Puzzles Without Frames

I like working Jigsaw puzzles. Analyzing the edges of each piece and that feeling when the pieces fit together – so wonderful. Then to see a whole picture come together piece by piece; utter glee. All puzzle people know to get a good start you need the corners and borders in place first. Even in life, I do well living on the edge where most don’t but all of us, at some point, need and depend on borders, markers, or signposts leading us in the right direction. We need them to provide a sense of security. We want frames for our lives.

Life doesn’t always give us a frame to navigate in or build our puzzles inside.  In fact, Jesus told us we would have trouble and sometimes need peace that passes the framework of our understanding. 

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

The Bible also tells us to seek God for wisdom, to let Him make our paths straight, to let Him guide us…. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

But humans hunger for the tangible, the visual, and the security of the physical borders.  Trusting in God is something Jesus tried to teach the disciples as well. Remember Peter in the boat?  Jesus asked him to step out of the visual, physical, and into the unimaginable and walk on water.  He asked him to go somewhere without borders.  Go, in faith. Go, with God.

Here is that story of Peter’s faith adventure:  Walking on Water Matthew 14 (NIV)

“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Do not fear."

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

How many of us want change but when change comes we freak out and want our familiar borders back?   That is our, oh so familiar, little faith talking. But, as we’ve been told by the Almighty himself, just a little faith is all that’s needed.  Just like Peter walking on water, it was his little faith that provided the spiritual frame work he needed to step out of the boat.

Here’s a video of someone that also had to trust God’s leading as he also walked on water: https://youtu.be/O5AVORrDRvY

Looking at Jesus’ words, “oh you of little faith” we could interpret this as a scolding but what if we hear it as a comfort and encouragement?  After all, if we have the faith the size of a mustard seed, it’s enough Jesus tells us in Luke 17:6. By reminding us of our little faith could He be reminding us it’s all we need? How does that change our fear level or our willingness to keep going. For me it is inspiring.    

In the account of walking on water we also hear Jesus tell his friends not to fear.  Right!?  There’s a storm on the water and this crazy preacher you’ve been hanging out with comes walking on the water to greet you and you’re supposed to not be afraid.  Of course we would be afraid.  Your spouse cheats on you and leaves, of course we would be afraid.  We lose our job, of course we would be afraid. A loved one becomes very ill, of course we would be afraid.  Our child runs away, of course we would be afraid.

In the middle of these types of life events it’s ok to scream and cry and tell God we are scared.  It’s ok to feel the “boggle” of the meaning behind the storm, like Peter did, and let go.  Jesus is right there to pick us up and hold us, and put us back on the right path.  To see ourselves walking on water and to know the struggle of the waves in the storm gives us perspective of life with God and death without him we wouldn’t have without experiencing both.   It readies us for the next time.  And that’s when we hold on longer than we did before, because of our growing faith. To be afraid is ok, to allow fear to rule your life is what Jesus warned the disciples not to give into.

In the end, Peter fell into the water and cried out to Christ Jesus for help. Even though in this passage Jesus speaks two phrases about faith and doubt, seemingly spoken at the same time and linked as opposites, what if they are two distinct thoughts? Let me re-phrase Jesus’ words and see if we can get another view of walking on water:

“Ok, fine, be afraid because this looks weird but it’s me Peter and you know me,

so do not let fear take over.  Peter, your small amount of faith brought you

 out of the boat and you began walking to me, why did you let doubt in to your mind?

The power you couldn’t see or even feel beneath your feet was me;

your friend and your God, holding it all together and

holding you on the water. Here. take my hand.”

“We can care deeply about those we know but that empathy rarely extends beyond our line of sight.”  This is a line from the movie, “Interstellar”. We could say the same thing our trust levels as if to say, “We can trust firmly in what we know but that trust rarely extends beyond our line of sight.” Christ sees beyond His line of sight, beyond any frame, into what the Father sees. (John 5:19). This is our goal, to be Christ-like and stop relying on the frames of this world and our limited knowledge. This means we need to get a different method of solving life’s puzzles.

The idea for this blog came from a story I heard in 2015 when a mother recounted watching her young son begin to put puzzles together without a frame.  It was the moment she realized he had a remarkable mind. I love that picture and imagined God watching us with our puzzles and smiling as He too watches our minds being transformed into a Christ-like state.

