Beth's Message

I had the privilege and pleasure of getting to see and hear Beth Moore speak right here in Richmond a couple of weeks ago. I took lots of notes and wanted to get them on here, thinking I might lose the notebook someday! I'm sure this will not do justice to her message, but it's a try.

If you don't know Beth, I urge you to check out her website at www.bethmoore.org. She is a phenomenal Bible teacher.

Beth's topic for the weekend was John 1:1-18. It is the prologue to the gospel of John. A few tidbits of information about John's gospel: it is 90% unique, meaning that only 10% of the content in John's book is found in the other 3 gospels. It was written about 90 AD. At this time, the church is emerging with Christ as it's center. John had probably had the opportunity to read the other gospels.

John's theme is all about belief. He uses the word 98 times, compared to Matthew, who used it 14 times; Mark, 11 times; and Luke, 9 times. John wanted us to know that there is no life in Christ without belief. Abundant belief equals abundant life. John's purpose is found in these two verses:

³⁰Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Beth told us that John gathers belief around eight miracles of Jesus. John also refers to Jesus by eight different titles in John chapter one (the Word, the Life, the Light, Only Begotten Son, Lamb, Messiah, King, and Son of Man). Several commentaries she used likened John's gospel to musical compositions, which have eighths or octaves. Using the musical analogy, Beth reminded us that in music you begin with middle C. As Christians, we need to get back to our middle C, which is Christ Jesus.

Following the eight or octave theme, Beth gave us eight ways to get back to our middle C.

1. We need to get back to the word.

Word meaning two things: the Word of God and Christ as the living Word. The Word is eternal--it was with God before time began. We can't hear God in a physical sense, and we can't see His nonverbal communication, so His Word is of utmost importance to us. It is how He communicates with us. Christ, the living Word, is the full expression of God to man.

2. We need to get back to the genesis.

Back to the beginning. In Genesis 1:1, it says, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God "WAS" before the creation. God's word does not seek to prove God's existence. It doesn't need to do so--God "IS". The burden of proof is on nonbelievers--to prove that God "IS NOT". Colossians 1:17, And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

This also goes back to our new life in Christ. When we give our hearts to Him, we are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

3. We need to get back to the exodus.

Beth gave us four ways that John 1 refers to the Book of Exodus.

1. Verse 14: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The wording of this is the same that is used in Exodus when referring to the Tabernacle--when God came and was with His people. In other words, Jesus literally "pitched his tent" among us as God had.

2. Verse 14: and we have seen His glory. In the original language, this word for seen is more than merely seeing, it means a sense of wonderment. The disciples had seen God, as a man. All but John were executed for giving their lives to Him and spreading the good news of salvation through Him. John died of natural causes while in exile. This word for seen also refers back to Exodus 33, in which Moses asked God to show His glory.

3. Verse 17: For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came throughJesus Christ. The law has been fulfilled.

4. Verse 29: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. In the time of Moses, a lamb was used as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. Jesus was the sacrifice for us.

4. We need to get back to the ultimate exegesis.

Exegesis is the interpretation of a text. But if we want to interpret God, we simply need to look at Jesus. John 1:18 says, No one has ever seen God, but the only begotten Son, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known.

5. We need to get back to grace and truth.

In John 14:6, it says that Jesus came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Beth talked about needing that balance between those two. Most of us tend to lean one way or the other. If you lean toward truth, you might tend to be legalistic. If you lean toward grace, you might take license with God's commands. The whole book of John is about grace, though he only uses the word two times. Grace is the not only unmerited favor, it is the opposite of merit.

There is a difference between The Truth and a truth. The Truth is Jesus Christ. A truth might be factual, but it is not The Truth until it has His word on it. For example--a truth about me might be that I am an alcoholic, but The Truth is that Jesus has brought me from that pit. Beth said, "The Truth makes a truth a testimony". The darkness of your life cannot overcome the light of Christ. John 1:5 says, The Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

Jesus is The Truth, and The Truth cannot be detached from grace.

6. We need to get back to the gospel.

We are God's children. Jesus died on the cross for us. We cannot save ourselves, we need Him. John 1:12: Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave the right to become children of God. This is the essential element of our faith.

7. We need to get back to one blessing after another.

In the Greek, blessing can be translated grace upon grace. It is like the phrases used in the Old Testament for emphasis: holy of holies, song of songs. The Word promises us that His grace is sufficient for us. 2 Corinthians 12:9: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Jesus asks, "Do you want to be whole?" It is not just to experience the healing, but to know Your Healer.

8. We need to get back to the future.

But don't go back the same. Get back to middle C. Know Christ. Know His Truth. Know His grace.

Book Review: Chasing Fireflies

Chasing Fireflies, by Charles Martin

Have you ever read a book that just really sticks with you once you've finished it? This, for me, was one of those. It chronicles Chase Walker's search for his identity. He grew up in a wonderful foster home but was still searching for where he came from, who his parents were, and his real name. During this search he meets and helps care for a young boy, Sketch, who is in a similar situation. At the center of their lives is Uncle Willee, the man who raised Chase and is fostering Sketch. Willee is a man of many mysteries but is very wise.

