I Don't Like the Cross

Yes, it’s true. I really don’t like the Cross. Mind you, I’m not talking about the one

we normally see in our “Christian culture.” You know the one of which I speak, the

cute one we see on T-shirts and pendants. I’m pretty OK with that one. Occasionally

I’ll see one on a billboard as I drive down the highway – no problem. Crosses adorn

walls of homes and offices – no issues here. I see them for sale all over the place…

polished wooden ones, roughhewn ones, iron crosses intended to look rustic, plastic

ones, etc. Those don’t bother me in the least. Those crosses are decorations and

are worn and displayed as a message to others. “I’m a good person” they say.  “I’m a

‘Christian.’” “I like Jesus.” There is nothing painful or offending about those crosses.

I’m not trying to be cynical or overly critical. I think most of the time people use

these things with good intentions. But allow me to be direct: they’re neither offensive

nor painful. How would the message be different if I displayed a picture of an electric chair on my wall? Or what if I showed up on Wednesday night wearing a T-shirt with a hangman’s noose prominently displayed on the front? Yes, that’s different, isn’t it? These things mean death in horrific ways. These machines of death are

offensive, not quaint. They’re shocking, painful, and contrary to my life. This, friends, is the Cross I don’t like – and for the very same reason.

The Cross I don’t like is the one upon which I must nail my Self. My Self is offended

that it must die. Death is neither quaint nor cute. I hate death, especially as it applies

to me. An aesthetically pleasing cross on a wall as a message to others about

who I am isn’t painful or offensive, but an ugly cross shoved in the dirt of my flesh

and upon which my will, nature, and desires are harshly nailed until they writhe,

gasp, and finally, reluctantly die is a message to me about who God is… and that

message is offensive to my Self. The cute cross that I like is about me and says I am

good. The Cross I hate is about God and says I am corrupt. The Cross I hate casts a

dark shadow that chills the warm feelings I get about how “good” I am in comparison

to others. The Cross I hate offers scorn, ridicule, and embarrassment as my Self

is displayed in all its naked, shameful ugliness. Nothing can hide when it’s nailed to

a Cross. Neither can anything live. I know that if I nail my Self to a Cross – not the

cute one, but the ugly one like Jesus had – it’s not coming down… it’s going to die

painfully.

The Good News is that Jesus offers resurrection. Not for the old Self that died. It,

thankfully, won’t return if it really died. The resurrection of Jesus offers a new self,

one that is dead to Self but alive to God. That’s the thing about resurrection… you

can’t have it without death. And cute crosses don’t kill the Self; they keep it alive.

James McGee 
Abilene,Texas

I've Been Set Free

Often, early in my faith journey, I felt the burden of the battle for my soul.  God called me to righteousness, which is what I desired, but Satan deceitfully convinced me I could be “holy” on my own.  This self-reliant attitude created a cycle of joyful “mountain-top” experiences when I performed well, followed by “valleys” of guilt’s imprisonment when I didn’t measure up to expectations.  Somehow, I had come to believe God only loved me when I was good.  In Romans 7:7-8:17, Paul gives a thorough explanation for this struggle between good and evil.  I share Paul’s appreciation for God’s answer to this conflict,

Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 7:25-8:2

Because of what has been done for me through Christ Jesus, I am able to transform my thinking (see Romans 12:1-2).  I am no longer naively open to accepting Satan’s lies.  Yes, I still struggle with sin.  But now, instead of self-reliance, I humbly acknowledge my need for a savior.  The “law of the Spirit” gives me life.  I am no longer condemned.  I am redeemed.

Therefore, I feel victorious, not defeated.  I have been forgiven.  I choose to serve God out of a motivation of joy and conviction, rather than guilt and merit.  I choose to obey God… living in a way that honors His name.  I am confident and hopeful of His saving grace. 

I’ve been set free!

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas

Words Can Hurt You

A current insurance commercial makes me chuckle. A cowboy riding off into the sunset is unexpectedly knocked off his horse by "THE END" as he rides under (but not quite clear of) those words on the screen. Words can really hurt you!

Proverbs 16:28 "A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends."  NIV

Proverbs 16:28 "A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends." ESV

In the same chapter of Proverbs, the opposite result comes from encouragement:

Proverbs 16:21 "The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction." NIV

Proverbs 16:21 "The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness." ESV

In Children's Bible Hour we listen to a song about gossip. The song was written by Keith Lancaster to encourage young list

eners to watch what they say behind someone's back. We all need to think before we speak about someone without knowing facts.

