GCI Women’s Ministry

Have you ever been told you lacked faith? Perhaps you prayed for healing and didn’t get the answer you wanted. Or maybe you didn’t get a job you prayed for and were told it was because you didn’t have enough faith. Christians are sometimes judgmental toward others when prayers aren’t answered according to plan.

Several times, Jesus told the disciples they either lacked faith or had very little. When Peter walked on the water toward Jesus, looked down and sank beneath the waves, Jesus pointed out Peter’s little faith. We tend to think Jesus was criticizing and judging him for his lack of faith and then by extension, carry the criticism over to ourselves and others. But maybe it wasn’t so much a condemnation as an observation on humanity. We all lack faith. We all have trouble believing at times.

The man who came to Jesus for help and then admitted his lack of faith is familiar to us. I know I pray his words. I’m sure you do too. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. We believe and we doubt. Sometimes our faith seems strong and sometimes it seems nonexistent.

In both these instances, Peter taking a dunking and the man admitting his faith was weak, Jesus came through. He didn’t walk away in disgust and leave them hanging. He pulled Peter out of the water and helped him back to the boat. He healed the man’s son (Mark 9). In neither case was lack of faith the deal breaker. Lack of faith noted; prayer answered.

It might help us of little faith to take another look at what having faith really means. We already know if God depended on our faith and faithfulness, the world would have ended a long time ago. Our faith is just not enough and never has been. But God hears our prayers and answers us in our unbelief. Why? Because the faith we need is not our own but the faith of Jesus. It’s his faith and his belief that make the difference. We depend on it.

Jesus trusted the Father. Jesus is the only one with perfect faith. The faith of Jesus saves us, heals us and keeps us going. He’s already done everything else for us so it makes sense his faith is what we cling to, not our own. If we make faith a measurable thing that determines answers to prayer, spiritual growth and maturity and how much we accomplish for God, we are changing grace into works. I’ve never been able to get past “very little” on the faith meter. It’s not something we can measure, work up or do on our own. We do live by faith – by the faith of Jesus.

Once again, I’m encouraged to know it’s not up to me. Nothing is. I cling to the Vine with my feeble strength and desire, knowing it’s Jesus who helps me have even that little bit of strength and desire. He’s the one who provides and sustains my faith. Oh ye of little faith? Yes, but he of perfect faith is my perfect Savior.

In Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, Aunt Norris couldn’t bring herself to be happy for her niece, Fanny Price. When Cousin Edward suggested giving Fanny a horse, Aunt Norris objected that it would be too extravagant a gift. When Fanny was invited to a ball, Aunt Norris didn’t think it appropriate for her to go. After all, Fanny wasn’t from the noble part of the family and didn’t deserve the same perks her cousins enjoyed.

Have you ever known someone like that? Someone who can’t seem to endure seeing others blessed and who always rains on everyone’s parade? Perhaps you’re like that. I have been from time to time. Instead of rejoicing with others, either out of jealousy, self-pity or just plain meanness, we sometimes say or do things to bring happy people down.

Many Christians, unable to accept the magnitude of God’s grace, add conditions to everything from church membership to teaching children’s classes—to salvation. Being accepted by God can’t be as easy as simply believing! Surely people need to be made aware of just how horrific sin is to God and how angry he is at everyone. No one can get away with anything less than repenting on bloody knees, going through a gauntlet of misery and emotional suffering to prove their understanding of sin, followed by years of doing good works. Being saved is the easy part; actually getting to heaven requires much effort.

Or does it?

Do you still wonder how God can let everyone in on the fun of grace, regardless of how serious their sins? How he can pay the latecomers to the vineyard the same as those who started work at dawn? How he can welcome the prodigal son, who hadn’t even taken the time to have a bath?

