Self-Directed or Christ-Directed?

Campus Crusade for Christ has a great website called DiscoverGod.com. In their own words, "It’s a simple, yet compelling, guide to knowing God. Through powerful content, the Web site helps seekers discover who our Lord really is -- and why it matters." I encourage you or anyone you know to take some time to explore this site. You can get to it here:

http://discovergod.com/home/.

One of the things you'll find there is a link to the above graphic. 

DiscoverGod.com lays out the difference between being self-centered and being Christ-centered. I once used this illustration in a Sunday school class, and learned right along with the kids the ways that I was being self-centered and often times didn't even know it. 
These illustrations were a huge eye opener for me and an impetus for spiritual maturity. They showed me the truth of John 8:32,

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

Free from myself, that's what the Truth set me free from, along with freedom from what the world has taught me all my life. I am now free to put Jesus on the throne and learn from Him. And nothing in life has ever made me freer than that!

To read DiscoverGod.com's take on the above diagrams, go to http://discovergod.com/pdfs/spirit.pdf.


"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29

"So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be, and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.' Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him." John 8:28-30

More Americans Pro-Life than Pro-Choice

Click on chart to see better













The Headline: More Americans "Pro-Life" Than "Pro-Choice" for First Time
Also, fewer think abortion should be legal "under any circumstances"
written by Lydia Saad:

PRINCETON, NJ -- A new Gallup Poll, conducted May 7-10, finds 51% of Americans calling themselves "pro-life" on the issue of abortion and 42% "pro-choice." This is the first time a majority of U.S. adults have identified themselves as pro-life since Gallup began asking this question in 1995.

Read the entire article with complete poll results here:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

The Lepers in our Head

Last night Adam Lambert sang U2’s "One" on American Idol. After the song, he told Ryan Seacrest that the lyrics to the song are really beautiful and people should check them out. So I did. And one line jumped out at me from the song, a line that was not in Lambert's version. And the line is this:

"Have you come here to play Jesus to the lepers in your head."

That jumped out as a terrific way to put what so many people do: they try to be Jesus to the rejection and unacceptable behavior in their life. Many try to be Jesus in healing or dealing with being ostracized or outcast, either by ourselves or others.

And then we wonder why we still hurt. We wonder why we don't change. We wonder why we still feel empty.

It's because Jesus is replaced by our own human determination, education, emotionalism, winsomeness, independence, pulling ourselves up by our boot straps and pride in thinking we can do it ourselves. Delegating to Jesus is not logical or relevant. Many don't even know who He is and others who claim Him as their Savior haven't gotten around to claiming Him as their Lord.

In the Bible, Jesus heals the lepers. These were physically marked by their highly contagious disease, resulting in being outcasts from society. We are lepers yet today: ostracized in our own minds because we keep making mistakes: can't break the addiction; can't get the relationships right; can't get our anger or spending under control, and on and on. We castigate ourselves as much as anyone; maybe for the same things our family, friends and society give us heck for, and maybe for different things.

The point is, whether it's coming from inside or outside of us, we are lepers to ourselves and others in one way or another. I'm a leper to the person who wrote me off after we had a disagreement. I'm a leper to myself when I repeat a sinful thought or action. I'm a leper to some people simply for being a born again Christian. Conversely, we carry other people as lepers in our hearts and minds. That person who wrote me off was becoming a leper to me: but God, because I'm asking Him to, is gradually replacing animosity towards that person with compassion and forgiveness.

This is what Jesus walks into: the cave that is our life where He reaches out and dares to touch the untouchable in us. Through Jesus entering into our bodies, minds, hearts and souls, the leprosy is finally dealt with. The leprosy of sin can now be handled and eradicated through the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word. The leprosy of being persecuted, laughed at, mocked and stereotyped because of our faith and righteous living (and the mistakes we continue to make as Christians that garner the label "hypocrite" by the world) can be lived within the joy and confidence of knowing Who we belong to and Who we aim to please. We go forward sure of the promise that God knows those who are His and will never forsake us.

Since we are His, then why do we think for a minute that we can be God? Will the clay try to be the potter? (Isaiah 64:8) We are not the Triune God and never will be, to ourselves or anyone else. Today, will we willingly and humbly fall at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to come in and touch the lepers that reside in our head?

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Luke 13:34-35

"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.' Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' And immediately the leprosy left him." Luke 5:12-13

National Day of Prayer

Every day is a National Day of Prayer.


"...pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

A Beautiful Thing

"A beautiful thing," in the words of Paula Abdul, is happening on American Idol, and it's the reason I continue to watch this season. I'm talking about the chemistry and readily apparent growing friendship between Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta.

Last night the two sang a duet of Foghat's "Slow Ride." You can watch it here:

http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/performances/adam_lambert_and_allison_iraheta_slow_ride

Here's what struck me: Allison was on stage first, and as Adam joined her on stage, he looked at her and a big smile crossed his face. The two continued looking and smiling at each other throughout the song, and before it was over, I said as I watched, "they're going to hug each other when it's done." Not only did they hug, but they continued to hug and smile and beam at each other throughout the judges' comments, who recommended that Allison and Adam record together. Adam readily agreed, saying that Allison was like a little sister to him.

