God's Favorite Color

In the instructions given to Moses, blue prevails as the favored color of YHWH for the Old Covenant tabernacle where His presence resided, in its curtain and priest, coverings for the Ark of the Covenant and altars, and garment tassels for the people.

If the Savior's words are recorded in the red of blood, I choose to record the Father's words in the blue of ocean, sky, and tabernacle. It's not my favorite color—the color in which I am well pleased when I see or wear or use it—but I'd like to think it's all those things for Him.

And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
~ Mark 1:10-11 (NKJV)

Jesus is the firstborn Son of the Father, but not the last. In being born again, we gain a new identity and inheritance, in becoming children of the same Father (Romans 8:29). But we also become the tabernacle of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 6:16), the place for God to reside on earth.

Though we may quench His Spirit or yield to being filled with His Spirit, (and we may disciplined by Him), we are also His beloved sons and daughters, in whom He is well pleased.

And perhaps, when He sees us through the blood of His firstborn Son, we are cast in a new and blue light.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
~ 1 John 3:2 (NKJV)

I love You, Abba. Please help us see ourselves as You do, beloved and not condemned, bearing the color of Your light.

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Light, Part III: Truth & Blindness

"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness."
~ John 12:46 (NKJV)

My mother has been blind since birth, with the ability to only see light, distinguish colors, and visually detect movement. She has sometimes expressed the desire to see an object or activity, particularly when a sighted person describes something to her. But my mother hasn't considered blindness a particular burden in life—it is all she's ever known. She's always said that she feels worse for people who once had sight and then lost it.

Several years ago, my mother collided with a sharp object she didn't detect and lost her remaining vision. She now lives in an unfamiliar and colorless world of perpetual darkness. She laments often that losing the sight she once had is far more difficult than it was to never see at all.

She remains grateful that she is only physically blind. She loves the Bible's truth, and has good spiritual vision.

"There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land...
Therefore you shall stumble in the day ...
My people perish for lack of knowledge."
~ Hosea 4:1,5-6

To live without truth and mercy is the result of not knowing God—of being spiritually blind. Spiritual blindness doesn't start out as complete, for the Bible says there's no such thing as a atheist (Romans 1:18-20). Truth and God's existence are known through (among other things) conscience, creation, and the place in every human soul that only God can satisfy.

When we don't know God, we grope about as spiritually blind. We feel around in the darkness for something to fill the God-shaped void in our lives. We expect to be soothed and satisfied by things like:

Food, Caffeine, Tobacco
Alcohol, Drugs (whether illegal or prescription)
Career, Achievement, Status
Sports, Hobbies, Recreation
Entertainment, Amusement, Media
Sex, Relationships
Money, Power
Justice, Revenge

Some of these things are plain evil. Many are only bad if used in excess or the wrong context. Every one of them is bad on the occasions when they displace God.

Therefore He says:
"Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."
~ Ephesians 5:6-14 (NKJV)

I don't know a single person (including yours truly) who never falls back on one of God's provisions in a moment when they instead need only Him. Any one of us can have those moments, come to ourselves, and turn back to God—in prayer, in reading His Word, in seeking out His Light in others. (Woe to us if we do not!)

But the person who is spiritually blind, to whom Light is unfamiliar, knows nothing else. They continue to grope in the Darkness. They may even become so accustomed to Darkness, and embrace it so fully, that they deny the existence of Light—and lose the little Light they have.

"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."
~ Matthew 25:29 (NKJV)

We are children of Light. When we encounter a child of Darkness, we may be inclined to condemn their spiritual blindness and abandon them. (Woe to us if we do so!)

We also have the opportunity to shine upon them with truth and draw them into the Light. They may choose to come with us, and be healed of their blindness. Or they may cling to Darkness, their blindness growing.

Their decision cannot be excuse for Light in us to dim. To be a Christian is to be a little Christ, anointed with His Light, and bring it to every person around us.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
~ Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)

Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Glimpsing Heaven

"Blessings"
photo by Lavone' Vannoy

Our church held VBS (Vacation Bible School) this week. Instead of the age 8-10 kids I have for Sunday School, I this time assisted with 4 and 5 year olds. We had over fifty kids each night in just our group. What a challenge to constructively channel that energy!

One activity involved distributing a Bible or placard heart to each child, to be held up during a song. The first night we alternated, giving every other child a heart or a Bible.

The second night, kids make known their preferences for heart or Bible. We mostly followed the routine of the first night, making changes for the most insistent requests and moving on.

