soteria//echo

Last night I heard a radio show host explaining how he had received call after call of people asking...

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:40:01 -0500

Last night I heard a radio show host explaining how he had received call after call of people asking for prayer. He was understanding of the reality that these people are hurting, for whatever reason. It was when he, very firmly, started correcting listeners about being down and out during hard times that his words really grabbed my attention. He spoke that we should be joyful and not walk with our heads hung. Amen to that.

However, this host’s admonition took a sharp turn as he introduced the next song. He talked about how we are to go boldly before the throne of God in our time of need- and this principle is Biblical (Hebrews 4:16). He spoke regarding Matthew 11:12 which reads, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” He emphasized the last part of this verse by asking listeners to go before the Lord, proclaiming, “Father.” And then in a fury of emotion he began to instruct people to call more loudly and aggressively, “Father!” This continued for a while, with more emotion and more aggressiveness called to each cry until he was almost yelling “FATHER!” I was completely turned off. The song he was introducing contains the line “I believe it’s turning around for me.” It’s a song about being in a difficult time and believing the Lord to work it out, and bring it to pass- which I believe is completely true and Biblical. That being said, I don’t believe we have the authority to go before the LORD and change His will, and most certainly not by yelling at Him.

As we claim to be a Christian, we should be as one of the mindset who has completely surrendered all to follow Christ and be near Him and to love Him, and pursue His purposes. If we claim such a title in truth and action, we are going to face times that are so dark, you won’t understand anything about the situation. All you’ll understand is that you feel alone, abandoned, broken, and betrayed by the very God you so loved and laid down your entire self to serve. And this too, is Biblical. Jesus, while hanging on the cross, cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)” In the account of Jonah, after he was swallowed up in a fish’s belly- (Jonah 2)

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. (Jonah) 2 And he said:

“I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction,
And He answered me.
“Out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
And You heard my voice.
3 For You cast me into the deep,
Into the heart of the seas,
And the floods surrounded me;
All Your billows and Your waves passed over me.
4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight;
Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’
5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul;
The deep closed around me;
Weeds were wrapped around my head.
6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains;
The earth with its bars closed behind me forever;
Yet You have brought up my life from the pit,
O LORD, my God.
7 “When my soul fainted within me,
I remembered the LORD;
And my prayer went up to You,
Into Your holy temple.
8 “Those who regard worthless idols
Forsake their own Mercy.
9 But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay what I have vowed.
Salvation is of the LORD.”

The world “Sheol” translates to “hell.” Jonah felt as if he were crying out to God for salvation from the belly of Hell. When he was cast into the deep, and felt abandoned by God, he prayed with understanding that the LORD was in control. He did not rebuke his situation and call it an act of Hell. No, rather Jonah relied in the LORD’s sovereignty and cried for salvation.

When you are so broken and hopeless, all you can do is cry to the Lord for salvation, you are nearer to Jesus than most any other time. That is the point of the Gospel. Man is no capable hope, solution, or salvation to himself. In being a Christian, the kind mentioned above, dying to self and the will of our own comfort and control of our own situation, is absolutely, unconditionally important to the understanding of who we are as those called by and hidden in and charged with the mandate of the Gospel by Christ Jesus.

We must be committed and serious about our walk with Christ if we will call ourselves a Christian. We simply can not curse and label heartache, the broken times, and seemingly impossible situations as attacks from Hell or speak/believe that they have no permission to be near us as a child of God. He is in control, and He is using these things. But hallelujah, He is using these for His own purposes and His own glory! He is working all things together for your good, sweet child (Romans 8:28). “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” According to HIS purpose. One of His purposes for us is allowing us to love Him- what a beautiful treasure of a gift. This kind of love steadily reveals, by the LORD’s own grace and goodness, our own inefficiency to save ourselves from the depths and consequence of sin. Once you truly wrap your mind around this inefficiency, your entire paradigm of grace changes. A holy grace becomes breath to your soul and life to your body.

So precious child of God, do not fear. A wise man once wrote, “The future is already a memory to God.” (See Deuteronomy 31:8)

He has ordained purpose for you, and all that you face. As God is one who is in the past, present, and future, how sure you can be that the LORD is fully aware of everything you have been through, are facing, and each detail of your future. Nothing takes Him by surprise and nothing can overcome Him. He loves you, you are His beloved, and the apple of His eye by the covering of the blood of Jesus (Psalm 17:7-8, Zechariah 2:8, Deuteronomy 7:9, Deuteronomy 32:9-11, Song of Solomon).

Yes, the LORD is for you (Psalm 56:9), yes we have been granted the privilege to come boldly before His throne of grace, but we can not grow if we are so full of ourselves and seeking our own goodness in the place of His will (whether we do so knowingly or unknowingly). He is sovereign, and HE IS GOOD. This doesn’t come from a God, a Father, who wants mankind to feel hopeless and broken and defeated and etc. No, this comes from the heart of a GOOD God who loves His own creation, created and set apart for Himself, that we might have a true understanding of our own depravity in relation to a holy and righteous God and be given life and hope forever through Jesus.