So, what's so special about all of this? In this day and age of hyper competitiveness, cursing and cattiness in reality shows and in shows where people are voted off or, on The Food Network, "Chopped," it is a refreshing thing to see two people going after the same prize actually support and bring the best out of one another. It's wonderful to see friendship, love and genuine sincerity between two people who didn't even know each other a frew months ago. It's like they have each other's backs; there's loyalty there! Wow! What a concept in today's world!

I have no doubt that Adam and Allison want the best for each other. They share a chemistry that is larger than each of them individually and encourages and supports, instead of tearing down and stepping over. Adam embodies that old fashioned sense of chivalry and mentoring that one doesn't see nearly enough of these days, and Allison is humble enough to not just allow it, but embrace and find joy in it. For these two, it's about accomplishing great art through collaboration, respect and truly liking one another! And any difficulties or differences of opinion they may have are worked out and each is willing to make a compromise to get to the finish line successfully. I think this is an example of "checking your pride and ego at the door" and "it's not about me." And the true prize for Adam and Allison is their dignity, integrity and a new (and no doubt lasting) friendship.

In this day of partisan politics, talk radio on all sides grousing non-stop over just about everything, violence in the news and in video games, and a general mood of schadenfreude (malicious enjoyment at the misfortunes of others), watching Adam and Allison is, truly, a beautiful thing.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Myanmar One Year Later

Above Top: "A woman feeds her baby as she rests in her makeshift tent Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Twantay, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Yangon, Myanmar. Many in Myanmar one year later are still struggling with the effects of Cyclone Nargis." (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

Above Bottom: "Myanmar children look on from a Cyclone Nargis damaged home Thursday, April 30, 2009, in Twantay, Myanmar. Many Myanmar residents are still struggling to meet basic daily needs a year after Cyclone Nargis struck the area. Twantay is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Yangon." (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

These pictures reveal just a tip of the iceberg that is the situation in Myanmar one year after Cyclone Nargis hit the area. Oregon's South Coast The World has a good article on what happened one year ago, and the situation today. You can read it here: http://theworldlink.com/articles/2009/05/04/news/doc49fbfb0f4c12a037809086.txt
The article states that, in the weeks following the disaster, Myanmar's military regime denied aid agencies access to the area. However, the junta, under global condemnation and pressure from the UN, finally did begin allowing aid in.

I remember when this cyclone hit, and how I heard that Samaritan's Purse (a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization headed up by Franklin Graham) was able to be in Myanmar just two days after the disaster. An article on the one year anniversary of Cyclone Nargis that appears on the Samaritan's Purse website states:

"We had staff in the country just two days after the storm hit, and in the weeks that followed we flew in 10 cargo planes filled with tons of relief supplies. Knowing that even those who made it through the disaster were at risk because of a lack of food and clean water, we worked to provide rice and other staples to thousands of families and installed large water filtration units."

Samaritan's Purse outreach in Myanmar has expanded and continues to this day. To read the entire article, view pictures and find out how you can help, go to

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/ongoing_help_for_myanmar/

"'Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?'
The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.'
Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'" Luke 10:36-37

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5

When What We Say is Not What People Hear

Did you ever say anything and then realize, hours or even days later, that what you said might have been misinterpreted by someone listening?

I recently said something at a school outing to a woman I don't know very well that I think she may have taken the wrong way. Two things led me to this conclusion: one, the expression and reply of said person, and second, her chilly hello to me at a subsequent meeting!

If this has ever happened to you, you know what it means to feel like an idiot. But then again, if our intentions in what we said were not even remotely related to the meaning that the person took away, why should we feel like an idiot? I think it's that we feel bad--and personally responsible--when something we say is mistakenly and negatively applied by the person we are talking to.

If this is confusing, I guess that's indicative of how confusing communication among humans can be! Intonation, facial expression and words--often ill-chosen in the spur of the moment of conversation--can all convey things that we never intended to convey.

So, what to do about my words that were possibly taken out of their intended meaning? As my husband says, I can't control how people interpret my every word (he also says that most people probably are not even thinking about what I said, and I’m just paranoid!) But still, I think a simple thing to do is next time I see this person, I’ll just bring up the time we were together on the outing and tell her that I hope she didn't take my words the wrong way. If she doesn't know what in the world I'm talking about, I'll know I definitely have some paranoia issues to deal with. But if she does acknowledge that yeah, she was taken aback by my words, then we can clear the air.

What this has taught me is to be more careful and selective in what I say, while at the same time not become obsessed with analyzing every little word in the hopes of not ever being misinterpreted! I'm trying to listen to God and to speak more out of His grace and less out of my reactions, responses, agenda and shooting from the hip. This means that, going forward, the best course of action in conversations and social situations may be to wait, listen, talk less and perhaps, to not even say anything at all.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children..." Ephesians 5:1