Forgive the 3rd Grade English Lesson

Day 30: So what have we learned about People of the Resurrection?

Last night I had a dream, or maybe it was this morning,  I'm not sure. Anyway, I had a dream that I was in a college classroom and was about to walk out on the lecture when the professor asked a question using the word INTEGRAL. For some reason this question made me stop just outside the door. I came back into the room and taught the class about the word INTEGRAL. I professed about what it was like to be IN something. In this dream, I gave the example of when someone walks into a room and the feel of who you are shifts based on the culture of the room. "Like when you walk into a dance club, you physically, mentally, socially and emotionally shift to a light swagger. To be an integral part of something is to give in to that shift of that which surrounds you," as least that's what I said in my dream.

I thought about this all day and realized I may not actually know what the word integral means so I looked it up.   Definition of INTEGRAL - 1a) essential to completeness, 2) composed of constituent parts 3) lacking nothing essential. I guess I was pretty close.

I know it's dangerous to think that God may speak to us through some crazy dreams of ours, but I am pretty certain that this was a time God decided to speak to me. Interestingly enough, he gave me these words by using me in this dream as his voice. I have been wondering how to wrap up this 30 Day Blog and summarize the experience of intentionally living as People of the Resurrection. But starting with this dream, I think I've got it.  

Living as People of the Resurrection has everything to do with prepositions. A preposition is a word that indicates location:  In, Under, Over, Above, Around. All day prepositional phrases floated through my mind, starting with my dream and IN. Living as People of the Resurrection means you are IN the body of Christ, IN the Word of God and we are invited to ask for blessings and forgiveness IN His name.  

This 30 day journey has also reminded me that we are UNDER sin. To be "UNDER sin" means that it entraps us. It is a type of imprisonment. Before we became People of the Resurrection this emprisionment UNDER sin left us with little hope. But UNDER His protection and UNDER his wings we will find refuge (Psalm 91:4).  

People of the Resurrection live with the Lord OVER them. Not just as a sovereign and powerful God, but as a constant shelter from the chaos of the stormy world. When Christ is the Lord OVER your marriage, finances, family and friendships he will bless you abundantly. Let him guide you, and wrap himself AROUND you, so that you can experience an abundant life this side of eternity.  

So if God brought this dream to me last night, than I certainly have to say this . . . To live as People of the Resurrection you must strive to live an integral life with Him. He is essential to completeness. He is what completes all of your halfwitted parts. With Him IN your life you will lack nothing essential. So allow yourself to shift, to bend, to fall INTO this eternal dance with him. Give in to the shift of that which surrounds you.  

BTW: We only have two of the 5 crosses left that we started with, but it was never really about the cross in the pocket anyway, was it?

Even Mini-Golf?

Day 29: Mini Golf for People of the Resurrection

 

Some words are just so fun aren't they? Names too. I love to say the name Joshua, for example. Why would anyone say Josh, when Joshua is soooo fun! And when I learned how to pronounce Quinoa, I just about raced to the store to be able to tell people aloud that I bought Quinoa.

 

I learned a word about a year or more ago that is fun both literally and figuratively: Koinonia. It is a Greek word for fellowship. Koinonia is what we are engaged in when we sit with others over coffee (or diet coke). It is what we do when we gather on Sunday or Saturday or any other day we come to church to pray, praise and give thanks. Koinonia is our fellowship with each other and fellowship with our God.

 

Tonight Koinonia happened to take place at the local mini-golf course. In honor of Turn the TV Off Week, Tom and Jerry's mini-golf allowed SJL families to gather at no cost to play a couple rounds of this cutthroat sport. It was very sweet to see families playing together on this beautiful Spring night. The fellowship was great, with my kids, the other families, and God our Creator.

 

If you haven't played mini-golf lately you really must and as you do, think about this. . .  Each hole is laid out to make the best use of the space that is available. Each hole connects to the one that was before it and the hole that comes after it. Certainly, there are obstacles that hinder the objective of getting the ball into the hole. You are also limited in the tools that you can use to play the game. Instead of a whole bag of various sizes and shapes and weights, you get one club that may or may not vary in length. There are some places where the the ball may go and it becomes irretrievable: The pond is one example. There are also a number of places that your ball will go that simply require you to try again and again. People will join you on this journey and they may see things that will help them along the way but they will, in large part, experience similar struggles and obstacles.  There is fun to be had at every stop.

 

Now God probably didn't have mini-golf in mind when creating this world, but I'd be willing to bet that we created this 'sport' based off of the journey of this life. We are designed to live to the fullest based on the opportunities we are given. We are all connected to each other and to our creator. We have obstacles. We are limited in what we can do on our own. There are traps in this life that may be eternal in nature but for the most part we must try again, invite others on our journey and enjoy each moment for the blessings it holds.

