He is Risen Indeed!

With Easter just behind us, I pray that we all might continue to be encouraged and strengthened by the the life and presence of our Risen Lord. Every day.

Thank you, Kristi and Friends, for taking time out of what was probably a busy (and chilly) season to read A Desperate Faith! I'm grateful for the conversation that arose from the book and sincerely hope many more will take place as a result. Many blessings—Jo

PS Would it be tacky to suggest a follow up to your discussion using Desperate Women of the Bible? Its approach and format is similar; these are the stories of the nameless women in the Gospels, "minor" characters in the biblical narrative yet whose stories teach us much about the Protagonist of Scripture: Jesus. (Just a thought.)

Realizing We Can Fly

The story of Saul (Paul) fascinates me as the classic example of the power of the resurrected Christ.  As Jo says, "If Jesus was 'really real' to anyone, it was Paul."  I agree, if Christ hasn't been raised, our faith is useless and we're a people to be pitied.  But if Christ HAS been raised (and he has!), then our lives are revolutionized.  As Jo says, this is not a "nice plan or a moral formula or a value system but a living, breathing person who is with us always."

That means Jesus is with me right now.  As I write this.

To quote Jo again:  "[I]n the strangest of paradoxes, the testimonies of the ages suggest that we can be raised with Jesus not someday, not in some far-off time zone that has no relevance or us in the work and lives we enjoy on earth.  No, we're raised with him now."  The pressure is off, we can't earn or try harder for eternal life.  It's ours.

Kind of like jumping off a cliff and realizing we can fly.

How does the reality of Christ's resurrection change my perspective?   I came up with 10 ways, just for a start:

1)  I can freely share the gospel of Christ with my friend, knowing it's not my stuttering words, but only God's power that can draw her to himself.  He's the one who resurrects from death and sin, he's just given me the privilege of delivering the news.

2)  I can look in my mom's Alzheimer's-filled eyes and see Jesus.  I can tell her with confidence that I'll see her in heaven (she's a believer), and say I look forward to sitting down for coffee to catch up on all we can't say to each other right now.  I don't have to grieve like the world does, without hope.

3)  I can know as I watch the evening news (like Kristi mentioned), horrified by the brutal violence around the world - in Syria, in Kenya, and even America - I can rest knowing our God is in control and is working all things together to further his purposes, and he WILL prevail.

4)  I can look at my husband with renewed love and respect because I know that our marriage relationship is a picture of the love, joy and fulfillment between Christ and his Church, giving it deep meaning beyond what the world can understand.

5)  I can enjoy the springtime, smell the flowers, taste delicious food, revel in the softness of a cat's fur and the roughness of tree bark, knowing God has created all things for us to enjoy.  The physical world is God's creation, and although fallen, is still very good.

6)  I can work diligently at whatever the Lord puts in my hand, knowing everything is "sacred" work, even the mundane tasks, and I can be on the lookout for how God wants me to bless others through my work.

7)  I can stand firm when persecuted or distressed, knowing that whatever trials the Lord allows, they are ultimately for my good, and he is faithful to bring me through them, as through a refining fire.

8)  I can joyfully go to church on Sunday, knowing Christ has risen and I'm joined together with other believers in a unified Body to worship God, loving and caring for each other in community.

9)  I can feed that hungry person, help that single mother, take time to talk with someone who's discouraged, knowing that God has carefully placed me in their lives to show them the living Jesus.  (And they may be placed in mine to do the same.)

10)  I can lose myself in God's Word and prayer, knowing my soul can rest in him.  He loves me to draw near and he wants me to know him better so I can learn to pray his thoughts after him, to come along with him on his awesome adventure as he redeems his people.


Thanks, Kristi, for this opportunity to read Jo's book and share with each other in this forum.  Many blessings to all of you as the Lord continues to sanctify us and bring us to a fuller knowledge of his Son.  I'll finish with one of my favorite verses:

"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free."  (Psalm 119:32)  Wheeeeeee!!!

