"So, what do you think about Mother God?"
Grace, the young Korean woman who had approached me in Barnes and Nobles stared at me in expectation, awaiting my reply. I recognized the look in her eyes. I could attest that I hold the same look in my own eyes after I share with someone the good new of salvation in Jesus alone. A deep longing to be understood; that your message will be heard and embraced.
"I do not believe in a Mother God." I said it so matter-of-factly; no quiver in my voice, no doubt. Only confident in what I know to be true. She looked shocked. Deflated. "Even after this verse, about the Spirit and Bride...?" I countered, "I believe this verse is referring to the Church." I did not blink. Her eyes, however, dodged back and forth between the pages of her Bible, the one she knows with such familiarity. The same Bible, in fact, that I read. Only her study is undermined by a great influence of false teachings.
"What about these verses?" She was growing frantic. I would not budge. "I believe that is an improper interpretation." She looked at me with dismay. She was distraught, even, that after an hour and a half of investigating the Scriptures together, I did not see her "truth". I almost felt for her, recognizing that discouragement, knowing it myself when, after telling someone about Jesus every way I know how to, still they do not believe.
"What about Jesus?" I kept bringing it back to Jesus, realizing that from the very outset that this--He--is of secondary importance to them; to Grace.
I posed another argument: "You are saying that, since God has to come again to earth, as Mother God, to bring salvation, then Jesus was not enough." Her eyes brightened, as though she had the answer. Another answer to the arguments she was surely scripted to oppose. She was well studied in false doctrines. "Oh yes, Jesus was salvation to those who believed in Him, but only during the "time of Jesus". Now we are in the "time of the Holy Spirit". We must now believe that God is coming to earth again, as Mother God, to bring us salvation."
I looked her square in the eyes, sure to gather her full attention. "So, Jesus was not enough?" She steered the conversation elsewhere.
"So, let me ask you then," I broke her from her mental script and agenda once again. "If Mother God has to come in order to bring salvation, do you, right now, in this moment believe that you are saved?" I had struck a chord. "Yes. Yes I am saved through practicing the Passover." The Passover. Ah, so Jesus is not enough, then.
What is so different between Grace and Myself? In the end, we were both unsuccessful in convincing the other of our message; of "selling our truth". Is it all relative? The difference is that Jesus is sufficient. He is enough. We need not add to His Gospel; not another god, not another way to be saved, not a system of works. We mustn't.
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”" Acts 4:11-12
Grayson put it well as we drove home from Barnes and Nobles, and I recounted to him my conversation with Grace. "When you take Jesus out of the picture, you can make the Bible say whatever you want, it doesn't matter. Without Jesus, nothing matters. Satan wins when he can convince someone that Christ is not preeminent. If Satan can convince someone that Christ is unimportant, then he can convince them of anything."
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." Colossians 1:15-20
Right before my conversation with Grace ended, I asked her if I could pray with her. She sat in shock for a moment. "Pray? Here?" I remained calm. "Yes, if that's alright. If you are comfortable with that." She collected herself. "Well, we pray in the new name of Jesus." I smiled. "Well, would it be alright if I prayed in Jesus' name?" She looked sheepish; uncomfortable. "No...we don't do that."
In Jesus' name, show Grace Your truth.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Yet we are too labored, too busy, too weary, too tired to come to Him.
He who made such a sacrifice to make possible our coming to Him. He who shed His own blood, tearing the veil that separated us from God. He who made possible our access to boldly come before the throne of grace, and to find mercy and grace to help in time of need. It is He who we find a burden.
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22
Oh that my heart would echo the cry of the Apostle Paul's in proclaiming, "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ" Philippians 3:8
Without Him, all is loss. Nothing matters. Daily I must draw from Him my strength. Apart from him I am no wife, I am no mother, I am no friend. Apart from Him I have nothing to offer. I must cast my burdens upon Him, my Shelter, my Refuge, my Strength.
He has freed us! Let us not place ourselves again under a law, a guilt-laden mind game we cannot win. And let us not lose heart, or punish ourselves if a day goes by that we do not open His Word. Rather let us use it to learn just all the more desperately we need His Truth in every area of our life. Let us simply draw near with true hearts to the One who has made possible the way to do so.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Today was a very proud day. At the end of the service at our church, our pastor asked all of the mothers to stand so that they could be recognized. Today I stood.