The beautiful thing about understanding God as a Trinitarian being is a simple concept called inclusion. Father, Son and Spirit include each other in everything. Each does nothing without the others. The love enjoyed by Father, Son and Spirit overflows to the whole of creation and includes all of us, every living thing from beginning to end. No one is left out. No one must feel the sting of rejection or abandonment – in this life, yes, but not with God.

The import of this truth is enormous. Every single person you see (and those you don’t see – everyone who ever lived) is included in God’s life. There are no exceptions. Some will choose to exclude themselves, but that’s between them and God, and is none of our business. Our business is to love and include everyone to the best of our ability and leave the judging to God.

What a difference this understanding would make to churches everywhere! I can’t imagine how many tracts would have to be reprinted if this truth were embraced. The sinner’s prayer would become the beloved’s prayer or the believer’s prayer. That little bridge used to illustrate the gulf between God and humanity? Gone! Instead you might see a picture of the loving arms of God, holding someone who may still be in need of a bath, clean clothes and a meal, but grateful, happy and loved.

If Aunt Norris had understood this, she could have contributed not only to her niece’s happiness but also to her own. She could have changed the rain that ruined the parade into a rainbow, with blessings for everyone, just as God intends.

By Tammy Tkach

Anyone who has been to my home knows I love flowers. They are everywhere—in the backyard, in the front yard and in pots wherever I can find space. I love everything about them from planting them, watching them grow, and enjoying their fragrances and colors, to how they attract butterflies and hummingbirds. I wait all year for spring bulbs and I’m sad when they finish blooming. When a piece of a plant breaks off, instead of throwing it out I stick it in dirt and hope it grows. I talk to my roses.

I’ve always thought my love of flowers was genetic as my parents came from farming backgrounds. My dad was an avid gardener who also loved flowers. My mom’s yard is full of them and she loves them as much as me, or rather, as much as I do. I read a booklet by Baxter Kruger that changed my perspective on my passion for flowers, as well as my other hobbies and predilections. The booklet (available in e-book form on his website, www.perichoresis.org) is titled The Secret, not to be confused with the new age book of the same name.

Kruger tells the story of his encounter on a plane with a biologist. This man was enthusiastic about plants, so much so Kruger received an impromptu botany lesson. That prompted him to ask the biologist where he got his passion for plants. The man said he’d not really thought about it, so Kruger showed him a diagram depicting Father, Son and Holy Spirit and explained that his passion came from God’s passion. He didn’t say what the biologist thought, but I know what my reaction was: Aha!

That’s why I love flowers so much! That’s why artists paint, musicians play, singers sing, architects build, athletes play and compete, writers write and pilots fly. Our passion and creativity come from the passion and creativity of God, through the Son, in and through the Spirit. I was right, my love of flowers is genetic, but it’s DNA passed on to me through the shared life of Father, Son and Spirit.

So when the biologist who loves plants goes on a research trip or I plant yet another bulb or a poet writes a poem, we are expressing the image of God. Why is this important? It means, as many of us have suspected, our lives are not separate from God. As Paul said in Acts 17:28, “In him we live and move and have our being” (NIV). In Christ, all of life is shared life with the Trinity.

As I write, occasionally looking out the window at my flowers and fruit trees (and running out to chase the birds away), I am living “in the circle of the Triune life of God” (The Secret). All people, as we live out our passions or dream of living them, participate with God as he lives in us. He is Emmanuel. Our lives are in him. He is with us in everything we do. I think I’ll go plant something in celebration of God with us!

By Tammy Tkach

I have a confession to make: I don’t like housework. I’d much rather be out in the yard mowing, trimming or weeding–even in August. It’s psychological I’m sure. When I mow, at least a week goes by before it needs it again. When I mop the floor or clean the kitchen, the effects of my cleaning can be wiped out in less than a day. I’ve also discovered if I leave my glasses off I can deny the need a little longer.

