Keeping score

Love, "keeps no record of wrongs." Another way to say this is,"Love doesn't keep score." Now this doesn't mean that wrongs done are deemed as OK. It simply means that forgiveness is given to those who offended us. Not only does forgiveness benefit those who are the recipients but also those who give it. Forgiveness is a choice that only the offended can give. We can choose or not choose to forgive.

When we forgive or are not easily offended, we show God's love. God showed His love for us by extending forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. Especially in this day and age where revenge is celebrated, forgiveness and not being easily offended are precious commodities that we can invest in those around us. Like seeds planted deep in the ground, we, as followers of Christ can join our Father in His work, as we cultivate a return of love and life in, not only our lives, but those around us. You may find that forgiveness is truly a game changer.

Anger

According to the Bible, love "... is not easily angered..." (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV). Once there was a time in my life when I thought I was not easily angered. That was long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Through the years, one of the things that significantly helped in me in addressing anger in my life was realizing anger as a secondary emotion. What I mean by that is anger is often the reaction to another emotion. For me, that primary emotion is fear. This can manifest from feeling out of control or helpless. Anger can also be a reaction to being or feeling hurt.

Love is not easily angered. It's not to say we never get angry, but it's not our automatic reaction when walking in a life governed by God's love. Even when Jesus turned the tables and ran people out of the Temple because they were more concerned with exploiting each other than worshiping God, He then lovingly and compassionately healed those who were blind and lame. It should be noted that Jesus did not burst out in anger at the sight of what was going on at the Temple right away. The evening before His response, He viewed what was going on and chose His course of action for the next day.

Stepping back from a situation doesn't mean we leave all our anger at the door; instead it gives us room to be angry while not allowing that anger to turn into hatred and sin towards another. "In your anger, do not sin..." (Ephesians 4:26 NIV). I'm not saying it's easy, or that I always walk this out real well. What I do know is this is what the Christian is called to do, and if we, as Christians, desire to walk like Jesus, then we must be willing to lay down our anger and offer the same grace Jesus did as He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34 NIV).

What will you leave behind?

OK, I'm back. Sorry for the delay. Anyway... We have been looking at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and are on verse 5 which describes love in this way: "... it is not self-seeking..." (NIV). Another version says, "It does not insist on its own way..." (ESV). Wow! This is quite the departure from the world in which we live.

"My rights!" "I have to do what's good for me." "You've got to look out for #1." "Love yourself." These are things I hear all the time. Unfortunately, these are also lies used by Satan to lure us into a self-centered, self-absorbed mentality, binding us to this temporary body which will inevitably return to the earth from which it was formed.

In verse 13, love is described as the greatest of the three things that will remain after everything else passes away. Love goes on long after we are gone. Everyone dies... it's true. But we can leave something behind that will remain... something which can't die. It can't be taken away. It can't be destroyed. However, it can be withheld when we refuse to let go of self and give it away to others. Setting self aside for the sake of love is what Jesus did for us when he died on the cross. The power of love could not be kept in the grave and it is still changing lives today. What will you leave behind when (not if) you die?

R is for Rude

[Love] "... is not proud. It does not dishonor others..."(1 Corinthians 13: 4b NIV). Some versions say, "rude" instead of "dishonor others." When I read this in the NIV, I had to step back. I think it really exposes the heart of what it means to be rude. When people are rude, they show a high disregard for others. It's interesting that pride and being rude are mentioned together. Pride is an inflated view of self-worth while being rude involves devaluing someone else's worth through word and/or actions.

This speaks volumes to today's society. The sad fact is being rude... dishonoring others, is chic. Whether you're on the right, left, or somewhere in between, people think nothing of treating the "enemy" as less than human... disposable garbage... not able to be recycled. Even some in the Christian community, who believe all people are created in the image of God, curse those who don't hold to their view and rejoice in their demise.