The writing is amazing. It rarely mentions God or Jesus, but the book shows the very nature of them. Most of the wonderful quotes come from Uncle Willee's discussions with the boys. One of my favorites, though, is from Willee's speech at his niece's (who practically lived with Willee and his wife) funeral:

"....every day, no matter what I'd painted the day before, I got a new canvas, washed white. 'Cause each night the tide rolled in, scrubbed it clean, and receded, taking the stains with it." (Chasing Fireflies, pg 301).

Isn't that what God does for us?

Brutally Honest Bible Stories?

So we have been busy lately. I have really been trying to get ahead in my planning for the class I teach at church for kids with special needs (Sparrows). I've been working on a unit about King David. I was telling a friend I thought I'd just avoid the whole Bathsheba thing. Then I started imagining telling that story to my class. And laughing. Rick and our friend Derik used to joke about starting a line of "Brutally Honest Greeting Cards". For example, a birthday card might say, "It's your birthday. You're older, fatter, and balder. Have a good one". So what about Brutally Honest Bible Stories? It might go something like this...

"Kids, Bathsheba was naked on the roof. David saw her. I want to teach you a new vocabulary word. Lust. And here's another one...premeditated murder."

Somehow I think that would not go over well with the parents.

But here is a brutally honest Bible truth I could share with them. David made bad mistakes. Really bad. But he served a merciful God and when he asked for forgiveness, it was granted. God took a flawed man and used him for His glory. He can do it for you, too.

At this moment....

....there is a family in another state that has taken their 3 year old off of life support and are waiting for him to be with Jesus.
....there is a mom with her one year old son in Boston, awaiting a very risky heart procedure on Tuesday.
....there is a family in North Carolina who are grieving the loss of their daughter, who lived for just 63 minutes.
....there are families of the victims at Fort Hood who are mourning.
....there are many, many families, including two that I know, whose lives are being torn apart by divorce.
.....there is a family here in Richmond who just got bad news regarding their daughter's cancer.

But, at this moment.....
God is with them all. Thank you, Jesus.

My heart is heavy tonight.

Please Pray

My heart is aching for the Reynolds family right now. Little Charlotte Reynolds, age 4, was diagnosed with brain cancer back in January. She has had several surgeries, chemo, and radiation. Lately they have been noticing more tremors, and she has been in some pain. Charlotte had an MRI today and the news was not good. The tumor is growing and causing many problems. They have few options left. I cannot imagine getting this news about my child. Please pray for them, that our God of peace and comfort will hold them in His loving arms.
More info here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/charlottereynolds/journal

My prayer for my kids

Heard this song by Erin O'Donnell the other day, and it made me cry. It's exactly what I pray for my kids.

Hold On To Jesus (italics are my changes)

You're a little piece of heaven

You're a golden ray of light

And I wish I could protect you

From the worries of this life

But if there's one thing I could tell you

It's no matter what you do

Hold to Jesus

He's holding on to you

The world will try to tell you

That might is more than right

That beauty's on the outside

And being good's a losing fight

But remember what I've told you

Because the world will make you choose

Hold to Jesus

He's holding on to you

Hold on to Jesus

Cling to His love

Rest deep in His mercy

Whenever things get rough

Don't lose sight of His goodness

And don't ever doubt this truth

That when you hold on to Jesus

He's holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus

Rock these little ones to sleep

Keep them close when they're scared

And give them grace when they are weak

I know they'll stumble

But I know they'll make it through

If you hold to them just like You said You'd do

Hold them Jesus

And they'll hold on tight to You

Happy Easter!

God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Words and music by William J. Gaither.

Good Friday

On a hill far away
stood an old rugged cross
an emblem of suffering and shame
and I love that old cross
where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross
'til my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
and exchange it someday for a crown.

Thank you, Jesus.

A Sad Day

9/11 is always a really hard day for all of us, most of whom didn't know anyone personally affected by the attacks on our country 7 years ago. I can't even imagine what it is like for those who lost a loved one. I, like everyone else, remember exactly what I was doing on 9/11/01. I was at school, teaching, without access to TV so I didn't know anything until I went to the teacher's lounge at lunch. Everyone was talking about it, but since I couldn't SEE anything it didn't really hit me then. When all the kids were gone we crowded around a TV and watched in horror. Our principal sent everyone home early. Rick came home early too, and we just sat and watched everything unfold. I'm sending up many prayers today for those who are mourning. Our God IS a God of comfort.

On another note, Abby had a great time at church last night in her new choir and Mission Friends. On the way home she asked if we could come back tonight! Well, she won't be going back to church tonight but I will. I lead a monthly book club for ladies and tonight is the night. I have a feeling we'll have a small group because several regulars saw me last night and told me they couldn't come. It's always a fun time, though, because there are ladies of all ages there. We have a potluck dinner and discuss the Christian fiction book we read each month. This month we read Heavens to Betsy by Beth Pattillo. It's a really fun book.