What Does Sanctification Look Like?

Our three-year-old grandson, Raphael, left today and took his mother with him. It was a great visit of five days enjoying their company, along with Darcy's best friend, Janene, and her three-year-old daughter Chloe. It was a wonderful, noisy, fun few days.

What's fun is to see the maturing process within Raffi. When he visited when he was crawling, we had to put plugs in all the electrical outlets because he loved finding all of them. They were on his level--near the floor, and absolutely fascinating. Why--I don't know.

Then as he got older, he lost his fascination for those but could reach the dishes in the kitchen cabinets. So I had to put up anything breakable or anything dangerous. At this visit, he didn't open a single kitchen cabinet.

But all the goodies in the pantry were still attractive this visit. But unlike other visits where he would constantly head there, he only tried to go there maybe--4 or 5 times. Our telling him he couldn't go in there became more effective. He was learning self-control, knowing he wasn't going to be successful.

As I think of this progression of being fascinated by certain things early on and now not even noticing those "no-no's," I think of sanctification. Sanctification is the process of becoming more and more holy. And in our early Christian lives, we find every "no-no" attractive and seem to have little self-control to overcome those urges.

But hopefully, if we're growing in maturity and love for the Lord, the early "no-no's" become less attractive and we are responding to God's call to resist more and more. What's wonderful is when we notice that the things that were attractive to us early on, now have absolutely no draw. We can't even comprehend how that was ever important. Our minds and hearts have been transformed and we almost can't figure out how it happened. But it happened. That's sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Can you think of something that held your interest early in your Christian walk and now it doesn't seem as important because your love for God has become more important? The "draw" could be "good" or "bad." Let me know in the comments section what it is (at www.KathyCollardMiller.blogspot.com if you're getting this separate from the website). I bet it'll help us all as we read. Thanks!

When It's Ripe...

Larry called out to me, "This cantaloupe isn't any good." He sat leaning over a partially eaten half-of-a cantaloupe. "It's so hard."

I went over to the other half sitting on the kitchen counter and touched it. It was as hard as a rock. "Well, no wonder you think it isn't any good. It's not ripe."

Teasing me, Larry said, "Well, why haven't you trained me in ripe cantaloupes?"

And so I did! "You have to wait until it feels soft on the outside."

I thought this was a cute story and applies to my previous post about Jesus waiting so that He could raise Lazarus from the dead, rather than just heal him. The plan of God wasn't "ripe" until the four days had passed and God would get even more glory from delivering from death, rather than just sickness.

As I've thought about that biblical story, I've felt drawn back again to a few chapters before in the book of John--John 11:1-3: "As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

The disciples revealed their very narrow thinking: someone's to blame and it's either the man or his parents. Jesus didn't blame anyone. He didn't think so narrowly. It would seem He's indicating that bad things happen and no one is to blame--they just happen in our fallen and wicked world. But anything that happens is meant to be for the glory of God.

Somehow these two themes are related in my thinking: because we often limit God thinking He must do something the way we think and in the timing we think. Our narrow thinking can't imagine another way. But our great, creative God can work in amazing ways beyond our understanding and expectations. Of course, He always keeps within righteousness and holiness. But He can out-think and out-plan us beyond what we could ever come up with.

I'm not suggesting we never try to figure out what God is doing, that would be impossible. But let's not demand that He only work within our shallow and limited thinking.

Martha Heard Half the Message

"Martha, Martha!" Jacob yelled as he ran up to her out of breath.

Martha looked up, first with expectation and then confusion. "Where is He? Where is Jesus? Didn't He come with you?"

"I gave Him your message that Lazarus is sick and I thought he would follow me when I left. But He didn't."

"Well, what did He say? Did He say anything at all?"

"Well, yes, He said, 'This sickness is not to end in death..."

Martha's face broke into a broad smile. "Oh, I knew it! I knew He wouldn't let us down. Oh, thank God, I have to go tell Lazarus he's going to be alright."

Martha rushed off into the house and only then did Jacob have the courage to call after her, "But he also said, 'but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified by it.'"

Martha called back over her shoulder, "Well, yes, of course. When Lazarus is healed, it will be for God's glory!"

CUT!!!!

You and I have already read the story in John 11. It doesn't quite happen as Martha expected. Lazarus dies and Martha and Mary are crushed since it seems Jesus has abandoned them. But four days later Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead to God's glory.

But I fantasized a little, wondering if Martha only heard the first part of Jesus' message. Because it reminds me of when I'm selective in claiming God's promises. Or I ignore the verses I don't want to obey and only pay attention to the ones that are easy to obey. Or I interpret a verse a certain way and can't see that it might have a different meaning. This week I heard a radio preacher say that a gift book of God's promises doesn't have any unpleasant "promises," only the ones we want to hear.

