Cherish Grace

I am on my third reading of a book I highly recommend: “Living the Cross-Centered Life” by C.J. Mahaney. In fact, I am so enamored with the concept that the cross, the gospel, must remain primary, central and immediate in our thinking that we are using this book during our Monday night Higher Ground meeting this spring. The basic premise of the book is that we never move on, outgrow or mature beyond the cross. The centrality of the cross in the life of a believer fosters a deeper, richer understanding of grace. I want that! Do you?

Early one Saturday morning, I was reading Chapter Seven: “Your Face in the Crowd.” Referencing Matthew 27:15-17, Mahaney makes this statement: “Pilate offers the gathered crowd a choice between Jesus and a ‘notorious prisoner’-a terrorist named Barabbas.” I stopped short at the word terrorist. A word used with some familiarity in the last decade. It occurred to me that I would have a clearer understanding if I put it in contemporary terms. So go with me, if you will, on a brief journey in our sanctified imaginations:

You and I have followed the growing crowd all day. There is murmuring, shouting and crying. Women weeping, men silent with fists clenched and eyes steeled. This man Jesus, whom we have heard preach, is gentle and kind. He speaks with such authority we are often amazed. Yet, last night He was arrested and now, we stand amidst the crowd as Pilate addresses the throng. “Whom do you want me to release to you? Osama Bin Ladin1 or Jesus who is called the Christ.” The murmur grew with great intensity as we hear a ripple-effect throughout the crowd, “Osama! Osama! Osama!” You and I look at one another, and join our voices with those of the crowd. “Osama! Osama! Osama!” we chant. Pilate cries out: “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (We) all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”2

I hope I have not offended you with my illustration, for that was not at all my intention. Beloved, hear my heart. I want us to embrace grace in all its fullness. I believe in order to do that we must understand OUR part in the cross. We are not innocent bystanders; we were active participants in the events that day. We would have asked for Osama Bin Ladin to be released rather than Jesus Christ! “Unless you see yourself standing there with the shrieking crowd, full of hostility and hatred for the holy and innocent Lamb of God, you don’t really understand the nature and depth of your sin or the necessity of the cross.”3

It is when we have an accurate view of our own sin that the beauty of grace is most precious. Like a diamond against a piece of black velvet. “Only those who are truly aware of their sin can truly cherish grace.”4Cherish grace today. –Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries

1 I chose Osama Bin Ladin because, in American minds, he is probably the most notorious terrorist in the 21st century.2 Matthew 27:223 Mahaney, page 874 Mahaney, page 88

The Birds III

As unpleasant as what I wrote yesterday may be, applied spiritually, there is a degree of comfort we can find here. I can’t help but think of God’s location, person and ability.

He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God; all powerful and everywhere present, ALL THE TIME!! And He knows your name and the sound of your voice…and to the umpteenth degree, He, just like the above-mentioned birds, watches over you and seeks to keep you safe from harm. He is good and He is merciful.

“Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” ~Psalm 36:5-7

Dear sister, whether you believe He is near or not, know that He Is!Just like the bird has possessed my tree to care for and protect its own, so, too, has its Creator, our God, put His mark on us and claimed us as His own. So whether it is a pesky squirrel, a big old ugly cat, or some other thing that threatens to do you harm, He has you. You are safe and secure under the shadow of His wing. His mark is on you and your enemy – His enemy, the devil knows it. Through faith, believe and BE SAVED!!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” ~~1 Peter 1:3-5

Stephanie Paul is Director of Addiction Recovery for Women

The Birds II

Another bird I’ve had the pleasure of observing, and that my husband has had an unfortunate interaction with, is some sort of long-tailed swallow that lives in my holly tree. Not only does it live there, it has claimed all rights to possess “my” tree to the complete exclusion of any person or any other bird or animal that makes the mistake of entering into its unmarked boundary in and around the tree. Different from the hummingbird, for the duration of its nesting season, I am fully aware of its presence. While I may not see or hear it, I can almost guarantee with accurate certainty when it will show up and how it will behave. All that has to happen is for some outside threat to get too near to its “area, occupied zone, etc.”

