In Beth Moore's "To Live Is Christ" she suggested that when we face storms there are several things we need to do. One of which was listen for God.
One night as I was driving home from church, I was facing a storm. It was a storm I had steered my own ship into. There I sat in my car, in tears yet again because I was feeling quite sorry for myself. I lamented that I had no one to share this current crisis with-especially since it stemmed from being single and feeling isolated.
As I directed my car towards my empty apartment (sigh) I was surprised by a lightning bug. I love lightning bugs. They signal the arrival of summer. I had been looking out for one for a while but had only seen a few faint flashes in the distance that I couldn't say were really lightning bugs. And here was one in front of me.
And God spoke to me. You see, He knows I love lightning bugs. As a Father who delights to give good gifts to His children, He used this simple creature to remind me of His love. In that instance I was wrapped in His presence and knew I was not alone, no matter how lonely I might feel. All the way home I was surrounded by the soft yellow green glow as hundreds of lightning bugs line the road. What started as a simple melody became a symphony.
In scripture we are reminded that God speaks. His children hear & understand His voice. So, go ahead, listen for a lightning bug.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Would you confess?
I was reading SBC blogs after the recent annual meeting in San Antonio. You know how it is. You read one blog and it links to another. By the time I finished the circuit I found myself reading Jerry Corbaley's blog. He stated the following in one of his responses to a commenter.
"The SBC has some members who are convinced that God has gifted them with glossolalia and/or the interpretation of glossolalia. The vast, vast majority of them are unwilling to let it be widely known that they do so."
I really cannot blame them. The issue of PPL is particularly divisive in our convention. As a child I was a member of a church in which a family was threatened, yes threatened, with physical removal if they should ever return to "our" church. Why? Because of significant moral failure? Because of chemical dependence? Because of gossip or gluttony? No, none of these. It was because one member of that family prayed in tongues. It was never practiced in public, not even in front of the family. It was truly private and only came to light because that person refused to lie when asked directly. That may be "baptist" but it certainly isn't scriptural. Nowhere in this frenzy did the offended party/parties initiate scriptural church discipline. And church discipline wouldn't have applied since no sin had been committed on the part of the excommunicated family. Unfortunately, this church was more interested in maintaining control than in what God really would have us do. As a result that church has shriveled up and is now just a building people come to on Sunday. They would likely have divided on any number of issues. PPL just happened to be the one that came to the fore.
I do not possess the gift of tongues, public or private. But if I did, and if I was convinced that God had led me to an SBC church, I would be hesitant to publicize it. I am not advocating deception. But, a certain degree of self preservation is understandable. The witch hunt I watched as an adolescent would make me most cautious regarding to whom I would reveal my gifts. And I fear mine isn't the only such story.
As Southern Baptists we have shunned the "charismatic" gifts. I classify myself as a cautious continuationist. I believe that all gifts mentioned in scripture are still given. I believe that only the second coming of Christ (or maybe the rapture of the church when the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth) will cause the gifts of the Spirit to cease. However, I am not certain that all gifts, as they are practiced today, are to be taken at face value. There is some doubt in my heart as to whether PPL really is a gift of the Spirit or just an ecstatic utterance. I don't believe PPL is of the evil one nor am I wholly convinced it is of God. Maybe it is a product of self and psyche, borne of our experience driven culture.
However, I also believe that we as Southern Baptists shy away from charismatic issues because we don't understand them. It is human nature to fear that which we don't comprehend. It is only though the grace of God afforded by the Holy Spirit that we can study such things and come to a God honoring conclusion. That is what I pray for in these kinds of issues.
It is my hope that we as Baptists, and Southern Baptists in particular can learn to practice unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials and charity in all things. We must acknowledge that there really are non-essentials in theology. We need to realize that we just might be wrong about the gifts of the Spirit, regardless of which side we align with. I am a cautions continuationist. Some are cessationists. Others are full-fledged continualists. We are all brothers and need to act like such, giving grace because we have received it so freely from our Father's hand.
"The SBC has some members who are convinced that God has gifted them with glossolalia and/or the interpretation of glossolalia. The vast, vast majority of them are unwilling to let it be widely known that they do so."
