Contents
Nov/Dec 2004
Finding hope in Kate’s Closet Janice Shaw Crouse reports on a fantastic ministry to former inmates
Renew: A woman’s voice for renewal Ruth A. Burgner celebrates the fifteenth anniversary of the Renew Network
Entrepreneurial faith Kirbyjon Caldwell and Walt Kallestad call for launching bold initiatives
The populist roots of Methodism J. Steven O’Malley reviews Riley B. Case’s book Evangelical and Methodist
Reuniting art and faith Jen Waters explains about an innovative new program at Fuller Seminary
Journaling: Breathing space in the spiritual journey Jan Johnson encourages us to write as a spiritual discipline
James Arminius and Christian freedom George Mitrovich heralds a great father of the faith
COLUMNS
Editorial An episcopal charge to keep
The Next Generation Youth ministry in adolescence
Renew Women’s Network It’s our 15th birthday!
The Great Commission Bridges to transformed lives
From the Heart Season’s greetings
DEPARTMENTS
News Are mainline churches anti-Semitic?
Court rules Fresno church may keep its property
God and man at Harvard: Dinner with Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis
Bishop orders new hearing in lesbian case
Texas church ropes in cowboys at Arena church
Film focus: Hilary Duff raises her voice
Vicar turns fantasy writer
Each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, our family receives about 200 greetings from friends and family who wish us well during the holiday season and for the new year ahead. Some are frilly, some serious, and some whimsical. Some are impersonal cards with names imprinted in gold on the inside. Usually those cards have computer labels on them and I feel, if I'm honest, that once they went into the mailbox the sender checked that job off the to-do list. I know, because I've done it myself. Other greetings are intensely personal. Pictures and descriptions of monthly activities from the prior year are shared. But, what I most delight in are the few hand-written notes which fill any holiday envelope. Even if they're only a few words, they melt my heart and relational wonder makes my eyes sparkle.
Such a greeting was offered to the virgin Mary that first Christmas and it put awe in her heart, too. In an intensely personal greeting, an angel dispatched by God sent this message to the perplexed teenager: "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). Her response? The Bible says: "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be."
Recently, the leader of a national women's ministry asked me what I thought was the most pressing concern for Christian women today. Even five years ago I would have answered that query with the fact that most church women are biblically illiterate and they need to know the Scriptures. Although that's true, my answer would be different today. Observations from retreat ministry in the corners of this country lead me to believe that the most pressing problem Christian women face today is that they are not convinced they are loved by God. And, I suspect that may be true of men also.
Oh, they know that "God is love." They have the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, memorized, and they can share Romans 5:8 when evangelizing others ("But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"). They believe he loves other people and they know he loves even them when they do all the Christian stuff just right. But, does he really love them when they mess up? And, who doesn't err?
Clearly, there will only be one virgin birth in the annals of history. However, even a cursory reading of the Scriptures shows that the greeting Mary received is for us too. You and I are highly favored! The Lord is with us! Wow!
Consider other messages from the Bible. "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17). And, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
It doesn't make any difference what kind of "season" you're in. The greeting remains the same: You are highly favored. He is with you. Christmas, Easter, birth, death, planting, uprooting, tearing down, building, mourning, dancing, scattering, gathering, tearing, mending, silence, speaking, loving, or hating. You are highly favored. He is with you! John Eldredge says, "Our story is written by God who is more than author, he is the romantic lead in our personal dramas. We are the Beloved."
How did Mary know for sure that she was loved? The angel said, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you" (Luke 1:35). We can't work up feeling loved. But God, through his Spirit, goes about telling us and then demonstrating it before our eyes. Like he did for Mary, he shows us his love by allaying our fears, answering our deepest questions, and sending help. He gives us our own personal "Elizabeths" to walk alongside. Romans 5:5 comforts, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit."
Being convinced of God's love is of immeasurable importance because when we know he loves us, we are free to love him back. We're also at liberty to love others with the overflow. And, when we're persuaded, we can look at our own lives honestly, without the risk of being turned away. Like Mary, the assurance of the Father's love helps us say: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38).
"If we have heard from the Savior's own lips how much he loves us and delights in us," writes Ken Gire, "it will silence the taunt of voices that put a makeup mirror to our face and point out all the reasons why Jesus couldn't possibly be in love with such a blemished person."
This holiday season be convinced! You are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
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