Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers

Redeeming Love, a historical, contemporary retelling of the story of Hosea from the Bible. This book was Francine Rivers' first novel after becoming saved in 1986. I can't quite remember who turned me on to Francine Rivers, but I must say that if you want to be taken to another place and time and learn and grow in fiction, then this is a good place to start. I finished this about a week ago or so and believe it or not, it only took about 5 days to get through it. I'm not a big fan of reading anything past two hundred pages, but this work of 464 pages seemed to fly by over night. I think I was around page 100 when Jen decided to jump on board with me. When I read a novel I end up talking to Jen about it, you know character development, plot, and conflict and all that jazz. Since we love the story of Hosea in the Bible and Jen has already read two of the three books from Francine's Mark of The Lion Series as well as The Last Sin Eater, it wasn't hard for her to join in the "read" with me. It was definitely a beautiful story filled with drama only Francine could paint. It is definitely filled also with love, trials, struggles, and most of all, redemption. I highly recommend anyone read this, man, woman, and teens alike. The content is strong and as the publishers preface, it would be considered PG-13 if it were a movie. Read an excerpt here. If you have read it or go ahead and read it, please leave me you comments on the novel. The next Francine Rivers novel I plan to read is The Priest. Blessings to you!

Ultimate Authority-Are You Under It?

This was written in my live journal almost two years ago and it still holds true today. My writing is in blue and Stanley's is in black:

9:25-04
I woke up this morning really pondering the lesson we had Thursday night in Bible study about Checkpoint #6 Ultimate Authority, Finding Freedom under God in The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley. We are in preparation for Women's Conference in a couple of weeks and this is the guided lesson resource.


With the hopes of not plagiarizing, since I'm not turning this in to the professor, I want to pull nuggets from this chapter that really spoke to me, with hopes that it will speak to whoever reads this journal as well. I write so that God will be glorified and that the people of God will be edified and built up.

I say: It's true, most people don't believe that Freedom and God are actually supposed to go together. Stanley mentions how it's just as "oxymoronic as saying poor Bill Gates, or ugly Tyra Banks." I love that. That's why it's hard to get your hands around Jesus' saying, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32. If God wanted us to have so much freedom, then why so many rules?

I see it everywhere with kids, youth, and adults as well. My brother once told me after getting out of jail for the 3rd or 4th time, "I have a problem with authority." I asked him why. He then said, "Cause I don't like nobody telling me what to do." Ouch! Some respect for authority huh? And he's bitter at the fact that it was his lack of respect for authority that keeps sending him back and forth into jail. He still rebels with the probation officer and anyone whom he thinks is trying to "control" him.

See, in my humble opinion, when Authority isn't respected, you will inevitably pay it back for the respect it deserves and demands. A simple concept and simple principle, but most of us haven't even a clue as to the magnitude of that concept. So Andy goes on to say, "we ignore this biblical truth and search longingly for a life with little or no authority, hoping one day to find the elusive land of freedom."

"Much of our lives is influenced by how we respond to authority. How we respond to authority will have a direct effect on how we respond to initially our parents. How we respond to parental authority will have a direct effect on how we respond to the laws that govern this land and to the people that enforce laws. How we respond to the people and institutions that enforce the laws will determine our standing and influence in society," Stanley shares.

Remember my brother's statement about authority? Remember what position he has placed himself in because of his lack of respect for authority? But it's not as deep as doing things that will get you landed in jail. I believe it's more subtle in other ways that can lead you to a path like my brother. To me, it seems the more authority is disregarded, the more you will have to submit to it. Not so sure if that premise will hold, but I'll leave it here for now for whomever to ponder.

Stanley goes on to say folk's mindsets or "attitude toward authority will ultimately impact their intimacy with God. It will also impact how much authority they are entrusted with in their lives."

I say authority is inevitable. Whether you embrace it or not. Whether you be married, a parent, a church member, or anyone who wants to become spiritually influential in the lives of others requires one to regard authority as an ultimate issue.

Now the big picture for us all to see is that God is the ultimate authority and He wants us to understand that and submit to who/whatever authorities He has placed in our lives. If we want true freedom, it can only be found in this way (Stanley).

ONE LIL' RULE
I remember teaching a couple of months ago as a substitute for the fourth grade Sunday school class at my church. The lesson was about Adam and Eve. One of the kids asked the previous week, "If God knew Adam and Eve were gonna sin (eat the forbidden fruit), then why did He create em anyway?" The main findings we concluded after scrolling through the scripture were two things, #1, God gives us free will to choose right from wrong, or better yet if we will choose Him over something/someone else, and #2 That all he gave Adam and Eve was One Lil' Rule. Don't eat the fruit!! Talk about what God may have perceived, as the easiest rule to follow. Especially since He created alllll this other stuff for Adam and Eve to be preoccupied with; you know swimming in the ocean enjoying all of His creation, naming more animals and creatures, making love, and spending quality time with each other. But who's to know how much wisdom God gave Adam when He created him. And of course since Eve came from Adam, I heard it once said, the apple don't fall far from the tree (no pun intended).


