Tag: Scriptures

Not in the Bible

Today’s a new day! There is a saying in the Church and the Christian Community that has always bothered me. Maybe it’s rubbed you the wrong way too.

“Love the sinner, hate the sin.”

Not a fan.

As Christians, we can repeat that phrase quicker than we can recite John 3:16, Romans 6:23 or Psalm 137:9. I encourage you to check them out.

Here’s the problem. Jesus never said it. The Apostle Paul never wrote it in any of his letters. Moses never carved it into a tablet. King David never used it in a song.

“Love the sinner, hate the sin” is not a Bible verse. Surprise! Surprise! You can look from Genesis to Revelation, but you will never find it.

To be fair, maybe the phrase draws on some different scriptures. But you will never find the phrase “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”in the Bible.

I guess somewhere in church history, the phrase evolved into being a neatly packaged quip ready for quick and easy use.

It is like opening a packet of instant hot chocolate or preparing a cup of instant coffee; here, though, we have instant judgment.

Yes, of course, I love you, but … And off we go on the long judgment train.

It appears some Christian’s consider the saying more authoritative than what Jesus actually does say in the Bible (things like not judging others. Check out Matthew 7:1-5).

One of the issues with “love the sinner, hate the sin” is that the second part of the saying always gets in the way of the first part.

The second part of this phrase gives people the license to judge others, to hold something against someone else. That doesn’t seem like love to me.

When people use the phrase “love the sinner, hate the sin” it blocks their ability to love people God loves. This phrase brands someone as less than, not good enough or worthy enough for God’s unconditional love.

The phrase “love the sinner, hate the sin” puts condition on our love for others. I will love you, but only so far; there are limits. It makes people unable to see beyond what they consider faults or sins in someone else’s life. It makes people unwilling to see anything more than what they do not like about an individual or groups of people.

In my flawed Christian life, I will never be able to love people as God loves them, or as God loves me.

But something that Jesus really does say is, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:37-38

In the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke, Jesus says we should pay attention to the big oak tree growing in our own eyes and distorting our vision.

We get all worked up about something that looks like a speck in someone else’s eye, but, truthfully, we cannot see much of anything with that big ole red wood tree sticking out all over our face and blocking our view.

If we actually looked at our own lives, we might discover that what we thought was a horrible speck of dirt in another person’s eye in need of removal was really just a harmless eye freckle.

So today, let’s not get so fixated on the things we do not like and make a conscious decision to just love people. Warts and all. ~OC

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Dear God,

Today’s a new day! Dear God, It’s time for us to stop pretending that everything is okay. Hurting people need to see they’re not alone. That there is Hope.

This very moment, someone’s pain is breaking through their mask. Someone is on the brink again, facing a choice, perhaps for the millionth time. To open the door of hope or to give up.

My prayer is that we will see them in moments when they feel the farthest from a helping hand. During these tough moments, let the hurting see you dear God. Lord, give them courage and hope, Lord, to trust You with the secrets of their heart.

Dear God, even in the moments of isolation, help the hurting hear the sound of Your gentle knock at the door of their hearts. Show them that this is precisely where You will enter, if only they would open up their hearts to you.

Broken and weary are strange qualifications for Your chosen ones; still Your loving invitation still stands: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

The Cross broke Your body, and our sins break Your heart daily, yet You still call us into a relationship with You. More than that, Jesus, You did what it took to make that possible. Thank You. ~OC

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No Exceptions

Today’s a new day! As I study scripture here are some things I have never read:

Love only those who look and act like you

Love and care only for those who speak English

Love only those who vote like you

Love only those who where born in America

Love and feed only those with proper paperwork

Love and educate only those with documentation

Love and care for people only if it’s convenient

Love and care for only those who love you back

Love and care for only those who can help you

Love and care only for those you like or need

No, when I study the scriptures I read we are to love and care for everyone. No exceptions. ~OC

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Labels

Today’s a new day! What label are you wearing today? Labels? Am I wearing a label? What does it say? Who gave you this label? If you’re wearing a label and it doesn’t reflect who God says you are, then it’s time to rip it off.