“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” ~~Psalm 130:1-2

These birds are bold, possessive, aggressive, and fiercely protect what is theirs. In the past few weeks I have watched it or them (I think there may be 3 or 4) literally attack and chase a squirrel for a good five minutes because the squirrel had the nerve to enter the area of our holly tree. Just this morning, as I prepared to leave for work, I heard the birds making a huge fuss (once again) in my front yard. In addition to the commotion they were making was the hissing, fighting sound of a cat.

Sure enough, as I stepped outside, there in my driveway, under, over and around my daughter’s car was this gang of birds, and crouched under the car was an ugly old cat trying to keep itself from being pecked to death. I could only surmise that it (the cat) had the unfortunate experience of going too near the tree, and was paying the price…

Knowing how stealthy and tricky cats are I’m sure he was caught completely off guard by the attack. He probably searched the land first and likely thought that climbing the tree, or shading himself under it, was a pretty cool and safe venture for him. NOT! Even when you don’t see this bird it’s there waiting and watching from some unknown place to protect his/her precious eggs or babies. Not even my husband is safe from these birds. Last summer, he too tangled with them because he dared to try to trim the tree…

If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning- Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. ~~ Psalm 130:3-7 Stephanie Paul is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries

The Birds I

Although I am not, by nature, a lover of all creatures great and small, I love to watch animals -the small ones- doing what they do (as long as they’re doing it outiside, of course). Since moving to New Jersey in 1993, I’ve had plenty of exposure to squirrels, chipmunks and all sorts of birds.

From my window at work I’ve had the pleasure of seeing hummingbirds regularly throughout the summers, flitting from one bush or tree to another. Often I’m delighted by the sudden appearance of one right outside my office window, seemingly looking in and checking me out. Every time I see one looking in like that, I have the same thought. It’s as if God is saying, “I see you. Do you see Me?”

In almost every instance I react as if I’m seeing it for the first time because they’re so amazing to behold. This minimally-sized creation of God is there for a fleeting moment, and then off it goes to the next thing, quickly and quietly. I don’t know where it comes from or where it’s going, where its next perch will be or who it will peep in on. But I love that it does what it does as designed and ordained by God. I love that in the midst of regular life comes something which gives me pause to see and then say, “Yes, Lord, I see You, I love You, so much, and I will press on!”

Have you seen God today? Have you seen something in or out of the ordinary which caused you to pause, look up or out and see God seeing you, being aware of you, right where you are? He’s there, you know. He, Creator God, is present, alive and active, in your life right now. Do you see HIM?No matter what your day is shaping up to be, please pause and consider Him, your Rock and Redeemer. See Him, seeing you! Rejoice in Him and be glad for the joy set before you.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” ~~Hebrews 12:1-2
Stephanie Paul is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Women at America’s KESWICK.

School’s out for the summer, but never stop being a student.

There has been a phrase stuck in the back of my mind lately and it is this: Become a student of the Word of God!

Student is defined by Webster as: 1. Scholar: one who attends a school 2. One who studies: an attentive and systematic observer

We’ve all been students and have attended school at one time or another. So we need to be one who studies. To study means (Webster):
1. a state of contemplation 2. application of the mental faculties (that means our minds!) to the acquisition of knowledge.

The definition goes on and on with some very intriguing words like: careful examination, intent, and something attracting close attention.

Now, I don’t know about you but if I were reading this, the word that would pop into my head would be TIME! Who has the TIME?! My heart has been convicted about whether or not I truly KNOW the Word of God. Not just for the sake of being able to quote Scripture but to get to KNOW my Father in heaven and what it is that He desires for me. To spend time with THE One who loves me more than anyone on this earth. I would like to encourage each of you, in your “busyness” to take the time to first say a prayer, a short one, asking God to speak to your heart as you read just one verse. Ask Him to make a word jump out at you. And take a day to think about the verse or just the one word, mull it over. Allow it to sink in. The next day, read the same verse, again praying before anything is read. Don’t feel like you have to rush onto another verse. Go on to the next verse when you are ready.

If you feel you have more TIME, then use it! And I would encourage those of you who DO have that time to reach out to others that you know that DON’T have that TIME and speak the words of TRUTH that have encouraged your heart to them.

