If Jesus coming to earth and dying on the cross for our sins taught us anything at all, it was that God has immense compassion for His creation. Since we, as humans, have had a hard time throughout history understanding this, He sent His Son to earth so that we, in no way, can say, "God just doesn't understand." He indeed understands hunger, anger, betrayal, disappointment...the list goes on.
If there has been anything God has taught me in the last decade, it has been compassion. Boy, we are are non-compassionate people, aren't we? If we do not understand it, we make no attempt to. If we haven't walked in their shoes, we just assume they've brought their suffering upon themselves.
I was that person for many years, the one who thought everyone should just suck it up and get tough. I figured if bad things were happening to a person, they probably brought it upon themselves. Coming from an athletic background, there was no room for excuses...or sympathy...or compassion. I had a short list of what reasonably constituted the need for compassion. Everybody else needed to get it together.
I think one of the biggest questions Christians and non-Christians ask of God is, "Why all the suffering?" We look around and see so many bad things happen and wonder why God allows it.
I don't know the full answer to that question, but I think God has taught me a piece of it over the last decade. If we don't suffer, we as human beings do not understand how to help others or have sympathy for them. If we go through an ugly divorce, we then suddenly understand that marriages are often complicated, and we begin to see others' situations in a different light. If we go bankrupt and lose our house, we begin to understand what it's like to have no one to turn to for financial help. If we become chronically ill, we understand why it's hard to get out of bed. If we suffer from depression, we begin to see similar faces, like our own, in a crowd at the mall or at church.
Everything that we suffer on earth, God promises to use for good. I believe it is for our good and for others' too. We simply, in our own power, do not have the capacity to be fully compassionate. If we did, then we wouldn't have starving children and hate crimes and bullying. Since we cannot do it in our own power, God shows us a different path, a path that leads straight into our heart and opens it up so that we might leave a footprint of compassion on the world.
We know what it feels like to receive compassion. When have you messed up, forgotten an important appointment or a birthday, burned an expensive meal, lost a valuable item, only for someone to say, "It's okay. No worries. I promise." Doesn't that just melt your heart?
God says it everyday to us through Jesus. He has compassion upon us and our very weak, often terribly brutal, nature. With compassion in place, self-righteousness has nowhere to go but away. You can't be compassionate and self-righteous at the same time, because self-righteousness by its very nature lacks compassion.
Jesus is Compassion. He is the very picture of what God's heart is. He stoops down and holds the hand of the person everyone else hates in the world. He hugs the person who is the dirtiest and smells the worst. He feeds and shelters and carries and touches those that the world casts a scornful eye to. Are you that scornful eye or the hand that reaches out?
Remember the compassion that was given to you by God through Jesus Christ. Understanding that you have received it in its most sacrificial form allows you to give it every single day.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Hope
By nature, I'm an optimist. I can see the sunny side of a mud pit. I just like to have hope. But as I've grown older, and lived more, I have begun to see how hopeless life really is. I'm still optimistic, but maybe with a bit more reality thrown in. I guess I've come to realize that there are very few, if any, completely happy endings.
Except, there is One who promises us a happy ending. Up front, He tells us we will have trouble. There are days when I feel that is a horrible understatement, but accurate nevertheless. Still, He says, follow Him and He will overcome on our behalf. In fact, not even death can swallow us if we put our hope in Jesus.
The cool thing is that in His grace and mercy, we also have hope for the here and now. If we didn't have that, wouldn't we all be like, "Let us die already!" What would life mean if it was just about a good ending? But Jesus assures us that He has plans for each of us here in the present: day to day, hour to hour. Psalm 146:5 says "Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God."
It's really impossible to have hope in situations. I mean, we can certainly try. I'll be the first to admit that nothing comforts me more than believing I have complete control over a situation. But it's an illusion, isn't it? Control? We really don't have control over anything. But there is One who does.
When we put our hope in His loving-kindness, His power, His holiness, His wisdom, it completes everything. We know He knows it all, so though everything might appear to be falling apart all around us, He is the anchor that keeps us steady.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Except, there is One who promises us a happy ending. Up front, He tells us we will have trouble. There are days when I feel that is a horrible understatement, but accurate nevertheless. Still, He says, follow Him and He will overcome on our behalf. In fact, not even death can swallow us if we put our hope in Jesus.
