"For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Mark 13:32 (NKJV)
When Jesus made this statement, which is also repeated in Matthew's gospel, He was telling His disciples what to watch for in the end times. Without getting too deep into eschatology, I think this is a sober warning for all believers whether we believe this is the end times or not.
There has been doctrinal discussion and debates since the beginning of the church (see Acts 15 where Paul takes up the discussion of circumcision for salvation with the crew in Jerusalem). Sometimes the debate and discussion are good and help us all to think more clearly.
Where things go awry is when heresy is introduced. Outright heresy is easy to spot, but often that's not how it gets in. The person espousing the heresy coats it in things that are truth and uses words that our flesh likes to hear. The information makes us think, and it sounds good, and there is truth... The heresy becomes difficult to spot.
I am all for reading many ideas from many people, taking in the good and discarding the bad, but if Mark 13:32 is correct, then I need to be incredibly careful. If the attempt is to deceive even the elect it means that whatever is being taught has to be palatable to believers. It means I'm vulnerable. If Jeremiah 17:9 says my heart is desperately wicked and I don't even know how wicked, then this warning is one I should heed all the more.
Heresy is, plain and simple, poison. It draws you away from Jesus. When you coat heresy in truth and words that are palatable and soothing it is akin to wrapping that poison in sugar. The outside is fine, just sugar after all... but the inside? Well, it's deadly.
Our enemy is like a roaring lion and he will take out whomever he can, whenever he can. We are called to be vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). In this day and age where information flows more freely than water, and eloquent ideas are given that seem so good and pleasing, we better be watching - we better be vigilant. We better be relying on the Holy Spirit for discernment. If we aren't, we are opening ourselves up to be deceived... even if we are the elect.
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12, NKJV)
Be careful little eyes what you see... be careful little ears what you hear... be careful little heart what you believe...
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Souls Knit Together
I had the occasion early this morning, before work, to have coffee with my very best friend. This woman and I have lived some life together in the past decade plus. We've been through births, deaths, growth, joy, pain, and a myriad of other things side by side. She has seen me at my best and she's seen me at my shockingly worst. She's seen me argue with God, ignore God, and submit to God. We've been in the messy of life together and I am so thankful.
The time we get to spend together is soul filling. I completely understand 1 Samuel 18:1 (NKJV) where it says, "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." This is how I feel about this friend. Through a work of the Holy Spirit our souls are knit together. And I need that, desperately need that. Today was a time of refreshing, a time of drinking deeply from Christ and enjoying each other. It was a time, after a week of travel, headed into work on a day that is very Monday, for which I was desperate. As I left I was reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians (1:3), "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." I am so thankful as I negotiate this day where there don't seem to be enough minutes, where more demands my attention than I have time to give, that God provided soul refreshment. He is a good God.
And so, I face this day refreshed and full. And thankful. Oh so thankful.
The time we get to spend together is soul filling. I completely understand 1 Samuel 18:1 (NKJV) where it says, "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." This is how I feel about this friend. Through a work of the Holy Spirit our souls are knit together. And I need that, desperately need that. Today was a time of refreshing, a time of drinking deeply from Christ and enjoying each other. It was a time, after a week of travel, headed into work on a day that is very Monday, for which I was desperate. As I left I was reminded of Paul's words to the Philippians (1:3), "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." I am so thankful as I negotiate this day where there don't seem to be enough minutes, where more demands my attention than I have time to give, that God provided soul refreshment. He is a good God.
And so, I face this day refreshed and full. And thankful. Oh so thankful.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Being the Odd Woman Out
A friend of mine and I were talking once about being a square peg in a round hole. I tend to feel like this often, especially when I'm outside my comfort zone. He said he likes being the odd man out. I'm not sure I said it directly to him, but I kinda thought he was crazy.
I've been the odd woman out many times. In fact, I've joked that I am, at times, God's personal guinea pig. He puts me in situations that not only foster my growth, but the growth of someone else. These situations are never easy or lightweight. Often, they're life-changing moments. I'm better with this than I used to be, thanks in large part to a gracious God. I've learned that being the odd woman out can be awkward, it can be good, or it can be both. Today, I got both.
