Whole Wheat Bread

I have a few friends who are unable to eat hot, fresh, whole-wheat bread regardless of its nutritional value. Dieters trying to lower their cholesterol and increase their fiber intake are encouraged to make the switch to this delectable treat, but it's poison to the Celiac. After years of tests and research, a friend's doctor finally diagnosed celiac disease. Immediately his diet had to change from the foods he'd eaten for 50+ years to a diet free of any gluten. You'd be surprised at just how many food products this includes, from the obvious bread to simple seasonings you might sprinkle on your chicken before grilling. Once he made the switch and began feeling great, he didn't even desire those foods. He remembered what they tasted like, and maybe for a split second thought about trying a bite, but knowing the consequences of even just a little gluten caused him to quickly dismiss those old desires.

Religious law to a Christian is like whole wheat bread to a Celiac. It seems like such a good, spiritually healthy habit, but it's not! It's actually the opposite...it kills!

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (ESV) - "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."

The Galatians, who had not been under the law...EVER...were listening to a little bit of "gluten" teaching, and it was affecting their entire perspective. In Galatians 5, Paul reminds the Galatians that they had heard and believed truth. He wants to know who's been telling them something different. Even it is just a little bit of "circumcision" talk, it's "leavening the whole lump (verse 9)." The gospel can contain no part of the law. In fact, in Galatians 5:2, Paul points out that it's either Christ or the law. And we all know that we desperately need Christ, because we've all failed the letter of the law already, so our efforts now are in vain and have the same end...death.

My friend's health has made a 180* turn since he got rid of the gluten that was killing him. Let's take a 180* from the law or anything that resembles law - rules, legalism, checklists of religious behavior - so that we might have LIFE!

I know you probably only had a wheat toast with peanut butter and cup of coffee's time to read this, but if you have a lunch break today, listen to this message by Dr. Andrew Farley. While I had the "gluten-free" thought on my own a month ago, I was so excited to hear him take the same concept and teach through Galatians 5. He gives much more background on the Galatians than I could give in a short article. Enjoy...you will not regret this spiritual meal!!

Roots

I've always resolved that I would never get "stuck" anywhere. I had the philosophy that staying in one place forever, especially in America, was a cop-out for going the "distance" with God. I wanted to please God by "going into all the world." Thing is...God didn't exactly tell me to do this, and I'm finding that my "staying in one place" is as adventurous and fulfilling as I ever thought living in a foreign country could be.

I usually get a little restless every couple of years and think that it would be a great time for God to move me. I have visited Africa in hopes of finding that He'd send me there. I even tried to go to China...who wants to do that? Even small moves in the same country or city God has never directed.

Oftentimes, we cling to Jeremiah 29:11 as a promise that will grant our wishes...okay, maybe you all never thought about it that way, but I believe that it was taught me from that perspective, that I would get all my hopes and dreams and be successful...unfortunately, my interpretation of one verse taken out of its context shaped years of discontent in my adult life. "Plans for your welfare, not for disaster" - Really? Broken engagement, tragic death of the love of my life, hmmm...pretty disastrous if you ask me. "Future and a hope" - For a while I was not in a job that I loved or felt was the best use of my skills and both of my sisters are married with children who are growing so quickly before I even have a prospect for a husband...hello, what kind of future is this?!

Now, be honest. If this was your "life verse" as a senior in high school, didn't you think it meant that you were going to have a wonderful, beautiful, happy, perfect life? I'm so glad I finally read the rest of the chapter to see what was going on when God told His children that He knew the plans He had for them. They were in exile - okay, I can relate. It would be years - time is flying. He told them to build houses and live in them - oh, wait, you mean settle? He said to plant gardens and eat from them - really, grow roots? Then He says marry and have children - still working on that one. He says to seek the welfare of their location - you mean work hard to improve the place I reside/work/attend church? My prosperity is directly proportional to my input into my surroundings? And while you're at it, don't listen to the lies of false prophets - as if I had time for all of that!

The point is, rather than always waiting for the end of my exile (job, singlehood, etc.), discontentedly searching for what I believed to be my hopes and dreams, God was telling me to grow some roots, to settle in. He was quietly, lovingly assuring me that I am where He wants me to be.

"But God, I don't want to get stuck!"

"You're not stuck, child. You're growing roots so that you can grow and produce."

The cool thing about roots is that they can be transplanted. If God decided to move me tomorrow, I would survive, though it would be very hard to say goodbye. So I no longer feel stuck, but grounded. I am content to stay, though I will go wherever, whenever He says.

But...I am CONTENT to stay.