After years of denial and putting off what I should be doing, I’ve come to terms with it. It must be done whether or not I feel like it. We face many things we don’t want to do. Some can be stubbornly denied for years, like exercising or cleaning out the attic. Some are more urgent, like doing taxes or changing the oil in our cars. Sooner or later most of us grow up enough to suck it up and do what we’d rather not do.

I often think of Jesus when faced with difficult tasks, especially if they are unpleasant or painful. He prayed so hard in the Garden of Gethsemane he sweat blood, asking his Father more than once if he could get out of what he knew was coming. As he was fully human he most assuredly wasn’t looking forward to death on a cross. But he faced it with grace and dignity, knowing he came for that purpose.

Are you facing something you’d rather not do? It could be insignificant or major, with corresponding consequences, but either way you might need to consider Jesus and do them anyway. Everything we do or don’t do has an effect on someone, to the good or bad. When I don’t clean, my house isn’t as pleasant a place to live. If I don’t mow the lawn, not only do I bring down the appearance of my street, but also I could face city code enforcement. Other things we put off or ignore could harm people or the environment.

For believers, putting off Bible study or other spiritual disciplines can have immediate and long-term effects. Growing in grace and knowledge doesn’t come automatically. We must put in some effort and time. Our eternal reward doesn’t depend on legalistically practicing the disciplines, but we could be missing out on living in the grace and joy of a deeper relationship with Christ.

Paul talks about being mature in Ephesians 4:13. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 he says we are to put off childish things, which includes irresponsibly avoiding what we know we should do, either for the good of others or ourselves. It can be difficult to move from childishly shirking responsibility to maturely accepting it. But for us who are in Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can grow up into him and become more like him.  He is our role model even in this.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get busy on some, uh, unfinished business.

While out walking, I came upon a little dog wandering the neighborhood. He was friendly, so I approached him to see if he had a collar with identifying information. With my cell phone I called the number and told the woman who answered that Tippy was out and about. She hollered to her husband who drove up a few minutes later and gratefully retrieved the dog. As I walked away I thought, now I’ve done my good deed for the day. I planned to donate blood platelets later on, so it occurred to me I would be doing two good deeds in one day.

Then I thought, how typical. My human nature pats itself on the back for doing something good and then smugly goes away thinking well done; I’ve done my good deed. Now I can please myself the rest of the day.

Most of us would agree this is a legalistic way of looking at doing good to others. Unfortunately it’s how most of us think. But just as we shouldn’t count how many times we forgive someone, we also shouldn’t count how many times we help or serve others. Jesus didn’t stop healing people after reaching a quota. He was generous with himself and his time. He often withdrew to spend time alone with his Father, because he was human after all. He needed physical rest and spiritual refreshment. But he didn’t limit himself to one or two good deeds a day.

Jesus not only brought grace by laying down his life for humanity, he also lived a life of grace toward others. He didn’t keep track of wrongs or rights. He was more concerned with hearts. We aren’t on the same level as Jesus, even though we are his representatives. Unlike Christ we may tend to limit our good deeds, perhaps by judging if people are qualified for our help. Our job is just to help – to offer the cup of cold water, the hot meal, the word of encouragement, the ride or the muscles to lend a hand. Grace frees us to offer ourselves and our time to others, with no thought of return or stopping when we feel we’ve done enough.

For most of us the problem isn’t stopping because we’re doing too much, it’s the opposite. We are by nature on the selfish side and think more of our own needs than those of others. Hence the thought I had the day I rescued the dog. Far from feeling good about how much I’ve done for others, how much more could I do if I were more aware and willing to lay down my life for not only my friends, but also for anyone who needs help.

Living under grace calls for letting go of legalistic, judgmental thoughts and living free of self- or other imposed restrictions. It means being thankful for the opportunity to do all the good we can to all the people we can. Grace frees us to live gracefully toward others and to share God’s blessings with everyone.

Yes, I’ve been watching Star Trek again. No, I never get tired of it. There’s something about space travel that excites my imagination. It really is the last frontier. What’s also interesting is no matter how far the Star Trek crew travels from the home world, they still can’t get away from human nature and the reality of life.

