Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Avon Lady

Luke 6:27-36

In 1990, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborated for the first time and brought us Edward Scissorhands, a movie about a vision-of-a-man who had scissors as hands and scars on his face. I saw a spot of it the other night, as I flipped through the TV stations, and thought about it as I read Luke 6:32-36 because, not only was Edward a bit rough looking (reminder: scissors/blades as hands), he was unloved and, at first glance, unlovable (reminder: scissors as hands, scars on the face).

Enter the Avon lady and a bottle of astringent.

Peg Boggs, the Avon lady, is a married mother of two whose sales are not much, if any. She lets herself into Edward's home, an old run-down mansion, hoping to find someone with whom she can make a sale or, at the very least, add to her collection of news/gossip. When she sees Edward, she mutters out, "What happened to you?" He replies, "I'm not finished." A few moments later, she's applying astringent to his scars to prevent infection and insisting he must leave with her, which he does and the plot thickens.

Luke 6:32-33 says, "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."

The Avon lady turned to leave. She saw the scissors. She saw the scars. She saw the awkward social cues. She saw the stinky, dirty, torn clothing. She saw the hair that was all funky and ... funky. The mansion was empty. Wealth was not evident. Networking wasn't evident. And she turned to leave. But she stopped. And she faced her fears of Edward. And her community and her family. She stopped and talked and listened and offered the only thing she had -- a strong astringent to prevent infection. Edward had nothing to give her! They had no connection. There was no planning, or thinking or preparing. It was a moment. The Avon lady lived big! And she took the moment and loved someone who didn't love her. And she did good for someone who had probably never done good for anyone.

Luke 6:35-36 says, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your father is merciful."

Julie Johnson, Ridgecrest Baptist Church

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

That Time On The Bus

Ephesians 6:10-18

I can still see her face as she walked down the bus aisle looking for a seat. Her smug, I’m-older-than-you-I’m-bigger-than-you-I’m-better-than-you face. And even though it was the last day of kindergarten for me, and the last day of sixth grade for her, I was not about to scoot over so that she could sit by me. She was of the grumpy sorts, see. And I was content being alone. Or at least not beside her.

The face had other plans. I saw her see me and the emptiness to my right. I stayed put. Didn’t budge. Averted my gaze.

“Move over,” I heard her say. “No,” I replied. “Move over now, or I’ll hit you with my camera.”

My thirty-something self recalls this conversation and wants to remake the scene: No you did’unt. Really? You threatened me? With your camera??? You have got to be kidding. Really??? How old are you?

But that’s not how it went down. I stayed the course. Some months ago, I was speaking with Pastor Hosea, and he said it clear as day, “You are your mother’s daughter.” He’s right. My mom beat up a boy when she was younger. The way she tells it, he deserved it. And the way I see it, she flattened the rascal.

I digress.

The camera was indeed hanging from her wrist, in plain sight. But I was adamant about not letting her get the win. The face, apparently, was adamant about using her camera as a weapon. She clobbered me. Over and over and over until I relented. It hurt. I’m not going to say I moved willingly, but I did move. I hunkered down close to the window and waited until home before I allowed tears to fall.

My point: I was not ready for battle. I was a six-year-old girl sitting on a school bus headed home for summer break. Not once that morning did I think, I should probably wear some armor under my clothes today in case a sixth grader beats me up with a device normally used to take fun family photos.

Ever notice how Satan and his counterparts use the same tactic? Whether it be a hint of a lie or a full-fledged war, the enemy rarely – if ever – gives fair warning.

Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

1) God tells us that evil will come our way.
2) Through Paul, God says, “be strong in Me and in the strength of My might.” (Eph. 6:10)

Will the cuts and scrapes and bruises and wounds hurt less when wearing the belt of truth or breastplate of righteousness? Doubt it. But when you are a child of God, He will heal those wounds. And the time will come when He says to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matt. 25:23)

Julie Johnson, Ridgecrest Baptist Church

Pop Quiz: First person to correctly post the whole armor of God will receive $10 off CAMP or Winter Retreat.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The One Where I Did What I Didn’t Want To Do

Romans 7:14-8:2

It first aired in the fifth season of “Friends,” the one where Joey and Phoebe argue whether or not a truly selfless good deed exists. As I recall, Phoebe thought she had it until someone pointed out how happy she was because of what she did. It wasn’t a selfless act! It made Phoebe feel proud and good and all those things that gave, well, Phoebe the warm fuzzies.

In last week’s Bible study lesson, we talked about how, even though we know and agree with God’s law, we still sin. Even though God’s law is good, and He most certainly knows best, we do what we don’t want to do. Or don’t do what we do want to do. As is the case with Phoebe Buffay. She wanted to give a good deed and receive absolutely nothing in return. But, alas, that didn’t happen.

So we’re all just a bunch of sinners, right? And we’ll get what we pay for. And hate ourselves for messing everything up. No.

Romans 7:24-8:2 says, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! I am a sinner saved by God through Jesus, not because of some great thing I have done but because of who Christ is.

Julie Johnson, Ridgecrest Baptist Church