A Girl's Holy Ambition: Her Knight in Shining Armor

Sarah and I were talking the other day. We do that a lot, but this particular conversation was especially thought-provoking. We were noting how fast our peer circle is growing up. Our little buddies are driving, our sisters are taller than we are, and our friends are heading into college. Basically, our social group is experiencing the winds of seasonal change. All of these conditions, achievements, and circumstances are normal in the process of growing up, but it’s still rather strange to see the paradigm shift as past seasons come to a close and we enter a new stage of life.

Also, a development that we see as quite strange is how many of our friends through grade school are "in relationships" with their recently (or not so recently) discovered significant others. We learn of these "situations" and, after a wide-eyed look of shock crosses our faces followed by several awkward blinks, we go about the task of finding a knook or cranny in which to store the strange piece of information in our unyielding brains.

It's not like we've never considered the day our dad will walk us down the aisle, it has just never been of such immediate importance that we spent much time dwelling on it. As girls, we're not going to initiate that type of "relationship" (See Mark Driscoll on this idea, its rather entertaining.) so we don't spend our mental energy wondering, worrying, or planning for it. ...Not to mention the fact that we've always been "too little." If those special people come along, our dad will let us know.

That aside, there is one mindset regarding guy-girl relationships that really ticks me off. It pains me to see girls who graduate or finish their schooling in some form or another and then just wait around to get married. They have no real evident purpose and no practical plan. They sometimes work a few odd hours a week, or "help out" at home, but their life's philosophy seems to complacently say, "Oh, I'm just waiting for my knight in shining armor to come and find me." Their whole purpose in life is oriented around that ride into the sunset.

As Sarah and I were discussing this sad reality, I made the point that, "These girls seem to just sit around, waiting for their knight in shinig armor to rescue them," and then (in my best attempt at a Mark Driscoll impersonation : 7:00-7:15) I'm like, "I HAVE ONE! His name is... JESUS! I don't need this guy!"

If a girl's purpose in life is founded in Christ, then He will completely exceed her expectations. If a girl's purpose in life is founded in her significant other, that poor man will always fall short of her expectations. Either that, or she will worship him in the place of Jesus, yet another role he was never meant to fulfill.

 I was rather challenged and inspired by this message from John Piper.

Thought in a Question #5

What's your life's mission?

...I'm not kidding, I'd really love to know! Comment below.

To Think About...

"Method conditions content."  = My new thing to really think about.

Reflections after Nationals

As promised, here is the post written after Nationals. For those who would like to see, the current NCFCA Nationals break announcements are here.

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After the Fact

 Here I am. Nationals is officially over. I remember sitting in Oregon, loading up my tattered binder from the previous post…and thinking that I didn’t want to go to Nats. However, now that I’m sitting here after the fact I look back and realize all that God did during my time at the college campus.

See…there were these hallways. They connected the lecture halls, which served as the student hang-out area, and the alumni building, where the tournament happened in 66 rooms on three different floors. Now the cool part is…not many people knew about these hallways. Hence, they were quiet and undisturbed. They were hallways of professor’s offices, however, the doors are usually closed, and the hallways are air conditioned. There were four hallways, two on level 2 and two on level 3. These hallways were a gift from God.

I think back to Thursday afternoon. I found out that I had broken in my persuasive speech the night before, and it was thirty minutes before my round began. I escaped to a secluded hallway on the third floor. It was quiet, it was protected, it was a place to get away. I sat there, thinking back over the past rounds, and realizing…that this round would determine a lot. I opened my Bible to 1 Corinthians and began reading chapters 1 and 2. I sat in that hallway, reading the scripture allowed quietly, listening to my voice echo in the stillness of my hide-away.

I read, “I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” It was only by the power of God that I could walk into that competition room. It was only by the power of God that I wouldn’t have a memory slip, it was only by the power of God that the speech I was about to give would impact any of my judges…it was only by the power of God. God would take that speech, and do His work in spite of me…not because of me.

I have to admit, I was nervous… but I also have to say… that the semi-final round was the best that I have ever given that speech. Not only that, but the room was full of people. My guess is that fifty people at least heard the message, the message that God had given me to convey six months ago as I sat at my computer on a morning in January writing that very speech. He was there when I wrote it, He was there when I memorized it, He was there through all the qualifying tournaments, and now, as I stood in the semi-final round at the National Championship, it was still His message, not mine.