I really cannot blame them. The issue of PPL is particularly divisive in our convention. As a child I was a member of a church in which a family was threatened, yes threatened, with physical removal if they should ever return to "our" church. Why? Because of significant moral failure? Because of chemical dependence? Because of gossip or gluttony? No, none of these. It was because one member of that family prayed in tongues. It was never practiced in public, not even in front of the family. It was truly private and only came to light because that person refused to lie when asked directly. That may be "baptist" but it certainly isn't scriptural. Nowhere in this frenzy did the offended party/parties initiate scriptural church discipline. And church discipline wouldn't have applied since no sin had been committed on the part of the excommunicated family. Unfortunately, this church was more interested in maintaining control than in what God really would have us do. As a result that church has shriveled up and is now just a building people come to on Sunday. They would likely have divided on any number of issues. PPL just happened to be the one that came to the fore.
I do not possess the gift of tongues, public or private. But if I did, and if I was convinced that God had led me to an SBC church, I would be hesitant to publicize it. I am not advocating deception. But, a certain degree of self preservation is understandable. The witch hunt I watched as an adolescent would make me most cautious regarding to whom I would reveal my gifts. And I fear mine isn't the only such story.
As Southern Baptists we have shunned the "charismatic" gifts. I classify myself as a cautious continuationist. I believe that all gifts mentioned in scripture are still given. I believe that only the second coming of Christ (or maybe the rapture of the church when the Holy Spirit is removed from the earth) will cause the gifts of the Spirit to cease. However, I am not certain that all gifts, as they are practiced today, are to be taken at face value. There is some doubt in my heart as to whether PPL really is a gift of the Spirit or just an ecstatic utterance. I don't believe PPL is of the evil one nor am I wholly convinced it is of God. Maybe it is a product of self and psyche, borne of our experience driven culture.
However, I also believe that we as Southern Baptists shy away from charismatic issues because we don't understand them. It is human nature to fear that which we don't comprehend. It is only though the grace of God afforded by the Holy Spirit that we can study such things and come to a God honoring conclusion. That is what I pray for in these kinds of issues.
It is my hope that we as Baptists, and Southern Baptists in particular can learn to practice unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials and charity in all things. We must acknowledge that there really are non-essentials in theology. We need to realize that we just might be wrong about the gifts of the Spirit, regardless of which side we align with. I am a cautions continuationist. Some are cessationists. Others are full-fledged continualists. We are all brothers and need to act like such, giving grace because we have received it so freely from our Father's hand.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Lessons from a Cello
The church I attend is a large church. God's presence is evident, both in the person of the Holy Spirit and in the lives of church members. Our worship is different from anything I have ever experienced. The choir has 150+ people singing on any given Sunday. God has placed many talented people within our music ministry, both singers and orchestra members. One thing we lacked, until recently, was a cello. It is wonderful to hear the mellow notes from this instrument. Little did I know that while I was enjoying the music, God was talking to me about His direction.
About a month ago we were singing the song "Holiness". It's chorus goes:
"Take my heart and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it to Yours, to Yours, O Lord."
As I was singing, I was praying.: "God, I want You to conform my heart to Yours. I'm tired of trying to be the boss. Make me more like You." I looked down into the orchestra pit and saw the cellist. The cello is a lovely instrument but it cannot make music on its own. There must be a cellist to draw the bow across the strings. This produces sound. Then the cellist must place his fingers on the neck of the instrument, bending the strings at just the right points to produce the melody.
God does the same with us. He forms us into beautiful instruments. Though we have physical life it isn't until we allow Him to draw His bow across our hearts that we resonate with spiritual life. Then God conforms our will to His by putting pressure on us in just the right places until our lives are a pleasing melody to Him.
Unlike the cello, we can resist our Cellist. We push back against His fingers when we resist the obstacles He brings into our lives. We want blessings. It's hard to see just how pain will ever be used for our good. Living by sight, not by faith, we wonder if God really knows what He is doing. We prefer to simply drone one note because we think it means less sacrifice or loss. In this we cheat ourselves of great joy that only comes by submitting to our Master's hand. If we resist, our lives will be a joyless noise, not part of a symphony that praises the One Who made us.
About a month ago we were singing the song "Holiness". It's chorus goes:
"Take my heart and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it to Yours, to Yours, O Lord."
As I was singing, I was praying.: "God, I want You to conform my heart to Yours. I'm tired of trying to be the boss. Make me more like You." I looked down into the orchestra pit and saw the cellist. The cello is a lovely instrument but it cannot make music on its own. There must be a cellist to draw the bow across the strings. This produces sound. Then the cellist must place his fingers on the neck of the instrument, bending the strings at just the right points to produce the melody.