My first Mother's Day has left me reeling, relishing and reflecting on how blessed I am. Today I stood, yes proud. Proud because I have the most adorable, hilarious, handsome, precious, sweetest, wonderful son on the face of this earth (I may be a tad bit biased).
However, more than proud, I was humbled to stand. Even more than proud, I am humbled to be a mother. I have been given such a gift, such a privilege that I do not deserve. I am nothing, yet God gave to me a son. A precious, unique, one-of-a-kind, brilliant creation of His own. A child whom He loves more than I ever could. God has entrusted this child into our care. I am greatly humbled.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
"I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service" 1 Timothy 1:12
God has enabled me for this great task known as motherhood. He has greatly provided everything I need to carry out this ministry He has gifted to me. He has provided a leader for me in Grayson, one to lead with grace and wisdom. One to help, support, and encourage me. One to bounce ideas off of. One to share the laughs, joys, and tantrums with. One to embark on this incredible journey of parenthood with. He is not just a father by biological means. Grayson has become a father in every sense, a man of God whom I am proud to call the father of my child. Watching him interact with Ezekiel--teaching him, laughing with him, reading to him, I realize that God had a hand in picking this man to be Ezekiel's daddy.
God has equipped me with a phenomenal model of motherhood. My own mom. A woman after God's heart. A woman of strength. A woman who has shown me what it means to respect, love, serve, and adore the husband God blesses us with. A woman of such love, compassion, creativity, and passion. She is fun! She nurtured me as I grew, and encouraged me to pursue the Lord with fervor. My mom is a hero of mine, this is for sure. In her I find the kind of mother I aspire to be.
And, one of the benefits of marriage (yes, benefits!) is that I find myself now with another mom! She may have only come into my life a short 4 years ago, but she has played, and continues to do so, such an astounding role in my life. Her passion to serve the Lord and love her family inspires me. She and my father-in-law raised such an incredible man, my husband. They raised him to love the Lord. For this I am forever grateful. I would ask no more from God in a father and mother in law. He has blessed me so greatly with the privilege of calling them family.
God has equipped me for motherhood through His Spirit and His Word. He bestows grace upon me each day. Yes, I become tired (quite often, chasing around a ten-month-old!) but I never tire of caring for Ezekiel. Christ gives me strength for each morning, and every evening. Yes, some days are more trying, but His grace is sufficient. His mercy is over-encompassing. I am never begrudging of this task. No, I am humbled that God has set this great responsibility before me. I am not always patient, but His patience makes up for my lack. Every moment I need it, He is fully willing to supply. I am not happy every moment, at every turn (hard to believe, I know, with this bundle of joy!), but I am always joyful. Christ has given me great joy. Joy abundant in His provision, His salvation, and the ministry He has trusted unto Grayson and me to raise this little boy to love and follow Him.
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father..." Colossians 1:11-12
I realize that this day is not a joyous one for all. For many, it is indeed a day of celebration. However, for others it is a day of mourning. I consider those who have lost their mother. I think of those, even those quite dear to me, who have lost a child, whether in the womb, or even after holding their little one. I think also of those with a great desire to become parents, but have not yet seen their desire fulfilled. I cannot begin to understand the depth of this grief. I won't even attempt to relate to their hurt. However, I can attest to the magnificent, sufficient grace of our God. The God who heals. The God who mends. No, we don't understand these overwhelming adversities, but we cling to the One whom we know is good. He loves us. He knows our pain, no matter how deep. This I am certain of.
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27
His grace is sufficient. He is enough in grief. He is enough for our every need. He is enough when He has called us to a great task. For me, I depend on His sufficient provision each day. Every morning, when I awake to that little boy across the hall calling out for me to rescue him from the confines of his crib, I say a little prayer. "Lord, give me grace for this day." Only, it is not a little prayer by any means. I need Him. I need Him desperately. I need Him to equip me, to enable me, to love me so that I can love. I need Him so that I can be a wife and a mother. I need Him so that I can be a follower of Christ. I need Him. I need Him. I need Him.