The semi-final round of that tournament was the ultimate test of my faith. There was heavy competition, all weighted with the question of, “Who’s going to make it to finals?”… but as I sat in that hallway, fifteen minutes before my round began, tears in my eyes, I knew, as I’d known before, that it wasn’t about the competition. Such a realization seems incredibly cliché, because that’s always what everyone says. But what I realized was that my speech had become more than a speech to me. I remember not picking my topic because I wanted to win, but rather, because it was important. If God wanted the message of that speech to reach more ears, and draw more attention, then He would move it forward.

And He did. I sat in the hallway on Friday morning, thirty minutes before the final round. I read the passage over and over again, the same passage that I’d read the day before. God confirmed in my heart His calling for the next round. I ought to know nothing except Christ and Him crucified. That’s what ultimately matters. My commitment to my savior is my ultimate source of strength. I am not with persuasive words, but I come with the power of God. He’d put me there, placed that calling before me, and all I needed to know Christ and Him crucified, and God would take care of the rest.

The night before, I’d met the Scott brothers and Tait Deems by the parking garage and they congratulated me on making it to finals. Then Tait added, “So, at least the top three, kay?” …I laughed and replied, “I’ll talk to God about that one.”…And He did it. I placed in the top three.

Yesterday, Liz and I took one last trip to the hallways. I stood looking down that hallway, thinking of the times I had paced it, praying and reading, all the times I had used it as a quiet escape in order to focus my thoughts. I walked down the hallway one last time, with my backpack slung over my shoulder - the same backpack that held my tattered binder. The messages of the scripts within it had been proclaimed at a tournament…one last time. I saw how my calling at Nationals had been completed. God did His work in spite of me, not because of me…and yet…I was given the privilege of being used by Him.

The Tattered Binder

Eight members of our speech and debate team are at the National tournament this week in Virginia Beach. It hit me yesterday how much I miss being with them. Last year was a really beautiful time of connection and bonding between the members of our club that went to Nationals, and while my mind knows there's no way I could have gone, my heart is regretting staying behind. The decision to not go to National's was made out of wisdom, but yesterday I had to come to grips with the fact that there really is a part of me that desperately wants to go back.

In order to help relieve my wishful thinking, I found the two blog posts that I wrote before and after Nationals last year. The first post (below) entitled, "The Tattered Binder" was written the night before I left, and it was posted on my previous (since been deleted) blog and never reposted when I began this one. The second post, which never actually made the published post stage of blogging was written "After the Fact."

The first entry is below, and I'll post the second entry tonight if I can remember. (I'm leaving myself a sticky-note, we'll see if it works.)

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The Tattered Binder

In just a few hours, I'll be at the airport, waiting to fly to Greensville South Carolina. Nationals has been a long time in coming, but it's actually here now. I'm scared, unsure, and excited all at the same time, but overall, I trust God.

Earlier this evening, as I was prepping my speech and debate binder. This is a ritual that happens before every tournament. I stock it with stickynotes, paper, speech scripts, and notes from friends. I finished it up, and closed it, and then examined it a bit closer. It began in January as a new binder, completely without wear and tear. But as I looked at the split seams, scratches, and fingerprints, I realized that this binder represented a journey. A journey that began in January when I first went to the Clarion qualfier, and it's ending in South Carolina, at the National NCFCA tournament.

I starred at the binder and realized how ridiculous it is for me to be nervous. The line that had been a theme throughout regionals, from the song "I Cry" by Rescue, "Because You've been so faithful every other time", rang in my mind as I thought back to all my adventures and challenges of previous tournaments. God's done so much in my heart and in my life through the last few months, that there is no reason that I should fear walking into another situation that is governed by His direction, purpose, and righteous will. The tattered binder was a reflection of God's faithfulness to me through everything that He has, by His grace, brought me through thus far.