God does the same with us. He forms us into beautiful instruments. Though we have physical life it isn't until we allow Him to draw His bow across our hearts that we resonate with spiritual life. Then God conforms our will to His by putting pressure on us in just the right places until our lives are a pleasing melody to Him.
Unlike the cello, we can resist our Cellist. We push back against His fingers when we resist the obstacles He brings into our lives. We want blessings. It's hard to see just how pain will ever be used for our good. Living by sight, not by faith, we wonder if God really knows what He is doing. We prefer to simply drone one note because we think it means less sacrifice or loss. In this we cheat ourselves of great joy that only comes by submitting to our Master's hand. If we resist, our lives will be a joyless noise, not part of a symphony that praises the One Who made us.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
In Review
Last night, after driving in the snow for 8 hours, I arrived home from the Baptist Identity Conference II at Union University. When I told friends I was going to the conference I got a lot of raised eyebrows and the question "why would you want to do something like that?". I had many reasons. Primarily I was interested in what Southern Baptist leaders had to say. I have realized over the last several months that I have been baptist all my life, attended Sunday School, GA's, youth choir, I even went to a Southern Baptist college and nursing school, yet still find I know little about what Southern Baptists really believe (or are supposed to believe).
First let me say thank you to Union University. They organized a wonderful conference. The speakers were first rate, obviously more than competent, even experts, in their topics. The Union staff was attentive to every detail, meeting any need quickly and efficiently.
I won't bore you with details of all the speakers but a few stand out.
Frank Page spoke on the future of the Cooperative Program. He is currently President of the SBC and my pastor when I lived in Augusta. He spoke passionately about our mindset, motive and method of getting the gospel to the world. He called for unity on essentials and cooperation on non-essentials. Dr. Page is a gracious and humble man and it was a pleasure to hear him again.
Mike Day presented an alternative to our current local associations and state conventions. He made a lot of sense, suggesting we organize our associations so they can support the local church (instead of directing it) in the mission of the gospel.
Timothy George, head of Beeson Divinity School, made a statement I found very telling. Beeson is not a SBS seminary but a divinity school with Baptist and other denominations numbered among the faculty. He has studied scripture and the tenets of many denominations. When asked why he remained a Baptist he responded, "where else do you go? What other denomination follows the teaching of scripture as closely?" That was significant. It affirmed to me that I am in the right place, even if I don't always agree.
David Dockery, the president of Union, spoke on the history of the SBC since 1979. In doing so he followed our history back to our beginning on May 8, 1845. I have to say I learned more about Baptist history and core beliefs from his hour long lecture than I have in 42 years on a pew.
Maybe the one who caught my attention the most was Ed Stetzer. He spoke on the missional church. He said there was a difference between being mission minded and being missional. The former will give money and pray for missionaries. The latter will go out and do missions, even if it is only across the street. This man is passionate about the church and it shows. He called on all members, young and old, frustrated and angry, to stay within the convention instead of looking outside for support. He said "we need you", and he is right.
Overall, I am glad I went. There were topics I wish had been covered that weren't and a few questions that were skirted. In the end though I am far more informed than I was a few days ago. And I have a renewed desire to pray for my church, my denomination and her leaders, and to learn more so I can participate to the fullest.
In Him
Jana
First let me say thank you to Union University. They organized a wonderful conference. The speakers were first rate, obviously more than competent, even experts, in their topics. The Union staff was attentive to every detail, meeting any need quickly and efficiently.
I won't bore you with details of all the speakers but a few stand out.
Frank Page spoke on the future of the Cooperative Program. He is currently President of the SBC and my pastor when I lived in Augusta. He spoke passionately about our mindset, motive and method of getting the gospel to the world. He called for unity on essentials and cooperation on non-essentials. Dr. Page is a gracious and humble man and it was a pleasure to hear him again.
Mike Day presented an alternative to our current local associations and state conventions. He made a lot of sense, suggesting we organize our associations so they can support the local church (instead of directing it) in the mission of the gospel.
Timothy George, head of Beeson Divinity School, made a statement I found very telling. Beeson is not a SBS seminary but a divinity school with Baptist and other denominations numbered among the faculty. He has studied scripture and the tenets of many denominations. When asked why he remained a Baptist he responded, "where else do you go? What other denomination follows the teaching of scripture as closely?" That was significant. It affirmed to me that I am in the right place, even if I don't always agree.