I'm at a conference, at which I'll be speaking tomorrow morning. I tripped and fell into this conference. I got a call for abstracts, I had an opinion about the topic, and I provided an abstract. Never in a zillion years did I think that I'd get selected.
I got selected.
It's a conference unlike any I've ever experienced. Most people know each other and have been coming for years. About two thirds are old enough to be either my parent or my grandparent. I'm much more rock and roll, and these folks are - shall we say - hymnal. My first experience yesterday was that of being met with skepticism and awe. Awe because my presence was so fully unexpected. I was asked several times, "How did you get here?" It wasn't hostile, but genuine curiosity.
I left yesterday genuinely worried about what the next two days may hold. It was kind-of like I was T-Rex and everyone wanted to take a look. Since I suck at keeping a low profile and I'm constantly thinking and wondering (hello - I'm in research!) I was engaging in the sessions in which I participated. So this morning I thought, "Okay, I guess we're going for odd-woman-out awkward for this one."
I was only partly right.
Yes, I'm an anomaly, but to most with whom I've spoken a GOOD anomaly. In the first session today we were talking about medical and pharmaceutical ethics. I asked questions and provided my opinion. Of course, I wasn't the only one! We had some incredible discussion as a group! I moved on to my next session intellectually stimulated with knowledge I can bring back to my day job and to (hopefully!) future counseling practice!
The second session was much more diverse in age and style. I sat next to a dude with "end slavery" on his bracelet. I liked that guy instantly. He also had long hair and was wearing jeans. Anyway, the topic was assessing spirituality in counseling. It was some of my favorite topics combined - research, Jesus, counseling, and theology. I actively participated in that session, and (not gonna lie) was kinda fired up. I wasn't the only one, but I do have my own brand of fired-up-ness. I had the chance to talk with the speakers afterward - they are some incredible minds. Again, I took much back with me for thought and learning.
By the final session of the day, we were talking about pharmaceutical compounding and its risks and what sort of oversight is needed. Before the session, the chair came over and introduced himself to me. He had remembered me from the initial morning session. He thanked me for coming. He thanked me for my questions and my opinions. He was genuinely glad to have me at the conference and in his session. I had three other people come and say the same thing to me. I got to have some amazing, intellectually stimulating conversations about amazing things with some really incredible thinkers and people.
On the way out to my car at today's end I was stopped by a woman who was in the medical sessions with me. She asked me, "How did you get here?" when finding out my affiliation. I smiled and told her my story. We had a great talk about ethics and medicine and research.
Yes, it was awkward to be asked (again) how I got here, but it was good because I am different. I am the odd woman out here, but that's not exactly a bad thing. I've learned so much in the past 24 hours that I'm excited to share with people and that is helping my own personal, spiritual, and professional formation - I'll take being the odd woman out. Like my friend, I may just find out that I like it.
I've been the odd woman out many times. In fact, I've joked that I am, at times, God's personal guinea pig. He puts me in situations that not only foster my growth, but the growth of someone else. These situations are never easy or lightweight. Often, they're life-changing moments. I'm better with this than I used to be, thanks in large part to a gracious God. I've learned that being the odd woman out can be awkward, it can be good, or it can be both. Today, I got both.
I'm at a conference, at which I'll be speaking tomorrow morning. I tripped and fell into this conference. I got a call for abstracts, I had an opinion about the topic, and I provided an abstract. Never in a zillion years did I think that I'd get selected.
I got selected.
It's a conference unlike any I've ever experienced. Most people know each other and have been coming for years. About two thirds are old enough to be either my parent or my grandparent. I'm much more rock and roll, and these folks are - shall we say - hymnal. My first experience yesterday was that of being met with skepticism and awe. Awe because my presence was so fully unexpected. I was asked several times, "How did you get here?" It wasn't hostile, but genuine curiosity.