Don't Be Talkin' 'Bout Friends

Words and music: Keith Lancaster © 1989 Anthony K. Music (ASCAP).  The link below will let you listen to Acapella sing the song      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsG1mx9u8H0

Lyrics:

Of all the things to do to a friend

You hurt them by your tongue.

Relationships will fatally end

Without a knife or gun.

Waitin' till you're back behind them,

Then you put them down

How could you be talkin' 'bout them

When they're not around?

Chorus:

Don't be talkin' 'bout friends when they're not around

Don't be cuttin' their hearts and puttin' them down.

Don't be temptin' the Lord and makin' Him frown,

Don't be talkin' 'bout your friends when they're not around.

How all the gossip falls on our ears

It doesn't make much sense,

How we can cause the innocent tears,

Not helping their defense.

Listening, we all should fear it,

Listening is wrong.

If there were no one to hear it

It could not go on.

Repeat Chorus

Too many friendships have been broken

By just a simple, careless word spoken.

Repeat Chorus (x2)

Don't be talkin' down, throwin' down, cuttin' down friends

Why not treat them more like friends (when they're not around)?

Don't be saying lots of things, overlook the hurt it brings

Don't be talkin' bout your friends (when they're not around).

Speak directly to someone rather than about a person without knowing facts. Find the truth first. Encourage, don't discourage and dishearten.

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." ESV

 

We may not recognize that we are spreading gossip. What we say to others may be disguised as "conversation" or "concern". If you have a concern about a brother or sister, the directive from Matthew 18 should be followed. We cannot build up the Church if we allow the evil one rein over our tongue rather than the Spirit of God.

Don't listen to gossip. It is divisive. It will grow and morph as it spreads to others. Churches have split over untruths. Guard your heart from the evil one through Christian love.

Dear God, Please continue to guide our thoughts and words. Help us to encourage others, and build them up. We need your Spirit in us to prevent discord that festers and breaks apart our Christian family.

Sherilyn Svien

Stephenville, TX

The Courtyard

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.    Matthew 26: 69

Only a few hours earlier, with Jesus and facing an angry mob Peter was ready to fight.  Now in the courtyard, the focus of the enemy is on Peter.  If Peter acknowledges he is a follower of Christ he faces death.   He has no time to think and nowhere to hide.  A life or death moment, and he falls.

We don't get to choose the timing of these crucial faith moments.  They sneak up on us like a thief, catching us off guard.  My moments have not been life or death yet still they are the same.  I either deny Christ or confess Him by the choices I make.  If in the small things I do not resist the enemy there is no way I'll be ready when I am confronted with......     Even this is a scheme as I begin to categorize and rationalize my "little" weaknesses with the false security that I would never fall to a greater, more evil temptation;   not realizing I am already trapped.  The danger is I am drawn away from the love and protection of Christ by my own choosing, satisfying myself rather than allowing Christ to satisfy me.   It is my selfish, willful leaving accompanied by a loss of self-awareness.  And I lose sight of the wonder and joy of being with Christ.

Peter was ready the next time he was confronted by the enemy.  He lives from the direct experience of encountering firsthand the incredible mercy and forgiveness of Jesus despite denying him 3 times.  He's guilty, he knows he deserves punishment and he is overwhelmed with shame and regret, yet Jesus forgives and calls him back.   With that experience and a new understanding of the Kingdom Peter is a changed man.  In Acts there are multiple imprisonments and life or death encounters by Peter as he shares the story of Jesus.  There is no longer any fear or confusion in Peter in claiming Christ.  Ultimately history says Peter was crucified upside down.   He was ready, even to die for The One who had already saved him.

For so long my walk of faith was focused on the wrong things.  Being right, being good, doing, going and it was all about my kingdom.   I was in the courtyard like Peter, watching from a distance and not really with Jesus.    Just like Peter, and in my own life Jesus calls us back with great love and incredible mercy.   He never gives up on us and He will do more than we can ask or imagine when we choose Him each day.

Father, every day I face choices of staying at a distance in the courtyard or being right at your side.   Draw me ever nearer to you until I can never let go.  In Jesus name.

Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Tx

You're Not Strong Enough

You’re Not Strong Enough

Have you ever been confronted with something so difficult that you did not know how you could go on? It is in those times that often you will hear trite Christian platitudes designed to make people feel better with bumper-sticker theology.  But these quotes do little in the face of the actual brokenness of the world.  