Life is not about being comfortable, feeling safe, being in control, believing the delusion that you could even control your life if you tried, earning degrees to get fancy jobs, selling your life and self to your career to earn money, and on and on. These are things which are so easy to become consumed with, especially living in such a prosperous and comfortable nation where these are the only things we’re really surrounded by. There is more, and our purpose can not stay hidden underneath the façade of comfort and success. Is the LORD good and generous by His own hand- yes! Does He love to give- yes (2 Cor 9:7)! Are we supposed to forsake working and trying to make a better life for ourselves and our families- by no means! Can we seek these things as by-products of our lives in Jesus, sure. Should we love or seek these things above Christ- NO.

We can not forsake the teachings, plans, purpose, and will of God by manipulating our situation by “claiming” this and that to make our own lives more comfortable. Claiming jobs, money, wealth, blessings, cars, “seeds”, and anything else temporal and of the flesh, is not what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about, nor should it be what we believe is our purpose in Christ.

What if we were to claim His victory, His truth, His love, His promise to be with us, His promise of faithfulness, His goodness, the truths revealed of His character and nature by the Word and the Holy Spirit. These are the things worth using your words for! These are greater things than fleshly desires (Hebrews 13:5). So yes, darkness feels like it surrounds us from time to time as a believer, but God has promised His love and faithfulness to the end. He goes before you, and He is with you, and He is faithful forever. Don’t be afraid to let go of the love for earthly things, He will provide. He will provide because it is His good pleasure, for His own glory- not because we “claim” this and “reject” that in “the name of Jesus.” Jesus Christ suffered feeling abandoned more than we ever could in this life. If King David, Jonah, and so many others are found throughout the Bible facing hardships and spiritual discomforts and uncertainties, and if Jesus himself cried to the Father “Why have You forsaken Me?”- how well we should be prepared to undergo such feelings and times. But, Jesus is good. Jesus is worth it always.

Regarding Matthew 11:12- “It shows us also, what fervency and zeal are required of all those who design to make heaven of their religion. Note, They who would enter into the kingdom of heaven must strive to enter; that kingdom suffers a holy violence; self must be denied, the bent and bias, the frame and temper, of the mind must be altered; there are hard sufferings to be undergone, a force to be put upon the corrupt nature; we must run, and wrestle, and fight, and be in an agony, and all little enough to win such a prize, and to get over such opposition from without and from within. The violent take it by force. They who will have an interest in the great salvation are carried out towards it with a strong desire, will have it upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without a blessing, Gen. 32:26 . They who will make their calling and election sure must give diligence. The kingdom of heaven was never intended to indulge the ease of triflers, but to be the rest of them that labour…” (Matthew Henry Commentary)

Our claiming, laboring, and words should be to that of the glory of Jesus. Do not curse the hardships, heartaches, and lonely times- cry unto the LORD for help and salvation. And bless His name with joy, and bless His name when you aren’t sure you should, bless His name through the doubts that He isn’t even real. Bless His name, His love is steadfast and His ways are faithful unto you, dear, precious, sweet, wonderful child of God.

The Idolatry of Modesty

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:46:43 -0400

“Because promiscuity is so prevalent today… we jump too quickly into behavior modification and don’t realize that most of our modesty campaigns are actually borderline legalism.

Let me say this loud and clear ladies: you are not an object! Dressing so ‘church people’ will accept you or dressing so guys will gawk at you is the same sin—becoming a slave to the praise of man.

The truth is a guy can lust or think sinful thoughts about a woman if she were fully covered head-to-toe. No matter what a girl wears the guy has a choice whether he will let Jesus and the power of grace rule in his heart, or if he will let his flesh rule over him. So women, dress modestly, but don’t become a slave to a man’s eyes, become a slave to Jesus.”

It’s a really good read.

The Idolatry of Modesty

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Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:01:26 -0500

My life is nothing if Your hands aren’t holding the broken...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:23:00 -0500

My life is nothing if Your hands aren’t holding the broken through mine.

I am legitimately contemplating a beard.

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:55:54 -0500

cowabungadudeee:

Lumberjack style.

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Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:51:51 -0400

Sand in my hair, sun kissed cheeks, soaking wet shoes, bike grease on my hands,...

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:12:00 -0400

Sand in my hair, sun kissed cheeks, soaking wet shoes, bike grease on my hands, joy in my heart… this is when I am happiest.

Drove around in the mountains of Virginia, spent a few hours at a beautiful state park, learned the folklore of the land, danced around, laughed at my mom’s extra funny jokes, came home, inquired about the possibility of nachos for dinner, ate homemade nachos for dinner, found a new park, followed paved trails, explored new ones, walked on a path of rocks in a river, gave up trying to stay dry, walked in a river, stayed out until it was dark, learned how to longboard.

This was pretty much how I spent my day.

ps. I was pretty good at longboarding, in case you were wondering.

And God saw that it was good.

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:48:30 -0400

You gotta give it the chance to be good.

Sometimes it doesn’t turn out that way, but at least you gave it the chance to. And you have to, because eventually, it will be.

Simmer up, soup.It’s a rainy, cold January day. I’m...

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:34:00 -0500

Simmer up, soup.