I left yesterday genuinely worried about what the next two days may hold. It was kind-of like I was T-Rex and everyone wanted to take a look. Since I suck at keeping a low profile and I'm constantly thinking and wondering (hello - I'm in research!) I was engaging in the sessions in which I participated. So this morning I thought, "Okay, I guess we're going for odd-woman-out awkward for this one."
I was only partly right.
Yes, I'm an anomaly, but to most with whom I've spoken a GOOD anomaly. In the first session today we were talking about medical and pharmaceutical ethics. I asked questions and provided my opinion. Of course, I wasn't the only one! We had some incredible discussion as a group! I moved on to my next session intellectually stimulated with knowledge I can bring back to my day job and to (hopefully!) future counseling practice!
The second session was much more diverse in age and style. I sat next to a dude with "end slavery" on his bracelet. I liked that guy instantly. He also had long hair and was wearing jeans. Anyway, the topic was assessing spirituality in counseling. It was some of my favorite topics combined - research, Jesus, counseling, and theology. I actively participated in that session, and (not gonna lie) was kinda fired up. I wasn't the only one, but I do have my own brand of fired-up-ness. I had the chance to talk with the speakers afterward - they are some incredible minds. Again, I took much back with me for thought and learning.
By the final session of the day, we were talking about pharmaceutical compounding and its risks and what sort of oversight is needed. Before the session, the chair came over and introduced himself to me. He had remembered me from the initial morning session. He thanked me for coming. He thanked me for my questions and my opinions. He was genuinely glad to have me at the conference and in his session. I had three other people come and say the same thing to me. I got to have some amazing, intellectually stimulating conversations about amazing things with some really incredible thinkers and people.
On the way out to my car at today's end I was stopped by a woman who was in the medical sessions with me. She asked me, "How did you get here?" when finding out my affiliation. I smiled and told her my story. We had a great talk about ethics and medicine and research.
Yes, it was awkward to be asked (again) how I got here, but it was good because I am different. I am the odd woman out here, but that's not exactly a bad thing. I've learned so much in the past 24 hours that I'm excited to share with people and that is helping my own personal, spiritual, and professional formation - I'll take being the odd woman out. Like my friend, I may just find out that I like it.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
A Full Heart
I recently took my son to The Melting Pot for our occasional "fancy dinner." I do these dinners with him to teach him appropriate manners, to allow him to experience new things, and to just plain have fun and be together. He chose the restaurant after I explained to him what it was. When we got there he was such a gentleman. He spoke appropriately to the waitress, making eye contact (which is HUGE for a child with Asperger's). He allowed me to order the food since he had no idea what most of it was, aside from the salad - he knows his salad because he loves them.
When they made the cheese fondue for the first course table side, his eyes were as big as saucers. He was amazed by the whole thing. He was equally amazed by the fact he got to skewer things and dip them in the cheese and then eat them. Talk about exciting sensory input! He dutifully skewered, dipped, and ate a little of all the things they brought - bread, apples, and veggies. His amazement continued when they brought the salad, then as they brought the entree. When he cooked his first piece of chicken in the broth he had this amazing look of satisfaction and said, "Mom, I cooked this! And it's good!" My heart overflowed with joy watching his joy. And I think he nearly lost a synapse when they brought out a pot of melted dark chocolate with sweet stuff and fruit to dip! He said over and over what a great restaurant it was and how he wanted to go again for his birthday.
As I sat here this morning reflecting on this experience with him, my heart was full. Seeing his joy like that is absolutely the best thing ever! I love watching him have new experiences and try new things, even things that are a little bit scary at first. And I love it despite the great cost I paid (The Melting Pot is not cheap!).
Then it struck me... This is the same type of full heart that God has when I do the same thing. He delights in my joy. He delights in my taking those risks as He leads me (knowing that any risk I take He is ordaining and will care for me). He just plain delights in me. He enjoys watching my amazement and wonder when I see Him act. He enjoys my sense of awe when I connect with His creation and with Him. His heart is full when He watches me, like my heart is full when I watch my son. And He paid a great price to be able to delight in me, much more than I paid to take my son out to "fancy dinner."
