Faith Archives - Page 8 of 19

Summertime is movie time, and I recently talked my husband into paying good money to go see The Hustle starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. Don’t come at me Hatha-haters, I think she is alright. The main reason I wanted to see it, however, is that it was marketed as a remake of the 1988 cult classic Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Steve Martin and Michael Caine. I love Steve Martin and I LOVED this movie, which Rotten Tomatoes certifies at 89% fresh. Now, I don’t always agree with the Rotten Tomatoes critics, so I was undeterred by it’s paltry 15% rotten rating of new flick.

I should have been deterred. Rebel Wilson, who I think can be charming, has built her career thus far on the cheap and easy laugh. My husband hates that type. But he loves me. Bless him. So he endured what was, mercifully, a short cinematic disappointment. The stars, frankly, lacked charisma and the whole thing fell short of the wit and appeal of the original. I know, I know. Remakes are never as good as the original. Except sometimes they are. I loved The Fugitive (ok a TV show remake, but still a remake), the new Aladdin (critics didn’t really agree with me), Ocean’s 11, The Parent Trap, Freaky Friday and Hairspray! Even my beloved Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of a 1964 movie called Bedtime Story.

As much as I love a good movie (let’s face it, even a mediocre one will do), I think I still prefer reading for both entertainment and enlightenment. I post here often about my latest literary conquests, as I devour novels and comedic tomes as well as biographies, memoirs, and other forms of non-fiction. Perhaps my favorite, though, are contemporary works written about the Christian faith. By studying the stories and research of others, my beliefs are often strengthened, encouraged and challenged. Some of my recent favorites are:

The Louder Song: Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson

Winning the Heart of Your Child: 9 Keys to Building a Positive Lifelong Relationship with Your Kids by Mike Berry

Stolen Jesus: A Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine

Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science by Drew Dyck

It’s a Love Story: From Happily to Ever After by Lincee Ray

Prototype: What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think? by Jonathan Martin

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in the Need Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp

A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkel

All very different and, in my estimation, excellent works.

But…much like The Hustle, none of these compare to the original. The Bible. The OG.

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It makes no sense to spend more time reading ABOUT the Bible than I do reading the Bible itself. But I’m guilty. I mean, when have I ever claimed to make sense? But I want to do better. Often, another author can give me insight into a scripture passage that I’ve never seen before, or add a personal story that gives me deeper understanding. These are good things and one of many ways we can encourage each other in the faith, but the BEST way to get to know God is to go straight to Him and His words.

I’m not cutting back on my reading habit. I wouldn’t know how! But I want to make sure I’m discerning and seeking God’s voice above all others. I read recently (yes, in one of my books – the last one in my list) that, “Christian is the greatest of all possible nouns and the lamest of all possible adjectives. it’s meant to describe a person, not a thing.” A person can be a Christian. A book, song or movie cannot. And just because someone is a Christian doesn’t mean their art has merit for me. Many Christians have wildly differing views of theology. So what is a blue stocking to do?

Give weight to the source of a recommendation. Not everything labeled “Christian” is worth your time, money and intellectual energy. When someone I know and trust likes a book, I’m much more likely to pick it up than if I see a review in a magazine.
Hold what you are reading up against scripture. Does it jive with what you know to be true of God’s character and His commands? If you aren’t sure about something, research it. Pray about it. Ask a pastor, friend or mentor for their take.
Don’t just skim over scripture references. Look them up. Read commentary on them or reference the Blue Letter Bible (by app or online) for information on the meaning of words in the original language. Are the verses used in the appropriate context? Double check me too!
Use good books to compliment your study, but focus your study on the Bible. God’s holy word. That is the true meat. Our daily bread. Everything else is gravy.

Happy reading!!

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And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

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I had a sandal blow out. While my youngest attended an end of school soiree, my husband and I decided to take Shelby, our special needs daughter, to see Dumbo. A circus tent with a flying elephant is right up her alley. Well, if I’m being honest, she doesn’t care what movie we take her to as long as she has popcorn and a soda. But on the way into the theater, a well-loved flip-flop flipped it’s last flop. There was no keeping it on my foot with any kind of regular gait. So I started shuffling – maintaining contact between my feet and the ground at all times to keep from losing the dilapidated shoe all together. But we didn’t have much time to buy our tickets and hit concessions (#priorities), so my husband requested that I just take the shoe off so I could move at normal speed.

I complied and picked up my sandal, walking across the asphalt with no protective barrier. Yuck. I held the shoe in my hand so that anyone who saw me would know I had a mishap and did not choose to come to a public place with only one (What?!?). I don’t know. There is really no good way to explain the inner workings of my mind. We make our way inside the theater and I start wondering about that “No shoes, no service” rule. Does it still apply if you are wearing at least one? I digress. We get our movie snacks and I am now forced to put my shoe in my purse so I can carry my drink and still hold Shelby’s hand and help her along. To heck with appearances. That battle is long lost.

Once inside our theater of choice, I help Shelby to her seat and set our tasty treats down before announcing to Chuck that I must empty my bladder before the movie starts. I’m 45 and have a large Diet Coke. There is no way. I grabbed my raggedy shoe back out of my purse, but not for appearance sake this time.

The parking lot is one thing, the theater carpet is another, but there is NO WAY in Dallas, Texas in July (that’s pretty close to the temperature of hell), that I was stepping on a public bathroom floor without something covering the flesh of my foot.

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So at the door of the ladies room, I threw that shoe down on the threshold and placed my now-dirty foot upon it to commence with the broken shoe shuffle into the stall and back.

Since God has been dealing with me on the issue of obedience, we are kinda in the middle of an accidental series on the topic (although last week’s post was not about obedience or the week before because I’m not that organized – but whatever). I saw some correlations between my footwear escapades and obeying God. I want to preface this by saying that I IN NO WAY believe God requires or even desires a works-based relationship with us. He loves us and sent his Son Jesus to die as payment for our sins so that we can be in relationship with Him by believing in Jesus and His sacrificial death. Because Jesus took the punishment for my sins before they even happen, they are all forgiven. This is a huge load off my mind and something I am eternally grateful for, but it does not remove the responsibility of obedience from you or me. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:1-2 NIV

Salvation is so much more than a get-out-of-hell-free card. Once we are brought into relationship with God, we obey from a place of gratitude, and also from a place of trust. Once we get to know Him, we understand that His guidelines lead to what is best for us and walking in them keeps us under the umbrella of His protection. Look at these verses:

Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. 1 Kings 2:3 NIV

Keep the Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 NIV

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28 NIV

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 NIV

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Psalm 37:23 NIV

For he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Proverbs 2:8 NIV

If you are looking for a full-proof plan for your life here on earth to work out exactly as you wish, this is not it. God never promises us material wealth, convenience or pain-free leisure. But what He does want for us is abundant living, freedom from bondage and blessings we may never fully understand this side of heaven. And it’s clear to me from scripture that obedience to Him is a key to unlock all of these things.

Walking through a public bathroom in my bare feet is like stepping into a new day in willful disobedience to God. It’s unwise and leaves me vulnerable to more scum and filth than I care to imagine. And while in this human body my obedience won’t be perfect (sometimes it will look more like the busted sandal shuffle than a victory lap), the effort to stand in God’s will and under His protection is worth it.

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