I am not worthy, yet Christ has saved me. He gave Himself for me. He died for me! I am not worthy, yet He counts me worthy. I am not worthy, yet He has blessed me beyond what I could ever ask. I am not worthy, yet He is good. He is so very, very good. He has given me hope and a future. He has given me not only eternal life, but abundant life here on earth. That abundant life is so evident in His blessings. My husband, my son.
Today in church I stood. I stood because I am a mom. Mommy. A dream always in my heart. A dream realized on July 18 2011, when a precious little boy was born. When first I laid eyes on him, the surreal reality of the moment overwhelmed me. I was thoroughly overtaken, enough that I could not grasp that the tiny little being whom the doctor handed to me was mine. Mine. Ezekiel Grayson Lynum. I am so humbled that God would give me this gift. He would give Grayson and me this responsibility. Yes, He loves us. He loves us indeed.
My first Mother's Day has left me reeling, relishing and reflecting on how blessed I am. Today I stood, yes proud. Proud because I have the most adorable, hilarious, handsome, precious, sweetest, wonderful son on the face of this earth (I may be a tad bit biased).
However, more than proud, I was humbled to stand. Even more than proud, I am humbled to be a mother. I have been given such a gift, such a privilege that I do not deserve. I am nothing, yet God gave to me a son. A precious, unique, one-of-a-kind, brilliant creation of His own. A child whom He loves more than I ever could. God has entrusted this child into our care. I am greatly humbled.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
"I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service" 1 Timothy 1:12
God has enabled me for this great task known as motherhood. He has greatly provided everything I need to carry out this ministry He has gifted to me. He has provided a leader for me in Grayson, one to lead with grace and wisdom. One to help, support, and encourage me. One to bounce ideas off of. One to share the laughs, joys, and tantrums with. One to embark on this incredible journey of parenthood with. He is not just a father by biological means. Grayson has become a father in every sense, a man of God whom I am proud to call the father of my child. Watching him interact with Ezekiel--teaching him, laughing with him, reading to him, I realize that God had a hand in picking this man to be Ezekiel's daddy.
God has equipped me for motherhood through His Spirit and His Word. He bestows grace upon me each day. Yes, I become tired (quite often, chasing around a ten-month-old!) but I never tire of caring for Ezekiel. Christ gives me strength for each morning, and every evening. Yes, some days are more trying, but His grace is sufficient. His mercy is over-encompassing. I am never begrudging of this task. No, I am humbled that God has set this great responsibility before me. I am not always patient, but His patience makes up for my lack. Every moment I need it, He is fully willing to supply. I am not happy every moment, at every turn (hard to believe, I know, with this bundle of joy!), but I am always joyful. Christ has given me great joy. Joy abundant in His provision, His salvation, and the ministry He has trusted unto Grayson and me to raise this little boy to love and follow Him.
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father..." Colossians 1:11-12I realize that this day is not a joyous one for all. For many, it is indeed a day of celebration. However, for others it is a day of mourning. I consider those who have lost their mother. I think of those, even those quite dear to me, who have lost a child, whether in the womb, or even after holding their little one. I think also of those with a great desire to become parents, but have not yet seen their desire fulfilled. I cannot begin to understand the depth of this grief. I won't even attempt to relate to their hurt. However, I can attest to the magnificent, sufficient grace of our God. The God who heals. The God who mends. No, we don't understand these overwhelming adversities, but we cling to the One whom we know is good. He loves us. He knows our pain, no matter how deep. This I am certain of.
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27His grace is sufficient. He is enough in grief. He is enough for our every need. He is enough when He has called us to a great task. For me, I depend on His sufficient provision each day. Every morning, when I awake to that little boy across the hall calling out for me to rescue him from the confines of his crib, I say a little prayer. "Lord, give me grace for this day." Only, it is not a little prayer by any means. I need Him. I need Him desperately. I need Him to equip me, to enable me, to love me so that I can love. I need Him so that I can be a wife and a mother. I need Him so that I can be a follower of Christ. I need Him. I need Him. I need Him.
I am not worthy, yet Christ has saved me. He gave Himself for me. He died for me! I am not worthy, yet He counts me worthy. I am not worthy, yet He has blessed me beyond what I could ever ask. I am not worthy, yet He is good. He is so very, very good. He has given me hope and a future. He has given me not only eternal life, but abundant life here on earth. That abundant life is so evident in His blessings. My husband, my son.
