What I learned today in Greek…

So, it’s the “J-Term” and in three weeks I’ll finish the equivalent of a semester’s worth of Greek…I hope. My brain and my body is revolting against a full day of studying…it liked doing very little for three weeks.

So, among a bunch of other stuff that I’m momentarily avoiding, I learned today a more accurate translation of John 3:16: “For God loved the world in such a way that He gave His only begotten Son….” The emphasis being not so much on God’s love for the world but rather on the gift of His Son. Of course my ability to translate Greek into English is less probably less than kindergarten level, so I’m grateful for my prof who’s a pro. He shares all kinds of cool stuff like this with us. Motivates me to plug along.

Such discoveries make finger cramps and brain fatigue worth it.

A Clean Slate and Forgiveness

I blogged about a clean slate last night – that freshly erased board of life that allows for fresh starts – like a brand new year. Every single one of us have started the first day of a whole new year.

There is something that I am confident about as I begin 2012 and that is God’s forgiveness. Not because I’ve lived a particularly good 2011, nor because I’m so sure that in 2012 I’ll do better somehow. My confidence rests in what God did for me through Jesus Christ. He paid the penalty for all of my sin – past, present, and future – His payment cancelled out any degree held against me, His death paid the bill in full.

However, this incredible and absolute truth, this gift of God’s love and forgiveness doesn’t always permeate my every day life. Tim Keller, quoting John Newton, said, “You know you’re holding on to remnants of a legalistic and childish view of Christ’s forgiveness when you’re overly sensitive to criticism (me), when you find repentance difficult and galling (yep), or when you’re insecure about how you’re being perceived (does he follow me around?). He goes on to say that these attitudes reveal that we’re not living in light of God’s forgiveness, love, and acceptance, and shows “works righteousness” still clinging to our souls, instead of depending upon the might and power of His name. Hmm, maybe I don’t really comprehend a clean slate in the deepest sense of the word.

So, at the top of my 2012 list I’m going to add: “Live – in my head and my heart, in my relationships – in the blazing truth of His forgiveness – given to me freely and at great cost.”

 

 

 

A Clean Slate

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It’s almost a new year. I’ve always liked starting fresh, starting over, starting anew. There’s nothing quite like a clean slate.

This year I’m going to embrace where God has me – I wear myself out when I compare , I twist my stomach into knots when I strive, strive, strive, and I drive myself insane because I fall short of lofty goals.

So, upon reflection, I’m deciding right here and right now – this year will be different!

I don’t want to miss those little moments when God whispers in my (nearly deaf) ear. I want to hear His voice. I’m more and more convinced than ever that it’s loudest in the written form. Oh may His Word be like honey to my lips – savored and swished, tasted and enjoyed, then swallowed in such a way that changes me from the inside out.

2012 marks 30 years of marriage. So, I want to make this a year of 1000 thank yous. I owe at least that many to Bob for being more than a perfect husband, and 1000 more to the Lord for knowing how perfectly suited we’d be. Marriage is a mysterious thing and so worth preserving – I’m going to treasure mine this year. 

I am determined to exercise regularly – without pulling a muscle or breaking my neck.

I hope to write something meaningful, and see my hair grow three more inches.

I plan to do produce something lasting to give to my niece for her graduation, and frame a cherry pie recipe written by my mom. I miss my mom.

By this time next year, then on the cusp of 2013, I hope to be half-way through seminary and a whole lot smarter, even though the first three weeks of 2012 include intensive Greek, which may do me in. I want to persevere through the next three weeks, and the 49 that follow, with grace and patience, discipline and balance, joy and laughter, and straight A’s.  

Yet, even as I type these words and make these plans and set these goals, I’m so very well aware of the fact that I have no idea what tomorrow holds – let alone even one of the next 365 days. So, by faith I wipe the slate clean and begin anew.

And just so you know…we just received a text from our favorite young friends, “We need you at our New Year’s Eve party!” So, maybe we’ll throw convention to the wind and change from our pj’s back into our jeans and end one year and start the other with a party.