Matthew 5:7
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for."
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Today, I attended the funeral
of my parents’ neighbor, Barbara Heathcott. Barbara and her husband,
Eddie, have been my parents’ neighbors since the mid-1980s. Two weeks
ago, Barbara received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Things
progressed very quickly after that, and now she is in heaven. I feel
certain that my own mother and daddy were thrilled to greet her there.
At
the service, the pastor tearfully talked of Barbara and her spirit of
“servitude.” The obituary even stated…”Barbara was generous, sometimes
to a fault. She loved helping others.” And truly she did. Barbara was a
great cook, and she fed my parents more than once when they were ill –
and sometimes just for fun. The pastor noted that any time someone was
sick or bereaved, Barbara prepared more food than she ought - just to
comfort them! He also mentioned her “Christmas,” which consisted of
delectable sweet treats, including chocolate covered cherries. The
pastor said, “It wasn’t really Christmas until Barbara brought
‘Christmas!’”
My parents’ neighbor Barbara was incredibly
“care-full.” She was also truly cared for, as evidenced by the chapel
packed today with people who crowded the pews and stood along the outer
walls in order to pay their last respects.
The pastor noted
that he last saw Barbara two weeks ago – at church - the day before she
underwent surgery that was supposed to have offered her a chance at a
cure. Barbara hugged the pastor and told him, “I’m going to be fine.”
The pastor commented…”I’m sure that she is.” Another neighbor told me
before the service that she and her husband visited Barbara in the
hospital last week, and she said, “By the time we left, Barbara had made
ME feel better!”
Not everyone has the gift of caring to the
level of women like my mother and her neighbor, Barbara. If nothing
else, we can be kind and loving…smile and be pleasant…offer to help when
and where we can. We don’t have to be extraordinary cooks in order to
feed hungry people in the middle of a health crisis or when a death
occurs. We don’t have to be gifted writers to send a note or e-mail
message that says, “I’m thinking of you,” or “God loves you, and so do
I.” We don’t have to have a lot of money or be super attractive in
order to make a difference in the life of someone else. The bottom line
is that people really don’t care what you know until they know that you
care. And as Christian disciples, it is our job to care!
I
am sure that most of the people who attended the funeral today went
away inspired to care more – and to do more for others. I know I did!
Clearly, God blessed Barbara’s efforts…she was truly “care-full”
in her earthly living. And now she is blessed beyond measure by the
reward of Eternity spent in heaven. If God gives out assignments there,
I’m sure that Barbara’s hand has already shot up to offer to cook and
care for others! And that is an amazing legacy for any Christian
servant!
So what will be your legacy as a Christian
servant? Five months ago when my mother died, her neighbor didn’t even
know she was having any problems. And now both women are in heaven.
Barbara made every minute of that five months – and most of her 77 years
- count for Jesus by her efforts to care for others. Can you say the
same? Don’t you think we should at least give it a try?
©2016 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label keeping up appearances. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keeping up appearances. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 29, 2015
Matthew 7:21-23
“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved
I will never forget the Sunday morning more than 30 years ago when I sat in a worship service and heard our pastor say, “I am taking a sabbatical, because I am fighting a serious battle with depression.” You could have bowled me over with a feather. This man who seemed so “together” – who was so positive, encouraging and supportive to his “flock” – was a basket case on the inside. He covered this very well, and it was heartbreaking to discover how he had struggled internally…and to think that while he had ministered to all of us, he was in desperate need of help for himself.
We moved shortly after this, and I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t keep up with this family, so I really don’t know if this man was ever able to return to the pulpit or not. But as I read this passage today, I thought about how many people are not who we think they are…and maybe you are one of them. Perhaps you are battling an inner struggle – and no one is aware, because you pretend that everything is alright. Maybe you are trying to be strong for your family and friends, so you never let down your guard and allow others to help in some way.
Or maybe you are like the persons described by Jesus in this passage…the ones who pretend to have it all together as Christians. Maybe you can spout scripture and pray out loud with the best of them…attend Sunday worship and Bible studies…sing in the choir…serve at the local soup kitchen and work in everything from clothing drives to work days for the elderly/infirm. And all the while, maybe you are empty and disjointed on the inside…because you have not truly heeded the word of God for your life.
