When Our Plates Are Full

I read an article recently that said 45% of Americans would like to opt out of Christmas; the gifts. This year I am sure most of us are more concerned about what our government is going to come up with that affects every part of our finances, and the people that supply it. Most of us are becoming uncomfortable, filled with anxiety, and worry about the future; this includes me. In reality most of us would like to ignore what is right in front of our faces.

God says not to worry about the future, but I would have to say that it is really hard not to do. The truth is we are sinning against him when we don't leave it to him, and don't worry. On Black Friday this year I went out for a little while. My heart just wasn't in it.  I looked around and found a couple of things, got it, and now I wonder why. The main thought was "what do you get for people that have everything already?" This thought is still plaguing me as we get closer to Christmas morning. I don't want to spend the money knowing that costs are going up just to live, and I don't like the thought that people would do that for me. That is what bothers me the most.

That is where the heart of the matter lies. I am no longer comfortable with the excess of life. Sure it is great to have nice things, but then I look around and think; why? The hard part is what people will expect on the day Christ was born. The stress and exhaustion of it all is overwhelming. I don't even have the Christmas tree up yet, and I keep thinking "I really need to get the tree up." I would like to be Mary and not Martha. The American way however is not that.

In David Platt's book Radical he describes the American Church, or the American version of Jesus.

"A nice middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would never call us to forsake our closest relationships so that he receives all of our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to be balanced, who wants us to avoid dangerous extremes, and who, for that matter wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream. But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us, because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with."

Too be honest I don't know if I am very comfortable with this version anymore. Actually, I know I'm not. I have lost the motivation for the race. I have been thinking about that race and trying to figure out why more is never enough. I have been trying to look it in the face and say "why isn't this enough?" I keep thinking about God's provision in Philippians 4, and wonder if I am stressing over his provision, or what I think he should be providing. I have food, shelter and clothing so that is taken care of - the basics. So, why should I be stressed out about provisions that weren't even in the bible. That should be our question - the definition of his provision and ours.

"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:10-20


The general consensus would be that family, friends, and society says we need more so we just fall into line. We play the game and then relief comes in some shape or form that we did it without rocking the boat. We usually are too tired to fight it any longer. I have to admit that I wonder if what we think we need and have is ever really enough.

Do we love enough? Are we kind enough? Are we generous enough? Are we Godly in the eyes of others? Are we beautiful? Are we too ugly? Are we dressed right? Am I too fat? Do we eat the right foods? Are we pro this or that? Did we support someone enough in their trials? Are we ever really good enough for those we are tying to impress? Will we ever be good enough for what people think we should be? Do we have enough guilt, or do we feel guilt at all? Are we grateful for what we have? Are we thankful? Do we feel compassion or empathy?

The biggest question of all is do we even feel anything at all anymore? What do we need the most that we aren't getting, and it usually isn't the stuff.

Saying No

My parents a couple of years ago answered a question for me truthfully. I asked the question will I ever be good enough for this person, and they said no you will not. It broke my heart, not because of the truth they spoke, but because I had placed so much value on it for so long. I heard God quite clearly say "your worth is in me, not people."  That was the last time I got sick. I stopped playing the game. I stopped being a doormat. I started to say no this will not happen any longer. I stopped saying to myself you have to be something you're not, because people think you should be one way or another as a christian. My gift is not being hooked up to an iv every six months. I begged like a dog for him to stop making me sick and make me see.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:14-21

I didn't deserve his gift of grace and I still don't. I got a lot of issues in my heart that are wrong and disobedient to him. His son paid our debt and we owe him our hearts, and obedience. This is the dummy version of it; you owe your rent or mortgage so you pay it - whether you want to or not. We took his gift of heaven, accepted the son, and now we must become more like him. This means that we have to give up everything that is offensive to him whether we want to or not, because we love him more and we are grateful for our gift. The question is do we listen?