God initially only instituted one rule from the beginning. He wanted to focus on enjoying His creation, not putting it under some bondage of rules and regulations. Andy Stanley shares that "God is not into rules. God loves and values freedom.

Adam and Eve were happy in God's one-rule world until Satan came along and convinced them that they were not absolutely free." Satan handed them a raw deal by deceiving them into believing God was holding something good from them, that they should really have.

So instead of following the Creator's (God's) one lil' rule, they chose to rebel and follow the "creations" (Satan's) suggestion. Deep huh? And don't we do that all the time; take the "creations" advice and leading over the Creator's? "Ultimately," Stanley goes on to say, "in an attempt to reach for absolute freedom, they chose the way of disobedience and rebellion to God's authority. The premise of their decision was that rebellion brings freedom." If anyone on this earth has been paying attention to life as it has been unfolding before our very eyes, one would see that choosing to do something forbidden, such as what Adam and Eve did, not only strips you of your freedom, but causes an influx of rules and regulations, and punishments to get you back in line. Something to ponder, I guess.

It reminds me of how we have childproof doors and gates. It's obvious that children and babies don't have an understanding of authority and consequences. So to protect them from being harmed, we set things (rules) in place so they can actually enjoy the freedom of being a child. Take the childproof things away or let the baby get out of the crib unattended and wander into what's forbidden and not safe, and the consequences can be deadly.

So following rules and submitting to them actually gives you more freedom than choosing to rebel.

Stanley shares, "Rebellion was and is the attitude and act of disobeying God's rule. Adam and Eve were convinced that freedom could be found in doing what was forbidden. What they soon realized was that they lost their freedom because of their rebellion." They lost all their rights and privileges and had to get to work and experience much pain from work and childbearing.

The gift the two received for their choice to rebel: RULES, RULES, RULES, RULES today. They broke one lil' rule. Says Stanley, "Now we are inundated with rules."

Maryee's assessment in a nutshell:
Freedom=Submitting to God's Ultimate Authority
Rebellion=Bondage and being a slave to Sin and it's consequences

What I'll do now is just quote from Checkpoint 6.
Anyone who wants to get the full skinny on the subject should buy the book.

Stanley throughout the chapter asks one simple question: "Sound like freedom to you?

Did Adam and Eve's choice to rebel and go their own way lead them to freedom or bondage?

What we can't seem to get our hands around is the concept that freedom and authority do coexist.

Stanley on the Cost of Freedom

Most of us think freedom is a world without authority. This is a lie that will rob you of your freedom.

He illustrates a story about a teenager named Bobby who decided one night that he would disobey his parents' rule of not drinking or hanging out with anyone who does. Although Bobby loved his parents, he decided that their rules were stifling to him. He reasoned that his other friends' parents didn't put all this rule mumbo jumbo in their way, so goes out one night and parties with his friends. He doesn't drink much, but his friends do. On the way home with a drunken friend behind the wheel, the car swerves into the path of a family in a van. The wreck is horrific. The mother and three kids in the van are all killed instantly. Bobby's friend, the driver loses his life as well. Bobby survives, to face to consequence of his choice to rebel.

Stanly goes on to share,

"Let's think about what Bobby's desire for freedom has granted him:
• He lost a friend.
• He has had a part in a death of a woman and three kids.
• He has seen families devastated for years to come.
• He has broken the law by drinking underage.
• He'll probably be fined and lose his driving privileges.
• He will lose the trust of his parents and peers
• He will probably lose his friends.

The list can go on. Sound like freedom to you?

The same can apply if you are married and you decide to cheat in your marriage. You want freedom to break the laws of marriage, for just one night. The result:

• You lose your marriage.
• You will lose your sexual relationship with your spouse
• You will lose friends
• You will lose money via divorce court, alimony, and child support
• You will lose the trust of your wife and children
• You may lose your home and or at least some possessions

The list can go on. Sound like freedom to you?

"Maximum Freedom is found under authority. Breaking the rules or having no rules at all will not bring freedom."

It can't be escaped, and if you ask any adult they will tell you, that the older you get, the more authorities you will have to answer to. If we could get that down in our spirits in our youth, our lives would not be so filled with rebellious tendencies.

When you chose to rebel against authority, you've just handed all your freedom away. Think about the folks who on the streets of LA and even Houston, get into these high speed chases on the Freeway. Have you ever seen anyone like that who chooses to rebel against authority get away Scott free? I haven't. No matter where you run, authority waits you. Ask Adam and Eve, when they hid after being naked and ashamed. Even if you end up in jail, authority awaits you. And when you get in there everyone around you who (other inmates) have no value of authority will "lord" their authority over you. Some gift or reward for freedom huh? And when these folks who have no respect for authority begin to exercise their freedom to abuse you or have authority over you, how then can you call on your friend "authority", whom you yourself betrayed? What a phenomenon.