Friday, April 6, 2012
"And when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the multitude, saying, 'I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves.' And all the people answered and said, 'His blood be on us and our children!'" Matthew 27:24-25
"His blood be on us and our children!" They proudly condemned Him to death, embracing responsibility for His crucifixion. They wanted His blood on their hands.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
It was not their work to claim. Their proclamations of "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" did not pound those nails through His flesh. It was Christ's own doing, His act of obedience which brought Him to that dreadful, blessed tree.
Because of His sacrifice, today I may proclaim, "His blood be on us and our children." His precious, perfect, priceless, saving blood be lavished upon us, covering every part of who we are, that when the Father God looks upon us, He sees not our sin, but Jesus' blood. His own blood, without fault or blemish, poured over us saving us to the uttermost, rendering us complete in Thee. His blood freely given, that we may freely receive, granting us complete victory in this life and a full eternity in His presence. By His blood we are purchased. Some 2,000 years ago the crowd sought His blood, shouting "His blood be on us and our children!", condemning Him although He was perfect. Today I may make the same proclamation, "His blood be on us and our children!", only mine is not a scorn, but a plead. I rejoice in the blood poured out to cover a multitude of sins, covering us and setting us free.
"This is the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28
"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Revelation 1:5
"His blood be on us and our children!" They proudly condemned Him to death, embracing responsibility for His crucifixion. They wanted His blood on their hands.
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
It was not their work to claim. Their proclamations of "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" did not pound those nails through His flesh. It was Christ's own doing, His act of obedience which brought Him to that dreadful, blessed tree.
Because of His sacrifice, today I may proclaim, "His blood be on us and our children." His precious, perfect, priceless, saving blood be lavished upon us, covering every part of who we are, that when the Father God looks upon us, He sees not our sin, but Jesus' blood. His own blood, without fault or blemish, poured over us saving us to the uttermost, rendering us complete in Thee. His blood freely given, that we may freely receive, granting us complete victory in this life and a full eternity in His presence. By His blood we are purchased. Some 2,000 years ago the crowd sought His blood, shouting "His blood be on us and our children!", condemning Him although He was perfect. Today I may make the same proclamation, "His blood be on us and our children!", only mine is not a scorn, but a plead. I rejoice in the blood poured out to cover a multitude of sins, covering us and setting us free.
"This is the blood of my covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:28
"Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Revelation 1:5
Monday, April 2, 2012
"Where are you?"
"Then He said, 'Behold, I have come to do Thy will...By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:9-10
God's will is that we would be sanctified. Was this His will initially? Why would it need to be? Why would we need by sanctified, or "set apart" if mankind was originally in perfect relationship with God? What would we need to be set apart from? What would we need to be set apart to, if in the beginning God's creation, mankind, was in perfect stride with God's purposes? There was no need to be set apart. Mankind was with God and for God.
The first recorded question in mankind's existence was, "Where are you?". God was walking through the Garden of Eden in search of Adam and Eve. God is all-knowing. He knew exactly where they were. His question, "Where are you?" could be understood also as the statement, "You are no longer near Me".
God's will for humankind, as He created our race, was that we would be near to Him, in His presence. His will remains the same today.
"Where are you?"
"Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12
"Where are you?" connotes a separation. Sin was introduced into the world. It became imbedded into our makeup, spreading a vicious, inescapable death sentence throughout our entire race for all time.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5:12
God is life. Apart from Him there is only death. "Where are you?" Separation. Death.
However, we must remember that God's will is that we would be near to Him, in His presence. He would make an escape from this damnation. He would cure our infectious disease of sin.
He would give us a gift. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not die but have eternal life." John 3:16
"But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one (Adam) the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many." Romans 5:15
God freely gave us a gift--eternal life with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ! Jesus' hands were pierced through with nails as He was hung upon a cross. He was crucified, although He was blameless. He took our blame--every person for all time. All of our sins were cast upon Him, as He was punished in our place, that we may be spared. He experienced physical death, and even a brief separation from God, so that we would never have to experience eternal death and eternal separation from God.
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
We need not strive to earn this salvation. All attempts to earn it would be futile, for it is a gift. All that needs to take place is a reception.
