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
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
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
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