Forgiven Much-Love Much

Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:44-50 ESV

 If you have been in church long, you have heard this passage before. The prideful pharisee, the sinful woman, and Jesus dealing with both of their hearts. But as I read this passage this morning, I am really struck by the glaring differences between the woman and the Pharisee. 

 

You see a few verses before in 7:30, Luke tells us that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him (John the Baptist).  Then a couple of verses down, we see Simon inviting Jesus into his home. 

 

Simon, a Pharisee, clearly didn't fully understand the depth of his sin (although it was great indeed!), but this woman, knew the depths of hers!

 

 She also knew that there was something about Jesus.   

Something about Jesus that made her want to risk complete humiliation.  

Something about Jesus, that was worthy of her praise, and her oil.   

Something about Jesus that evoked tears of sorrow, repentance, and maybe some joy.  

This lady knew that there was something about Jesus, but Simon completely missed it. 

As a result of this woman's faith, Jesus forgives her sins....and she loves much. But not Simon. He questions Jesus as a prophet, and puts him to the test. Sort of!  See Simon is quite the coward in comparison to this woman. He doubts Jesus, but only in His mind.  Unfortunately for him, Jesus knew that. Unfortunately for him, he was not forgiven in the same way this woman was (at least not in this passage).  Unfortunately for him, he didn't experience that love that flows freely from an understanding of forgiveness.

I think it is great to talk about grace. I think it is great to talk about love. But unless we deal with just how hideous our sin is, grace means very little, and love is just some feeling that we chase after.

Whether you lived a life of blatant and obvious sin, or a life that looked good on the outside, while pride, idolatry or self loathing seeped down deep in your heart, before Christ you were nothing more than a complete, hopeless, evil sinner! And neither was I.  However, in Christ, we are no longer that person, only because of His great grace.

Grace is so much more than God saying you don't have to try so hard to please me. Grace is knowing that our sin, be it small or huge, was leading us straight to an eternity in hell.

But in Christ, that sin has been forgiven, and we no longer have to fear the wrath of God.  We can walk as His children, and live a life that pleases Him.   

Because of that...I can love Him, and love others!  
In my life, much has been forgiven, and my prayer is that I would respond to that forgiveness with much love!

Some Pictures

This weekend was a busy, warm one! 

The girls slept at their friend's house, and then hung out for her birthday party! 

Here are some pics!

Maya won this jar of eggs, for guessing how many were in there!

Maya and Hillary

Pre-teen pout-check! Grown-up earings-check! Look of death because her mom wants to take a picture-check!

After church on Sunday the girls were bored and hot, so we broke out the sprinkler for a little water fun!

 Then, we played a few round of dominoes and called it a night!

On Prayer and Forgiveness

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.

“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.

“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Luke 6:20-31

This was the portion of scripture I read this morning. There are so many things here that I am thinking about and praying through today, but as I was reading, one thing stuck out:  

"bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you".  

I can tell you that there is one person in my life, who would fall into this category in some ways. They should have been an awesome role model and example for me, but they were anything but.  Over the years, I have really struggled with this person, and their role in my life. I was never beaten or molested, but certainly feel like I have endured years of abuse at this person's hand, some of which has been due to my faith.  

While reading this passage this morning, God revealed to me, just how "poor" in spirit I am. I think that sometimes I don't want this person to be forgiven, I don't want them to get anything good (like salvation). I want them to live in the middle of the mess they have made. I don't think they really deserve salvation, grace, or love. 

But God revealed to me the sinfulness of my heart regarding these thoughts. 

I didn't deserve any of that either.  

In fact, I was pretty awful before Christ! I can truly speak to the truth that all that is good in me is Christ working through the Spirit.  

So, ultimately, this person does not deserve salvation. She does not deserve any grace, and deserves to live in the mess she has created. But God, gives grace to the undeserving, and life to the dead. He heals the broken, and changes hearts in ways that our tiny little minds could never have imagined. 

