I gave up chocolate, but not for Lent.

Sometimes a forfeit is not a fast.

Christians worldwide go without things they desire from Ash Wednesday to Easter, remembering Jesus Christ’s own 40-day fast in the wilderness. The faithful aim to dedicate increased attention to seeking God during this period each year. People forgo alcohol, candy, or desserts. Others skip television or swear off social networking. Some quit smoking. Plenty of people don’t eat meat on Fridays during this season of Lent.

I’m not slamming any of this. I salute the devotion behind it.

This year, I’m giving up chocolate, but not for Lent. As much as I love the taste of a crunchy chocolate bar, a sweet mocha shake, or a chocolate chip ice cream cone, I’m done with all things cocoa. I’ve had to face up to a difficult truth: Chocolate triggers my migraines. It’s just not worth it.

That’s a handy metaphor for sin. It seems fun for a moment, but the aftermath can be painful. The Bible calls it “the fleeting pleasures of sin” (see Hebrews 11:25, ESV). Chocolate is delicious, but I surely pay the price afterwards.

Oh, Henry!

So chocolate is out – for now (in the Lenten season) and from now on. Well, when I wake up in Heaven with a brand-new resurrection body, I won’t have to worry about migraines. I’ll eagerly dig into some gooey chocolate treat at the Lamb’s marriage supper (see Revelation 19:6-9).

But my personal chocolate ban is not a Lenten sacrifice. I’m claiming no credit for it.

Don’t we kind of try that sort of thing sometimes? We stumble onto some seemingly good deed and allow others to salute us for it. But we didn’t actually do anything righteous at all? It’s not as if we deserve any reward for something we didn’t do on purpose.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV)

My chocolate aversion is not a fast.

It’s not a sacrifice, even if I miss it sorely. I’m skipping this savored sweet because it makes me hurt. That doesn’t make it a gift to God or an avenue to deeper devotion.

In fact, some of my most earnest prayers have occurred when I have been in head-banging agony. How many believers would agree that suffering brings us to our knees more than comfort? (I’m not begging for more headaches here, just recalling when God has met me tenderly and faithfully in my most horrific moments.)

Here’s a confession.

This year, I haven’t really given up anything tangible for Lent. In fact, I made a conscious and intentional decision not to do so this time around. Instead, I want to ask for more:  More devotion, more boldness, more faithfulness, and more deep desire to seek His heart.

Mostly I want more of God.

Chocolate has nothing to do with it.

Someday in eternity, I’d love to be able to echo David’s words:

“The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.” (Psalm 18:20, NASB).

And my hands won’t be clean because they are free of melted chocolate. They’ll only be clean because He washed them for me.

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Adapted from public domain image/s

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Rabbit trail time: Reflecting on the restroom rumpus

Let’s talk about his and her restrooms for a moment.

Bear with me. As I write this, an ongoing debate is raging in the news and all over social networking. The whirlwind is all about washrooms provided by various businesses for public use. 

Only it’s not really about that – or, it’s not only about that.

When did the public restroom become a test-room for public policy and a cause for such unrest?

On the surface, the focus is on welcoming people of all kinds into the bathrooms of their choice, no matter what genders they are, have been, desire to be, or claim to be. But that's not the real issue.

One camp says the issue is about LGBT acceptance and freedom of gender identity. The other camp claims predators (of any gender or sexual persuasion) will seize upon this newfound lavatory liberty to fake their gender identities and harm others in bathrooms. (No one seems to be mentioning this much, but the new policies also include fashion fitting rooms in certain stores.)

I find it almost astonishing that bathrooms have become battlefields.

That’s how far our society has sunk. We’re fighting about restrooms. No one seems sure where this public potty policy (or commode controversy?) will lead, but it’s pretty clear we’ve all gone to pot.

I’m not aiming to plunge into this debate here or flush out raging comments from either camp. I just feel the need to state a few basic suggestions:

1. Parents, please accompany your own youngsters into bathrooms and fitting rooms. Whether potential predators are present or not, it’s a sound policy. There’s a reason plenty of people (even adults) don’t visit public restrooms alone anyway (except for one-seater bathrooms). Simply put, a public privy is seldom private.

