The silly and the sacred...questions that have me thinking! (Part 2)

Why is white chocolate called white chocolate when it isn't chocolate at all?

Are the Mormons worried about their financial future?  I wonder because of this sudden big advertising campaign they have going on with the "i am a mormon" ads. 

Why does my left armpit stink while my right one is fresh?  I apply an equal amount of deodorant to both. 

Why do people have such a hard time believing in God but have no problem at all believing we came from muck that was hit by lightening? 

Why do we say "drive safe"?  Was the person planning on driving recklessly until we suggested they drive safely instead? 

Aren't we more like the Pharisees when we hide our flaws and failures instead of letting them refine us and our faith? 

Why do calories have to be so easy to put in our bodies and so incredibly difficult to work off? 

When does the standard that honesty is the best way to live life change?  At what age does it become not the best policy any longer?  Because it sure seems to me that some people make a choice at a certain time to quit living by honesty.  Unfortunately a lot of those people are in a church on Sunday mornings.

In weather where the temps are in the negative and the winds are upwards of 20-30 MPH do more people get away with speeding because the Cops don't want to pull them over and have to get out of their vehicles to ticket them? :) 

Jesus: The Ultimate Undercover Boss

My hub and I love to watch Undercover Boss. We love watching the boss get on the same level as the employees and really experience and do what they have to. We think every CEO, COO, etc should experience his/her company from the ground level. It gives that “higher up” an idea of what the employees of his/her company really go through day in and day out.



It occurred to me the other day after watching one episode in which the boss was scrubbing toilets and getting dirty that Jesus is the ultimate undercover boss! He got down and dirty with humanity to experience what we do day in and day out. He willingly was born and lived on the same level as us so that he could know what we faced every day outside of divinity. Hebrews 2:14-18 says, “Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.” And as he experienced life as we do, facing every temptation that we have (Matthew 4), he saw what we needed and what would bless us.


The hub and I love how the “higher up” always come back from their week in the field and implements changes to improve the work life of their employees. With the employees they worked with directly they almost always do something to help improve their personal lives, it always seems to be something that speaks of that person’s value as a human, not just as the company employee. Jesus has done the same thing for us. He worked in the field and then he implemented the changes we would need to improve the life we are living. The only difference between us and the employees on the show is that our work and personal lives, when it comes to God, are one and the same. Our work is that of his kingdom and that work, if it doesn’t first affect us in our personal lives, will not be productive out there in the field. The change he implemented? Only one was needed that he could see in his 30 some years of living on this earth. He gave us a helper. His name is The Holy Spirit. Once it was time for Jesus to return to his higher office he assured us of the change he was implementing. “But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.” (John 14:26) Do you see all the help Jesus is giving us?! Just in case you missed it go back up a few lines and read the bolded words. We all need those things each day to help us in our work and personal lives!


Jesus has proven, time and time again since his original work in the field, that he is the ultimate boss. He sees what we experience daily, he sympathizes with us because he has “been there done that”, he hears our cries for change and he has provided us each a built in helper. What more could anyone ask for?!

I am SO offended!

I have a simple question, “Which is worth getting offended about? Someone taking ‘your’ parking spot or poverty? Someone taking ‘your’ seat on Sunday morning or genocide?” Perhaps you see where I’m headed.

I got to thinking today about offenses and what we should really be getting offended about and I’m pretty confident in making the statement that “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary shouldn’t even register on the scale when compared to poverty or abuse or other inhuman injustices going on around this world.


Let’s be honest for a moment. What do you get offended about? C’mon, just be real. Say it even if you know it is “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary. I heard of someone who got offended because the company phone list was being updated and they were departing from the company and their name was removed a mere two days before departure. Does that offend you as well? Now think about why you get offended. C’mon, be real about this too. As you examine the why are you by any chance finding it is because you aren’t getting your way, or it wounds your pride/ego, or you felt convicted? Does the why of the offense point toward you?


The Pharisees were masters at taking offense. Jesus offended them all the time with the things he had to say. Why would they take offense? Far as I can see it’s because they either didn’t get their way, their pride was wounded, or they knew what Jesus said was truth and became convicted. Far as I can see the why of their offense always pointed toward them.