This morning, I confessed my sin of bitterness, and unforgiveness towards this person, and began praying that God would work in their life. That He would bring about the miraculous change that only He can. That He would save, heal, and guide this person. I prayed that He would help me to be mindful of ways to bless, and keep me focused in prayer, and that when those roots of bitterness try to dig down deeper, that He would keep them from finding a home in my heart.

There is SOOOOO much more in this passage, but this is where God had me camp out for a little bit today! I love how He uses His word, and His Spirit to bring to light things that I never would have even begun to think about! Thankful for this time with Him this morning!

Big Tasks

I would not say that I am a behind the scenes type of person. I grew up as an only child (for 13 years) and enjoyed the spotlight a whole lot!  Shy would definitely not be a word people would use to describe me. Speaking in front of hundreds of people doesn't scare me.  In fact, I  kind of like that sort of thing. I secretly wish that I had jobs like Ryan Seacrest (I guess that isn't secretly in my head, huh?). I am a Sanguin at heart, and an extrovert to the core. I love to be right in the middle of where all the action is.  The sinful pride that has such a firm foundation in my heart, loves to grab all of the glory that comes from those things. In fact, I spent much of my Christian life trying to do big showy things for God, mostly so others would notice.

But lately, I have felt sort of invisible. Because of the season of life I am in, and the ministry that God has called me to, I am not really front and center any more. I am seeing Him do some amazing things through me, but they are happening quietly, without much notice (except for in the lives God is working in of course!).  However, I can honestly say that this season of my life, is by far the most free I have ever been. And while I feel like my work is small right now, I know that it is what God has for me to do. I know that because He is bearing fruit, and He is being glorified. No one is lauding me with praise, but a few are lauding Him with praise. 

However, at my core, I can't help but feel like I am not doing anything important. Satan is working with my flesh to tell me that I am not very special, or gifted.  I am not speaking to large crowds, I am not saving the world from Aids, I am not writing books, or sharing the gospel with hundreds of people. Heck, I am barely getting dinner on the table!!!

Then He reminds me

• That I have been praying for a humble spirit, and He is answering. 
• I have prayed that He would use me according to His plans, for His glory, and He has. 
• I have asked that He teach me to follow His lead, and help me to abide in Him. He is teaching me. 
• I have asked that He would increase and that I would increase. I believe that is happening. 
• I have asked Him to remind me that my worth is not in my accomplishments, but in His Son, and remind me He does. 

As I was thinking through these things I remembered the words shared at a recent bible study:

• Little character + Little spiritual depth = Little assignments 

• My job is not to bear fruit, or make things happen, but to be sharp and ready for when He calls me to something, whether it be big or small!

I believe that in this season of my life is one where God is growing me in both Character and spiritual depth.  I am so controlled by pride and insecurity,  and He is dealing with that.  He is rebuilding some of what was lost or never built during my childhood, and tearing down idols so that spiritual depth has room to take root in my life. 

My job at this time is simply to seek Him.  To allow His word, by His Spirit to sharpen me, so that I am ready for whatever He wants to do through me. My prayer is that He would give me His perspective on the works that He has set aside for me to do, and that I would do them with a deep desire out of His love.  Maybe one day there will be some "big tasks" or maybe there won't be. My prayer is that my focus would not be on those tasks but on bringing Him glory and enjoying Him forever!

Teaching the To See-A Life That Pleases God

I am guest posting over at Mod Squad today...here is a little teaser!

I recently went through a Bible study at church, where we looked at the difference between a life that is lived to please God and a life that is lived to please people.  As I thought through this and it's implications for my own life, I realized that this is something I desperately need to pray my girls would understand at an early age.

As women it is easy to fall into Satan's snare of doing whatever it takes to ensure everyone is happy with us.  We do what we think others want us to do so that we feel worthy, important, competent, and talented.  However, a life focused on pleasing people will run you down, and distort your reality.

Check the rest out over here!

My singing show obsession....continued!

So, I have spoken about my love for singing shows before.  

Well...this season is a biggie, with both the Voice and American Idol going on at the same time!   