The persecution of the church continues across the globe today.  We see it in the news, every day.  The evil expressed in destruction, violence, and killings.  I read this chapter and am reminded, that it has always been because it is a spiritual battle.  And, what differentiates the christian is love.  That Jesus came to us to save us and equip us to live out and spread this love; the good news.  The daily news can feel so daunting, can't it? Whether it be in our own relationships, jobs, communities; life can distort our vision of Jesus.  This was a wonderful culminating chapter to the book.  It spurs us on to see clearly that the good news is for all whom God calls.  My life can become comfortable but that's not satisfying because I'm His and He has more for me...it's in my DNA since salvation.  I thank Him that He gave us these imperfect disciples in the Bible showing us their imperfect faithfulness and His perfect love and faithfulness to them and to us.

I pray that I will live radically for Jesus name, for the sharing of the good news.  Yikes, I'm not sure what that will look like!  Please pray for me:)

This ends the reading of A Desperate Faith, and I hope it was time well spent for everyone.  I personally needed the accountability to "read a book" and I appreciated and was encouraged by the postings you put up!  

There has been some interest in continuing this site with a new read.  So,  I would really appreciate your feedback!  Please gmail me at kristikadlecek@gmail.com or comment on this post your feedback in regards to this blog.  Did you enjoy/like the format?  What could be done better or to encourage more involvement?  Would you be interested in doing this again?  

..."what indeed would our lives-and our world-look like if we heard and believed the living voice of the man who was born to be King?"(p. 171)

Kristi

Chapter 8 (Final Chapter): SENT AGAIN/ April 5th - April 11th

Imperfect Devotion

Like Peter, I have "painfully inconsistent devotion."  I love the Lord, truly I do, but I don't always do the things I want to do for Him (or I do other things I shouldn't).  My ragged participation in this blog is one example, but I've got a boatload of other peccadilloes that can make the same point.

However, since I was behind in my reading, I had the distinct advantage of seeing Thomas and Peter together.  They both loved Jesus; they both were overjoyed when they realized He was resurrected; yet they both failed the Lord in major, visible ways.  And in both cases, Jesus reached out to each one personally, in front of witnesses, as he lovingly, gently and with great compassion restored them.  He reoriented their vision so they could see Him clearly.

We hear Thomas's believing heart revealed in John 11:16 where he says, "Let us also go, that we may die with him [Jesus]."  But even so, when Christ really did die, Thomas's expectations were trampled.  He couldn't believe that God would choose a cross to accomplish His purpose.  Peter also gave a remarkable testimony in Matt 16:16 when he said to Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  And yet he showed his confusion and unbelief when he denied his Lord.

As for me, yes, I believe Jesus.  I trust him.  But I often can't believe the methods He uses to accomplish His purposes in my life and in the world.  It's way too messy.  Disorienting.  Uncomfortable.  Certainly not what I expected.  I fail Jesus daily.

But it's at that point of failure, when I feel hopeless and insecure, that Jesus meets me on the beach of my heart with His compassion and agape love.  He asks me gentle questions and listens for the answers He knows I will give.  For resonating deep in my soul is the truth that "despite [my] best efforts or deepest wounds, despite [my] grand plans or most painful decisions, Christ alone fulfills the longings of [my] heart."  He truly restores my soul.  (Psalm 23:3)

Happy Easter, my friends.  Happy, glorious, amazing day of resurrection.

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through...The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it."  I Thess 5:23-24

Although the song Michele listed didn't work here, I went to YouTube and watched it there. It was great and here's my favorite oldie but goodie; David Phelps's Behold the Lamb.  These are worthwhile songs to listen to anytime but especially as we navigate this book and during this week.  Worship and enjoy!

Check out this playlist on YouTube:

I light of everything we've been studying and in preparation for Easter Sunday!!
Hope this works ... Enjoy!!!
Michele

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gGa1w_bnvM&list=RD0gGa1w_bnvM

Wondering if I love Him (Chapter 7)