Most Fabulous Easter So Far Today

If you have nieces and nephews, then you might just understand how completely captivated I am with mine! My sisters do a fantastic job of completely distracting me at any given moment of the day by sending pictures, videos, or summaries of overheard conversations. Easter weekend did not disappoint! In the midst of the cuteness, my oldest nephew's wise words for the day, "This is the most fabulous Easter so far today." It's possible that he was talking about the gifts he received from the Easter bunny, and he cleverly left possibilities open for the day to get better, but I believe his words ring truer than he realizes.

I could take you on an internet journey of the origin of Easter and the hundreds of opinions about why and what we celebrate every year, and you'd probably find a story that validates your years of Easter memories, but I won't. I will, however, assume that most people reading this associate the Easter celebration with our celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15 clearly teaches that without the resurrection all other teaching is in vain. It is the resurrection that we celebrate, because without it, we would not be raised to newness of life. Being dead to sin is one amazing part of the story, but if that were the end, it would be in vain. Jesus died, and I was crucified with Him (Gal. 2:20), but He didn't stay dead, and neither did I (Eph. 2:5-6). Because He lives, I live! Woo! That's some good stuff!

It's as good as the shivers I still get when a congregation of voices bursts into "...UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE..." after the soft, mournful verses about Jesus' crucifixion. I secretly wish we would sing it more than once a year, because believers have reason to celebrate the resurrection every day. The more I understand what Jesus did for me and in me, the more I can relate to my nephew's words. "This is the most fabulous Easter so far today!" And it just keeps getting better!

"Fall" for Grace

     Every day I get to serve alongside some of the most dedicated, creative, talented people in the world. From the high school principal that will drop anything to help you with something as insignificant as setting up a table so you can get your project done to the financial manager that will look you in the eye and gently answer your questions, these people are compassionate and genuinely concerned about your needs. From the new teacher that jumps right in to all things Grace by bringing in hundreds of box tops and planning after-school help classes to the veteran teacher that courageously learns new computer programs and teaching strategies, these people are committed to excellence and teamwork. From the teacher who coaches and sponsors multiple clubs in addition to spending late hours on campus to be prepared for the next day to the teacher who arrives before dawn to pray and prepare for the day, these people do not settle for mediocre in their lives or in their students'.

     I didn't even mention the headmaster that pulls money out of his own pocket when a child forgets his lunch, the teacher that still tutors alumni in their college courses, the guidance counselor whose open door welcomes students, parents, and others from the time she arrives till she leaves each day, or the athletic director that makes it a point to bring a smile to your face every time he walks in the door. I also didn't mention the teacher that spends time mentoring his students over lunch, the secretary who causes every person that walks into the building to feel as though they are her most important task of the day or the teacher who prepares detailed notes for announcing home ballgames giving excellence to the voice of the Golden Eagles.

     This barely begins to uncover what happens every day at Grace Baptist Academy, for I only mentioned a handful of high school faculty. While teachers in other places are complaining about their $70,000 salaries, the teachers at GBA are complaining that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything they want to do in the lives of the families (yes, not just the students) who walk through the doors.

     If you haven't figured it out yet, I have fallen in love with this place! Our teachers are top-notch! However, because of the nature of a private school and the economic crisis in our country, these teachers not only serve for minimal salaries, but also make the most out of limited resources. While they do this very well, it is necessary for the survival of this ministry that funds be raised!

     As I write this, teachers are actively preparing for what could be the largest community-building event of the year. They have recruited help, rallied donations, and tirelessly pumped up their students for our Fall Festival next Saturday, September 22. In addition to their lesson plans and oh, yes, caring for their spouses and children, they've been working to make this day a success! And don't even get me started on the incredible parents who have been working since before summer to put together incredible auction baskets and items that you are sure to be fighting over!

     So why do I share this with you? Two reasons:

1. You have GOT to meet these people! They're amazing!

2. We need your money.

     From spending $15 to visit fun festival booths and a few dollars on rummage sale items to bidding on themed baskets and auction items, your financial support will not only help us to get rid of all this stuff we're collecting, but it will also encourage the people who work every day for a ministry they whole-heartedly believe in!

     Won't you "Fall" for Grace?
     Come join us next Saturday, starting at 9:00 A.M.!

Time to Grow Up!

