Random Musings

A dear friend's mother shared this short devotional with me the other day. She shared a lesson the Lord had taught her long ago in hopes that I would gain wisdom from it. It's been reverberating through my heart and mind ever since. I'd like to share it with you. This excerpt is from "My Utmost for His Highest (An updated edition in Today's Language)" by Oswald Chambers Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile "I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also" (Matthew 5:39) This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature...

I spent some time thinking about "Qualified Love" this morning and shared my thoughts in a blog post . Although there are different types of love, a qualifier makes it seem unlike love at all to the receiver. And, I think the same is true for apology; a qualified apology doesn't seem to hold the same healing power as an unequivocal one. Recently, I received an apology from a friend for something that happened many years ago. This apology was sincere and unqualified. The speaker didn't blame his actions on a response to mine. He took responsibility for what he had done and asked for forgiveness. The truth is that he was forgiven long ago, but this step provided a healing for me that I didn't even realize I needed. His unqualified apology and humble heart made all of the difference. Now, I must take a second here for a sidebar. I do not expect someone to apologize or ask for forgiveness for something they didn't actually do. I have seen situations where the offe...

Have you ever heard the phrase, "I love you like a friend"? For any of us who have been in the dating world for any length of time, we've likely heard or received that phrase. Whether giver or receiver, it's always an uncomfortable and awkward conversation to have. Why is it so uncomfortable? I'm sure the answer to that question is as complicated as whatever relationship created the need for the conversation in the first place, but simply, I think it's because it's a phrase that qualifies love. If you're the one saying it, you are trying to communicate to the other person that, "I am fond of you, but not in the way you had hoped". If you're on the receiving end, you are probably receiving a tough blow that signals the end of hope in the relationship. Is qualified love really love? When we qualify love, aren't we really saying, "I like you, but not that much"? Now love, for a Christian, is something that is commanded. W...

A recent sermon by my pastor and a blog post from my friend have me asking some questions about love and what I don't understand about it. If you have a moment, take a break from what you're reading here and read Rachael's Blog: We Don't Fully Understand Love If you can't access it by clicking above, you can access it here: http://rmirabella.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-dont-fully-understand-love.html It won't hurt my feelings if you don't make it back to this blog after reading Rae's. She gives her readers a great deal to think through, and I am still chewing on what she said. But, I would love to see some discussion about it, as it always helps me to hear what others are thinking. At Word of Life , we are currently enjoying a series based upon the book "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. There are so many examples of love and faith in God in that book that it is at times overwhelming. To see love in action in the lives of the Ten Boom family...

I had the honor, today, of attending the funeral of a man who walked 93 years on this earth. I can't even begin to imagine the things he saw in his lifetime. I wonder what he must have thought as he saw the world go through so many changes. His obituary stated that he had nine hobbies: his wife, his seven children, and his church. What a legacy to leave. He was a military man, a business man, and a community leader, but what he loved was his wife, his seven children, and his church. I am blessed to know one of his children and two of his grandchildren. I can see his legacy in them. What touched me the most, this week, as I heard stories of his passing, was of a comment his wife of 70 years made to him in his last days. I'm told that she told him it was ok to let go, not to worry because, "I'm right behind you". How beautiful. I'm sure that is not a comforting thought for their children who are still grieving the loss of their father, but somehow, it r...

In an interview I had today, I shared a recent struggle and how I had decided not to "let it define me" any further. Towards the end of the interview, one of the gentlmen interviewing me returned to that topic. He said, "You said you weren't letting [that situation] define you, but what would you say does define you?". Excellent Question. How do I want to be known? The question gave me pause for a moment. I shared with him that I want to be known as someone who loves Jesus and is busy sharing His light. I want to reflect Him. And, then I told him that I think my friends would say that I'm a person who loves really well. I definitely want to be known like that. But, as I think about it, I think I would have to define myself as a work on the way. I really want to love like Jesus, but I know that I often fall short of that goal. But, I'm trying. I want to be a great support to my friends and someone whom they can trust. But, again, I know I fail...

