Approaching the throne

As I continue my Lenten Scripture Readings, I came back to Hebrews 4 this evening. I LOVE the end of this chapter: " 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."

At lunchtime today, I was reading a story to the kids about a boy who went before the Emperor of Japan. Here was the protocol that had to be followed for approaching the royal throne: anyone who approaced had to do so on hands and knees, declaring themselves unworthy, and tapping their head on the floor as they approached. To not follow this protocol meant death to the violator.

And yet, this is completely the opposite of how we--Christ-followers--can approach the throne of God. We don't come with a spirit of unworthiness (although we truly are unworthy). No! We come with boldness! Boldness because Christ is our High Priest, because he "has passed through the heavens" (v. 14) And what do we find when we get there? We don't find a harsh, intimidating judge waiting for us at the throne. Instead, we find MERCY and GRACE!

Along time ago I learned the difference between mercy and grace; and it has always stuck with me. Mercy is "not receiving what I do deserve" (as in a punishment for my sins) and grace is "receiving that which I do not deserve" (forgiveness of my sins). And this is exactly what we find at God's throne when we boldly approach it. He is there to wipe away our sin record and to not give us the eternal punishment that we deserve for that sin. In addition, Hebrews 4:16 ends with a bonus phrase: "to help us when we need it most." It's not just grace that we receive at His throne...but grace when we need it most.

I'm so glad we have a high priest in Jesus; that he knows our trials and temptations because He experienced them himself. I'm glad we can have the confidence in what we believe because He "passed through the heavens." And finally, I'm so grateful that we do not have to approach His throne with fear and trembling; but instead, we can boldly come to His throne knowing that His mercy and grace are always there--especially when we need it most!

Cleaning the Temple

John 2:13-22 tells the story of Jesus going to the temple for Passover; when He arrived He found "those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and money changers seated at their tables." He was angry! This was His Father's house and they were making it a place of business--a place for them to prosper--not a place of honoring and worshipping God. Verse 15 says Jesus made a "scourge of cords" (a whip) and drove them all out, then he poured out their money and overturned their tables. He cleansed the temple that day!

My thoughts as I read this passage yesterday were wondering what Jesus sees when He looks at the temple of my heart. After all, if we are Christ-followers, our bodies are His temple. When He looks at me, have I allowed the money changers to come in and take over my life? Is my heart--my desires--filled with only those things that seek my own prosperity?

And when I do allow those things to take over my heart, does it make Him as angry as He was at the Jewish money changers? Does it make Him want to whip me and overthrow my tables? Of course, the New Testament says the Lord disciplines those He loves. So, if He does, isn't it only because of His Great Love for me?

"Father God, you are the most perfect parent. You love me even when I am unlovable. You love me even when I allow the "moneychangers to set up shop" in my heart. Forgive me for failing. Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me. Thank you for running out the moneychangers and the animals. Thank you for cleansing my temple. In your most holy name, Amen."

My title bar photo

Several people have asked about the photo I have on my title bar.

Yes, I really did take it myself.

Mark and I visited Washington State in September (2008). We took this photo of the Columbia River Gorge from a place called Chaunticleer's Point which is actually in Oregon (on our way up into Washington). It was very breathtaking and this is one of my favorite photos of the trip.

I HAD to share this quote....

“It’s interesting that Obama’s adorers in the press keep comparing him to Lincoln and Reagan. Apparently they can’t think of a Democrat president worthy of being compared to,” Ann Coulter at the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend.

I personally am getting tired of hearing this president who has done NOTHING to his credit being compared to two of the best presidents in our nation's history. As usual, Ann says it with style!

The old woman....

I overheard a man talking at Grant's hockey game the other night about his "old woman."

"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn't know what to do..." (I can relate to this old gal!)

In the Bible, Titus 2:3-5 talks about the older women and the younger women: "Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior."

And it hit me....I AM THE OLDER WOMAN!!! (I'm not sure when this happened or even how, but it is true!) I have to wonder....am I living a life of reverence not gossiping (or being drunk)? Am I a model of goodness? Even more importantly, am I being an example to the younger women on how to love their husbands and children? Can the younger women learn to be virtuous and pure from me? Can they see how to keep a good house and be a good wife?

That is a tough act to follow. But it is exactly what the Bible tells us old women that we are to be aware of. I definitely don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of my poor behavior.

"Father God, your love and goodness and purity are so awesome; help me to be a witness to Your character. Show me how to love my husband and children the way You love them. May my house be kept in such a way as to reflect you. Daily remind me of the responsibility I have to the younger women around me. I ask all this in Your Holy name. Amen."

I'm not Catholic and I don't play one on TV

Yes, I'm Protestant--and a pretty contemporary one at that. I attend an awesome church (Metro Community Church) and I love our worship there! But I have learned something from my Catholic friends. Their appreciation for liturgy and their use of ritual, although sometimes dragging and possibly legalistic, can be a wonderful tool to draw one closer to God.

All my life it has seemed that as Protestant Christians, we wait until the day of or possibly the week before Easter to focus on Christ and His Resurrection. Sometimes it has seemed to me that we have gotten so wrapped up in other festivities that we have forgotten to really think about, reflect on, and thank God for His Marvelous Plan of salvation. We talk about it all year long; we know it is the foundation of our faith; yet during this season, it seems we so often don't really take time out for the significance of Easter.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. I did not go to confession nor did I wear ashes on my forehead. I don't need to! I'm a born-again Christ-follower! He is my priest! However, I AM observing the Lenten season--the 40 days plus Sundays that lead up to Easter Sunday. I want to encourage all my Christian friends to consider doing this as well. I'm not suggesting that you give up chocolate or sweets or soda or anything like that.

For the next 40+ days, take time each day to read Scripture that focuses on Christ, read through the Gospel of John maybe, or focus on becoming more humble and Christ-like. Take the time you spend now in reflection and prayer, then up it a bit. Do something this season to increase your time with God. (I found a good resource with daily Scripture readings for Lent; you can find it here: http://www.crivoice.org/lent1.html.)

I caved...

Yes, I did it...I finally gave in...I couldn't take the pressure any longer... Everyone one is doing it...I couldn't resist...

I joined Facebook...I'm still not sure I'm going to like it...or sure I really have time...but I've joined the cult.