It's Not a Self-Help Manual

Day 28: The Manual of the People of the Resurrection

 

I am pretty stubborn and prideful a lot of the time, but one thing that I WILL do is refer to the directions as I start anything new. I see it as a time saver. I'd much rather spend 5 minutes glancing through the directions than even one minute of fumbling like a lost goober. Part of this is also sinful, I have hint of vanity for at least looking like I know what I'm doing (regardless of if I do or not).

 

My ladies and I are wading through Romans now on Thursday mornings and one question in our study this week struck me as interesting. (I know, it was actually two days before Thursday and I was already completing the homework. . .WOW). It says, "Christians are ENTRUSTED with the 'very words of God.'" How honorable that we are to be ENTRUSTED with his Word. Especially if you think of God and the Word being one and the same. AWESOMLELLULIA!

 

Next the study asks the question, "What value and effort does God's Word have in your life?" then it gives verses as thought starters. My responses varied from the Word as a set of directions, to its function of providing training and correction. I actually wrote, in ink, that it is like a "self-help" manual. The problem with writing in ink, is now that I think about that statement all I can do to get rid of it is scribble it out. But I will get rid of it. That is a WRONG ANSWER!

 

God's word is anything but a self-help manual. In fact, it is all about how we will never be able to provide self-help and all about how He already provided the help we need. He has redeemed us and made us whole. There IS direction for living as People of the Resurrection, but even that is only possible through Him. Old Testament or New Testament both are designed to point us to Christ, so that we may believe. It is not incomplete and it is not flawed by man. It is made perfect by a sovereign God.

 

So whether it's marriage, friendship, family, or food; the Bible will provide guidance and He will provide direction that is as far away from my own ability as a manual could possibly be.

Dance of the Itchy Wound

Day 27: Healing Post-Resurrection

Asa just came to the living room, tears streaming down his face and doing the most remarkable dance claiming his elbow wounds were "Weally, Weally Itchy!" He wanted me to scratch all around his wounds. As I carefully provided some relief, I explained to him that this was part of the owies getting better. As the wound closes and the skin regrows and it can be a bit itchy. We take the bandage off to let the wound "breathe," the soft spots dry up and the whole thing creates an uncomfortable itchy sensation.

The last thing that I want to do when I have a wound (physical or emotional) is dredge the dang-blamed thing up and expose it. It's uncomfortable and often makes me want to scratch my eyes out. But like Asa's bandage, we have to take off the gauze and turn our wounds to the light. Christ is our disinfectant. He tells us to apply him into our life, especially the infected areas. He alone, will provide our healing.  Psalm 147:3 reads, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

More than likely, it's not going to be an instant relief. It could be . . . like the woman who drained the power out of Jesus and was instantly healed after touching him as he passed. But probably not. It's more likely that he will use this wound to bring you closer to him through the slow process of exposure, bandaging and healing. It's more likely that you are going to you your own little dance of the itchy wound. It's more likely that the wound is going to bubble like hydrogen peroxide before any relief will be had.

But the healing will come and some day there will be a scar that you will look back on with only the faintest memory of what enduring that pain was like. The scar will remind you that what you once thought was unbearable was turned over to someone who could bear it. It will remind you that your present darkness can also be turned over. It will remind you that he is strong enough to handle any future wound as well.

The one who died and rose and ascended into heaven will one day take all of these wounds and make something perfect from them.

I can't wait to be mature

Day 26: Unity Among People of the Resurrection

Um, correction Pastor Schultz, I can indeed get more done when I do it on my own. Let me back up a bit, this morning we discussed our role and responsibilities of being baptized into this life together. In Ephesians 4:1-3 Paul tells the Christians to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." It sounds great doesn't it? Blissful even. Well, we know that conflict happens when humans are involved and while the unity of the Spirit remains we often throw peace out the window. When summarizing one point Pastor Schultz repeated the phrase that "we can accomplish more together." I beg to differ.

Case Study A: Today I biked with Colby (9), Paige (8) and Asa (5) to Sheboygan Falls. (Can you believe I lured them 6 miles one-way with a promise of a .49 ice cream cone?) Anyway, Asa was slow. I mean really, really slow. His bike is tiny. He is only 5 years old. His brother wore him out the first 2 miles. It was really, really slow. We could have covered more miles much faster if we had just left him behind (at the house I mean).

Case Study B: Laundry is an endless chore in my house (I'm sure others can relate). Folding clothes is not a favorite task of mine, but I can do it, pretty fast too. The kids can also fold clothes. It takes them about 20 clumsy minutes to Big D's 5 by comparison.