The third night, my heart said to offer each child their choice. Being an assistant, I hesitated. What if nobody wanted the heavier Bibles? I'd mess up the teacher's song. But the soft voice in my heart won out, and surprise! Bibles and hearts were distributed as equally as when we'd alternated, pretty evenly among both boys and girls.

My soul rejoiced. These small children had actually asked for heavy black Bibles when they had the choice to hold a lightweight colorful heart.

After the song I helped collect props. Passing out and picking up those volumes is a weekly task I do with little thought. As I laid Bibles down on the table, a last book in my hand seemed to come alive. I stared at simple paper and ink, bound in black hardcover, stamped with nine gold letters: HOLY BIBLE.

My heart quivered, suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of awe and love. The closest way to describe what came over me is the feeling I had when I held one of my children for the first time. My eyes beheld a treasure of incomparable worth. Countless generations made great sacrifices of love to preserve the sacred power of life in my hands. How many millions of others across the globe and time have agonized to touch and hold and own what I've come to see as an everyday presence in my life?

Somewhat unnerved, I lay down that last precious volume. I turned to look at the group behind me. Why did half ask for a Bible? Do little children see something that adult eyes pass over?

I'd like to think that perhaps, just maybe, a little child glimpses Heaven more often than we think.

I'd like to think that perhaps, just maybe, the same is possible for us.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."
~ Mark 10:15 (NKJV)

I love hearing from you. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: www.nationalphotoawards.com

Heavenly Places

"Love is that condition in which
another's happiness is essential to your own."
~ Robert Heimlich

Heavenly Places

Who is like the LORD our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes.
~ Psalms 113:5-8 (NKJV)

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us ... made us alive together with Christ ... and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
~ Ephesians 2:4-6 (NKJV)

We sing songs of amazing grace and amazing love. We are rightly awed that Almighty God, the Maker of the universe, should have humbled Himself so much that He put on human flesh, knelt before mortals to wash their feet, then submitted Himself to a horrific death on our behalf.

The psalmist says the Lord humbles Himself to even look upon His creation. The Hebrew verb for humble, shâphêl, means to be brought low, to sink down, to be humiliated. The greatness of God, far above and beyond human comprehension, stoops low to simply be able to see and hear us. (Our corruption and lowliness is that bad.)

Then He does the unthinkable. Having stooped down to us, He raises us up to sit with Him. He seats us in the heavenly places, together with His Son, the Prince of Peace and King of kings.

Have you given yourself to Jesus Christ? Understand how low you have been. Understand how high you have been raised.

And never, ever doubt His love and favor for you.

Lord, how can You do so much for us and ask only our love in return? How can we ever love You enough?

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from comment.myspace.com

Great Multitude

"To love is to receive a glimpse of Heaven."
~ Karen Sunde

Great Multitude
#loveoneanother

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth;
Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.
~ Psalms 109:30 (NKJV)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands ...
~ Revelation 7:9 (NKJV)

I travel in many circles:
my family, husband's family, church family;
my ministry, his work, our kids' friends;
Facebook, Twitter, blogsphere;
present neighbors, and friends we never quite let go.

Then there's those many people I just know. Mary and Judy and everyone at the grocery stores. People I recognize only as parents of kids my kids know. Clerks and attendants and receptionists all over. (I'm continually embarrassed by how many names I forget.)

A good many of us know each other as children of the King. When our paths cross, I want to sit down with every single one of you, soak up your company, and express my genuine affection for you. I hate hasty hellos and quickly posted comments and 140 character tweets that say far less than I want to.

Today, I give thanks for your place in my life, whatever it may be.

Today, I give thanks that the day is coming when I'll remember every name, get to hug every neck, and have eternity to bask in your presence.

Ironically, I'm writing about people least likely to see this today, because hardly any of the "great multitude" for whom it is intended will read my blog on a holiday.

I nonetheless say to every one: I love you.

Father in Heaven, thank You for blessing me with so many wonderful people in my life. Please let me be Your blessing to each and every one of them. Please show me how to best love so many in this temporal and imperfect place.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from community.beliefnet.com

Endure Chastening

Note: Be looking for new thoughts on praise and suffering as we work our way through Psalms 101-125 til about Christmas. This week will focus on giving thanks.

"I like to see the Beauty in everything,
the blessings disguised in conflicts and struggles,
and because of that, life kisses me often."
~ Maura Casey @mauraaura

Endure Chastening
#discipleship

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever...
Remember me, LORD,
with the favor that you show to your people.
Visit me with your yeshu'ah [salvation],
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen.
~ Psalms 106:1,4-5 (HNV)
　
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons ... But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
~ Hebrews 12:6-8,11

How does a good parent demonstrate love?

