Genesis

1 - For those of you who were at the Chris Tomlin concert this may make more sense. There was a moment at the concert during the song Amazing Grace where suddenly I felt like the words I was singing just meant more. My mom loves that song and truthfully I tend to just not like the song all that much because it was one of the songs that we over-sung in church while growing up. But somehow on Friday night while I was unpacking the awesomeness of God the words fit perfectly to what I was feeling. Was that a "spark"? Probably.

I met this stranger today who just really touched my soul. Ever happen to be in the most ordinary of places and have the most extraordinary conversations? This conversation happened at the North Pole Restaurant. He shared his story with me slowly over eggs and coffee as we both sat at the counter of the restaurant. He kept asking if it was okay that he was talking to me and after feeling slightly lonely all weekend, he just didn't even know what taking a moment to talk meant to me.

This stranger's life has been difficult. He's probably in his 70's and has only two living siblings out of eight brothers and sisters. His mom died when he was three and he was unwanted - shifted from home to home, state to state. But he said he knew God loved him and knowing THAT and choosing to emulate his life against shows like Leave It to Beaver and My Three Sons kept him from sinking into deep depression. He said he has seen terrible things and lived a terrible life but by the grace of God he is glad for it.

You know how you can look into a person's eyes and really see a spirit? This person's spirit was sparking. All I kept thinking was about that moment in It's a Wonderful Life where Clarence is talking to Jimmy Stewart's character. Why was he sharing with me, a stranger, exactly confirming what was bouncing around in my head? And that was this morning, only to come to church at 5 and listen to the sermon that layers on top of this conversation the question of how large a spark do I allow God to have in my life? And why isn't it bigger? (Comment this)

2 - There are a few women in my family that dislike the text about women submitting to their husbands. We've had the discussion every time someone chooses this text for their wedding.

The conversation usually goes something like "oh sure, we have to submit but all the husbands have to do is love." Which I find almost ironically funny because loving might be more difficult. Or maybe it's not a matter of which is harder but whether it becomes some sort of control thing rather than a mere instruction about love and leading? I've never been able to have a reasonable conversation about this verse with them. Any ideas? (Comment this)

3 - That verse and similar ones about men and women's roles are definitely hot buttons. I always find it interesting that some find the Bible to be controvertial because it is "putting down" women. I thought I heard that at the time of the writing they were also controvertial because of the prominant role that women had. (Comment this)

4 - Submission and love has to do with a love/respect relationship.

A Christ-honoring husband will not take advantage of his leadership role and a Christ-honoring wife will not try to undermine her husban's leadership.

Submission means to willingly follow her husband's leadership in Christ.

A husband is supposed to put aside is own interests in order to care for his wife.

If both husband and wife have a relationship with Christ and each is concerned for the happiness of the other, then this shouldn't be a problem.

One without the other leads to trouble. Rule over a submissive wife without a personal relationship with Christ is TROUBLE!!!!!!

Kim (Comment this)

5 - Placing the focus on Christ instead of themselves.

Easier for some people than others.

I can say that to my sister in-law but she will only be focused on the words "willingly follow husband" and totally miss the point that its God directed not "world" directed.

It's kind of easy to say that your relationship or your life is Christ focused but what does that even mean or look like? Do you think anyone can answer that question but yourself and God? Maybe some God-centered people can hold you accountable or help you discern but really if you are going to figure this out, it pretty much has to be formed by a spark that fuels deep in your heart. (Comment this)