Lessons from a Puzzle

Did I ever tell you the story about the puzzle? I was in high school. My friend Becchi and I were visiting with a couple who had been very influential in our youth ministry at church. We were sitting at the kitchen table talking, when he pulled out a couple of puzzles. He placed one in front of each of us and told us we had three minutes to finish the puzzle, and we could ask him anything we wanted. The timer started, we both huddled over our respective puzzles, trying so hard to figure it out. The three minutes passed quickly, and I don't think either of us came close to solving the puzzle. We looked up in frustration and sighed. He looked at us with a smirk, and that ever present twinkle in his eye as though he always knew a secret. "Why didn't you ask me how to work it?" "I made the puzzle. I told you that you could ask me anything. Why didn't you ask me how to work it?" It was a powerful lesson in prayer. I hadn't thought about that day in many years before coming to my current job. I was sitting before the Lord one afternoon, completely frustrated and overwhelmed by the task before me. I cried out to him, whining really, "Lord, it's like a giant puzzle, and I don't know how the pieces fit!" In a flash, I was taken back to that day, sitting at that kitchen table, learning that God made the puzzle of life and that we are not just welcome, but invited, to ask Him for the solution.

Lessons In Faith

I've told you before that one day I will write a book called "These Prayers I've Prayed." It will be an account of the suprising and mysterious and infinitely faithful ways that God has answered prayer in my life.
Last night, the women who come to my home each week for Bible study decided to take a night off from our regular study in favor of spending time recounting God's faithfulness. We went through our group journal together to look at the prayer requests He's heard and answered during our 8 months together. We took turns sharing the verses He's been encouraging or challenging us with in our personal times with Him. And, we prayed with one another and for one another. It was refreshment like jumping into a swimming pool after mowing the yard in July!
There is an issue in my life that I've been praying through for a couple of weeks now. God's given me an incredible sense of peace about it, but rather than grab onto that peace and glide atop the stormy sea with my hand in His, I've chosen to doubt and be tossed about like a wave on the shore (James 1). Right before the girls arrived last night, I was fretfully telling a friend on the phone that I just didn't know what to do with myself anymore. I couldn't seem to pray in one direction on the issue, and I was somehow fearful of the peace God had provided, unwilling to believe it could really be that simple.
Enter share time.
Ginger says, Hebrews 11:6, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, but he who comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently."
Didn't I just teach on the shield of faith at that retreat a couple of weeks ago? What was it that I told those women? Oh yeah, faith is the only maneuverable portion of our godly armor. Our confident belief that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do is our defense against the enemy's flaming arrows. Whew! Wish someone had told me that! Oh wait ...
Erin shares. Romans 4:20-21 says this about Abraham, "Yet, he did not waver in unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do all that He had promised." Two years ago, right before things went completely dark in life for a season, a friend from one of my classes at seminary called me at home one night to share those verses with me. She said she was reading them and felt the strongest urge to share them with me, that God wanted me to hear them. I took them to heart and made Abraham's testimony the goal of my own life, especially when the lights went out. I didn't always do a great job, but a little more removed from that season, and I can see that God did indeed remain faithful even when I was faithless, and He has blessed every time I've chosen to believe Him and believe in His goodness over and above any evidence to the contrary. :-)
As I listened to more sharing, James 1:2-6 kept coming back to mind. "Consider it pure joys, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. But, if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault. But he who asks must believe and not doubt for he who doubts is like a wave on the shore, tossed to and fro by the wind." Woah. For years, I've practiced asking God for wisdom, but I've ignored the consequences of asking without believing. Storm tossed. That's a picturesque word, an accurate description of my state of mind when I let myself lose sight of God's constant faithfulness, that everything He does is for my good.
In closing, there are three more verses that I just have to share.
Luke 1:45 says, "Blessed is she who has believed what the Lord has promised will be accomplished in her."
Romans 8:32 says, "He who did not spare His own Son, but graciously gave Him up for us all -- will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"
I John 5:14-15 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God. We know that whatever we ask according to His will, He hears us. And, if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have whatever we have asked of Him according to His will."
So, what's the point? Just this. Pray boldly, with utter confidence that a loving God is listening, and desires to graciously give to you all the good things stored in His heart for those who are His own.

Answering the Question: Did God Create Sin

Answering the Question: Did God Create Sin?

Nothing like receiving an email from an honest inquirer wanting to know how to answer the question “Did God create sin?” first thing in the morning. I’ll tell you what I think first, based on my initial reaction and what I’ve had time to read up on this morning, and I’ll close by sharing what I found to be a helpful anecdote.

I’ve never been very good at articulating philosophical arguments, and therefore, strongly disliked the semester I spent in Philosophy of Religion class and frequently avoid philosophical discussions. However, I recognize that running from a discussion is not always the most God honoring response. When I first read the question this morning, I immediately thought, “Well, no, of course He didn’t create sin!” but, how am I going to prove it? Sin is very much a fact of this life. And, over and over again I’ve given God the credit for creating all things, sustaining all things, being sovereign over all things. So, did He in fact, create and sustain sin? No, He did not. God didn’t create sin. God created man. God created man in His image, but He gave man choices. God did not create sin, but He did allow for disobedience. God set up a standard of holiness by giving man the Law, but He did not create the transgression of that Law or the disobedience that brought it about.

It is extremely important to remember that all that God created in the Garden of Eden was good. Even Satan was created as Lucifer, an angel of light in heaven.