If you don’t know where to begin, here are a few verses as suggestions:
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (I know that is more than one verse but you can spend a few weeks with these!)
Ephesians 5:1
Philippians 2:3
Colossians 3:2
Colossians 3:17
Psalm 68:19
Psalm 55:22

Sue Mercer is a wife, mother of 5 and women’s ministry leader at her church. Sue has a heart for women to experience deep, Biblical fellowship with Jesus Christ and each other. She and her husband, Matt, graduated from the Colony of Mercy and Women of Character programs at America’s Keswick in 2002.

A little bit of heaven

After 3 grueling days of hell, thinking about and meditating on the reality of hell, I thought it would be appropriate to close out the week with some thoughts about heaven.

There are times in counseling when a person gets so weighed down by their suffering that they lose sight of their destination, heaven. I make the simple statement, “Someday Heaven.” If we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, then we are destined for Heaven!Someday Heaven: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.1

Someday heaven: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”2

Someday Heaven: “…a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne…Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal…

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”3

Someday Heaven: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”4”

Quicken my hunger and thirst after the realm above. Here I can have the world, there I shall have thee in Christ; Here is a life of longing and prayer, there is assurance without suspicion, asking without refusal; Here are gross comforts, more burden than benefit, there is joy without sorrow, comfort without suffering, love without inconstancy, rest without weariness…”5

The bottom line is that Heaven will be wonderful because Jesus will be there!!! And we will reside in His presence forever.

Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries of America’s KESWICK

1 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV2 John 14:23 Excerpts from Revelation 44 Revelation 21:45 Bennett, Arthur, “The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions”

The reality of hell, just how real is it? Part 2

Yesterday, I shared about my realization that though I know there is a real, literal place called hell, I don’t believe it if my actions are any indication, and I believe they are. What we really believe is borne out in our actions rather than spoken from our mouths.

After my startling realization that Sunday morning, I shared this new revelation with my family. My son-in-law shared with me he is most passionate to share the gospel with people when he spends time meditating on hell. The more we talked about what hell was like (based on what we read in the Scriptures) the more I could feel my heart start to beat faster, especially when I imagine my unsaved loved ones suffering there, for eternity.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?

How can I value my personal comfort more that the eternal destination of family and friends? Why am I not willing to speak the truth of the gospel to those that desperately need to hear? I’m afraid. I’m afraid of rejection, of feeling foolish, and of conflict. I allow my fear of man to weigh more heavily upon me than the reality of hell awaiting that person if they don’t repent and believe.

I know hell is real, but I live as if I don’t believe it. I have not allowed the truth of a literal hell to penetrate my heart to the extent that I am compelled to share with others in the hope of rescuing some.

Lord, change me. Develop in me, not just the knowledge of hell, but a belief that dramatically changes my heart for the lost and an eager pursuit to share the gospel that will translate them from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, forever. — Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK

The reality of hell – Just how real is it?

Sitting in church one Sunday morning, taking notes as the pastor preached, it hit me. I don’t believe in hell! I’ve told this story a couple of times since that Sunday morning and I always have gotten the same reaction – raised eyebrows, so I’m not surprised if you are having the same reaction. In fact, I had the same reaction! I was STARTLED to realize I don’t BELIEVE in hell.

Oh, I KNOW hell is a real, literal place, a place of eternal torment. I have never questioned its existence. I KNOW the reality of hell; I just don’t BELIEVE IT.

You may wonder what brought me to such a startling conclusion. It was the message that morning about reaching people with the gospel of truth. That Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was crucified, died and buried making payment for our sins. He rose on the third day to give new, eternal life to those who believe. But those who refuse the gospel, failing to believe in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, will not have eternal life but will live eternally in a literal place called hell.

“…to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched-where ‘ Their worm does not dieAnd the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9:43-44

One thing I have learned in 25 years of saving faith is that our attitudes and actions are the indicator of what we really believe in our hearts, much more that what we say we believe with our lips. “We live out what we believe not upon what we know.”1

There can be a vast difference between what we know and what we believe. I KNOW there is a literal hell, but my actions or rather inaction belies the fact that I do not BELIEVE it. If I had more than just an intellectual ascent to the reality of hell, I don’t think ANYTHING could stop me from sharing the gospel, pleading for the souls of people, family and friends alike.

