The Great Exchange

I was struck by a certain truth today!

God exchanged our wretchedness for His perfect righteousness.

He could have come down as a warrior to defeat sin. But He chose the form of man. Not just man, but a babe. It was the ultimate form of humility. A baby totally dependent on man, specifically his mother, to fulfill his every need. He grew up in great wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. Then chose to leave all, not to just go back to heaven, but to save the very people (and mankind) that He was dependent on as a babe. And not just taking us back to heaven with him, but choosing to die to pay the price that our horrendous sin required!

NOT ONLY THAT!

He became sin! We will never understand what that entails. Think of all the most wicked and evil sins that man has committed; sins that every single one of us has the ability to commit. He became that. He became the adulterer. He became the pedophiliac. He became the liar. He became the terrorist. He became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God! Just think on this friend.

What kind of love could drive Him to this! A love we can't even fathom, yet a love that is to drive us to love just like that!

Another beautiful picture of this exchange is wealth. We arrive in this world spiritually poor and deprived of any chance to gain riches or wealth due to our sinful state. Yet, our merciful Maker, through His grace, provides riches, immense and overflowing. He takes our poverty as His own. Dust to Riches. That's us! And He, deserving nothing but majesty and riches becomes the beggar groveling for every bite.

Oh, the mercy! Oh, the grace!

Nehemiah 9

May Your glorious name be praised! You alone are God!

YOU made...

YOU preserve...

YOU made a covenant...

YOU promised...

YOU saw...

YOU heard...

YOU displayed...

YOU knew...

YOU HAVE A GLORIOUS REPUTATION THAT HAS NEVER BEEN FORGOTTEN!

YOU divided...

YOU hurled...

YOU led...

YOU came...

YOU gave...

YOU instructed...

YOU commanded...

BUT our ancestors were proud... THEY refused... THEY paid no attention. THEY became stubborn...

BUT YOU are a God of forgiveness...in your great mercy YOU did not abandon them to die in the wilderness...YOU sent Your good Spirit to instruct them...

THEN YOU helped...
YOU placed...
YOU made...
YOU subdued...

BUT despite all of this, they were disobedient and rebelled against YOU. THEY turned....THEY committed...

SO, YOU handed them over..

BUT, THEY cried... and YOU heard...In YOUR great mercy, YOU rescued...YOU listened...

YOU warned them...

BUT THEY became proud...THEY disobeyed...THEY stubbornly turned..

BUT YOU sent Your Spirit who warned them through prophets...In Your great mercy, YOU did not completely destroy of abandon them...

What a gracious and merciful God you are!

As I read through this chapter I saw me. The span of my lifetime thus far. I am where I am and who I am only by the amazing grace of God and His mercy on my life.



 

Coming Clean- A Book Review

When I think about addictions my mind usually goes to drugs, alcohol, pornography, etc., while I very rarely think about busyness or pain aversion. One thing I do know is that anything that steals my time is not always labeled correctly as an addiction, but rather, an idol.

Seth Haines has given us a glimpse into his life as an recovering alcoholic is his book, Coming Clean. Instead of being written as a story of the past, he has chosen to write it as he deals with each day sober. There are many things in this diary of his that makes the reader think out loud. His self-reflection definitely causes one to examine one's own life to ask the hard questions, "How am I dealing with pain and trials?" "What has taken the place of Christ in my life?" "Have I given up?" "Are there any issues of unforgiveness that I need to deal with?"

What is interesting and got me thinking more than anything else is the fact that Mr. Haines is a typical church-going, professing believer. He in involved in serving in the church, even leading worship. The whole issue of community became more important than ever as he dealt with fears, doubts, abandonment, and learning to trust Christ (again) in the midst of the possibility of losing his son. 

His style of writing is impressive, yet as times seems to candy-coat sin and not call it out for what it is. Then at other times, he obviously was convicted by words of truth from God's Word.