Today this brought me to my knees in worship. To know I'm loved and delighted in even more than I can possibly love and delight in my son (after all, I'm not God) is staggering. To know that God paid the greatest price imaginable so He could have this relationship with me is... there just aren't words. I am thankful that God brought me a son so I could see the world to a degree through God's eyes. So I can have my amazement and wonder rekindled as I watch my son live life. So I can get a sense of how deeply God delights in me.
And here's the thing... He feels that way about all of His kids. I'm not the only one. May you and I live each and every day with that knowledge being as tangible as the physical realm around us. May we know how our Father delights in us and may that color our choices in every possible way.
When they made the cheese fondue for the first course table side, his eyes were as big as saucers. He was amazed by the whole thing. He was equally amazed by the fact he got to skewer things and dip them in the cheese and then eat them. Talk about exciting sensory input! He dutifully skewered, dipped, and ate a little of all the things they brought - bread, apples, and veggies. His amazement continued when they brought the salad, then as they brought the entree. When he cooked his first piece of chicken in the broth he had this amazing look of satisfaction and said, "Mom, I cooked this! And it's good!" My heart overflowed with joy watching his joy. And I think he nearly lost a synapse when they brought out a pot of melted dark chocolate with sweet stuff and fruit to dip! He said over and over what a great restaurant it was and how he wanted to go again for his birthday.
As I sat here this morning reflecting on this experience with him, my heart was full. Seeing his joy like that is absolutely the best thing ever! I love watching him have new experiences and try new things, even things that are a little bit scary at first. And I love it despite the great cost I paid (The Melting Pot is not cheap!).
Then it struck me... This is the same type of full heart that God has when I do the same thing. He delights in my joy. He delights in my taking those risks as He leads me (knowing that any risk I take He is ordaining and will care for me). He just plain delights in me. He enjoys watching my amazement and wonder when I see Him act. He enjoys my sense of awe when I connect with His creation and with Him. His heart is full when He watches me, like my heart is full when I watch my son. And He paid a great price to be able to delight in me, much more than I paid to take my son out to "fancy dinner."
Today this brought me to my knees in worship. To know I'm loved and delighted in even more than I can possibly love and delight in my son (after all, I'm not God) is staggering. To know that God paid the greatest price imaginable so He could have this relationship with me is... there just aren't words. I am thankful that God brought me a son so I could see the world to a degree through God's eyes. So I can have my amazement and wonder rekindled as I watch my son live life. So I can get a sense of how deeply God delights in me.
And here's the thing... He feels that way about all of His kids. I'm not the only one. May you and I live each and every day with that knowledge being as tangible as the physical realm around us. May we know how our Father delights in us and may that color our choices in every possible way.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Learning to Live in Rhythm
You know it's pretty darn interesting when you're giving a presentation with a friend about a topic for which you have great passion. It's more interesting when something your co-presenter says during his section resonates in a way that is a little surprising. I knew what he was going to say. We talked through it... But in the moment I heard it live during our presentation it was like God pushed it way down deep.
The idea of that section was about not overdoing life - running yourself ragged and nearly killing yourself to get a given destination. I know that life all too well - I've lived it and it takes a great deal of paying attention to keep me from slipping back into it. And as I heard my friend talk I realized, "Shoot. I'm overdoing it. I've overcommitted. Again. Dangit." I realized I needed to stop and take stock yet again.
And I had to start saying no... Again. I had to look at what I had before me and choose which things would get my attention and which ones could not. And I had to say no to good things. Really good things. With people I dearly love. Ouch. That is such a hard thing for me. I hate saying no to people I care about. I worry they won't understand. I worry they'll be hurt.