I sometimes run across a commentary which captures something as I wish I had already written. Consider the words of Albert Barnes (1798-1870) on this passage from Hebrews:

It is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves... If he did not, he would let us go on without any attention, and leave us to pursue a course of sin that would involve us in ruin. To restrain and govern a child; to correct him when he errs, shows that there is a parental solicitude for him, and that he is not an outcast. And as there is in the life of every child of God something that deserves correction, it happens that it is universally true that 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.'

We are assured that the Lord is good. He loves His children, and shows favor to those who are His. His favor includes chastening, because His chastening is intended for our prosperity.

His chastening is love as surely as is His kiss.

[Additional note of interest on Psalm 106:4, from the Hebrew Names Version: the word for salvation here is the Hebrew yeshu'ah—also the Hebrew name of Jesus.]

Father in Heaven, You are all goodness and loving kindness. You show us grace and mercy in abundance. Please enable us to understand Your chastening, and to give you thanks for it as Your kiss upon us.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

Image

"It matters less what people think of me
than what they think of Jesus Christ because of me."
~ my adopted motto, original author unknown

"You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)

Image

My friend Bradley Moore publishes the blog "Shrinking the Camel," which regularly examines the integration of faith at work. His post this week ("How Important is Your Image?") included remarks from Michell Corbett on the topic: "Which of these are most important to your career advancement: Performance, Image, or Exposure (P.I.E.)?"

Brad elaborated, and asks his readers, "Does this blatant self-promotion run opposite to the good Christian values of humility, servanthood and putting others before ourselves? Is there a biblical basis for career advancement?"

Because I've got my foot in the door of the publishing industry, this is an issue I've had to grapple with. I'd like to share with you a portion of my response.

"What people think of me matters less [than what they think of Jesus Christ because of me], but it very much matters. In this world, I am the image of Jesus to others. I want to project it with all possible excellence, because exposure of bad image will work against me, and without performance to back it up, image will eventually crumble.

"In thirty years, I’ve run the gamut with image... I now aspire to present an attractive, approachable and modest persona which projects the genuine light of Jesus wherever I’m seen. Even if my plans are to stay home today, I am conscious that I project an image (and example) to my husband and children, whoever comes to the door, and any divine appointment the Lord’s scheduled on that quick trip for groceries.

"I hated the idea of self-promotion online when I encountered the concept. It seemed to run counter to humility. 'I want to promote You, not me!' was my whine to the Lord. He gave me a prayer: Please enable me to build a solid platform which gives prominence to You.

"I sometimes fumble, but this remains my goal."

I have been crucified with Christ;
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to http://www.blogger.com/+Ÿ%1Cp. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Go Against the Flow

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."
~ John W. Whitehead

Go Against the Flow
#loveoneanother

My sixteen-year-old daughter Michaelle recently joined Facebook. It's been a wonderful glimpse into her world—and an assurance that maybe we haven't totally messed up as parents. I share here a status update and two follow up comments that she wrote on Thursday. (Comments of others aren't included.)

"If you 'be who you are' and 'say what you feel,' then the people who matter WILL mind, and the people who "don't matter" will most likely punch you in the face." ~ me, in contradiction of Dr. Seuss

... If I told someone that they were ugly and fat—and I really thought it true—would you think they "didn't matter" if they became offended? Everything in the world tends towards disorder, and we must go against the flow to make it the way God would want it. It's good to be yourself ... [unless] you will be tearing people down instead of building them up. To act who we are all the time would make this world chaos. We need to be what God would have us be, and not what we want.

... I wasn't saying to bottle everything up, and I wasn't saying to not be the way God made you. I'm talking about human nature, not personality. Originally I was making an observation on the quote by Dr. Seuss—"Be who you are, and say what you feel, because the people who matter don't mind, and the people who mind don't matter." People WILL mind if you treat them that way, no matter if they're Christians or not! :)

A fool vents all his feelings,
But a wise man holds them back.
(Proverbs 29:11 NKJV)

Thank You, Father, that You give me a glimpse of Who You are through my children.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo courtesy Michaelle Bundy

One Body

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten

that we belong to each other."
~ Mother Teresa

One Body
#churchunity

Today's post is reprinted from Shortybear's Place, the blog of my sister in Christ, Denise. She's faithfully followed my blog longer than anyone, has encouraged me when I questioned if I should keep writing it, and she stops in even when she isn't feeling well. Please pray for my sweet friend, who has planned for months to be at a blogger conference this weekend but is home with health problems. I love you, Denise!