"For if by the transgression of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17
We are delivered out of our death sentence into full, complete, abundant life in Christ! If only we will receive the free gift He has given--Himself.
Jesus promised: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes in Him Who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24
"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
God's will is that we would be sanctified. Was this His will initially? Why would it need to be? Why would we need by sanctified, or "set apart" if mankind was originally in perfect relationship with God? What would we need to be set apart from? What would we need to be set apart to, if in the beginning God's creation, mankind, was in perfect stride with God's purposes? There was no need to be set apart. Mankind was with God and for God.
The first recorded question in mankind's existence was, "Where are you?". God was walking through the Garden of Eden in search of Adam and Eve. God is all-knowing. He knew exactly where they were. His question, "Where are you?" could be understood also as the statement, "You are no longer near Me".
God's will for humankind, as He created our race, was that we would be near to Him, in His presence. His will remains the same today.
"Where are you?"
"Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12
"Where are you?" connotes a separation. Sin was introduced into the world. It became imbedded into our makeup, spreading a vicious, inescapable death sentence throughout our entire race for all time.
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5:12
God is life. Apart from Him there is only death. "Where are you?" Separation. Death.However, we must remember that God's will is that we would be near to Him, in His presence. He would make an escape from this damnation. He would cure our infectious disease of sin.
He would give us a gift. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not die but have eternal life." John 3:16
"But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one (Adam) the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many." Romans 5:15
God freely gave us a gift--eternal life with Him, through His Son Jesus Christ! Jesus' hands were pierced through with nails as He was hung upon a cross. He was crucified, although He was blameless. He took our blame--every person for all time. All of our sins were cast upon Him, as He was punished in our place, that we may be spared. He experienced physical death, and even a brief separation from God, so that we would never have to experience eternal death and eternal separation from God.
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
We need not strive to earn this salvation. All attempts to earn it would be futile, for it is a gift. All that needs to take place is a reception.
"For if by the transgression of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17
We are delivered out of our death sentence into full, complete, abundant life in Christ! If only we will receive the free gift He has given--Himself.
Jesus promised: "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word, and believes in Him Who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life." John 5:24
"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
"Where are you?"
Sunday, March 18, 2012
I have been watching a lot of documentaries, on everything from obesity and nutrition, to divorce. Some of them are difficult to watch, like the latter mentioned. CNBC's "Divorce Wars" has left me repulsed at the state of humanity. One interview was of a woman who, after filing for divorce, suspected that her husband, a multimillionaire, was hiding money. For the next 18 years of her life, she hid away in a room and gave all she had to her own investigation of her ex-husband. After these 18 years, she "won", and settled for 15 million dollars. I am sorry, lady, but you have not "won". Fifteen million dollars is not worth the loss of 18 years of your life. And it is definitely not worth the destruction of your marriage.
"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12
Life was never meant to be lived without God. He created us to be with Him. When we are not, all things fall apart.
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
I am thankful, so much more thankful than I will ever be able to express, that I am with God. I have God. He is with me. In Him all things hold together. In Him my life holds together, my heart holds together, my marriage holds together, my family holds together. He is all there is.
Injustice is breaking my heart. The depravity of humanity is breaking my heart. The sin which so easily entangles. It crushes. Society accepts it as normal, only because it is prevalent. It is a disease which is no longer considered a sickness.
Divorce began with an "at-fault" status. Divorce was legal, only, when one spouse was at at fault for adultery. A "no-fault" acceptance of divorce eventually crept itself through our law system, and now, it is hardly about who's "fault" it is.
I am not idealistic, here. I understand that divorce happens. I recognize that there is, on rare occasion, a necessity for it. And God's grace is sufficient for all of us the same. He forgives, He heals, and He restores. However, divorce is in no way ideal. It is not God's plan, and in most cases, we as a whole have abused it, and treated it far, far too lightly.
Without Him, all things fall apart. There is no hope. Two people get married with a full understanding and acceptance that their legal contract of a marriage may someday end. They even take precautions to protect them when that takes place. I'd go so far as to propose that some, on their wedding day, expect divorce at some point in future. It is a phase of life, for them, and a gamble. For them, it is not the incredible, indescribable, freeing, life-giving gift which God intends it to be. I experience this gift every day. I may not take full advantage of it. I may not realize my blessing each day, but it is there. I married a man of God. A man whom I will be with for the rest of my life on earth, and am so very, very thankful for that. Never would I wish it any other way. Never will I.
