Quantcast
You are here: Home / Archives for Christian theology

The Same

April 27, 2011 By 2 Comments

neverchanging The SameAs I was preparing for the day ahead it hit me once again how things in this life change.

Life is a series of new beginnings, endings, and everything between.

There is only one thing in this world which is constant.

Never Changing.

A few days ago Christians around the world celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My church filled the morning with songs, dramatic presentations, and the gospel message. It was a moving experience. A reminder of who it is we call Savior.

The One who is the same…yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

The question continues daily…what do I do with that information?

 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35 (NIV 2011)

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

More Than Cheap Grace

February 28, 2011 By 4 Comments

bonhoeffer More Than Cheap GraceI recently bought and began reading a huge (and extremely well written) book about Detrich Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas.

Perhaps it's because of my German roots (my maiden name is Eschenbach) but I've always been very interested in what happened in Germany during WWII.

I confess, it's always boggled my mind that so many people could allow such atrocities to take place (essentially in their own backyard) and be so unwillingly to do something about it. What could possibly be attributed to such…inaction.

Additionally, I have also had a keen interest in those few people who did stand against Hitler and his horrific agenda. Those people who somehow were able to recognize that something had to be done, no matter the cost.

People such as Bonhoeffer.

I am only a short way into the book but one of the first things that struck me was actually written in the foreward by author Timothy J. Keller (The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism), when describing the German church during the reign of Hitler.

According to Keller, the two main causes for the lack of reaction (or act of complicity) to Hitler's "final solution" were similar to what we see in our own day: the problem of formalism (put simply…the act of "going to church and hearing that since God loves you and forgives everyone it doesn't matter how you live") and legalism ("God loves you because you have pulled yourself together and are trying to live a good, disciplined life.")

Both of these amount to what Dietrich Bonhoeffer declared "cheap grace". In other words, not realizing that the cost of God's grace was indeed costly (Jesus death on the cross). When clearly understood, the grace and mercy of salvation by faith simply must change the life of the person who receives it.

Understanding the reality of God's grace, living a life changed because of it, is the very reason Dietrich Bonhoeffer was able to stand against the cruelty and utter wrongness of Nazism and Hitler's agenda. He lived a life of extraordinary faith, willing to risk everything for the sake of others when many turned a blind eye, because he truly understood what it meant to be saved by grace.

I've only begun to scratch the surface of this biography, but I can already tell (even from the foreward and early chapters) that I am being challenged to examine my own understanding of grace and what it means to live a life changed by Christ. I know this one thing for certain. I have embraced "cheap grace" in the past, in both formalism and legalism, and now understand why Bonhoeffer spoke against it's complacency.

It's a place I never want to return.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sharing a Meal

February 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

mealsharing Sharing a MealToday my husband and I participated in one of the most basic of human rituals…sharing a meal to get to know new friends.

It's amazing, really, how easy it can be to begin forging new relationships and acquaintances by simply gathering around a table (in our case it was Logan's Restaurant for lunch), eating food, swapping stories, and allowing conversation to ebb and flow.

I confess (being a person who tends to be shy by nature), the first few minutes of the initial meeting often feels awkward and uncomfortable. However, being able to do something as simple as comment on the taste of a dish or compare favorite foods can often be wonderful "ice breakers" and lead to a pleasant afternoon and the promise of familiar faces in the future.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that the early church used to meet together in one another's homes, sharing meals, as part of their worship? Even as more and more were coming to faith in Christ. While I can imagine there were many who knew each other already, I can also imagine things weren't much different for new people coming into the body of Christ back in the beginning as it is today for people searching for a church home or seeking to become part of the community. How much easier is it to get to know new people (or each other to be honest) if we take the time to get past the weekly handshake over the pew and sit with one another around a buffet or potluck dinner or picnic? Maybe even indulging in a progressive dinner between small group meetings. So many possibilities if one is willing to take the time…or the risk.

Sharing a meal…being part of community…such an important part of the life God has planned for us.

I'm glad to have been reminded of it today.

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Is God Setting You Free?

November 11, 2010 By 6 Comments

Broken Chains How Is God Setting You Free?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. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

My friend Bonnie, The Faith Barista, is asking a question today for her Thursday Faith Jam ~ How is God setting you free?

As I sat here thinking about how I would answer the question I thought about how as Christians we are no longer under the condemnation of sin because of our faith in Jesus. And then I decided to do a search for scripture which speaks about the freedom God has provided for us:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:34-36 (NLT)

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

Perhaps the question is not "how is God setting you free"?

Freedom has already been provided for those who are willing to accept it. Truly, what we should be considering is "how am I living in the freedom God has given to me?" Am I walking in the fullness of Christ or re-chaining myself to sin and struggling against a slavery of my own making by focusing on myself rather than God? If I take my eyes off myself (whether it's laboring over past sins, pondering temptations, or striving for my own desires) and seek God first and foremost, perhaps I will better remember that God has already set me free.

I just need to get out of the cell and walk in it.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-4 (NIV)

faithbarista freshjambadgeg How Is God Setting You Free?

Today is Veteran's Day. My father and uncle served this country faithfully in their time through the Air Force and Army. My mother's cousin, Lt, General Jack Fuson, had a distinguished career in the Army. (General Jack and Uncle Don have gone on to be with the Lord. I miss you both!)

My cousin served this country for 20 years after graduating from the Naval Academy, becoming an officer.

I thank God for each, and am proud of their willingness to protect the freedoms we enjoy in our great country. 

Thank you to every man or woman who has served or is serving our country in the military. You are  a blessing!

Link to this post!
Filed Under: Life Stuff Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts
This site is protected by WP-CopyRightPro