I have a friend who is currently going through one life-threatening struggle after another. He has leaned on God all the way and God has strengthened him to face each new day. The emotion of despair has not overtaken him. One day a well-meaning Christian said to him, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” I am sure you have heard those words before.

A limp, anemic statement such as that will not stand up in a broken world.

The primary problem with the quote is that it is not in the Bible.

There is, however, a statement that sounds like it.  In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we read, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”  Notice that the verse is about temptation.  That’s it.

The Bible reveals quite another story when it comes to struggles.

The apostle Paul faced many struggles in his life. He wrote, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:8-9).

Take note of these scriptures as well.

 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.” (2 Timothy 4:17).

“I can do all things thru Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

When you find yourself struggling and you have nothing left to give – when life’s difficulties are beyond your capability to cope, it is in those times you must rely on God.  Approach Him with an authentic faith that engages Him with the full brunt of your emotion and pain.  Then, the strength of the God of resurrection will be seen.

Dear Heavenly Father, life is often difficult. We sometimes feel overwhelmed and  don’t understand why you choose to leave us in the midst of the struggle. I hurt for my friend and his struggles, but I thank you for giving him strength. He is courageous because you stand by him! Thank you for our friendship and for showing me an unwavering strength in the face of weakness. I ask that you continue to hold him up. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Terry Smith 
Stephenville, TX

Things That Are Not - But Are

  "As it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’ He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”   (Romans 4:17)

         Daily, every person believes. Even one who scorns the idea of faith in the eternal God daily leans on faith.  He believes the floor will support him as he steps from his bed.  He trusts the light will come on as he touches the switch.  He is confident the water is safe as he brushes his teeth.  He is convinced that his eyes accurately assess reality that he sees.  No person lives without faith in something, or in someone.

         Abraham was 75 years old when God promised him a son by his 65 year-old wife, Sarah. (Genesis 12:1ff.) Twenty four years later, the 99 year old Abraham and 89 year-old Sarah were yet childless.  “…his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and…Sarah’s womb was also dead.” (Romans 4:19.)  A gambling spirit could sooner win the Texas Lotto than this couple in history could have had a son – and through him, beget “many nations”.              

        The Bible is not recording some boondoggling myth.  The Jews you know meet on the street today came – ultimately, from Abraham’s body, “…as good as dead…and from Sarah’s womb…also dead”!  Such is the reality of the history of God’s promise to them, and of its fulfillment in the lives of today’s Jews we see with our very own eyes.  Yet, we wonder, “How?”

       “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your seed be’…he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Vs. 18-21.)

         Therein lies the lesson, and encouragement, for us.  God has power to do what He promises.  The Bible records such power at work in his raising his Son from the grave, and in his fulfilling the promises He has since made to countless servants of Jesus our Lord.  No wonder we indeed profit from daily Bible reading, and meditation.  Such reasonable faith “comes from hearing the word of God.”. (Romans 10:17.)

                                                                                                                                                                --Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

Jesus Changes Everything

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at this feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  Luke 7:38 (English Standard Version)

Jesus was not popular with the religious leaders of his day.  They ridiculed him, lied about him, and plotted to embarrass him.  They would ultimately murder him and call it capital punishment.

The above scripture isn’t about the Pharisee who may have invited Jesus to his home to entrap him.  It’s about a prostitute who had probably been among the crowds of people who heard Jesus preach.  His words gave her hope.  His message changed her.   She came to him a sinner; penitent, humble, heart overflowing with gratitude for the way his unconditional love changed how she saw herself.  Her tears say it all.

God has always taken disobedience seriously, but he is equally serious about his love for us.  We are his first priority.  How amazing is that?  

Jesus did nothing wrong yet he allowed himself to be executed for our lawlessness so we could live.  That act in itself elevates the worst sinner to a kinship with the King.  Jesus changes hearts.  He changes lifestyles, and ultimately destinies.  His life, death, burial and resurrection changes everything.

Pray with me:

“Father in Heaven, like the woman with the alabaster flask of expensive ointment, I weep with gratitude because of your priceless gift of salvation.  I know you love all of me, strengths and weaknesses.  Because you love me as I am, and because your arms are always open and welcoming, I want to give you my best self every day.  I love you back.  Amen.”

     

Sandra Milholland – Abilene, Texas