For What It's Worth | Crossroads Church :: A Place of Rest On the Road of Life, for Harnett County

July 14, 2008

Just another young girl running around the streets of her Catholic neighborhood, Catherine presented herself to her leaders and priests and requested that she be made a nun. It wasn’t an unusual for a dedicated Catholic girl, even at her tender age, although it must have raised a few eyebrows when she asked to also be a recluse, shut out from the life she had known, cut off from family and friends. Had she had a difficult life she wanted to escape? A life of wealth and ease that pricked her conscience? We know little of her background.

Perhaps her interviewers were struck by her passion to separate herself from all things worldly in order to devote her life to prayer. Accepted to a particular institution, she would have contact with none but those within the walls of the convent.

Locked away with the Lord, however, something happened that neither the priests, the nuns, nor Catherine expected or foresaw. Praying and speaking to her God, apparently he spoke back.

Without benefit of a Bible to consult or study, Catherine began to question doctrinal points she’d previously been taught. Why should confession be only made to a priest? Wouldn’t another believer be capable of listening to her heart and offering counsel and encouragement? Wasn’t infant baptism largely ineffective, since the infant could not possibly know what he or she believed at the time? And surely, when she took communion bread into her mouth, it was still bread, not the actual body of Christ. It tasted like ordinary bread, smelled like ordinary bread, chewed and swallowed like ordinary bread—perhaps it symbolized his broken body. Perhaps the simple obedience of remembering his death through communion was a worthy goal, without there being something mystical and magic about it.

Had Catherine kept her new-found beliefs to herself, she might have died of old age at the convent. As it was, she shared with the other nuns and someone—as so often happens—must have squealed. Can’t you just hear it? “You’ll never guess what Catherine just said!”

Today, she might be hauled before a review committee, put on kitchen duty, kicked out of the convent. Unfortunately for her, it wasn’t 2008, but 1417. France was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and the HRE did not take kindly to independent thinkers, cute little girl or not.

In 1417, the Catholic Church’s method for nipping controversy in the bud was as drastic as they come. Catherine Saube, just another passionate young believer, was burned at the stake. Not only did she give her life for her beliefs, she had taught so well that the entire convent was assessed as “infected.” The sisters all….all…burned together. Maybe even the “squealer.”

Something to think about, the next time we’re tempted to complain about this doctrine or that rule, or boast of our “convictions.” It has been said that a conviction isn’t just something you believe—it’s something you’ll suffer for, whether by going to prison or facing death. That might narrow the list considerably.

Something else to consider? Catherine Saube’s revelations predated Martin Luther’s by many years. Is it possible that this story of “just” a young girl in France reached his ears? We may never know the full impact of choices, words, and actions during this life, but I have no doubt at all that Catherine Saube and her sisters are among that rest under the altar of God:

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; [10] they cried out with a loud voice, "Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" [11] They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.

Revelation 6:9-11 (New Revised Standard Version)

P.S. Read about Catherine and a multitude of the faithful who gave their lives for the Lord in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.

ellenofgillette1@aol.com.

June 30, 2008

The Bible is filled with stories of larger-than-life heroes and heroines, many well-known, others not so. Sometimes I get caught up in the verses I’m reading, wondering what it must have really been like at the time. There are relatively few details given and some of the women, especially, have gotten a bad rap down through the ages. We need to remember that these were real women, not just characters in a book. We do them a disservice when we refuse to allow them to become flesh and blood as we study.

Eve has long been pegged the source of the world’s woes, but there are also others who, I believe, remain largely misunderstood. Job’s wife, for one—her husband said she was foolish to suggest he “Curse God and die” in the midst of incredible trials and suffering, but I hear a woman who loves so deeply she can hardly bear to watch her husband’s pain. Foolish, yes, in light of God’s plans and purposes, but also, from a human standpoint, perfectly understandable.

Of all the women I’ve heard dealt with harshly, however, whether in print or from the pulpit, I think Michal, David’s first wife, deserves the prize. When she is spoken of, it is almost always with disdain. What audacity, to cop an attitude with King David, the man after God’s own heart! How dare she criticize him for worshipping God!

We’re so quick to judge.