Without Him, all things fall apart. There is no hope. There is no expectation.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3
Hope for my life, hope for my marriage, hope for eternity. This is not "hope", as in "I hope my marriage will never end in divorce." No. This hope is an assurance of expectation. My marriage will not only survive, it will thrive, because I have living hope in Christ Jesus, who gives me life. I do not "hope to get to Heaven one day". I have hope; a complete and assured expectation of spending eternity in a perfect existence-- in the presence of God.
"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12Life was never meant to be lived without God. He created us to be with Him. When we are not, all things fall apart.
"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17
I am thankful, so much more thankful than I will ever be able to express, that I am with God. I have God. He is with me. In Him all things hold together. In Him my life holds together, my heart holds together, my marriage holds together, my family holds together. He is all there is.
Injustice is breaking my heart. The depravity of humanity is breaking my heart. The sin which so easily entangles. It crushes. Society accepts it as normal, only because it is prevalent. It is a disease which is no longer considered a sickness.
Divorce began with an "at-fault" status. Divorce was legal, only, when one spouse was at at fault for adultery. A "no-fault" acceptance of divorce eventually crept itself through our law system, and now, it is hardly about who's "fault" it is.
I am not idealistic, here. I understand that divorce happens. I recognize that there is, on rare occasion, a necessity for it. And God's grace is sufficient for all of us the same. He forgives, He heals, and He restores. However, divorce is in no way ideal. It is not God's plan, and in most cases, we as a whole have abused it, and treated it far, far too lightly.
Without Him, all things fall apart. There is no hope. Two people get married with a full understanding and acceptance that their legal contract of a marriage may someday end. They even take precautions to protect them when that takes place. I'd go so far as to propose that some, on their wedding day, expect divorce at some point in future. It is a phase of life, for them, and a gamble. For them, it is not the incredible, indescribable, freeing, life-giving gift which God intends it to be. I experience this gift every day. I may not take full advantage of it. I may not realize my blessing each day, but it is there. I married a man of God. A man whom I will be with for the rest of my life on earth, and am so very, very thankful for that. Never would I wish it any other way. Never will I.
Without Him, all things fall apart. There is no hope. There is no expectation.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3
Hope for my life, hope for my marriage, hope for eternity. This is not "hope", as in "I hope my marriage will never end in divorce." No. This hope is an assurance of expectation. My marriage will not only survive, it will thrive, because I have living hope in Christ Jesus, who gives me life. I do not "hope to get to Heaven one day". I have hope; a complete and assured expectation of spending eternity in a perfect existence-- in the presence of God.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
God does great things in our lives. Today I reflect on a great thing He did in my life four years ago today.
Last night Gray texted me at work. "Another full moon, want to go for a hike?" Of course I jumped at the idea. I figured, though, that it was "the boys" going out hiking in the woods, with me sort of tagging along. Gray picked me up at school when I was done working. Although I would've been fine with a group, I was quite content also with just the two of us heading out. The night was so crisp, and the sky vividly clear. We drove quite a distance, far enough to leave the city behind us as a hazy reality. After walking a short while in the snowy marsh, he asked if I wanted to stop for a while. Then he asked if I wanted a fire. "Really?" My eyes lit up. I'll give it to the guy, he knows how to impress a girl! After he gathered wood from the forest behind us, he built a great fire, and pulled out a sleeping bag from his backpack for us to sit on. We must have stayed there for a good while, lying next to each other and watching the stars. We sat in silence for a while, my head resting on his shoulder. "So I was thinking," he broke the silence, "maybe we should just start dating." "Okay." I smiled. After a few minutes he surprises me again. "I want to start this off in prayer." And he takes my hand in his. Then he prays one beautifully genuine prayer, committing our relationship to God. We then made our way to Starbucks, where we stayed until 2:30 in the morning talking and reading Scriptures. I admire this guy, and I am so grateful to be entering into this relationship with him.
Father, thank You for bringing Grayson into my life. Thank You for the encouragement and blessing he is to me. Thank You for how comfortable I am to sit next to him, hold his hand, and actually talk with him.
