“There is none righteous; no not one.” Romans 3:10
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
I am a sinner. Most Christians would agree with that statement. I am not perfect. No argument there! I need a Savior. Hopefully, all of us will come to this conclusion one way or another. So…because I am a sinner and am not perfect, I need a Savior.
If the above is true, then it follows that I will need correction and instruction – constantly; because I will always be a sinner and I will never be perfect. Praise God, I have a Savior!
I need a Savior because I am not perfect and am a sinner. So, why is it that my first responses to instruction and correction are: “Who me?” “I’m not bad!” “I’m justified in doing ___!” “It must be your fault!” “You just don’t understand.” etc.? It’s probably because I don’t like the taste of humble pie.
“Honey, I’d really like you to cut my hair tonight.” Ralph likes me to cut his hair because he loves to have me play with it. Normally, I like to do it. This time I only reluctantly agreed thinking that I would probably feel more like doing it later.
That evening came and I still did not feel like cutting anyone’s hair. He reminded me and I piddled around and distracted myself. Finally, I got lost in a book while he “got lost” on his computer. The hair cutting had been conveniently forgotten -- or so I thought.
The next morning I was making breakfast and Ralph came into the kitchen. “Sheila, I’m really disappointed that you didn’t cut my hair last night like you said that you would.” I could tell that he was a little upset. “Why didn’t you just tell me that you’d like to do it another time instead of saying that you would do something and then not doing it? I think you were wrong not to follow through with your word.” To his credit, he was being kind and at the same time trying to hold me accountable.
I wish I could say that my first response was “I’m sorry.” Unfortunately, I didn’t want to eat humble pie for breakfast and my reply was much more along the lines of the above. However, as we talked, the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder and told me that He wanted to love me and He wanted to forgive me. “Remember!” He was whispering, “You need a Savior!”
After a little bit of prodding, my heart brought forth the words, “You’re right, hon. I should have said something to you or done what I said I was going to do. I’m sorry. Forgive me?” Of course, he hugged me and forgave me, not just for not keeping my word, but also for my excuse making; and our relationship was restored.
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
According to Drs. Cloud & Townsend in their book Safe People, when we confess our wrongdoing and own up to our failures, we increase our capacity for intimacy and love. If you think about it, we can only receive forgiveness for what we are willing to confess and can only receive God’s love to the extent that we are forgiven and, consequently, are only able to give love to the extent that we have received it. We cannot truly love others, especially those closest to us, if we are not willing and able to admit when we are wrong.
I believe that we are put into relationships with others so that we can learn to love and be loved the way that our Heavenly Father loves us. Because we are sinners, this involves a lot of “owning” our own sin and realizing that in receiving instruction and correction we are actually able to love more.
“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.” Proverbs 4:13
“Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.” Proverbs 15:10
If we cannot receive correction and instruction (especially from those who love us most), then we are in effect saying, “I don’t sin. I’m perfect. I don’t need a Savior.” Where would that leave us? Although we may understand this fully from a theological standpoint, do we really understand it when it comes down to our own lives? I hope I do. I hope I welcome reproof and correction so that I can embrace my Savior, live, and love more.
Lord, help me to receive Your love and forgiveness by admitting when I am wrong. Protect me from the lie that says “If you’re not perfect, people won’t love you.” Because the opposite is really true. Help me to become a more useful vessel by “owning” my wrongs so that You can right them. Show me how to continue to embrace the One Who loves perfectly so that I can love others the way You love me.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Cold Hospitality
Hospitality is not about entertaining. It’s about including others in your adventure. - Sheila
Sometimes we think that our home has to be perfectly clean and that we must plan a special meal in order to have guests over. Quite often, the perceived work involved discourages us from opening our home to friends or providing hospitality to someone in need. But, on reflection, I don’t know that God had perfection in mind when He said “show hospitality” (I Peter 4:9).
This has been one of the coldest few days in the last 20 years in Van Horn. Because of this, our house is not really “guest” ready. We have blankets hung up on various entrances to rooms in order to contain the heat and our kitchen is littered with dishes that we can’t wash until we have running water again. Bringing in firewood for the wood stove and taking the puppies out has tracked dirt and ice all over the entry and living room floors. In spite of this, God thought it was good enough for guests anyway.
