When Kindness isn't Enough

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:11)

Did you know the word compassion appears 56 times in the Bible? Kindness appears 29. I believe if you ask people what one of the most important things we can teach our children is, a large number would say either or both of those. Kindness and compassion.

But what if kindness isn't enough?

We live in a world in which the word bully can be heard every day. In the news, in social media, in conversations. Unfortunately, we also live in a world in which bullying is pretty easy.

When I was a kid, being bullied meant somebody pushed you on the playground. Took your lunch money. Cut in line. That kind of thing. As I got older, I realized bullying can also take the form of words.

Remember that old saw, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me?"

Wow, was there ever a bigger falsehood taught to children? It outstrips Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Boogie Man all together, doesn't it?

Words hurt. And I've also seen where the absence of words hurts. Have you ever seen a group of teenage girls exclude or ignore one of their peers? It hurts.

So while we're teaching kindness and compassion, why don't we teach our children to stand up? To speak out. To include.

The thing about this particular topic that truly saddens me is that I see a lot of exclusion among Christians. I realize we all gravitate toward people with whom we have things in common. But our love for Christ should unite us above all other bonds.

As a parent, this topic is kind of near and dear to me. I've seen young people excluded and ignored by their Christian friends. And this was really brought home to me this weekend when I picked my child up after a week of ... not summer camp with other young Christians, but rather a week spent with about 600 other young ladies--all races, religions, cultures, and walks of life--learning about our government, citizenship, and leadership. But in addition to those things, my daughter told me repeatedly how encouraging, uplifting, and empowering those other young ladies all were to each other.

Shouldn't we be able to say that after spending time with our fellow Christians? So while we're teaching kindness and compassion, let's take it a step further and teach our children to stand up in the face of unkindness. Teach them that kindness and compassion is inclusive to everyone, not just the people they like. Kindness and compassion is strong. It's brave.

And if it isn't all those things, it's not enough.

When Did We Forget?

“Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.” (Jeremiah 16:21)

In watching the news of late, I wonder when people began to forget the Lord. Forget His power and His might. Forget His unconditional and unending love and mercy. Forget His very name other than to use it as a curse word.

It's not so much that I long for "the good old days." Some of the good old days weren't all that great. But watching the news--and watching the reaction to news on social media--is an exercise in frustration. People are angry. People are spewing venom and hatred for everyone around them to see and hear. Even as I write this blog, the TV news is playing one story after another, all of them angering, depressing, or downright infuriating.

And in a twist of irony, if I change the channel, it's very possible I can get a completely different spin on the same stories. How crazy is that? I'm reminded of hearing someone explaining how important context is. They pointed out, without context, I can use the Bible to "prove" God doesn't exist. Don't believe me? Look at Psalm 14:1. "There is no God." Well, okay, I might have left a little bit out, but that's my point. The media can choose what they want us to see in order to make their point. That's not fake news as our POTUS likes to say. That's lies and deception.

I know I've blogged before about the way we speak to each other--both friends and strangers--on social media. But can I humbly ask that, before you share your controversial "facts", before you blast someone else for their opinion, before you spew venom and hatred, stop.

Take a breath.

Open your Bible. Find out what God says about the topic. And for those who want to say God's word is out-dated or doesn't have anything about our current political climate, think again. It's there. The way we deal with others, with authorities, with strangers and friends.

And above all, be reminded of God's power and might. Remember His name. That remembrance would solve a lot of the world's problems, I'm convinced.

Remember Him.

Look Where You're Going

"Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:32)

When my children were small--given they've both been taller than me for a while, I should say young--I told them on a regular basis, in my Texas drawl, "Look where you're goin', not where ya been." Now, before you attribute some deep meaning to that, you need to understand, when Harley and Chloe were young, I meant the admonition quite literally.

If you're a parent, or you've ever tried to lead a young child anywhere, you know they have a tendency to turn back and look behind them. (I'm hoping one of you can explain the why of this phenomenon.) Problem is, if you're looking behind you, you're apt to stumble.

