Everyone Poops

Yesterday a new metaphor occurred to me about how to explain spiritual salvation in Christ. I believe the Holy Spirit reveals these things to us in order that we might share them with others. After all, "[t]he Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent." 2 Peter 3:9

The idea of pooping is pretty universal and well understood. Stuff goes in, stuff comes out. Though I am not knowledgeable about every culture in the world, I think it is safe to presume that we all have our own systems to dispose of poop. It is unpleasant, but it just keeps coming. You could compare poop to sin. Sin in its simplest terms is when we turn from God. It can take many, many forms and we all do it. "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." Romans 3:23

Here in America we flush our poop down the toilet. We usually do not have to think about it again, though there are those rare occasions when the toilet stops up and we have to get our hands dirty. We treat sin in much the same manner. We do the deed and mentally dispose of it thinking we will not have to deal with it again. Sometimes we do have to face consequences for our actions, but not always.

The scary part is that is not the end of the story. Imagine that at the end of your life you come face to face with an enormous pile of poop (aka sin). You realize that this is all the poop you have ever created from the day you were born. The gatekeeper of Paradise firmly tells you that if you want to enter you must first EAT ALL YOUR POOP. Not a pretty picture, and not anything any of us would be willing or able to do (bet you can't even keep down one bite). Suddenly someone taps you on the shoulder. He says, "I would have been glad to eat your poop for you, so you could go into Paradise. I tried to let you know in so many ways, but you never took me seriously. Now you will spend eternity in a futile attempt to eat your poop and you will never enter Paradise."

THIS IS WHAT CHRIST DOES FOR US. He looks at all the sin (aka poop) in our lives and says, "If you will let me, I will be glad to take care of that for you."

"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.'" Romans 10:9-11

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Christ makes the offer and we have the choice to accept or decline (beware, there is no option for maybe, ignoring is declining!). Eternal death is spent in torture forever separated from God. Eternal life is spent in Paradise forever in the presence of God. Next time you hit the toilet, consider taking a bite and decide whether or not you need Christ.

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." Ephesians 3:20

Taking care of your sin is only the beginning of what Christ wants to do for you! Just say "YES!"

Hillsong Live - You Hold Me Now

This is the song I referred to in my previous post.

Postcards from Heaven

My Mom "left for Heaven" a little over a year ago. I miss her all the time, though most of the time it does not make me too emotional - my faith, the faith she introduced to me, has been a strong foundation during this journey. Lately it seems I have been much more emotional about missing her.

Sunday mornings at our church many of the songs we sing attempt to describe Heaven. I am sure it is actually too marvelous for words, but when I sing of Heaven I always think of Mom and picture her in that place. Last week as I sang those words it felt like such a clear message from above, like a postcard describing a picture of Paradise. I can almost imagine getting that postcard in the mail with a short message..."Can't wait for you to join us! Love, Jesus."

adoption 2

I just finished reading "Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches." Russell Moore, the author, does a beautiful job of explaining how adopting children into your family is a precious picture of our adoption into the family of God, through Jesus Christ. I want to encourage every family, who places their hope in Jesus Christ, to read this, even if you think that adoption is not in your future. While there are countless points that Moore makes, that I would like to discuss, I will simply relay to you a sweet morsel from this book, in hopes that it would soften your heart to consider adoption for your family, and to consider supporting other families who have made the decision to adopt.

"I pray that you will grow in wonder that you were a cosmic orphan, and now you're the beloved son of the Father, an heir of everything you can see and of things so glorious they'd burn your corneas to powder if you looked at them now. I pray also that you will picture that gospel and that you'll join in this mission of representing Christ to the fatherless among us. Maybe there are abandoned children languishing right now in cribs somewhere who will be blowing out birthday candles with their new families this time next year because of your witness, your money, or your encouragement. Maybe they'll be yours. I don't know. Like I say, I don't know you. But maybe your waiting for the sound of footsteps too."

Adopted for Life p. 217

adoption

I'm going to post about this when I'm finished reading it. But for now, I wanted to share it with you so that you can start thinking about reading it :)

The gift of marriage

Today was a beautiful day! God has turned mourning into rejoicing and made two families into one! What really moved me as I witnessed my Dad and Lisa give their vows is that I know they both really understand what it means to commit "for better or worse, in sickness and in health...." My prayer is that as our family grows God will continue to mold us into His image and use our lives for His glory!

Undeserving

Recently I had the opportunity to share some food with someone sitting on the side of the road. I pulled up to a stop light where they were sitting and had a decision to make. I did not notice any sign asking for work, money or food, and they did not even fit the stereotypical appearance of a person in need. But I had a fresh orange sitting in the car next to me and decided it might brighten their day. Doing good for others is not about how much you have to give or even whether they deserve it, but it's about how willing you are to give up what you have. I am always the most grateful when I receive kindness that I know I do not deserve, and the smallest gifts can often have the most meaning, especially when you know they are given sacrificially. The next time you get the opportunity, may you give joyfully - it can change the world.