Henriet's Blog

Not perfect? There's hope for us!

"So when Satan reminds you that you failed,
you remind him that I have paid for it all." ~ Jesus

This morning I was listening to an Encounter podcast called, "Faith in Walking Well." The question posed by the narrator was: "What feelings do you have when you fall down?" I pondered the suggested feelings of embarrassment or frustration, but those didn't quite resonate with me. Anger, that's what I feel. When I fall or bang my shin, which happened not too long ago, I feel angry with myself. Then I realized I feel angry with myself whenever I mess up or fail. Immediately, several recent goof-ups paraded across my memory. 

Why do I feel angry when I fail?

The temptation is to let the enemy use my minor (or major) stumblings to place my focus back on myself and my inability to walk perfectly. Lies! I don't have to accept or give into the lie that I have to be perfect to receive Jesus' and Father God's approval. 

Photo by Holger Link on Unsplash

The truth is I am whole and righteous because Jesus paid it all. I heard, "So when Satan reminds you that you failed, you remind him that I have paid for it all." ~Jesus

A different response

As I thanked Jesus for His truth, a memory of me falling down when I was a teenager popped in my mind. I distinctly remember laughing when it happened. I wasn't taking myself too seriously (yet?). I asked Jesus, "How do I laugh at failures instead of getting angry?" 

The answer came quickly. Jesus showed me a picture of me following Him up a hill and stumbling before landing in the dirt. I laughed. He laughed, squatted down, dusted me off while laughing with me and smiling kindly. He lovingly and jokingly said, "Let's go silly." I got up smiling and we went on.

Yes! That's how I want to live! Jesus already paid for it all. Why am I holding onto incidents of failing or focussing on what's not right? I'm choosing to walk with the faith to walk well…regardless of tumbles in the dirt. Want to join me?

Off to follow Jesus...

75th Anniversary of D-Day: I am free!

June 6, 2019: The 75th Anniversary of D-Day

June 6, 1944, changed the course of history. The courage and bravery of the Allied Forces began the liberation of Europe. Appropriately, the anniversary of this momentous day was celebrated by dignitaries and veterans from across the world. 97-year old veteran, Tom Rice, parachuted into Normandy again, as he had 75 years ago—then as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 101^st Airborne Division. 

D-Day set me free!

Why does D-Day matter to so much to me? I was set free, albeit indirectly as I was born almost two decades after the end of World War II. My country of origin, the Netherlands, was liberated by the Allied Forces. It's free! My parents were set free. I live because brave men and women were willing to risk their lives. And, now I live in the United States. I am so grateful! I can't look at pictures of D-Day or a military cemetery without getting all choked up. Thank you Allied Forces for your sacrifice!

While we still lived in the Netherlands, my family camped in Normandy several times. We visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Wow, what a tremendously emotional experience. It still brings tears to my eyes. Rows and rows of crosses (and some stars) perfectly straight in every direction. 9,388 people are buried there! It's a beautiful site commemorating the huge sacrifices made. During the D-Day invasion, over 4,000 allied troops died, most under the age of 20! They died so I can be free. How can I not be wrecked by this?

Let's make sure we value our freedom and honor those who died to set us free. Let's guard this freedom and work together to keep our liberty.

Visual demonstration of spiritual reality

D-Day and military cemeteries always remind me of another freedom. They provide me a tangible visual for a spiritual reality—the reality that I've also been set free spiritually and eternally. This freedom also required the ultimate sacrifice of death. God's own Son, Jesus, died so I can be free. This freedom is available to all of us! If we had a celebration it would be about the 2000th Anniversary of that liberation. Thank you Jesus! 

Let's value the opportunity to be eternally and spiritually free. Let's honor it and choose to live free. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

What about you? Are you celebrating your freedom? Are you free? Do you know the real Jesus?

 

What's the ROI of Your Life?

1 Corinthians 3:10-15  (NIRV)

God has given me the grace to lay a foundation as a master builder. Now someone else is building on it. But each one should build carefully. No one can lay any other foundation than the one that has already been laid. That foundation is Jesus Christ. A person may build on it using gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw. But each person's work will be shown for what it is. On judgment day it will be brought to light. It will be put through fire. The fire will test how good everyone's work is. If the building doesn't burn up, God will give the builder a reward for his work. If the building burns up, the builder will lose everything. The builder will be saved, but only like one escaping through the flames.

What's the ROI of your life?