The root of flesh based offense is pride in self. And when our self pride gets wounded we respond…poorly. We become defensive, withdrawn, pouty, angry, jealous. Doesn’t paint a very pretty picture does it? But it’s the reality of living out of our flesh and allowing that flesh to control us rather than the Spirit. And if we get really honest with ourselves we can admit that we rarely allow the Spirit to direct us. He and God, along with Jesus, are designated one half day a week for any sort of thought or contemplation and then we are back in the “real” world allowing our flesh to guide us. And that’s when we get offended over parking spots, seats, and a myriad of other petty inconveniences.


What does God get offended about? C’mon, you can go there. At some point you have to consider these things. Here, I’ll name a few to get you started. Poverty, Human Trafficking, Abuse, Favoritism. Do any of those offend you? Be honest if they don’t. Be honest if you haven’t given them a minute’s worth of consideration. God already knows where you sit on those issues and the others I didn’t mention. Why does God get offended by these things? If you are examining the why, do you by any chance see that it is because it hurts his creation, it hinders his work, and it is the result of man exerting his sinful nature? Does the why of the offense point toward the Enemy and his work?


Jesus was a master at taking offense in the Spirit. The Pharisees offended him all the time with the things they said and did. Why would he take offense? Far as I can see it’s because he saw them rob the people (poverty), overcharge at the Temple (abuse of power), throw women “under the bus” in favor of the men (favoritism), and so many more acts of offense. Far as I can see the why of Jesus’ offense always pointed toward the efforts of the Enemy.


The root of Spirit based offense is the heart of God. And when the heart of God gets wounded he responds…rightly. He becomes active, merciful, provisional, gracious, compassionate, zealous with justice. That is the reality of living out of a Spirit directed life and allow the Spirit to control rather than the flesh. When we allow the Spirit to control us then we will become offended with the things that offend God, they will become our burden as they are his. Why does this happen? God allows us to be burdened and offended for him so that we can take action on his behalf.


Becoming offended in the Spirit rather than the flesh will gain you a whole new perspective, a whole new outlook, a whole new way of relating with people and situations. Suddenly “your” parking spot or seat in the sanctuary doesn’t really matter. And those are just two minor examples, you know people – you know you! – get worked up about way more than that.

So try answering the question again. “Which is worth getting offended about? Someone taking ‘your’ parking spot or poverty? Someone taking ‘your’ seat on Sunday morning or genocide?” Perhaps you see where I’m headed.

Goodbye 2010...thanks for the lessons!

Here's what 2010 taught me:

• In almost everything quality trumps quantity.  My relationships taught me this lesson the best in the past year.  From number of friends vs. quality of friends to amount of time spent with said friends.  An hour with a quality friend is way better than 3 hours spent with a friend who doesn't add quality to their own life or to mine.  It was a great lesson for me to learn. 
• When hit by the Mack Truck of life I can get back up because God is my strength.
• Cleaning the floors with soap and water and on my knees is the best way to get them as clean as I want them to be!
• Receiving grace is just as important as giving it.  And when I can receive it I can give it even better!  I'm still learning how to receive grace but I'm a lot further down that road than I was a year ago. 
• Pleasure reading is good for me.  I've always been a voracious reader but had forgotten to read good fiction for a few years.  I rediscovered it this past year and it helped in numerous ways. 
• I am sealed in Christ.  My heart is knitted to his and nothing can separate us. 
• I discovered the fun of taking pictures with the purchase of a new camera. 
• I need to take care of myself on all levels all the time and it's okay to take the time to do that!
• I can enter back into the workforce and I can be valuable to an organization. 
• I learned that I can still laugh and be joyful even when my life isn't looking so sunny.  Why?  Because of Christ.  (See my post on joy for further thoughts on this!!)
• I should write that book I've been talking about for a few years now...and I am starting in 2011!  Stay tuned!  

Thanks 2010.  We had a pretty hard year but God's grace in my life was so evident through it all. There were a lot of moments of joy in the midst of my deep pits.  I am grateful to have survived 2010 and am looking forward to further lessons that 2011 has in store for me!  
God you are good, thank you for showing yourself strong on my behalf!  
Selah.