Let’s look briefly at her sad, sad circumstances. Clearly she and Dad haven’t been close—King Saul believes his little girl will “be a snare” to David (1 Samuel 18:21), not a blessing.

In love with David (who may have preferred her older sister), her father, all but dares David to marry Michal by requiring him to circumcise a hundred Philistines as a bride-price. He’s refused to marry for love, but he jumps at the chance to kick a little Philistine butt! Michal faces life as a newlywed caught between an overbearing father who hates her husband, and her beloved husband, destined by God to take over her family’s reign. She saves his life by helping him escape, only to receive word that David’s taken another wife. And then another…

Meanwhile, Daddy Dearest decides to publicly humiliate his son-in-law by giving Michal to a man named Paltiel. In that culture and day, it’s unlikely that Michal had a choice. Saul takes his life in battle, her brother Jonathan is killed, David is finally anointed king. Years pass. David has six wives, more concubines, numerous children. But Michal is, perhaps, at peace for the first time in her life, content to live with a man who actually loves her, who doesn’t have to fear for his life, who comes home each night.

Unfortunately, David goes into “payback” mode when an enemy wishes to get into his good graces. He agrees to accept the man—if he will bring back Michal (note that David never tried to get her back himself). Apparently Paltiel is much more heartbroken by his separation from Michal than David ever was--when she’s removed by force, he follows, weeping, until ordered to return home.

Within the context of all this turmoil and emotion Michal becomes embittered toward the man she once loved. Perhaps she has a problem seeing David worshipping God in the context of all the hurt, from her perspective, that he has caused her. Obviously she’s holding on to some baggage from the past when she confronts David with biting sarcasm in 2 Samuel 6. David responds with equal hardness. The chapter, and all mention of Michal, ends with verse 23 “And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.” The implication? No relationship of any kind between her and David…which probably suited Michal just fine. Unwilling to forgive, possibly unschooled in the ways of Jehovah, we can only guess that she spends the rest of her life in obscurity and self-pity.

But remember 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching…”—the stories in the Bible and the characters the Lord chose to include are there to instruct us, even the ones who appear to have gotten everything wrong. When my David and I were engaged, I prayed for a scripture for our upcoming marriage and was led to 2 Samuel 6:16: “When (Michal) saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.” It became my goal and desire to do just the opposite—to not despise my husband for obeying God, even when I didn’t understand.

“What Would Jesus Do?” is a trendy phrase, but the next time we’re tempted to judge one of Bible’s sadder characters, I suggest we ask ourselves, “What would I have done?” as we try to understand the context of their behavior. If we had undergone the same trials and hurts. And without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who would eventually come to guide and teach.

Ellen Gillette is a freelance writer and author in Lillington, NC. She may be reached at ellenofgillette1@aol.com. Her comments and views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the membership or leadership of Crossroads Church, but they’re kind enough to let her ramble on here. And her husband David has been kind enough to consistently forgive her over the last 31 years when she has failed him miserably.

June 16, 2008

What Would Jesus Eat?

There’s actually a book by that title. And it’s a valid question …would Jesus, for instance, if physically on the earth today, frequent fast food restaurants? He was accused of hanging out with gluttons, and according to health department portion information, a children’s hamburger is about the right size—not triple that, with supersized fries! No wonder many of us have been losing the battle of…losing.

Can the Bible help us with the war on weight? Years ago “Ezekiel Bread” was a fad—God’s recipe for keeping the prophet alive in the desert for two years. Viewing one recipe online recently, I had to laugh—preparation time is given as “20 minutes” but the recipe calls for grinding your own flour (not to mention gathering nuts and berries from the Promised Land). Even today, you can buy “health” bread (i.e. barely edible) touting to be just like Ezekiel’s lifesaver. Taste-wise, the reviews aren’t great, but then, they probably don’t bake it on human dung as God instructed Ezekiel to do. (See Ezekiel 4 – I kid you not.)

Ordinarily when losing weight is discussed, it’s about doing without or limiting a certain section of the food pyramid—no fats, no carbs, nothing white after five o’clock, gluten-free. Those who have lost pounds and keep it off, however, maintain that success has more to do with keeping track of what you eat, incorporating true lifestyle changes, and having the support of family and friends than with sticking to any one’s no-no list.