I have fallen way behind on my reading and devoting, as I feared I would. I skipped ahead to catch up, so I guess I'm like Peter just plunging in! :)
When Tevye asks Golda, "Do you love me?" in Fiddler on the Roof, she doesn't want to be bothered with such a dumb question. "Why talk about love right now?" she asks. But Tevye insists, so she has to stop and think about it.  Now, Golda isn't exactly portrayed as a loving, patient wife. She's more like the "continual dripping" kind of wife. Her behavior makes us wonder if she does love her husband. But she looks back over their twenty-five years together and thinks about the hard times she has shared with Tevye. She considers the things she's done with and for him, and ends up surprising herself by realizing, "I suppose I do!"
I feel a little like Golda when I imagine myself in Peter's shoes.  I know I'd wish He wouldn't ask me hard questions. But when pressed, l'd have to search myself and come up with an answer. And then, like both Peter and Golda, when I looked back over my behavior and attitudes toward the One asking the question, I'd have to admit to myself that there's much that doesn't look like true love.  Many denials, many failures to put Him first, long periods of little to no emotional connection, reluctance to "get together," etc.
But I'd also look at what He has done for me: the hard times He brought me through, the provision, the self-sacrifice, the comfort, the peace.  When I consider those things, I'm like Golda: surprised and relieved to find that, "I suppose I do!" I deeply love Jesus for all those things!
I wish there were not this wide disparity between His love in action and mine. I wish I had more proofs of love to offer up.  I'm so small in so many ways, and He's so all-encompassing and mighty. I can only praise Him for being so, and ask Him to enlarge my love for Him and others.

Chapter 7- Beach Fires/ March 29th - April 4th

For Our Sake

I guess I've always thought that if it had been ME rather than Thomas, I would have believed:)
It's funny how it's easier to see others situations more clearly than our own sometimes.  But, although I have the word of God to read, it's my life lived and my thoughts that reveal what I believe to be true.
What stood out, among much, was on page 125, where Jo writes, "he still stands among us and says, "Peace be with you", breaking through the locked areas of our unbelief, the stubbornness of our individuality and self-assurance, and meets us with a grace far greater than all the doubts and cynicism and betrayal we've ever experienced combined.  And, that He does this for our sake and invites us to believe".  So, in any challenge I'm facing right now; God is not outside of it.  He is showing up and is in it giving the grace needed, the strength to believe and rest in Him with confidence that He's working out His purpose. Just as He stood with Thomas; He stands with me and gently pulls me up, through, and out, and to Himself.


Praying for us all,

Kristi

Doubting Voices

Thank you, Jo, for this chapter in your book.  What a sweet story of Chris reading to you "The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe".  But then Lucy is faced with those that doubt her story and the women at the tomb are faced with the disciples doubting their story of the empty tomb.  In walks Thomas who it seems doubts just about everything he is told. I'm afraid that I am more like Thomas than I care to admit.  My husband has asked me more than once if I was born in Missouri the "show me" state!  They say that "seeing is believing" but that isn't always true.  That is where faith steps in and I have my Father in Heaven to have a personal relationship with like no other. 

I thank the Lord for walking beside me and showing His great love for me every day!

What a wonderful gift we Christians have in Jesus.

Thank you, Kristi, taking the time to organize this great study. I am so enjoying this book and reading all of your great blogs! 

Toots

Thomas the Doubter! 

Boy can I relate to him!! Growing up my parents always compared me to the Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore ... Kind of the downer of the group.  I've worked hard (with Christ's strength ) trying to change that flaw in my personality. But it's easy for me to be the negative,  sulker one of the group. Seems very natural for me. 

When I think of Thomas, that doubter, I can relate.  He spent intimate time with Christ but when it came time for his faith to kick into action he wanted proof.  Frankly, my belief in Christ is solid, absolutely no doubts!!! But I have to ask myself..why then can't I simply leave things that are out of my control rest firmly in His hands?? In lieu of fretting and worrying, why not simply trust and allow my faith to carry me? 

Prior to reading this week's chapter I've never really thought much of "Thomas the faithful disciple" only "Thomas the Doubter".  So, although he was slow in believing the fact is he was on fire for Christ!  This is my goal ... To be on fire for Him!! 

So we press on probably still doubting from time to time but facts are Christ is faithful always and forever!  That frankly is enough! 

Blessings & faithfulness --

Michele 

Chapter 6 - Doubting Voices/ March 22-28th

Followship!!

