December 6th, 2009 — 5:22pm
If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD–and he will repay you!
Proverbs 19:17
When I first read this verse I immediately thought, “Money. God wants me to give money to poor people.” After a little more ‘marinating’, if you will, I realized that people (especially Americans) are often poor in many things that have nothing to do with finances.
We’re poor in the area of love. Forgiveness. Community. Understanding. Fellowship. Communication. Affection.
The list really can go on forever.
So many times in relationships we hold back some part of ourselves because we’re afraid that the favor won’t be returned. He doesn’t take you on a date night because he doesn’t trust he’ll get that hug he desperately needs. She won’t forgive you for the affair because she doesn’t trust you won’t do it again.
No one wants to go first because we’re sure we’ll get screwed and left holding the bill. The thing is that God wants to see us bountiful in areas like love and compassion and forgiveness. When we’re able to extend a portion of who he is to others, especially our spouses, he is eager to repay you.
Go ahead and “go first”. It’ll be ok.
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November 29th, 2009 — 5:47am
Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Proverbs 25:28
We understand the danger that comes with living in a country that is not able to defend itself. As Americans, most of us have no real experience with this reality, but we can imagine the fear that must exist when another country invades and begins attacking.
We definitely understand this concept when it comes to our homes. We know not to let just anyone in. To lock our doors at night. We treasure the safety that comes from walls that are intact.
This proverb is an important reminder that our emotional boundaries are just as important as our physical ones. We allow our peace of mind to be robbed when we do not have the proper walls in place. One important boundary is between ourselves and others, being sure that we’re being true to who we are and not being crushed by the opinions and desires of those around us. Another important boundary is between our thoughts, actions and feelings. It is easy to hand off responsibility for our actions with the excuse that it felt like the right thing to do at the time. Knowing and owning that sometimes blurry line between our feelings and actions is empowerment at its core.
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October 25th, 2009 — 7:40pm
The Bible tells a wife to submit to her husband in 1 Peter 3. Coming from a generation that regularly celebrates Girl Power (thank you, Spice Girls) this is a hard bit of scripture to swallow.
I have questioned many Christian women about this, why on earth would a woman submit to a man. Why did God give us the crappy end of the marriage deal?
The wisest answer I ever received was from a high school English teacher. She reminded me about what else God says about marriage:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25)
“Whenever I meet a man who loves me like Christ,” she answered, “I’ll have no problem submitting to him.”
I can work with that answer.
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October 18th, 2009 — 9:30am
The Bible defines love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. I thought about adding more to it, but it’s pretty self-explanatory.
Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
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