I don't WANT a mansion...

Luxembourg mansion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, I know that some people need material promises in order to look forward to eternity in Heaven. I don't UNDERSTAND that need, but I know it exists because everywhere I turn there is a sermon about the mansions we will each be given and the glorified bodies that will get to inhabit them. For those looking for the Biblical references:

John 14:2 (KJV)

 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.

 But here's the thing: I don't want a mansion. I am not dedicating my life, and all that it encompasses, to the potential material gain that comes with Christ. If I were to do so, then I would be serving Him with my own interests in mind, wouldn't I? And that would make my life on earth ME-centered...anyone see why that might be a problem? 

I have seen so many pastors who, attempt to "sell" our faith to non-believers by promising prosperity in the secular sense of the term. "Commit to Jesus, and He will give you everything you desire," they say. "When you die, you will spend an eternity in Heaven with your loved ones in glorified bodies, each with your own mansion," they proclaim. The good news: you tell people they're going to have everything they want, perfect bodies, and a big house to call their own, they will more than likely "sign up" that very day. The bad news: you will have a church full of people who believe that the reason to serve God is so that He can "pay" us for our actions. 

WRONG!!!!!!!!

A Christ-like love can NEVER be self-centered.

Jesus was brutalized, ridiculed, and violently murdered for the very people that spit in his Father's eye. He died for sinners - and there is not a sin-free human, other than Christ, that has EVER walked the Earth - so that we might not face the eternal flames of Hell. He CHOSE to accept His place as a living sacrifice...and there is NOTHING self-centered about that. 

Our service for the King should not be based on what we think we are going to get out of it. Our desire to live to serve Him comes from the journey of getting to know Him and growing to love Him. Loving Him, and in completely humble gratitude, we long to serve Him. And we serve Him by serving those around us with His love and an honest approach to a faith-based life. 

You know, I've said that I don't want my mansion, but I haven't yet explained why.

There are two reasons, really. 

First, I don't like large rambling homes full of "stuff" but devoid of community and fellowship. Even in this life, I would turn down a large home if it meant I had to wander its halls alone. I love having our family all piled together in a small apartment because, at any given moment, I can share life with someone. God has developed this desire in my heart since I moved away from home over a decade ago. I was fortunate to grow up in a great neighborhood with parents who provided every physical need. But we had a huge house. I spent most of my time isolated, thinking dire, lonely thoughts, and wishing I had a sister or a brother to talk to. When Randy and I got married and chose our first home, I think other people would have thought it too small for a growing family. But I loved that house. It was cozy, in the best sense of the word. Yep, I think I'm just a "small house with lots of people" kind of gal.

 

Ethiopia: Innocent Prayers of a Young Child (Photo credit: babasteve)

Second, the highlight of Heaven, for me, is the opportunity to worship at the feet of the Father with all of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I don't need a mansion for that. I don't even need a prayer mat. I DO need knees, so the "glorified bodies" bit makes sense there. But I don't want to spend a minute away from the God who gave it all for someone who was as lost and hard-hearted as me. And a mansion...well, that just takes me away from the throne room and the God who deserves every millisecond of my eternity in worship. 

Jesus on the wall of the senior Home (Photo credit: freestone)

If you call yourself a Believer, a Follower, A Christian...make sure you understand WHY you believe, WHY you follow, and WHY you claim His name over your life. Sometime it's painful to realize that you're only in it for what you'll eventually get out of it. But being honest with yourself is the first step in regaining the Christ-centered mindset. The second step? Pray that He will reveal His purpose for your life and His plan for your future. Pray that you will come to know Him more deeply, grow to love Him more passionately, and live to serve Him simply for the joy that it brings to His heart. He can and will get you back on track. Just ask.

I didn't think I'd write this...

Honestly, I thought my next blog would be all about my physical transformation. I thought, for sure, that I would sit here and tell you all about how, because of a few simple (and not-so-simple) lifestyle changes, I've been able to take back the temple God gave me from the bondage of poor health/laziness. But I can't talk about that right now.

You see, dear friends, the same heart that is strengthened by Cardio and "clean" eating is being torn apart by all of the hate and crankiness being spewed out from the mouths of people on ALL sides of the "faith" issue. I am watching my beloved church being torn apart from within and attacked from without because of a few linguistic mishaps and misinterpretations and our human desire to trust in our own understanding despite God's very clear denouncement of just such behavior (Proverbs 3:5).

Truett Cathy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I have sat and watched Facebook and Twitter turn into a writhing pit of vipers over the recent stand taken by Chick-Fil-A's founder, Mr. Cathy, with BOTH sides (or many sides, in this case) calling for blood. The man simply, and very respectfully, stated the values that he founded HIS business on, and the whole world decided that this one decision was important enough to cause mass upheaval.  Really?

*One of my atheist friends posted "...this just goes to show that all Christians are bigots." Does anyone else see what's wrong this that statement?

*A CHRISTIAN friend, who claims to know the love and forgiveness of her Savior, used this situation to announce that she would support CFA because she doesn't want the "gays to take over society." First, that has NOTHING to do with what Mr. Cathy said. Second, I had to snort at the ignorance she displayed on a public page...then I realized that my atheist friend, mentioned above, would probably feel that this sister's publicly spoken sentiment validated the atheist bigotry towards us bigotted Christians.

Do you know what my gay friends (Yes, I have them...God taught me to love and that is what I do. Don't like it, don't read my blog.) had to say? Not a word. Do you know why? Because they were mature enough to decide - without making it a public matter - whether or not they wanted to continue patronage at CFA. Many chose not to support the restaurant, and honestly, that is their right. They took a stand too...but they did it without the melodrama.