Fellowship has always been a tough one for me.  I'm so content being alone with my husband (and vise versa...as long as he gets time in the woods) .  Ironically, we landed at a huge church were it was easy to slide in and out...perfect for us!!! That is until the work of the Holy Spirit guided me to pray for our relationships with others.  Then the power of answered prayer kicked in!  I found myself making new friends (Kristi) and eventually Bob and I started attending a Home Adult Bible Study.  This was super uncomfortable for us but we've stuck with it and have developed wonderful, deep relationships over the years.  Scripture tells us that we are to meet together to spur one another on...But...as much as I love our ABF and my other Christain friends...often I just don't feel like getting together or letting others get too close.    So, I say this because revealing our secrets allows the truth to be known. So I cintinue to "press on" and ask God to not only change my heart but my desire to stop shutting others out and just maybe thru it all I could be an encourager to someone else as well! 

So, Kristi thanks for doing this book and blog ... Once again I was reluctant to step out but am grateful for this forum !!!

Keep pressing on. I know God will working in all things!!

Love & Blessings!!!

Michele

(Last weeks reading..just a little behind)

Sensory Appeal.  It's Sunday morning(I'm home from church with a sick boy), and I'm writing on this past week's chapter.  So, it's a timely chapter; Sensory Appeal.  After reading this I'm thinking that I often walk around blindfolded, ears covered, hands in busywork, mouth moving, and my nose disjointed; all the senses turned away from the sensing of the Holy Spirit. I become circumstance/feeling driven rather than  "taking hold of that which is truly life". How does this happen?  How do I get distracted from seeing Him, listening to/for Him, hands lifted, mouth praying/praising, and breathing in His sweetness?  I don't want to get into a works=the answer.  But, as Jo pointed out from 1Tim 6:19.  ( I'm including the previous verse as well) They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that may TAKE HOLD of that which is truly life.  Maybe it's just the continual reminder that the distractions aren't my sustainer.  God has given me Godly friendships, many of you involved in this blog.  But, the community of believers, for Jim and I to be part of, in our community has not happened.  We've not been able to attend church in our community.  This one has always baffled me, because I think it is biblical as pointed out in this chapter.  Living out the one another's is an important part of our living as christian's in this world.
Please pray I'll take heed to feed my senses well this week.  I am not discouraged, because just as He opened their eyes, appeared to them, and called them; He too is calling me to Himself!

Thankful for you and praying,

Kristi

Michele BonfertMarch 14, 2015 at 5:34 AM. Reposted..accidentally posted under Kristi's in comments..not very good at this blog stuff!!

It's a long, but worthwhile Road!
A couple of things always jump out to me in this story. First, Christ kept them from seeing who he was. (In the beginning) He is souverign and in charge. So, why don't I seem to camp on that in lieu of manipulating and worrying ? When I choose to lay my burdens down and trust life is much simpler. The other point is that they desired him to continue on and stay and fellowship with them. I tend to fight this one often due to busyness or perhaps laziness. "Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you". It's so simple but yet so challenging to stop and simply trust. But Praise God that like the two on the road..He chose me and is walking along side even when I forget He is there! 

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A Desperate Faith

Chapter Five:  Sensory Appeal

March 15th-21st

Where is my Focus?

Bob and I have our home on the market to sell and move back to Iowa.  With the anticipation of moving comes keeping the house in order for interested buyers.  This morning as I was dusting in our bedroom I picked up a plaque that was sitting on the table.  My sister-in-law gave it to me many years ago.  If you just glance at it you see nothing but lines and spaces on a piece of molded cement.     When I am in a hurry and not stopping to focus on this plaque I see just that.  But when I stop and concentrate I see the word "JESUS". Stopping what I was so intent on getting done and focusing on JESUS brought Him into clear sight. At those times of not seeing Jesus I am totally involved with myself and my plans for the day. Mary knew who called her name because she was totally focused on Him. The disciples, on the other hand, may have been more afraid of what was going to happen to them and lost their main focus, Jesus.  I decided today to move my plaque from the bedroom to the
kitchen window sill.  May it be a reminder every morning of who He is and what He has done for me
as I see his name and not just lines and spaces. I pray that my focus will always be on Him.