This was the title for my message last Sunday at Life at the Ridge. It was part of the series on the church based on 1 Corinthians.

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-17, the Apostle Paul writes about being a builder of God's church. He makes it clear that Jesus is the only true foundation and anyone who contributes to building the church can only build on him.

Paul is not the only builder. Every Christian builds as part of being in God's Kingdom. What do we build? What is our work? It is the work that God calls each of us to do. As Christians we each have a task or tasks. God expects us to be builders in his Kingdom. He invites us to partner with him in Kingdom construction!

All of us have a choice of how we build and what materials we use. The way we build will show by the results! What does our work look like? Is it of lasting value or only for temporary benefit? According to the Apostle Paul we can use two kinds of materials, either:

Gold, silver and precious stones.

These are materials that bring lasting value. They:

• cost more
• take longer to prepare
• require greater skill of the craftsman
• are harder to find
• last

OR

Hay, wood and stubble.

These materials are perishable. They:

• are cheap
• are readily available
• are quick to build with
• don't require much skill
• perish

What do gold, silver and precious stones represent? The Word of God, prayer, the truths of the Gospel, investing in others, and applying God's truth to our lives. We can also let God build in us with these  "tools" when we allow him to redeem our lives and use our challenges, hardships and difficulties to help others who are struggling.

What do wood, hay and stublle represent? These worthless materials, include those things that are empty, useless and without eternal value such as the world's wisdom, idle speculations, and anything self-based. These materials may even include church rites, ceremonies, prejudices, and religious practices if those do not grow people into the image of Christ.

Fireproof or fire starter?

The Bible tells us that God will test each person's work by fire. In this test, gold and precious stones last. Gold and silver are refined by fire! When we build with these our work is fireproof. Whereas through the test of fire wood, hay and stublle burn up and leave only ashes. When we build with those our work makes for a great fire starter!

Those who use gold, silver and precious stones will get a reward...both in in this life and in the life to come. On earth, our reward is seeing changed lives, including our own, and seeing our pain, struggles and hardships redeemed. In heaven, we get a more glorious reward or better welcome in heaven.

Those who use wood, hay and stubble are people who (according to my friend Arlene Stevens) are in "the smoking britches" group. They will be saved but will get into heaven with their pants on fire!

What is God's ROI?

What return is God getting on his investment in our lives? He gave the most precious "thing" he "owned." He sacrificed his one and only beloved Son for us. He allowed Jesus to become human, spend time on earth and then be tortured and killed. Why? So that everyone who believes in him would have everlasting life! That's God's investment in you and me!

How is his investment paying off? Is he getting good return? Is his investment paying dividends? Are we investing by building in our own life and in others' lives using gold, silver and precious stones? OR...Are we living for ourselves and building with worthless materials that amount to nothing? Are we becoming refined as gold and silver, or will we enter heaven empty handed and with our pants on fire?

When I get to heaven my goal is to hear "well done you good and faithful servant!" That requires building with gold, silver and precious stones. Often I fail to use these materials but I strive to be a good builder. How about you? Are you building? What materials do you use? Will your work be fireproof or merely fire starter?

During Lent, let's reflect on how we've been building. Let's commit to giving God a great return on his investment!

Easter: Hope restored; Jesus has risen indeed!

"…the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said…'"  

Matthew 28:5-6, ESV

He has risen!

Very early on Sunday, some of the women, including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body. When they arrived, they saw that the large stone had been rolled back and the tomb was open. What had happened? Then an angel spoke to them:

"He said to them, 'Do not be alarmed, You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Mark 16:6-7, ESV

The women told the disciples who could not believe the news. Later that day, Jesus appeared to them all (except Thomas). He showed him his hands and feet. He asked for something to eat. He proved he was real. They were so overjoyed they could barely accept it was true, but they believed because they saw him. (Thomas believed when he saw him a week later, declaring "My Lord and my God!")

When he showed himself to his disciples, Jesus opened their minds so they could understand everything that had been written about him in the Old Testament. He said to them,

"…it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24: 46-47, ESV

New life

This day, Easter, we celebrate new life because Jesus rose from the dead. Everyone who believes in him can have this new life, eternal life! It's not about bunnies, chicks or Easter eggs. Easter is about the Son of God who humbled himself and died a sinner's death but rose to reclaim his rightful place in heaven as the Savior, Lord and King.