Honestly, sometimes I suffer from FOMO - Fear of Missing Out. I want to be there to share experiences. I want to connect deeply with people. But there are only so many hours in the day. I can't possibly do everything I want to do. So, as hard as it is, I have to keep looking at what's on the table and determining who and what will get attention from me.
Thankfully, as I grow God shows me earlier that I'm overcommitting, before I hit raging crazy and burnout. I'm thankful for that as I learn to live my life in His rhythm.
The idea of that section was about not overdoing life - running yourself ragged and nearly killing yourself to get a given destination. I know that life all too well - I've lived it and it takes a great deal of paying attention to keep me from slipping back into it. And as I heard my friend talk I realized, "Shoot. I'm overdoing it. I've overcommitted. Again. Dangit." I realized I needed to stop and take stock yet again.
And I had to start saying no... Again. I had to look at what I had before me and choose which things would get my attention and which ones could not. And I had to say no to good things. Really good things. With people I dearly love. Ouch. That is such a hard thing for me. I hate saying no to people I care about. I worry they won't understand. I worry they'll be hurt.
Honestly, sometimes I suffer from FOMO - Fear of Missing Out. I want to be there to share experiences. I want to connect deeply with people. But there are only so many hours in the day. I can't possibly do everything I want to do. So, as hard as it is, I have to keep looking at what's on the table and determining who and what will get attention from me.
Thankfully, as I grow God shows me earlier that I'm overcommitting, before I hit raging crazy and burnout. I'm thankful for that as I learn to live my life in His rhythm.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Failing Well
I have serious Type A tendencies. I work really hard and I like to do really well. Unfortunately, I also have perfectionist tendencies. God has been working on that in me quite a bit. Being the merciful God He is, He's allowed me to have good season of mostly successes. Any failures or inconsistencies have been minor.
Until yesterday. Yesterday I had an epic failure. It was entirely my fault and I got called out on it big time.
When "the talk" happened (the one where I was told I messed up) I felt my stomach knot up and the blood drain from my face. I was literally physically ill for a moment. Then there was embarrassment. Embarrassment because it was something I should have known better than to do and allow. Embarrassment because someone who is just getting to know me, someone with whom I have no relational equity, got an impression of me that really doesn't reflect my heart.
Everything in me hit overdrive, fight-or-flight, and fix-it-at-all-costs mode. My heart was racing. My eyes welled up with tears (thank you Jesus for doors that close!). My mind began racing to fix, fix, fix. Except there was no way to do anything other than say I'm sorry, I'll take care of it. I was told there would be more conversation, but it couldn't happen that day.
Oh, God. What do you mean we can't resolve this RIGHT NOW?! For me, in these situations, I'm much happier at the person I upset figuratively kicking me in the gut, allowing me to make the needed changes, and then moving on. To have to wait even two hours to have a conversation I know is coming is torture to me.
So for the past 24 hours I've been living in this tension.
But remember that merciful God? Within seconds of everything in me going haywire, He reminded me that (a) I will fail and (b) I was still okay. This mistake doesn't affect who I am. I messed up. Yes, it was fairly epic and really visible. But I am still okay. I am still enough. Nothing about who I am changed. I reached out to people who know me well to ask for prayer. My bestie reminded me this was not earth shattering. I took a deep breath... It was time to walk through what God has carefully taught me - about my identity, about Himself, about failing well. So walk I do, even when embarrassment makes me feel like crawling under a rock to hide. I walk forward, fighting back with truth against emotions that want to drag me into the lie. And I trust the Creator of heaven and earth to hold on to me tightly as I experience failing well.
Until yesterday. Yesterday I had an epic failure. It was entirely my fault and I got called out on it big time.
When "the talk" happened (the one where I was told I messed up) I felt my stomach knot up and the blood drain from my face. I was literally physically ill for a moment. Then there was embarrassment. Embarrassment because it was something I should have known better than to do and allow. Embarrassment because someone who is just getting to know me, someone with whom I have no relational equity, got an impression of me that really doesn't reflect my heart.