The Emmaus Road, for me, changes during our lifetime, doesn't it?  I was visiting with a friend and we talked about pushing out of our comfort zone to find purpose in our christian walk, to feel like we're "doing" what God would have us do, redeeming the time, and yet resting in where we are.  These two men on the Emmaus road had little information, but  I have the whole book, and yet grapple!!  As Jo said, "We live as if our greatest hope, and truest love somehow died, left us alone to fend for ourselves and doubt overtake us."  WoW!  How often do I fret over things?  Yet, I am in His hands and He is faithful to answer and direct my steps.  And I am a nobody like these two walking down the road!! So, I would say that I am on a new part of the Emmaus Road.  There was a season where life was more clearly defined, as for my time and role.  But, as my children become more independent, it has brought more reflection.  This is a good thing and Jesus is calling me deeper, and more dependent on Him.  There's plenty to address here and I don't want to be a "naval watcher" but I do long to live a way that is glorifying to Him, because He is the good news.  I am praying for a seeing heart and eyes to see the opportunities He gives me and live it well.  And especially within my own walls and then outward.

Praying for us all,

Kristi

A Desperate Faith-Chapter 4/ Teachable Moments

March 8th-14th

I saw the Drop Box film last night.  This movie, this chapter 3 have a similar thread running through them.  Jesus changes everything and makes us live radically different lives.  Mary was radically changed and grappled with what was going on with the empty tomb.  The culture, her life experiences, satan, all had to be screaming at her that she was alone and had everything to doubt and fear.  Yet, Jesus showed up to her.  He showed up to Isabella.  Before Jesus, both women had hopeless tragic lives.  But, He came and saved them; new life and hope.  "See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god besides me....I wound and I heal" Deut. 32:39. What beautiful and personal love to come to them and reassure them.  Mary and Isabella had a story to share.  They saw the cost and personally understood it.  I am so thankful for these women and their stories of redemption; it gives me perspective.  Perspective for gratitude, boldness, and even joy in the slave set free; which we all spiritually once were.  But, I can focus on my own failings, worldly standards, listen to the deceitfulness of my heart; rather than looking to the resurrected Jesus.  It's so ridiculously stupid that I would do such a thing.  I am His and He is mine!

Dear Lord Jesus, help us all to see how free we are in you and be glad in all that comes our way.

Praying for us all,

Kristi

Reading stories of slavery has always stirred me up ... Such horrible treatment of human lives just makes me sick.  Yet I've often wondered how I would have reacted to slavery if I lived in that era.  (Praise God that I did not have to) It's so easy to go with the flow!  I am so thankful for Sojourner Truth's redemptive outcome.  I love that Christ sought her out and eventually saved her!  Just as he did with Mary and us all!!  We have so much to be hopeful for but gratefully we do not have to be slaves to our sin thanks to our Beloved Savior! 

March 1- 6th/  Chapter 3  Name's Sake

Chapter 2 - I'm A Most Unlikely Witness

I recently had a non-Christian friend share with me that her sister was gravely ill.  She said, "I know you have a relationship with 'The Man Upstairs' and I know he'll listen to you... so please pray for my sister."   Oomph.  It felt like a gut-punch; my breath was taken away.  Of course, she was expecting me to pray for her near-to-death sister to rise from her bed miraculously cured, with the doctors exclaiming they "just don't understand it."  On the other hand, she would be happy with a successful surgery that extended her sister's life a few years, too.  This was most certainly a last-ditch request (aren't they always?)  I felt so inadequate, so ineffectual.  Sure (I said), I'll pray.  And hey (I'm thinking), of course I'd love it if God always did whatever I asked him, whenever I asked him, sort of like a genie in a bottle.

But the reality is:  my God is so beyond that.  As Jo says, we don't just have a message to share, we have a Person to introduce.  We've encountered the dead-alive Jesus, and our lives have never been the same.

So why am I afraid?  Why do I feel like an Unlikely Witness?  What would my friend think if I appeared (to quote Jo) "sweaty, hysterical and wild" proclaiming that I've seen the Lord?

In Matthew's account, the risen Jesus met the amazed women and told them, "Do not be afraid.  Go and tell..."   This same Jesus says in John 10:28, "I give [my believers] eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."  Not only has He risen, but now WE never have to fear death again.

This message of eternity reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:10-11:  "I have seen the burden God has laid on men.  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

My heart breaks for my friend and her sister.  My greatest prayer is that they come to know the resurrected Jesus; I pray God draws them to Himself.  I did gently tell my friend that she, too, could join me at the foot of the cross.  (That's the only reason God listens to me, after all.)  And perhaps God was meeting her in this place of brokenness to introduce her to Himself.  But I haven't heard back.  Yet.