Bottom line is ALL life is precious because all life comes from the Creator. Treating others as we would like to be treated is how we were wired to live. Doing otherwise only leads to suffering and ultimately death... whether it be physical, relational, social, etc. . Jesus came to give life and that life starts with love. My prayer is that I would lay aside being defensive, proud, and rude and pick up Christ's love for others, knowing that I'm only passing on a gift I have been given by the Creator of the Universe.

Love doesn't envy or boast...

The third characteristic in our, "Love is..." series is, "... love does not envy or boast..." The Google definition of envy is, " a feeling of discontentment or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck." To boast means to "talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities." (Google). In both cases, the heart of these two characteristics are the same... self. To envy or boast is to put the focus on self ahead of others. It's wanting to be in the limelight... number one. This is not love.

Of course we are encouraged in the Bible to do our best in whatever we do, but we are to do it for the glory of God, not our glory. It is to show God's goodness to other's for the purpose of leading them towards salvation for their good, not for the purpose of showing off. In fact, this is really the key to this whole series. Love is not self-serving. It looks to advance others before self. It honors others and rejoices when others succeed. Today, what are some ways we can put others before self by showing them God's goodness as we walk like Jesus?

Be kind.

"Be kind." It's a simple statement that, if heeded, would change the world. It's amazing what happens when a person shows another person kindness. Many times hearts are softened, guards come down, and kindness is multiplied. I would even venture to say that it takes less effort to be kind than it does to be cruel, though I don't have research to back it up. One thing I know is kindness sure feels a lot better at the end of the day... not just for the recipient but the giver as well.

So what would happen if we simply show kindness to those around us... no matter if they "deserve it" or not. How about it? We don't have to wait for someone to be kind to us to be kind to them. Be kind. That statement doesn't say, "Be kind, IF..." It just says, "Be kind... period!" The neat thing about kindness is it spreads like crazy when it's planted in others. Here, in the midst of winter, start a garden of kindness, stand back and watch it grow.

Love is patient...

Some Bible translations use the term, "suffers long" for the word "patient". Patience usually involves delayed gratification. It is not only waiting... but how we wait. It's an attitude. The Bible talks of patience, specifically in the life of Job.

"My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord- that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:9-10 NKJV).

 This type of patience means enduring, staying the course under pressure. It's easy to love and be loving when things go our way and people like us. It's another thing to show love when we are not getting what we want in the way we want and how we want it or when people are meanies to us.

When we are impatient, it reveals a "me first" attitude. This is rampant in today's society... and I hate to say it... rampant in my own heart at times. I admit it. I need more patience. But patience comes at a price.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:3-4 NKJV).

I'm not afraid to pray it... "Lord give me patience." How about you?

What is love?

These days I hear and read people's comments on how we need to walk in love with others. However, finding people actually walking in love with others is a scarce commodity, worth more than gold. So, what does it actually look like to walk in love?

In the Bible, there is a passage of scripture that give a clear picture of love in action. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says the following:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." (NIV)

Generally speaking, when I see the news or listen to people around me, I see the total opposite of this "1 Corinthians 13 type of love." In fact, I see impatience, meanness, selfishness, rudeness, etc. My next series of posts will look at the characteristics of love and explore how to walk in that love, even when the world is trying to walk all over us. I'm far from the mark, but it's my aim. How about you?

Gloom, despair, and agony on me!

One of the TV shows I watched as a kid was Hee Haw. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, it was a variety show based on country music, redneck jokes, and scantly dressed women.

One of the sketches had a few old codgers in overalls, sitting by a moonshine still, singing about the woes of their lives. The song started out like this:

"Gloom, despair, and agony on me.

Deep dark depression and constant misery.

If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.

Gloom, despair, and agony on me."

Thinking about this song reminds me of the attitude of many in our nation today. I admit, I too fall into this mindset, but in the long run, it's really as silly as the "gloom and despair" guys from Hee Haw.