Case Study C: Baking in our house can be fun, but usually takes place out of a functional necessity. I can whip up a batch of brownies or cookies in 10 minutes and bake them in 30-45 minutes. When I have "help" it takes an extra 20-30 minutes of mixing and another 30-45 minutes of cleanup afterward.

It's not just kids either. . .

Case Study D: I serve on a committee of adults who plan a conference each year. I dread the monthly meetings where we labor over decisions like what kind of cookies to choose and how many pizza's to order. Can't someone just do the math and make the phone call? Do we have to discuss this every year for a full hour?

That's not to say, however, that the point of the study was lost on me. We can make better decisions and strengthen relationships when we work together. I understand that unity is more than just accomplishing a series of tasks and projects. It is about the "walking together" as a synod. Ensuring that our eternal focus is pure and holy.

I especially appreciate that as we mature as Christians we avoid the tossing of the waves, the winds of cunning and crafty teaching and deceitful scheming. I can't wait to be mature. As I mature though I will depend on the grace that has been given to me, and will do my best to walk worthy of this calling. I will rely on his strength to work with others in humility, gentleness, patience, and love. I will count my blessings and learn to be unified with People of the Resurrection.

A Word of Caution in Choosing your Labels

Day 25: The Lens of People of the Resurrection

 

 

Are Christians Being Persecuted in America is the topic of a blog of one self-proclaimed Liberal Feminist Christian.This precedes her post about Christian Privilege. Both posts are thought provoking and would make great discussion topics. I do not subscribe to, nor endorse these thoughts but if you want to check it out here it is:  . . . Actually, you can google it if you'd like but I don't think I'll share the sight here, I read a few other posts that I REALLY don't agree with.

 

Learning how to be People of the Resurrection is challenging. When looking through the lens of the resurrection it makes me question myself and others more and have to admit frequently that I DON'T KNOW. I'm not brave enough to write about some pretty controversial and public topics out there, but I do want to write about the irony in claiming to be a Liberal Feminist Christian.

 

Depending on how one might define Liberal and Feminist, I'm sure that I was, might still be and probably could be either of these again. I worry about carrying either of these labels with me however because with these labels comes a pursuit to live up to them. I'm probably more liberal that my dearest, sweetest friends (with one dear sweet exception). However, I will add that I'm more conservative today than I ever thought I'd be and continue to more closely align with the values of other self-identifying Conservatives.

 

I'm sure that feminist could have described me with all clarity not that long ago. This was back a few years ago when, interestingly enough, not a whole lot was going right for me while using this defining phrase. Today, on the other hand, I think I appreciate and value both women and men more greatly. I cherish the differences the Creator selected for us. Equality is not the word I would use to define the relationship that I strive for between genders.

 

My point is this, if I define myself and strive to measure all things by anything other than God's Child, a Person of the Resurrection, a forgiven sinner-girl, than I am sure to get confused, lost and lured by Satan. A wise man once said all things must be equally yolked with The Word. If the weaker oxen (my life and witness) is not yolked with strongest of oxen (The Word) then what will pull me back path onto the right path when I become stubborn and go astray? That weaker oxen is always wanting to check out the heifer in the next field. 

 

So I will leave my liberal, feminist friends and acquaintances to define themselves by these things; and I will claim only to be a Christian. A Christian who is constantly seeking him and working to yolk my life with His Word.

Can't you hear it?

Day 24: People of the Resurrection

Instead of talking about going for a walk today, for the third day in a row, I tied up my new laces and started off. Most of the time when I walk I enjoy the sounds of our country road, but today I stuffed ear buds in my ears and tuned in to Pandora's Contemporary Christian station. I knew it would be a great walk when Toby Mac started me off.

As I gained momentum I couldn't help but get caught up in the lyrical praise. I found myself bellowing out despite myself. Zeke gave me a look once or twice, but no one else seemed to be around. I wondered what I'd do if I did see someone. I took the music out once and testing my volume replaced them again. It was then that it really sunk in. . . "No one can hear this." Only I could hear these powerful ballads of praise and thanksgiving. I can hear the joy of the healed and the hope of the saved. When I am listening I can feel the power of a Sovereign God. If anyone see's me now I will shout the questions, "Can't you hear it? Can't you feel it?" But not everyone can.

And even if they do hear they will not understand; even if they look they would not see (Matt 13:30). What would I know or see if I hadn't been taught? Where would I be if no one ever held the 'ear buds' up to my ears and cranked the music loudly? And if God never gave the gift of his Holy Spirit? Well in the words of Toby Mac, "I'd be packing my bags when I need to stay, I'd be chasing every breeze that blows my way, I'd be building my kingdom just to watch it fade away. That's me without you."

Thank God the ear buds are in and the battery is charged and the station is free. Thank God for making us People of the Resurrection.