So please pray with me, and let's pray for each other, that God would make us faithful, if "unlikely," witnesses in this broken world.  And please pray for my friend and her sister, that their desire for eternity would become Personal.

Chapter Two:  Unlikely Witnesses
Oh, how I loved the story of Arthur and his ministry!  How God used a down trodden drunk as his ambassador to share His wonderful story of eternity for all.  Here was a man that didn't say a word and yet all of Sydney was impacted in some way by what he did for the kingdom.  This begs me to ask what I am doing to further God's kingdom?  I have been pondering Question #5 for two days and still don't have a clear answer.  At my age I should have a VERY clear answer to my life's purpose.  I do know I am much more a "Martha" than a "Mary" and what did Jesus say to Martha! God used women in so many ways as we see in this chapter.  What if the women who went to the tomb had never told another person about what they saw and heard?  Afraid of being laughed at and not believed what would I have done?  Wait!  A better question to ask myself is "what do I do now with great joy to let others know about ETERNITY?

Chapter Two: Not as Those Who Have No Hope

Last year my sister’s brother-in-law passed away suddenly in his early forties, leaving a wife and three children under ten. I remember thinking that if that happened to me, I know I would be thinking over and over that it couldn’t be true, and that my husband would be home soon. 

But what if that really happened? What if I were mourning the loss of my husband only to have him walk in the door after work as usual? How great would be my joy? How would that transform everything?

In the scripture passages we read for this “Unlikely Witness” chapter, we see people transformed by the joy of finding out that the one they loved had returned from the dead. It’s hard for me to put myself in the shoes of those who experienced the sadness of Christ’s death. After all, we know it to be a happy story: it’s wonderful that He died because of what He did for us in that act. But they did not know that at the time.  When they came to Jerusalem in triumph they could not possibly have known that they were about to experience both great sorrow and great transforming joy in a matter of days.  They watched Jesus die and then received the incredible news that he had been resurrected.  But in this case, Jesus did not simply return like Lazarus returned, or Jairus’s daughter, or anyone else who had been brought to life miraculously by Jesus or an old testament prophet.  Yes, those were miracles, and their loved ones rejoiced, but their resurrections did not have the impact that Christ’s did. Christ completely conquered death at his rising!

This means that when we mourn, we do not have to mourn as those who have no hope.  Death no longer has a permanent grip on those Christ died to save. This is the joy that transformed Christ’s followers. The kingdom they were working to bring, the one they thought was hopeless when Christ died, turned out to be bigger than they expected. It turned out to be everlasting!

We are all transformed by this! Let’s never lose sight of that!

Unlikely Witnesses

This is a great chapter title.  It's a fall-back for me when the impossible rears its head...that God uses the unlikely and makes it possible.  It's -14 with the windchill this morning, schools are closed, and all is snow and ice covered. BUT, the sky is blue and the sun is shining. The reminding hope despite the unwelcoming.  My heart has seemed a bit unreachable, my head foggy, and I often attribute much of this on menopause:) You know what I am talking about!

The Arthur Stace story and the women at the tomb made me think of the obedience and power of one.  The power of one; one God, one Savior, uses one person.  So much of life whispers what I do isn't enough; even though it matters with Christ.  These people quietly did what only they were given to do.  It matters even though I don't sometimes see immediate outcomes or the ramifications if I don't.

My one word I would use to capture my own life's purpose, today anyway, would be "dependent".  Often I pick up things like worry, fear, disappointment, rather than pick up Jesus and His word.  It's very self-focusing which I despise at the same time that I do it! So, God, in His very loving and merciful way redirects me and shows me my need.
I am very thankful we are working through this book.  My devotional time often consists of daily Bible time with my homeschoolers but this is a set-a-part time of dependence that I so desperately need; A Desperate Faith indeed.

