Our
small group on Wednesday nights has been going through the bible study
"True Woman 101", learning about true biblical womanhood. Last night,
the topic included discussion about the "softness" that God created in
women.
Something to notice:
The Hebrew definitions for man and woman are:
Man- "Ish", meaning "strength".
Woman- "Ishshah", meaning "soft".
Do you notice what we noticed? The root word
"ISH" is used for both sexes. "Ish" means strength and is included in
the meaning for both man and woman. So even though God created women the
softer sex, it does not mean that we are weak-minded or wimps. In our
softness there IS strength. We are not doormats. But we do have a
tenderness of heart that is in our very nature. We are capable forming
of deep and meaningful relationships, but are also much more easily
wounded in relationships. Softness doesn't mean we aren't who we are in
our personalities and make-up. That we can't be outgoing and fun-loving.
I understand some women's reluctance to accept God's point of
view when it comes to our womanhood. It most certainly isn't
politically correct in today's feminist culture. And we have been
"educated" about our "equality" with men all our lives. We ARE equal in
God's eyes, but we also ARE different. Both men and women are created to
show the character of Christ and his relationship with His church in
our unique and separate ways. Men in strength: Provider, protector,
defender.. Women in softness: nurturer, tender, and submissive, as the
Church submits to Christ and His love for us. It is a beautiful mystery.
If we say that we believe His word, we must believe ALL of it,
including the wonderful way He created us. When we follow His outine,,
we are more of who He had in mind for us all along. We are ourselves,
but even BETTER!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Being an Oklahoman...
Rodgers and Hammerstein described my home as a place where there's plenty of room to swing a rope, with plenty of heart and plenty of hope.
If you are a native Oklahoman, you understand the spirit of the people here. Maybe you are descended from one of the many tribes of "red people", for whom our state is named, that made their way to this land by surviving the tragic Trail of Tears.
Or perhaps your ancestors were among the 50,000 who made their way to Indian Territory in April of 1889 to start a new life of adventure by running in a race for land.
You may even come from a line of people who came West to farm our rich soil and endured the Dust Bowl....
Or came here in search of black gold beneath the soil...
No matter how you came to be born here, it can definitely be said that courage, resolve, and resilience run deep within our veins. And there is a pride in living here like none I have ever seen. Whether it is being compelled to stand and clap and sing when hearing the song "Oklahoma", or explaining the meaning of the word "Sooner" to an outsider. ( from Wikipedia: A number of the people who participated in the land run entered the unoccupied land early and hid there until the legal time of entry to lay quick claim to some of the most choice homesteads. These people came to be identified as "Sooners." ) We have a rich heritage and a colorful and exciting history that defines us. We are overcomers in a state that was born out of great adversity. Maybe this can explain a lot about what people are seeing in our state since the tornado struck Moore on Monday.
We are famously known as the place where the "wind comes sweeping down the plain". Monday afternoon of May 20, 2013 brought a cruel wind that left behind a wake of death and destruction. Utter devastation is one way to describe it. Where does a community even begin to pick up the pieces? I heard our Governor say that the very first place to start was having to just put the names of the streets back up, because people couldn't even find where they lived or where their businesses were located, due to the streets and signs being wiped clean like a slate. Imagine no street signs or house numbers!
My heart and stomach were sick as I watched the Weather Channel's live broadcast of the monstrous black wedge approaching the town of Moore yet again. The images of the aftermath still leave me in shock and disbelief that it could be real. So much loss. So much sorrow. So much to overcome. But, as Rodgers and Hammerstein said, we are a people with plenty of heart and plenty of hope. This is when America sees Oklahoma at her finest and most admirable. Whether it is teachers shielding their students' little bodies, first responders digging through rubble through the night, local churches setting up as command centers, or just people feeling they must do something, so they donate to the many charities that are on the scene, THESE are the people of Oklahoma:
But if there is one thing that defines us as a people, I believe it is that we are a people of faith. Faith, plus hard work and resilience have gotten Oklahomans through many tragic times from the Dust Bowl, to the dark April day in 1995 when our State Capitol saw unspeakable evil bring down our Federal Building,
to the ravages of numerous tornadoes. We have been knocked down into the red dirt too many times to count, but there is a determination here that shows the world that you can't lick us. We always seem to come back stronger and even more resolved than ever. Remember, it is in our Sooner red blood and our DNA. Our heritage has made us strong. We are the sons and daughters of those who tamed the West. We are Oklahoma.