Its been a long year. And there are times when I just feel like I want to be done, I want it to be over, I don't want to do it anymore. And I look at the binder I and think, "I'm taking it to tournament again?! Just look at it! It's so torn up, but I'm here loading it up to bring it with me again!"... I want to be done because I feel like that binder. I feel like I've been used to my max, I feel like I can't survive another tournament, I just want to be finished with the whole thing for a while. And yet, then I think about the scripts that are inside that binder, and the messages that are, by memory, engraved in my mind. I still have a message. And after realizing how important that message is, I think, "Okay. This binder can survive another tournament."

God's given me a message. And even though I'm tired, even though my endurance level is low, God can still get me through another tournament. ..."He's been so faithful every other time." So tomorrow, I'll put that binder into my backpack and carry it onto a plane and take it to Nationals... where it will be used again... and more memories will be added to the journey as God proves His faithfulness yet again... at a tournament... one more time.

Odd Realization

I feel as if my life is undergoing a constant reality check. In the past year, I've taken it apart, piece by piece, because I knew it needed to be different. Now I sit with all the pieces in front of me, and no clue how they're supposed to fit back together, and I'm afraid to start for fear that I'll get it wrong.

"Hm. What now?" I ask myself as I stare at my life, "This is very interesting."

Broken Sea Shells: TeenPact Oregon Staff 2010

After many weeks of an intense schedule, I'm back! During these last two weeks I staffed the TeenPact Oregon Classes. Below is a note containing a short explanation of my time at the class and my time with the staff.

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In honor of the remarkably inspiring staff: Joe Radcliffe, Brianna Walden, Jonathan Showman, Jimmy Brazell, Quinton Cools, Jennifer Sullivan, Valen Caldwell, and Rachel Aldrich.

Walking into the Oregon 2010 TeenPact classes was a little nerve wracking. Four faceless names were flying in from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Florida. I’d never staffed with any of the other individuals on my team, save for the program director. The two weeks before the class were filled with the NCFCA Regional tournament, a trip to Pensacola Florida, and staffing the Rainmaker’s Apologetics tournament. As I arrived at our host’s house, my condition did not bode well in regards to energy, enthusiasm, and awareness, three absolutely key elements to any TeenPact staffer’s success. Simply put, I was weak.

Jump forward with me to the end of the two weeks of class. We were driving the last out-of-state members of our team to the airport. In the middle of our last half-hour together, Brianna pulled out a paper bag. It was a bag full of broken sea shells. As she circulated the bag from seat to seat, everyone took one of the delicate tokens of her love and insight. She explained, “I went to the beach looking for whole sea shells to give to all of you. But I couldn’t find any, they were all broken. Then I thought, ‘Well, isn’t that a cool picture.’ It signifies our brokenness in the hand of God. Even though we’re not whole in and of ourselves, he can still use us if we let Him.” My broken sea shell sits on my dresser, a constant reminder of the Oregon 2010 TeenPact Classes, causing a consistent recollection of God’s strength being made perfect in my weakness during those two weeks.

Those four faceless names turned out to be some of the coolest people I’ve ever met. Combined with those I already knew were awesome, our staff group turned into the most bonded, encouraging, and functional team I have ever seen. Swift and fluent comradery equipped everyone with peace and excitement and was instrumental in meeting my emptiness and filling me with the joy and strength of Christ. The classes were a resounding success. The students were awesome, the staff was outstanding, and God was glorified. Yes, it was difficult. Yes, it was physically trying. Yes, I got sick the second week. However, cost defines worth. (In this case, at least.) It was difficult because it was quality. It was physically trying because we were committed. I got sick but, by God's grace, still pushed through as if I wasn't. The experience of those two weeks was worth so much, and it wouldn't have been worth as much, if it hadn't cost as much. It's usually the hardest things that are worth the most and are the most encouraging in the end. I was broken and weak, but God still proved Himself strong, and I was given the joy of being used by Him. Praise God.