Folks, if you don't like the way a business is run, don't spend your money there. Please stop trying to force everyone else to think/shop/live exactly as you do, because that is the quickest way to magnify a molehill and take your eyes off the volcano right in front of you.

 Oh, and please stop throwing out the "hate group" accusations. A group that disagrees with your opinion, lifestyle, or preferences is NOT a hate group; it is simply a group that disagrees with you. IF the group crosses the line into violence or threats, THEN it qualifies as a "hate" group because, and I know this is hard to really grasp, they are displaying "hatred." There ARE groups that call themselves Christian and act as hate groups. Bad news for them: Christ NEVER advocated hate of flesh and blood. He called us to LOVE our neighbors...not beat them into submission. There are also many other groups that advocate violence and threats to further their cause.

KKK = Hate Group (violence, threats, etc.)

 ACLJ = Group with Opinions Other than the Norm (NOT violent, NOT a Hate Group)

American Center for Law & Justice (Photo credit: Wikipedia

But a man who stands up and says that he does not support gay marriage is not a "hater." He's simply a man who has decided where to draw his line. And because he happens to own a business that he founded on those principles, that business has drawn the same line. Again, if that offends you, you absolutely should not spend a single penny in that establishment. BUT, you being offended does not justify throwing around the "hate" word and having a nationally publicized hissy fit. There are much bigger issues out there than whether or not CFA supports homosexual unions. Seriously.


With all of the anger and bickering going on, the entire country has turned away from the real issues plaguing society: poverty, hunger, unemployment, child abuse, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, domestic violence, rising suicide rates, CANCER...the list goes on and on. If you are going to pull out your soapbox and make a public service announcement, why not make it about something important to more than just you? Why not be about positive change, rather than about demoralizing and degrading the "other?" (That goes for ALL sides of this particular argument!)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, your children are running astray. We want so much to do and say what's "right," but we fail to base our concept of "right" on your Word and your example. Instead we scream out war cries You did not author and fight battles unsponsored by Your will. I believe that, for many, we are not trying to rebel against you, but in our fervor for righteousness, we have set our aim based on our limited sightline rather than by your all encompassing gaze. Help us, Father. Speak into our hearts and soften edges that have gotten too sharp; humble us where pride has run rampant. Remind us of your amazing grace. We love you. We long to serve you. We live to share you will all who have ears to hear. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen. 

A Slightly Skewed Viewpoint

Image via Wikipedia

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12

When the news, media, and extremists continue to spew forth lies and reactionary hatred against the Muslim world, is it any surprise that so many Americans see a veil or a turban as a threat to their life and liberty? The world is beginning to choose sides with an "us versus them" mentality, and Christianity seems to be participating enthusiastically in the division. The only problem is that the Bible stands in direct conflict with these divisive maneuvers and strictly forbids the hatred that lives subversively within them.



Image by Magharebia via FlickrImage by antonioperezrio.com via FlickrThe non-Arab world's anger would have us dehumanize Muslims and turn them in to a seething mass of evil threatening our borders, our children, and our faith. If we allow that dehumanization, if we allow ourselves to see an Arab man or woman as part of an "it" rather than as a "he" or "she," we detach ourselves from their lost and hurting condition and open ourselves up to the enemy's machinations. So let us take a moment to acknowledge that the Muslim people are just that; people. They are men and women, fathers, mothers, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles, friends, teachers, and neighbors. They have dreams, fears, and a desire for relationship that their god does not fulfill. They are people who spend hours crying out into emptiness in hopes that a non-existent higher being will grant them favor. The fact that this devout, but misguided, group has gone astray should not incite hatred, nor should it cause us to fear. For all have strayed from the will of the King at some point. Instead, let it incite us to prayer. Let us be called to serve God's children with the same love and compassion shown by His only Son who willingly laid down His life for us while we were still neck deep in our own depravity. Let us be moved to shine our light into the darkest spiritual prison cells because a tiny light brings hope to the captive. Let us do as Jesus has done, rather than as the world would have us do.

Image by Roobee via Flickr

I know. I have stepped up on my soapbox again. But here's the thing; if I hadn't, the propagandists would have. So many voices screaming for vengeance. But, believers, our Bible is very clear on the right to avenge:

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Rom 12:19

In fact, for those who must see the Arab world as an enemy, the response God requires of you is even more dramatic. For the Word continues:

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Rom 12:20

Jesus spoke often about enemies and neighbors, and how we are to love both. In His Sermon on the Mount, he reminded his disciples (and reminds us today) that the world's guidance regarding treatment of the two does not define our responsibilities as Christ's people:

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy.'But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matt 5:43-45

I guess I'm odd. I don't see the Muslim people as my "enemy." Returning to the Scripture that opens this post, the battle I fight is not against "flesh and blood," but against the evil one and the lies he uses to tear apart God's people. From a global perspective, I see Muslims as my neighbors, whom I am called to love as much as (if not, more than) myself. And that love prods me to pray fervently, provide practical assistance, and support those willing to take the Gospel into unreached lands.

Brothers and sisters, if you take only two things away from this diatribe on love, let it be these:

1) God calls us to love neighbors, enemies, and all of his lost sheep
2) When we harbor hatred in our hearts, we cannot also harbor love. Thus, in order to answer the call of number 1, we must purge our hearts of hatred through honest self-examination, forgiveness, and prayer. Give that anger you carry to God; let him lighten your burden so you can carry His Word farther into the world.

And if you need an example or justification for this love and forgiveness, you need only look to the Cross.

(A painting done by our friend TJ Grant. Check out his blog at http://40minus1.blogspot.com/)

He willingly laid down His life in one of the most agonizing ways possible in order to pay off a debt of sin that neither you, nor I, could ever have paid ourselves.

Thank you, Jesus. Let me love your lost sheep with as much passion and ferocity as you have loved me. Amen.