The only thing that can come out is what's in

Bryan continued the James series at Jubilee this week. Another excellent message from one my favorite books in the New Testament. I also love Lamentations, but that's a post for another day.

A few points that hit my heart

1. You are a product of your community.
  Surround yourself with people who are real, loving, and honest. Allow space for people to speak into your life. As Bryan said, if you're not close enough for someone to offend you, how will have to opportunity to forgive? If no one ever rubs you the wrong way, how will you smooth your rough edges? The bible speaks of us as clay, and God uses community to mold us for His glory.

2. When ugliness comes out of you, it's because that's what's in you.
  God uses opportunities when someone hurts/offends/angers/bothers/frustrates/irritates us to show us what's in our own hearts. Repeatedly, Jesus reminds us that what is in the heart is what comes out our mouths. When we live life in community and seek God, the ugliness of our sinful nature is bound to make an appearance. This can be incredibly painful. Sometimes the knocking is so hard because God is really digging out deep issues in our lives. The joy of community is forgiveness and sanctification. God uses these situations in our life to give us an opportunity to repent and to bring freedom in our lives.

3. Pride separates people
  When you value yourself above others either in arrogance or false humility, you separate yourself from others. Protecting yourself from the pain of possible confrontation by withdrawal or a "too deep alarm" isolates you. You are cutting yourself off from the life God has for you in community.

Are you in your community or just around people?

SOAP today

S:
Psalm 119:34-35
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.


O:
We need understanding in order to live by Kingdom ways. That I can observe with my whole heart. The psalmist asks God to give him understanding. Understanding isn't gained; it's given. It's given in order to change our lives. The psalmists asked to be lead. He delights in the commandants of God, but recognizes he can't find it alone. Beginning with understanding and then asking to be lead.

A:
God is so gracious that He gives us the understanding to live His way. I want to walk in the right path, because I do delight in the freedom of living by Kingdom ways. Today I ask God to give me understanding, that I can follow Him.

P:
Jesus, you paid the price that I don't have to keep every rule of the law to enter your Kingdom. You have justified my sin by your sacrifice. Sanctify me, change me to live and observe your ways with my whole heart. Give me understanding and wisdom. I need you today; lead my down Your path. Holy Spirit give me understanding that I will whole-heartedly observe your perfect law, because it is a delight!


Delighting in God's ways doesn't mean I'm always happy. Psalm 119:50,"This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." My comfort isn't that things change, but that I have life based on the unchanging promise of God.

Dinner Conversations

Tonight at dinner, I was catching up with the kids about their days and stuff; Michael was working late. They came up with the most random things that were a little worrisome, but some were so funny.

Chase: Mom, if dad died, you'd be a widow, but we wouldn't be orphans.
Me: Yes and that would be so very sad. We would all miss Daddy a lot.
Stuart: Jesus died, and um, the soldiers came, and um, they put him in a tomb.
Chase: Nu-uh. Joseph of America did the tomb thing and the soldiers put Jesus on the cross.
Stuart: The soldiers, they came, and um, the angel, he was sitting on the stone, and he um, rolled the stone away, and the angel was, um, sitting on the stone and the soldiers, they saw the stone was moved and they fell to the ground with [dramatically] fear.
Me: Is this what you talked about in Sunday school this week (which I know they didn't)
Chase: Yeah, we're in the New Testament now. We're done with the Old.
Sabrina: more baked beans, please! (not quite getting the flow of the conversation!)

Later in the conversation...
Chase: When I get married, when I grow up, I think I'll marry Vero. (girl in his class at school)
Me: Why Vero?
Chase: Because she's my best friend, silly! (not once has he mentioned Vero)
In pretend play center at school, she's the mommy, and then we have 3 boys, one to be the dad, one to be the son, and one to be the cat.


So I'm not sure what to think of this whole conversation, but it sure made me chuckle!