Created in Christ

I’m still studying Galatians. This morning, Keller included this (below quote) in the study section for Galatians 1:10-2:21. (I really need to get a link up for this study…) Why include a section of Ephesians if the study is on Galatians? Keller is displaying Paul’s role as an apostle. In the above mentioned Galatians section, Paul has just revealed his story – the why, how, and when he became a believer. In Christ, there is a distinct purpose and call on his life. Just as there is in ours who believe!

One of the glories of Christianity is the assurance that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”(Ephesians 2:10). This statement by Paul that we are “created” does not simply refer to our physical formation, as God has, of course, created all human beings (see Genesis1:26-27). Rather, Paul is talking about being “created in Christ.” It means that every person who believes in Christ does so because she or he is the object of a process of God’s “spiritual creation.” The word workmanship is very important; it is the Greek word poema from which we get our word “poem.” It means that every believer is essentially a work of art — God’s art! Consider how artists work, whether they are writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, etc. They labor long and hard and with the utmost care and detailed attention. Sometimes they do very little, only a stroke here or there. Other times they make massive changes. But always they seek to bring the raw material into line with an artistic vision. Thus Paul is telling us that God labors over all believers throughout our entire lives, intervening and guiding and shaping us to bring us into line with a vision he has for us. This is mentioned also in Ephesians 2:10 — “created to… good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Thus, God has a particular set of “good works” for us to do, for which he prepares us our whole lives.

It is therefore of utmost importance to look back on our lives and see everything that has happened through this grid, namely that:

• God has been at work through the various influences of our lives— “created in Christ.” All of our experiences and troubles and our family and friends must be seen as the instruments of an artist used to mold and shape us. He has been at work in all of our lives!
• God has been at work to make us something beautiful — “workmanship.” God is out to make our beings something great—to give us characters of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, integrity, humility and self-control.
• God has been at work to make us something useful — “good works… prepared beforehand.” God is also out to make our doings something great — to make us helpful and able to serve others in special ways.

As I read this, I thought of two very specific people. One is a friend I know who is pregnant with her fifth child. What a vision Christ has for her, to mold her and shape her, and to “make her doings something great.” With three little ones myself, it is a comfort to know that there is always hope in the midst of seeming chaos – mainly that God drew out with his own hand each scene, each day, each moment. And he will not let us go. Our life is designed through eternity. What hope!

Another friend is a wealth of wisdom. She seeks the Lord, she pursues people, she prays. It is a beautiful thing to look on her life and reflect on how God created it. More than anything, I sense a steady peace about her that constantly draws me to Christ.

Thinking about these two women, and then thinking about how God has designed my own life…..it’s so encouraging! Christ is ever at work, and it looks different for everyone. These past few weeks have been up and down for me. I’ve been fighting God’s artistry like nothing else. I’ve wanted something different than what he’s offering. I’ve wanted certain people to change immediately and I’ve wanted different circumstances. Hear the common denominator? I, I, I!!! Really, life is the way it is because “God labors over all believers throughout our entire lives, intervening and guiding and shaping us to bring us into line with a vision he has for us.”

My desire this morning is to submit to God’s vision for me. And to believe he has one. And to believe his way is better and sweeter and greater than anything I could think up on my own. There is no artist like the one who created the mountains, the animals, and the sea. May I look only to today, his vision for me today, and believe that the days following will build on today. May I hope in his artistry.

Need some encouragement, mothers?

Wow. My heart’s spinning after reading these articles by Rachel Jankovic. I’m seriously considering adding her book to my (already too enormous) book list after reading her posts.

Would love to hear your thoughts after you read her posts on motherhood! Go get ‘em, mamas! Love those beautiful, precious, God-given gifts today! You are equipped to love and care for your children, and your career as a mother is one of the most important you’ll ever work.

My 1st Book of Questions & Answers

On a good morning, Mike asks the boys a couple questions from this book at breakfast time. They love it. Check it out.

Have you heard of Patty Griffin?

This lady can SING! Patty Griffin is, hands down, my favorite artist. Check this out.

Passive Righteousness

I recently started studying Galatians and am using a workbook created by Tim Keller as I go along. It’s fabulous. This morning, I read this excerpt from Martin Luther, explaining how to “speak the gospel” to yourself when your mind and heart lead you away from the righteousness attributed to you – by nothing you have done or can do – through faith in Christ:

So learn to “speak the gospel” to one’s heart. For example, when the law creeps into your conscience, learn to be a cunning logician —learn to use arguments of the gospel against it. Say:

O law! You would climb up into the kingdom of my conscience, and there reign and condemn me for sin, and would take from me the joy of my heart which I have by faith in Christ, and drive me to desperation, that I might be without hope. You have overstepped your bounds. Know your place! You are a guide for my behavior, but you are not Savior and Lord of my heart. For I am baptized, and through the gospel am called to receive righteousness and eternal life… So trouble me not! For I will not allow you, so intolerable a tyrant and tormentor, to reign in my heart and conscience — for they are the seat and temple of Christ the Son of God, who is the king of righteousness and peace, and my most sweet savior and mediator. He shall keep my conscience joyful and quiet in the sound and pure doctrine of the gospel, through the knowledge of this passive and heavenly righteousness.