Martha had no idea all that Jesus' message meant. She heard the message she wanted and couldn't imagine the the depth of what Jesus intended. Thankfully, Jesus' plan could not be thwarted and God was glorified in greater ways than Martha's desires ever could be.

I know none of us will perfectly hear God's messages or perfectly interpret Scripture, but let's be more aware of how we might be only hearing a part of Jesus' plan.

Formerly "The Born-Blind One"

I love this guy!

In John 9, Jesus heals a blind man. The formerly Born-Blind One is instantly put into a religious controversy and he handles it with aplomb and diplomacy. Just imagine, because of his blindness, he's most likely been on the fringes. Verse 8 says, "...and those who previously saw him as a beggar."It's almost his identity. No one seems to expect too much from him. He's blind and he's a beggar. But then he meets Jesus and wow! He's like one with a fire lit under him. I love this guy.

Just read:

"So a second time they [the Pharisees] called the man who had been blind, and said to him, "Give glory to God; we know that this man [Jesus] is a sinner." He then answered, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." So they said to him, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?" They reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses" (vs. 24-28).

A man who has been on the fringes, who has a poor identity, is bold, sassy, and holds to his story under persecution. He's not afraid of what they can do to him. Everyone in the community knows that if someone aligns himself with Jesus, the Pharisees will put them out of the synagogue. He doesn't change his story in fear. He stands up to them and even risks riling them. And in time, he does get put out of the synagogue.

His parents, on the other hand, wimp out. When the Pharisees ask them what has happened, they reply, "Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself." (vs 21). Their attitude is, "we're not going to risk. Let him take the rap."

What drama. What can we learn?

1. Regardless of the cost and risk, we can be bold like this previously Blind and Begging One. Scripture promises us that the Spirit will give us the words we need at the time they are needed.

2. Jesus will come along to comfort us when we lose something for His sake. Later in the story, it says that Jesus found the Newly Seeing One and revealed Himself as the Messiah. The man's seeing eyes beheld Jesus in the flesh and the eyes of his heart were opened to believe and worship. It no longer mattered that he wasn't allowed in the synagogue. He knew Jesus personally.

3. Although the Previously Begging One was a fringe person, I wonder if his begging actually made him bold. He has few options available to him. Could it be that the only way people tossed him a few coins was because he was bold and bothered people, nagged them? Maybe He wasn't meek and mild. Otherwise he might have starved. And he was known. He had a particular place where he begged. His circumstances built him up to be bold. God used his handicap to develop him into the evangelist who would testify of Jesus' power.

In the same way, God is using your and my circumstances to build us up in boldness. And how about that Prodigal in your life? When God answers our prayers for that person to be saved, what a testimony they'll have! They'll have all sorts of things to say about how God brought them from blindness to sight.

Like I said, I love this guy--this Blind One Turned Evangelist. May we be so bold about the sight that our own spiritual eyes have seen.

Review of "Living with Less So Your Family Has More"

I was eager to read Living with Less so Your Family Has More by Jill Savage and Mark Savage because I knew I could use some inspiration in an area of simplicity and frugality that God has been nudging me to consider. Jill and her husband, Mark, did not disappoint. And in case you would shy away from this book expecting some sort of brow-beating by them to make you feel guilty in order to make changes, you can be assured that their book is gentle, humorous realistic, inviting, and very, very practical. It's not only a “let me tell you what God has been doing in our lives,” but “here are ideas that you can consider.”

Although written primarily for families with at-home children, I believe any of us would benefit from this book. I did. Regardless of whether we want to simplify our attitudes because we have to, or because we want to because it could honor God, Living with Less so Your Family Has More provides the vision, biblical attitudes and practical actions, as you can see from the Table of Contents (below). Just by looking it over, you know that every area of a family and marriage has been included.

Jill and Mark are honest about their shortcomings and vulnerable in sharing their struggles. Their attitudes of humility and honesty make the book even more attractive. It's definitely not a book of “we've conquered this and so should you.” And every chapter ends with a “Let's Talk About It” section so that husbands and wives can more easily consider what they've read.

The Savages are the parents of five children so you know they have a lot to share. Jill is the founder and CEO of Hearts at Home (www.hearts-at-home.org), an organization that encourages, educates, and equips mothers. Mark had served as a pastor for more than twenty years and just recently resigned his church position to work full-time for Hearts at Home. Both Jill and Mark speak at conferences throughout the world to bring hope to parents.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you have children still at home.

Table of Contents:

Part 1 Vision

Chapter 1 Less Is Really More

Chapter 2 Redefining More

Part 2 Attitudes

Chapter 3 Countercultural Mindset: It's an Out-of-This-World Experience

Chapter 4 Contentment: Living with Less and Liking It

Chapter 5 Sacrifice: Forfeit to Win!