In an episode of Star Trek Voyager titled “Real Life,” the holographic doctor decided to create a holographic family on the holodeck so he could learn to relate to his flesh and blood counterparts. For those of you who still live on Planet Earth, a holodeck is a “simulated reality facility located on starships and star bases in the fictional Star Trek universe” (Wikipedia). You can find out more than you want to know by googling holodeck.

The doctor programmed an ideal wife, son and daughter and settled down to enjoy family life. One of his crewmates pointed out his Father Knows Best, 1950s style family was a far cry from reality, so she made a few changes to the programming. What followed looked a lot closer to what we experience today: stressed-out, overscheduled wife, kids with questionable friends, and some loud music, backtalk and rebellion thrown in for good measure.

The doctor fared rather well until his daughter fell during a sporting event and sustained a serious head injury. When he and another doctor realized she was beyond help and close to death, the doctor decided he’d had enough and ended the program.

Isn’t that what we wish we could do when things get really tough? Life would be so much easier if we could just say, computer, end program, and all our troubles would disappear. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, like in the doctor’s first program, everyone was always cheerful, well-behaved, happy, healthy and no one had any problems? The doctor thought so; that’s why he left when things became difficult.

Another crew member convinced him not to run out on his suffering family and to go back to his dying daughter. In that way he might learn what being a family was really about. So he did. The doctor’s wife and estranged son also came to the daughter’s bedside. They were all there with her when she died, holding her hand and helping her not to be afraid.

The holographic doctor couldn’t run away from real life and neither can we. We can’t say, end program, but we can say, Father, help us and the most loving, powerful Being alive will be there to give us his strength and help.

Life is messy and difficult, but as the doctor learned, it’s also worth the struggle. His fictional family learned love is stronger than troubles. What they didn’t know is God is stronger than life or death and that real life is in him. We know, so instead of running away, we run to—Jesus, who is our real life.

After the resurrection, Jesus met a couple of his disciples on the way to Emmaus. I love reading about this encounter and wish I could have been there. Or at the least, it would be great to have a record of their conversation. Starting at Moses and going through the Prophets, Jesus explained the Scriptures concerning himself (Luke 24:27). What a difference it would make in our understanding of the Old Testament if we could know what was said that day.

Some churches disregard the Old Testament and focus entirely on the new, while others seem to live in the old, liking the celebrations and rituals (sound familiar?). As with most things, the proper perspective is usually found somewhere in the middle.

As I said last time, through Jesus’ eyes, the Old Testament shows us the heart of God. We see him in Exodus as the deliverer, in Ruth as the kinsman-redeemer and in Esther as our intercessor. In Psalms he’s our great Shepherd and in Song of Solomon he’s the loving bridegroom. In Daniel, he’s the fourth man in the fiery furnace and in Hosea the faithful but wronged husband.

We see his desire to have a relationship with the people he chose for his very own. Jesus came to save the lost sheep of the house of Israel. We see his love and concern for them, and his jealousy when they went after other gods. Through David’s writings, we see how God is like a protective mother bird, keeping us safe under strong wings. Jesus longed to gather the children of Jerusalem to himself as a mother hen gathers her chicks. Through the words of the prophets, we see how the law and religion can be turned into something profane. We watch Israel lose their connection with God because of legalism and hypocrisy.

Then Jesus entered the picture and as he explained to his disciples on the road to Emmaus, everything pointed to him. During his ministry, he preached out of the Old Testament, showing people how it was a prologue to his coming. The whole creation had been waiting for the Incarnation, for the fulfillment of the law, the prophets and the promise of the Messiah.

I remember when it first dawned on me the Old Testament was about Jesus. In all my years of reading it and observing the holy days, I only occasionally saw him there. Now I look for him. Reading through the whole Bible this year is my fresh opportunity to find him on every page.

