God's Great Passion

It's important for me as a follower of Christ to be passionate about the same things that Christ is passionate. And as I'm getting older, it is becoming more and more important to me to make sure my passion is aligned with His--and His passion is in seeing people who are far from Him become His followers, which He has called the Church. And the Church's mission is to make disciples of all nations, to be fishers of men.

The Church--the good, the bad, and the ugly of it--IS His passion. No matter how messy it gets. And it boy, howdy--can it get messy! But you know what? God loves us just as much in the messy times as in the "clean", pure times. And He never takes our mission away from us, no matter how badly we botch it at times. Like when we hurt someone's feelings. Or we fail to respond appropriately to someone's pain. Or we don't discipline where it's needed. Or when we are just unlovely. Fortunately for us, God accepts us on the basis of HIS grace and mercy, not on OUR behavior or lack of it.

But I have to admit I struggle with Christians who have no tolerance for the Church because of her shortcomings. Not that I don't believe in pointing out where we've gotten off base, or are in error, or need to change, but it seems that those who have the least amount of tolerance and love also have the greatest amount of criticism and distaste, especially for those in leadership of the Church. They are the ones who say they love God but simply have no use for the Church and don't feel they need the Church to have a right relationship with God.

So this is my encouragement to those who feel that way: 1) Stop lying to yourself, and to others within earshot. (I John 4:20) Check your heart and make sure it's really God you love, and not just the idea of God. 2) Ask God to forgive you for your lack of love for fellow believers--including those whom you think are not doing the job they should be doing (especially leaders) ; 3) Ask God to give you a deep love for the brethren, the kind of love He has for us; 4) Don't be afraid to show that love through serving those around you, which means you may actually have to rub shoulders with real live people now and then. You'd be surprised how rich your life becomes when it ceases to be about you and becomes about God and His people.

First, An Introduction

This is one of those things that I'd never thought I'd do...post on my own (or anyone else's, really) blog. It's not that I'm not techno-saavy or afraid of the cyber world--I work as a graphic designer/writer/producer/techie all day long. But to actually sit down and write about my own musings, the questions I have, the things that I love (or not)--well, that's a whole different world. It's bound to make one feel a little exposed. Me especially. But it may end up satisfying my need to talk (which will absolutely thrill my husband) as well as my need to share what I've learned about life, and love, and God over the last...uh, let's just say, few decades...

But I have to say this is so much easier than old-fashioned journalling. I've tried for years--and I mean, years--to keep a journal (all self-respecting writers journal, don't they?), but I never can do it. Actually, I hate it. My hand gets cramped up trying to keep up with my brain and stream of consciousness, and it just never works. But this may...hmm.

So, for today, I'll just say a couple of things about myself so we all have a clearer picture of who I am: (for your benefit, not necessarily mine...I already know all this stuff.)

Obviously, I'm a woman, which completely colors my world, as it should. I'm probably a very typical woman, except that I can't do crafts to save my life (1st graders have better luck with that stuff than me), and I am not constantly on a diet. Not that I shouldn't be, mind you, but I have simply chosen to ignore the inevitable for the sake of enjoying that bowl of ice cream with my husband (who probably shouldn't have it either, but there really are so few things to truly enjoy in life, right?). I struggle with same things that most women do, I suppose--getting older, finding my place in the world, keeping track of relationships, and wanting to be loved for whom I am. I juggle a full-time job/ministry, a husband, children--though now we're down to only two still at home (one's in the military, and one's out on his own), a house always in need of cleaning, a new dog, a small group Bible Study, and relationships I never seem to have enough time to enjoy. (I really hate that...) But I don't struggle with why I'm here--to bring glory to God and serve Him through the local church.

Speaking of things to love or hate, here's a short, certainly-not-exhaustive list of things I love: old movies, coffee, Saturday mornings on the porch swing, talk radio (Rush & Hannity, especially) roller coasters, cuddling with my husband on the couch, rain (this is beginning to sound like an ad for a date--hmmph!), perusing used book stores (especially really old ones--for hours), America, underdogs, old hymns, naps, country music (the new stuff--not the old stuff), and really great shoes.

Things I hate: cilantro(!), driving in snow, not having enough time to do all the things I want to do, making mistakes, disappointing my family/friends, sushi, injustice, a lack of compassion, moodiness, half-truths (or no truths) and being late (I especially hate it in me!).

But I really love God and His Word, and want more than anything in my life to be called Good and Faithful on that day.

I told you I like to talk--now you know! And hopefully you know me a bit better...