It’s a rainy, cold January day. I’m making enchilada soup. Class started back today. I’m home for a while. Sitting on the kitchen floor, listening to Helios, soaking in God’s beauty, starting a new book.

I don’t know where life is going or what it holds, but I’m excited about it.

I’m thankful to be alive.

'Out of them will flow rivers of living water'

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:43:54 -0500

While the harp was being played, the power^* of the Lord came upon Elisha, and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! …”

The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere.

2 Kings 3:15-20

*Hebrew- the hand

Well, you’ll have to watch it on YouTube.I doubt you have,...

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:44:00 -0500

Well, you’ll have to watch it on YouTube.

I doubt you have, but if you, like me, frequent BET shows, you’ve probably watched the struggles and joys of T.I. and his lady on the the show Tiny & Toya. I’ve been watching Keri Hilson videos all day (I’m mad crushin’), and I’ve especially been enjoying this one. This has been one of my favorite songs since I heard it some months ago. I like everything about it. I like the dynamic of T.I. and Tiny’s relationship. She loves him and holds him down, and he loves her. He’s always gone and she just knows how to keep up with him. And he’s good to her for it.

Ride or die, baby.

2010.

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:16:00 -0500

2010. I guess you never really know where to start, 365 days is a long time. It’s been a crazy year, that I can say. God’s goodness is good. When I think about the year, it feels pretty heavy. Sometimes life happens and you’re all sorts of upside down just find out you never really knew it all in the first place. Sometimes you were wrong…and sometimes you weren’t. And sometimes you just get blindsided. I’ve learned that there isn’t always a “right” way, you just gotta take a deep breath and jump. Turns out sometimes you fly.
Sometimes you lose best friends, sometimes you’re replaced before you know you’re gone. I watched my mother grieve as her baby boy left her. I watched my father watch his first two children get married. And I watched my divorced mom and dad watching each other as my siblings said their vows. Sometimes you hope for the best, nurture it, and it fails you. Turns out you don’t always know everything. Turns out sometimes there isn’t an answer for your best friend on her wedding day, and she isn’t getting married. Turns out it’s okay to cry, sometimes. Turns out some friends move, and some friends move on. Sometimes you walk through airports redfaced and aching. Sometimes you lose fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, fiancées, in-laws, cousins, and your pet cat. Sometimes things don’t really go as you had planned. But hopefully, you have a best friend come to visit, play with your hair, and bear hug you until you can’t cry anymore…a mother who will defend you…a father who will kill for you…a brother who will keep it real with you. Sometimes you’re given new friends, and sometimes old doors are opened. Sometimes you get to be the one to fill be empty spots. Sometimes you get to be the star of the night.
In two-thousand and ten, I learned how to run a retail store with my best friend. I danced on a secret rooftop downtown. I learned to lighten up. I learned that my mom thinks her children “are worse than they were when they were toddlers.” I saved the best kitten in the world with a best friend. I fell in love with two little boys. I fell in love with a skyline. I spent two weeks in New York City. Best time of my life. My favorite city. The MAC store was open until 1a.m. I had the best Black Friday at 2a.m. in a ToysRUs. I watched my divorced parents get back together. I watched my whole family have a perfect white Christmas in real life Mayberry, North Carolina. Mom and dad, brother and his new wife, sister and her new husband, totally uninterested sixteen-year-old little brother… and I got to be there, snowed in for two days, with them. I moved. I bought and decorated my very own Christmas tree for the first time. You’ve never seen so much glitter. I had secret spy ice skating adventures, that’s all I can say. I’ve been to Pilot Mountain more times than ever before. I found more secret best friend spots than any other year. I have a “type.” I like to cook. I’ve watched Troy four million and three times, and Gladiator four million and five. I’ve watched more Brad Pitt movies than I even remember. I’ve worked hard and enjoyed its benefits. I am thankful. I am more excited for school than ever before. I have direction, and for the second time in my life, I know what I want to do. For the first time in my life, I actually know what I want to do. My mom told me how this would happen, though. “You have no idea how much you change every year until you’re twenty-five. You won’t even be able to imagine who you’ll be in five years. You really don’t know you yet. You’ll see.” I feel her gentle guidance loving me through the “no way, mom” conversations. I learned what you deserve, I learned what I deserve. Breathe deeply, keep your cool, stay still, be peaceful, and listen with sincerity.
I asked God what he saw when he looked back over my year.

”A girl who grew up.”
Praise Jesus, faithful Jesus.

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to...

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:08:00 -0500

You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”
- Christopher Columbus

What has two thumbs, messy hairs, and a hope for the future?

This girl.

Officially looking at schools in NYC. :-)

“In union with him, through the shedding of his blood, we are set free - our sins are...

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 01:48:06 -0400

“In union with him, through the shedding of his blood, we are set free - our sins are forgiven; this accords with the wealth of the grace”
-THIS ACCORDS WITH THE WEALTH OF THE GRACE//it is in agreement, and it is good.

Ephesians 1:7

It’s okay to be hurt. Or beat down. Or broken. Or a mess. Or a hurt, beat down, broken, mess. Jesus wants you.

The blood never loses its power.