Just like my literal admonition to my children, Jesus gave His disciples (and us) a similar admonition in Luke 9. Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Even now, we can see the same warning on any given highway. Have you seen those signs that say, in essence, "Don't text and drive"? In other words, pay attention. Keep your eyes on the road. Don't get distracted by the world around you.

Always look to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Keep your eyes on the prize that awaits you. Heaven. Eternity with the Father and Christ.

If you look back, if you look to the side, if you look anywhere but Jesus, you're apt to stumble.

Faith Like Mary

"This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." (John 2:11)

I believe every verse in the Bible has meaning. Not every verse has meaning in every person's life at any given time, but at one time or another, I think you'll find every passage has meaning for someone. From the shortest to the longest. And sometimes you have to dig a little deeper. For example, on the surface, those passages that say something like, "And then he went to Capernaum, and stayed for three days," don't do anything but move the Bible story along. But when we dig a little deeper, we find some obscure historical record supports what the Bible says about an event in Capernaum, and we have further proof the Bible is, in fact, true, historically accurate, and breathed out by God.

I said all that to say this: I think we overlook a few things in the story of Christ's first miracle. Don't misunderstand, it's HUGE that this first miracle is the beginning of numerous signs Jesus performed to show His deity. That sign caused His disciples to believe. That sign was stunning. Astonishing.

But what would you say if I told you I believe there are at least two more lessons to be had from this passage? Go back and read the whole account, beginning in verse 1.

Did you see it? It's small, so you might have missed it, but the first lesson is there in verse 5. In the previous verse, Jesus rhetorically asks Mary, His mother, "Woman, what does this have to do with me?" I don't know about you, but if someone says that to me, I move on, trying to figure out a solution by myself. But not Mary. No, not her.

Let's back up for a minute to the story in Luke 2, when Jesus is separated from His family. His parents locate Him three days later in the temple. In verse 51b, we're told, "And His mother treasured up all these things in her heart."

Now jump back with me to John 2, when Christ is an adult, and He tells His mother this problem has nothing to do with Him. So Mary goes to find someone to go buy more wine. No. She says to the servants--and bear with me here, but as a mother, I can't help wondering if she gave Jesus a look--and says, "Do whatever He tells you."

There it is. The first lesson I think we miss sometimes. Mary's faith didn't stop once she gave birth--a virgin birth--to the Son of God. There doesn't seem to be any hesitation on her part when she tells the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Why? Because she's spent half her life storing up the amazing things He's said and done, along with the knowledge He's her King. So there's no doubt at all He can solve this problem that, to us in 2018, seems minor, but in that day was huge.

Oh, to have faith like Mary.

But that's not the only overlooked lesson. Look what happens next. After telling Mary this is not His problem, Jesus honors His mother--and dare I say, rewards her faith?--by solving the problem. Think about that. Jesus, the same child who told His mother in Luke 2 He needed to be in His Father's house, now honors her by performing a miracle. No, that's not the only reason He did it. Not even the main reason. But still, how many times have you seen an adult dismiss the concerns of a parent? That wine shortage wasn't of any significance to Christ. But it mattered to Mary--maybe the master of the feast was a friend. We really don't know. But for whatever reason, it mattered to her. So it mattered to Him.

And those are lessons I sometimes think we miss. Small in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps big in someone's life today. Maybe I'm the only one who needed this, but just maybe someone else needed a reminder of faith and its rewards. Maybe one person needed to be reminded to honor his or her parents, no matter your age or theirs.

Every verse. A lesson. A reminder. An encouragement. Something someone needs.

Oh, to have faith like Mary.

In a Twinkling

"Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

When I was a kid, something about the phrase "in the twinkling of an eye" appealed to me. It just made me happy. Okay, honestly, it still does.

But as an adult, with a somewhat better ability to determine what's more important in scripture, I realized it's those last four words that should really make me happy.

"... we shall be changed."

Have you ever wished you were someone else? Someone different? I think most of us probably have at some point.

Maybe you only wished you were different. Taller, shorter, thinner, more muscular, smarter, funnier, whatever. Again, I think most of us--if we're honest--would have to admit we've done that at some point in our lives. I certainly have.