Today, February 22, 2012 I can still hear the crunch of the snow under my feet as we embarked on that chilly walk. I can still feel the icy cold, fresh air run through my nose and into my lungs as we walked side by side under the moon. I have never regretted breaking curfew that night. I am more thankful than ever before that he is still, even so much more, a blessing and encouragement to me every day.
I have studied love. I have compared the words and observed its Author. And yet--even more-so now, it frightens me. Some say that love does not make sense, yet this makes sense to me. I am still apprehensive, but I am moving forward and embracing love. I have always determined myself not to play around with the term or concept of being in love. But here I am determining myself to be in love. This is a choice I am making because I believe in it. It is, most definitely, not what I expected; and I am terrified. But I believe in my heart, my mind, and my faith, that this is good. It makes sense to be in love with Grayson. Not that I have a rigid list of standards or expect any kind of perfection, but he satisfies what I have always seen as good and worthwhile--what I have wanted. He is the encouragement that I have prayed for. We are in love. I am still learning, and always will be learning what that means. It is in God's hands, and oh that it would always be.
Today, February 22, 2012, I can still recall that moment I made a decision. I made a decision to love Grayson. Aside from my emotions, my attraction, those feelings which were so foreign, I made a decision to love. It may seem less romantic than falling hopelessly in love at first sight (It took me 2 weeks to decide, after all). However, it was more than romantic. A choice to look beyond attraction, to reach beyond emotion, and to choose him over me. To serve, to respect, to adore. This choice, in my heart, mind, and soul, was forever. At that moment, I placed him in my heart as mine. I would marry him.
Today, February 22, 2012, I see in my husband such a spirit of adventure, service, discipleship, humility, and a heart for those who do not yet know Christ. I see in him an urgency to bring Christ's message of hope, His great love, to the ends of the earth. His frustration with monotony and routine, which drives us on. His strive for the big picture, the ultimate goal, which inspires me to be faithful in the little things--the process. His heart which is sold out to the purposes of God.
February 23, 2008
Last night Gray texted me at work. "Another full moon, want to go for a hike?" Of course I jumped at the idea. I figured, though, that it was "the boys" going out hiking in the woods, with me sort of tagging along. Gray picked me up at school when I was done working. Although I would've been fine with a group, I was quite content also with just the two of us heading out. The night was so crisp, and the sky vividly clear. We drove quite a distance, far enough to leave the city behind us as a hazy reality. After walking a short while in the snowy marsh, he asked if I wanted to stop for a while. Then he asked if I wanted a fire. "Really?" My eyes lit up. I'll give it to the guy, he knows how to impress a girl! After he gathered wood from the forest behind us, he built a great fire, and pulled out a sleeping bag from his backpack for us to sit on. We must have stayed there for a good while, lying next to each other and watching the stars. We sat in silence for a while, my head resting on his shoulder. "So I was thinking," he broke the silence, "maybe we should just start dating." "Okay." I smiled. After a few minutes he surprises me again. "I want to start this off in prayer." And he takes my hand in his. Then he prays one beautifully genuine prayer, committing our relationship to God. We then made our way to Starbucks, where we stayed until 2:30 in the morning talking and reading Scriptures. I admire this guy, and I am so grateful to be entering into this relationship with him.
Father, thank You for bringing Grayson into my life. Thank You for the encouragement and blessing he is to me. Thank You for how comfortable I am to sit next to him, hold his hand, and actually talk with him.
Today, February 22, 2012 I can still hear the crunch of the snow under my feet as we embarked on that chilly walk. I can still feel the icy cold, fresh air run through my nose and into my lungs as we walked side by side under the moon. I have never regretted breaking curfew that night. I am more thankful than ever before that he is still, even so much more, a blessing and encouragement to me every day.
Two weeks later, March 10, 2008
I have studied love. I have compared the words and observed its Author. And yet--even more-so now, it frightens me. Some say that love does not make sense, yet this makes sense to me. I am still apprehensive, but I am moving forward and embracing love. I have always determined myself not to play around with the term or concept of being in love. But here I am determining myself to be in love. This is a choice I am making because I believe in it. It is, most definitely, not what I expected; and I am terrified. But I believe in my heart, my mind, and my faith, that this is good. It makes sense to be in love with Grayson. Not that I have a rigid list of standards or expect any kind of perfection, but he satisfies what I have always seen as good and worthwhile--what I have wanted. He is the encouragement that I have prayed for. We are in love. I am still learning, and always will be learning what that means. It is in God's hands, and oh that it would always be.
