He loves us like that!

I recently watched a movie called “The Danish Girl.” Set in the 18th century it is the story of a struggling young painter, married to a semi-successful painter for six years. The two are madly in love. He hates going to parties as he is shy and always feels awkward and out of place. One night she reveals a beautiful new nightgown she has purchased, and he likes it so much he decides to try it on. Putting on the gown awakens or stirs something him and things begin to take a turn in their relationship. Thinking it to be a game, she suggests he dress as a female to attend a party she has been invited to. They decide to name him, Lili and to tell everyone he is his own cousin visiting. In the midst of this, the wife has been rejected time and time again by art dealers telling her that her work is just not evolved enough. Soon after the party she begins painting portraits of “Lili,” as she does her husband begins to discover that playing dress up as “Lili” is not enough, he wants to become Lili, permanently. As her portraits of “Lili,” began to gain attention, giving her the exposure and fame she has always wanted, “Lili” begins to take over her husband, who remembering his past, has now realized he has always wanted to be a woman. Now let me get to my point quickly before I lose everyone! In the midst of their discoveries, one thing does NOT change…their love for one another, especially that of the wife for her husband, who is now becoming a woman before her very eyes. Though he cheats on her with a man, changes the way he is affectionate toward her, and constantly let’s her down, she loves him anyway! She never leaves his side and even decides to support his decision to become something she does not want him to be. She tries everything to save her marriage, taking him to several doctors and therapist, who only want to imprison him, thinking he’s mad. She even tries getting him shock treatments. When nothing works, she just…loves him...through it all. Though she has the opportunity she never cheats on him and never cuts ties with him, she is with him the day he completes the surgery, the very first of its kind, to become a woman, physically. She is with him the day he dies from complications. This story (based on a true one) does not have a happy ending per say, but it make me think of how much Jesus loves us! Though we make decisions that He doesn’t want us to, though we “cheat” on Him, putting ourselves and others before Him, though we disappoint Him, despite our past…HE LOVES US! Just like the wife in “The Danish Girl,” Jesus will never leave our side; HE will always be there to love us through whatever we may be facing. He loves us like that, more than that! Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Think about it! Really….Think about it!

You have been warned!

The Surgeon General warns against use of cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, these products cause cancer, chronic bronchitis, and liver disease among other illnesses. The FDA warns against prescription drugs, many can cause depression, and blindness, among other issues. The makers of new pills and treatments often follow their commercials with warnings that their new products may cause your illness to worsen. Why is it then with so many warning that “we” continue to trust these products, and continue to consume them hoping for the best results? I think it is because faith in the product’s ability to help outweighs the warnings, at least in our minds. When it comes to life and death, the Bible warns against: Idolatry 1 John 5:20-21 NKJV “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” When it comes to life and death, the Bible warns against: Sin Matthew 5:29-30 (NKJV) “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Despite these biblical warnings, (and there are many more); many still worship/idolize their cell phone or Facebook page more than Jesus. Many also continue to live riotously on a daily basis with no concern for their soul’s eternal home. Like any warning that is ignored there are consequences…hence the commercials with the fast talker or fine print at the end. Here’s the fine print: Romans 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You have been warned. Think about it!

Beware of what's beneath!

Recently saw a post on FACEBOOK about a man who claims to have been dating a woman he had fallen in love with. He says he loved everything about her, her personality, looks and intelligence. The post went on to say that after they had been dating a while the woman showed up at the man’s house without make up. He described her has having bad skin and said that her make-up had hidden the truth from him. He says that he instantly fell out of love with her upon seeing the face she had been “hiding under the makeup,” claiming “false advertisement.” First, I want to say that I think it is ridiculous that this so called man, (the whole story could be fabricated, you know the internet) to say that he instantly fell out of love with someone he claimed to be madly in love with for more than just her looks. If he truly loved her for who she was why did her skin condition make such a big difference? Of course the question on the post for discussion was, “Was he being superficial or was she being dishonest?” Second, let me say that I don’t think using make-up to cover a skin condition is dishonest. Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best, most of all who doesn’t know that society accepts “pretty people,” much easier than they do those with (for lack of a better word) unattractive looks. The post of course is debatable and that is not what I want to talk about. (You know me; I saw something deeper in this post) I want to talk about what lies beneath the surface of our being…our hearts. See you can dress up and look beautiful day in and day out but if you have an ugly, dirty, sinful heart, you could end up finding yourself rejected by someone, you don’t want to be rejected by…God. I’m talking about Jesus Christ! It is easy to hide behind polite smiles, cordial conversations and even good deeds, but has your heart been converted to the things of Jesus? Are you living in the truth of His word without dressing up only the parts you want to adhere to? I don’t blame anyone male or female for making themselves look nice or feel more comfortable by dressing up their outer flaws. Shoot, I do it myself! But I do have an issue with those who harbor hatred for others and mascaraed as Christians. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Think about it.