Heart of a Ready Writer

Saturday

A to Z Answers: Neutrality is Nothing

I saw a man walking down the center of the street downtown today, straddling the double yellow center stripes with his footsteps.

Stripe straddling may be illegal. It’s certainly dangerous. But at least the guy knew where he was going. Actually, he was headed due north. His public promenade was anything but noncommittal.

Ideological stripe straddling can be considerably more perilous.

What happens when we try to be neutral in life?

A man I know, who tends to hold extremely strong opinions when he is confident of his own conclusions, often issues a canned quip when he’s asked for a commitment on a controversy.

“I’m Switzerland,” he says. What he means is this: “I’m not willing to take a stand on this topic.” Basically, he’s pleading the Fifth Amendment, invoking his right to refuse to answer.

Remember? Throughout the nation’s history, Switzerland has frequently declared neutrality in major world conflicts. For the Swiss, this actively passive stance has spelled national security.

That sounds like safe answer, but it’s really not.

In personal real-life application, neutrality is its own form of partiality. Even a non-stand is a stand of sorts.

And yet we likely all respond in similar ways at times. Maybe we’re not sure of a situation. Perhaps we’re hedging our bets. We could be stalling for time, so we can dig a bit deeper before drawing our own conclusions.

Still, we can’t all be Switzerland.

What about faith? Is it possible to ride the proverbial fence line, refusing to commit to monotheism, pantheism, deism, atheism, or something else altogether? That’s pretty much where agnosticism came along in the first place, offering a catch-all compartment for those who don’t want to make a decision about God’s existence and impact on human lives.

Is that a safe bet?

The Bible talks directly about namby-pamby neutrality. A person either believes, or he doesn’t. It’s that simple.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

(James 1:5-8, NIV)

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.”

(John 14:6, NLT)

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

(John 10:9, NIV)

For he who is not against Us is for Us.

(Mark 9:40, NIV)

I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me find Me.

(Proverbs 8:17, NIV)

Personally, I’ve been to Switzerland. It’s one of my favorite places in the entire world. I love the old castles, the cobblestone pedestrian streets and the Alpine scenery. I adore the delicious chocolates, cheeses and confections. And the Swiss people are tremendous.

Still, I don't wanna be Switzerland when it comes to neutrality.

I pray for the strength to take a stand.

When it comes to choices for eternity, there simply is no middle ground. I choose Christ, in whom is found all I need. Neutrality is nothing.

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A to Z Answers: Maybe Memories Maim Us

We know the Bible tells us to forgive those who wrong us. But is it possible to forgive and forget? Can we honestly cast those harmful memories aside and wipe them from our mental or emotional hard drives?

God can.

The Lord promises to remember not the sins He has already cast away in His grace.

“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”

(Jeremiah 31:34b, NIV)

Obviously, the all-knowing Almighty is not forgetful. Unbound by time, He sees the end from the beginning and views all at once. But He chooses not to focus on the faults He has forgiven.

What about us?

Yes, we are called to forgive, just as He does. We know this, even when we don’t practice it so well.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

We may struggle to do this fully, but we know such grace is God’s way.

Still, we may remember harm and pain and wrongs, even after we’ve sincerely forgiven. Do we even possess the ability to erase the evils we may have endured? We may bury painful memories subconsciously, but they can still linger and brew bitterness within the hidden hollows of the human heart.

We could try simply to ignore the ills we have experience, once we’ve extended forgiveness. And God, in His unlimited grace, can free us from the pain and deep destruction those wrongs may have caused. But don’t we recapture our thought patterns, when we are reminded of hurts and hatefulness we may have faced?

Will we forgive ourselves, if we recall forgiven sins?

Maybe this is the real question.

Must we beat ourselves up, if we occasionally remember the sins we’ve endured, or even the ones we have committed? Do our memories negate grace?

Absolutely not.

God’s grace is bigger than our short attention spans.

At the same time, He calls us to withdraw from wallowing and to follow Him onwards. Maybe memories can only maim us, if we linger long enough to let them.

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A to Z Answers: Longing to Look at the Lord

What does the Lord Jesus look like?

Have you ever pictured Jesus while you were praying? Most likely, we all have tried to do so. How do you perceive the Prince of Peace? What do you see when you meet with the Messiah?

The King of King's Heavenly appearance is likely beyond what we can currently conceive. The Bible book of Revelation talks about the Savior’s second coming in colorful terms.

by Carl Heinrich Block

by Adolf Hyla

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.

by Andrea Vicentino

His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

by Annibale Carracci

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

(Revelation 19:11-16, NIV)

Clearly, the Lord's coming will be clear to all. When we see Him, we will make no mistake about His appearance.