There is a difference between being busy and being obedient…between being “good” and being truly faithful and faith-filled. A lot of us talk the talk, but we don’t walk the walk. And God knows the truth – about each of us!
Whether others know who you really are or not…God knows. He wants us to be real and raw with Him…to serve from the depths of our heart…to listen for His voice and follow Him wherever He leads. This is a TALL order…but nothing is too big for God. What He calls us to do…He will see us through - with grace, mercy and strength.
When you project your “Christian persona,” do people see the real deal…or someone you want them to see? More importantly, who are you showing God? Is this the day that you will start to operate in full obedience to His word and will? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
“Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved
I will never forget the Sunday morning more than 30 years ago when I sat in a worship service and heard our pastor say, “I am taking a sabbatical, because I am fighting a serious battle with depression.” You could have bowled me over with a feather. This man who seemed so “together” – who was so positive, encouraging and supportive to his “flock” – was a basket case on the inside. He covered this very well, and it was heartbreaking to discover how he had struggled internally…and to think that while he had ministered to all of us, he was in desperate need of help for himself.
We moved shortly after this, and I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t keep up with this family, so I really don’t know if this man was ever able to return to the pulpit or not. But as I read this passage today, I thought about how many people are not who we think they are…and maybe you are one of them. Perhaps you are battling an inner struggle – and no one is aware, because you pretend that everything is alright. Maybe you are trying to be strong for your family and friends, so you never let down your guard and allow others to help in some way.
Or maybe you are like the persons described by Jesus in this passage…the ones who pretend to have it all together as Christians. Maybe you can spout scripture and pray out loud with the best of them…attend Sunday worship and Bible studies…sing in the choir…serve at the local soup kitchen and work in everything from clothing drives to work days for the elderly/infirm. And all the while, maybe you are empty and disjointed on the inside…because you have not truly heeded the word of God for your life.
There is a difference between being busy and being obedient…between being “good” and being truly faithful and faith-filled. A lot of us talk the talk, but we don’t walk the walk. And God knows the truth – about each of us!
Whether others know who you really are or not…God knows. He wants us to be real and raw with Him…to serve from the depths of our heart…to listen for His voice and follow Him wherever He leads. This is a TALL order…but nothing is too big for God. What He calls us to do…He will see us through - with grace, mercy and strength.
When you project your “Christian persona,” do people see the real deal…or someone you want them to see? More importantly, who are you showing God? Is this the day that you will start to operate in full obedience to His word and will? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 11, 2015
Galatians 2:19-21
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the early 1980s, actor/comedian Billy Crystal created a recurring character on NBC’s Saturday Night Live named Fernando. This was a parody of the real performer, Fernando Lamas…and the catchphrase was, “You look mahvelous!” It didn’t matter what anyone said or did, “Fernando” would say, “But you look mahvelous!” That’s what’s wrong with a lot of us as Christians…we’re so busy trying to “look mahvelous” that we have totally forgotten about following and serving God.
I love how Paul says that he quit being a “law man” so that he could be God’s man. Isn’t that exactly how we should be looking at this? Shouldn’t we be more focused on living the life of Christ rather than our own…doing the things that Jesus taught us, like loving one another, keeping the peace and getting along rather than insisting on our own way. Shouldn’t we be striving to stay pure in heart and mind - hungering for the word of God? What could happen if we lived our lives in such a way that others saw Jesus in us…rather than someone who was trying to impress or create a good image of themselves for the world?
We must ask ourselves…do we want to look like true disciples of Christ…or do we merely care about looking “mahvelous?” As Paul points out, the latter indicates the opinion that there was no good reason for Christ’s death on the cross. And I just don’t buy that…do you? Are you following the rules…of society, the church, and your peers…or are you following God? How you answer makes all the difference!
©2015 Debbie Robus
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
In the early 1980s, actor/comedian Billy Crystal created a recurring character on NBC’s Saturday Night Live named Fernando. This was a parody of the real performer, Fernando Lamas…and the catchphrase was, “You look mahvelous!” It didn’t matter what anyone said or did, “Fernando” would say, “But you look mahvelous!” That’s what’s wrong with a lot of us as Christians…we’re so busy trying to “look mahvelous” that we have totally forgotten about following and serving God.