Jimmy Durante, one of the truly great entertainers, was asked to do a show for World War II veterans. He told them he was very busy, but if they wouldn't mind his doing one short monologue, and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he'd come. They agreed.

But when Jimmy got on stage he went through the short monologue—then stayed, and stayed. Soon he'd been on stage 15, 20, then 30 minutes. Finally, he took a last bow, and left.

Backstage someone stopped him and said "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?" Jimmy answered, "You can see for yourself if you look on the front row."

In the front row were two veterans, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost his right arm, and the other had lost his left. Together, they were able to clap, and that's exactly what they were doing, loudly and cheerfully.

That's a picture of what's supposed to happen in church. To enjoy its benefits, you have to go, and when you get there, you must reach out to others, so that you can know, and be known. Pew-sitting, back-of-the-head fellowship, won't cut it! Someone sitting next to you, has 20/20 vision, where you have blind spots. You need their counsel, correction, comfort and fellowship. And they need yours. When that happens, the church is working like it's supposed to.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
~ 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.

Ab, Abba / Father, Papa

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Friday Freelance: FATHER


Our family has a fun little game. One of our five children randomly says, "Mom: I have a question."

I study the individual's face for a moment, then respond with, "The answer is yes / no / not now" or another answer which comes to me. The question is then posed, for me to either confirm or alter my answer. And because I love my children and wish to bless them, I'm eager to allow any request I don't have a good reason to deny.

Most fun is when my moment of studying a face is followed by correctly stating both the answer and the question. My oldest daughter swears I'm "freaky" in my uncanny ability to read their minds more often than not.

When she sees this post she'll finally learn my secrets. [Have you been curious, Michaelle?] While my previous experience as a street cop—reading a person's every move—certainly doesn't hurt, I rely far more upon 46 years life experience, mother's intuition, and intimate knowledge of my children.

We homeschool, so not only do I spend more hours observing them than I otherwise might, but they've also learned how to think primarily from me. Even more significant is the fact that our children grow up in their parents' images. They are both unique individuals and microcosms of the parents who co-create them.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those
who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son
into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"
Galatians 4:4-6 (NKJV)

Like the child who is the "spitting image" of a parent, we are created in the image of our Father God.

The Creator did not produce man with merely His word and will as He did the rest of creation, but He formed man and woman with His hand and kissed life into them with His breath. We possess not merely mammalian faculties to think and show affection and express preferences, but Godlike capacities to reason and love and judge right and wrong.

Like a human father, Our Father in heaven sees how we think and anticipates our thoughts and actions. He understands and supplies needs we don't even realize we have. He tells us what will hurt us and instructs us to leave it alone. He knows our frailty and takes it into account even as He pushes us to excel. He watches us fail and gently picks us up, brushes us off, and urges us to try again. He finds us utterly irresistible and loves us with a limitless capacity.

He not only breathed life into us, but He gave the life of His Son for us, that He might breathe Himself into us.

And because He loves all His children—those whose faith in Jesus Christ qualifies them for adoption—He really does want all His kids to love one another and get along, valuing the differences with which He gifted us rather than despising them.

Our Father longs to bless us with every good and perfect gift, and He waits until the right time to present each gift even as we wait upon Him.

"All things have been delivered to Me by My Father,
and no one knows the Son except the Father.
Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son,
and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him."
Matthew 11:27 (NKJV)

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Melech Kabod / King of Glory

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Melech Kabod / King of Glory
(pronounced: "MEH-lek kaw-BODE")

Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Selah
~ Psalms 24:8-10 (NKJV)

Our nation's founders deliberately established a government which snubbed the rule of monarchy practiced in Europe, because the absolute sovereignty of a single despot had become so repugnant to them.

A king indisputably controls everything—the land, the people, and all the riches. He distributes them or appropriates them for himself as he sees fit. One may petition favor of him, but only with utmost deference. You can attempt to usurp his sovereignty, but only at the risk of death for high treason.

The king is also responsible to defend against attack. He is to be the champion warrior who does not simply command the might of his army but leads it into battle. He is its most valuable member, whose life is defended at the risk of every other life—yet he willingly puts himself in peril to fully engage the enemy, so that he and his people might emerge victorious.

A king's throne his country's highest seat of justice. His court is the place of last judgment, from which there will be no appeal. Whatever a lower authority may stipulate, every injury, every grievance, and every form of oppression is subjected to the king's definition of right and wrong. And regardless of the judgment he renders, it is within his power to show mercy.

