No Condemnation

I've been studying the book of First John.  The other day as I was pondering what it means to "walk in the light."  I was reminded of Romans 8:1.  The part that I remembered was this "who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  When, however, I turned to Romans 8:1, what I read astounded me:  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."  Stop. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  That's the important part!  When we're in Christ, there is no condemnation!

I remember a lady that I studied with in New England asked me about this verse.  "How do I walk according to the Spirit?"  I'm sure that my answer now would be different from the answer I gave then.  I think we often focus on the last part of the verse.  How do I walk according to the spirit?  What do I have to do? How do I not walk according to the flesh? What should I not do? What must I do to be saved? We breeze past the first part of the verse.  There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  This is wonderful news!  When I'm in Christ, I am not condemned.  Ephesians chapter one declares all the benefits we have when we're in Christ.  In Him, we have redemption through His blood.  In Him, we have the forgiveness of sins.  In Him, we have obtained an inheritance.  In Him, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit.  When we're in Christ, the Holy Spirit causes us to walk according to the Spirit.  Daily coming to the cross and accepting what Christ has done and is doing on our behalf--that's the part worth focusing on.     

In God's Presence

Davis* is a nine year old boy who has been coming to the Saturday morning children's breakfast program and also the children's groups we have in our center.  He had the experience a couple weeks ago of accepting Jesus in to his heart.  Right now on Wednesdays we are having a children's cooking class in our center.  The first evening I was driving 3 of the kids home with Miriam, another one of the missionaries.  In the backseat was Davis, his sister Sarah,* and her friend, Emma.*  As we were driving along, Sarah cursed.  "That d*** car..."  Davis responded with authority in his voice, "You shouldn't swear, Sarah, because we're in the presence of God."  I was astounded at this declaration!  "No we're not!" Sarah retorted.  I agreed with Davis, "He's right, Sarah.  God is always with us, that makes us in His presence."  Davis again reiterated, "Yeah, we are in His presence."

* * *

What about us?  Do we live in the presence of God?  Do we daily take hold of Jesus by faith?  Do we invite the Holy Spirit to come and dwell within us, equipping us for whatever life throws at our way?  

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:2, 3

*not their real names

God is Love

It continues to fall from the sky, making the bushes outside look like cupcakes with white, fluffy frosting piled high.  Another snow storm affords me an opportunity to share a story.

* * *

I met Mary* in the summertime.  My ministry partner and I were helping out another lady in town and she gave Mary our number.  After visiting with her we found out that she needed some things for herself and her little son.  We called some church members from the SDA church 11 blocks away from our center.  (This church is on the West End, a more affluent part of the city.)  This was the extent of our relationship for the past few months; we would sporadically visit her, or she would call needing diapers--and we would find people to donate them.  It was right before Christmas when we stopped by to visit.  As we were visiting, we found out that she didn't have any Christmas presents for her son.  My ministry partner said, "Why didn't you tell us?"  She responded, "I don't really know what all you's guys do!"  After ascertaining what kind of present the little boy would enjoy, we promised to share with her the services that we offer when we came back in the new year.  That sounded good to her so we said good bye and left. 

* * *

We sat inside Mary's small but inviting living room, joined by her mother and little son.  I began to share what we as Simplicity do, and handed her a page with all the services we offer at our community center or in the home.  Things like our children's breakfast program (offered Saturday mornings, stories on that coming soon), children and youth Bible study groups, job search assistance, health consultations, community worship on Wednesdays and Saturdays, super-couponing, personal and group Bible studies, etc.  As I was sharing, Mary kept her head down, looking at the paper.  All at once, her head shot up, she interrupted me and said, "I want personal Bible studies."  I paused, a little taken aback at this sudden declaration. I smiled a big grin, "I'd love to study the Bible with you!"  I explained that we could pick a time during the week and sit down and study together.  I asked her if there was any topic she was particularly interested in studying or wanted to know about.  She was silent for a few moments.  I thought she was going to say "I don't know," but instead, after pondering it, said "What God thinks about suicide?  I know the Bible says from "dust to dust" but is there more?"  Wow. I thought.  What a question!  "Yes, we can take a look at and see what the Bible says about that."  Her mom also interjected it would be good to study about topics like guilt and shame.  After we wrapped up with prayer, Mary's mom said "Mary's son passed away six years ago next Wednesday, so she's gonna need some extra hugs that day."  Hmm, I thought, This is starting to come together.

* * *

I thought and prayed how to address this topic.  What do you say to a person whose loved one has committed suicide?  I decided to start by putting God's heart on display.  When we can fully see God's heart for who He is, then we can fully trust Him.  To that end, I've begun the three studies that Mary and I have had so far with these three profound words found in 1 John 4:8:  God is love.  God is love; therefore He sent His son, Jesus to die for us.  God is love; therefore we've been justified by faith and have peace with God!  God is love; therefore we can have assurance of salvation and rest totally in Him.  In our first study together, I learned that Mary's son did indeed commit suicide six years ago.  God is love; therefore we can trust Him fully with the hearts of others.  God is love; therefore He overlooks in our ignorance.  God is love; therefore He binds up our wounds.  God is love.   

*not her real name

The Mighty Movement

The snow is falling outside in in fine, steady flakes.  We don't have to go in today, he said.  In where?  For the past 10 months I have been an urban missionary in a city in Pennsylvania.  Why the city?  Well, there is a lot of counsel in the Bible and Ellen White about how the cities should be worked.  In short,

The work in the cities is the essential work for this time, and is now to be taken hold of in faith.  When the cities are worked as God would have them, the result will be the setting in operation of a mighty movement such as we have not yet witnessed (MM331.3).