Yesterday afternoon a friend called me from one of the local hotels. An elderly husband and wife had been stranded here because of the weather. He was a retired pastor and they were on their way to Abilene, TX to minister at a church there. However, because of the weather and icy roads, he and his wife didn’t want to chance going on that night. My friend said that he had called every church in town and no one could help. So, his wife had suggested that they call us.
My friend put Jim on the line and as he told me his story, I felt in my heart that we were supposed to help. I asked them to go to the Cornerstone Coffee Shop and talk to my husband. When they got there, Ralph made sure they had a place to sit, some hot coffee and a blanket (it was cold in the shop, too) while I made arrangements for a room and a meal…at our house.
That evening was an adventure for all of us. April & Duke, who live with us, made a wonderful meal with some help from our girls. I was working, but got home early enough to help with clean up and make sure Jim and Janice had heat in their room (my daughter, Deanna, bunked with her sisters). Deanna, Mikayla and Leilani made a fire in the stove, served our guests hot tea and cookies and tried to keep our dogs out from under foot. Meanwhile, it got colder and colder.
When we got up the next morning, we discovered frozen pipes at the Cornerstone and at home. So we decided to close the shop and focus on making home more bearable. As we cooked breakfast and made coffee, we all agreed that it was warmer in the refrigerator than the kitchen. During the rest of the morning, Jim and Janice cheerfully helped where ever they could, graciously kept their coats on in the house, allowed the puppies and our cat to sit in their laps and encouraged us in the Lord.
Finally, after loading up our living room with firewood and turning on every space heater in the house, we realized that we had to do something to take the chill off so the pipes wouldn’t break. Duke singed off his left eyebrow working with Ralph to light our central heating system and eventually got it going. The house is now at about 55 degrees (instead of 32) and is beginning to feel much better.
I’m watching the weather on-line. Jim and Janice are keeping an eye on the reported road conditions. Ralph is fixing the pipes under the kitchen sink. We have all realized that we might have to maintain for another day or two. We have reassured Jim and Janice that they are welcome to stay. They have been happy to share our hospitality (in spite of the imperfection) and in a very short time have become part of our family. If we hadn’t opened our home, we would never have made such sweet friends or had such a cool adventure.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (Rom 12:10-13 KJV)
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (I Peter 4:9 ESV)
Sometimes we think that our home has to be perfectly clean and that we must plan a special meal in order to have guests over. Quite often, the perceived work involved discourages us from opening our home to friends or providing hospitality to someone in need. But, on reflection, I don’t know that God had perfection in mind when He said “show hospitality” (I Peter 4:9).
This has been one of the coldest few days in the last 20 years in Van Horn. Because of this, our house is not really “guest” ready. We have blankets hung up on various entrances to rooms in order to contain the heat and our kitchen is littered with dishes that we can’t wash until we have running water again. Bringing in firewood for the wood stove and taking the puppies out has tracked dirt and ice all over the entry and living room floors. In spite of this, God thought it was good enough for guests anyway.
Yesterday afternoon a friend called me from one of the local hotels. An elderly husband and wife had been stranded here because of the weather. He was a retired pastor and they were on their way to Abilene, TX to minister at a church there. However, because of the weather and icy roads, he and his wife didn’t want to chance going on that night. My friend said that he had called every church in town and no one could help. So, his wife had suggested that they call us.
My friend put Jim on the line and as he told me his story, I felt in my heart that we were supposed to help. I asked them to go to the Cornerstone Coffee Shop and talk to my husband. When they got there, Ralph made sure they had a place to sit, some hot coffee and a blanket (it was cold in the shop, too) while I made arrangements for a room and a meal…at our house.
That evening was an adventure for all of us. April & Duke, who live with us, made a wonderful meal with some help from our girls. I was working, but got home early enough to help with clean up and make sure Jim and Janice had heat in their room (my daughter, Deanna, bunked with her sisters). Deanna, Mikayla and Leilani made a fire in the stove, served our guests hot tea and cookies and tried to keep our dogs out from under foot. Meanwhile, it got colder and colder.