In some church traditions, people greet each other on Easter morning with, "He is risen!" The response to this wonderful greeting is, "He is risen indeed!" The first time someone said to me, "He is risen," I said, "Yes, he is." I did not know the special Easter greeting. Then I heard how others responded. I loved it. How very cool!

For followers of Jesus, Easter is the pinnacle of the year. I would encourage all of us to greet each other with a declaration that is ultimately the basis for our faith, "He is risen!" And then respond with, "He is risen indeed!" That's our hope. That's the basis for our new life with God. It's not the cross that gives us life. The cross was required to pay the penalty of sin. It is Jesus' resurrection that conquers death and brings us new life…for everyone who believes!

Have you received the gift of this new life? If not, why not do it today?! He is risen.

The suffering has ended. The wait is over. Hope is restored.

Jesus is risen! Happy Easter!

Passion Week: Good Friday and the tragedy of the cross

"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!' And having said this he breathed his last."

Luke 23:44-46, ESV

We call it Good Friday

Let's recap the events of the night before. On Thursday night, Jesus spent time with his disciples, had his last supper and then went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. After he finished praying, the soldiers arrived with Judas. Jesus was betrayed by a kiss and then arrested. The disciples all abandoned him.

After his arrest, Jesus was brought before the High Priest Caiaphas and the entire Jewish Council. They held a mock trial at which they tried to bring accusations that would stick. They had nothing to convict him on. In the end, Jesus gave them the ammunition they needed to seek his death. As soon as they charged him with blasphemy they beat and mocked him.

Early in the morning on Friday, the Jewish leaders brought him bound to Pilate. They needed him to condemn him to death. Pilate found no reason to execute him. He sent him to King Herod who sent Jesus back. Pilate tried to set him free, but the crowds led by the Jewish leaders chose the release of Barabbas, a notorious prisoner. Pilate washed his hands of the situation then delivered Jesus up to be scourged and crucified.

The soldiers beat Jesus mercilessly. They mocked him and put a crown of thorns on his head. They made him carry his own cross. Then they crucified him. He was nailed to the cross in the morning. From noon to 3 p.m. darkness came over the land. At 3 p.m. Jesus cried out to God and then died.

The disciples were crushed. Their rabbi, the one they thought was the Messiah, died. All hope seemed lost. The one who said he was the Son of God, was tortured and died like a criminal.

Before night fall, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish Council, asked Pilate for Jesus' body. He laid his body in his own tomb and had the large, heavy stone rolled into place. The Pharisees had Pilate post a guard. This seemed to be the end.

So how do we respond?

Why do we call it Good Friday? It is the day that the innocent, sinless man Jesus was condemned to death and executed. The Son of God who become a human being to bring salvation and reconciliation was killed by his own creation. Good Friday is about the tragedy of the cross. It was a horrible Friday for Jesus…he experienced the entirety of sin and with it total separation from God.

This Good Friday, I will commemorate Jesus' sacrifice by fasting from Thursday night through Sunday morning…during the time that he suffered, died and laid in the tomb. I am choosing to deny myself food and drink to actively remember what Jesus endured for me. This Friday, I will be reminded every time I get hungry — at 6am when he was led to Pilate, at noon when he was on the cross, and at night when he was buried — that Jesus gave up much more than a meal to provide me with the possibility of salvation.

It is Good Friday for us, because on that day Jesus nailed all sin to the cross. Salvation is now ours, available to everyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God who died, simply by accepting Jesus' payment for all our sin. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Today, on Good Friday, the only thing we know for sure is that Jesus died. That is not the Good News. Stay tuned because Easter is coming!

Choosing Trust And Not Fear Today

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5-6, NIV

Fear comes so easy

Why is it that trusting God with the tough stuff of life is so hard and fear is so easy? I know, really KNOW, that God loves me. He knows me. He provides for me and protects me. He knows my today and my future. He has good plans for me. He works in all things for my good because I love him - that's what Romans 8:28 tells me. So, if God is for me, why am I still so easily afraid? It's mind boggling - really. I try not to lean on my own understanding, but I still try to figure it out.

I suspect it's about control. It's not easy to just trust God - even though he is absolutely trustworthy - and be totally out of control. Reality is that I am totally out of control. After all, control is an illusion. What do I control? Truly nothing.

Choosing trust today

Today, as I spent time with God, I recommitted myself to trust and faith. It's about Jesus. It's about today. I just need to trust him today. I will choose to follow him today. I will take up his yoke today. And I will believe that he will keep me today. We will deal with tomorrow...tomorrow.