I applaud Mr. Haines in telling his story. I know there are many who can relate to addictions who desire to be free from them. I pray that as they read this book, they will become aware that it is all of Christ. Not from some self-help or self-will. But ALL of Christ.

I received a free copy of this book as part of the booklook blogging network.

All I Need is Your Love

Last night we watched the movie, Grace Unplugged.

And as the end drew near, the tears overflowed. Wishing our story could end the same way. Hoping for that outcome.

If you haven't taken time to watch this movie, I would encourage you to do so. It is the story of parents letting go of their adult daughter; allowing her to fail and loving her through the process. The last one in that list is by far the hardest.

We find ourselves on this same journey. And it is so easy to allow anger and bitterness to creep in. Treating these floundering young people as the enemy because they are not living up to our expectations. Or worse yet, rejecting our Jesus. We live with the thoughts of failure as a parent. We question our choices. Our hearts break because we, very possibly, have lived the same journey and are now on the other side. Forgiven and Set Free.

BUT, God is the God of redemption and reconciliation. When I remember and think on all that Christ did for me to reconcile me to Himself. All the forgiveness. All the pain. All the suffering. And He didn't give up. (Before watching this movie, I was at a giving up point. I mean how many times can you keep saying or texting I love you, without a response?) (I look to Christ for the answer to that question.)

At the end of the movie, the parents learn to rejoice in the journey. To embrace their daughters gifts and shower her with love. And that's just what she needed. She already knew the truth and had heard all the lectures words that were spoken in her short lifetime. She needed to find out for herself, but she needed her parents to still be her parents. She didn't need rejection. She didn't need to hear, "I'm the parent; the authority. I am right." one more time. She needed to see the Savior's love lived out in a fashion that was unmistakable. There are times for those much needed words, but as our kids learn to fly, their failures, sins and mistakes turn into the best remedy toward repentance.

The daughter, Grace, sang this song, dedicated to her parents in the very last scene.

My prayer is that my boys would find these words deep in their souls. And cry them out as well. But I know it may be not until they come home filthy.

"Honestly it's time for honesty
My heart is on my sleeve
Oh will You hear me out?
I've got nothing left to give of me
I gave up everything
So there is nothing less to loose from me now
But You forgive me somehow.

I've chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I'll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord, all I've every needed was Your love.

Truth be told I made this world my home
I let it steal my soul, but now I want it back
Cause all I need is waiting
In Your arms a place to hang my heart
Where I am known at last
You're the one true thing I have.

I've chased a million things
Bright lights and empty dreams
Now here I am
Right where I thought I wanted to be
I'll trade it all right now
Leave it all and lay it down
To get back to where I belong
Lord, all I've every needed was Your love.

And I know that I was meant to be
More than just a melody
I know that You had hopes for me
I know you still believe in me.

Lord, all I've ever needed was Your love
Lord, all I've ever needed was Your love."

Quote of the Day

"Surely that man must be in an unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus suffered, and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering was undergone. It was sin that wove the crown of thorns; it was sin that pierced our Lord's hands and feet and side; it was sin that brought Him to Gethsemane and Calvary, to the cross and to the grave. Cold must be our hearts if we do not hate sin and labour to get rid of it, though we may have to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye in doing it."

-J.C. Ryle, quoted by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Holiness

A Tire and Sin

My children and I are a little more home bound than usual as our beautiful 12 year old mean green machine has a tire that is separating.

We made our way today, just a couple of miles away to the library, but as I was driving and my head slightly bobbing back and forth with the rotation of each tire, I had a thought.

Sin is so much like that splitting tire. It seems to not be much of an issue until it separates and lands you on the side of the road. At first all you have is a little uneven driving. Nothing big. Just a little extra bouncing and vibration. Even questioning the smoothness of the road can play into your decisions. You might even become used to it and not realize the potential of a blowout.

At least until it blows. And when it blows, it not only affects you and your vehicle, but it can potentially effect many cars around you and even cause some serious accidents.