Over the last year I have realized that God is pushing me in a different direction. He has said no, you have done that it is now time to move on to something else - prepare. I love that about God. I love the fact that I am more willing now to say no, mean it and not feel guilt about it anymore. I can hear him quite clearly saying if you do this there will be a consequence. When people say no to you about something that they can't do their is reason for that. Their reason may be God has told them not to. That doesn't mean they love you less that just means they love God more. Don't be angry with a person for loving God more than you; they are doing what is right in the eyes of God.

Either we accept the realities, or we don't. I have found great peace in the last couple of weeks. I have found more courage and strength to face the reality that we aren't going to be so comfortable anymore. I found peace with God's righteous judgment for when we turn from him. I found peace with the reality of this country. God has forced his hand, and we are subject to the governing authorities because he said so. Don't get me wrong I am nervous about not knowing what could happen, not so much for me, but for my boys.

²⁷ “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. ²⁹ To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic^[a] either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. ³¹ And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.³² “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. ³⁵ But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27:36


I wonder if the greatest fear Christians have is making the confession to God or to a friend that they have sin in their heart, and saying what that sin is. Peace will not be found in this world. God never said that. He said you would only find peace with him through your trials. The trials will still happen but do we have the courage to trust him during the trial. I have to say that people that refuse to admit when they are wrong and humbly ask for forgiveness have totally missed the point of his grace. God is watching whether or not you have the courage to admit to the person that you hurt for forgiveness.

Remember the disciples didn't deserve his grace. Paul didn't deserve it. The prostitute didn't deserve it. The tax collector didn't deserve it. The adulterous woman didn't deserve it. The thief hanging on a cross next to him didn't deserve it. We don't deserve it. They repented, confessed and gave their hearts to him. Be merciful in your judgement of another Christian for believing in the truth of Christ, because he will hold you to higher standard.

There is a man that attends our church that took another's life. He served his time in prison for taking that life. God forgave him and received him. He showed him great mercy and this man continues to follow him with great love and devotion. He has far more faith than many of the Christians I know that profess his name. Remember if you are angry with your spouse, your child, your friend, your neighbor, your grandchild, your mother, your father, your sister, or your brother for loving God more than you, you have murder in your heart.

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:34-39

The Attacker

  "⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8

Rule No. 4: “Make opponents live up to their own book of rules. ‘You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.’”

Rule No. 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.”

Rule No. 11: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, polarize it.”

The above 3 rules are from Saul Alinsky's book Rules for Radicals. I would assume that most Christians have done this to another. He wasn't a christian, but a man that instructed those in the dedication of his book to remember Satan. The attacker picks a person, the target, and then goes after them with their righteousness. They attack the person over and over again to the point where the individuals spirit is finally broken. The person becomes numb, or they no longer can see the difference between the truth and a lie. They stop fighting and give in to the attacker.

^"17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." Romans 16:17

The attacker attacks the individual for their way of life. The attacker doesn't want the life they have envisioned disrupted, or the appearance of godliness to be broken. Then the attacker uses guilt to damage the person more. They want you to conform. They don't want you to rebel against the life they have created for others to see. They want you to praise them for godliness. They want you to be just like them, because in their minds God gave them the wisdom to control. They don't want to hear the truth of scripture, because that is not their version of God. They fight it, throw stones, and find others to attack you just the same way.

^"5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:5

The attacker will continue to try to shape and mold your heart and mind. It becomes their goal to change you into them. It becomes their mission for you to never rock the boat. It becomes their mission in to get you to do what they want you to do. Then the true nature and motive comes out when you don't. The initiative is not from love, but from control. This could be your spouse, your friend, your parent, your grandparent, your child, or your grandchild. We are naive' in our relationships.We are prone to the attacker. We are prone to play the religious game. We hate when we lose and then cause dissension.

^"10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him," Titus 3:10

Freedom is when we finally tell the individual they are wrong. When we finally have the courage to say no. When finally say their version of God is wrong. When finally walk away and say no more. At some point stop playing the game.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

Jesus did not desecrate, defile, or profane anything, but he was, without question, the most appropriately sacrilegious revolutionary of all time, and his call for anyone who follows is to be like Him. " - Hugh Halter from "Sacrilege"