If you are a native Oklahoman, you understand the spirit of the people here. Maybe you are descended from one of the many tribes of "red people", for whom our state is named, that made their way to this land by surviving the tragic Trail of Tears.
Or perhaps your ancestors were among the 50,000 who made their way to Indian Territory in April of 1889 to start a new life of adventure by running in a race for land.
You may even come from a line of people who came West to farm our rich soil and endured the Dust Bowl....
Or came here in search of black gold beneath the soil...
No matter how you came to be born here, it can definitely be said that courage, resolve, and resilience run deep within our veins. And there is a pride in living here like none I have ever seen. Whether it is being compelled to stand and clap and sing when hearing the song "Oklahoma", or explaining the meaning of the word "Sooner" to an outsider. ( from Wikipedia: A number of the people who participated in the land run entered the unoccupied land early and hid there until the legal time of entry to lay quick claim to some of the most choice homesteads. These people came to be identified as "Sooners." ) We have a rich heritage and a colorful and exciting history that defines us. We are overcomers in a state that was born out of great adversity. Maybe this can explain a lot about what people are seeing in our state since the tornado struck Moore on Monday.
We are famously known as the place where the "wind comes sweeping down the plain". Monday afternoon of May 20, 2013 brought a cruel wind that left behind a wake of death and destruction. Utter devastation is one way to describe it. Where does a community even begin to pick up the pieces? I heard our Governor say that the very first place to start was having to just put the names of the streets back up, because people couldn't even find where they lived or where their businesses were located, due to the streets and signs being wiped clean like a slate. Imagine no street signs or house numbers!
My heart and stomach were sick as I watched the Weather Channel's live broadcast of the monstrous black wedge approaching the town of Moore yet again. The images of the aftermath still leave me in shock and disbelief that it could be real. So much loss. So much sorrow. So much to overcome. But, as Rodgers and Hammerstein said, we are a people with plenty of heart and plenty of hope. This is when America sees Oklahoma at her finest and most admirable. Whether it is teachers shielding their students' little bodies, first responders digging through rubble through the night, local churches setting up as command centers, or just people feeling they must do something, so they donate to the many charities that are on the scene, THESE are the people of Oklahoma:
But if there is one thing that defines us as a people, I believe it is that we are a people of faith. Faith, plus hard work and resilience have gotten Oklahomans through many tragic times from the Dust Bowl, to the dark April day in 1995 when our State Capitol saw unspeakable evil bring down our Federal Building,
to the ravages of numerous tornadoes. We have been knocked down into the red dirt too many times to count, but there is a determination here that shows the world that you can't lick us. We always seem to come back stronger and even more resolved than ever. Remember, it is in our Sooner red blood and our DNA. Our heritage has made us strong. We are the sons and daughters of those who tamed the West. We are Oklahoma.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Firsts and Lasts
I remember the fall of 1998.
We took a 4 year old little boy to his first day of Pre-K at Rock Creek Elementary School in Blue, Oklahoma. He was enrolled in the headstart program at the beginning, but when we found out our picky eater was not going to be able to bring his own lunch from home, we knew THAT would not work out, so he was moved over to the regular pre-K class where his selective palate would not be subjected to lunchroom cuisine.
Kindergarten started a new and exciting 4 year adventure in Whitewright, TX, where we have fond memories of Kindergarten Rodeo, school friends ( forever remembered as his "posse" ), church musicals, learning to play the drums, seemingly never-ending fights with big sister, AND becoming a big brother!
After Texas, this ministry family headed to the big city of New York where we soon learned that home school was where our school memories would be made. Our desk was the kitchen table and our playground was the Big Apple and surrounding area, where we took many unforgettable field trips to the beach, our first tour of a lighthouse, Wall Street, Broadway, and even the legendary Sleepy Hollow up the Hudson River.
Our next move was south...The OLD South to be exact. We were located just a few miles down the Savannah River from historic Savannah Georgia. Public school was again part of our lives, which aren't Jarrett's fondest memories of Georgia. But the friends we made there and the adventures we had are the basis of many happy memories made, including friends and family coming to visit us and getting to show them the sights. We had Independence Day fireworks at the beach, fresh-made candy on River Street, and one of our favorite memories was getting to go watch the dolphins on Captain Mike's Dolphin Tour!