2. Respectfully stating one’s position on matters of faith and ethics is important. Standing up for principles counts for plenty, and we should all do so with intelligence and compassion. A little research reveals this isn’t just a one-store policy. It’s possible to aim for a target, but still miss the mark. Instead of wondering what’s under someone else’s clothes, can we wrestle with what’s in our own hearts?

3. No matter what bathroom or fitting room you feel you fit, God wants to welcome you into His own household of faith. He loves you, and He invites you to enter His presence by His grace.

Maybe it’s time for believers to leave the toilet talk for a moment and step up in faith.

We need to approach the one and only holy throne of grace, interceding for our whole nation. Let’s call on the Almighty to turn hosts of hearts to Him. Let’s bring faith and grace and mercy and godly love out in the open and bring rest and refreshment to all those who need His living water – no matter which water closet they choose to visit.

We can, and we must. And it’s time.

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.”(Psalm 22:27-28, NIV)

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Restroom icon – adapted from public domain artwork

Bible verse graphic – created on quote generator

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It's Super Tuesday, and Jesus is still King

Today is Super Tuesday in America. That means voters in 13 US states and one US territory will head for polling places to cast votes in the 2016 American Presidential primaries. Much is at stake in this election. Ethical, financial, global, moral, and political issues are on the line. And probably a few Supreme Court bench spots too.

Everyone seems to be hot and bothered about the 2016 vote. And well they should be.

It matters.

To those who live in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming and American Samoa: Please vote today. Pray, and follow your heart, as God leads. May He direct you to choose a candidate who is willing to lead with good character and a willingness to hear from Him.

To all fellow citizens of faith: May we bathe this entire electoral process in prayer. Let’s pray for revival in the land. Let’s storm Heaven with pleas for the people of this great nation to return to the Lord. (Oh, and our time to vote is coming soon, if it hasn't already taken place.)

No matter who wins the American Presidential election, let’s never forget: Jesus reigns. 

His kingly appointment comes from a much higher place (see John 18:36) than the American polling booth, for He sits at the right hand of the Father in glory (see Acts 2:33). He is the Son of the Living God, who is much pleased with Him (see Matthew 3:17).

And we eagerly await that Day, when we shall see Him as He is (see 1 John 3:2). He will reveal His glory, and His Kingdom will come to earth.

Hallelujah, He reigns. (Thank God.)

Oh, and God will not be caught off-guard by the outcome of the American Presidential election. That's a sure thing.

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to Him.”

(Psalm 24:1, NLT)

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Jesus - Adapted from public domain photo

Scripture Graphic - Created by this user on quote generator

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Whose are you ... and who is He?

Do you know who you are? And do you know Whose you are? Maybe we need to be reminded, every once in a while, just how blessed we are to be created and loved by the Maker of the universe, the Lord of all lords, and the mighty Ancient of Days.

Recently, while attending a Bible study titled Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed (by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur), I was struck by this soliloquy, delivered by Shirer (who happens to be Tony Evans’ daughter and clearly received some pass-along of his dynamic personality and preaching/teaching giftings).

Take a look and a listen.

Who are you in Christ? 

I agree, Priscilla Shirer. This is worth getting fired up about. And we are not alone there.

Joyce Meyer talked about this in her Beauty for Ashes: Receiving Emotional Healing book (among others). Rick Warren discussed it in The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Mark Driscoll aimed at it in Who Do You Think You Are?: Finding Your True Identity in Christ. Henry Blackaby focused on the same biblical principles in his Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God.

Charles Stanley wrote a Bible study guide titled Discovering Your Identity in Christ.

Innumerable pastors and Christian leaders have offered sermons and teachings on the topic of who we are in Christ.

If you are a Christian believer, then your identity in Christ is the bedrock of your daily life.

How might simply knowing to Whom we belong and by Whom we are loved beyond measure can change everything we do … and how we do it?

Thank you, Priscilla Shirer, for the inspiring and encouraging reminder of who God is and who we are by belonging to Him.

Image/s:

Going Beyond with Priscilla Shirer

promo photo - fair use

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