In the meantime, however, I often wonder what Jesus looked like when He took on human form and walked on the earth with mankind.

by Bartolomeo Vivarini

Artists have depicted the Lord in countless ways, sculpting and painting their imagined images of Immanuel. Usually, their perceptions seem to make the Son of God appear as if he came from the artists’ own family trees, rather than being the Rod of Jesse (see Isaiah 11:1).

Children’s picture books offer lovely drawings of a gentle Jesus with attractive features.

In our Easter services,

one of our pastors raised this perennial question.

Have you wondered as well?

Take a look at these examples of Jesus paintings.

From: Bible Revival Cards

The Bible actually describes the human form of Jesus as being somewhat unremarkable.

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.

(Isaiah 53:2, NLT)

by Carl Christian Vogel von Vogelstein

Perhaps He fit in rather inconspicuously in first-century Israel. Betraying Jesus, Judas offered to identity the Lord with a kiss (see Luke 22:47–48), just so the guards would know whom to arrest.

Maybe the Messiah was hard to pick out in a crowd.

We might assume Jesus had short hair, as the Apostle Paul described long hair as shameful for men during that era (see 1 Corinthians 11:14). We can also suppose that He wore a beard, because the Roman soldiers apparently ripped at it, as prophesied in the Old Testament (see Isaiah 50:6).

by Bruno Langner

Beyond that, we do not know much about the Lord’s physical appearance.

No matter what Jesus looked like in His earthly ministry, we do know one thing. There will be no mistaking His appearance when He returns.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

by Tom Curr

(Philippians 2:9-11, NLT)

Hallelujah.

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A to Z Answers: Klutz for the Kingdom

Color me klutz. I no longer care.

As a kid, I’d cringe to be the last one chosen for teams for softball, dodgeball, basketball, or any kind of ball game. At bat, I had more fans than a Major League MVP, except that my fans weren’t the cheering kind. I had more strikes than a champion bowler, although my strikes never knocked down pins. They just sent me back to the bench.

“You’re a klutz!” the other kids would chant. And it nearly killed me.

But God was surely smiling. He must have been, because that’s how He made me.

Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"?

(1 Corinthians 1:27, The Message)

That was long before bullies became ban-worthy in schools.

Now, decades later, I sometimes stumble. I trip on smooth surfaces. I stub my toes more often than I can count. Occasionally, I find myself suddenly sitting on the ground, staring at sky and wondering how that happened.

But I have a doctor’s note for klutziness now.

And God is turning it into glory, one way or another. Maybe modern medicine will find a breakthrough. Perhaps the Great Physician will work an instant miracle and remanufacture my myelin. Or He may make it a ministry.

In the meantime, I am learning to look to Jehovah Rapha for strength, as mine so often fails me. He promises to help.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9b, NIV)

I guess I’d rather stumble around a bit, perhaps even allowing others to find my floundering funny, than to cause someone else to stumble.

Whatever happens, I am learning that klutziness can be kingdom work.

My God delights in using the most awkward, embarrassing, quirky, odd, fragile, and seemingly impossible things to share His love in our crooked and crazy world. More than once, I’ve seen firsthand how He can transform troubles into training, forge friendships through our fractured feelings, and weave wisdom from our weird wanderings.

One week ago, I rediscovered one of the brashest bullies from my junior high years.

This girl used to put the “me” in “mean.” Today, she is transformed. She’s raising a special needs child, her husband lost his job over a year ago, and she is midway through her second round of chemotherapy for breast cancer.

I was sad to learn of her struggles. At the same time, I was astounded to see a remarkable difference in her spirit. I cannot help but pray for her now.

God is not through with that girl, and He’s still working on this one too.

Maybe we’ll both be klutzes for the Kingdom one day. Perhaps that’s the point.

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A to Z Answers: Joy when the Journey Seems Junky

Some days, you want to jump for joy. But sometimes, you just wanna jump. Does that mean your Jesus joy is in jeopardy?

Not at all.

Joy can be fun, making us nearly jittery with jubilation. On the other hand, joy may still exist when happiness seems to have fled.

What’s the difference?

Consider the words “happy” and “joyful.” All too often, we lump these two terms together, as if they meant the same thing. They don’t. In fact, they occasionally manifest themselves in real life as practical polar opposites.

Happiness is linguistically linked to such words as happening and happenstance. Being happy depends largely upon our circumstances and experiences, which may seem to occur haphazardly. We tend to be happy when good things are happening to us.

When we are joyful, however, we are filled with joy. Joy is something that is poured into us from the outside. Joy comes from a source beyond ourselves.

Are you hungry for joy?

No one can be joy-filled by himself or herself, just like no one can stave off hunger without introducing nutrition.

When was the last time you felt real hunger? Could you make yourself feel full without adding something fresh and new? Of course not.

Joy must be added.

And true joy comes from One Source.

You make known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

(Psalm 16:11, NIV)

It is possible to possess joy on the most dismal, discouraging and disgusting days. When our journeys seem piled with junk, we can still have joy.