I spend alot of time thinking about what it means to love like Christ. It's such a small statement, but so difficult to truly live. I wrestle with my flesh all of the time when it comes to dying to myself and truly loving others as I've been called to love them. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35 It's a command. Love one another as I have loved you. If we claim the name of Jesus, we don't have a choice about this one. As I was thinking about it this morning, I came across a really familiar verse that struck me afresh. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, alwa...

I've been thinking alot about resentment, bitterness, and hatred today. Writing often helps me sort through my thoughts. I welcome any commentary on this subject. Last year, about this time, I was really wrestling with forgiving someone. It was a new struggle for me. For whatever reason, in my life, I've not had trouble letting things go or forgiving people (for the most part). Maybe it's because I have a tendency to forget why I'm supposed to be angry, or maybe I've just been fortunate to not have too many situations where forgiveness has been difficult. But, whatever the case, I found myself in a new arena for me - wrestling to forgive. As a believer in Christ and one who believes the Bible is the ultimate authority on how I should live my life, I knew that hating someone and choosing not to forgive was wrong. But, truthfully, I didn't want to let go and forgive. And, so I wrestled. I made my way to the scriptures (after some wise counsel from friends) and sta...

As I was growing up, my mom’s favorite verse was Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” I can remember growing to cringe everytime she responded to our questions with that verse. “Mom, can we go see this movie?” “Is it pure and lovely?” “Well, it’s PG-13, so probably not” “Then, no”. AUGH! How frustrating for a teenager! Nothing in the world is pure and lovely! Wait. Maybe that was her point. As I’ve grown up and had the opportunity to look back at my upbringing some, I realize that my mom was teaching us to be discerning about what we let into our minds and hearts. If we couldn’t apply that litmus test to the upcoming activity and come away clean, then it’s something we probably didn’t need to do. Today, as I was thinking about conflict in relationships and how sometimes we get so far down a ro...

I just found this post in my drafts folder this morning. Apparently, I never published it. It's interesting to me that I came across it just a few days after posting about accountability. I'm not certain where these questions originated, but where possible, the credit was given. This post was saved about this time last year as I began my journey toward ordination in the Free Methodist Church, so I'm pretty sure they are from the resources I was given then. CAUTION: These questions are tough! They are good ways to measure where we are spiritually, but you will probably feel a bit of a sting once you're done reading them (I know I did!) ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTIONS John Wesley's Small Group Questions: 1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate? 3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence? 4. Am I a sl...

When is enough really enough? At what point should you draw a line in the sand in a relationship and say "I'm done"? I don't have a good answer to that question and it's really starting to bug me. I'm writing today in hopes of stirring some conversation and gaining some insight, or at least some new perspectives. I don't think the root of my confusion can be found in human logic. From a logical and human perspective, I think those lines can sometimes be clear. If someone hurts you continually or is more selfish than not, maybe it's time to walk away. In my humanness, there have been times when I have felt like a relationship wasn't worth the work it required and I've wanted to walk away. I think that's normal and happens quite often in relationships. There seems to be a natural ebb and flow to life and people come and go from our lives and our relationships change. But, what is the right thing to do? What is the godly thing to do? ...

About a month ago, I was teaching the Middle Schoolers at church how to have a quiet time. We were reading through the Proverb of the day and it contained so much that is pertinent to their lives. But, one part of the chapter struck me. Verses 17-28 New American Standard Version 17Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. 18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?" 20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. 21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. 23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart. 24He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart. 25When he speak...

Forgiveness. I've been thinking alot about that word lately. We've been talking about it at church alot and I've batted it around with my friends some. I'm not sure how settled I am on what God expects from me in the arena of forgiveness. So, here are some of my random thoughts. Maybe writing them down and requesting feedback will help me find the answer. Below are some of the verses that I have been looking at and pondering in my quest. Nehemiah 9:17 "They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and Compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And you did not forsake them" Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not...