We took a 4 year old little boy to his first day of Pre-K at Rock Creek Elementary School in Blue, Oklahoma. He was enrolled in the headstart program at the beginning, but when we found out our picky eater was not going to be able to bring his own lunch from home, we knew THAT would not work out, so he was moved over to the regular pre-K class where his selective palate would not be subjected to lunchroom cuisine.
Kindergarten started a new and exciting 4 year adventure in Whitewright, TX, where we have fond memories of Kindergarten Rodeo, school friends ( forever remembered as his "posse" ), church musicals, learning to play the drums, seemingly never-ending fights with big sister, AND becoming a big brother!
After Texas, this ministry family headed to the big city of New York where we soon learned that home school was where our school memories would be made. Our desk was the kitchen table and our playground was the Big Apple and surrounding area, where we took many unforgettable field trips to the beach, our first tour of a lighthouse, Wall Street, Broadway, and even the legendary Sleepy Hollow up the Hudson River.
Our next move was south...The OLD South to be exact. We were located just a few miles down the Savannah River from historic Savannah Georgia. Public school was again part of our lives, which aren't Jarrett's fondest memories of Georgia. But the friends we made there and the adventures we had are the basis of many happy memories made, including friends and family coming to visit us and getting to show them the sights. We had Independence Day fireworks at the beach, fresh-made candy on River Street, and one of our favorite memories was getting to go watch the dolphins on Captain Mike's Dolphin Tour!
The next stop on our journey is where we once called home, and now we call it home again: Oklahoma. Back with family and friends and familiar roads where we don't need maps or the GPS. It is where Jarrett has spent his last 6 years of school days at Cottonwood Elementary and Coalgate High School. SO many friends and memories have been made here. This was where a boy became a man, traveling overseas twice doing mission work, enduring the hardships of losing cherished childhood friends, and working hard and earning the money to buy his first car.
What prompts me to write this blog post today is that this morning that picky-eating little boy who had to take his own lunch to pre-k walked out the door to his last day of High School. His days of school plays, Friday night football games with friends, and meeting at the flag pole every Wednesday to pray, along with the mosaic of all his school experiences are now behind him. Friday night he will walk across a stage with an honors sash around his neck and a diploma in his hand, ready to move on to more adventures and to make more memories. The time has seemingly evaporated into this day. I know living the life of a preacher's kid has not always been easy, but I also know it has not been boring or ordinary. And he, also, is neither boring nor ordinary. This life has prepared him to be able to take on what comes next. I am confident that he is ready. Soon will be his own apartment and his college days, and showing others Christ along the way.
And I'm sure there will be care packages full of Doritos and Spaghettios on the way! I love you Jarrett Skyler Self! Have the life you have!! ;) I will be nearby with a camera, as always!
Jarrett Self
Coalgate High School
Class of 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Church Buffet
I am writing this blog in response to a post written by a fellow pastor's wife. I think it speaks volumes on the Church in America. Here is her post, and my commentary follows:
"At our past church, my husband and our pastor did a three-month process to try to teach the body the missional idea of church. After three months of teaching, preaching, modeling, etc, the pastor had a dedication service for those who wanted to follow along. NO ONE went forward. Their idea was "well, thats for other people to do," or "I know we are supposed to do that, but I don't want to." etc. It was heartbreaking. I think for the last 30-40 years the church has taught that its important to "come to church, tithe, give, get your Sunday School pin, eat dinner on Wed night...and if you don't come to every event we have then you are a 'sorry' Christian." I think the church has done much damage to the body of Christ. We need to have a whole new way of thinking...We are trying to break from all of that tradition with our church plant, and missional ministry is in the DNA of our church. I think its easier to start with that mindset than try to change a current congregation. We (the church in America) have created a consumer Christian church - where people go and select cafeteria-style of the things they want to do or not want to do at church...and church has become the last resort thing to do if there is nothing better..."
What a sad commentary on the local Church...What's even more sad is that lady after lady commented that they are having the same experiences in their churches..Is this what Christ had in mind for His Bride? A bride is something beautiful. This depiction above is not a beautiful portrait. I LOVE idea that the staff wife above believes that The Church is NOT a cafeteria. We cannot "pick and choose" our church based on what we like and don't like, and then just sit there hoping not to be made uncomfortable!
