Hope We Can Really Believe In

I have been surprised the past two days that some have automatically assumed my depression at the outcome of the election. I know that this is in part due to my unending support for John McCain and Sarah Palin. And yes, I am absolutely disappointed at the outcome, but I am not depressed, and I am full of hope. Hope I can really believe in. My hope in Christ.

Through a strange course of events, a reporter and photographer from the Denver Post attended our election night party for the purposes of watching and writing about the response of McCain supporters on the outcome of the election. It was some of his questions that helped me to think about and put into words what it is I believe about not only this, but all of life. When asked about how I would feel if Obama won, I told him that I am a Christian, I believe in the sovereignty of God, in all things.

I can not help but be reminded of some of my favorite verses from Romans. I bring them up often, because it is my reminder of God's wisdom and control.

Romans 11:33-36
33Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!34For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR?35Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN?36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

I do not regret in any way fighting for the McCain-Palin ticket. It is indeed what I thought was the best thing to do. And I will continue to fight. But my treasure is in heaven, my hope is in Christ.

Hope I can really believe in? That didn't come from McCain, and for sure not from Obama. Our only real hope is in Christ's finished work on the cross, our only hope for salvation, and in the sovereignty of God in all things, even this.

By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, Because of Christ Christ Alone. Now that is Hope we can really believe in!

Soli Deo Gloria

Love and Grace Part 2

If you have not read the first part of this series, please read that first.

Several months ago I got to hear an interview that my brother-in-law Ted did on the Issues Etc. radio show on Grace Centered Parenting. The interview was in regards to how his own father had raised him. I recommend any one interested in listening to it, to do so.
(http://issuesetcarchive.org/07sep.php You have to go to the September 18th episode, and the hour that he is on, it is half way through when you hear the interview.)

This was the beginning of another unexpected journey in what it means to live a life of grace. Not just in parenting, but in all of life.

As I studied scripture, the theme of God's grace really stood out to me. If God has such immense grace on us in all things, are we not to have the same grace on others? Once again, how does this look?

God's grace on us is completely undeserving. It is not that we are so attractive and wonderful that he wants to just lavish grace on us, it is out of his love for us. He lavishes on us all of the good and wonderful gifts that he has to offer, and not because of any attractiveness that we bestow. Things that we do not deserve, salvation, blessing, faithfulness. The list goes on.

We come into contact with all kinds of people on a daily basis. It may be our children. Our spouses. People at Church. So on and so on. Some of them are easy to love, and some not so much. Sometimes they are just annoying, and sometimes they are downright unkind.

And yet our love and attitude toward them is not to be contingent on their behavior. We are called to love them, and the grace comes in when we realize we are to love them whether they deserve it or not. Face it, none of us deserves the love and grace of God, and yet He lavishes it on us.

You see, this is ultimately where people see Christ in us. Not when we preach at them, or self righteousnessly hang out all of our good works. Whether it be people that do not yet know Christ, or even more so those in the body of Christ, I truly believe that this is one of the greatest lessons learned.

Sola Gratia

Psalm 38 paraphrased (from the 1912 Psalter)

I was just meditating on the words from this, and was brought so much comfort.

In Thy wrath and hot displeasure,
Chasten not Thy servant, Lord;
Let Thy mercy, without measure,
Help and peace to me afford.

Heavy is my tribulation,
Sore my punishment has been;
Broken by Thine indignation,
I am troubled by my sin.

With my burden of transgression
Heavy laden, overborne,
Humbled low I make confession,
For my folly now I mourn.

Weak and wounded, I implore Thee:
Lord, to me Thy mercy show;
All my prayer is now before Thee,
All my trouble Thou dost know.

Darkness gathers, foes assail me.
But I answer not a word;
All my friends desert and fail me,
Only Thou my cry hast heard.

Lord, in Thee I am confiding;
Thou wilt answer when I call,
Lest my foes, the good deriding,
Triumph in Thy servant’s fall.

I am prone to halt and stumble,
Grief and sorrow dwell within,
Shame and guilt my spirit humble,
I am sorry for my sin.

Lord, my God, do not forsake me,
Let me know that Thou art near,
Under Thy protection take me,
As my Savior now appear.