Ancient Stained Glass Windows

If we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
(1 John 1:7).

Some people falsely think that those who claim to walk in the light, are always perfect. But according to the context of the above passage (1 John 1:5-10), that is actually the definition of walking in darkness. Only those who walk in darkness claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8).

Rather walking in God's light means being authentic. It means being genuine. It means agreeing with God that we have flaws and giving Him permission to change us (1 John 1:9).

The only light we have to offer this dark world is God's light as it shines through us. It turns out; those who walk in God's light are a lot like ancient stained glass windows. When you look closely you will see some flaws and imperfects, yet they are stunningly glorious when the light of the Son shines through.

3 reasons we need God as a consuming fire

I've been running a survey for the past several weeks (the survey is located on the right side of my blog) to see what "God is…" statements of the New Testament are most meaningful for people. If you look at the results of the survey you'll notice that only one choice has received no votes (that is, until just now when someone voted for it). It comes from Hebrews 12:29, "for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"

Let me suggest three reasons why we need God as a consuming fire.

1. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that He is absolutely holy and should be respected.

From the earliest age, we learn that fire is something we should take seriously. It is dangerous and powerful. In the same way, God is good but He is not safe (a line from the Chronicles of Narnia). We need a healthy fear of God.

2. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that if we draw close to Him, He will purify us.

Fire destroys what it cannot purify, but it purifies what it cannot destroy. Fire, in the Bible, is often an image of God's ability to burn away impurities in order to make us pure. He sometimes even uses trials to help us see what is really lasting. God loves us, but He doesn't leave us the way we are. He purifies us as we walk with Him.

3. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that, through the death of Jesus, He has consumed all that separates us from Him.

In the pioneer days, on the prairie lands, people would sometimes find themselves about to be consumed by fire. Camped in the middle of the prairie they would see the flames of a wildfire approaching. Knowing that even their horses could not outrun the flames, they would start a fire on the ground upon which they stood. They then would stand on that burned patch of ground. The prairie fire would sweep by along the edge of the burned patch, but ultimately pass them by.

On the cross, God burned a patch of earth. His wrath poured out on Jesus. And those who stand in that place are saved by His consuming fire.

Thank God that He is a consuming fire.

A trip back to Westmont

We got a call Sunday night that Chris was invited to be at Westmont for a gathering specifically for the handful of students whose dorms were lost. We spent all day yesterday travelling and removing all the stuff from his room as he will be relocated to a new dorm when he returns after Thanksgiving. The good news, there was only smoke and water damage to his stuff, and most of his stuff will be redeemable. Not such good news for the guys in the story above him who lost everything to the fire. It actually was a long but remarkable day.

In the photo: Me, Chris, and his roommate Lawrence.

Update: Westmont fires

We just got some good news last night. Chris' RA called him, had seen his room, and said, while the upstairs was destroyed by the fire, that where he lived, downstairs, was relatively unscathed. Just some water damage, but it looks like a lot of his belongings may be redeemable. We'll see when we are allowed back on campus.

Chris is home with us. We are unsure if anything remains of his school possessions but we are glad to have him home!

Westmont fires

We were up a lot of the night following the fires at Westmont college where our son is a freshman. There was significant damage to the campus and its buildings but Chris and all the students are OK. They spent the night in the gym. It looks like his dorm was lost so he is coming home today with the clothes on his back. Thanks for your prayers for us and for the whole Westmont community.

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An Audience of One

Imagine that the script of your life was turned into a hit theatrical play. The drama of your life goes public. And on opening night, the theatre is filled with both raving fans as well as the ever-present critics.

Who matters most to you to you? Your critics? They can be brutal. It doesn't take much. Just a few words. Do your critics matter most to you?

Or would you say your fans matter the most? Are they the ones you want to please? Is it their admiration that you seek?

In the Bible, Paul had his own share of critics and fans. But he never let them set the course for his life or ministry. Instead, when he was accused by his critics of playing to his fans he said:

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed -- God is our witness. 1 Thess. 2:5

Paul refused to be swayed by his critics or his fans. Instead he lived his life for an audience of One. He cared most about the applause of Heaven.

For you and me, if God is not our witness, then we will always be tempted to play to the wrong audience. That is, we will be tempted to look to people for our approval. We will find ourselves making decisions and operating our lives for the admiration of people rather than the affirmation of Jesus.

Today, remember God is your witness. Only He sees what is in your heart. It is only His ovation that matters. Live for an audience of One.

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Free Burritos

Here is a recent family outing to Chipotle for free burritos (as long as we dressed like a chipotle burrito; i.e. in aluminum foil).