I remember when I was in 1st grade, the teacher Ms. Deer sat what she perceived as the “Smart Students” in the front of the class and the perceived “Not So Smart Students” in the back of the class. Without really knowing me, Ms. Deer placed me in the back row. There it was. The “label” I did not ask for, but that was the one that was placed on me. Ms. Deer had no idea that in that one moment, she would define who I was as a student for the rest of my academic career. As look back, I remember always sitting in the back of the class. That “label” Ms. Deer slapped on me may have been invisible to everyone else, but I saw it. I felt it.

We have to be so careful about the labels we slap on people. Because without knowing it, those labels can follow people the rest of their lives. Those labels can end up defining a person.

I am thankful, that I would later have teachers and professors that put a lot of time and effort into pushing me past that “average” label. But I must admit, that label was always in the back of my mind all of my academic career.

I am grateful that God does not look at me and slap on a “average” label. No, God looks at me and all of us and sees masterpieces. God takes the time to look past all the labels the world has put on us and sees that masterpiece. But we need to discover who we are in God. To truly believe who God says we are. Then we need to declare it. Take out that megaphone and shout it out to the world. ~OC

“As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say.” ~Numbers 14:28

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Joyful Warriors

Today’s a new day! Are you a joyful warrior? Would you like to be? I hope so. That’s who we are called to be as we run this crazy beautiful journey. We are called to love God above all else and others like ourselves. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but the benefits are truly out of this world.

Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Corinthians 13:11).

A joyful warrior is someone who’s fighting the storms of life with joy, not only in their own battles, but helping fight the battles that their family and friends are walking through. Because when we walk through a storm with someone else, we cannot help but experience the presence of hope and joy.

And isn’t that our purpose in life? To love others with God’s love. Most of the time these acts of love are very small and we might not even notice them ourselves. But the impact can be tremendous. As we walk through difficult moments with friends and loved ones, we can be conduits of great joy and deep refreshment.

Yes, ultimately our lives are in God’s hands, but we also need other people to walk with us on this journey called life. We are called to live in peace, unity and love. It does matter how we treat each other. We can be joyful warriors by helping those in need. Because it truly takes a village to spread hope and live with joy. But it can be done. Because God is always with us. His supply of joy is unlimited. Besides loving to pour out that sweet joy, God also loves sharing his hope, love and grace.

God is the ultimate joyful giver. But we are also called to be joyful givers. God has more joy than we can ever use in a lifetime. Our joy cup will never run drive. The more joy we pour out, the more joy we have. This is one of the beautiful mysteries of God. But it works. And it makes us victorious joyful warriors. And for that I am grateful.
 
Dear God, Thank you for the gift of joy
and the gift of joyful warriors in our lives. Today, allow us to be beautiful joyful warriors. Help us to bring hope and joy in the midst of the storms. Let us fight division with the amazing gift of peace, grace and joy. In the craziness of this world, help us to be joyful warriors. ~OC

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Storms

Today’s a new day! Living in Florida means we deal with a lot of storms. In the summer it can be sunny out, but around 3 or 4 o’clock a storm can come out of nowhere. Some days it can be raining hard in the front yard, but sunny in the back. Of course then there are the hurricanes. Some hurricanes move quickly through, while others just stall over us.

On this crazy beautiful journey called life, we will face many different storms. Sometimes there will be a light rain that comes and goes in a minute.
Then there are storms that blow in, causing havoc for everyone and everything in its path.

We don’t like walking through the storms of life. Who does? We love the sunny beach weather. But unfortunately that is not the world we live in. We will all walk through a storm or two during this life. We will all face days of blowing winds and flooding rain. But stop for just a minute and be still. In that minute, I am sure you can think of one person who is currently walking through a storm. The storms of life are hitting them from every direction. Maybe that person is you. I often hear pastors share we are either walking in a storm, just coming out of a storm or about to walk through a storm. How true. If you are currently walking through a storm, I encourage you to take hold of the strong hand of God. He will lift you up as you face the raging seas.