Every once in a while I get the most brilliant ideas! You know...the ones that you just can't wait to tell people, because it will be life-changing for everyone! I had such an idea when I was an eighth grader. I know, shocking, right? It was the best prank anyone had ever come up with. I was a genius! I couldn't wait to tell the girls in my cabin at camp, because we'd been trying to think of something to do to the boys that would totally take them by surprise. They loved my idea, but we needed help. Youth pastors can't take sides, so naturally we asked him for what we needed...ketchup. I should have known he would ask why I needed it, and I almost hesitated to answer. But the idea was JUST TOO GOOD!!! So I told him. Imagine my complete and utter despair when he rejected it with a laugh!!!! To this day, I remember thinking, "He has no idea how great this idea is. Why can't he just see the awesomeness?" 

A couple years later, as a very mature, much wiser 15-year-old...you know, wise enough to know that my mother was completely ridiculous in her expectations of me which demanded that I show her I meant business by stomping up the stairs so loudly that even I thought I might fall through...I thought back on that moment and was immediately horrified and completely embarrassed that I'd told my youth pastor I wanted to put ketchup on feminine products and stick them to the walls of the guys' cabin, and that I had believed with all my heart that it was the prank of all pranks! Even now as I type I can feel the heat rising in my head.

By the time I was 24, I had it completely under control, no more slamming the door in my mother's face only to wonder what to do for the next few hours stuck in my room, because there was no way I was going out without her begging for me to forgive her for being so strict. And yet, my very own mother, who should have realized that I had been a legal adult for three years told me to "grow up" when I quite justifiably got upset with my sister for making my bed for me. Of course, that sounds like a nice thing to do, but she was only doing it because her soon to be fiance was arriving that day and she didn't think I would make the bed as good as she would...yeah, even now, I'm kind of siding with my mother. ;)

Looking back on some of the most intensely passionate moments of my "growing up" I am able to see that making decisions in the heat of the moment don't always prove to be the most sound.

This week, I studied Biblical maturity with my Regeneration girls. We learned that our mindset of insecurity, manipulation and helplessness is really immaturity! It's easy for me to assess the maturity level of women whose choices have ended them in a rehabilitation house. What's difficult is to look at my own life and find signs that there is still some growing up to do! I have sought affirmation when I needed to be confident in the brain and creativity God has given me. I have manipulated situations to go my way rather than simply speaking up and stating my ideas. I have played the "helpless victim" when I could have changed the situation with a simple step of action.

1 Corinthians 13:11 (HCSB)
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.

Jan Silvious says in her book, Moving Beyond the Myths, that we have listened to the lies of the great Deceiver when we act toward others as children and toward God as wise adults that don't need his help. It's the opposite that is true and freeing! When I go to my Abba Father as His beloved child, He gives me the affirmation, wisdom and strength to put away childish behaviors in my relationships with others. What a joy!!

Let Freedom Ring

I love Independence Day, flags, fireworks, parades, picnics, John Phillips Sousa marches, saying the pledges, and a "few good men" if you know what I mean! ;) 

Everything about our country stirs within me a sense of pride, nostalgia and usually tears. I'm thankful for the men who stood up for freedom in 1776 and signed their names to a document that would establish the foundation for what would one day become "...the land that I love." I get chills when I picture the scene as they rang what we know now as the "Liberty Bell" so that the people would know, "You are now free!" I'm thankful for the men and women who have fought to maintain that freedom every day since. 

As I think about the freedom that I enjoy as an American, I can't help but think about the freedom I have as a Christian. I am no longer slave to sin. Nothing is holding me back from the abundant life that Jesus came to give. He has given me His nature, His truth, His Holy Spirit. Wow! I want to sign my new name really big like John Hancock did (so the king could see it without spectacles) so that others can see without straining what Christ has done. I want others to know and experience a burden lifted and sin wiped clean. I want them to know that..."It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1 I want to proclaim the truth so that others may be free. I want to "...let freedom ring..."

Jump, Jump, Jump!

I love watching babies bounce in the jumpy thingy in the nursery! Sometimes, they jump and it starts the music. Other times, the music starts, so they start jumping. It always results in giggles and squeals...and the babies laugh too!

Yesterday, we celebrated Palm Sunday. It's the day we remember that Jesus came into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people praised with palm branches. It's the day our Savior came!

They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
Matthew 21:7-9

 The Hebrew word, "hosanna", was used in the Old Testament only one time with the meaning, "please save" (Psalm 118:25). Like many of our words do today, it began to take on a different meaning in the New Testament, "Salvation has come" (Matthew 21:7-9).

The cry of "hosanna" in Psalms was a plea to save. The cry of "hosanna" in Matthew was a cry of thanks and praise for the Savior who had come. Our Savior has come. He has saved. It's past tense!! So sing "Hosanna" loudly this Easter week! It'll make you wanna jump, jump, jump!!