Chapter 6 Simplicity: Sometimes Less Really Is More

Chapter 7 Frugality: Living with More Time and Less Money

Chapter 8 Faith: Ordinary People Trusting in an Extraordinary God

Chapter 9 Community: You Can't Do This Alone

Part 3 Actions

Chapter 10 Finances: Budget Is Not a Bad Word and Cash Really Is in Vogue

Chapter 11 Savings, Investments and Insurance: It's All about the Risk

Chapter 12 Food and Clothing: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

Chapter 13 Housing: There's No Place Like Home

Chapter 14 Transportation: You're driving Me Crazy

Chapter 15 Holidays: Santa's on a Budget and Vacation is a Nonnegotiable

Chapter 16 College: Higher Education at Lower Cost

Chapter 17 Income: Make Money Doing What You Love

Chapter 18 Are You a Less-Is-More Family?

The Micro-Manager Rises Again!

Larry and I were in Seattle to take care of three-year-old Raphael (grandson) while daughter and son-in-law looked for a house to buy. Because of my back problem, I couldn't lift Raffi so Larry and I were a team in caring for the little guy. And boy, was I shocked to see "old" micro-managing tendencies rear their ugly head after so many years since our children were small.

When Larry would care for Raffi as I watched, I wanted to say (and did say in the beginning), "Well, do it this way...." Very quickly it was as if we were transported back three decades when I told Larry how to care for our children in areas where there were lots of options. Yet, because I did it a certain way, I felt it was the only way. I regret to say that it was a long time into our parenting journey before I could recognize those "micro-managing" ways as wrong. And sad to say, in some ways, it had already done it's damage. Larry didn't want to care for the children and I wondered why. Duh! Hello! I had communicated that he couldn't please me so why even try.

So, as I flashed back and was stopped in my tracks to see the same pattern emerging, I started keeping my mouth shut! As a result, Larry and Raffi were bonded as never before. It was wonderful to see.

Darcy and Doug told us at one point that in the hotel room, Raffi stood at the window by the door looking out, lamenting, "Oh, Poditt" (his name for his grandpa--don't ask why--it's complicated.) He was yearning to be with his grandpa.

I hope my old ways are cured now. There are still many years to come of us interacting with Raffi. And for most things, there are many ways to do it. I'm going to let Raffi experience his "Poditt's" way.

Mary Said "Whatever..." at a Wedding and Presto! There Was Wine!

I paused to think about how Mary viewed her Son, Jesus, as I read about the wedding in Cana in John 2. Mary learns that the wine has run out and says to Jesus, "They have no wine." Even though Jesus gently reminds her His ministry hasn't started yet, Mary commands the wedding servants: ""Whatever He says to you, do it."

How did she regard Jesus at this time? It seems to me she thought of Him as a person of:
*action
*compassion
*power
*awareness
*authority
*responsiveness
*caring.

Yet she doesn't try to tell Jesus what to do. She makes the need known and she contributes to possible success but she doesn't manipulate or force or demand.

She is an example for our prayers. Jesus actually would know of the need because He knows everything. It seems reasonable to believe she knew that. We know God knows everything--including our need, yet like Mary we can make our need known and then cooperate with God without demanding the answer be a certain way. She said, "Whatever..." She believes Jesus will respond to the need but that He'll do it in His own way.

So often we pray and sketch out how God can solve our problem. That concept always brings to my mind how when Larry and I were having painful marriage problems when we'd been married seven years, I prayed that he would die in the plane he was piloting. When that didn't happen, I prayed he would become a paraplegic. I reasoned that would keep him at home instead of working two jobs and flying for a hobby!

ACK! What was I thinking? I didn't say, like Mary, "whatever..." (however you want to meet this need, God). I said, "I know best! This is the way it should be."

I'm sure glad God doesn't answer all prayers, "yes" or I might be a widow or taking care of a paraplegic instead of enjoying a wonderful marriage with a healthy man. God provides a better "wine" than we can ever imagine.

Mary had most likely never seen Jesus do a miracle. His "hour" hadn't come yet. He hadn't started doing miracles. So how did she know He would respond or could perform a miracle? And did He respond because of her request or did He intend on intervening? He says He wasn't yet scheduled for His first "coming out" event until later. So far He has only designated disciples.
We don't know those answers for sure but it's certain Mary knew Who He was and that He could do anything. And her faith and trust in saying, "whatever..." opened the door for a miracle.

We also need to say, "Whatever..." "Whatever You say, Lord, I will do." And "Whatever You decide is the best answer to my request, I will appreciate."

We can be sure that the "wine" (God's answers) that are produced will be the best ever!