The addition of one crucial element to our diet, however, added in the right proportion, would probably do more than any attempt at slashing menu items. Calorie free. Just-plain-free, too. I refer, of course, to that universally life-maintaining substance…water.

Being comprised of 75% water, we need lots of it every day to remain healthy—that old school chart axiom of 8 glasses of day is just the minimum, and if you’re like me, even that has historically been difficult to maintain.

Water aids digestion, regulates temperature and circulation, cushions joints, protects organs. Experts say that dehydration (a lack of water) may cause hypertension, asthma, allergies, and migraines; it’s also linked to depression and chronic fatigue. For those of us who want to lose weight, water has to be taken into account—too little leads to excess body fat, poor muscle tone, and water retention that makes us feel even fatter! Who needs that?!

A pharmacist once told me that the body would pretty much maintain an even keel if kept hydrated. Obviously, water is crucial to our existence, and yet, we habitually reach out for sodas and java, which actually deplete the water in our bodies. We don’t drink what we should (enough of it, anyway) and we substitute liquids that aren’t nearly as beneficial.

You can probably guess where I’m headed with this.

In John 4, Jesus tells the woman of Samaria that the water he gives is a spring of eternal life. In John 7, Jesus speaks to a crowd in Jerusalem on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”

Isaiah 55:1 calls out to us still: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…” The psalmist created a beautiful word picture in Psalm 42: “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

Just as our physical bodies depend on water for physical health, our spirits depend on spiritual water. Just as we are already dehydrated by the time our minds register that we are thirsty, causing us to seek liquids, we don’t always realize we’re spiritually dehydrated until things begin to fall apart around us. How many problems might we avoid if we simply and consistently drank of the living water? How many times have we heard someone say they felt dry?

I encourage you to not only drink more water, but to drink in more of Jesus’ pure, thirst-quenching, life-giving water through reading the Word, worshipping alone and with others, praying to the giver of all good things.

Ellen Gillette is a Christian writer in Harnett County, North Carolina who is trying really hard to drink more water. Author of Baaad Sheep- When God’s People Let You Down (CarePoint, 2007) she may be reached by e-mail: ellenofgillette1@aol.com. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of other individuals or corporate bodies associated with Crossroads Church. (New Revised Version of the Bible used this week.)

P.S. Studies recommend that if you are overweight you should add one glass of water to your daily requirement (of eight glasses) for every 25 pounds over your recommended weight.

I don’t know how to archive these things, so please scroll down for previous columns!

May 5

Welcome to a different kind of religion column, the primary difference being that I personally have no faith at all in “religion.” Religions are based on man’s ideas, ideas which consistently and historically cause untold grief and turmoil throughout the world. What I do have faith in, and what this column will attempt to look at in various ways and from assorted angles and through different colored lenses, is the importance of having a relationship with God, based on faith in him and in his word, the Bible.

What qualifies me to write about weighty, eternally significant issues? Well, I did once breeze through a Bible knowledge test given to Lutheran ministerial candidates—that and a dollar will get you a double cheeseburger at Mickey D’s. You may have noticed that my byline contains neither distinguished title at its beginning nor letters signifying advanced degrees at its end. Call me a Plain Jane Christian, if you will, a generic version—just a sinner saved by grace who wants to learn what the Bible has to say to me and all the rest of us stuck on Planet Earth in 2008—and someone who would enjoy having you come along for the ride.

This isn’t a column for Bible scholars, but for Bible students, which is just another word for “disciples.” In the truest sense of the word, students enjoy digging into available resources, mining precious golden nuggets of knowledge that had, at least for them, been previously hidden. Students also enjoy sharing the results of their particular quests with others, sometimes with annoying enthusiasm!

Although the kind leaders at Crossroads Church have donated space on the church website for this little co-adventure, we won’t expect answers to come from one church’s particular mindset or doctrinal stance (and certainly not from any political soapbox)—all eggs of wisdom can’t possibly be discovered in one basket. We will find fresh wisdom from devoted men and women who have gone before us, and also from those who pursue God in our own time. And (sigh) you’ll have to endure my personal opinions. But I can assure you that the Bible itself will be our focus.

