Jesus

Dwelling of God

September 20, 2023 by bonniejmartin Leave a Comment

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

This passage is sitting and expanding in my mind and heart. Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, the church living in the middle of an immoral city. The church that is young and far removed from the origins of the Savior they worship. The church that has been given grace and peace and every spiritual blessing. The church that is full of members that were aliens and strangers to the ancestral family of the Savior. The church that has an inheritance of belonging to the family of the Savior, adopted by God Himself. The church that is being built into a dwelling of God.

That right there gets me in the pit of my stomach. And the aching neck and shoulder as I type this. Inside the vessels we have been given to spend our time on earth, resides more than we know or understand. But yet I treat this vessel hard. I am not always honoring the inheritance given to me, through the blood and tears of Christ. The inheritance is invaluable. But yet I disregard what is being built in me. Some may say I even abuse this dwelling place.

Isn’t that what was happening in Ephesus? Was that the example of what not to do for those living in that city? And the immorality wasn’t the only corruption happening. It isn’t the only corruption happening in our modern times.

I sit at a desk for a living. My body is capable of moving. I make a choice to be sedentary.

My food choices are less than healthy. I make the choice to eat the food I eat.

The little black device that literally goes with me everywhere. I choose to pick it up and mindlessly scroll through countless reels and posts.

The anger that rises up in me over inconsequential circumstances depletes my joy. I allow it. My choice.

Jealousy forces me into idolatry. Or is it idolatry that forces me into jealousy? Both and neither. I choose to allow my mind to be consumed so that my heart longs for something other than God.

I sit in a pew Sunday morning. I get up and leave and have done nothing but occupy space and gained knowledge without action. How is that being an active participant in what is being built into a dwelling of God?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Of all the above, it is available to me to choose my response to gifts and treatment of time and resources.

I get to choose action over allowing my body to become stiff and ache from lack of movement.

I get to choose food that will give me energy to be able to move.

I get to choose to lay the black device down. Frees up time for the good stuff.

I get to choose to be angry without allowing it to steal my joy. I will still be angry because, well, you know. But my response can be better, not bitter. I can use it to do good.

I get to enjoy what is not mine without wanting it for myself. I can be thankful for what I have and for what others have. The abundance given to me already far surpasses anything I could need.

I get to sit in that pew. I also get to be a willing participant in being the church, not just sitting in it. There is something for everyone to do and everyone gets to do something. We just have to choose.

The offer is on the table. The dwelling is being built. Will you join?

Celebrate the Resurrection

April 12, 2020 by bonniejmartin Leave a Comment

Friday evening before the sun set, Joseph took the body of Jesus and placed that body in a tomb. He placed a large stone in front of it.

Guards stood by that sealed tomb to make sure no one stole that body. Futile job!

Then the Sabbath rest.

On the third day, Mary and Mary went early to the grave. They found that large stone rolled away and a frightening angel telling them to not be afraid. The guards were way beyond frightened.

That angel gave them news to share. Then and there those women became the very first missionaries of the gospel message. Good news was shared that the grave had been conquered and death was no more for the risen Savior.

Today we celebrate the risen Savior. Celebrations confined in social distancing shouldn’t be hidden and hoarded but shared. Celebrating our risen Savior should be shouted aloud. HE IS RISEN! He defeated the grave and is alive for me!

We may share this amazing, grace-filled, merciful moment in many ways.

I remember my grandmother coming to visit. Her visits always brought loads of candy. This is one thing I remember about childhood celebrations!

I remember sharing egg-hunts. As a young mother, I enjoyed sharing the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus with children as they waited for the eggs to be hidden.

I remember my children coming to show me how many eggs they had found.

I remember dressing up in clothes I really didn’t want to wear!

I remember food and fun and gatherings.

This year looks a little different. This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior with fewer things that may take our eyes off Him.

This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior because HE IS RISEN!

Who, on Friday, defeated sin. Who, on Friday, told that thief on another cross that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Who, on Friday, stayed on that cross until it was finished. Who, on Friday, completed a job that only He could do. Who, on Friday, provided my redemption from sin.

Joyous, glorious Resurrection Day to you!

Focus

March 25, 2018 by bonniejmartin Leave a Comment

The manual focus setting on my camera rarely gets used. I just don’t trust my eyes to capture a clear photo. As I have gotten a little more mature (clearing my throat saying older!) my vision just isn’t as clear as it used to be, even with corrective lenses. So that automatic focusing comes in handy. But it doesn’t push me to excellence.

Lately, I have struggled to truly focus on what really matters. Life seems to roll on at an ever-maddening pace and drags me along. Bumps and bruises and ugly gashes scar me up from being bounced around on the asphalt of life. And with each hard bounce my focus is altered. Those potholes can get really deep. My auto-focus needs an adjustment.

Shaking my head to clear thoughts doesn’t help. I have tried. Just causes my brain to rattle around leaving behind a headache.

Having a “little” snack doesn’t help. I have tried. Just adds extra weight to consume a little more of my focus.

Getting on social media doesn’t help. I have tried. A complete discombobulation of focus!

This lack of focus can cause me to doubt my sanity among many other things! I begin to doubt my worth. I begin to doubt my God-given abilities. I begin to doubt my faith. I begin to doubt those who love me. I even doubt God in the midst of deep turmoil.

Not only does it leave me bruised and beaten but it blurs the lines of truth.

So I flip the switch to manual focus. I get to choose the shot.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 (NKJV)

Purposefully, placing the viewfinder against my right eye, standing steady and sure, elbows tucked in at my ribs, left hand supporting the weight of the camera, left fingers gently adjusting the focus ring, right eye judging the subject, right index finger on ready to capture the shot. Still. No wavering. Squeezing ever-so slightly with my right hand. One jerk could leave the shot blurred.

Even in the midst of chaos, there exists details. Sometimes you have to get real still and quiet to focus on them, but they are there. It takes practice to notice them when you are moving. That’s a lesson I need to learn!

But when the truth comes into focus, reality reminds that Jesus is just a call away. And He always answers. He brings clarity and calm in chaos. He doesn’t cause me to bounce around like a bobble-head. He never changes. He is security. There is no risk in Him. He always provides clear shots. No blurring of lines with Him. He gives focus.