This past weekend John and I were in a sporting goods store. I commented on how much Lance Armstrong has affected the sporting world after noticing all of the Livestrong products, Lance's brand.
"He's going to be stripped of all of his titles due to charges that he was doping."
I was stunned.
Doing a little research this morning indeed it is true that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will strip him of his titles. To add further injury, Lance will also be banned from ever cycling professionally for the rest of his life. Though he has a case -- From John's and my perspective, having watched many Tours and remembering how much he was tested for doping and passing every test -- Lance has opted to focus on what he can do and not waste precious energy on what will certainly drain more of his precious life.
There is so much about the story that I don't know. But I believe I am safe in assuming that it would be an understatement to say Lance Armstrong has been disappointed.
When disappointment hits, where can we turn?
In John 11, we are told the story of Lazarus, Jesus' friend. Lazarus has died leaving two beloved sisters, also close friends of Jesus. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus' home, first Martha and then Mary make the same statement upon seeing Christ.
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
Jesus conversed with Martha and wept with Mary. We have a gentle Savior who speaks truth in love, and backs his claims with action.
I have no specific answer to anyone's greatest problems. But one thing I know is that the Scriptures guide us back to a Savior who is ready to instruct us and comfort us in our hardships no matter how unfair, oftentimes leaving us exposed to ridicule before men.
One day things will be made right by God Himself. God's promise is that on that last day, disgrace suffered by God's faithful followers, through success or sorrow, will be removed:
"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the
tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all
the earth. The LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:7-8
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Stirred not Shaken
For those who enjoy James Bond movies, the line "Stirred not shaken," is a famous quote. This is how Mr. Bond likes his martinis. I don't drink martinis and this has nothing to do with drinking. But I've been captured by the idea lately of being stirred spiritually but not shaken.
I put real whipped cream in my coffee each morning and recently have decided to not shake the can. This allows the cream to come out smoothly without the fuss that cream under pressure causes; it's messy and spews creamy bits everywhere, despite coming out of the can in a scrunched up artsy way on my coffee.
However, the last two cans I purchased had the same characteristic, and one I had not seen in previous cans of whipped cream. The cream got stuck without my shaking the can. I had to throw the first can away after a few days because no matter how much I shook it, the cream would not budge. It had not been shaken enough to stir the air and cream which would help the cream propel itself out of the can.
I decided the cream was much too tasty to let go to waste in this second uncooperative can. So I shook it just short of shaking my shoulder out of joint; and don't think I'm embellishing! I think my feet actually came off the floor at one point. Finally, a mixture of air and cream came out, yes, spewing bits of cream all over my hand as I tried covering the glass of iced coffee so as not to mess up the counter.
But it was worth it! The shaking of the can stirred the cream and air so that the cream could do its job! There was something of value in the can that needed to get out, and without the ingredients being stirred up, it would have been another waste on so many levels!
Stirring, what a concept! The Lord has designed us with many spiritual elements that He wants brought out in the pattern of His Son at the correct time so that He might be glorified! God stirs us through the fellowship of professed and obedient believers called disciples of Jesus Christ, with whom we have ongoing communion even when not in each others physical presence. This is our function, to be Christ in our minds so that when spiritually stirred, He is able to get out by means of the work of our hands and feet.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."- Hebrews 10:24
This world indeed loves shaking us up. The shaking will bring out what is inside us; is it Christ-like, or world-like? Whatever comes out is our answer, and with God's help, He can refine what is not of His everlasting Kingdom that is living in us. Why? Because God's Kingdom has come to those who follow Christ and God is refining us day by day as to prepare us to enter fully into His Kingdom which will never be shaken by sin.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God [is] a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
God's consuming fire refines us daily to conform more to the likeness of Christ. What are our minds feeding on? Are we judging when we should be praying? Are we consciously aware of Christ's return with anticipation as the first century followers were? Are we allowing God's Kingdom to rule every part of our minds and hearts as to prepare us for that last day? Are we secure in our salvation for today alone? Are we confident Christ will be our attorney on that last day defending perfectly what we've confessed to Him on this earth?
Are we being stirred in the Lord, patterning Christ's life, so as not to be shaken off of our foundation, which is Christ, when troubles come? My prayer is yes, because we can do all things through God's strength.
I put real whipped cream in my coffee each morning and recently have decided to not shake the can. This allows the cream to come out smoothly without the fuss that cream under pressure causes; it's messy and spews creamy bits everywhere, despite coming out of the can in a scrunched up artsy way on my coffee.
However, the last two cans I purchased had the same characteristic, and one I had not seen in previous cans of whipped cream. The cream got stuck without my shaking the can. I had to throw the first can away after a few days because no matter how much I shook it, the cream would not budge. It had not been shaken enough to stir the air and cream which would help the cream propel itself out of the can.
I decided the cream was much too tasty to let go to waste in this second uncooperative can. So I shook it just short of shaking my shoulder out of joint; and don't think I'm embellishing! I think my feet actually came off the floor at one point. Finally, a mixture of air and cream came out, yes, spewing bits of cream all over my hand as I tried covering the glass of iced coffee so as not to mess up the counter.
But it was worth it! The shaking of the can stirred the cream and air so that the cream could do its job! There was something of value in the can that needed to get out, and without the ingredients being stirred up, it would have been another waste on so many levels!
Stirring, what a concept! The Lord has designed us with many spiritual elements that He wants brought out in the pattern of His Son at the correct time so that He might be glorified! God stirs us through the fellowship of professed and obedient believers called disciples of Jesus Christ, with whom we have ongoing communion even when not in each others physical presence. This is our function, to be Christ in our minds so that when spiritually stirred, He is able to get out by means of the work of our hands and feet.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."- Hebrews 10:24
This world indeed loves shaking us up. The shaking will bring out what is inside us; is it Christ-like, or world-like? Whatever comes out is our answer, and with God's help, He can refine what is not of His everlasting Kingdom that is living in us. Why? Because God's Kingdom has come to those who follow Christ and God is refining us day by day as to prepare us to enter fully into His Kingdom which will never be shaken by sin.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God [is] a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
God's consuming fire refines us daily to conform more to the likeness of Christ. What are our minds feeding on? Are we judging when we should be praying? Are we consciously aware of Christ's return with anticipation as the first century followers were? Are we allowing God's Kingdom to rule every part of our minds and hearts as to prepare us for that last day? Are we secure in our salvation for today alone? Are we confident Christ will be our attorney on that last day defending perfectly what we've confessed to Him on this earth?
Are we being stirred in the Lord, patterning Christ's life, so as not to be shaken off of our foundation, which is Christ, when troubles come? My prayer is yes, because we can do all things through God's strength.
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