I am a "song" person.  There are songs that just touch the deepest part of my heart as if God knew I needed to hear that message and the easiest way to get "to" me is through a song.

The Easter season is coming and it is usually the time people "remember" about Christ's Crucifixion.   Not that they really forget, it is just that they are thinking about "other" things during the year, like: Lord, I need _____, Lord, help me with _____, etc.  I totally include myself  as one of these people.

There is a song out by Sidewalk Prophets titled "You Love Me Anyway".   I am not going to list the entire lyrics, just the part that totally struck me.  These word reminded me again, what part I had played in my Savior's death.

I accuse my son of being a "hard learner".  He struggles, it seems with the same disobedience over and over.  I tend to lose "sympathy" with is mourning over his discipline as it should, at least to me, not be a "shock" as to his punishment.  I feel as if he is going to keep doing this same thing over and over, knowing it is wrong and there will be a punishment, that  he is "getting what he deserves".
A few weeks ago, I got pulled over by a State Trooper.  I knew immediately that it was for talking on my cell phone.  I wish I could tell you that this is my first ticket for this issue, it isn't.  It is my THIRD!  Mind you, my third over a few years, but still not a good thing.
I didn't argue with the officer.  How could I?  I was guilty.  I ended up losing the ticket and had to call the court to get another one mailed to me.  I pleaded "guilty" on the ticket and mailed it in and awaited my monetary fate.
A week or so later, it came back and was $135!  WHEW!  It was due by the 21st of this month.  With Christmas, and two major issues with my car that needed to be taken care of right away, I was without the money when the due date came.

I was pretty nervous as I called the court to beg them for an extension.  I had a hope that they would at LEAST give me a week, or even to the first of January.  A friendly voice came on the phone and I explained that my ticket was due, and that I did not have enough, what could I do?   She asked, "When do you think you CAN have the money?" 
I told her by the first week of January.  She replied that she would change the due date for January 12th.  Tears came to my eyes as I told the woman that it was more than merciful.  I also told her that she had given me a great blessing for Christmas.  She laughed and said she was glad. 

When I got off the phone, a realization came to me that I did NOT get what I deserved.  If I had been in charge, I would have said:

This is your third offense!  Not only are you going to have to pay it ON TIME, I am adding more so that you will remember to NOT break this law again.  I see I need to be more HARSH with YOU, because you can NOT seem to learn this lesson. 

But that is not what I got.  I got grace and mercy.  And it wasn't like these things came from some godly institution!  I thanked God for showing me His love.  I thanked Him for being such an awesome example to me, for OBVIOUSLY, I lack in this area. 

So not only will I look at the next "struggle" with my son's "hard learning", but will look at other areas in my life where I am not showing grace and mercy to someone.

Thank you Father for being such a good Father to me.  Help me to reflect Your love in my parenting.

"We want God to fix all our problems.  God says instead, 'I have a purpose for your problems. I want to use your problems to change you and reveal My grace and power to the world.'  That is the truth - and the truth will set you free."

60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. Practicing biblical tolerance may be costly. It cost Stephen his life. But it will be blessed of God to bear great fruit. We read that Saul was there, giving approval to his death. Stephen’s prayer was answered in the conversion of at least this one man, who became the apostle Paul.

Biblical Doctrine: Bibliology – Biblical truth is non-negotiable, and may not be compromised for the sake of “tolerance.”

My Responsibility: Hate sin while loving sinners.

Question: Do you ever find yourself justifying weakness and compromise by calling it “tolerance”?

Prayer: Help me to be more like Christ (and like Stephen) in praying for the salvation of those who hate me.

There is a pernicious lie that is permeating the human mind. It’s that "man is just a material beast. He can’t have a purpose beyond himself. He must live for himself. Because man is born good, or neutral, it is the world he lives in that influences him for good or evil."






Perhaps you’ve heard variations on these beliefs. Our culture is saturated with the idea that everyone is basically good. Pick up the newspaper or watch the TV and you will soon find yourself wondering what caused someone to commit the crime they did. Defense attorneys will argue that their clients were the victims of an abusive home, or neglect. They experienced such a difficult childhood that all they know is to fight their way through life. Psychologists will tell you that you behave the way you do because of what your mother/father did to you in childhood.






From the beginning, man has tried to blame their sin on someone else. Adam blamed Eve and God (for giving him Eve) Eve blamed the serpent. Today, no one seems to be responsible for their behavior. We live in this culture of blame because we believe that man is inherantly good, so it has to be someone else’s fault when we do something "evil".






This philosophy is in direct opposition with Scripture. The Bible teaches that man was made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and it was because of Adam’s sin in the garden when he disobeyed God’s command, that sin entered the world. And through him (Adam) the sin nature was passed to all mankind. God held Adam and Eve responsible for their choices. (Gen. 3:16-24) And thus making it necessary for the need of a Redeemer (Gal. 3:13)






A person that believes they were created in the image of God, and that they have been born with a sin nature, will have a different world view than someone who believes they are inherently good.






What do you believe?






Are you quick to blame someone else when you do something wrong? Or do you readily confess, seek forgiveness and make restitution (when appropriate)?






Do you blame your upbringing for the choices you make? Or do you thank God for the parents you had because they prepared you to serve Him?






Do you seek out the faults in others, comparing yourself to how good you are? Or are you fully aware of how sinfilled you - and me - are, and thank God that He offers forgiveness for you...and others?






If you are honest, you will admit that at any given time you - like me - can believe that lie that "we’re basically good".






Yet Scripture tells us that this world view will only bring about death. Without the Holy Spirit we are powerless fight against the natural man. (Rom. 8:13).






We are commanded to acknowledge our sinful nature, and through the power of the Holy Spirit break the bondage of sin.






Colossians 3:5-10 tells us we are to "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.






Our old nature is drawn to this behavior, but with the power of Christ, we can overcome the old man.






This weeks challenge: Make an honest evaluation of how you view yourself and others. Are you quick to find excuses? Does the depravity of the news surprise you?






Last weeks challenge : God’s laws are an expression of His nature. Whatever God says is true and right. Our job is to trust Him.






Next week - Theology: Who is God?