Today, February 22, 2012, I can still recall that moment I made a decision. I made a decision to love Grayson. Aside from my emotions, my attraction, those feelings which were so foreign, I made a decision to love. It may seem less romantic than falling hopelessly in love at first sight (It took me 2 weeks to decide, after all). However, it was more than romantic. A choice to look beyond attraction, to reach beyond emotion, and to choose him over me. To serve, to respect, to adore. This choice, in my heart, mind, and soul, was forever. At that moment, I placed him in my heart as mine. I would marry him.
Good Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday, Great Friday. Today Gray took me hiking back where he first asked me out. He built me another fire. He asked me to grab his camera for him. There was a box. I dismissed it. He asked me for batteries. There was that box.... I open it, then close it in disbelief. He comes to my side. He asks me to marry him! I said Yes.
Today, February 22, 2012, I remember walking along our path, smiling, remembering a night not so long ago when we walked that same path. I remember finding large rocks, and chucking them into the woods, nonchalant and unaware of Grayson's nerves, just below the surface, anticipating the question he would soon ask me. I remember sitting in the middle of the woods, gathering sticks, and almost starting a forest fire.... I remember seeing that little red box for the very first time as I unzipped his camera bag. I remember dismissing it, too nervous to even read "Kessler" across the top. It couldn't be. But it was, because God is good.
August 8, 2009
It is our wedding day.
Father, be glorified.
Thank You.
Leave us speechless,
but give us such communication.
You are holy,
make us holy.
Father, thank You.
Be glorified.
Today, February 22, 2012, I remember advice from my father, in the form of him sharing his heart with me. He told me one day that, when he married my mother, he had absolutely no doubt in his heart. There was no ounce of apprehension. He knew it was a right decision which God would bless. He knew it was good. On my wedding day, there was no doubt. Today, there is no doubt, no regret, no apprehension. Grayson is good, he is good for me, God richly blesses us.
July 23, 2010
"Grayson and Eryn Lynum
Appointed to missionary service."
Today, February 22, 2012, I see in my husband such a spirit of adventure, service, discipleship, humility, and a heart for those who do not yet know Christ. I see in him an urgency to bring Christ's message of hope, His great love, to the ends of the earth. His frustration with monotony and routine, which drives us on. His strive for the big picture, the ultimate goal, which inspires me to be faithful in the little things--the process. His heart which is sold out to the purposes of God.
January 25, 2011, almost 14 weeks.
I do wonder what characteristics you'll have from your father. I hope you pick up his sensitivity. He can communicate in such a way to relate to my soul. Take after him, little one, he is kind and gracious. Tell him that you love him, it will make his whole world. Tell him you are proud of him, he is so proud of you--already.
Today, February 22, 2012, I remember the first time I thought of my husband as a father. The father of a little precious being growing inside of me. I remember watching him slowly step into that role throughout the nine months leading to our child's arrival. A foreign thing it is, and difficult when you cannot yet hold or see your own baby. However, I remember Grayson's excitement, his anticipation of what was to come.
July 20, 2011, two days old
I have the most beautiful baby boy in this world. Grayson is a wonderful father. He takes such joy and pride in his son.
Today, February 22, 2012, I see in my husband's eyes, as he looks at our son, such pride. I see such adventure, as he dreams of the day they will take their first fishing trip together. I see all of his dreams, forming in his mind, of the time they will spend together, and the lessons they will learn together. I see such devotion and great commitment, as he talks with me of the life lessons he desire us to pass on to Ezekiel. I see such love, the love of a father for his son. This love is great.
Today, February 22, 2012, I reflect on four years. Here, written, are only the highlights. Four years, full and brimming with such goodness. Rich blessing have been bestowed on us. Four years full of lessons learned, even hard ones. Joy experienced side by side. Faithfulness received. Forgiveness lived. Hope embraced. Grace poured out.
God does great things in our lives.
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