For me, one of the absolute principles of scripture is Romans 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose.
I believe that. It’s been my source of hope in some dark moments when I could find no reason to continue the struggle. However, I suspect that I tend to see this wonderful assurance through a distorted lens.
I suspect that my perceptions of “good” mostly translate to “what I want.” (more…)
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [1 John 4:7-10]
Where is Jesus?
An earthquake devastates an already impoverished nation. Horrific images flash across the television screen. Haiti scrambles to rescue and survive.
I recall similar pictures—terrorist attack, tsunami, hurricane, tornado—and the question always arises.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. [John 1:14]
Grace and truth?
I think a lot about John’s opening verses describing Jesus simply as The Word. I love the poetry, the imagery, and the intimate spiritual experience John portrays.
In his first letter (1 John 1) he expands the picture of a sensory, experiential encounter with Jesus: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Can you feel his passion? John isn’t just relating words. He’s proclaiming a deep connection involving his senses—he touched The Word, saw and heard The Word, felt and experienced The Word of God. I sense that John invites me to allow The Word to wrap itself around me and soak into me until I’m literally infused with its presence and power.
But I’ve always sort of wondered about the linkage of grace and truth, which he repeats in verse 17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(more…)
If you’ve been following along, you’ll understand that this hasn’t been the easiest week for me, so it was a good time to encounter the following silly story. The theology’s a bit shaky and there’s no real moral or lesson except that it’s good to chuckle occasionally and stop taking it all so seriously.
I hope you enjoy them, and that you’ll encounter God’s invitation to give hope another chance.
THE RIVER (Relentless Grace Excerpt #11)
Note: This final excerpt includes notes from the journal that formed the basis for the entire book. I hope you experience a bit of the peace as you sit by the river.
One day I was riding my hand cycle on a bike trail. I stopped for a drink, and as I looked around I experienced a sense of peace and tranquility. I surveyed a location that could serve as the image for my place of center. Mentally re-creating these calm, serene surroundings might help me to visualize and express in more concrete terms what it means to become closer to God and to what He intended for me. (more…)
“I realized that my faith was not in my paycheck or in the housing market.”
I read a great article this week about people who have discovered unexpected blessings in the recession.
I admire folks who can see the rainbow while the storm rages. I’m pretty good at looking back and seeing the hidden blessings, but I tend to focus on current struggles while they’re in progress.
The people interviewed for the article somehow discovered opportunities and reasons for gratitude in the midst of trouble. Many rediscovered simple but essential gifts they’d taken for granted. The common themes: Family, friends and faith.
One man who lost his job found a deeper connection to God. “I realized that my faith was not in my paycheck or in the housing market,” he says. “Since the recession, I’ve also noticed a change in the country and how we’ve taken a step back from excess.”
One lady whose family “had it all and we lost it all” says economic woes forced her to seize opportunities she might have otherwise ignored. “If it weren’t for the economy going so bad, I would still be blowing money left and right. I am grateful because of the recession. The recession gave me a new opportunity, hope and purpose.”
Wow. These folks get it, being thankful in all circumstances.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. [Philippians 4:11-13]
Let’s all remember that God is good and that He blesses us in all situations.
I felt lost, and I desperately wanted God to show up. Instead, people appeared and gradually helped me toward the light. Only later did I realize that was how God shows up.
How can you help someone who needs you?
I’ve been working on a presentation for folks who are working in difficult areas of ministries. Since I’m a wheelchair user, I’m supposed to offer a seated perspective of things people have done that have been helpful and some that haven’t.
Here’s my list so far. Hopefully you’ll help me with something I’ve missed.
Show up. I seem to always need help at inconvenient times, and I’m grateful for friends who show up even when they’d rather be somewhere else. There’s a difference between Signing Up And Showing Up.
It’s easy to say, “Call me if there’s anything I can do.” It’s hard to ask for help. The real heroes are the folks who show up.
Don’t label. Labels isolate. When you label someone, you hide their individuality behind a category. The person in front of you isn’t a category—she’s a uniquely gifted, precious child of God. Here are some additional thoughts: God’s Version Of Special
I’ve been asked whether I prefer to be called “disabled,” “physically challenged,” or “mobility impaired.” Personally I prefer “Rich.”
Stay away from clichés and inspirational platitudes. “The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” Really? When you’ve just discovered you’re permanently paralyzed, that feels like a slap in the face.
Clichés can be like labels—they make us feel better without really having to do anything.
Change what you can change. World peace may be a bit too much to tackle, but some issues aren’t that complicated. A family living in their car doesn’t need a lecture on the benefits of facing adversity—they need shelter. A hungry child doesn’t need a gardening lesson—he needs a meal.
When snow keeps me from leaving my driveway, I understand that the weather’s beyond my control. I’m grateful for folks who show up with a thermos of hot chocolate and a snow shovel.
Accept what you can’t change. Life isn’t fair. Some circumstances stink, and that just the way it is. Complaining, lamenting, and worrying only make it worse.
Be creative. I’m quick to decide a particular task or situation is hopeless or impossible. I’m astounded by the creativity people demonstrate in helping me discover how to do things that seemed beyond my capabilities.
Be realistically optimistic. I’ve explained The 8000/2000 Principle as my way of avoiding pessimism. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when we focus on possibilities rather than obstacles.
Have a healthy sense of humor. When we’re struggling, everything becomes an earth-shattering crisis. It helps to keep some perspective and chuckle at life’s absurdities.
It’s never okay to laugh at someone’s misfortune. But we all find ourselves in silly circumstances, and it’s good to avoid taking things too seriously.
Choose hope. Most of all, I’m grateful for friends who helped me believe, and believed for me when I was so immersed in darkness that light seemed impossible.
I’m not talking about empty wishes—I hope someone gives me a bag full of money, but I’m not counting on it. I’m talking about hope that’s an expectation rooted in faith that Jesus always walks with me.
Love.Agape is the self-sacrificial concern for others that makes it all work. Someone once said she felt frustrated because she didn’t know how to help, and it felt like all she could do was love me.
That’s plenty.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. [1 Corinthians 13:13]
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln
… isn’t always as clear as I think.
Where is Jesus?
Grace and truth?
One day I was riding my hand cycle on a bike trail. I stopped for a drink, and as I looked around I experienced a sense of peace and tranquility. I surveyed a location that could serve as the image for my place of center. Mentally re-creating these calm, serene surroundings might help me to visualize and express in more concrete terms what it means to become closer to God and to what He intended for me. 
Have you ever planned and dreamed about something until you were certain that you had it all figured out–and then watched as things unraveled?
Have you ever looked out an airplane window at night?
I felt lost, and I desperately wanted God to show up. Instead, people appeared and gradually helped me toward the light. Only later did I realize that was how God shows up.