When we got up the next morning, we discovered frozen pipes at the Cornerstone and at home. So we decided to close the shop and focus on making home more bearable. As we cooked breakfast and made coffee, we all agreed that it was warmer in the refrigerator than the kitchen. During the rest of the morning, Jim and Janice cheerfully helped where ever they could, graciously kept their coats on in the house, allowed the puppies and our cat to sit in their laps and encouraged us in the Lord.
Finally, after loading up our living room with firewood and turning on every space heater in the house, we realized that we had to do something to take the chill off so the pipes wouldn’t break. Duke singed off his left eyebrow working with Ralph to light our central heating system and eventually got it going. The house is now at about 55 degrees (instead of 32) and is beginning to feel much better.
I’m watching the weather on-line. Jim and Janice are keeping an eye on the reported road conditions. Ralph is fixing the pipes under the kitchen sink. We have all realized that we might have to maintain for another day or two. We have reassured Jim and Janice that they are welcome to stay. They have been happy to share our hospitality (in spite of the imperfection) and in a very short time have become part of our family. If we hadn’t opened our home, we would never have made such sweet friends or had such a cool adventure.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (Rom 12:10-13 KJV)
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (I Peter 4:9 ESV)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Ultimate Father
I sat in amazement as Mikayla played the piano and sang for Church. As she gained confidence, her voice filled the sanctuary and her fingers seemed to dance across the keyboard. This was only the second time I had heard her play and sing and the first time I had ever heard her play this particular piece. My first thought was “Wow!” My second was “How did she learn to do that?” And then, “Praise God! She is worshiping in spirit and truth!”
As a homeschooling mom, I tend to believe subconsciously that my children will only learn if I teach them. I think we all put that on ourselves from time to time; thus the reason that we get overwhelmed every once in a while. However, the real object of our home education is to inspire our children to learn on their own.
I think that one of the things that amazed me most about Mik’s playing was that we don’t even have a piano. She must have practiced on the piano at the church where we have our co-op on Fridays – and we only go there once a week. In this instance, she had learned something on her own without us even providing the resources. It reminded me that God is alive and active in our children’s lives whether we are involved or not.
“Train up a child in the way he (or she) should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Now, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. We did have a piano once and she took piano lessons; so she had learned some of the fundamentals. She also has access to a guitar, which she plays semi-regularly. We also sing worship songs at home and listen to worship music in the car when we go places. Many of the “pieces” were there for her to be inspired (by God) to put them together.
I think that is my point, which gives me great hope and peace for the future. That is that if we but point our children in the right direction and do our best to give them the tools, God will draw them to Himself. God will fill in the gaps where we were inadequate and provide the resources when we cannot. After all, whose children are they anyway? As the ultimate Father, He is at work, always, preparing those for whom He has purpose.
Lord, may I never forget that You are drawing all unto Yourself, including my children. Help me cooperate with You in Your purpose for them.
As a homeschooling mom, I tend to believe subconsciously that my children will only learn if I teach them. I think we all put that on ourselves from time to time; thus the reason that we get overwhelmed every once in a while. However, the real object of our home education is to inspire our children to learn on their own.
I think that one of the things that amazed me most about Mik’s playing was that we don’t even have a piano. She must have practiced on the piano at the church where we have our co-op on Fridays – and we only go there once a week. In this instance, she had learned something on her own without us even providing the resources. It reminded me that God is alive and active in our children’s lives whether we are involved or not.
“Train up a child in the way he (or she) should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Now, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. We did have a piano once and she took piano lessons; so she had learned some of the fundamentals. She also has access to a guitar, which she plays semi-regularly. We also sing worship songs at home and listen to worship music in the car when we go places. Many of the “pieces” were there for her to be inspired (by God) to put them together.
I think that is my point, which gives me great hope and peace for the future. That is that if we but point our children in the right direction and do our best to give them the tools, God will draw them to Himself. God will fill in the gaps where we were inadequate and provide the resources when we cannot. After all, whose children are they anyway? As the ultimate Father, He is at work, always, preparing those for whom He has purpose.
Lord, may I never forget that You are drawing all unto Yourself, including my children. Help me cooperate with You in Your purpose for them.
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