The cool thing is that in His grace and mercy, we also have hope for the here and now. If we didn't have that, wouldn't we all be like, "Let us die already!" What would life mean if it was just about a good ending? But Jesus assures us that He has plans for each of us here in the present: day to day, hour to hour. Psalm 146:5 says "Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God."
It's really impossible to have hope in situations. I mean, we can certainly try. I'll be the first to admit that nothing comforts me more than believing I have complete control over a situation. But it's an illusion, isn't it? Control? We really don't have control over anything. But there is One who does.
When we put our hope in His loving-kindness, His power, His holiness, His wisdom, it completes everything. We know He knows it all, so though everything might appear to be falling apart all around us, He is the anchor that keeps us steady.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Rest
I am, by my own admission, terrible at rest. I don't enjoy it in the least bit. Once, when I was put on bed rest, it was like torture. When I have the flu, at the exact moment I feel I can stand up without passing out, I'm going around and doing something.
I'm productive by nature. If I watch TV, I also fold laundry. If I'm walking from one room to the next, I'm carrying something that needs to be moved there. It might sound like I'm a work-aholic, and maybe I am, but the fact is that I enjoy work. I like to work hard. I like the feeling of accomplishment, whether it is cleaning out a closet or making a meal.
But interestingly, Jesus talks quite a bit about rest. God famously rested after creating the whole world.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Then right after that, in verse 29, He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Although physical rest is important, the rest of the soul is the most remarkable. Although our body sleeps, our souls do not. And when you think about it, how do we actually get our souls to rest? How do we calm ourselves down? Even when I'm sitting perfectly still, my mind is racing through this and that.
Rest like this can only be achieved through the One who created our souls. Jesus promises us He is gentle, humble, and that we will find rest in Him. He calls to the weary and burdened. And rest in Jesus encompasses so much: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational...the list is almost endless.
He only requires this: that we come to Him. Is anything quite as frantic as the holidays? As the world buzzes by you in a blurred, frenzied rush to celebrate what many don't even understand, you can stand still in Him, your soul can be quieted, and your burdens can be taken.
I am so glad He gives rest, He requires it for us, and He helps us to it.
Jesus not only tells us to rest, He is the rest.
I'm productive by nature. If I watch TV, I also fold laundry. If I'm walking from one room to the next, I'm carrying something that needs to be moved there. It might sound like I'm a work-aholic, and maybe I am, but the fact is that I enjoy work. I like to work hard. I like the feeling of accomplishment, whether it is cleaning out a closet or making a meal.
But interestingly, Jesus talks quite a bit about rest. God famously rested after creating the whole world.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Then right after that, in verse 29, He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Although physical rest is important, the rest of the soul is the most remarkable. Although our body sleeps, our souls do not. And when you think about it, how do we actually get our souls to rest? How do we calm ourselves down? Even when I'm sitting perfectly still, my mind is racing through this and that.
Rest like this can only be achieved through the One who created our souls. Jesus promises us He is gentle, humble, and that we will find rest in Him. He calls to the weary and burdened. And rest in Jesus encompasses so much: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational...the list is almost endless.
He only requires this: that we come to Him. Is anything quite as frantic as the holidays? As the world buzzes by you in a blurred, frenzied rush to celebrate what many don't even understand, you can stand still in Him, your soul can be quieted, and your burdens can be taken.
I am so glad He gives rest, He requires it for us, and He helps us to it.
Jesus not only tells us to rest, He is the rest.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Friend
I have never quite gotten used to Jesus as friend, or even as He calls Himself: my brother. I desperately want to be friends with Him. It reminds me of how I react when I'm around people I really admire. I basically give off the exact opposite impression I want to make, only because I want so badly to know them better.
So multiply that by ten thousand with Jesus. I want to call Him friend, but at the same time, He knows all about me, and that's a problem because even my closest friends don't know everything about me.
And frankly, I've seen how some who call Him "friend" treat Him. *Use* Him, more precisely. And I don't want to fall into that category. I don't want to take Him for granted or ask for things selfishly. So instead, I keep a safe distance, like a friendly wave from a neighbor. Makes you smile but you don't have to get too close.
The problem with Jesus is that He isn't satisfied with a neighborly wave. He never has been. He made a tremendous sacrifice so that I could call God "Daddy" and I could know Him as my friend.
Amazingly, He always draws me near, even when I'm uncomfortable and even when I'm acting in an unworthy manner. I'm power waving and He's trying to hug. The hug usually wins out.
