Considering the lilies: Divisions and Unifying Fragrance

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the  grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith!                                            (Luke 12:27-28 NASB)

The lily series has continued a little longer than I expected. I've found another nugget of truth, so we're here for one more day. At least. We began this series by considering the lily bulb,  lily propagation, and lily's disposition, and true lilies and the importance of the name. Yesterday, we considered the importance of planting the lily bulb deep in the ground.  Today, we look at the different varieties of lilies.

We learned a few days ago that not every flower bearing the name of lily is actually a lily. Water lilies and  day lilies are not true lilies. Of the true lilies, there are nine different varieties. (If you're interested in horticulture, you can find the varieties here.) 

Although all nine varieties are distinct and recognizable in their division, their similarities mark them as lilies. According to gardening.about.com, "What they all share is a certain elegance of form and sweetness of fragrance." (1)

Elegance of form and sweetness of fragrance are characteristics that should be the common thread running through the different "varieties" of Christians, as well.

Before we continue in the "fragrance" analogy, we need to remember one important fact. The first century church was one church, not multiple denominations. The differences were in location, not in theology. The Apostle Paul, among others, wrote letters that were circulated among the churches in an effort to preserve the doctrine and keep it consistent.

We won't be divided by denominations in heaven. No one is likely to care if we were Baptist or Presbyterian or Assembly of God when we enter eternity. The question that will matter then will be "Is Jesus your Lord?" 

With that said, we have divided ourselves into denominations based on interpretations of Scripture and nuances of doctrine. It is not my intent to argue doctrine. There are good points in every denomination, as well as arguable points. 

There is one Christ and He is the only point that matters.

Jesus is what should remain when divisional strife is swept away. If we follow Him, He should be the most important, unifying factor. He is to the Christian church what the genus Lilium is to the the varieties of lily.

Now, back to the question of fragrance. Lilies have a fragrance that is distinct and is unlike the fragrance of roses or hyacinths. It's distinct to lilies. 

In that same way, disciples of Christ should have "the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him". (2 Cor.2:14) 

 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death; to the other an aroma from life to life." (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NASB)

Knowing Jesus should make such a difference in our lives that we are recognizable as belonging to Him. 

He should unify us with His fragrance. What is His fragrance? Get ready for this. It's not what you expect. It's sacrifice. 

The aroma of Christ is sacrificing Himself to the will of God.

Yeah. Who expected that? I considered the aroma of Christ to be love, fruits of the spirit. Anything but sacrifice. 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." (Ephesians 5:2 NASB)

Jesus gave Himself up for us because of His love but it is the sacrifice of Himself, the offering of His life,  that is the fragrant aroma.

If we want the aroma of Christ, we must live sacrificial lives, just as Christ lived. We must sacrifice our desires to have God's desires for us. We must sacrifice our goals to attain His goals. Our priorities must become His.

When we sacrifice our will to His will, an amazing thing will happen. We will begin to sacrifice ourselves for those He loves. Sacrificial service. Sacrificial giving. Sacrificial love. It won't be about "us" anymore. Everything we do, everything we give, everything we sacrifice will be motivated by love. 

People will know. We won't have to say a word. Because sacrifice is rare. It's shocking. Sacrifice is scandalous. Give up ourselves for the less fortunate? Love those who have wounded us? Forgive those who have offended us? It's sacrifice that the world cannot understand. 

But Jesus does. Because He set the standard for shocking, scandalous sacrifice. He took it to the extreme when He presented Himself as a blood sacrifice on the cross. For me. For you.

There's no way I will ever be that sacrificial, but I can make a start. Have Your will in my life, Lord, is where it begins. So, we make a start. We begin today to make a small sacrifice of time, or money, or love, or will. Make a small, Jesus-like sacrifice and begin to live scandalously.

Begin to live like Christ and keep living like Him until you are so infused with His love and His sacrifice that everyone who meets you will say, "There's Jesus in her, in him." 

Be the aroma of Christ.