This begs the question, have we seen a mighty movement?  I would boldly claim that we have not.  What, then, can we deduce from the above statement?  Yes, that the cities are not being worked as God would have them. Most times when ministry is done, it is compartmentalized.  There are many good summer colporteur programs, great Bible work opportunities, and medical mission trips aplenty.  We know how to do it--separately.  But what would happen if they all worked together as a cohesive unit?  This is what Ellen White and the Apostle Paul suggest and frankly how Jesus ministered.  The city mission I'm involved with is testing this out--combining Bible work, colporteur ministry, welfare ministry, and medical missionary work*.  There is great power in combining them together--and I have witnessed it happening.  Stay tuned for some stories of my experiences here!  

If you'd like to know more, you can listen here to our director speak on audioverse or go here to see some research done in Ellen White's writings, as well as Elder Ted Wilson's dissertation on the subject in New York City.

* Let me just say that the term medical missionary is much broader than many understand.  It is related to Christian help work, welfare ministry, natural remedies, etc.  Feel free to listen and see the above links for a more in depth explanation. 

Better than a New Year

Happy New Year! Speaking of "new," there's a promise in the Bible, and we don't even have to wait for a "new year" to claim it! Lamentations 3:21-23.

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

Pause! Stop reading! Think.

Did you hear what you just read? Oftentimes, we read through Scripture but fail to actually grasp what it is saying! This I recall to my mind. In other words, when I remember this. When I recollect this. When I dwell upon this. I have hope!  

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, 
Because His compassions fail not.

This is what we can recall in order to have hope!  His mercies.  His compassions.  Dictionary.com defines "compassion" as "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." And yet, they do not fail.  How many times have people failed us? What a picture of God! What a wondrous remembrance, especially when tempted to be discouraged. 

They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. 

Those mercies?  Those compassions? They are new every morning. 

We may be daily learning more of our heavenly Father, gaining a fresh experience of His grace; then we shall desire to speak of His love; and as we do this, our own hearts will be warmed and encouraged. If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and less of self, we should have far more of His presence (SC 101.3). 

So, not only is today a new year, it is a new day.  It is a new day to gain "a fresh experience of His grace."  It is a new day to recall His goodness towards us.  His mercies, which keep us alive.  His compassions, for "He remembers that we are dust."  It is a new day to have hope.  And you know what?  Tomorrow is a new day, too.  And tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.

This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
Through the LORD'S Mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Excelsior

I've wanted to take a picture of this avenue sign for forever.  Once I was on my way by and I had my camera with me and thought, Perfect! I'll take a picture of it now!  But a lady was in her front yard right next to the sign letting her dog go to the bathroom.  I drove by and turned around, but she was still there.  So a couple evenings ago on my way by I snatched a picture with my phone.  I thought today would be an appropriate day to publish it.

Happy birthday, Excelsior!!

Seven Secrets

Christy has inspired me to share the joys of the delicious food that I have been experiencing.  (Though my pictures will not be as nice as hers as they were taken from my cell phone).  I have come across the most amazing cookbook.  Everything I have made from it has been stellar.  And vegan.  And oil-less.  I am in love.  It's called "Seven Secrets Cookbook".  If you don't have it, you need it!  So here are some pictures and my reviews of the recipes.

This is the first recipe I tried.  "Basic Cream Sauce," made with cashews, over brown rice, asparagus, mushrooms, and red peppers:

Wow.  Who would have thought that cream sauce made from cashews would taste so good?  I have made this sauce many times since.

Biscuits and gravy.  The above cashew cream sauce with "Veggie Cutlets" over biscuits, made from "Cobbler Crust" (not sweet):

 I believe "party in my mouth" were the words I texted to Lorrie when I was eating this!

Here are the "Veggie Cutlets" after they were baked.  They are very versatile, as you can imagine!  (The main ingredient is garbanzos!)" 

They freeze very well, to be pulled out at a moment's notice!

Here is one pizza I made with "Simple Cheese Sauce" swirled with tomato sauce, with mushrooms and marinated artichokes on top:

Another pizza with the "Cobbler Crust," with the addition of garlic and oregano in the crust.  This time the cheese sauce is the sauce from "Macaroni and Cheese," swirled with tomato sauce and garnished with mushrooms, garlic, pine nuts, tomato (yes, those are real pieces of tomato :), and oregano:

(This is a picture before I baked it, I was so excited to eat it that there was no time or thought for a picture!)

"Macaroni and Cheese" over whole grain rotini.  This is the best vegan macaroni and cheese I have ever tasted.  It uses coconut milk, which I think gives it the bitey, cheddary flavor:

Creamy.  Delicious. A winner.

"Cream Cheese Spread," spread on the toast.  It also uses coconut milk and raw cashews.  It's also very good spread on crackers and Triscuits.  The scrambled tofu with mushrooms, tomato, and red bell pepper is not from the "Seven Secrets Cookbook," but was very tasty as well.  And that is a Macoun apple, my favorite variety:

"Almond-Olive Spread."  It's not as creamy as I would have liked, as I made a 1/4 recipe, and nuts don't blend as well when there's not very many.  I think at least a 1/2 cup of nuts when blending is good: 

This is not from the "Seven Secrets Cookbook" either, but it deserves an honorable mention.  I love watermelon, and I love summer!

So here's some cuisine that I've been enjoying.  I only wish YOU were here to share with me!