Be forewarned: because (in my opinion) Christians tend to take themselves far too seriously most of the time, we will hopefully enjoy a good belly laugh once in awhile. In fact, people in general have a nasty habit of taking almost everything too seriously…with the notable exception of the few things that must be taken seriously…or else.

This will be a column for fellow seekers of wisdom, colleagues in Christ. Next time, we’ll jump in with both feet and talk about…well, feet. Are there significant Bible verses about feet? Come back, and we’ll look at a few of them together, along with some thoughts.

For what it’s worth.

Ellen Gillette lives in Harnett County, North Carolina, attends Crossroads where she is involved with children’s and women’s ministries, and is the author of Baaad Sheep- When God’s People Let You Down (CarePoint 2007). She may be reached by e-mail: ellenofgillette1@aol.com. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of other individuals or corporate bodies associated with Crossroads Church…or my long-suffering husband.

May 19

When Isaiah wrote about the beautiful feet of those who bring good news (52:7), he must not have been having a vision of mine—I’m on a constant look-out for creams and whatnot to help mend the dryness and cracks. Even though feet have to put up with a lot of abuse, there’s much we can learn by taking a closer look.

Buddhists consider the foot the most dishonorable part of the body and follow rules you’ll need to remember should you visit Thailand (or Richard Gere)—remove shoes before entering buildings and avoid pointing feet toward people, objects, or statues of Buddha. I’m not a Buddhist—I’m not sure even Buddha would be a Buddhist were he alive today, because if the guy was sincerely in search of enlightenment he wouldn’t appreciate being worshipped—but anything that cuts down on sweeping can’t be all bad.

In India, children touch parents’ feet to show love and respect and to request a blessing. Persian weddings of the past included foot-washing for the couple—somewhere, presumably, between throwing the garter and doing the Chicken Dance. Ancient Chinese women had their feet bound, practically crippling them, rendering them incapable of any kind of dance at all…this from one of the most advanced cultures in history.

Interestingly (and news to me when I began my research) is the fact that “feet” was sometimes used by Hebrew Bible writers as a euphemism for parts of the body not normally discussed in polite company (yes, those). When someone pointed this out to me, I did a quick Google to confirm--Bible scholars point to several Old Testament references that may not have anything at all to do with a pair of size tens.

During the time of Christ, the majority of people walked everywhere on dusty roads; feet, therefore, became dirty. Servants customarily washed the feet of employers and guests upon arrival, a custom mentioned several places in the Bible, most notably at the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet prior to his crucifixion (John 13).

Traditionally, his action stands as an example of godly leadership…not lording over those under one’s authority, but serving them so that the entire group—whether church, family, organization, or business—is built up for the corporate good.

During Medieval times, it was customary for nobles to wash the feet of twelve of the kingdom’s poorest men during Easter week; Queen Elizabeth still practices this, in fact (which makes one wonder how the wash-ees are chosen. Is there a sign-up sheet?). Some churches also reenact Christ’s foot-washing as a regular, or special, part of worship.

Over the years, I’ve received different responses to the idea of foot washing as an act of Christian service. On our honeymoon, I washed my new husband’s feet, symbolizing my willingness to serve him in love—a concept that won his immediate approval. Years later, not all my fellow teachers at a small denominational school were enthused when I shared a devotional on the subject and began washing their feet. One person would only let me wash one(!); another refused on the basis of the famous “That’s Not The Way We Do Things” protocol.

Another time I felt compelled to wash the feet of a Scottish evangelist visiting a home group we attended. He later told me he’d had to pray during the entire time I knelt there, pouring water over his feet as a blessing—apparently his feet are extremely ticklish. He was concerned he’d burst out laughing and spoil the moment.

A phrase we hear periodically in the media which captures man’s tendency to fail—“feet of clay”— comes straight from Scripture (Daniel 2). The “footwear” encouraged in the Word is the preparation of the gospel (Ephesians 6:15). When a prostitute washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, she shocked self-righteous onlookers but pleased the Lord (Luke 7). God’s Word is a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105) but if we ignore it, we may well join those whose feet run to evil (Isaiah 59:7).