I’m learning to read the Old Testament with a greater awareness that it’s all about Jesus, which helps reconcile the seeming differences between the two sections of Scripture. I want to be able to explain it to those with questions. My prayer is for my mind to be more open to what I’ve missed all these years. I just wish someone had written the “Book of Emmaus” so I could understand more! But for now my reading has taken the feel of a treasure hunt and each book holds new delights as I learn more about my God and Savior. May you also be blessed as you read the Old Testament with his eyes.

I made a new year’s resolution this year. Well, it’s not really a resolution, just a commitment to read the Bible through in a year. I thought it might be good to revisit books I haven’t spent much time on in the past few years. I went on www.biblegateway.com and found I could read it online in chronological order. So far the only difference from the order in the Bible is reading Job shortly after starting Genesis, with a few psalms thrown in, supposedly written by Moses. I supplement my reading with biographies of people like Job, Joseph and Esther.

I must admit I found parts of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy a bit tedious. I slogged through, hoping for more insight on the nature and character of God. Not having read the first five books of the Bible in some time, I was struck anew by the violence, revenge, strict rules and seeming mercilessness with which God treated his own people, and even more, the innocent bystanders who were wiped out for the sake of the Israelites.

I can see where some might get the idea there are two Gods, the one in the Old Testament who is harsh, strict and out for revenge and the God of the New Testament who loves everyone and shows grace to sinners. Does God really have two different personalities? Some people think so.

This belief is one aspect of dualism and comes from the pagan idea of the concept of two spiritual forces, good and evil. It’s an incorrect understanding of God that forms a barrier to a relationship with him.

God isn’t a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde character. He wasn’t mean and bloodthirsty in the first part of history and then changed into a loving, merciful God later. We know from Hebrews 13:8 he is the same yesterday, today and forever. God had a plan and it was (and still is) brilliant. He knew what Israel needed and interacted with them in the best way at the time for them and for the grand plan. God gave them the law as a schoolmaster, with rewards for good behavior and punishment for bad. But everything he did pointed them toward the next stage of his plan.

The Old Covenant was all about the flesh and set the stage for the Incarnation, which was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. The New Covenant is about new life in Christ, eternal life by God’s grace, a fulfillment of what God instituted by the Old Covenant. The Bible shows a progression, all leading to the cross.

People seem to want to draw conclusions about who God is based on our own human characteristics. At first glance it does seem God could be a two-headed monster, but isn’t that what we ourselves are – kind and gracious one day, mean and nasty the next? I think many of the misconceptions we have about God are based on not understanding God is not like us. He’s not capricious, mischievous, self-centered or petty. He does what he does for his own reasons, with wisdom and brilliance, and completely out of our scope of understanding.

If God seems sometimes hard to understand, that’s because he is God. But we have Jesus, who is the perfect representation of God. He told his disciples because they had seen him, they had seen who God is. People need to know they can read the Old Testament through Jesus’ eyes, and through his eyes, see straight to the heart of our loving God.

When we travel I seldom watch TV news and only glance at a newspaper a couple of times. I may check my e-mail and look at one or two news items online. At home I try to keep up with the news every day, but while on trips I feel a bit out of touch with what’s happening in the world.

Keeping up is getting more difficult even when not traveling. We are experiencing a glut of information because of the Internet and the availability of instant news. A person could spend an entire day just reading about everything going on in the world. I don’t have that kind of time, so I rely on headlines and quick summaries to keep me informed.

Keeping up with what’s happening in the Worldwide Church of God also takes time and it’s infinitely more important. Are you keeping up? I must admit I’m not, but attending pastor conferences makes me realize if I don’t, I’ll be left behind.

Our understanding of grace and the Trinity and how that greater understanding affects our ministries has grown in the past couple of years. The Holy Spirit is leading us into more and deeper understanding of who God is and how we participate in the life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As part of the priesthood of all believers, you will find it beneficial to read some of the  books recommended to the pastors and elders, especially two books by C. Baxter Kruger: Jesus and the Undoing of Adam and God Is for Us. They’re not just for pastors!