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Our Father, who art in Heaven, holy is your name in all the earth. Our Lord Jesus, you are the sacrifice that makes our lives possible. Create in me a heart to live like you, sacrificing myself to your will, your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

(1)http://gardening.about.com/od/bulbs/a/Growing_Lilies.htm
photo from freeimages.com

Kristen Goes to Jail

It was almost 12:30 and Kristen was waiting nervously in front of the reception desk at our office for the deputy who was coming to arrest her.  We were all standing around with her, and I guess most of us were like me... really glad it was Kristen who was heading to jail and not us.  She had worried about him coming to the office to get her in the cruiser with all the patients watching but, at that particular moment, the lobby was empty, with not a patient in sight.  

Kristen had agreed to be arrested as part of a Muscular Dystrophy Association fund raiser.  She was being locked up at the jail until her "bail" was raised.  Her goal was $800 and she had spent hours asking for donations over the last few weeks.  The envelope she held tight to her chest held more than $1000 and she was thrilled!  Really, we were all thrilled and proud of her fund raising prowess.  

The money raised helps pay for summer camp for children with muscular dystrophy.  $800 will pay for all camp fees and treatment while the child is there.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children who miss out on many of the activities our children take for granted.  Soccer, football, basketball, horseback riding are common activities for most school-aged children, but not for children with muscular dystrophy.  Just walking at all is a victory for them.  

Not only do donations to MDA help with summer camp, it also goes toward treatment, research, and medications for those affected by the disease.  Devices to assist with walking are expensive and every dollar helps.  

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscular weakness.  It can affect multiple body systems, but the skeletal muscles are almost always affected.  It can cause intellectual impairment and shortened lifespans.  Walking is very difficult and children with this disease may gradually lose any ability to walk they have gained.  What a tragic disease for a child to endure!  What a difficult future they can anticipate! 

You may be able to tell we have learned a lot about Muscular Dystrophy since Kristen volunteered for her jail term!  Oh, the time in jail... While Kristen was in jail, she had the opportunity to pick a child for summer camp.  (Remember, she had raised more than enough to sponsor a child for camp.)  Pictures of children in our area with muscular dystrophy were displayed, and Kristen was asked to pick a child for camp.  How agonizing it was to realize that, while she was blessing one child, others were being left behind.  When her jail term was up and she was about to be driven home (with a much-deserve limo ride), she looked at the display of photos.  Children were still waiting for sponsors.  

Children are still waiting for sponsors.  

If you are moved to help, you can go online at  http://mda.convio.net/site/TR/Lock-Up/44-477-MemphisDistrict?px=1926945&pg=personal&fr_id=7633           and make a donation.  The website will be up until midnight tonight.  

You know, Kristen was not the first one to accept arrest in order to benefit someone in need. There was One who saw our sin problem and willing offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. Kristen reminded me a lot of Him today.  

Drying Rosemary

When I visited the Garden of Gethsemane earlier this year (where Jesus was praying for us before He was arrested and crucified), I was amazed by the enormous olive trees. Some of them are more than 2000 years old, so yes, they were there when Jesus was praying. All these centuries later, I knelt and prayed by the very same trees where Jesus had knelt. How amazing is that?  The very surprising thing about the Garden of Gethsemane is that there were rosemary bushes everywhere, so the fragrance in the garden was incredible. Ever since, I've been determined to root my rosemary cuttings and make new plants in all my landscaping areas. I want my yard to smell like the Garden of Gethsemane! 

Yesterday, I snipped some tender young rosemary branches so that I could start rooting it, which is not the easiest thing to do. I trimmed off the lower leaves and dried them. My drying technique is so amazingly fast that I thought you might like to hear it. 

I put the leaves on a paper towel, cover them with another paper towel, microwave them for one minute, stir them around a little, then nuke them for another 30 or 40 seconds. The goal is to get them dry but still green. That's all there is to it! Perfectly dried rosemary for cooking (or whatever) in under two minutes!

There's a faith lesson in this wonderfully fragrant plant. The herb of memory, rosemary leaves are believed to quicken the mind and prevent forgetfulness.  It represents the importance of remembering all that God has done for you – in forgiveness, cleansing, healing, freedom. 

This evening, look in your spice rack for rosemary and crush a few leaves in your hand. Breathe in that lovely aroma and think on all that God has done for you. As you remember, be sure to thank Him for the sweet smelling sacrifice our Lord made of Himself on your behalf.   