Containing twenty-six bones, feet walk about 65,000 miles in a lifetime. They perform a Herculean task, supporting our body weight day in and day out (more of a task for some of our feet than for others’!) but they’re also easily taken for granted—until we stub a toe or get a blister. Be kind to your feet this week, and pray about someone whose feet you may need to wash. Don’t be too quick to add on a “figurative” clause—the physical acts of finding a bowl, running water until it’s warm, draping a soft towel over one’s arm, kneeling at a brother or sister’s feet and looking up at them from a new perspective of submissiveness…there is power in really doing it.

Ellen Gillette is a Christian writer in Harnett County, North Carolina who puts “a foot massage” pretty near the top of her favorite things. Author of Baaad Sheep- When God’s People Let You Down (CarePoint, 2007) she may be reached by e-mail: ellenofgillette1@aol.com. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of other individuals or corporate bodies associated with Crossroads Church or the American Podiatric Medical Association.

June 2, 2008

Christians just want to help. After all, Jesus told us to love one another (John 13:34)—isn’t helping people the loving thing to do?

Not necessarily.

Most of us are familiar with the term “enabler,” one who prevents someone from facing personal demons and making significant life changes. We can become financial enablers by “helping” others avoid responsibility.

How do we avoid the trap? Simple—obey the word of God, which teaches that everything belongs to him (Job 41:11), while we are merely stewards (Luke 12:42-48). We are expected to use wisdom with the money God allows us to govern (Proverbs 21:20).

I’ve heard of borrowers who decided that loans were “gifts,” therefore not liable for repayment. Of folks who got stuck with buying out leased vehicles for those who didn’t properly care for them, because they had co-signed. Friends who loaned credit cards for others to purchase items they eventually sold…without paying back the loan! It makes matters even more difficult when loved ones or family members are involved…the very ones we’re most likely to help.

Unfortunately, I can offer the perfect cautionary tale. In 2006, a collections agency informed me of an outstanding bill with a utilities company in Florida! Surely it was a mistake. Yes…mine.

Years before, when we owned a rental house in Florida, I “helped” tenants by putting the utilities account in my name because they couldn’t afford the deposit required for new customers. I already had an account in good standing; no money was required—what was the harm?

Too bad I didn’t consult King Solomon before acting. He wrote that putting up money for someone else is foolish (Proverbs 11:15). Eventually we sold the house, and the tenants moved on…leaving an outstanding bill. When I contacted them, asking that they straighten it out with the collections agency, I got an earful of rage and cursing.

A relationship was seriously, possibly irreparably, damaged. Our bank account was depleted—the money was owed, after all; my name was on the account. As painful as the situation continues to be, from the Big Picture standpoint, it is also rich with opportunities to learn a few Life Lessons:

Pay attention to red flags. From the beginning, my husband was opposed to renting to the couple because he felt it would be a problem for them financially. I wanted them there so badly I “made it happen” instead of submitting to his wisdom. (Just one of several red flags I chose to ignore in my zeal to “help.”)

There are reasons why lenders ask for co-signers and companies require deposits. If someone hasn’t established a record of responsibility, be very cautious about yoking yourself to his or her financial wagon. Look for alternatives-- things would have been better off in the long run had I given our tenants the deposit money. (Better still if I had listened to my husband!)

Not every want is a need. If people have to take a measure of responsibility for their own provisions, their needs list may shorten drastically. On top of that, not every legitimate “need” is one you or I should necessarily meet. We may be asked to make a loan and the Lord will say to give a gift. We may be asked to give a gift, and the Lord will say no. Emotion shouldn’t cloud our judgment—even…especially… when fellow believers, close friends, or family members are involved.

Dependence on the Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is key in the matter of financial assistance. As it is in all areas, for that matter. We can’t possibly know what God is trying to accomplish in and through each life and situation. When we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask in faith (James 1:5).

I failed in many ways, but I’ve come to realize that my first mistake was wanting to be perceived as a loving person (ouch) instead of being committed to a true and honest expression of showing God’s love. As a result, I actually hindered his purposes.

Which wasn’t helpful at all.

Ellen Gillette may be reached by e-mail: ellenofgillette1@aol.com. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of other individuals or corporate bodies associated with Crossroads Church or the Baptist denomination, but King Solomon would, I think, agree.