I believe it is uncharacteristic of God to expect us to walk on water, all the way back to the shore, our first time out of the boat. He understands our frailty better than we do. So, when we are sinking and battered by the waves, why do we beat ourselves up as if we’ve failed?  Isn’t that what Satan wants us to believe? He is the one who starts the fear in us but casting doubt of our acceptability to God and we believe the lie that we have failed. Jesus asked Peter, “Why do you doubt?”  This is the root question that forces us puzzle people to want the frame of life before the center is filled in. g And Weaving

God Clothing PeopleFlowers

We humans are afraid of the unknown. It is what allows doubt through the door. Remarkably, we believe the lie that it is the unknown at work.  This is the thing we are afraid of not knowing – our future, our next move, our feelings, our fate, our path … However, it is not unknown because we are not dealing with the unknown.  We are dealing with God and He is not unknown but known.  We know Him. He is our savior, our Lord, our God, our comforter, our guide, our advocate, and our friend. His hand is always there.  He is our border and the frame in which our puzzles can be pieced together. 

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:13

Click here to watch this video about how fear is common amongst humans and we need help: https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video;_ylt=A2KIo9b9o91XuAkAElP7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTBncGdyMzQ0BHNlYwNzZWFyY2gEdnRpZAM-;_ylc=X1MDOTY3ODEzMDcEX3IDMgRiY2sDMWttbG0zaGJvOG85ZSUyNmIlM0Q0JTI2ZCUzRFRHNHhub0JwWUVMTXV4SG1ncDNMd1hIWnhaN0M5TGRLOU55a3VRLS0lMjZzJTNEODclMjZpJTNEMmFTVWVNejNzMm1WLnNXUHJRMWQEZnIDb3BlbnNlYXJjaARncHJpZAN5aDRENDFmR1FTaVpiaHdXSEVVdXBBBG10ZXN0aWQDbnVsbARuX3JzbHQDNjAEbl9zdWdnAzAEb3JpZ2luA3ZpZGVvLnNlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20EcG9zAzAEcHFzdHIDBHBxc3RybAMEcXN0cmwDMTQEcXVlcnkDcGVvcGxlIGluIGZlYXIEdF9zdG1wAzE0NzQxNDMyNTMEdnRlc3RpZANudWxs?gprid=yh4D41fGQSiZbhwWHEUupA&pvid=sKUrGTYzLjIaWrYcV4RhLg2uMTA4LgAAAAC3h.2g&p=people+in+fear&ei=UTF-8&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av%2Cm%3Asa&fr=opensearch#id=66&vid=1aaf87b0355df90b2441cf0db391a2ab&action=view

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Jesus, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for asking me to join you on the water and experience full faith but I have to say I am afraid.  I have faith in you but not have faith in my ability to withstand the waves.  Please take my hand.  You have promised that I will not drown. So, today I declare I will not give into to fear or doubt. Forgive me for the times I did. Forgive me for believing the lies that the unknown is a reality.  You know what is next and I know you. That is all I need. Help me to hold on to the truth that - that is all I need.  My faith is small but it is alive. My faith is in You. Hold my hand and save me.

ibe·lieve

To believe is defined as the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with certainty. When it comes to our spiritual life, believing is at the core of any religion or faith-based system.

Every religion also has a "moral code" which is a set of beliefs about how humans should act. Each religion usually has their own type of "acts of devotions" when people worship or pray. In December of 2009 I read an article based on a survey of Americans that reported many Americans like the mix and match build your own approach to their faith. It also reported that large numbers of Christians attend Services of traditions other than their own and blend Christianity with Eastern and new age beliefs. So, is this a problem?

http://friendshipchristianchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Relgions-a-comparison.gif

This photo shows President Obama and secretary Clinton at a Buddhist temple making an offering to Buddha but they both claim to have the belief system of Christianity. Years ago I attended a yoga class in which the Eastern religion affiliated with this form of exercise was prominent.

We’re we worshipping other gods in these acts? The only one that knows the answer to that question is God. He judges the hearts of men, beyond their actions. I can say for myself, during the yoga class, I was purposefully attentive to the instructor’s words and cautious when she spoke of the Eastern religion instructions and the meanings of each movement. I purposed to focus my mind and my heart on my God. I hope God was pleased with my Worship to him alone even though I was engaged in an activity from another religion. Perhaps Obama and Clinton we're doing the same; we don't know.