Instead of cursing the darkness, I want to shine the light. In the midst of an onslaught of hopelessness, I want to help other, treating them as I would want to be treated... even if I'm not treated that way. I guess, I want to be hopelessly hopeful. Could it be any worse than... "Gloom, despair, and agony on me..."?

From here to absurdity

The more I listen to the news, the more I find myself shaking my head in disbelief. Headlines of scandal, injustice, abuse, stupidity, etc. fill the printed page, screen, and airways. I guess, as the Bible says, "... there is nothing new under the sun." Knowing this, however, doesn't keep me from being dumbfounded at times. And in these days, that is quite a feat.

The only thing that keeps me from being swept overboard is the vivid realization that God is in control. I know... "There he goes again with the cliches." But this saying is far from cliche. It's a life giving reality that never looses its meaning for me. It's why I wake up. It's how I can go to bed... and actually sleep. In the face of adversity, knowing the God of all creation gives me hope and arrests the fear and uncertainty these crazy days bring.

So, from here to absurdity, I'm ready. I'm ready to face the future with confidence, knowing the One who holds the world and the universe also holds my hand.

When night has come and darkness ascends...

When night has come and darkness ascends, wait in its wake.
In this familiar place, much like a womb, cling to your lifeline,
Nourished in the dark place.

Time gives way to strength and growth.
The darkness feels closer as the room gets smaller.
You're stronger. You're outgrowing the room.
Time to emerge.

Travail and struggle. Contractions get closer.
Hope seems dim. The walls are collapsing.
But a light is appearing.
Heart is beating. Fatigue is screaming.
Fleeting hope or Freedom awaiting.

Push and pull, the light gets closer.
Darkness rallies, but it grasp loosens.
It's hold is broken.
Darkness retreats as light reveals the one it kept.

New life emerges, never the same.
From darkness to light; from captivity to freedom.
Darkness has fled; light has come.

Arise!
The dawn has come and the light ascends.

A kick in the can!

One of the reasons I'm starting this journey of farming/gardening/homesteading is to not only be a blessing to my family by helping us be self-sustaining, especially in difficult times, but also to be a blessing to others. My moto for this journey is, "Do what you can. Help who you can."

It seems pretty simple, but sometimes I need a kick in the can to get started. I'm blessed to have friends and family who give me the extra push or pull to stay the course when I get overwhelmed and frustrated. The biggest motivation, however, is love... love for my family, love for my neighbors, and love for God.

So, what are you passionate about? Who are your "can kickers?" What is one thing you can do today to work toward your goals? Who is one person you can encourage or help today? Let me know your answers in the comments below or comment on my Facebook page. Good luck on your journey.

Shine on!

As I read Facebook posts and talk to people around me, I am amazed and overwhelmed at the amount of tragedy in people's lives. Whether it be the death of a loved one, loss of health, loss of a job, relationships in turmoil, etc., it seems that pain and tears are man's closest companion this side of the grave.

In the midst of these struggles, I also witness the unrelenting tenacity of the human heart created in the image of God. No matter how tattered and worn that image, people from all walks of life can be found defying the hardships and cruelties of life only to exhibit hope in the midst of their circumstances. It's more beautiful than a sunset, more awe inspiring than the stars at night. Those who can shine in the face of tragedy.... SHINE ON!

Coffee, Apocalyptic musings, and Compost

I love the smell of coffee in the morning. As I'm sitting here sipping my favorite beverage, I'm contemplating the upcoming year. It looks like a medley of nastiness and funk... and I'm not talking James Brown. It's hard to see any hope beyond the return of Jesus... until I look out my kitchen window and see my compost bin. There it is, in all it's funky glory, containing rotting debris and keeping the cats and other critters from dragging it off as it produces black gold for our garden in the Spring.

It reminds me of the Bible account of Joseph. He went through a series of unfortunate events only to find God using those situations as compost to grow favor and goodness in Joseph's life while, at the same time, saving Joseph's family and the nation from famine. So, with that in mind, maybe 2017 won't be as scary as I think. Bring on the compost!