But imagine--and it's not really that easy for me--you'll be changed completely into a being fit to spend eternity with God. Don't misunderstand me, I don't believe any of us will ever be worthy of God's love and mercy. We don't deserve to spend eternity with Him. But if we live a life according to His will, God will change us so we are fit for Heaven.

I have no idea what that means. I can't begin to imagine. All I know is, I want to know. I want to experience that "... twinkling of an eye ..." and become a creature fit to spend eternity worshiping at the throne of my Creator.

So much better than thinner, smarter, prettier. Fit for Heaven

I may never think of a twinkling eye the same way again.

#priorities

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

When I was a teenager, I struggled a little with Proverbs 31. I felt this woman set the bar impossibly high. (I know some of y'all feel me.) I mean, this woman spins and cooks and sews clothing (and bed coverings!). She's in real estate. She's in the fashion industry. She's a teacher.

She does it alllllll. She. Is. Exhausting. Whew.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I understood this woman wasn't actively doing all these things herself. She had servants. She managed her servants, and she oversaw her household. Once I realized this passage wasn't a standard I was expected to live up to, I was able to focus on the overall picture. And then I was able to see the most important part.

"... a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

But let's break down those first two phrases.

"Charm is deceitful ..." Wow. That's contrary to what many people believe, isn't it? We think of charm and charming as good things. Just ask Cinderella. But did you know the word charm originates from a Latin word meaning incantation or magic spell? I imagine that's why it's referred to here as deceitful.

And what about beauty? "... beauty is vain ..." I doubt this one needs much explanation, but just in case it does, how about this: have you ever stood in the grocery checkout line and seen those tabloids with headlines that say Celebrities Caught Without Makeup! The cosmetic industry earns an estimated $95 BILLION each year. That's b-b-b-billion with a B. And lest you think I'm talking to women only, that figure includes skin care, hair care, and fragrance, so gentlemen, I'm looking at you, too. That's a lot of money dedicated to our outward appearance isn't it? And there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to look your best. In spite of my uniform of jeans and T-shirts, I do try to look halfway decent. ;-)

Now let's look at that last phrase once more. "... a woman [or man] who fears the Lord is to be praised." And there it is. THAT'S the priority.

When I fear (love and respect) the Lord, He is pleased with me. I am worthy of praise. And isn't that what we should all want?

Who is My Neighbor?

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." (Luke 6:27-28)

Admit it, when you saw the title of this blog, you were expecting Luke 10, weren't you? Makes sense. I mean, the question prompted a pretty famous parable.

I work for a non-profit organization with an emphasis on loving our neighbors, so that's heard pretty often around the office. I also hear it or see it on a fairly regular basis on the internet. Facebook, Insta, Twitter, memes, and so on. You probably do, too.

And that parable in Luke makes it pretty clear what--or who-- Jesus meant when He told us to love our neighbors. Our neighbor is everyone.

But what about my enemies? Love my enemies? Do good to those who hate me? Bless those who curse me? Pray for those who abuse me? When the very human part of me only wants to hate, curse, and abuse in return?

But wait. Who are my enemies?

Seems like lately we spend an awful lot of time focusing on enemies. Other countries. People of other religions. People who eat broccoli (kidding, I'd be one of those folks). The number of things people can get bent out of shape over--become enemies over--is staggering.

Have you paid attention to the political arena lately? Wow. I've heard people who profess to be Christians spewing bitterness and hatred at our political leaders. I've heard the children of people who profess to be Christians spout disrespect toward or about the government. I may not always agree with our government, but where you do suppose a child learns our country's leaders are our enemies?

A gentle suggestion. The next time you're thinking about loving your enemies, ask yourself what you can do to make them a neighbor. If you're busy loving on your neighbors, you won't have time to dwell on your enemies. Sure, people who are clearly my enemy deserve my prayer (and perhaps a prayer for me, too, to be sure I'm not the cause of the enmity between us--yikes). But I don't want to spend a lot of time combing through my friends and acquaintances, cataloging every infraction, real or imagined, every disagreement, every political difference (no matter how divisive).

So while you're praying for your enemies--and I hope the list has grown shorter just since you started reading this blog--remember to pray for a softer heart in yourself.

I'll go first.