“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones” Proverbs 3:5-8 (ESV).
It’s not that we need to understand the whys, hows, and whens of God, but with all our heart we must simply trust Him.
While this incredible adaptation of the crucifixion of Christ was released in 2004, it took me until today to finally brace myself for what I would be viewing. I was familiar with Mel Gibson and had seen Jim Caviezel portray the De La Salle high school football coach, Bob Ladouceur, in the 2014 film “When the Game Stands Tall”. I must say I was impressed with Jim Caviezel’s quiet reserve which came through his character, his quiet reserve which is rooted in his faith. I had no doubt his faith would once again show forth through his quiet reserve as he portrayed Jesus Christ in “The Passion of the Christ”.
As a child, growing up in a Christian home and receiving my first Bible at the age of eight, I was very familiar with the crucifixion story and believed it without question. That being my premise, it would take me many years to read the scriptures surrounding His crucifixion, unable to internalize His physical and emotional suffering as well as grasp the cruelty and hatred of those involved. Thankfully, His resurrection followed His crucifixion, or I still would not be able to go there. I have since watched other crucifixion films, all well done. This crucifixion film would be no different, or would it?
Since the movie’s release I have occasionally watched interviews of Mel Gibson, but especially of Jim Caviezel. Jim Caviezel, again with his quiet reserve, shares bits and pieces of his experience portraying Christ during His last twelve hours. I desperately wanted to see this film, knew as a Christian I needed to see this film, but didn’t want to see this film due to the graphically realistic brutality I correctly knew simply couldn’t be edited out. And I knew I needed to allow myself to get emotionally involved. It’s the very least I could do, seeing what Christ did for me. It’s not about me and myself, my selfish emotions, but about Him and what He lovingly and sacrificially did for me, and for you.
Yes, this two hour movie begins and ends with much bloodshed. And Jim Caviezel is beyond recognizable at certain points. As a mother I felt myself holding my own adult son as Mary held hers, helpless yet now fully understanding the fulfillment of what it meant to be chosen to bear the Christ child. Watching this film, I found myself wondering just how anyone could remain coherent, even alive at all, throughout this nearly twelve hours of barbaric brutality. And then I heard myself saying, but He wasn’t just a man, He is the son of God. And I again am able to return to the heart of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to love and to forgive, to be forgiven. And I am redeemed, thankfully, I am redeemed.
As C. S. Lewis was quoted “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important”. Revelations 3:15-16 (KJV) “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth”.
Yes, thankfully I am redeemed.
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“Every response we have in life is either out of love or it’s out of fear” (quote taken from Bethel Church Senior Pastor Bill Johnson’s sermon “The War in Your Head”).
I’m not even sure what title is suitable for this post. I just finished watching the movie entitled “October Baby” on Pure Flix. Merciful God, how well written, how well written. My heart aches for all those directly affected by the abortion insanity, the lies, the shame, the heartache, the fallout which will rear its ugly head one day, some day.
I recall being about eleven years old, a naive and well protected from the world little girl. My family was visiting the state fair and we came upon a booth which I will never forget. Looking back it must have been about the summer of 1972. Roe vs Wade was not something I even had a clue was being fought in the Supreme Court of the United States. Thankfully I was an innocent little girl. I remember the brochure, the little feet, and the image of an unborn child. I knew something was not right and I knew I could never be a part of something so heinous. Looking back I am so thankful these were my formative and very impressionable years, my silent decision was set in my heart that summer afternoon.
However,…while I am thankful to have never, ever even considered abortion, I did bear the guilt of driving a college friend to an abortion clinic. Oblivious to what was occurring just within those closed doors of the clinic, I sat in the waiting room, college textbooks in hand. It would be years before I realized just what I had not prevented my friend from going through with. It would be years of self-condemnation for my naive yet free-thinking college girl attitude.
“October Baby” is that someday. “October Baby” has no graphic clips of the horrors of the murders of innocent children. It has no need. “October Baby” takes a gentle peak into the emotional ripple effect of such a decision. It also presents closure, closure first found in pealing away the layers of truth thought to be securely locked away to protect, but alas only destroys. “October Baby” offers up the ultimate closure necessary, only found through forgiveness.
“October Baby” is not about blowing up abortion clinics, condemning those involved. “October Baby” is about the truth, the truth which offers freedom, the freedom which begins with forgiveness. It is more than a “must see” movie experience. “October Baby” is understanding and healing, reevaluating, re-calibrating, starting anew. “October Baby” is a matter of the heart.
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven” Luke 6:37 (KJV).
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“Your mind is the greatest gift God has given you, and it ought to be devoted entirely to Him. You should seek to be ‘bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This will be one of the greatest assets of your faith when a trial comes along because then your faith and the Spirit of God will work together.” Oswald Sanders
Requote taken from Decision Magazine May 1, 2020 edition “Six Ways to Respond in This Uncertain Time: Followers of Christ need not fear” by David Jeremiah. Scripture quoted taken from the King James version.
The great I AM, “I AM WHO I AM” Exodus 3:14 (ESV).