I love how Paul says that he quit being a “law man” so that he could be God’s man. Isn’t that exactly how we should be looking at this? Shouldn’t we be more focused on living the life of Christ rather than our own…doing the things that Jesus taught us, like loving one another, keeping the peace and getting along rather than insisting on our own way. Shouldn’t we be striving to stay pure in heart and mind - hungering for the word of God? What could happen if we lived our lives in such a way that others saw Jesus in us…rather than someone who was trying to impress or create a good image of themselves for the world?
We must ask ourselves…do we want to look like true disciples of Christ…or do we merely care about looking “mahvelous?” As Paul points out, the latter indicates the opinion that there was no good reason for Christ’s death on the cross. And I just don’t buy that…do you? Are you following the rules…of society, the church, and your peers…or are you following God? How you answer makes all the difference!
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for June 10, 2015
Exodus 20:8-11
Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t attend worship every single Sunday. Sometimes I am not feeling well…sometimes in the winter the weather is too icy…and sometimes, I just don’t go. When Greg and I were still business owners, we often had to work on Sundays. We had deadlines to meet…work that had to get done. And as business owners and the only two employees for many years, the workload fell on our shoulders - regardless of what day the calendar showed.
Do not judge me! I understand fully the significance of the Sabbath…and even on my busiest day – or the days when I “play hooky,” I try to spend time with God…to listen for His voice, study His word...and to reflect on what He has in store for me. Sometimes, we all need to sit quietly and let God fill us…whether we’re sitting on a pew in a church sanctuary – or on our couch or back porch, drinking a cup of coffee. There are times when God wants us to simply be still and take a breather…from EVERYTHING!
Here’s the thing…attending a worship service every Sunday morning and/or evening (or both) does not make us superior Christians…or even mean that we are truly living “in God’s will.” I believe that corporate worship is important…that we demonstrate to others our desire to humbly come before God and worship Him as a body of believers…to learn more about His word, how He works, and His missions. I believe that fellowship with others is important…both for those who are born-again Christians, those who may be seeking God - and those who don’t have a clue who God is, much less that they need Him in their lives.
I also believe that some use the Sabbath to make a point rather than to make a difference. For some, Sunday is the day to put on a show and give others the impression that we are good, faithful, and pleasing to God…while in truth, we may be none of these things. In our heart, we may not be seeking a deeper relationship with God and communion with other believers. We may be hoping to impress everyone with our appearance (in every sense of this word), our presence in the choir or as an usher (or simply filling a pew)…and going through the motions of worship for an hour or so.
We do need to give God our time and attention! We do need to take a breath, sit quietly, and let Him fill us – and we need to do this often! We need to recognize God’s power and supremacy…to acknowledge all that He has created…to humble ourselves before Him and seek His presence – and His voice. We need to spend time worshipping God…and getting our “marching orders!” We need to fellowship with others - without a personal agenda or ulterior motives.
The God who did so much for us deserves our full time and attention on a regular basis. The Sabbath is a great day for this...but it’s not the only day. The important thing is how we spend time with God…rather than when…and how often this happens. Are you making quality time for God in your life…resting in Him and creating an atmosphere in which He can truly speak to you? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That’s why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t attend worship every single Sunday. Sometimes I am not feeling well…sometimes in the winter the weather is too icy…and sometimes, I just don’t go. When Greg and I were still business owners, we often had to work on Sundays. We had deadlines to meet…work that had to get done. And as business owners and the only two employees for many years, the workload fell on our shoulders - regardless of what day the calendar showed.
Do not judge me! I understand fully the significance of the Sabbath…and even on my busiest day – or the days when I “play hooky,” I try to spend time with God…to listen for His voice, study His word...and to reflect on what He has in store for me. Sometimes, we all need to sit quietly and let God fill us…whether we’re sitting on a pew in a church sanctuary – or on our couch or back porch, drinking a cup of coffee. There are times when God wants us to simply be still and take a breather…from EVERYTHING!