At the end of the day, He is and always will be a far better friend to me than I am to Him. I can't possibly repay what I owe Him. I can't possibly give back according to what He's given.
He's that friend that you always wish you had, the friend you can never possibly be, and the friend you never want to let go.
One of these days, I'm going to completely let go of all my relational hang-ups, and I know that will be the beginning of the friendship He always wanted for us. For all of us.
So multiply that by ten thousand with Jesus. I want to call Him friend, but at the same time, He knows all about me, and that's a problem because even my closest friends don't know everything about me.
And frankly, I've seen how some who call Him "friend" treat Him. *Use* Him, more precisely. And I don't want to fall into that category. I don't want to take Him for granted or ask for things selfishly. So instead, I keep a safe distance, like a friendly wave from a neighbor. Makes you smile but you don't have to get too close.
The problem with Jesus is that He isn't satisfied with a neighborly wave. He never has been. He made a tremendous sacrifice so that I could call God "Daddy" and I could know Him as my friend.
Amazingly, He always draws me near, even when I'm uncomfortable and even when I'm acting in an unworthy manner. I'm power waving and He's trying to hug. The hug usually wins out.
At the end of the day, He is and always will be a far better friend to me than I am to Him. I can't possibly repay what I owe Him. I can't possibly give back according to what He's given.
He's that friend that you always wish you had, the friend you can never possibly be, and the friend you never want to let go.
One of these days, I'm going to completely let go of all my relational hang-ups, and I know that will be the beginning of the friendship He always wanted for us. For all of us.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Light
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5 NLT
I have been fascinated by light for a very long time. We often think of light and dark as being exact opposites, equal in every way. But it isn't true. Think of how a tiny point of light can illuminate a dark room. Yet a tiny point of darkness in a light room is hardly significant.
I have found that the Light...the source of all light...illuminates all my dark places, in every corridor of my soul. Where ever He is, in my life or in others', He lights the way.
I think that is why I am so drawn to Christmas lights. They remind me of the twinkling inner workings of the Holy Spirit, who never lets any part of me fall into complete darkness. I have certainly seen the dark side of the moon in my life, but even then, I witness tiny points of light winking against the black sky.
Jesus has truly been the Light in my life. John 1:1-18 is my favorite passage of the Bible. I read it every Christmas season, reminding myself He is the Light to a dark world, and He is the light from which every good thing comes in my life. Oh, how I would be covered in dark hopelessness if I couldn't see the Light! The power of the Light, to chase away the darkness, has allowed me to overcome my struggles, my doubts and fears, my failures, my selfishness, and everything else that comes along with the black night.
He is the light of the world, but in His extraordinary compassion, is also the personal and beautiful light in my own soul. Thank you, Jesus, for being the warm, glowing firelight against the bitter cold realities of my life.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5 NLT
I have been fascinated by light for a very long time. We often think of light and dark as being exact opposites, equal in every way. But it isn't true. Think of how a tiny point of light can illuminate a dark room. Yet a tiny point of darkness in a light room is hardly significant.
I have found that the Light...the source of all light...illuminates all my dark places, in every corridor of my soul. Where ever He is, in my life or in others', He lights the way.
I think that is why I am so drawn to Christmas lights. They remind me of the twinkling inner workings of the Holy Spirit, who never lets any part of me fall into complete darkness. I have certainly seen the dark side of the moon in my life, but even then, I witness tiny points of light winking against the black sky.
Jesus has truly been the Light in my life. John 1:1-18 is my favorite passage of the Bible. I read it every Christmas season, reminding myself He is the Light to a dark world, and He is the light from which every good thing comes in my life. Oh, how I would be covered in dark hopelessness if I couldn't see the Light! The power of the Light, to chase away the darkness, has allowed me to overcome my struggles, my doubts and fears, my failures, my selfishness, and everything else that comes along with the black night.
He is the light of the world, but in His extraordinary compassion, is also the personal and beautiful light in my own soul. Thank you, Jesus, for being the warm, glowing firelight against the bitter cold realities of my life.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
25 Things I Love About Jesus
Starting tomorrow here on my blog, I will write 25 short devotions leading up to Christmas on what Jesus means to me. I'm very excited to explore all the things He is to me as we approach the season of celebrating His birth! Some will be short, some will be longer, but I welcome all comments and I hope it will bless you as your own heart stirs in worship.