When we walk through a storm, that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us or isn’t listening to our prayers. On the contrary, the scriptures tell us in this life we will all face troubles. We like to skip over those scriptures. But that doesn’t change the fact that we will all face trials in life. Even when we walk through a storm, we can take heart because God has overcome this world. That means He will never leave or forsake us. That should bring peace and comfort to everyone.

I have walked through many storms in my life. I have come to learn these storms have a purpose. That may not always be clear as we are walking through a raging storm. But if we will take the time to listen, God will reveal the lessons he has for us as we walk through those turbulent storms. I have learned God never wastes a storm. God can use a storm to show us the purpose for our lives or to reconnect us to our true purpose in life.

Hopefully this will bring you peace as you walk through your storm. Especially if you have walked through a storm for many years. You have been praying and crying out to God, but it appears he is not listening. Believe me I have been there. I have been walking through a stormy season for the last 22 years. I have been hit by one storm after another. So I get it my friend. Life can be hard. But in the mist of my storms, I have seen God grow my faith in a life changing way. God has allowed me to share His story with many as I walk the halls of the hospital, during treatments and medical appointments. As I continue to run this crazy beautiful health journey, God continues to show me that my worth and value are not tied to my health, career, success or whatever I might achieve in life. No, my value and worth are found in being a child of God. In being chosen by him, called by him, and equipped by him for a purpose. Even during the storms.

Sometimes our lives are rocked by the storms of life, so that we can rebuild on a stronger foundation. On the firm foundation of God. ~OC

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Be Still

Today’s a new day! I love the song “Be Still.” Various artists have covered the song over the years. But as I sit here this morning, the version that keeps playing in my mind is from the artist Travis Greene. The second part of the first verse says:

“But when the noise is over, a still, small voice you will hear. I hope that you believe me, when I tell ya
That I’ll handle all of your cares, just wait on me.”

Those words remind me of times in my own life when I have been busy, stressed and all God wanted me to do was trust in Him. He had everything under control. My relationships, my finances and my health issues are all in God’s hands. All I needed to do was be still.

I was reminded of the story of Jesus rebuking the wind and waves. He gave a simple, yet powerful command: “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39), and they had to obey. My stress and worry were like wind and waves tossing me to and fro, coming against me to get me off course. Yet, just as Jesus reminded the wind and the waves of Who was really in control, God was using the song “Be Still” based on His Word to silence the worry and fear raging in my mind and heart. God is still in control and sometimes I need to be reminded of that truth.

Just stop and think, God has the authority to silence any challenge, any trial coming against us. The problem is we have to learn to trust Him. The song Be Still speaks of a “still, small voice” reminding us that God is in control. So many times, the worries of this journey seem to drown out that voice but it is there, we just need to pay attention to it, to listen to it. As the chorus of the song says:

Be still and know, that I am God
Be still and know, that I am God
Just trust and know, that I am God,
And I’m in control, I am still … God
            
The lyrics remind us to simply be still, to trust and know that God is in control and that no matter what storm comes our way, God can and will handle it.

The song “Be Still” comes from the powerful words in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

So today, as you face the storms and challenges of life, I encourage you to take a moment and just be still. ~OC

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I Choose…

Today’s a new day!

Even if you look different than me…I will still choose to love you.

Even if you came from a different country…I will still choose to love you.

Even if you worship differently than me…I will still choose to love you.

Even if you speak a different language than me…I will still choose to love you.

Even if you live a different lifestyle than me…I will still choose to love you.

Even if you vote differently than me…I will still choose to love you.

As I continue to run this crazy beautiful journey, I will always choose love over hate. ~OC

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Love is Choosing…

Today’s a new day! In John 13:35, we read the following words: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Yesterday, someone I know attacked me in a private message for sharing a post about how we should love and respect women in power. It was a post to encourage everyone to show love and respect to women. This friend decided my post was somehow a political statement and decided to lash out and end our friendship.

I chose not to respond to this friend’s message. Instead, I chose to pray for this person and anyone else who might have such hate in their hearts. I decided to show love and forgiveness.

Love should never be a debate. But sometimes we, even as Christians, can get so caught up in being right, that we forget what really matters. This is sadly evident on social media. It saddens me when I think of the ways so many people treat each other on these platforms. So many sides, so many opinions, yelling back and forth at each other, each claiming they are right. It breaks my heart seeing all the angry post and unkind comments.