David Dockery, the president of Union, spoke on the history of the SBC since 1979. In doing so he followed our history back to our beginning on May 8, 1845. I have to say I learned more about Baptist history and core beliefs from his hour long lecture than I have in 42 years on a pew.
Maybe the one who caught my attention the most was Ed Stetzer. He spoke on the missional church. He said there was a difference between being mission minded and being missional. The former will give money and pray for missionaries. The latter will go out and do missions, even if it is only across the street. This man is passionate about the church and it shows. He called on all members, young and old, frustrated and angry, to stay within the convention instead of looking outside for support. He said "we need you", and he is right.
Overall, I am glad I went. There were topics I wish had been covered that weren't and a few questions that were skirted. In the end though I am far more informed than I was a few days ago. And I have a renewed desire to pray for my church, my denomination and her leaders, and to learn more so I can participate to the fullest.
In Him
Jana
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Fire and water
On New Year's Eve, I was standing in the choir loft at church singing praise to God, something I do nearly every Sunday. In the midst of this time God impressed upon me the idea of a kiln. When I say impressed it was a "remember this" kind of moment. God wasn't finished. Over the next 2-3 weeks He repeatedly brought up the topics of trial, temptation and loss, things I tend to associate with bad times. I was quite distressed, waiting for some catastrophe to happen.
Then I did some research. To make an earthenware vessel solid you must put it into the kiln, allow it to be slowly heated to extremely high temperatures and cool just as slowly. Heat or cool it too quickly you will crack or even break the vessel. I found that different materials "mature" at different temperatures. So, if you don't get the heat high enough, the pot will not mature. If you get it too hot, the pot will melt. So far we have a mature vessel.
But a mature pot will not hold water. Clay is by nature porous. It will leak if it is not also glazed. How to you glaze a pot? You coat it with a different clay and put it back into the kiln. Remember, clay will melt when it gets too hot. A glaze is simply a clay that melts at a temperature lower than that of the vessel. As it melts it becomes glassy, covering the pores of the vessel and making it waterproof.
To be a vessel that will hold Living Water I need to be matured. This takes time and may be unpleasant. Hebrews tells us discipline is not pleasant at the time but is necessary and will later be sweet when we are mature. I need to be glazed, too. I must pass through the furnace again to become a vessel He can fully use.
I have to tell you I am not one who likes trial. I would rather read about someone else's difficulties than to learn from my own. But, if I won't allow God to put me in His kiln (remain unfired) or won't stay long enough (under-fired) or choose to yield to temptation repeatedly (too hot) or by my own stubbornness insist on leaving before He dictates (cool too quickly) then I will be less than what the Potter determined for me to be. And if I am not willing to return to the kiln, I'll not be able to carry Living Water to those who need to drink.
God still has not finished speaking to me about the kiln. One thing I missed in my worry about what "might" happen was His assurance that His grace is sufficient for my every need. I suspect that was His point all along. Whether I am in the kiln or waiting on a shelf or in His hand fulfilling the purpose for which He made me, I am His. He may do with me as He chooses. He will not put on me more than I can bear. He will not leave me longer than is necessary. In all things He will never leave me or forsake me.
That is the message from the kiln.
JayLee
Then I did some research. To make an earthenware vessel solid you must put it into the kiln, allow it to be slowly heated to extremely high temperatures and cool just as slowly. Heat or cool it too quickly you will crack or even break the vessel. I found that different materials "mature" at different temperatures. So, if you don't get the heat high enough, the pot will not mature. If you get it too hot, the pot will melt. So far we have a mature vessel.
But a mature pot will not hold water. Clay is by nature porous. It will leak if it is not also glazed. How to you glaze a pot? You coat it with a different clay and put it back into the kiln. Remember, clay will melt when it gets too hot. A glaze is simply a clay that melts at a temperature lower than that of the vessel. As it melts it becomes glassy, covering the pores of the vessel and making it waterproof.
To be a vessel that will hold Living Water I need to be matured. This takes time and may be unpleasant. Hebrews tells us discipline is not pleasant at the time but is necessary and will later be sweet when we are mature. I need to be glazed, too. I must pass through the furnace again to become a vessel He can fully use.
I have to tell you I am not one who likes trial. I would rather read about someone else's difficulties than to learn from my own. But, if I won't allow God to put me in His kiln (remain unfired) or won't stay long enough (under-fired) or choose to yield to temptation repeatedly (too hot) or by my own stubbornness insist on leaving before He dictates (cool too quickly) then I will be less than what the Potter determined for me to be. And if I am not willing to return to the kiln, I'll not be able to carry Living Water to those who need to drink.