Other religions can offer wonderful enhancements to our Christianity and our walk of faith. Most other religions have more formalities, celebrations and liturgical acts that can bring about a deeper sense of reverence and worship. Some of these acts might include lighting a candle, holding prayer beads, strictly honoring the Sabbath, knelling, designated prayer times, recitation of verses or declarations of faith and offerings. Personally, I do not see anything wrong with taking information and practices from other religions and applying it to my faith if it brings me closer to my God. The problem for Christians occurs when we put our faith in these acts and assign power to another deity. 

There are a couple of group of believers called Jews for Jesus and Messianic Jews. They observe many of the Jewish holidays and keep Jewish traditions alive in their homes, while also professing their faith in Jesus. Because Judaism is also a culture and a lineage, these Jews for Jesus enjoy the practices found in the Jewish faith. This does not diminish their faith in Christ; it enhances it.

In today’s Western society we really do have the “playlist” mentality and the tendency to personalize our spiritual lives just like we personalize our iPhones. Scott Thumma, a psychologist from the Hartford Institute of Religion Research, stated in the article from 2009 that pop culture and the internet are probably more powerful teachers about religion then Sunday school teachers ever were. He also states that many Christians believe in astrology, reincarnation, mysticism, the spiritual power of nature and the power of crystals. He also states that Western Christians have shown a tendency to take what they need from each religion and leaving the rest behind.

"Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success."
-Swami Sivananda

Although in Christianity we do have some basic rules to follow, it is more about having a relationship with God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 reads, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”   Could the sight of President Obama cause fellow Christian to engage in practices found in Buddhism and lead them astray? Perhaps. With this freedom in Christianity also comes some responsibility. We are also told in 1^st Corinthians 8 to practice our faith in such a way as to not cause a brother to stumble:

"In this matter, then, of eating meat which has been offered to idols, knowledge tells us that no idol has any real existence, and that there is no God but one. For though there are other gods both in heaven and earth, to us there is only one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and for who we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom everything exists, and by whom we ourselves are alive. But this knowledge of ours is not shared by all men. For some, who until now have been used to idols, eat the meat as meat really sacrificed to a god, and their delicate conscience is thereby injured. Now our acceptance of God is not a matter of meat. If we eat it, that does not make us better men, nor are we the worse if we do not eat it. You must be careful that your freedom to eat meat does not in any way hinder anyone whose faith is not like yours. Surely you would not want your faith to bring spiritual disaster to a brother for whom Christ died? And when you sin like this and damage the consciences of your brethren you really sin against Christ.

This makes me determined that, if there is any possibility of meat injuring my brother,

I will have none of it as long as I live, for fear I might do him harm.” 

(The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips.

Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.)

I am the LORD, that is My name;

Do not give My glory to another,  

Nor My praise to graven images”

Isaiah 42:8

Christians should show care when exploring practices of other religions as we are to “do all the glory of God”.  There is a fine line for offering worship to any image of a deity or creature that we should offer only to the Lord our God. But the spiritual importance of this caution extends much further to include all kinds of superstition such as astrology, crystals, dream catchers, crossing fingers, or carrying a rabbits foot for good luck etc. Lastly, we should be mindful that other gods and other powers do exist.  Do not let Satan fool you into thinking there is no power and these practices from other religions are harmless.  They do have power.  Our freedom comes from only using the power of God through the Holy Spirit and our purity of worship lies in not having any other god before Him.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,

out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol,

or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath

or in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:2-3

"Let there be no strange god among you;

Nor shall you worship any foreign god”  Psalm 81:9

As Christians, we know that there are varied ways of practicing our Christ based faith.  These are not different religions, but are called denominations such as Methodist, Four Square, Presbyterian, Catholics, Lutheran, and most Non-Denominational Churches. Denominations may also have different ways of practicing faith but at their core, God is the same.   Finding a home church or denomination is simply finding other people who enjoy practicing their faith in the same manner. God wants our hearts to love Him, our minds to be set on things of His kingdom and our souls be dedicated to Him and Him alone. If we do that, our iBelieve practices can be a range of options.