Is all this hate worth it?

The only thing that matters in the end is not whether the other person was wrong or right, but that we showed them love, that we showed them who God is. Because the truth is, as Christians we have a freedom and a hope that is life changing. In the light of eternity, we do not have to prove ourselves right on every issue; instead, we can live our lives marked by love. We can never argue people into believing the Gospel, but God’s love can draw them to the Gospel.

Think about this: Jesus died for that gay or transgender person, Jesus died for that corrupt politician, Jesus died for the person who wrote that post that made you so angry or sad. Jesus died for them, because He loves them.

Now, don’t get me wrong, loving someone doesn’t mean you agree with everything they say, or that you just accept everything as right. Sometimes, loving someone means having tough, but constructive conversations. This can be difficult. But it’s all about how we express ourselves in our words and actions.

Instead of shaming someone for what they think, we can respectfully disagree. Instead of letting our anger or fear get the better of us on social media, stick to what you believe while letting others know that they are loved. Showing love in the middle of a disagreement can be a beautiful gift.

Let love be the attitude you show towards others. I may not agree with you, but I love you despite that, because God loves me despite all of my flaws.

If we make the choice to live a life of love, people will notice, and they will wonder why we are so different. Especially now, during these times of so much hate and division. We need to step up and let our light shine more than ever.

What is love? In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 love is described this way:

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all thing.”

What a beautiful picture of love. Patient, kind, not self-seeking. Ask yourself this: What do you want to be known for in this life? How do you want to live your life?

As we run this journey called life, will we mess up? Say the wrong thing. Post the wrong thing. Absolutely! But God never expects perfection from us. No, He only asks us to take one small step, one act of love, and trust that He will continue to grow us.

How do we grow in love?

First, and most important, we pray. If we ask God to grow us in any area of our lives, He is faithful to answer. Not always in a way we might choose, but in a way that’s best for us.

We can share love and hope in every area of our lives. Even on social media. We can choose to post encouraging messages on our pages. We can choose to scroll past the debates that stir up anger in us. We can choose not to get involved in the madness.

As we read 1 Corinthian 13:1-3, we see how love should be behind all of our actions:

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

As we continue to grow and walk out this journey called life, we can choose to do the following:

Love is choosing to respect and serve others…

Love is choosing not to judge others…

Love is choosing to be a bright light in a dark world…

Love is choosing to stand up against hate and racism…

Love is choosing to embrace diversity…

Love is choosing to admit when we’re wrong…

Love is God’s heart for each of us…

I believe that love has the power to change both our hearts, and this broken world. I will always choose love. ~OC

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Trials and Testimonies

Today’s a new day!

I look back and marvel how far I have come . . .

I don’t wonder how I’ve made it . . .

I already know the answer. . .

Only with God’s help have I powered through. . .

For without His strength I am not sure where I would be.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

How comforting to know that God knows the plans He has for us, He knows what challenges we will face in life, what changes we will face, and because He knows He gives us the strength and the wisdom to face each one and to overcome. With God I can face all things.

In 2002, I started on a crazy beautiful health journey. As I sit here today, twenty-two years later I have been quietly reflecting on all of life’s journeys that God has placed before me. Like everyone else, my journey has been filled with adventures, challenges, losses and obstacles. It has also been filled with a lot of faith.

Our faith will be tested throughout life, but there is a reason for those tests. For me personally, my faith has grown through my trials, my faith has persevered through these trials and my faith has grown stronger through
my trials. Without the trials of life, our faith at best would be minimal, yet through the trials our faith grows endlessly.

Over the past twenty-two years, I have had many discussion about the life changing moments we face in life, and how the way we react to them is a testament, a witness for those around us, for those observing. I believe our testimonies have more of an impact in those moments in life, than all the words we say. Our trials produce our testimonies.

As I continue running this crazy beautiful health journey, I have countless stories how God has worked in my life, how He gave me strength beyond measure when I needed it most, and how He continues to guide
me and give me strength, peace and wisdom. For that I am thankful. ~OC

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