Here’s how another put it …

A college professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians often berated Christians for their belief in God mocking any statements of faith.
At the beginning of one semester, he asked if there were any professed Christians present. The first young man to raise his hand in response to his challenge was asked by the professor, "Did God make everything?"
"Yes he did, sir," the young man replied.
The professor responded, "If God made everything, then God made evil, and if we can only create from within ourselves, then God is evil."
The student didn't have a response and the professor was happy to have once again proved the Christian faith to be a myth. Another student raised his hand and asked the Professor , "May I ask a question sir?"
"Yes you may," nodded the professor. The young man stood up and asked, "Sir, is there such thing as cold?"
"Of course there is, what kind of a question is that? Haven't you ever been cold?"
The young man replied, "Actually, sir, cold does not exist. What we consider to be cold, is really only the absence of heat. Absolute zero is when there is absolutely no heat, but cold does not really exist. We have only created that term to describe how we feel when heat is not there."
The young man continued, "Sir, is there such thing as dark?" Once again, the professor responded "Of course there is."
Once again, the student replied "Actually, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is really only the absence of light. Darkness is only a term man developed to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally, the young man asked, "Sir, is there such thing as evil?" The professor responded, "Of course. We have rapes, and murders and violence everywhere in the world, those things are evil."
The student replied, "Actually, sir, evil does not exist. Evil is simply the absence of God. Evil is a term man developed to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. It isn't like truth, or love, which exist as virtues like heat and light. Evil is simply the state where God is not present, like cold without heat or darkness without light."

When Praises Overflow

This week is shaping up to be one of the busier weeks of my life. I began it yesterday with much fear and trepidation. However, yesterday afternoon, when a friend asked how I was coping so far, I stopped to take stock and give an honest answer. That's when I first noticed it. There was a strange feeling welling up inside of me that I did not recognize because it was the last thing I expected this week. It took me a minute to label it, but sure it enough, there it was. Hope. In the midst of all that was swiring around me, I had this unwaivering confidence that this week would provide innumerable opportunities for my loving heavenly Father to show me His uncompromising faithfulness. I don't know how or when He'll show up in the midst of my chaos but I am utterly certain He'll be there with a calming peace that passes all understanding.
This afternoon, I am listening to a mix of my favorite worship songs, including one with a line that never seems to be far from my lips. "I am empty, but you are holy. Come and fill this place with who you are ..."

Dinner With Uncle Butch

Uncle Butch is the family member I wish you knew. Right after my Great Grandmother's 97 year old sister, Aunt Bea, he is by far the most interesting, entertaining member of my family. As we say around here, "He's got a heart big as Texas," ... and a mouth to match! Butch's visits are never dull, and tonight was no exception. He called last night, told us he'd made reservations at a local five star steak house, said he'd be here by five and to look pretty. We had about an hour to sit and visit with him before time to go to the restaurant, and, of course, the entire dining experience. Some of the things he said, I shouldn't repeat, especially in print, but I have decided to share a few of my new favorite quotes from Uncle Butch. First of all, he has a new found love for sarcastic t-shirts, and has purchased several recently. (He's very proud of his 10 for $100 bargain!) His personal favorites include sayings such as, "My anger management classes piss me off," and "I'll try to act nicer if you'll try to act smarter." He's also got one that reads, "I see dumb people." When discussing various subjects over dinner, if a subject came up he was unfamiliar with, he'd smile across the table and say, "I don't know much about it, but I've got an opinion on it." When discussing his current work situation and his relationships with coworkers, he claims to have to the men around him repeatedly, "don't mistake this smile for weakness." When the discussion turned to politics, he set his utensils down and declared, "I don't vote anymore ... it only encourages them." As we stood outside my grandmother's apartment to send him off, he demonstrated his personal diesel tank in the back of his truck with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth the entire time. Uncle Butch is known to be quite the health nut, so when asked about his cigarette, he declared, "these are all natural. I smoke them to fight cancer." What are you gonna do with him but sigh. My favorite line of the night came up numerous times, whether discussing policits, gun control, holidays, or the "coming revolution." Butch would look over at me and say, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they ain't coming for you." oh! I did have one other favorite moment of the evening. Uncle Butch was telling us a story about some difficult tenants he had in one of his rental properties and how they'd had a disagreement that escalated until they called the police on him. My mom looked at her big brother and said, "Butch, just how many times have you had the cops called on you?" He grinned sweetly at her with a knowing look and said, "a few." Not to be out done, my dad got a good line in tonight, too. When Uncle Butch excused himself from the table toward the end of our meal after a lively discussion about politics, Daddy looked at the rest of us and said, "He ought to be on talk radio. He's radio gold!" As we left the restaurant, the young man who had been one of our servers wished us a Happy Easter, at which point Butch stated, "Don't worry with going to church tomorrow, son, He rose this afternoon," reflecting his opinion about the historical interpretation of scripture. I didn't care to learn more about Uncle Butch's view, but I did my best to catch the eye of the bewildered young man and smile and return his wishes for a Happy Easter. Oh Butch!

Maybe You Need This Today ... I Did

I see a mountain, You see a miracle
I see a wasteland, You see a garden
I see dry bones, You see an army
I see the impossible, You see everything

I see a seed, You see a harvest
I see the water, You see the wine
I see the broken, You see Your body
I see my enemy, You see Your footstool

You are, I am
But I've been so blind, all this time
My God, touch me
I want to see the way that You see

I see my sins, You see Your blood
I see a baby, You see my Saviour
I see my failures, You see redemption
I see a beggar, You see a son

I see a problem, You see a provision
I see a circus, You see an opportunity
I see the image, You see the heart
I see opposition, You see someone to love

I see the weary, You see the warriors
I see the restless, You see their peace
I see the doubting, You see their faith
I see the weak, You see their strength

I see my Father, You see Your daughter
I see my Shepherd, You see Your Lamb
I see my Saviour, You see Your joy
I see Your eyes, staring into mine

You are, I am
But I've been so blind, all this time
My God, touch me
I want to see the way that You see

Jonathan Helser