Here’s the thing…attending a worship service every Sunday morning and/or evening (or both) does not make us superior Christians…or even mean that we are truly living “in God’s will.” I believe that corporate worship is important…that we demonstrate to others our desire to humbly come before God and worship Him as a body of believers…to learn more about His word, how He works, and His missions. I believe that fellowship with others is important…both for those who are born-again Christians, those who may be seeking God - and those who don’t have a clue who God is, much less that they need Him in their lives.
I also believe that some use the Sabbath to make a point rather than to make a difference. For some, Sunday is the day to put on a show and give others the impression that we are good, faithful, and pleasing to God…while in truth, we may be none of these things. In our heart, we may not be seeking a deeper relationship with God and communion with other believers. We may be hoping to impress everyone with our appearance (in every sense of this word), our presence in the choir or as an usher (or simply filling a pew)…and going through the motions of worship for an hour or so.
We do need to give God our time and attention! We do need to take a breath, sit quietly, and let Him fill us – and we need to do this often! We need to recognize God’s power and supremacy…to acknowledge all that He has created…to humble ourselves before Him and seek His presence – and His voice. We need to spend time worshipping God…and getting our “marching orders!” We need to fellowship with others - without a personal agenda or ulterior motives.
The God who did so much for us deserves our full time and attention on a regular basis. The Sabbath is a great day for this...but it’s not the only day. The important thing is how we spend time with God…rather than when…and how often this happens. Are you making quality time for God in your life…resting in Him and creating an atmosphere in which He can truly speak to you? Don’t you think it’s time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for March 21, 2015
Philippians 3:7-11
But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him.
I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was sitting in the parking lot after attending a funeral, and I spotted a friend from church walking to her car. I called to her and asked if she would like to ride with me to the cemetery. She gladly accepted my offer, and as she got in the car, she said, “I wish I was dressed properly.” She had come to the service directly from her job as a nurse, and she was wearing her white lab coat. I assured her that she looked fine…that nobody would give her attire a second thought – other than to notice that she took time out of her busy day to attend this service!
Here’s the thing…there are times when it is important to be “prim and proper”…when wearing the right outfit is critical. And there are times when it is simply most important that you show up! I’ve had to make a mad dash to the Emergency Department with a loved one in the wee hours of the morning when I looked scary enough to frighten grown men! But there was no way I was going to say to those in need or the EMTs, “Hang on a few minutes while I put on some makeup and fluff up my hair!” I seriously doubt that very many people would pause to check their outfit in the mirror if they found themselves in a burning building! It’s all a matter of priorities!
Too often, we get caught up in what we think will “look pretty” to God…and we miss Him completely. The moment comes and goes…we waste the connection and lose out on a blessing. We get so mired in how many Bible verses we can quote, who killed who in the Old Testament and what sacrifices were required to atone…we worry about whether we gave enough money, sat on enough committees, said enough prayers, and participated in enough worship activities…and we are completely deaf and dumb to Jesus calling to us…”Hey…c’mon over here and let Me love on you!”
Do not misunderstand me…I believe that Christian rituals are important. I believe in the sanctity of Holy Communion and only wish that more people fully understood its significance and the profound sacredness of this experience. I also believe in the holiness of God’s word…all of it! But if we don’t fully understand the lineage of all of the kings or have a firm grasp on all of the names of the leaders of this battle or that one, yet we truly know Jesus and strive to follow Him…I would say that we have our values in proper alignment. If we are in fellowship with Jesus and understand WHY He came to earth for us and the full extent of what He accomplished on our behalf…THIS is what matters the most! The rest will surely fall into place.
I am a “Field of Dreams” Christian…I believe in the “If you build it, they will come” philosophy. In other words, when we focus on Jesus…when we fully commit to Him and follow His teachings, I believe all of the rest will follow – the desire to study God’s word in depth…the yearning to fellowship with other believers…the conviction to give of our “time, talents and money” to the church…and a craving for time in His presence.
Jesus doesn’t care if we are wearing a lab coat or our “Sunday best”! He just wants US! And I want Him, as well. What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him.
