Jesus.

It is often controversial to claim to follow Christianity. To be a "little Christ."
However, much of the controversy does not derive from people talking about the person and work of Jesus, but from their hypocrisy and judgmental demeanor.
A heart that wants to serve and love others is granted by the Holy Spirit, and greatly counters the religious rituals and vernacular that so frequently offends.
Sadly, the role of the church hasn't always met the needs of widows, orphans and the desperate. The programs, multiple 'love' offerings, and all together phony facade that many churches embody are a disgusting display of the gross miss communication of what grace, humility and truth actually are.

Jesus. The way, the truth and the life. The Bible is an account of his life; with the Old Testament lending a prophetic word, and the New Testament is the collection of stories telling how those prophesies were fulfilled. A Bible believing Christian seeks to learn about Jesus and his tremendous love, not necessarily to follow "the road map to life." The aim for the Christian is to want to know and possess affection for Jesus, who was fully God, and fully man. Too many Christians have done the faith filled random pull of sentences from the Bible that "perfectly fit the situation they were in!" Which, cynical as this sounds, misses the point that the Bible is not about us. It's not about us. Recognition that the Bible is an testimony of who Jesus was, and that it shares the loving truth about him is crucial to the continual need to humility. We cannot die to ourselves if we make every thing about ourselves. That includes, so conversely to what modern evangelists may infer, referring to scripture (Jeremiah 29:11) out of context to make us feel better. We are inherently sinful. We are a broken, selfish, prideful mass since the beginning of time, who Jesus said out of our heart flows the most deceitful and unpleasant things (paraphrase), therefore no one is a "good person." Everyone to their core is wicked and sinful and needing only one thing, and that is to be lead by the conviction of the Holy Spirit to become more like the person of Jesus Christ.

Christians have it wrong too often, a program, or routine won't solve the issues of the heart. Other religions survive by preaching works and legalism, or searching within oneself.

The sole answer is: JESUS.

I've been struggling lately with our place as a family coming from a thriving community and church in Seattle, even though we moved away two years ago. It seems pointless to desire the previous arrangement while struggling to redeem the present. And, the consensus that I have is that I love Jesus, more than any church, group of people, or city, and that is enough. I want to know him deeply. Walk with him daily. Dwell where he is. And, by God's grace I will live in a way that reflects his image.
I heard Pastor Bill Clem describe us this way, " We are like a mirror, shattered and broken, and God has to take all the pieces and put them back together so that they reflect him." I liked this analogy because it relies solely on God (Jesus), and does not put the ball in our court as individuals. We must respond in obedience to the conviction of the Holy Spirit if we know Christ, and love others well.

Jesus, I pray for your continual guidance and grace. Your love is undeniable to me.

KBA

Handling Betrayal

I once heard a podCast from Pastor Matt Chandler of the Village Church in Texas, where he addressed how Jesus was fully man, and fully God. He illustrated this by describing some of the situations and emotions that Jesus had to endure, and by recognizing him as fully man, we can look to him for understanding, empathy and grace.

Betrayal.

be⋅tray /bɪˈtreɪ/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bi-trey] –verb (used with object)

1.	to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.

2.	to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust.

3.	to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends.

4.	to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence: to betray a secret.

5.	to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal): Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.

6.	to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose: an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.

7.	to deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.

8.	to seduce and desert

Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and other disciples who hid and claimed not to be associated with him when Jesus was taken captive prior to his crucifixion. If a close friend, your "dog," "homie", BFF, or acquaintance breached your trust and confidence, the first reactions are likely to be hurt, anger, possibly confusion.

I have been betrayed a few times in my life...someone either rightfully, or immaturely took something that I said or did and held it against me. And instead of addressing their concerns with me they chose to slander my name, causing defamation of my character, and ultimately shaped the opinion of others regarding who I am. Without knowing my true heart. Without giving me the opportunity to be candid. I am my mother's daughter, filled with tenacity and striving for truth. I only want to be like Jesus. I want to know him, and love him, and experience his grace every day of my life.

And I have to say, it breaks my heart that there is a tremendous lack of grace and understanding within relationships. I recognize that I need Jesus, that I am not perfect, and that too often, I am the one pointing the finger and need to pull the plank out of my own eye. I get that. Humility must ensue in my development as a person and as a Christian.

Jesus was humble. Jesus was misunderstood. He was murdered because he was misunderstood. He was betrayed by a brother within his closest group of buddies.
And he handled it well...with love and compassion, and knew that it had to be that way in order for the Old Testament prophecies to be fulfilled. His suffering was by divine appointment.

So what does our offense do for us? It causes us to relate to Jesus. To know that we aren't in Heaven, and that being on Earth sucks sometimes. We are being sanctified. When I have felt betrayal the few times that I have over the years; and I'm not talking middle school drama, I'm talking about a major breach of trust, I have had to evaluate my reaction and the state of my heart in order to deal with it. I want all things in my life to point to Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2) and choose to seek reconciliation and restitution.