Proving Our Repentance by Our Actions

John the Baptizer was not the typical itinerate preacher. He dressed in camels' hair, lived in the rocky, barren wilderness, and ate honey and locust. I'd probably have shunned him as a religious nut, but his preaching, just as radical as he looked, drew big crowds. 

People lined up to be baptized.

"Being a descendant of Abraham is not enough. Being baptized is not enough. God's wrath is coming and you don't want to experience it. The Kingdom of God will be here soon. Prove your repentance by your actions," John told them. "Live generously. Be kind. Love."

One day, some soldiers were in the crowd. "What about us?" they asked him. "What should we do?" (from Luke 3:14)

Roman soldiers were the toughest guys in the region, the first century version of our marines, but with considerably less integrity. 

If they wanted more money than they were paid, they could demand and receive it from the populace. 

They could falsely accuse someone, demand a bribe, and be assured of getting it. 

They could double fines and skim the extra. 

The soldiers had free reign and limited consequences, but, on this particular day, John's words struck a chord. "What about us?" they asked.

It's a great question. They weren't just hearers. It seems they wanted to be doers, too. 

There was no doubt John would have instructions for them, and that his instructions would be tough, but they didn't want to be left out. 

If the Kingdom of God was at hand, they wanted to do what it took to be a part.

Ponder that for a moment. Jesus has risen and His return is closer than its ever been. The Kingdom of God is available to us today.

Are we willing to do what it takes to be a part?

Are we willing to do what it takes to please God?

If we want to please Him, here's what we should do: Love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love our neighbor as ourself. 

Jesus condensed the entire Scripture into these two laws. They're simple and easy to understand, but they're not optional. 

Love God. Love everyone. 

If we want to be a part of the Kingdom of God, that's where we start.

"Don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." James 1:22 nlt
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In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Shouting Scripture and the Author Who Didn't Want to Write 

*** I'm sharing about my Jordan Journey at a brunch April 1 at 10:30-12 at Global Outreach home office, 74 Kings Highway, Pontotoc MS, and you're invited. Comment or message me if you'd like to come.***

If God has called you to help with this ministry of digital and in-person outreach (both in the US and around the world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 or you can mail your check or money order to:

Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#Jesus 

Two tunics (Luke 3:11)

And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise." (Luke 3:11 NASB)

This is not my favorite verse. I'm telling you that right up front. I would much rather read "I will never leave you nor forsake you". Instead, for today, we are at the "what to do with two tunics" verse.

John's listeners were people who had spent a lifetime making sacrifices as payment for their sins and throwing a few coins in the offering as an extra gift. There was an order to it. A plan.

John emerged from the desert with something altogether different. He told them they needed more than a sacrifice. They needed a repentant heart. A changed heart.  It was much easier to just give up an animal. Forgiveness? Reconciliation? Repentance? Much harder, but essential for getting right with God.

It was not a familiar idea, and they asked John what they should do. What does this "bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance" look like? John's answer was startling. "If you have two tunics, give one to the man who has none..."  An extra tunic was a precious thing. We are accustomed to closets full of clothes. They were not. They were not giving away unused leftovers. It was something that mattered.

Why did John (the man wearing a camel hide) tell them to give away their extra tunic? First of all, generosity is a theme throughout Scripture. We are to be as open-handed with others as God is with us. Secondly, receiving from God requires open hands and open heart. When we cling so tightly to the stuff of this world, it's not only harder to cling to our Lord, it's harder to receive all He has for us. Extravagant giving requires that we look past our own life and recognize the needs around us.  It requires us to risk being uncomfortable as a result of our giving.

Maybe more important, extravagant giving requires us to recognize Who is in charge and who is not. We are not the source of everything we have.  No matter how hard we work nor how much money we make, God is ultimately the One who provides. It's all His, and when we share what He has given to us, we acknowledge that in a very tangible way. We take our eyes off ourselves and get them on others and on the Giver of all good gifts.

John was trying to help his listeners learn to live their lives in a way that matched up with the new-found repentance they claimed to have. Live like you mean it. That's what John was saying 2000 years ago and it's good advice for us today.

How many tunics are you holding?  Today, live like you believe the faith you claim. Let go and give.

Live like you mean it.