I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was sitting in the parking lot after attending a funeral, and I spotted a friend from church walking to her car. I called to her and asked if she would like to ride with me to the cemetery. She gladly accepted my offer, and as she got in the car, she said, “I wish I was dressed properly.” She had come to the service directly from her job as a nurse, and she was wearing her white lab coat. I assured her that she looked fine…that nobody would give her attire a second thought – other than to notice that she took time out of her busy day to attend this service!
Here’s the thing…there are times when it is important to be “prim and proper”…when wearing the right outfit is critical. And there are times when it is simply most important that you show up! I’ve had to make a mad dash to the Emergency Department with a loved one in the wee hours of the morning when I looked scary enough to frighten grown men! But there was no way I was going to say to those in need or the EMTs, “Hang on a few minutes while I put on some makeup and fluff up my hair!” I seriously doubt that very many people would pause to check their outfit in the mirror if they found themselves in a burning building! It’s all a matter of priorities!
Too often, we get caught up in what we think will “look pretty” to God…and we miss Him completely. The moment comes and goes…we waste the connection and lose out on a blessing. We get so mired in how many Bible verses we can quote, who killed who in the Old Testament and what sacrifices were required to atone…we worry about whether we gave enough money, sat on enough committees, said enough prayers, and participated in enough worship activities…and we are completely deaf and dumb to Jesus calling to us…”Hey…c’mon over here and let Me love on you!”
Do not misunderstand me…I believe that Christian rituals are important. I believe in the sanctity of Holy Communion and only wish that more people fully understood its significance and the profound sacredness of this experience. I also believe in the holiness of God’s word…all of it! But if we don’t fully understand the lineage of all of the kings or have a firm grasp on all of the names of the leaders of this battle or that one, yet we truly know Jesus and strive to follow Him…I would say that we have our values in proper alignment. If we are in fellowship with Jesus and understand WHY He came to earth for us and the full extent of what He accomplished on our behalf…THIS is what matters the most! The rest will surely fall into place.
I am a “Field of Dreams” Christian…I believe in the “If you build it, they will come” philosophy. In other words, when we focus on Jesus…when we fully commit to Him and follow His teachings, I believe all of the rest will follow – the desire to study God’s word in depth…the yearning to fellowship with other believers…the conviction to give of our “time, talents and money” to the church…and a craving for time in His presence.
Jesus doesn’t care if we are wearing a lab coat or our “Sunday best”! He just wants US! And I want Him, as well. What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for February 23, 2014
James 1:27
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Several years ago, a friend shared an audiobook with me… So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey, by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. This is the fictional story of a disillusioned pastor named Jake who has several encounters with a stranger who strongly resembles the mannerisms of the apostle John. A review of this book on Amazon.com says in part…” Facing his own disappointment with Christianity, Jake must forsake the habits that have made his faith rote and rediscover the love that captured his heart when he first believed.”
Critics have claimed that this book just fuels the fire for bashing “institutional church”, which one person described as a place where “church members are hopelessly ignorant, able to recite chapter and verse but knowing nothing of the heart of Scripture.” In one chapter, “Pastor Jake” is reminded of his childhood and “competitions” to learn Bible verses and earn “Gold Stars”…and the pressure and guilt he felt when he didn’t perform well in this endeavor. This really struck a chord with me.
When I was a child, my church held an annual fundraiser for overseas missions. A big map was hung above the choir loft, and every time someone donated a certain amount of money to this mission fund, a red bulb was lit on this map. I so wanted my family to be able to light one of those bulbs. But coming from a household of five whose budget was limited, this never happened. And somewhere in my subconscious, I think I felt less valuable as a Christian witness - not because my family could not afford to contribute - but because we somehow didn’t fit in with those who did. Now understand, a LOT of families in our church never gave enough to light a bulb…and this truly had nothing to do with how well we served others in God’s name. Plain and simple, it was a “religious” competition…”hot air” that truly was not about overseas missions as much as creating an image of “group participation”. In actuality, this only divided the “haves” from the “have-nots” – even within the church body.