Also, in the spirit of Christmas cheer, I'll be giving away books! To qualify for the random drawings, you must sign up as a follower. Keep an eye on the blog to see if you've won!
May God bless you this Christmas season with a deeper connection to Him and a heart for what He loves and who He is.
Also, in the spirit of Christmas cheer, I'll be giving away books! To qualify for the random drawings, you must sign up as a follower. Keep an eye on the blog to see if you've won!
May God bless you this Christmas season with a deeper connection to Him and a heart for what He loves and who He is.
Monday, November 28, 2011
December 2011
Dear Readers,
As you know, it’s my favorite time of year. I love winter. I do some of my best writing in winter. I think that is how Patrick Reagan and I are the same. Who is Patrick Reagan, you may be wondering? He’s my newest character, a famous but reclusive suspense writer from Maine, who winters in a notoriously obscure and private cabin where nobody can locate him…not even his editor or publisher. He writes all through the winter season and emerges in spring with a new manuscript.
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to go. But something has gone terribly wrong with Patrick Reagan, and now he’s accused of kidnapping his biggest fan. Nobody knows where either of them are. And for officer Chris Downey, hunting them down is very personal, because the kidnapped is the widow of his deceased partner, Jason.
So is Patrick Reagan a madman? Or is he saving her from something more sinister?
Well…you’ll have to read MISERY LOVES COMPANY to find out! Hopefully it will be released toward the end of 2012. Keep track of that release date and more through my newsletter, which you can sign up for on the Contact the Author page of my website.
What else is in store for 2012? HEART OF THE COUNTRY is a novelization and family drama I wrote with filmmaker John Ward. You’ll be hearing more about that in the upcoming months. And I will be releasing my very first short story! I promise, this is about a character you will not want to miss. He’s living very deeply in my heart, and I think he’ll find his place in yours, too.
I’m also teaming up with screenwriter Cheryl McKay again (NEVER THE BRIDE) for another comedy called GREETINGS FROM THE FLIPSIDE. I am so excited about this novel and eager to get started. It’s my next project to write. Can’t wait to type “Chapter One!”
Before I let you go, I have to mention to you my FAVORITE book I read in 2011. It was a tough year because there were so many good ones! I loved AREA 51, THE HELP, HUNGER GAMES and more. But one book topped all of them: UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. If you read one book in 2012, make it this one. You won’t be sorry!
I hope you have a blessed and warm holiday and winter season. I’ll catch you on the “flipside” in the spring!
Warmly,
Rene
Dear Readers,
As you know, it’s my favorite time of year. I love winter. I do some of my best writing in winter. I think that is how Patrick Reagan and I are the same. Who is Patrick Reagan, you may be wondering? He’s my newest character, a famous but reclusive suspense writer from Maine, who winters in a notoriously obscure and private cabin where nobody can locate him…not even his editor or publisher. He writes all through the winter season and emerges in spring with a new manuscript.
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to go. But something has gone terribly wrong with Patrick Reagan, and now he’s accused of kidnapping his biggest fan. Nobody knows where either of them are. And for officer Chris Downey, hunting them down is very personal, because the kidnapped is the widow of his deceased partner, Jason.
So is Patrick Reagan a madman? Or is he saving her from something more sinister?
Well…you’ll have to read MISERY LOVES COMPANY to find out! Hopefully it will be released toward the end of 2012. Keep track of that release date and more through my newsletter, which you can sign up for on the Contact the Author page of my website.
What else is in store for 2012? HEART OF THE COUNTRY is a novelization and family drama I wrote with filmmaker John Ward. You’ll be hearing more about that in the upcoming months. And I will be releasing my very first short story! I promise, this is about a character you will not want to miss. He’s living very deeply in my heart, and I think he’ll find his place in yours, too.
I’m also teaming up with screenwriter Cheryl McKay again (NEVER THE BRIDE) for another comedy called GREETINGS FROM THE FLIPSIDE. I am so excited about this novel and eager to get started. It’s my next project to write. Can’t wait to type “Chapter One!”
Before I let you go, I have to mention to you my FAVORITE book I read in 2011. It was a tough year because there were so many good ones! I loved AREA 51, THE HELP, HUNGER GAMES and more. But one book topped all of them: UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. If you read one book in 2012, make it this one. You won’t be sorry!
I hope you have a blessed and warm holiday and winter season. I’ll catch you on the “flipside” in the spring!
Warmly,
Rene
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