God still has not finished speaking to me about the kiln. One thing I missed in my worry about what "might" happen was His assurance that His grace is sufficient for my every need. I suspect that was His point all along. Whether I am in the kiln or waiting on a shelf or in His hand fulfilling the purpose for which He made me, I am His. He may do with me as He chooses. He will not put on me more than I can bear. He will not leave me longer than is necessary. In all things He will never leave me or forsake me.
That is the message from the kiln.
JayLee
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
You asked why?
I was reading Wade Burleson's blog tonight when one anonymous post asked the following question: Why would any thinking woman remain a Southern Baptist? I was going to answer on that blog but decided to post it here instead. So here goes...
"Why would any thinking woman remain a Southern Baptist?"
I cannot speak for all thinking women but I have a few reasons that I remain in the SBC.
1) Familiarity-I was a Southern Baptist before I was a believer. I accepted the teachings of my parents for a while but then I studied to show myself approved. I believe that the SBC holds tightly to the teachings of Scripture. Have I investigated other denominational beliefs? Yes, and I keep coming back to the SBC.
2) Spiritual Growth-I have been deeply influenced by many people within the SBC. Some names you would recognize, like Beth Moore, Adrian Rogers and Lottie Moon. Others would be unknown to most but me-friends in Baptist Nursing Fellowship, several IMB missionaries, my mother and father, my step-mother, my grandmother, my GA leader. Each contact whether through bible studies, books, sermons or service has grown me spiritually.
3) Missions-We do missions well. We fund missions well. Because of the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings, our missionaries don't have to leave the field to raise support. They can count on regular support and focus on the work before them. We get to be "deacons" in a way...taking care of the business that needs to be done (feeding the widows) so the missionaries (apostles) can devote themselves to the gospel. My father & step-mother as well as myself have been privileged to serve short term with the IMB. I hope to be able to serve more long term in the future.
4) Doctrine-I am a theological conservative. I believe the Bible is inerrant, that Jesus was virgin born, that sin is sin no matter how much Hollywood glorifies it. Do I line up with the SBC on every issue? No. The Baptist Faith and Message is a treatise on what Southern Baptists believe. It covers the essentials of our beliefs and frankly I can agree with it on all points. Do I disagree with some people in positions of leadership? Yes, but over all we agree on far more than we disagree. And as absolute conformity of belief is an impossibility I can align myself here without qualm.
These are a few of my reasons. If you are a thinking woman and you choose to stay in the SBC what are your reasons?
In Christ,
Jaylee
"Why would any thinking woman remain a Southern Baptist?"
I cannot speak for all thinking women but I have a few reasons that I remain in the SBC.
1) Familiarity-I was a Southern Baptist before I was a believer. I accepted the teachings of my parents for a while but then I studied to show myself approved. I believe that the SBC holds tightly to the teachings of Scripture. Have I investigated other denominational beliefs? Yes, and I keep coming back to the SBC.
2) Spiritual Growth-I have been deeply influenced by many people within the SBC. Some names you would recognize, like Beth Moore, Adrian Rogers and Lottie Moon. Others would be unknown to most but me-friends in Baptist Nursing Fellowship, several IMB missionaries, my mother and father, my step-mother, my grandmother, my GA leader. Each contact whether through bible studies, books, sermons or service has grown me spiritually.
3) Missions-We do missions well. We fund missions well. Because of the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings, our missionaries don't have to leave the field to raise support. They can count on regular support and focus on the work before them. We get to be "deacons" in a way...taking care of the business that needs to be done (feeding the widows) so the missionaries (apostles) can devote themselves to the gospel. My father & step-mother as well as myself have been privileged to serve short term with the IMB. I hope to be able to serve more long term in the future.
4) Doctrine-I am a theological conservative. I believe the Bible is inerrant, that Jesus was virgin born, that sin is sin no matter how much Hollywood glorifies it. Do I line up with the SBC on every issue? No. The Baptist Faith and Message is a treatise on what Southern Baptists believe. It covers the essentials of our beliefs and frankly I can agree with it on all points. Do I disagree with some people in positions of leadership? Yes, but over all we agree on far more than we disagree. And as absolute conformity of belief is an impossibility I can align myself here without qualm.
These are a few of my reasons. If you are a thinking woman and you choose to stay in the SBC what are your reasons?
In Christ,
Jaylee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)