To this day, I feel a tad uneasy when I receive solicitations in the mail for legitimate donations… St. Jude’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Arkansas Children’s Hospital – even my own church and its ministries. How does one choose? Where does one draw the line? Are you a “bad Christian” if you donate to one cause and not another? If you are serving and giving to the best of your ability - yet you continue to be asked by church leaders and charitable organizations to give more - does this mean you are not serving God well…or doing enough? Is serving God about getting the “Gold Star”…or are we serving out of a heart for the “homeless and loveless” in the world? Are we giving our money, time and talent to make a name for ourselves and soothe our conscience (or shush those who berate us)…or are we earnestly seeking God’s will for our lives and ministering to others according to His will?
It matters greatly how we answer these questions. I firmly believe that God will provide for every need when we seek His will and act accordingly. If God leads us to give money or donate to a mission fund or charity, we should certainly do so. If God says, “Use your time and talents in this manner for my glory,” we should get up and get going! If God presents us with people and circumstances for which our own life experiences give us firsthand knowledge - and the ability to comfort and encourage - we should step up and out and do exactly that!
Hear me on this…God doesn’t care if you never light a bulb on a map to raise funds for missions – or earn a badge or pin for attending a certain number of Bible studies - or learning x number of scripture verses. God really could care less if we are “religious”! What matters to God is that we eagerly seek His will for our lives…that we ask Him how, when and where to share the love and Good News of Jesus Christ with others…and that we spend every waking minute honoring Him with our faith and obedience.
I have to tell you, I’m a little tired of divisive tactics and “religious” people who want to make others look or feel badly because they are not doing enough…aren’t giving enough…aren’t high-profile enough in their ministry efforts and Christian witness. God doesn’t want a show…He wants believers who have a true heart for Him and want to share His love with others. The only “medal” or recognition we should be seeking is the words…“Well done, My good and faithful servant,” when we stand before the LORD on Judgment Day. Our focus should be on loving others and meeting their needs in Jesus’ name – each and every day…and letting God have the glory and recognition.
Where do you fit in this picture? Are you working hard to earn an earthly medal? Is your “religious” appearance nothing more than a “hot-air” performance? Are you genuinely God’s faithful servant? Are your ministries sincere, compassionate, heartfelt and God-sanctioned? Isn’t it time they were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Want-Church-Anymore/dp/0964729229
Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Several years ago, a friend shared an audiobook with me… So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore: An Unexpected Journey, by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman. This is the fictional story of a disillusioned pastor named Jake who has several encounters with a stranger who strongly resembles the mannerisms of the apostle John. A review of this book on Amazon.com says in part…” Facing his own disappointment with Christianity, Jake must forsake the habits that have made his faith rote and rediscover the love that captured his heart when he first believed.”
Critics have claimed that this book just fuels the fire for bashing “institutional church”, which one person described as a place where “church members are hopelessly ignorant, able to recite chapter and verse but knowing nothing of the heart of Scripture.” In one chapter, “Pastor Jake” is reminded of his childhood and “competitions” to learn Bible verses and earn “Gold Stars”…and the pressure and guilt he felt when he didn’t perform well in this endeavor. This really struck a chord with me.
When I was a child, my church held an annual fundraiser for overseas missions. A big map was hung above the choir loft, and every time someone donated a certain amount of money to this mission fund, a red bulb was lit on this map. I so wanted my family to be able to light one of those bulbs. But coming from a household of five whose budget was limited, this never happened. And somewhere in my subconscious, I think I felt less valuable as a Christian witness - not because my family could not afford to contribute - but because we somehow didn’t fit in with those who did. Now understand, a LOT of families in our church never gave enough to light a bulb…and this truly had nothing to do with how well we served others in God’s name. Plain and simple, it was a “religious” competition…”hot air” that truly was not about overseas missions as much as creating an image of “group participation”. In actuality, this only divided the “haves” from the “have-nots” – even within the church body.
To this day, I feel a tad uneasy when I receive solicitations in the mail for legitimate donations… St. Jude’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Arkansas Children’s Hospital – even my own church and its ministries. How does one choose? Where does one draw the line? Are you a “bad Christian” if you donate to one cause and not another? If you are serving and giving to the best of your ability - yet you continue to be asked by church leaders and charitable organizations to give more - does this mean you are not serving God well…or doing enough? Is serving God about getting the “Gold Star”…or are we serving out of a heart for the “homeless and loveless” in the world? Are we giving our money, time and talent to make a name for ourselves and soothe our conscience (or shush those who berate us)…or are we earnestly seeking God’s will for our lives and ministering to others according to His will?