Guess what? "There is no such thing as absolute freedom. Stanley shares. Everybody answers to somebody. Even Jesus....He had authority because He was under God's authority".

I remember when I was working out in the field last year around this time, I spoke to a young lady at one of my stores who was getting married in November. She was sweet as apple pie and very smart for her age. She'd been living with her fiance for some time and was excited to finally get married. She knew I was "religious" (as they say), but approachable. So she asked me, "What do you do if you and a person have a problem and the person says, let's talk about it later, but later never happens?" Having an idea she was speaking of her fiance, I gently shared with her two things: #1, I said, Sweetheart, if this person handles conflict in this manner, then (when you get married) he will continue to handle problems and conflict in the same manner. Putting a ring on a finger does not change the person. Being under God's authority does.

Fearing that she wouldn't understand what I meant by saying "authority", I then before sharing the second point asked her, "Are you or your fiance Christians?" She said no. I paused, trying to get my words right and hoping the Holy Spirit would definitely intercede. I then said, Well, if your fiance is not saved, that means he is not under any authority. If he is not under any authority, whatever rules he thinks is right to him will become the authority. If the rules are not from God, then he's not accountable. If you marry him, then you are under his authority. Which means, that if he makes a decision and he is his own point of reference instead of God, then you will have to submit to that authority." Tears started streaming down her face. Of course my intent was not to make her cry, but to share with her the importance of authority.

Of course I hadn't read the Seven Checkpoints at this time last year, but God must have already been working on me in understanding His role in my and others' lives. The young lady a bit overwhelmed by the news, wiped her face, looked down at the ground. I was immobilized because I didn't know if she would be mad or angry at facing the truth. She lifted her head, and simply said, "This is a lil' too heavy for me to be hearing right now." The inflection in my opinion, was, "Hey, I'm getting married in 8 weeks. I haven't considered this until you've shared it with me. It's too late now." Well, only a month later I soon left that job and career to begin writing. I don't know if the wedding went on, I don't know what the young lady did after that day we spoke, I only hope that the two of them have been drawn to a relationship with God and that His authority is what leads and guides them in their marriage.

Romans 13:1-2 says on the subject:
Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-14 adds more:
Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

I love what Stanley says next about these two scriptures. "...are the backbone of the Ultimate Authority Checkpoint. If God is ultimately behind all authority, then authority issues are ultimately spiritual issues. (Folks) cannot pursue intimacy with God and ignore their conflicts with authority. Or to put it another way, they cannot be right with God and out of sorts with the authorities God has placed over them."

I remember when I worked for a candy company and the leadership of the company was a fowl as fowl could get. Even though at that time I looked at their authority as one not to value God in His own unique way revealed to me that I had to respect that authority if I wanted to be free from the company. So instead of rebelling, not doing my work, plotting to "get them back", it was sown in my spirit to give excellence. The spirit of rebellion ceased and the spirit of submission and cooperation rose up. I was at peace, even though this authority that was abusing it's power did not cease to come at me. I had freedom to give excellence, which is what rebellion couldn't take away from me. In a matter of weeks, I was freed from that company, but I don't think that would have happened had my attitude about authority not changed to respect authority.

Think about Joseph in the Bible when he was sold into slavery, or better yet, into prison after the Potipher's wife situation. Never did he get it twisted about being under authority, be it good or bad. And God rescued him every time and honored his respect for not only God's ultimate authority, but every authority God placed before him. And incredible testimony about being under authority. So much that when he was given authority under Pharoah, he still make wise choices to love.

That brings me to another point I just got. Being under God's authority gives you freedom to love. Any other authority only leads to bitterness, rebellion, hate, guilt, and shame. When the acts of the sinful nature are present, Love is hard to be found. I love the way the Message Bible puts Galations 5:19-21

Galatians 5
19It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; 20trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; 21the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

For those who want to read it from NIV the meaning is still the same:

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

You can't get any deeper than this. whew!!!

I'll go on to quote more of Stanley a lil' later. I'll be back.

Jenaevans' Soundclick

Check it out!!!!!!!!!

Their Eyes Were Watching God

I just finished reading Zora Neale Hurston's novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. My sister Jen suggested I read it to help me with my writing. A year and 1/2 ago we watched the Oprah funded movie which I must say helped bring the book alive for me. I was astonished when I found out Zora wrote that book in 7 weeks. Can we say focused or perhaps driven? Her writing style for me was inspiring. An amazingly talented writer, dreamer and connoisseur of words and imagery.

The next item I'd like to get my hands on is:

Video Test with Google

A Waco High School student shows off his solo drumming skills at the end of the year Spring Band Show.