Every Christian should read Invitation to Theology by Michael Jinkins, because as Jinkins says: “Theology is our critical and prayerful reflection on the totality of life. We all do theology on a regular basis, whether or not we are conscious of the fact.” As Christians, theology is part of who we are, so it makes sense to understand it.

Other must-reads are books by C.S. Lewis. They provide a good foundation of understanding, especially Mere Christianity. I also enjoyed reading the complete Chronicles of Narnia.

Do you want to be able to give an answer to the hope that lies within you? The only way you can give an intelligent, rational explanation of why you believe is to study, grow and let the Holy Spirit lead you into greater understanding. And we must be sure of what we believe.

It may sound old fashioned, but evil influences do creep in. Take a look at some of the current movies and television shows. I like watching movies as much as the next person, but I’m starting to think the only good movies are old movies. And I can’t even watch sitcoms. Knowing what we believe and why helps us fight against these influences and resist the temptation to lower our moral standards.

So keep up with your reading—I will too. We’ll not only keep growing, but we’ll be ready to give a good answer to a world desperate for the right Answer – Jesus.

You may access all of my letters, by clicking the archive links on the sidebar. Enjoy! As always, you may use any or all of my letters in any way you would like, just please give me credit for writing them.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “I can resist anything but temptation.” When someone says this, we usually laugh, nod our heads and agree. Yes, temptation is hard to resist. And many might say resisting temptation is no fun either. When was the last time you saw or heard of someone turning away from any kind of temptation? If you believe advertisers, TV and movies, you would think it’s the only way to live. Don’t deny yourself anything: eat whatever you want, buy whatever you want, do whatever you want. You’ll be happier if you do. You’ll have more fun and enjoy life more.

Other than seeing that slogan on a bumper sticker, few talk about resisting temptation these days. It’s a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it? What’s the point? Does it matter? Paul told Timothy: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9, NIV throughout). I imagine those CEOs who got caught with their hands in the cookie jar are regretting giving in to the lure of riches – some from their prison cells.

Joseph is one of the few biblical characters who not only didn’t give in when tempted, he emphatically refused and ran away. It didn’t seem to do any good, as he was then falsely accused and imprisoned. Some reward, huh? It seems so at first glance, but as it says in Genesis 39:21, “The Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” His story did have a happy ending.

Joseph didn’t resist Potiphar’s wife’s aggressive come on because of legalism or self-righteousness. A person who actively turns away from temptation might be judged to be both. But that’s not how God looks at it. As we’ve already seen in Paul’s words to Timothy, giving in to lusts is foolish and leads to destruction.

Joseph was able to resist for three reasons:
1.    He knew it would be a betrayal of the trust placed in him by Potiphar.
2.    He knew it was a sin against God.
3.    He made the decision ahead of time.

We don’t know if Joseph anticipated his master’s wife’s advances, but he knew God and what his real Master expected of him. He trusted God, understood sin and its consequences and had already made up his mind not to betray God or man in his actions. He could have given in to other temptations as well – anger at God, self-pity, pride in his position in Potiphar’s house and in the prison, and lust for power and money.

We’re faced with many temptations, though usually not as dramatic as those of Joseph. Temptation is a part of human life that hasn’t changed in thousands of years and resisting is just as important now as it was in Joseph’s day. Why is it important? As C.S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, every time we make a choice, we’re becoming different on the inside. We become more in harmony with God, or a “hellish creature,” prone to “madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness.”

Contrary to prevailing opinion, resisting temptation is important. Let’s trust God, keep his trust and plan ahead to resist. It’s a plan that will help us not only avoid the destruction giving in will bring, but also as Lewis said, lead to “joy and peace and knowledge and power.”