It matters greatly how we answer these questions. I firmly believe that God will provide for every need when we seek His will and act accordingly. If God leads us to give money or donate to a mission fund or charity, we should certainly do so. If God says, “Use your time and talents in this manner for my glory,” we should get up and get going! If God presents us with people and circumstances for which our own life experiences give us firsthand knowledge - and the ability to comfort and encourage - we should step up and out and do exactly that!
Hear me on this…God doesn’t care if you never light a bulb on a map to raise funds for missions – or earn a badge or pin for attending a certain number of Bible studies - or learning x number of scripture verses. God really could care less if we are “religious”! What matters to God is that we eagerly seek His will for our lives…that we ask Him how, when and where to share the love and Good News of Jesus Christ with others…and that we spend every waking minute honoring Him with our faith and obedience.
I have to tell you, I’m a little tired of divisive tactics and “religious” people who want to make others look or feel badly because they are not doing enough…aren’t giving enough…aren’t high-profile enough in their ministry efforts and Christian witness. God doesn’t want a show…He wants believers who have a true heart for Him and want to share His love with others. The only “medal” or recognition we should be seeking is the words…“Well done, My good and faithful servant,” when we stand before the LORD on Judgment Day. Our focus should be on loving others and meeting their needs in Jesus’ name – each and every day…and letting God have the glory and recognition.
Where do you fit in this picture? Are you working hard to earn an earthly medal? Is your “religious” appearance nothing more than a “hot-air” performance? Are you genuinely God’s faithful servant? Are your ministries sincere, compassionate, heartfelt and God-sanctioned? Isn’t it time they were?
©2014 Debbie Robus
http://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Want-Church-Anymore/dp/0964729229
Daily Devotional for October 22, 2013
Romans 2:9-11
If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you’re from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won’t give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Like a lot of young children, Timothy has become interested lately in getting married. He wants to marry me, his grandmother, and his mom. He knows he can’t, and he told Greg and me (and his Sunday school teachers) that… “Someday, I’m going to marry a nice lady!” My niece told me that last week, Timothy “got married” at pre-K to one of his classmates. A few days later when Timothy’s mom dropped him off for school, the little girl who had won his heart was entering the building. My niece said to Timothy… “There’s your ‘wife’… don’t you want to give her a hug?” He replied, “No, she’s not my wife… we’re not married anymore.” My niece feigned surprise and asked, “Oh, really? What happened?” Timothy’s answer… “She’s not wearing a hair bow today!” What can I say? Four-year-olds apparently have high standards!
Don’t we do the same thing? We make assumptions about others based on their appearance…the opinions (and gossip) of others…or their lineage. A friend of my grandmother’s used to make a point to tell me that one of her grandchildren was a doctor… and she told me this nearly every time I saw her! That was more important to her than the fact that this person was a parent, a spouse, and an active volunteer in church activities! We assume people are wonderful… or awful… based on what we think we know about them – or their public accolades, accomplishments… or shame.
Conversely, we tend to “trade” on certain attributes ourselves. When was the last time you tried to “pull rank” somehow because of who you thought you were… or what you thought you knew? It could be anything from saying, “Let me talk to So-and-so… he/she will listen to me,” to “I don’t have to worry about getting a speeding ticket… I’m friends with the police officers,” to “I can say what I want… I’m a senior citizen and I’ve earned the right!”
If we are honest, we have to admit that a lot of times we base our respect for others – and we command respect for ourselves – while “going against the grain”. We act entitled… we bank on the “good name” of our parents or other family members or friends to gain us a “foot in the door”… or we try to “get away with murder” by claiming special privilege. Worse yet, we try this with God… “But LORD… look at what all I’ve done for you! Surely you can fix this for me” or “LORD, why are you doing this to me – or letting this happen to me? Everyone says I’m such a good, faithful Christian… why are you punishing ME?”