Our Prayer

God, I love you and long to have a deep relationship with you.  I know if I put my trust in you I will find ways to express my devotion, even if the practices come from outside sources. Look at my heart as I strive to please you with my life. Protect me from slipping into worshipping anything else but you and remind me not to judge others as they find their own ways of worship. Today I dedicate my faith to you and say, iBelieve.

Click here to see a music video “God, you are my God” https://youtu.be/UJj1TGdpSmY   With lyrics: https://youtu.be/EP7w5rdees8

Bonus Challenge: The Illuminated Soul

Read these verses below taken from other religions and find the matching verse in the Christian’s Bible

- “A little bit of light dispels alot of darkness” Rabbi Schneur Zalman (Juddism)
- “A spiritually illumined soul lives in the world, yet is never contaminated by it.” Swami Bhaskarananda (Hinduism)
- “Indeed, My lord is the hearer of supplication” The Quran 14:30 (Islam)
- “If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.”  Śāntideva  (Buddism)
- “To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.” (Confucianism)  

 You can see my answers at my website : www.simplycindyrowe.com

Why So Downcast?

My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”  My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?

Sadness and despair.  We have all felt these emotions. Some have even spoken (or cried) the words above. But why?  Aren’t we loved by God and promise an abundant life?  Yes!  Then, why so downcast, Oh my soul? 

I’ll tell you why…. Because right now I feel horrible, betrayed, lonely, frightened, unsure and oh so emotional, like I can’t control it and I may lose my mind at any moment!!!

This probably isn’t any comfort but you are not the first to experience this situation.  The words above were written by King David in various Psalms. He also penned these words:

But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?

We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.

Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me?

Even David took to blaming God on his misery.  And haven’t we all at some time in our lives? After all, He is God and He could fix this right away.  He must hold me in contempt because he hasn’t fixed, right?  NO…

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to just get through it. This is not because we deserve it or He lacks love for us.  It’s just life. I even posted a phrase on Facebook recently that speaks to this topic -  “God won’t give you more than you can handle – So apparently, God thinks I’m a Bad-Ass”.  True… God even uses those horrible and upsetting situations we face for His good purposes…. Romans 8:31 reads, “We know that God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to His purposes.”  If you’re in the midst of it, this still probably isn’t a comfort, but one day it will be.

While we struggle to keep our minds intact, we can know that God does hear our cries and the mourning of our hearts. So we can come to Him and cry out for His help as we go through the hard time. Top of Form

1st John 5:14 reads, “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.”  But that is the rub, right… according to His will.  We may be praying something like -  “Please just stop this agony!!”  But God is more interested in building our faith, strengthening our hope and encouraging our souls to seek Him rather than our instant relief of circumstances. Ultimately, it’s what we want too if we knew all and could see how our newly built strength will come in handy later in life.

David came to this same conclusion as well and he wrote this Psalm:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

Trusting in God for His purposes is something Jesus taught the disciples when they asked Him to teach them to pray.  His words from Matthew 6 were, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Like us, Jesus was not spared the downcast soul either. He also had to submit his difficult circumstances to God the Father and do “His Will”.  The night before Jesus was arrested He went to pray and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two others with Him when He was suddenly overwhelmed with heartache.  He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”    He went a little further beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” (from Matthew 26)

“He says, Be still,

and know that I am God”   

Psalm 46

We may not be able to avoid the attacks of Satan, but we can control our response. Seek God, pray, cry out and scream if you need to. Prayers, as David has demonstrated, do not have to be pretty or poetic!!  Continue to walk under God’s direction and He will provide an answer, strength, and comfort.  Above all, follow the example of Jesus and say to your downcast soul, God’s will be done.

Pause now to watch this music video “Thy Will”

by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family 

http://www.cmt.com/videos/hillary-scott-the-scott-family/1421667/thy-will.jhtml#id

Our Prayer

Whether I can see the love you have for me in my present circumstances, I believe and hold on to hope found in my faith in you!  I declare today that I love you and I declare that you love me. Help me get through this time of trial and build my strength of mind, body, and heal me deep within my soul. I need you every minute ~ even when I sleep. With a heavy heart I say, I pray… Thy Will Be Done.