 
Keep Smiling,
Lauren

The Holocaust and Abortion: Redefinition and Devaluation

I wrote a speech last year for the NCFCA speech competition season. It did make it to nationals, but has gone unspoken since, which is sad, because I still find the concept important and fascinating. The speech was entitled "The Lie of Abortion" and discussed the mental process or condition that justifies abortion. Lately, I've been considering the idea of the speech juxtapositionally with the history of the Holocaust. (The italicized text indicates the sections of the speech)

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Have you ever been riding in a car on the freeway, knowing you’re moving, but not really paying attention? It doesn’t matter that every second you cover 88 feet of pavement, it doesn’t matter that you’re burning gallons of gasoline, it doesn’t matter that you’re constantly moving further away from your starting point. You’re lulled into a feeling of disinterest, because none of what is happening is affecting you. This slab of pavement doesn’t look any different than what you drove over 10 minutes ago. All you’re thinking about is your destination. Everything feels the same. However, it’s not. You’re wearing down the pavement that you’re driving on, you’re burning the gasoline in your tank, you’re moving further and further away from where you were originally

This analogy of driving a car is an example of how people justify abortion in their minds. People understand murder. People understand what it means to be alive. People understand that when you get into a car and start the engine, you’re burning gasoline. People understand that sixty miles an hour will get you somewhere fast. But as they sit in the car, as they convince themselves that abortion is justified, they don’t care anymore, and they’re lulled into feeling entirely unconcerned.

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Think about the Holocaust. Six million Jews died innocently. Why? Barry Dank, emeritus professor of sociology at California State University, said, “Hitler viewed the Jews as a powerful force that was polluting and destroying society.” Genocide was justified because the Nazis were indoctrinated into thinking that the Jews were inhibiting and threatening German society. Because of their belief that Jews were inferior and infectious beings, it seems like they became apathetic to genocide. Their indiffernce became so strong that it led to nauseating conditions in concentration camps, mothers being slashed to death with bayonets after having their children taken from their arms, and people being organized by a number, rather than identified by a name.  

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Ultimately, this feeling of apathy comes from not recognizing truth. The car is burning gasoline, that’s truth. You’re moving at 60 miles per hour, that’s truth. You’re wearing down the pavement, that’s truth. Life begins at conception, that’s truth. Murder is wrong, that’s truth.

 

(Skipping a bit)

Man is a corrupt creature; lies permeate his awareness much faster than truth. But, no one’s going to walk around saying that they believe a lie. However, what you label something justifies what it is in your mind. Abortion advocates believe their lies, calling them truth. It’s like artificially flavored candy. You can call it blue-raspberry...but it’s not. Abortion advocates believe their blue-raspberry lie, calling it truth - lies such as, “The blob of tissue isn’t alive”, or, “you’re not killing anything”. Truth has been flatly redefined, resulting in stealthily disguised lies.

 

(Skipping a bit)

 

Abortionists have ignored and redefined what it means to be human. With every mile they apathetically travel, they wear down the pavement, they burn gasoline. With every mile they apathetically travel, they murder helpless human beings. As they sit in their car succumbing to that feeling of indifference, their sixty mile an hour justification process takes them miles and miles from truth.

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In the same way the Holocaust murdered six million Jews, abortion has murdered 50 million helpless children. Both were the result of the philosophical and psychological redefinition of the meaning of "human life." Both instances of redefinition resulted in a devaluation of a portion of the human race. The Holocaust ended in 1945. Abortion was legalized in the US in 1973. How did they so quickly forget?

Peter, John, and Acts 4:13

Acts 4:13
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

For an individual to be used by God doesn't require them to be impressive in human terms. It's not a matter of how to fulfill a calling, it's a matter of who called you. If its God calling you, then you are of no lack, because adequacy is from Him.
 
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Peter and John claimed their confidence through Christ, not by anything esteemed in human terms. And standing before the rulers and elders of the land... it was enough.

Please understand, this does not mean we shouldn't work towards excellence in everything we do for the sake of Christ. It is a means by which doubt is cast away, and true confidence is gained.

Hebrews 13:5-6
He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," (Deut. 31:6) so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" (Psalm 118:6)

To Truly be Beautiful...

Girls,

I know we have all heard that true beauty is within. We ought not to wear our beauty, but rather, be it. This issue of true beauty in a young lady is not a "been there and done that" sort of issue. Rather, it's a constant process. Being truly beautiful should not be thought of as an end, but rather, as a compass point.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Here's what I've concluded...