Happiness is immediate and fleeting. It rests precariously upon our current conditions. And it’s an emotion. That means it can quickly change, as happenings affect the motion of the emotion.

But joy is a truth, no matter how we feel.

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.

(Job 8:21, NIV)

I belong to Jesus, the Author of joy. As a Christian, I’ve been marked with the Name of Christ. Maybe you have too.

I’ve read the Bible. Perhaps you have as well.

I know Who holds the future. He wins in the end.

That’s joy, no matter how I might feel today.

So please excuse me, if you find me frustrated, sad, grumpy, or exhausted on a given day. We’re still living in fragile flesh in a fallen world, but the victory is on the way.

Ask me about joy. Lift my head, and you might even see a glimpse of an eternal smile. And I’ll try to do the same for you.

Joy.

A few years ago, I attended the funeral of a friend. The congregation settled into the pews, with folks nodding politely to one another, as the organist played quietly in the background. Suddenly, she stopped.

The sanctuary fell silent, waiting for the grieving family to enter.

In a moment, we heard muffled music, which grew ever louder and clearer. The bereaved clan, including at least three generations of extended family, was singing together acapella in the lobby. And this is what they sang:

That’s joy.

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1868

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Monday

A to Z Answers: Imitating the Inimitable

Did you ever play the mirror game? This exercise in mimicry is popular in dramatic arts classes, as it teaches participants to become more perceptive to one another, as one copies the every movement of the other.

Imitating is a lot harder than it looks!

I want to be Christ’s copycat, but I can’t. I long to love what He loves and loathe what He abhors. I’d like to be innocent and faultless and pure-hearted.

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.

(Ephesians 5:1, NIV)

Alas, I just can’t.

But here’s the incredible secret. Jesus made me innocent. God looks at me and pronounces me pure, simply because my penalty has been paid.

It’s almost inconceivable that the immortal Immanuel has given me a brand-new identity, covering my imperfections and iniquities (a fancy word for “sins”).

Hallelujah!

I’m feeling inspired and illuminated! It’s more than I could imagine.

How can I be indifferent, when God initiated this infinite and intimate interaction, making the impossible inherently real.

I’ll follow. Will you?

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A to Z Answers: Help for the Helpless

Have you ever felt helpless?

Maybe everyone comes to that point sometime. Life can be hairy, heartbreaking or even hairy. We can grow haggard, especially if we’re not too headstrong to hesitate before hysteria sets in.

The Holy One offers hope when we humble ourselves and holler for help, instead of pretending to be stronger than we actually are.

What happens when we throw up our hands and cry out to Heaven?

The Apostle Paul may have been one of the most remarkable leaders the Church has ever known. What was his greatest strength? Perhaps it was his sense of spiritual reality, for he understood firsthand that true power come only from the Source of Life.

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)

According to Paul, human weakness opens the door for greater revelation of the power of the Almighty.

Amen.

Maybe helplessness is a powerful thing, if it drives us into the hands of the One who can offer us help and hope.

Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

(Psalm 10:12, NIV)

Hallelujah!

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A to Z Answers: Grief to Glory

On this holy weekend, all Christendom ponders the passion of the Christ. We meditate upon the mercy of God, which called our Lord to take on human form and give His own life for us.

Surely, sin-caused sufferings shall cease, as He transforms grief to glory. Amen.

Grief to Glory,

by Linda Ann Nickerson

Today we may grieve, but not for long.

Tomorrow is Easter, with glory’s song.

As angels wait,

He flips our fate,

From death into life, where we belong.

The ground is cold, as still He rests.

We fast and pray and beat our breasts.

Behold, the cost

To buy the lost –

It ever to His love attests.

So sound the chimes, and ring the bell,

Declare the day. His vict’ry tell.

The Lord will rise

Before our eyes,

For Sunday’s coming. All is well.

c2012 by Linda Ann Nickerson

Happy Easter!

The tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive.

Glory to God.

.

.

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Welcome!

I'm not a perfect Christian. Sometimes, I'm not even a very good Christian. But God loves me enough to hold onto me, even in those times.
All I know is that I have been blind, and now I see.
I have been weak, and He has made me strong.
I have been crushed, and He has cherished me.
I have been broken, and He has made me joyful.
I have been rejected, and He has restored me.
I have been lost, and He has found me.
And He is not finished with me yet.
Will you join me in the journey, learning to love Him back?

Kindle Countdown Deals

Saturday

A to Z Answers: Neutrality is Nothing

Friday

A to Z Answers: Maybe Memories Maim Us

Thursday

A to Z Answers: Longing to Look at the Lord

Wednesday

A to Z Answers: Klutz for the Kingdom

Tuesday

A to Z Answers: Joy when the Journey Seems Junky

Monday

A to Z Answers: Imitating the Inimitable

Sunday

A to Z Answers: Help for the Helpless

Saturday

A to Z Answers: Grief to Glory

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