggle room with their prophecy or their truth -- to view difficult or "offensive" principles in a sort of general, one-dimensional sphere that they can more easily accept or peddle to their New Age friends. 

I would love to believe that all of those "really good people" I know, who live their lives in the spirit of the Bible, though in reality reject God and His Word, will somehow earn a pass and be standing next to me in Heaven. But God and His Word are no more one-dimensional than you or I; there is a truth that comes with a moral, and a course of action that is born out of that moral. It is my hope that even really good people will follow it.

Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow

I tend to be pretty focused. My ex-husband often told me how unobservant I was. My intense concentration on whatever was important to me at the moment, pulled me away from details like stop signs and idiot lights on the dashboard. Thanks to www., I can now chase rabbits and engage in ADD-like behavior until my fingers fall off! Welcome to my rabbit hole...

Definition --> Pastor's website --> Seeker-Sensitive churches --> Crystal Cathedral --> "I Know the Lord Will Make a Way for Me." And then I started thinking about my upbringing...

Things were pretty black and white at the Chambers'. I interpreted everything in terms of right and wrong. Even family. When Mom's family visited on holidays, I loved being around them; the house came alive with their boisterous ways. They smoked and drank, cussed and laughed, and told wild stories. But they were wrong. In January when the cigarette butts had all been flushed, the beer cans sent to the trash, and the house returned to its usual monochromatic inclinations, we were clean again.

Dad had been raised much more conservatively -- church going, Sunday resting, Commandment observing, conservatively dressing, and right. Folks always look at me in disbelief when I tell how when I was around 13 or so, my dad shut off M*A*S*H and sent us all to bed because Hawkeye Pierce used the word "hell," and he wasn't talking about eternal damnation.

I never really understood the compulsion to be good; after all, wrong seemed like so much more fun! I was never strong enough to be a good Christian, to get everything right; after all, wrong came naturally! But I know now, it is only because of God's grace I can even begin to get it right. And it's that grace that I should demonstrate to others. I don't always feel innately compelled to be good. But I do have such a love and respect for God and what He wants me to become, that I try to obey. And I trust Him to help me in my struggle, and forgive me when I fail. As I should forgive others. I know I don't have the strength to show grace, to be all God has planned, to forgive, to be right. But God's strength is perfect, and mine for the asking.

Who wants to hear their spouse say, "I try so hard, each day, to be faithful and honoring." Faithfulness, commitment, honor and obedience originate with love. God did not give us this life to work at rules and judgment, right and wrong. This life is about love; love for God and love for others. Anything less is wrong.

I still possess quite a bit of that boisterous, fun-loving nature that I admired so greatly in my youth. But I've also come to learn that quiet times in worship and Bible study develop my love for God and unfold the map He has drawn for the rest of my life -- the map that will lead me in the paths of righteousness and joy!

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. ~ Acts 20:24

Prayers For Morris

Have you ever had one of those moments when your mind goes completely blank? Before you know it, the pressure from all those thoughts just clamoring to get back in makes you feel dizzy, and sick to your stomach, and short of breath.

A couple of weeks ago, I arrived home just as the sky was beginning to darken with the twilight. The weather was balmy, and in my haste for Springtime, I had cranked up the radio and down the windows. My neighbor and his son were standing out front, obviously rushing Spring as well. As I exited my truck, we exchanged our usual greeting -- but something was different this time. You see, it usually goes like this:

"Good evening, Neighbor!"
"Hey, Morris! How ya doin'?"
"I'm blessed. How are you?"
"Blessed also!" [Begin small talk, if so led.]

But this evening, Morris was moving toward me, looking as if something was on his mind. Now, our neighborhood is fairly close knit. We try to keep one another abreast of events nearby -- mischief or burglaries, move-ins, move-outs, neighbors who are ill, or are now alone. A bit morose, I guess, now that I see it in print, but we do look out for one another.

Then, he began to speak. He was ill. This grand, strong man whose booming voice I have heard through the party wall for the last twenty years. This father, husband, and friend whose mirthful, easy-going, and sometimes ornery nature bring life to the home next door. This man who has stood hour after hour, melting over glowing charcoal on the most sweltering days, preparing food for anyone who wishes to eat. This man was ill. It would mean surgery, a hospital stay or two, and who knows what.

The tears began to flow. I tried to hold back. Was he afraid? My crying wouldn't help. Was he still processing? Tears would be a terrible complication. With each of his words, the answers became obvious, and we approached the point where there were no more facts to report. The message was delivered. He no longer had to struggle to keep his voice level, to remain methodical. The message was received. And it was my turn to speak.

When, I'm not sure, but all the thoughts that had so recently escaped, slowly began funneling their way back inside my mind. My head became a whirlpool of questions and fears, assurances and rationalizations, things I should say and things I shouldn't. What words could possibly convey what I wished for him without betraying what I feared? Support, sympathy, hope, confederacy, health. What could I say that would be personal and honest, and come from the depths of my heart?

Before one question was answered, the words fell out, "Morris, I am so sorry to hear this. I love you, and I will pray for you."

For all its lack of profundity and originality, it was honest, supportive, and truly came from the depths of my heart. But no empty words here...I am praying for Morris' complete restoration. I hope you will, too.

Candy Molds & Tax Returns

A friend of mine handed me some candy molds, the other day.

"You want these?"

"Sure, I'll take 'em. Although this year I didn't even do anything. No cookies. No baking. Nothing!"

"What?! That's not like you."

"I was so busy." And as I started to explain, I realized I couldn't. I had nothing. I couldn't tell her three things I had done that made me so busy!

~~~~~

Next month we'll be taking every receipt, every scrap of paper, every detail of our pretty pathetic financial lives to a great guy we know. It's a bittersweet visit. We see him once a year. We laugh. We cry. We talk about our faith. He works his hardest for us, and we plead our hardest in front of him. He is not afraid to tell us no. (I still don't see eye-to-eye with him about dogs - very comfortable dogs - not being tax deductions.)

They do not call him "an accountant" for nothing. He takes stock of our expenditures and our windfalls. He is all about the Benjamins, and the Washingtons. He calls us to account. And when it comes to our charitable giving, he makes sure we account for that as well. He is a Christian brother, so he knows how God feels about giving. 



Deuteronomy 16:17Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

Proverbs 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Naturally, every year, as the time approaches to sit in front of him and give an account, I begin to think of our giving through the past year. Did we truly give as we were able? Did we give with a cheerful heart? Were we generous? Did we trust that God would supply our needs, and therefore, we could give without worry or reservation?

Truth is, I'm not sure our charitable giving is going to measure up the same way it did in past years. But dusty baking pans and a cringe worthy balance in our savings account tell a different story.

We did jobs pro bono, loaned money interest free (some turned out not so much to be loans, but gifts). So-and-so needs some extra food this week. He needs a ride to...  Extra money in the kettle at Walmart. Blood drive at work. Can you cook her a meal or two? Please help me with... Drop off your donation of clothing here.

Our lives were crazy! But crazy because God has given us so much. Understand that NONE OF THIS IS ABOUT ME, OR US! This is thoroughly -- every detail, every moment -- about God. Whether He gives us money or blesses us with knowledge, or time, or ability, or experience, or simply an honest desire to help someone, it is all about Him! He gave us opportunities to serve. He gave us the means to serve. He blessed us with the privilege of serving.

And, though I can't account for every minute, or why I was so busy -- I was. I woke up each day prepared to, eager to give God whatever I had of my day, my dollars and my ability. It was an awesome fiscal year! And it's all because of Him!