No matter how much we discover about God, there is always more to know. While I understand that my finite nature cannot parallel God's infinite nature in this manner, the principle is worth emulation. The people that I most respect in my life are the people that I never get to the bottom of. My father is a case in point. No matter how much I get to know him, there is always more about him to know; he constantly surprises me with his knowledge, insight, and wisdom. As a young lady, that is the trait that I want to have. A character that runs deep.

John Stonestreet, the executive director of Summit Ministries, said, "Purity and excellence in your life is never a line, it is a direction." My friends, beauty is not achieved, it is pursued. Beauty is not a finish line, it's a track. This view of beauty has a different perspective, a different dimension, and a different focus. It is hidden so deep that its not always visible to others at first. Why? Because this sort of beauty is cultivated in secret - in your personal studies, in your relationship with God, while you seek the face of your creator, and while you strive to be like Christ and follow His commands.

I'm not trying to imply that we're supposed to hide, or be less transparent. God does not call us to hide our character, but rather to have deep character. I want to be the type of girl who grows where no one can see her. I want to be the type of girl who cares so much about what God thinks, and realizes how great He is, that her pursuit of beauty, excellence, and purity never ends.

God says in 1 Peter 3:3-4...
"Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God."

The phrase, "Let it be the hidden person of the heart" takes on a new meaning when we view beauty as a direction and not an achievement. That hidden person of the heart can continue to grow and deepen as long as we continually pursue that which is precious in the sight of God.

John Piper on Faith and Trust

"Your daddy is standing in a swimming pool out a little bit from the edge. You are, let’s say, three years old and standing on the edge of the pool. Daddy holds out his arms to you and says, “Jump, I’ll catch you. I promise.” Now, how do you make your daddy look good at that moment? Answer: trust him and jump. Have faith in him and jump. That makes him look strong and wise and loving. But if you won’t jump, if you shake your head and run away from the edge, you make your daddy look bad. It looks like you are saying, “he can’t catch me” or “he won’t catch me” or “it’s not a good idea to do what he tells me to do.” And all three of those make your dad look bad.

But you don’t want to make God look bad. So you trust him. Then you make him look good–which he really is. And that is what we mean when we say, “Faith glorifies God” or “Faith gives God glory.” It makes him look as good as he really is. So trusting God is really important.

And the harder it seems for him to fulfill his promise, the better he looks when you trust him. Suppose that you are at the deep end of a pool by the diving board. You are four years old and can’t swim, and your daddy is at the other end of the pool. Suddenly a big, mean dog crawls under the fence and shows his teeth and growls at you and starts coming toward you to bite you. You crawl up on the diving board and walk toward the end to get away from him. The dog puts his front paws up on the diving board. Just then, your daddy sees what’s happening and calls out, “Johnny, jump in the water. I’ll get you.”

Now, you have never jumped from one meter high and you can’t swim and your daddy is not underneath you and this water is way over your head. How do you make your daddy look good in that moment? You jump. And almost as soon as you hit the water, you feel his hands under your arms and he treads water holding you safely while someone chases the dog away. Then he takes you to the side of the pool.

We give glory to God when we trust him to do what he has promised to do–especially when all human possibilities are exhausted. Faith glorifies God. That is why God planned for faith to be the way we are justified."

— John Piper

Vulnerability

This is mainly to the young ladies that may frequent this blog.

I've been reading "Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood" by Piper and Grudem, and near the beginning, Piper (quoting another writer) lays out some positive characteristics of a woman. Amidst the array of important and amiable qualities, I came across "Vulnerable (emotionally open)".

This surprised me. It wouldn't seem that vulnerability would be a positive characteristic. However, as I thought about it further... being vulnerable doesn't mean you have to be weak. It communicates more of a transparent honesty. It's a "handle with care" sign, really. I'll admit, I'm vulnerable. Do I have a reason to hide it? ...no. Do others need to see it? ...yes.

However, also included in the list of positive characteristics is the quality, "Enduring." ...requiring strength. Strength enough to withstand, strength enough to press on, strength enough to conquer.

There is a balance that must be kept. I have personally seen myself err on both sides of the equasion, and I've seen other young ladies do the same. Either we're overly strong, and therefore, not vulnerable enough. Or, we use the "vulnerable" characteristic as an exuse, avoiding the difficulty it takes to endure. Neither is acceptable.