Praying for us all,

Kristi

Week 2/ February 22nd - February 28th/ Chapter 2 Unlikely Witnesses

This morning I woke to thoughts of Jesus and his earthly death.  As a Mother, I have often thought of Mary as she watched her son on that crucifixion day with a heart that was breaking,. Then my mind skipped to the relief to her and others when he said" It is finished" and Christ's suffering was over.  Until reading Jo's first chapter of "A Desperate Faith" I had never given much thought to what happened to his followers except for his 11 disciples after that day. What shock, total devastation and despair they must ALL have felt!  But God's perfect plan had Christ's return to be with all followers for 40 days.  What a time of EXCITEMENT, HOPE AND JOY this must have been! As he walked, talked and cooked for them (I like that) their faith increase daily. After he left they had the promise of everlasting life with our Heavenly Father.  We Christians can have this EXCITEMENT, HOPE AND JOY for Christ every day if we choose because we are truly blessed to know "the rest of the story".

Chapter 1 --

As I reflect on Christ's resurrection .. Like Kristi I'm thinking with out the resurrection there is no Christainanity ... What hope would we have for the faith we profess?  If Christ didn't reveal himself to the apostles then there would be no church as we know it.  The apostles (like us) were fickle and although Christ told them that he would rise they didn't comprehend what it all meant.  They would have been silenced at His death.  What would have their mission been had Christ not revealed himself those 40 days on earth? Praise God for his sovereign ways! Christ knew there would be skeptics .. (as we see in the gospel of Mathew regarding the guards at the tomb being paid to fabricate the truth) praise God for the hope we have found in His glorious Resurrection! Thank you Lord Jesus for proof in your returning!  Who else can take a small group of believers and turn it into the movement that we know to be today?  (The excerpt from NT Write that Jo mentioned)

Old Hat - Reflections on Chapter 1

Remember the chapter in Little Woman called “Jo Meets Apollyon”?   Jo’s hot temper won’t let her forgive Amy for burning her precious stories, and because she hardens her heart, she almost loses Amy.  Little Women, and the Apollyon chapter in particular, definitely shaped me as child and later as a mother. Like Jo, I had a hot temper that I did not know how to control. Like Jo, I was often full of bitter remorse. Marmee soothed me as she soothed Jo; encouraged me as she encouraged Jo; understood me as she understood Jo.  I was blown away by this fictional mother, and I used to think, “When I am a mother, I’m going to be just like Marmee.”  Marmee: the fount of all patience, wisdom, quietude, forbearance, self-sacrifice, and love. 

Well, I’ve been a mother for more than twenty-three years now, and I’m still falling way short of Marmeehood.   But Marmee is still my ideal, and I guess you could call Little Women my “motherhood bible.”  I’ve read it more often as an adult than I ever did as a child, and even now, if I am stealing a few moments to relax in the tub or enjoy a quiet lunch and I don’t have time to start a new book or read anything heavy, I’ll just grab Little Women and open it at random and enjoy a chapter.  I have read it so many times that I am as familiar with the contents of my motherhood bible as I am with my Holy Bible.

But here’s the thing: Little Women never gets old to me.  I always enjoy reading even a few lines. But I’m sad to say that, lately, Scripture has gotten old. I try to read my Bible, but I get this impatient “I know all this already” feeling that I never get with Alcott.  I never tire of Marmee’s gentle admonitions, but Paul’s seem repetitive.  

Why should this be? It shouldn’t be – that I know! Little Women is a wonderful book, but it’s children’s literature and it was written by a woman of questionable doctrine to say the least. The Bible holds the words of eternal life, written by men directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. It does indeed tell the Greatest Story ever told – a story that did change the world and a story that has the power to shape and change me more profoundly than anything else I could possibly read. Why then should the one book  be ever-fresh and the other old hat?

In this first chapter, Jo Kadlecek writes, “Maybe I’ve come to view Christ’s resurrection in the same way we would a really good action, adventure, and romance movie all rolled into one.…We pop it in the DVD player to watch it one more time before cleaning the house or going to work. We’re warm and fuzzy from its familiarity but rarely changed by it. We don’t always know what to do with it.”

That’s where I am.  Reading the adventures of the March family is soothing escapism. Reading Holy Scripture is guilty agitation. I don’t know what to do with words that should change me but don’t seem to.  I’m anxious about many things, including the fact that reading or hearing the Word that should be a balm is often a source of more agitation.  It’s a bit of a vicious circle - anxiety and guilt feeding more anxiety and guilt.

