Reformers Series #1

Jan Hus

 

 

Somewhere in time, in 1372 Jan Hus was born. Jan was not born to important people expecting him to do important things, he was born to peasants.  His mother taught him to pray and he joined the priesthood to make a comfortable living. Instead he found himself choosing a relationship with God.

Jan Hus believed a pastor should live a godly life.  He felt his sermons should be understood by his congregants and his messages easily applied to everyday life.  He also expected the role of a pastor to be the role of a servant. He wanted live a life that reflected God and His love to all around him.  Unfortunately at this time in history, many saw this as a challenge to the existing church.

When I planned on completing a series on the reformation, I thought to start with Jan Hus.  He was from what was then called Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic.  Among reformers, he is not the most famous, or the most quoted. He was someone who chose to pursue his faith with his whole heart and he made an impact on his world because of it.     

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of courage; do not be afraid; nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Reformers for the most part were people who lived their faith with courage.  Given the chance to renounce his beliefs or die, Jus Hus stood strong. In 1415 he was burned at the stake as a heretic.

O Lord, Jesus Christ, into thine hands I deliver my soul, which thou hast redeemed with thy blood. Father in Heaven, do not hold against them the sins which my enemies commit against me, and let mine eyes see them blissfully with thee, when their souls fly to thy throne after an easy death. Oh Holy Spirit, enlighten their deceived hearts, so that the truth of the holy Gospel may open their eyes and its praise be spread everywhere, forever and ever, Amen.” - John Hus

We live in a time when so many people in many different countries are suffering for their faith and still standing strong. I don’t know each of their names, or their individual stories, but I can take time to reflect back on a few people who have gone before and made a difference. 

Newsboys - Live With Abandon (Official Lyric Video) from newsboys on GodTube.

Love Does

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been captivated with the new song by Brandon Heath, “Love Does”.  It made me think of all the things love does.  I originally thought of missionaries and tried to come up with a good missionary story for this week’s blog.  As I was thinking about this, I also thought of the people that give financially so the missionaries could be in the field. The missionary shows love by going and serving, the ones who give show love by giving money. 

This all sounded well and good, but then my mind kept going.  What about a mother who fights with doctors and school systems and anyone she needs to for her special needs child.  She does whatever she can to give her child ever opportunity they need.  Then I thought about a single mother, who sacrifices things she needs, so her children can have things they want.  What about a spouse that loves and cares for a partner who may be sick or dying.  All of these things also show love. 

I couldn’t stop there, I started to think about teachers that come in early and stay late to tutor students that need extra help. Then I thought of another teacher who walked a student home to help them avoid a bully. What about a coaches that becomes a mentors and role models to young athletes. I also noticed, how an older brother or sister could help guide their younger sibling in life choices. All of these things done because of love.

As my mind kept running from one way to show love to another, I realized there are too many ways to show love. There are too many things to write about. 

There is one example of ultimate love.  One example we can all look to.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Jesus, knowing the wages of sin was death, left heaven and came to earth to die for us.  On the cross, nailed there, suffering and dying, he said these words.

Luke 23:34 “Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

The ultimate sacrifice of love was given on our behalf.  This is a demonstration of love that’s hard to top.

Brandon Heath - Love Does (Official Music Video) from brandon-heath on GodTube.

100th Blog

Thank you

 

Somewhere in time, last Saturday, I was posting my blog when I noticed that this week would be my 100^th blog.  I was surprised. I didn’t realize I had written so many.  I went to buy groceries and I asked God for a special blog for this 100^th. I always pray to write something encouraging and maybe inspiring. This particular blog may not have been inspired by God, but it’s what happened last Saturday, so I thought I would share.

I had been thinking of thankfulness.  I’m thankful to the people who read my blog. If no one read it, I would quit writing it.  What could I say about thankfulness?  I prayed about it and thought about it.  I went to buy groceries, just like I do every Saturday.  I was putting them in the trunk of my car and driving away with my mind still going ninety miles an hour with thoughts about this blog and a couple of stories I’m working on.

I got almost to the street, when I thought to call my husband to pick up lunch.  When I looked in the passenger seat where my purse normally sits, I noticed it was not there. I couldn’t believe it.  Where had I left my purse?  In my purse is my phone, my wallet, my checkbook and my driver’s license.  All things I don’t need anyone else to have access to.  That’s when it dawned on me.  I must have left it in the shopping cart. 

As soon as I noticed my purse was gone, I felt panic.  I cried out to God to please protect my purse. Keep it safe, help me to find it.  I had to exit the parking lot and enter in another area and work my way back through to where I parked my car before.  The entire time, I was pleading with God to watch over my purse. 

Luke 12:6-7 ”Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are numbered.  Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than sparrows.”

I kept reminding myself that God cares when a sparrow falls, he cares about me.

I finally worked my way back through the parking lot to the cart coral where I had placed my shopping cart. There in the front, sat my purse.  I grabbed it and pulled over and checked.  Everything was still in it.  Nothing was missing. 

I immediately said “thank you God.”  I must have said it one hundred times on my way home, thank you God.  Thank you for protecting my purse that I left in my own distracted state.  I didn’t deserve to have it protected, but you protected it for me anyway. When the unexpected thing happens that saves you time, money and sometimes grief.  Just remember to say thank you God.  He may have had a hand in working that out for you.

So today, I’m thankful for many things. I’m thankful people are reading my blog. I’m thankful I can write and post lessons I learn and information I find interesting. I’m also thankful my purse is back with all my items still in it.

tobymac - Thankful for You (The Official Lyric Video) from tobymac on GodTube.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Somewhere in time, July 4^th 1776, these word were written:  “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—“ The American Declaration of Independence.

As America celebrates its Independence Day, I was thinking about the pursuit of happiness.  I know when the founders were forging this new country; they were trying to create a place where people could follow their dreams.  They didn’t want society to define them. With determination and hard work you could accomplish anything. They had good intentions and they gave this country a great start.  I believe that now, we are a little caught up in the pursuit of happiness.

Pursuing happiness should not consume our lives.  With me, I tend to focus on my next goal.  When I get there, I don’t take time to celebrate. I instead focus on the next goal.  I spend so much time in the pursuit of happiness; I don’t have time to enjoy the happiness I find. 

God slows me down to teach me lessons.  He has taught me I really need to know the similarities between happiness and contentment?  Happiness is a feeling of well-being or contentment.  Contentment is being satisfied with what we have. So contentment is rooted in happiness. I believe both are a choice, but contentment is not dependent upon anything.  If the apostle Paul could be contented while under house arrest in Rome, I can be contented waiting for a book to publish. Contentment is a choice and state of mind.  It’s having full confidence in the belief that God is in control and we don’t have to worry.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing with those we shall be content.”