We each have a story to tell. Retelling our own story offers others hope as it gently reminds us of not just how far we’ve come, but of the grace of God for His gentle and continued guidance throughout our journey. And, as is often the case, our story is not just about us and us alone.
“From Pain to Paradise: The Story of How God Transformed My Life & Marriage from Brokenness to Blessing ” is Karen Evans’ story of healing, not just of her own identity but that of her marriage as well. Falling in love with the man of her dreams also meant she would be taking on his own well hidden identity issues. And so throughout her retelling, she weaves aspects of her husband’s own story of healing.
This is not a revengeful tell-all, but a story of redemption. And while Karen Evans spent time being very frustrated and angry she also knew just how deeply she loved her husband. But to love her husband as she desired, she would learn not only to first love God, but of His love for her.
I enjoy reading another person’s story of healing especially when it is told with complete transparency. Karen Evans does just this ever so naturally and honestly. It is not told from the perspective of a bitter wife as she intentionally exposes all her husband’s deep and dark secrets, but as a wife who dearly loves her husband.
While Karen doesn’t directly offer a list of do’s and don’t for a closer relationship with ones spouse, she so expertly offers wisdom applicable to any marriage. Her story is told from the perspective of a Christian woman who desires to find her true value in her relationship with God as she realizes this is also the key to her identity and marriage.
Karen has been married to Jimmy Evans for well over forty years. Together they are the founders of Marriage Today Ministries, where they not only offer help for marriages, but candidly share their struggles within their own marriage.
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When I think of the term prodigal I envision a young man, on the verge of adulthood, who had become full of himself and unappreciative of what his father has provided. Yes, I think of the prodigal son found in the gospel of Luke, chapter fifteen. In short the son demanded his share of his father’s wealth only to very quickly end up penniless and destitute having wasted this wealth on riotous living. We are quick to view this sad situation from a financial standpoint, but obviously it was more character and morals issues at the root of it all. But alas, I digress.
Prodigals are not always frustrated teens bent on bucking their parents’ disciplined way of life, but are also wayward husbands and wives as well. Karen Wheaton’s book entitled “Watching The Road: Praying Your Prodigal Home” is a testament to just this. Yes, it is a story about her daughter, Lindsay Doss, who chose to walk away from Karen Wheaton and her family. It is also about Lindsay choosing to walk away from her marriage and children. It is a story about how Lindsay seemingly chose to walk away from everything she knew and everyone she loved.
“Watching The Road” is told from Karen Wheaton’s perspective as she searches for the truth, trusting God to not only return her daughter, Lindsay, to her, but to heal and restore Lindsay’s marriage and family. This is the story of a determined and devoted godly woman as she perseveres, refusing to give up. Karen Wheaton walks her reader through her journey of praying and interceding for her daughter’s return. Hidden throughout the pages are the secrets to having the kind of faith which not only endures but grows as it reveals not only the progression of a prodigal’s journey, but just how amazing God truly is to those He loves.
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Don’t allow your perception of your perceived problems to overtake God’s promises found through them.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The most rewarding yet most challenging relationship one will ever experience is that of being in a monogamous relationship called marriage, especially being committed for life. Charlyne Steinkamp attests to this in her very down to earth book entitled “The Spiritual Journey Toward A Healed Marriage“. Remember the traditional “…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…” Christian wedding vows?
Fortunately yet unfortunately, many of us were so giddy in love as we committed to our spouse and to God, sweetly and assuredly, and naively reciting these vows on our wedding day. Fortunately we really had no idea what lay ahead. And, unfortunately, our vows would be tested.
Sadly, life happens. Sadly, we are tested. Do we have the courage to rise to the challenge? Do we take our vows seriously? Are we really committed, ’til death do us part? What do we do when our spouse chooses to walk away?
Whether a couple goes through difficult times remaining married or whether one or both want to call it quits, doesn’t matter. Marriage, even after divorce, can be restored. Charlyne Steinkamp from Rejoice Marriage Ministries speaks from experience.
In her book entitled “The Spiritual Journey Toward a Healed Marriage” Charlyne Steinkamp so revealingly points out how “The church is not able to be the ‘critical care unit’ for the wounded and broken hearts, because divorce is so rampant in the church”. Sadly, this certainly seems to be the case. Granted there are verses found in scripture which make allowance for divorce. And we seem all too quick to jump to the conclusion that divorce is the only option. But is it really the best solution?
Charlyne and Bob Steinkamp married as any young and in love couple hopefully does, much in love. Unfortunately, after twenty very difficult years of marriage and three young children, Charlyne received pastorial counsel and made the decision to divorce Bob. Fortunately, she very quickly realized she had made a horrible mistake.
Marriages can be restored and marriages can be saved, even after divorce, and it only takes one spouse to recommit to those wedding vows in order to do so. This book can very easily be used as a devotional as it includes scriptural references and suggested prayers, and even an occasional “Bobservation” from her husband to better understand the spouse who wants to call it quits. And most of all Charlyne Steinkamp not only reveals how to heal and restore your marriage not through manipulative tactics, but through your relationship with God.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” Ephesians 5:31-33 (ESV).
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