How will I accomplish this? Not by might or by power but by God's Spirit...as the verse in Zechariah 4:6 states.

Christmas Everyday?!

It's the week after Christmas and all through the land people... have gone back to their regular lives. With all the hubbub leading up to this holy Holiday, it's amazing how fast it's over. The food is consumed, the drinks drunk, and the packages opened. Life returns to, well, normal.

Including for those who are homeless. Their "Christmas" is over too. No more extra attention and people making more effort to provide them with additional food, blankets, socks and toiletries. Yet, they're still cold, still homeless, still in need. As Bart Shatto sang so movingly at the TSO Christmas Show, "why can't it be Christmas everyday?" As I said before, why not indeed?

WHAT IF?

What if we banded together--as people who love God and are spiritual--and partnered to impact the system? What if we organized, looked like the true body of believers, and helped every day? What if we lived, as Jesus told us to, loving one another so that people would be drawn to Him through our love and actions? What if we could make it Christmas every day?

I imagine that if we all worked together--in unity of purpose and service--we could make a real difference for the homeless, for the poor, for the needy...every day!

EVERYONE DOING A SMALL PART

Back to Bart Shatto, do you know what he does with the money he collects? He takes the money that people donate to him, when they think he's homeless,  and buys toys with it. He personally delivers them to the kids in the cancer wing at Methodist Children's Hospital! Thanks Bart for doing your part in large and small ways--by giving of yourself at the show and for giving beyond to the kids who can't be home for Christmas.

Phenomenon and Sacred Accidents

Have you seen Phenomenon, the NBC show recently launched with Uri Geller and Criss Angel? It's a search for the next great mentalist. People on the show demonstrate phenomena with the supernatural. These phenomena point to the person's mind-bending abilities. Last week they even had a fight...

Contrast that with the sacred accidents Earl Creps talked about at Off The Map last weekend. He called them holy moments or ambushes where sudden and surprising things happen. They appear to be coincidences that on closer inspection turn out to be carefully orchestrated gifts from God. What seemed like an accident turns out to be a God moment. God is the ultimate mentalist.

I prefer God moments to phenomena. How about you? Have you had sacred incidents? Send me yours and we'll share them on the blog. I'd like to make stories of these God moments a regular feature of this blog. Thoughts?

A Christian Sports Fan?!

I've been thinking that it's hard to be a Christian and a sports fan--at least if you're competitive and passionate about the team. My son, Harrison, plays soccer. He's pretty good...yet his teams (he's on two teams) have been losing. I've been struggling with this. Why are his prayers not answered? He's been praying diligently. Why do other teams score by luck--really, it was luck a lot of the time. Why does God not answer Harrison's prayers about playing well?

I'm finding that I'm not that magnanimous. One of the teams he's on is a Christian team. They make the boys pray after the game with the other team! That's rough after you've just lost! I don't like it. Of course I feel conflicted. I'm a pastor after all. I should applaud the praying together--but in my heart of hearts, I cannot imagine praying with the team that just beat me.

At one of the games, a mom said: "It's good to have a pastor here." This means I should behave, I suppose...

I'm competitive, I admit it. My question: does anyone identify? I'm sure the way I act (I yell at games) and feel is not what Jesus would do...I guess I have a long way to go.

My son's team lost today. His other team lost last week.  At least the Seahawks won! They beat the 49ers 23-3. Go Hawks!

I'll keep praying for Harrison's teams. Pray for me. I'm trying to be a Christian fan.

Earthquake. Power. Prayer.

There was a minor earth quake in LA last night (4.5 magnitude). I didn't feel it but heard about it from someone who had never felt one. I remember my first earth quake. My parents, sister and I had just moved to San Jose. It happened at night. I was dreaming and thought someone was shaking the bed. Then I woke up: it was an earthquake. Big deal then! Apparently it loses it's effect over time.

There's tremendous power released in an earthquake. At first that's daunting and frightening. After a while you barely notice. (Unless it's a big earthquake like the one in Indonesia.)

Prayer has greater power than an earthquake. Yet, do we get numb to it too? In the book of Acts,the author Luke tells the story about Peter and John who were imprisoned by the religious power and elite. They were questioned, threatened and let go. Acts 4:23-31 tells us what happens after Peter and John were set free:

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David...Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Does prayer still wake you up? Do you believe it's powerful? I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of people through earth shaking prayer.