Everything in me hit overdrive, fight-or-flight, and fix-it-at-all-costs mode. My heart was racing. My eyes welled up with tears (thank you Jesus for doors that close!). My mind began racing to fix, fix, fix. Except there was no way to do anything other than say I'm sorry, I'll take care of it. I was told there would be more conversation, but it couldn't happen that day.
Oh, God. What do you mean we can't resolve this RIGHT NOW?! For me, in these situations, I'm much happier at the person I upset figuratively kicking me in the gut, allowing me to make the needed changes, and then moving on. To have to wait even two hours to have a conversation I know is coming is torture to me.
So for the past 24 hours I've been living in this tension.
But remember that merciful God? Within seconds of everything in me going haywire, He reminded me that (a) I will fail and (b) I was still okay. This mistake doesn't affect who I am. I messed up. Yes, it was fairly epic and really visible. But I am still okay. I am still enough. Nothing about who I am changed. I reached out to people who know me well to ask for prayer. My bestie reminded me this was not earth shattering. I took a deep breath... It was time to walk through what God has carefully taught me - about my identity, about Himself, about failing well. So walk I do, even when embarrassment makes me feel like crawling under a rock to hide. I walk forward, fighting back with truth against emotions that want to drag me into the lie. And I trust the Creator of heaven and earth to hold on to me tightly as I experience failing well.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tragedy Like Tidal Waves
I was getting my nails done this afternoon when news of the bombing in Boston broke. Like many nail salons, the person filing and painting is Asian. As we listened to the news report, I said, "I cannot imagine living in a place where violence like this is commonplace." She agreed and then began to tell me about where she is from - Cambodia. The country is run by a dictator who oppresses the people. He takes foreign aid and never gives it to his people. He takes what he wants, including women, by force. Those who disagree often end up "missing." Those who escape do what they can to help their family. Those who talk too much or post negative things to social media sites while in other countries have bounties placed on their heads. When visiting heads of state come the homeless are rounded up and dropped in the woods. Some never make it back to the city.
As if all this isn't horrific enough, human trafficking is rampant. Poor families sell their daughters into prostitution so they can get money to eat. Others are just stolen and trafficked. The worst story I was told today was of a brothel that specialized in girls as young as five years old. The brothel was finally raided and the little girls still alive were rescued by an international organization. The owners of the brothel were Americans. American men who brought their money, paid the government to look the other way, and exploited little girls. Of course there are plenty of Cambodian men who do the same.
We've all heard these stories on the Internet, at a conference, or some other medium. Those cause me to feel sad. There is something quite different when you hear it from a person who saw it. Who lived there. It's gut wrenching.
I left the salon and cried in my car. People setting off bombs in Boston. People trafficking children in Cambodia. People believing that there is no hope and committing suicide. I don't understand how people can conclude that no evil exists. I look around at this brokenness and wonder when Jesus will come back and make all things new.
And that really is the only thing that will solve these problems. Jesus in lives now and Jesus coming back. He really is the only hope. Maranatha - come Lord Jesus!!
As if all this isn't horrific enough, human trafficking is rampant. Poor families sell their daughters into prostitution so they can get money to eat. Others are just stolen and trafficked. The worst story I was told today was of a brothel that specialized in girls as young as five years old. The brothel was finally raided and the little girls still alive were rescued by an international organization. The owners of the brothel were Americans. American men who brought their money, paid the government to look the other way, and exploited little girls. Of course there are plenty of Cambodian men who do the same.
We've all heard these stories on the Internet, at a conference, or some other medium. Those cause me to feel sad. There is something quite different when you hear it from a person who saw it. Who lived there. It's gut wrenching.
I left the salon and cried in my car. People setting off bombs in Boston. People trafficking children in Cambodia. People believing that there is no hope and committing suicide. I don't understand how people can conclude that no evil exists. I look around at this brokenness and wonder when Jesus will come back and make all things new.
And that really is the only thing that will solve these problems. Jesus in lives now and Jesus coming back. He really is the only hope. Maranatha - come Lord Jesus!!
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