This is an accurate picture of most churches today, and it is a sad one. What are we doing? What are you doing in YOUR local fellowship of believers?..Are you listening for God to speak? Or are you focused on your own wants from the non-doctrinal, non-essentials "buffet"?
Here is a list of a few "non-doctrinal non-essentials" in case you were wondering:
Style of worship
Choir? Or worship team?
Color of carpet
Worship service times
Do they use the hymnal or a screen?
Pastor's attire
Are the women wearing dresses?
Do they get out at noon?
Availability of parking
Do people there have tattoos? Or men with long hair?
I could go on with many more...SUCH AS:
That is a humorous rendering, but very accurate!
Here is a list of "ESSENTIALS" to look for in a Church:
Do they teach: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Christ was crucified for mankind and rose again.
Is the church missional?
Is the church focused OUTWARD, not INWARD?
Is the church loving and welcoming?
Do they teach sound doctrine?
Are they obedient to the Holy Spirit and follow the pastor's leadership?
Do they hold each other accountable to the higher calling of a Believer and live out the commands of scripture?
Are they focused on the Kingdom? Or the world?
Do they teach and LIVE THE TRUTH?
Are they eager to know Christ more?
Notice the first list is all about the PERSON attending and THEIR wants. The second list is all about HIM and what HE wants for us. True believers who are seeking Him and His Kingdom cannot focus inward on our own desires, but we must go where there is TRUTH being taught, where God is speaking, being heard, and where He is WORKING! A movie I recently watched said, "It's not about what God is calling you to DO, it's about what God is calling you to BE!" What are you BEING for Christ and His Kingdom?
Are you being Kingdom-centered? Or self-centered? I don't know about you, but I would rather be part of an EXTRAORDINARY church than an ordinary one! And I don't know of any extraordinary church that lives in the rut of comfort. We've all heard the question: "Are you allowing Him to use you?"..What kind of question IS that? Is that something we should even be asking? Giving God PERMISSION to use what belongs to Him?? We were created by Him to be used by Him. We are to be willing servants, just as Christ was. Not spoiled, demanding children who always want our way.
I was truly moved by something while watching "The Bible" series on the History Channel. The movie truly brought to life for me what Christ endured while he was here. SURELY He was uncomfortable while being tested in the desert...While being followed by mobs of people...While dealing with bewildered and foolish disciples...While he was exhausted...While being arrested, beaten, and tortured on a cross...A cross he told US to pick up and carry alongside Him. What do we think He meant by that? Do we think taking up our cross daily MIGHT NOT make us uncomfortable at times? Surely it should make us uncomfortable daily! How dare we complain about the mundane? If the pastor preaches a little too long so we miss the kickoff? If the temperature isn't just right in the sanctuary? And for the love of Pete, if someone is sitting in our seat?? Think of the missionaries who are sitting on the ground at the equator, introducing our humble Savior to people groups who are starving to hear the Good News and have never even CONSIDERED a hymn book or a padded pew to sit on. How can our pastors pour their hearts into messages week after week with no response at our altars? Have our hearts grown that cold and indifferent to the Holy Spirit because we are so focused on our own comfort? What have we become, Church of America? It should be enough to make us take an inventory of what is important. Don't be a church that does damage to the name of Christ! Be humble, be loving, be demanding only of the truth...I have news: The church isn't all about me. It isn't all about you. Don't lower the Church that Christ died for to no more than a choice on a buffet. What He has for us, if we will look beyond ourselves is a King's feast that we cannot even imagine. It's time, no, it's imperative that we expect more and demand more of our Christianity than a cheap, early-bird special. He certainly expects more. And I believe His heart is breaking at what He sees in America today.
"At our past church, my husband and our pastor did a three-month process to try to teach the body the missional idea of church. After three months of teaching, preaching, modeling, etc, the pastor had a dedication service for those who wanted to follow along. NO ONE went forward. Their idea was "well, thats for other people to do," or "I know we are supposed to do that, but I don't want to." etc. It was heartbreaking. I think for the last 30-40 years the church has taught that its important to "come to church, tithe, give, get your Sunday School pin, eat dinner on Wed night...and if you don't come to every event we have then you are a 'sorry' Christian." I think the church has done much damage to the body of Christ. We need to have a whole new way of thinking...We are trying to break from all of that tradition with our church plant, and missional ministry is in the DNA of our church. I think its easier to start with that mindset than try to change a current congregation. We (the church in America) have created a consumer Christian church - where people go and select cafeteria-style of the things they want to do or not want to do at church...and church has become the last resort thing to do if there is nothing better..."