There's a type of humility that's communicated in vulnerability. However, while vulnerability says, "I'll be honest about where I struggle," endurance says, "I'll press forward, claiming the strength of Christ."

Tournament Marathon Reflections

I've been sucked into the whirlwind of tournament season. My mother and I have since decided that never again are we going to be stupid enough to attend two tournaments one after another. Three days is not enough time to recover, especially when you're up until at least midnight each night researching. However, at the end of a long two weeks, I can definitely say that I've seen two things. First, my utter inadaquacy, and second, the blessing of improvement.

2 Corinithans 3:5-6
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from oursleves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gies life.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testomony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in seakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

So now, as I reach the end of the day, and the beginning of a long three weeks or so before I head off on another tournament adventure, I'm left with one thought that is worth remembering. ...Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

I spent the last two weeks honing my persuasive speaking skills, and practicing that by speaking about God's truth, the experiences of my life, and current environmental policy. (Apologetics, Impromptu, and Team Policy Debate) However, God's message does not depend on my ability. Paul didn't come with persuasive words. He came in fear and much trembling. So while I believe that it is important to sharpen my skills as a communicator... that is completely insignificant compared to Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Not only that, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified is the only reason that I am able to improve. I cannot consider anything as coming from myself because my adaquacy is from God. I'm made adaquate, why? ... because I am "a servant of a new covenant"... Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

At the two tournaments, my debate partner, Eric, and I place fourth out of 45 teams, and forth out of 17 teams. I placed third and fourth in apologetics. I qualified to regionals in all of the events I competed in... at both tournaments. But at the end of the day, I can't say it was me, and I can't say that it means anything when compared to what really matters.

My trophies will collect dust, my medals will be forgotten, and my certificates will get folded and stored, or simply thrown away. No one will remember the results in a week or two. And at this point I have to say, that in light of the awards, I feel more insignificant. In light of the placings, I feel more inadaquate. Yes, the results are a blessing, but they must be realized in the correct light, or else they present a false hope. ...I resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died: and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.

The Man that Dies with the most Toys... Still Dies.

One of the most amazing things about Jesus life is that He practiced what He preached. (No duh!) But this particular command that He gave to us, I saw in a new light as I was thinking about it recently.

Matthew 6:19-20, "Do not store up for youreslves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where theives do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Jews of the day thought that their Messiah would come and deliver them from under Roman rule. However, Jesus came not to save the people from a physical oppression, but rather a spiritual oppression. Instead of overcoming their physical enemies, Christ overcame their spiritual enemies.

If Christ simply came to overcome the Romans, that victory would only last on earth. However, Christ's work on the cross stores up treasures in heaven. Through His gift of eternal life that He provides through His death, we are given eternal life. Instead of stimply saving the people from the dangers of oppression of their physical lives, Christ's gift to His people would last for eternity.

Christ Fulfilled His own command through His gift of spiritual Salvation.

Also, another idea was challenging to me. When Christ died, no one understood what He was accomplishing. There was no appreciation in their eyes, no words of encouragement from their lips, but rather the people either didn't understand, or they condemned Him. Does this not parallel Christians storing up treasures in heaven? Oftentimes when we make choices to spend our lives doing those things that will count for eternity, the world doesn't understand why.

The apostle Paul says it best in His letter to Timothy:

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore, do not be afraid of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…”

- 2 Timothy 1:7-10

Become like Little Children

I've just started reading John Piper's book "What Jesus Demands of the World", and while I am planning on reading it straight through, I skip around a little at the same time. I came across Demand #17: Humble Yourself in Childlikeness, servanthood, and brokenhearted boldness.

Biblical Text Reference: Matt. 18:2-4

In that chapter, Piper writes:

"Humility is not only like the servant who says, 'I am an unworthy servant;' humility is also like a child at rest in his father's arms."

I remember back when we lived in Albany, Oregon. My dad would hold me in church and I would strum the decorative buttons on his dress jacket sleeve to the beat of the music that my mom was playing up at the piano. I remember curling up in bed next to him in the middle of the night when I had a bad dream. I remember having to sit on his shoulders to see over a crowd of people. I even remember finding the wrong pair of blue pants, and upon looking up, realized I wasn't hugging my dad's leg, but rather had found one of the McDonalds employees. ...that terrifying memory has stuck around for a long time.

