You may have read my previous post about three of our friends going through some very hard times. Last night, while online, I had another conversation in which a friend shared another very tough family situation.  It is interesting, in the midst of these very difficult situations we are called in Scripture to “consider these things pure joy (James 1).”

You ever want to say, “are you serious, Lord?”

I do.  Yet, having been through various trials, the trail, in hindsight, is imprinted with grace markings. As I sat down this morning to read the Word and to pray through these various “trials” others are going through I have a hard time seeing the trail ahead for my friends, but I do know that the fog will clear, and though the trail may be steep, slippery or full of potholes, the Guide, by His grace, will lead us through.  However, It’s very difficult to have this understanding in the midst of the fog.  

So, I rest in the promise of Psalm 27 today.  Asking God to be our confidence.  Praying/praising the following (Psalm 27:1-3, 14):

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
       whom shall I fear? 
       The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
       of whom shall I be afraid?

 

 2 When evil men advance against me 
       to devour my flesh, 
       when my enemies and my foes attack me, 
       they will stumble and fall.

 3 Though an army besiege me, 
       my heart will not fear; 
       though war break out against me, 
       even then will I be confident.

 14 Wait for the LORD; 
       be strong and take heart 
       and wait for the LORD.

No worries, I didn’t misspell anything and I’m not trying to be crass… The big “but” shows up in the passage below.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ~Eph. 1:1-6

I can’t speak for you, but I see poor parenting all the time.  Go to the mall, observe at a park or (especially), turn on a sitcom.  Now, poor parenting in my eyes may not be poor parenting in the eyes of another… but I see intentional and consistent shaming as poor.  With that being said, I am sure there are times I am quite the hypocrite and blind to the fact that I have just done it. 

I love this passage in Ephesians 1:1-6, it is the opposite of shaming to me… Paul points out the transgressions of the past, he identifies the wretched path they used to walk, he names their former identity…

…wait for it…

… here it comes…

BUT!

But, he exclaims to the Ephesian believer and to us, you are different.  He says, “But you aren’t these things anymore.” “But you walk that path no longer.” “But you have been redeemed through grace.”

Do we live in light of the big but?  Do we realized we no longer need to follow our patterns of the past.  I for one need this reminder.  It is so easy to go back to bad choices, stay on the wide road because it is easier and ignore the grace in front of me.  The foundation of my faith must be grounded in grace.

Embrace grace today!

Grace,
Brian

As I stated last week, I would like to start my week blogging about “Faith Foundations.”  This morning I arrived early to Cutter’s Point Coffee on the South Hill of Puyallup to meet with a Youth Pastor, Troy.  Whereas, last week, I felt the overwhelming need to be prayed for (so that was the subject of my first Faith Foundation) today, I was praising God for the opportunities for fellowship I knew I was going to receive today.  I just had no idea I was going to be blessed with it right away!

I knew I was going to be meeting with the YMAP (Youth Ministry Apprenticeship Program) Team (we like “team” better than “board”).  Some of my older friends in youth ministry are part of this team.  It is always encouraging to sit with them.  Then later tonight Elisabeth and I are going out to dinner with Marc and Debbie Gronholz, long time friends (and my most recent Sr. Pastor).  I knew today was going to have a “refuge” feel to it and I was excited for that!

But, my meeting with Troy was an amazing time of encouragement, fellowship, and mutual “spurring.” 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 is one of my favorite passages.  Troy was able to speak to, what he called, “failure” in networking as a Youth Pastor.  I hope our two hours together will spur him on toward doing it more.  He is a little bit older than the average youth pastor and has much wisdom to pass on to some of the younger (and even older) YP’s.  There was no “failure” that I could see, he certainly gave me food for thought! He spurred me in the area of insights into a couple passages in Acts.  Some great stuff as we both are drawn to that book.  I loved his take on a couple passages!

I see the day approaching!  Do you?  Let’s be quick to encourage other believers, but let’s also be quick to live it out among the lost!  The day is quickly approaching and many do not see it coming; and how will they know unless we tell them?  Brothers and sisters, keep meeting together (it is a faith foundation), but may we also be quick to depart and do the work as well (serve, share and support… very “pastor-like” with the three S’s huh?)!

Grace,
Brian