What a sad commentary on the local Church...What's even more sad is that lady after lady commented that they are having the same experiences in their churches..Is this what Christ had in mind for His Bride? A bride is something beautiful. This depiction above is not a beautiful portrait. I LOVE idea that the staff wife above believes that The Church is NOT a cafeteria. We cannot "pick and choose" our church based on what we like and don't like, and then just sit there hoping not to be made uncomfortable!
This is an accurate picture of most churches today, and it is a sad one. What are we doing? What are you doing in YOUR local fellowship of believers?..Are you listening for God to speak? Or are you focused on your own wants from the non-doctrinal, non-essentials "buffet"?
Here is a list of a few "non-doctrinal non-essentials" in case you were wondering:
Style of worship
Choir? Or worship team?
Color of carpet
Worship service times
Do they use the hymnal or a screen?
Pastor's attire
Are the women wearing dresses?
Do they get out at noon?
Availability of parking
Do people there have tattoos? Or men with long hair?
I could go on with many more...SUCH AS:
That is a humorous rendering, but very accurate!
Here is a list of "ESSENTIALS" to look for in a Church:
Do they teach: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Christ was crucified for mankind and rose again.
Is the church missional?
Is the church focused OUTWARD, not INWARD?
Is the church loving and welcoming?
Do they teach sound doctrine?
Are they obedient to the Holy Spirit and follow the pastor's leadership?
Do they hold each other accountable to the higher calling of a Believer and live out the commands of scripture?
Are they focused on the Kingdom? Or the world?
Do they teach and LIVE THE TRUTH?
Are they eager to know Christ more?
Notice the first list is all about the PERSON attending and THEIR wants. The second list is all about HIM and what HE wants for us. True believers who are seeking Him and His Kingdom cannot focus inward on our own desires, but we must go where there is TRUTH being taught, where God is speaking, being heard, and where He is WORKING! A movie I recently watched said, "It's not about what God is calling you to DO, it's about what God is calling you to BE!" What are you BEING for Christ and His Kingdom?
Are you being Kingdom-centered? Or self-centered? I don't know about you, but I would rather be part of an EXTRAORDINARY church than an ordinary one! And I don't know of any extraordinary church that lives in the rut of comfort. We've all heard the question: "Are you allowing Him to use you?"..What kind of question IS that? Is that something we should even be asking? Giving God PERMISSION to use what belongs to Him?? We were created by Him to be used by Him. We are to be willing servants, just as Christ was. Not spoiled, demanding children who always want our way.
I was truly moved by something while watching "The Bible" series on the History Channel. The movie truly brought to life for me what Christ endured while he was here. SURELY He was uncomfortable while being tested in the desert...While being followed by mobs of people...While dealing with bewildered and foolish disciples...While he was exhausted...While being arrested, beaten, and tortured on a cross...A cross he told US to pick up and carry alongside Him. What do we think He meant by that? Do we think taking up our cross daily MIGHT NOT make us uncomfortable at times? Surely it should make us uncomfortable daily! How dare we complain about the mundane? If the pastor preaches a little too long so we miss the kickoff? If the temperature isn't just right in the sanctuary? And for the love of Pete, if someone is sitting in our seat?? Think of the missionaries who are sitting on the ground at the equator, introducing our humble Savior to people groups who are starving to hear the Good News and have never even CONSIDERED a hymn book or a padded pew to sit on. How can our pastors pour their hearts into messages week after week with no response at our altars? Have our hearts grown that cold and indifferent to the Holy Spirit because we are so focused on our own comfort? What have we become, Church of America? It should be enough to make us take an inventory of what is important. Don't be a church that does damage to the name of Christ! Be humble, be loving, be demanding only of the truth...I have news: The church isn't all about me. It isn't all about you. Don't lower the Church that Christ died for to no more than a choice on a buffet. What He has for us, if we will look beyond ourselves is a King's feast that we cannot even imagine. It's time, no, it's imperative that we expect more and demand more of our Christianity than a cheap, early-bird special. He certainly expects more. And I believe His heart is breaking at what He sees in America today.
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