Walking in the Truth

I was reading Starr's blog Starr...Like in the Sky and her posting Abolishing the Lies. I also read "The Purpose Driven Life" devotional today and it used this scripture:

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
John 1:4 (NIV)

Since they both went hand in hand I thought I'd better pay attention! We are faced with lies on a daily basis, and most of the time we don't even recognize them for what they are, lies. Most of the time we believe them for truth because we were "raised that way" or it is simply an accepted "fact" in our society.

For example: I am an emotional reactionary kind of person that has always struggled with having a bad temper and lack of self control when I am angry. I always thought it was just part of my personality because, after all, my Mom is just like that. Somehow several years ago God helped me see that I was wrong and that He didn't create me to be like that. He has been helping me change ever since and I really think I have improved. I have by no means arrived, but I have improved.

Here is another example - fear. A child may be afraid of a tree outside of his window, or afraid of thunder. When we help them to see truth, usually they aren't afraid any longer. What is scary about that tree? It looks different in the shadows of night, and when it sways in the breeze the child's imagination takes off! The truth is that the tree isn't alive or evil, it just looks different at night.

First we have to recognize the lie, then find God's truth and focus on the truth. Starr addresses specific lies that pertain to her role as a single parent and addresses each one with God's truth. We should follow her example with our lies and allow God to work His Truth into our lives.

Forgiveness and Mercy

When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won’t give up in despair. 2 Corinthians 2:7 (CEV)

I just read another of the devotionals I get daily from Pastor Rick Warren. It was on forgiveness and mercy. Most Christians readily agree that forgiveness is an integral part of being a Christian, and believe we are always to forgive. This theme was also woven into "The Shack". God wanted Mack to forgive the man that murdered his little daughter. Mack found that very hard to do, and needed God's help just to be able to consider trying.

Why was it so important that he forgive this murderer? Fellowship. Mack had separated himself from God by allowing this unforgiveness to fester in his life. Rick Warren states,

"In real fellowship people experience mercy. Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren’t rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice."

Bitterness and resentment destroy fellowship. Not just our fellowship with that person, but with God.

“You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others” (Colossians 3:13 NLT).

We must forgive even when that offense is as great as murder. It is so hard to forgive because we just don't trust God. We need to be like little children and just say, "Yes Daddy" when God tells us to do something instead of wanting to know why first. When we forgive we let go of the past, ans trust God for the future. We release the offender into God's loving arms. It is God's job to bring about justice, and ours to show mercy and to forgive. After all, isn't that was Jesus did for US on the cross?

The Shack

I just finished reading, "The Shack" by William P. Young. I have never read a book quite like this and I must say that it was wonderful. If you haven't read it I would encourage you to do so with an open mind and an open heart. This book challenges our "religious" ideas about God and others and attempts to help us seek a real and personal relationship with God.

If you have read this book I would love to hear your thoughts. What touched you the most when you read this book?

For me there were several things.
1. God loves us more than we can comprehend, and He will go to great lengths to save and heal us.
2. He is not limited so He can do whatever He wants!
3. Just when you think you are starting to figure Him out, you find He is still greater than you could ever imagine.
4. I am far more judgmental of others and God Himself than I ever want to recognize and admit.

God's love is so hard to grasp. We never love as much a God does and we tend to project ourselves on God. Isn't that funny, but we do because that's all we know and understand. But God is so patient with us and nothing ever surprises Him! I love that about Him.

Since He has always known everything, He is never shocked when I sin. His love is steady and unchanging and I can never do anything to make Him love me more (or less)! That is great news!

Hurry up and read this book so we can talk!