But I have been here before. And I’ve been renewed in my spirit before - through study, through fellowship – through God’s provision.  I am praying that as we look for new insights in these “old hat” stories and share our reflections with each other, my love for my Savior and His powerful Word will be renewed and strengthened.  I want that. But I know that even these dry days are working for my good and God’s glory.  I’m confident that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. And I trust that through the power of my resurrected and living Savior I will someday be, not like Marmee, but like Christ: the fount of all patience, wisdom, quietude, forbearance, self-sacrifice, and love.

Dear Lord, grant that I may find your Word a glorious feast of peace and promise that leads me to more love, gratitude, and trust!

Reflections over Chapter 1

I loved reading Amy's comments! Thanks Amy. It resonated with my heart and reminds me...And that's what came to me in this chapter.  Jesus is the Resurrection and they go together.  I've not thought of Him without it or one without the other.  There would be no christian faith with no resurrection.  It's impossible, amazing, beautiful, and heartwrentching!  BUT, do I remember in light of my daily life?  Do I recall, savor, and delight in His great love for me?  Does the power get buried under the  cares of this life?  A good beginning for the week.  Praying for us all.

Resurrection Lessons Under the Snow - Chapter 1 Reflection

I had some extra time today, so hope you don't mind if I start the posts now. (Somebody has to go first, right?)  Many thanks to Kristi for organizing the group, and I hope we can be candid with each other as we take this resurrection journey together.  I'm Amy Beasley, a friend of Kristi's from church.

It seems appropriate as I'm reflecting on the first chapter of Jo's book, I look outside to see my world frozen, icy and blanketed with snow.  It seems hard to believe a spring resurrection is possible when there is no apparent evidence of life.  My soul, too, has been chilly lately.  I know the Spirit planted His bulb deep within my soil years ago, but lately I haven't been able to focus very well on prayer or Scripture.  I've been feeling like spring may never come.

But God works in mysterious, gentle ways, and He knew I needed to ask myself the question, "What does [Christ's] resurrection mean for me today?" (Q#4)  Wow.  I can't use the excuse, "Who has time to slow down and come face-to-face with something so ancient and intangible as resurrection?" (to quote Jo)  Instead, as she says, "Who can afford NOT to?"  Thank you, Jo and Kristi, for reminding me to "reach for a Bible, anyway, regardless of how I felt or didn't feel."

Just as Jo's wrestling with the importance of Jesus's resurrection was sparked in part by her mother's death, I, too, have been wrestling with life-and-death questions as I watch my mom slip away in the slow dirge of Alzheimer's.  Twelve years now, and no immediate end in sight.  Dad and I go to the nursing home nearly every day, and I see many others like Mom, losing their ability to speak, understand, and function.  Losing their personalities.  I find myself asking, what is the purpose of this prolonged illness and suffering?  Why doesn't God just take us home?  (Thankfully, Mom is a believer.)  I know that God is good, but what kindness is this?

And then I see Jesus, who after His resurrection, didn't come back just to swoop down and carry off His disciples... He came back to earth, He walked with them, ate with them, showed them His resurrected body, His scars.  He helped them understand the purpose for His suffering, and for theirs.  He gave them hope.  And it changed their lives.  As Jo says, after His resurrection, Jesus didn't change his mission, He was (and is) still pursuing those He loves.  And ultimately, it's all about Him, not me.

So there must be something more excellent, more beautiful, under the snow. "How would we live in this decaying world if the resurrection really was the center of our being?"  I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts over the next several weeks as we explore the answer to that question together.

Let's Get Started!! Chapter 1

We will read Chapter 1 of  "A Desperate Faith" for the week of February 15-21.  After you have read the chapter please leave your post on the Lessons of Hope page.  It's completely up to you how you want to do this.  You can answer one of the questions at the end of the chapter, share your own reflections, or what stood out for you in this chapter.

I appreciate all of you joining me in the next weeks and all that I will glean from your insights!


Grace,

Kristi

Welcome to A Desperate Faith

Hey everyone,

Over the next eight weeks we will be reading, reflecting, and sharing with one another our "lessons of  hope" via the book A Desperate Faith.  I...Am...Excited about this!   We all bring various experiences and insights that God uses to benefit His people.  Thanks so much for signing on.