How about you? Can you identify with what God showed me that Sunday morning? Do you not only KNOW there is a very real hell awaiting those that refuse the gospel, do you BELIEVE it? Are you living as if you believe it? I’m not yet but I am praying and trusting God that will change.
Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America’s KESWICK
1 Vicki Arudda quoted in “Praying God’s Word” by Beth Moore

Nothing New Under the Sun

If you listen to the news on the radio, watch it on the television or read it in a newspaper you can get very depressed. There is so much happening in the world at the present time: earthquakes, floods, cyclones, tornados, school shootings, serial killers, the war in Iraq rages on, and the death toll climbs higher and higher. To add to all that, we have our nation falling further and further away from its Christian roots, a nation of no morals, a nation of all “truth” being equal, a nation that supports the murder of millions of unborn children, and now we begin to see the governmental sanction of same sex marriage. Recently I had become so overwhelmed by it all that it seemed too much to bear. What kind of a world will my grandchildren be brought up in? Is there any hope?

Then I read Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes. He was the wisest man that ever lived…yet so much of this book is bleak and seemingly hopeless. Solomon writes in chapter 3 verse 15: “whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.” All that we are experiencing has happened before; there really is “nothing new under the sun.” Natural disasters, wars, murders, governments falling away from God, sexual immorality, have always been with us…nothing has changed.

But my hope isn’t in what president will be elected, what new law will be passed, in religion, or in the hundreds of organizations who rush to help in times of disaster; my hope is and has to be in Jesus alone. It has to be; He alone has the cure, the answer to all the ills of this world and it is salvation and eternal life through His shed blood.

I can’t change what happens in the world but I can change me. It begins with my faith in Jesus, my stand for truth, my witness to every one I meet (not just my Christian friends)…this I pray will have an impact for change in my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren…if the Lord should tarry.

After all his searching and all his questions, Solomon concluded in Ecclesiasties 12:13-14: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” It is all about God.

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Mary Ann Kiernan serves at America’s KESWICK in our Addiction Recovery Ministries

Different…and Okay with God

I love, absolutely love, how God has made us all so different! More and more each day I am learning to appreciate those different talents, abilites, gifts, character traits and personalities in other people, and in myself. I’m often amazed and humbled (ok, and sometimes envious) by the gifts in others, the things they are able to do with seemingly little effort.

Take my friend/sista/boss for example: she’s a person with vision and a passion for living to the glory of God. To watch her stand before a room full to the brim of people (or even a small group) is to observe this passion in motion. It’s not just what she may be saying, it’s also how. There is poise and confidence that, at present, I can only hope for. There is a freedom to be herself, to the glory of God, and do what she is called to do that is not often hindered by the fear of man. People will, and do, think…whatever, and she keeps on going, accepting herself the way God has made her, knowing she is okay with Him, fully persuaded that it is well with her soul!

When I first came here, I tried to be like her until I realized, I didn’t have to be. Warts and all, I was okay. I am not her – I am different, and God is cool with it. The work He is doing in my life is the same as in hers but it does, and will, look different.In fact, the work He is doing in all of our lives is the same. He is working in us “to will and to do His good pleasure.” It does not, and will not, look like anything other than who He is molding and shaping us to be, in accordance with His divine nature AND in spite of who we would naturally be in our sinful flesh. He takes all the treasure He deposited in us in our mother’s womb and does something good. He makes something precious and beautiful.It’s a wonderful thought to know and believe that God has made us all in His own image and likeness and He is fully aware that we are not all the same. WE ARE DIFFERENT! – Different shapes, tones and shades of color; all assortments of styles and variations of interest existing within our own particular earthsuit. And it’s okay! Sistas, there is a huge freedom to be found in Christ and in accepting the “different” that you are in Him as He IS in you. As you and I walk the walk, may we deliberately and willingly embrace the investment He has deposited in us and be all that we can be for His glory!! Allow your own unigue differences – your talents, abilities and gifts — to accomplish His great work!!

Think: “Each of us is an important specially crafted tool that God wants to use to accomplish a specific work of His good pleasure. Be sure you know your gifts and then be looking for His use for you!”1Remember: “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure…holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” ~~Philippians 2:13, 16 Stephanie Paul is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries for Women at America’s KESWICK
http://logosresourcepages.org/Believers/good_works.htm