But all of these experiences point to a type of neediness. I was to little too see over the crowd of people. I was too restless to stand still on my own in church. I was too scared to be alone after having a nightmare. I wasn't enough for me.

Piper writes: "'Little ones' emphasizes that they are not great in the eyes of the world. They are not strong. They are not self-sufficient. ... Children may have all kinds of faults, but in a normal, healthy family they trust their daddy to take care of them."
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Several years ago, a few of my sisters were sitting in the school room. Aundra had a question for Sarah, and Sarah didn't have an answer. Megan looked up from her coloring picture, and in a completely serious tone said, "Ask Dad that question, he knows everything." ...and resumed her coloring.

Piper writes: "We must humble ourselves in both ways: like an unworthy servant and like a trusting child. ... "What marks them is that they 'believe in me.' That is, they trust not in themselves but in Jesus." ... "They are happy, anxiety-free, and confident that everything they need will be provided."

Megan knew that my dad could give her an answer to anything. She recognized his immense knowledge and understanding and trusted his answers beyond a shadow of a doubt.
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Later in the chapter Piper writes, "Jesus knew that children were not models for imitation in his day. The reason he chose them is because of "their powerlessness and their low social standing."(Ulric Luz, commentary) His demand is that we end our love affair with power and status and self-sufficiency and rights and control."

Remembering back to my childhood days, I didn't give a rip about social standing or what was normal...

While Christians need to represent Christ well, it's important that we not get wrapped up in our social standing. Instead, realizing how much we depend on God, we ought to be honest and transparent, knowing that we don't have to prove ourselves. Our standing with God is the only one that matters, and Jesus took care of that.

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Piper writes:

"Of course, Jesus is not calling us to be as unproductive or as immature as children. That's not the point of the comparison. The point is that we not love being stronger or more intelligent or richer than others-that our joy does not reside in a feeling of superiority. The point is that we not begrudge the absence of recognition if the world does not value what Jesus calls us to do. We must not fret over being thought lowly and even foolish by worldly standards. Instead we must "believe" in Jesus the way a child believes. We must find our security and meaning and joy in Jesus and all that our heavenly Father is for us in him."

Essentially, childlikeness ought to manifest itself in humility, but also a deep-seated and transparent trust in Christ. It ought to bring about a joy through relying on Christ's gift of salvation, and an enduring hope that keeps my eyes bright and my gaze set on eternity. In the same honest way a little one trusts in a father, I can look to God with that same childlike belief that says, "I just have faith, and that's all I need."

If Houses could Talk...

Ainsworth House


I was driving my usual route towards home one evening, and I slowed down as I approached an old, but majestic home in the middle of a neighborhood close by our house. It's an old style, built in 1851 and owned by Captain Ainsworth. My love for that house never seems to diminish, and I always try and slow down to just to take another contemplative look as I drive past. 


There have to be so many stories surrounding that house. All the people who set foot inside, all the events, and all the conversations that occured are hidden stories wrapped up within the walls of that quaint dwelling. I almost wish houses could talk; I could learn so much by just sitting and listening.


I drove on, thinking. So many times I had driven through that neighborhood. So many times I had merely seen the fresh cut lawns, the new paint job, the odd flag, or the Christmas lights that accented and decorated the outside for appearance's sake. But, what about the inside of the house? What about the people?


I continued on, and eventually arrived at home. Oh goodness... my home. There are so many memories, good times and hard times, tears of joy and hurt, laughter and giggles, deep conversations, and many lessons learned all encapsulated in the little place that I call "home".

Little do I think about the fact that all of the other houses in the city have stories like the ones that come to mind when I think about "home". When I drive past those houses, I ought to see more than the outward appearance, but rather, think about the people inside. They all have a life just like I do. They all have cares just like I do. They all have dreams just like I do. They all have beliefs, hopes, preferences, and values. And just driving by, it's so easy not to see.


I want to be someone who cares. Someone who pays attention and understands. Someone who loves another just because they are a person. I don't just want to drive by, but rather, seek to understand more than the obvious. To look deeper into the house, and see the people that live their lives day in and day out at the same time that I live mine. Oh... if houses could talk.