I have to tell you… it’s time we got over ourselves! We truly are not “all that and a bag of chips”… in anyone’s eyes – at least not in the way we think. The time has come for us to operate with humility and respect… to recognize that our true value and stature is not measured as we think… but rather by how we conduct ourselves in all things – and how genuinely we serve God and others. You might fool a few people some of the time, but you will never bamboozle God… and the very idea that you might even try disappoints Him greatly!
So the message for us today is to truly embrace God and His teachings. Honor and respect Him in everything we say and do… to every person we encounter. Make a concerted effort to keep your thoughts, words and actions above reproach at all times. Serve the LORD with gladness and a pure heart, and make His glory your primary focus. Bask in the payoffs He provides… not because that is your goal, but because it is your joy and reward for faithful obedience. Like Timothy, we must learn that choosing a suitable mate is important… but maintaining high standards for God is tantamount. But if your friend doesn’t wear a hair bow every day, it’s probably okay to let that one go!
©2013 Debbie Robus
If you go against the grain, you get splinters, regardless of which neighborhood you’re from, what your parents taught you, what schools you attended. But if you embrace the way God does things, there are wonderful payoffs, again without regard to where you are from or how you were brought up. Being a Jew won’t give you an automatic stamp of approval. God pays no attention to what others say (or what you think) about you. He makes up his own mind.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Like a lot of young children, Timothy has become interested lately in getting married. He wants to marry me, his grandmother, and his mom. He knows he can’t, and he told Greg and me (and his Sunday school teachers) that… “Someday, I’m going to marry a nice lady!” My niece told me that last week, Timothy “got married” at pre-K to one of his classmates. A few days later when Timothy’s mom dropped him off for school, the little girl who had won his heart was entering the building. My niece said to Timothy… “There’s your ‘wife’… don’t you want to give her a hug?” He replied, “No, she’s not my wife… we’re not married anymore.” My niece feigned surprise and asked, “Oh, really? What happened?” Timothy’s answer… “She’s not wearing a hair bow today!” What can I say? Four-year-olds apparently have high standards!
Don’t we do the same thing? We make assumptions about others based on their appearance…the opinions (and gossip) of others…or their lineage. A friend of my grandmother’s used to make a point to tell me that one of her grandchildren was a doctor… and she told me this nearly every time I saw her! That was more important to her than the fact that this person was a parent, a spouse, and an active volunteer in church activities! We assume people are wonderful… or awful… based on what we think we know about them – or their public accolades, accomplishments… or shame.
Conversely, we tend to “trade” on certain attributes ourselves. When was the last time you tried to “pull rank” somehow because of who you thought you were… or what you thought you knew? It could be anything from saying, “Let me talk to So-and-so… he/she will listen to me,” to “I don’t have to worry about getting a speeding ticket… I’m friends with the police officers,” to “I can say what I want… I’m a senior citizen and I’ve earned the right!”
If we are honest, we have to admit that a lot of times we base our respect for others – and we command respect for ourselves – while “going against the grain”. We act entitled… we bank on the “good name” of our parents or other family members or friends to gain us a “foot in the door”… or we try to “get away with murder” by claiming special privilege. Worse yet, we try this with God… “But LORD… look at what all I’ve done for you! Surely you can fix this for me” or “LORD, why are you doing this to me – or letting this happen to me? Everyone says I’m such a good, faithful Christian… why are you punishing ME?”
I have to tell you… it’s time we got over ourselves! We truly are not “all that and a bag of chips”… in anyone’s eyes – at least not in the way we think. The time has come for us to operate with humility and respect… to recognize that our true value and stature is not measured as we think… but rather by how we conduct ourselves in all things – and how genuinely we serve God and others. You might fool a few people some of the time, but you will never bamboozle God… and the very idea that you might even try disappoints Him greatly!
So the message for us today is to truly embrace God and His teachings. Honor and respect Him in everything we say and do… to every person we encounter. Make a concerted effort to keep your thoughts, words and actions above reproach at all times. Serve the LORD with gladness and a pure heart, and make His glory your primary focus. Bask in the payoffs He provides… not because that is your goal, but because it is your joy and reward for faithful obedience. Like Timothy, we must learn that choosing a suitable mate is important… but maintaining high standards for God is tantamount. But if your friend doesn’t wear a hair bow every day, it’s probably okay to let that one go!
©2013 Debbie Robus
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