When we are assured of this righteousness, we not only cheerfully work well in our vocations, but we submit to all manner of burdens and dangers in this present life, because we know that this is the will of God, and that this obedience pleases him.

We (our whole family) had a rough start this morning. It was loud, chaotic, no one got any sleep last night, Mike was running late, the walls felt like they were closing in on us… Phew. I write that all out and it sounds so…dramatic, doesn’t it? Now that I’ve stepped back, and in light of Luther’s wisdom when he says, “Nothing gives peace like this passive righteousness,” I’m reminded that yes, Jesus has done everything for me. Everything. I can’t discipline my kids perfectly, not even close. I can’t keep my house clean enough all the time in order to stave off discontent of such small quarters. I can’t be a good friend, a good wife, a good neighbor on my own. Why? Because nothing in me is good except that which has been given to me through Jesus. I can’t work myself into contentment, perfect disciplinarian, awesome friend. But I can be at peace with who I am in the Lord and surrender to and accept what He’s already done. I can live in freedom. And where there’s freedom, there’s peace.

I wish I could move on from thinking and typing this out and expect a day filled with me skipping through fluffy clouds, or flowery fields, or whatever else I might imagine to be fairly carefree. The truth is that I am called through Scripture to ACTIVELY put on the truth. Yes, the truth dwells in me. Only because of the truth am I able to faithfully depend on Christ to shape and change my attitude and heart, every moment. But I must surrender, every moment. Even now, my kids have been so sweet to give mama a little time to study this morning, and they’ve been great. But I hear them now, arguing over a truck or a shirt or something silly, and anger and annoyance rise up in an instant. Here is an opportunity to put on grace, joy, peace. Not by my own works, but through prayer and remembrance that Jesus has already bestowed these things on me. He died for me. I have all I need in Him. Why am I so easily shaken? Over such small things as trifles between my children?

Jesus, help me be like you. Help me dwell on how great you are today. Help me extend grace to my children and point to you in the process. Help me show them and everyone around me, through the righteousness you’ve granted that I didn’t work for, that you are truly the Prince of Peace. I desire it. I ask you for it. Thank you for being my precious King.

Menu Plan Monday

Another week and already half way through the month! On budget! Woohooooo!

This week, we’re heading to Portland Saturday and Sunday so I have to make sure I’ve got lots of snacks to bring with us. Much of what I planned to make last week…well, I didn’t make it. I just didn’t really feel like baking. So, much of what I planned is on the agenda for this week now.

Lunches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Pasta Salad with Shredded Chicken, Garbanzo Beans, and Petitie Peas

Dinners

Turkey Tacos with Mexican Rice

Quinoa Salad with Chicken, Sundried Tomatoes, Grilled Corn off the Cob, Avocado, Cilantro, and Chipotle Pepper (YUM!!!)

Spinach Quiche, Salad, and Homemade Bread

Curried Lentil-Tomato-Spinach Soup

Roasted Chicken with Baked Lemon/Parsley Brown Rice & Broccoli

Grilled Steak (a treat for the hubby) & Chicken with Corn on the Cob

Prep/Bake

Hummus & Carrot Sticks

Bran Muffins

Granola Bars

Fool Moon Rising

Oh, how we LOVE this children’s book! And our kids do too. I’ll be honest, the first time I read it, I cried. (Okay, okay…for those who know me, that doesn’t take much.) Why? You can’t help but be cut to the heart when you remember the glory and might of God. And this book points to the Creator creatively, beautifully, and allows you an opportunity to talk to your kids about their smallness and his GREATNESS. Whether you borrow it from the library or go out and buy a copy (which I highly recommend – and no, I am not being paid to promote it) – you won’t be disappointed. Good stuff, this Fool Moon Rising.

See this picture? Yep. That’s me.

Okay, so that isn’t really me. But when I find a crazy coupon deal – that’s what I feeeeeeel like! I’m serious! And today is that day. Free cereal? Yes, please! Almost free salad dressing? Oh yeah. Cheap, cheap crackers? Woot!

I’ve half way through the month and have done pretty good with my budget so far. I’ve gone $5 over – so I’ve spent $155. The only bummer is I haven’t stocked up yet. I’m out of practice. But this week, there are some killer deals at Albertson’s. And when you pair those deals up with doubler coupons…well, you’ve got yourself some free cereal and other awesome scores. This will be the first time I’ve used doubler coupons. Why haven’t I made the trek to Albertson’s before? Probably because it’s just that, a slight trek. But if I go after the little ones are in bed, it’ll be a cinch.

Making progress, my friends. Making progress. At this rate, looks like I’ll be able to stash almost $100 into my adoption fund this month. Woohoo! I’ll post pictures of my killer deals at the end of the month. I’m sure you’re just dying to see pictures of cereal and salad dressing. Ha!

 

Books for Free? Yes, please!

Did you know that on the Desiring God website, you can download and read John Piper’s books for FREE? Here’s a link to one of his top books, Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. From there, you can backtrack and search all the other free books and resources offered on the site. Sa-weeeeeet!

Repentance

Tim Keller is the maaaaaan. I’m going to work on getting a nice list of his audio sermons for you. But for now, take a peek at this article on repentance – what it is, and what it is not. Enjoy.