knowing Christ

Christ Removes the Curse of Criticism

December 15, 2015 by amanda 2 Comments

The greatest regret I have in my life is relationships broken by my poor handling of criticism. For many years, I felt unjustly accused and misunderstood by those close to me, and so, I was indignant and heartbroken by what I felt were unfair accusations.

With incredulity, I asked myself for years, How could they say those things or think that way about me?

But God has been relentlessly shattering my arrogant heart and puncturing every weeping wound with the beauty of his good news. The gospel breaks the chains of guilt and pride, enlightening dark and shadowy strongholds of self-righteousness and self-promotion.

The raw truth of the gospel — that Christ died for my sins, that he was buried, that he was raised for my justification, and that he always lives to make intercession for me — helps me to make sense of my violent reactions to criticism. It teaches me how to respond to criticism, whether or not I believe it’s warranted….

Unworthy to Worship

August 31, 2015 by amanda 10 Comments

Recently I was standing beside my newborn daughter’s crib, cradling her in my arms and rocking her back and forth. I was trying to soothe her down for a little nap, and I was suddenly so overcome with glad emotion that God had made this barren woman a mother….again.

As I swayed gently with her in the dim light, I began to sing softly to my Heavenly Father, filled with joy and marvel at this precious pink bundle that He had given to me.

I was singing and humming and began to be caught up in worshiping the Lord:

“Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Highest praises, honor and glory, be unto Your name…be unto Your name..”

Before I could finish these words, I stopped singing.

How many days had it been since I had read my Bible? I hadn’t made it to church yet since the baby was born. I was wearing pajama pants and a shirt covered in spit up….from yesterday, I think. I had been wrestling with those crazy postpartum hormones (and losing), and I’d lost it (again) with my husband and my preschooler.

Until I could get myself together a bit more and find the wherewithal in this season of newborn-fog to spend time confessing my sins, and until I could get back into the scripture and spend time in prayer, I had no business worshiping before the throne of the Lord God Almighty. I was in no way worthy to echo the words of that song that the throng of heaven cries out in worship before Him who is seated on the throne (Revelation 4:8-11).

I would have to pay penance for my stumbling and sin. Some time would have to elapse before I could freely and unashamedly approach the Father in worship and praise. I would have to come to the Lord as a slave rather than as a son, for I had lost the privilege to enter His presence with emotion, affection, boldness, and joy….

The Eternal Incarnation of Immanuel

December 23, 2014 by amanda 4 Comments

Conceived in the womb of a young Jewish girl, the Word becomes flesh. As the cells of our Creator divide and multiply, the very Author of life empties Himself, taking on human form, soon to be born in the likeness of men.

Not considering equality with God something to be grasped, the Word of God is pushed forth from the womb, assuming forever the role of God-Man. This Image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) has forever left His pre-incarnate state, eternally to exist as the man, Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

For several months, the wonder of the incarnation has baffled me. I have been a Christian for more than two decades now, and yet I somehow never grasped until recently the sacrifice of Christ in His eternal incarnation. The Son of God did not exist in eternity past as a man. Rather, he took on flesh when the Holy Spirit gave conception within the womb of a poor Jewish virgin, and His incarnation and its permanence have everything to do with our eternal salvation and security in Him….

Finding Rest in Christ: 9 Practical Ways to Abide in God’s Promised Rest

September 9, 2014 by amanda 6 Comments

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Walking down the beach just after sunrise, I see a young woman meditating. She’s in a yoga position (lotus) near to where the waves lap the shore. She looks peaceful, and I pass by quietly.

She feels “it.”

That’s how I feel, too, when the salty ocean breeze cools my face and my little boy is laughing and splashing and none of my loved ones are sick and I’ve paid all the bills (for now). It’s how I feel when I’ve not blown it on the third slice of chocolate cake, when my toddler didn’t wake up before I was ready, and when nobody has offended me or misunderstood me in a few weeks.

Then, I feel “it,” too.…

Finding Rest in Christ: Producing the Fruit of an Abiding Life

August 28, 2014 by amanda 7 Comments

Unless you have been born from above, you cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit. Your unsaved children cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit; your unsaved family members and coworkers cannot bear the Spirit’s fruit; and we cannot bear the Spirit’s fruit either unless God has made us His own and given us the Spirit in our hearts. Only then will God’s Spirit work in us to change us …. but it has to be from the inside-out….

Finding Rest in Christ: Abide in Him

August 20, 2014 by amanda 5 Comments

In my most recent post in this series on Finding Rest in Christ, my words and prayer were to present to you a clear explanation and biblical understanding of the salvation offered by God through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Today, I want to share those gospel truths again, for we who have trusted in Christ and are sealed and saved by God continue to need the Savior and his gospel every moment for the rest of our lives.

I have heard teachers and fellow Christians preach to the lost soul a true gospel, but to the Christian brother or sister teach a distorted one (Galatians 1:6-7)….and I have preached a faulty gospel to other Christians and myself, as well….

knowing Christ

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