So it is with sin. At first you notice that first nip in your conscience, but after ignoring it for a while you don't even recognize the "bounce". Until it blows. And your life is plastered all over the road. Even hurting other people in the process.

James 1:13-15 reminds us:

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Don't let your tires blowout, friends. Deal with the little things knowing they only lead to death if they are ignored.

(The green machine will hopefully have new tires this week.)

Do You Hear It?

If you listen real closely you can hear...

the plates crashing on the walls.

the wailing sobs of a woman in deep agony.

the frustrated pleas of a soul being crushed.

the constant, "WHY, Lord?"

AND YET, you can also hear...

complete surrender to the Lord spoken with deep prayers.

many utterances to Jesus confessing anxieties and distrust.

"Thank you, Master, for these afflictions."

My mind has been so full of confusing thoughts throughout the last year. And many days I have done or said all of the above.

So a dear friend of mine (you know who you are, sister) has helped me to weed through my desperately deceitful heart and ask the hard questions...

"Am I angry at God?"

"Am I shying away from God's Word because I really deep down inside don't want to commune with the God who allowed these things in my life?"

I am so thankful to the Lord for His precious promises that will never fail. I realize my Savior knows every pain and hurt in my heart, but I am also, fully aware, that I must completely give all my hurt to the Lord and not respond with fear or sin. God's Word never fades away. Blessed be His name.

The Passion Week

Are you a Judas or a wise woman?

We were challenged with this question on Sunday as we worshipped the Lord together in church.

We were reminded of all the people that Christ blessed and touched during the week before His death. As you read the synoptic Gospels, it is incredible all those who came across Jesus' path. AND He did not turn anyone away.

It is an amazing thing when you consider the selfless example that our Savior portrayed, not just in His death, but during that last week of His life. He looked to His Father for strength to endure the wrath to come, but He was so busy that last week loving those around Him.

Those that joined Him in His life that week, were from all places and stature. From Judas, who betrayed Him, to a wise woman (Mary), to His close friend, Lazarus, to His disciples who deserted Him near the end, all these and many more were instrumental in bringing his love gift to pass.

I am thankful for this love gift. He took His Father's wrath for MY sin. He showed love that is above all love. He died and was forsaken by God the Father because He loved me.

Thank you, Jesus.

Day Two ~ Temptation and Fall of Man

Total Depravity....if you have ever had children in your home at anytime and at any age (even those cute little ones) you never question that every human is born into sin. From the moment of birth their thoughts are only of themselves....they have to be taught to think about others.



Genesis 3 was our focus of the Jesse Tree tonight. The reminder of destruction of sin and evil was evident. As a believer, that reminder automatically brings to mind the redemption plan God the Father already put into motion at the point of Adam and Eve's decision to rebel.

But the reminder of the need of Jesus in others lives comes to the forefront as well.

As a child of God I have been given the ability to conquer temptation and sin. AND, when I choose to sin even though I know it is wrong...the sound of mallet against nail should penetrate my conscience.

Sin, direct and indirect rebellion against God: horrid!
God's amazing redemption and forgiveness: beautiful!

East to West

Have you ever taken time to ponder Christ's forgiveness of our sins?

During devotions one morning, the children and I were discussing what forgiveness is and all the commands in Scripture to forgive. The words may come easy from our mouths, yet so many times our hearts harbor the memories that sometimes never go away. Yet, when we confess our sins to Christ, He forgives and forgets. This is incomprehensible, unfathomable. Beyond our mind's capacities. May we forgive as He graciously does. Whatever and however you have been sinned against, it is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the sin that Jesus Christ has taken and forgiven of us and all of mankind.

Micah 7:18-19

"Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love, He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, you will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!

It is utterly amazing when we think on the depths of the Father's love. We sin and sin and sin; He forgives and forgives and forgives. Paul reminds us this is not a license to sin; rather, this amazing grace should bring us to our knees in continual repentence and wonder at who we are and who Christ is!