So, here are my thoughts about these very important issues.....in case you were wondering :)

The Voice is by far my favorite singing show these days!  First, I really love Adam Levine! And even more than just Adam, I love him and Blake together.  They are really funny, and I love the chemistry between them and the other judges.  I also love the whole blind audition thing, and love that they actually get mentored by these awesome stars from beginning to end.  It is the perfect balance of celebrity and singing show! (wow, that is a lot of loves in just a few sentences. Sorry English teachers!)

Obviously I think team Adam is the best (he really is the smartest out of all of those judges!) but here are my picks and some of their  performances.

Orlando Piper

Tony Lucca

Nicole Galyon
(I have to go on record and say that this was not the best vocal performance, but I do think she will be amazing, and love that her little brother is crying, so sweet!



Charlotte Sometimes
She has such a cool voice...and a cool name too!

Before I let you know how I feel about American Idol this year, I think I need to state that there are  few people I know who love the show as much as I do. I have every album made by Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Cook, and Daughtry (I mean, those are really the only ones who count!).  I also have tons of random performances on my ipod (Heartless by Kris Allen, Candle in the Wind by Lauren Alaina, Renegade by Chris Daughtry, Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Katherine McPhee and a bazillion more), that I have bought right after they are sung.  I absolutely loved Simon, and am actually getting behind Steven and JLo after last season. Plus, let us not forget, that I luuuuuve me some Ryan.... since I totally want to be him (not seriously, well, maybe I am a little serious). With all of this in mind, you would think that I would be pretty pumped for AI this year.

Well.... I am not!

I am actually kind of bored by it! The judges just aren't what they used to be.  The singers are good, but they aren't amazing. And who is this Jimmy guy?  I mean, I know who he is in all of his record company big whig glory, but why is he saying stuff about the singers?  And why are they all so boring?  There weren't even any performances I wanted to post.  No one amazed me like Carrie, or Katherine, or David Cook.  No one sings like Pia, or rocks like Chris Daughtry.  And none of those judges tell it like is, like Simon did.  Why not let Jimmy be a judge? He seems to feel complete freedom to say what is on his mind anyway, I'm just sayin'!

Uhhh......I really want to still love Idol.  What is a girl to do?

Well...I guess picking favorites is a good place to start. Keeping in mind that I don't luuuuuve any of these, I do think that maybe my love could grow for:

Colton Dixon

He has potential to be original

(especially since his auditions song was an impromptu version of Permanent by David Cook).

 

Phil Phillips

I kind of like his style, and might buy a song or two from him this season.  

He seems like he has some potential to be original, yet normal too!

Skylar Laine

I do love me some country music...and this little lady has spunk!  

We will see if she can even come close to my girl Carrie 

(I call her my girl b/c we are bff's...at least in my mind we are)!

Elise Testone

I do like her raspy voice, and think she might really grow on me.  

I loved Brooke White's singer songwriter vibe, and Elise has that, 

along with a really powerful voice. 

We will see if she starts to amaze me!

In other singing show related news....Carrie Underwood has a new single out, Good Girl.
(in case you live under a rock) that is number one already!

It is really good, so check it out!

Living in the middle

We have been pretty busy around here, and there is a lot God is doing under the surface in our lives. 

Tons of good stuff, but tons of hard stuff too.

I am learning what it means to live in process.  I know that sounds a little cliche, but I have honestly spent most of my life trying to just get out of the process.

But....

God has seen fit to allow all of us to live in this middle ground of saved, but not yet completely sanctified. 

Well. 

I don't do gray areas well. 

I don't do waiting well.

I don't do digging deep and processing well.

I hurry things.

I stuff things.

I ignore things. 

But God.....

Has asked me to stop, slow down, and enjoy this time I have with Him during this process.

To let Him dig, tear open, and slowly repair.

To let Him lead me as my Shepherd, and love me as my Father.

So, I am asking Him to work that in me...cause ain't nothing in me that wants to live there.

In that place.

That middle ground.