To address a monarch as "your majesty" is only the beginning of tribute he is due. No one may flatter him too much. Let that homage be sincere, lest it prove the one who offers it unworthy to stand in the king's presence.

Our divine Sovereign is the King of all kings. No other is called "Majesty on High" (Hebrews 1:3) and "King of Glory," for no other sovereign carries the weight of glory itself. The Hebrew word for glory, kabod, denotes weight, as in the weight of copious glory—glory so great that it prevented the priests from carrying on their duties when it came upon Solomon's temple.

The weight of our King's glory is eminent above all glory as the weight of His suffering is eminent above all suffering. The weight of our own suffering here and now is as nothing in light of the glory we shall share with Him (Romans 8:16-18).

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Wise to Do Evil

"For My people are foolish,
They have not known Me.
They are silly children,
And they have no understanding.
They are wise to do evil,
But to do good they have no knowledge."
~ Jeremiah 4:22 (NKJV)

"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
~ Matthew 18:3-4 (NKJV)

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
~ Titus 1:15 (NKJV)

Any parent can appreciate a small child who emerges from a bath and runs through the house stark naked, innocently reveling in the freedom from clothing. All too soon, we acquire knowledge of good and evil, and such freedom is lost to us.

Our human nature inclines us to be continually sinful. We are wise to do evil without effort or training. We can point a finger at the world and say it has corrupted us. It is humans who first corrupted the world.

Jesus came to set us free from this burden of sin. Alone, we will continue to swerve toward evil—to be filled with pride, lust, anger. As we walk closely with the Lord, He continually cleanses our hearts and sanctifies us so that all things might become pure to us.

He converts us to again become as little children, innocently enjoying His good gifts.

Good Father, You shower us with good gifts. How many are lost to us because our hearts still gravitate toward evil? Please do whatever it takes to make us so humble and pure that nothing must be restrained from us. Incline us to hate everything that is evil, to love all that is good.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

On Our Side

"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side."
~ Luke 9:49-50 (NKJV)

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist... He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.
~ 2 John 1:7-10 (NKJV)

Whenever possible, I try to write these posts first thing in the morning, after time devoted to the Lord and before time devoted to life and family. Once five children are awake, the day will be peppered (hopefully lightly) with contentions over my time and whatever else they don't like to share.

Contentions most often arise over conflicting perceptions. "He hit me" vs. "I bumped into him." "He's supposed to" vs. "Mom said." The ever popular, "It's not fair." (Masculine pronouns include all five of my darlings.) I try to respond with principles like "treat others the way you want to be treated" and "is this important enough* to argue about?" and "please—love each other!"

Our Father surely grows weary with all the ways we His children complain about family members on our side. Conflicting perceptions distract us from the real enemy. We have real demons to cast out. The spirit of the antichrist roams the earth to deceive saints and unsaved alike.

Our strength against the enemy is in our unity in Christ.

Our Father in heaven, oh what manner of love You've poured out upon us that we should be called the children of God! Please help us see our blood ties in Christ in moments when we are offended. Please alert us to that for which we should contend. Unite Your children in strength.

* Often expressed as, "Do you really want me to get involved in this since you're more wrong than him?"

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Being Grieved

So [the Pharisees] watched [Jesus] closely, whether He would heal ... on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him... Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent... [He] looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts. (Mark 3:1-6 NKJV)

He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
That He may seat him with princes.
(Psalms 113:7-8 NKJV)

These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look, A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
(Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV)

You couldn't pay me to be a parent. The hours stink. Expenses know no limits. The job taxes sanity, wisdom and patience beyond any reasonable level. It can only be done for love. And love means the agony of seeing children you'd give your life for treat one another spitefully.

"Why does she get to" and "it's not fair that" and "he's touching / breathing on / staring at me" eat up joy and peace. I have seven siblings I love beyond life itself and I can't imagine tearing down their lives like this. Yet it must be in my blood for it's in the blood of my brood.

The Father is being grieved to see His own children—united in Christ's blood!— display pride, truth-twisting, failure to help the hurting, manipulation, power struggles, gossip, discord. We tear down the lives of one another and may not even recognize our selfish, petty agendas.

If we would build up ourselves, we must build up His body, and not tear down those in it.

Lord, You are not just my Father but our Father. You taught us to pray with one another in mind, yet we are more selfish than we're able to see. Please give each of us a glimpse this day if You are being grieved by the way we affect Your body, and empower us to change.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Extreme Makeover

For we walk by faith, not by sight.... Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.... Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ....
For the love of Christ compels us.
(2 Corinthians 5:7,17,20,14 NKJV)

[Jesus] said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3 NKJV)

Love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1 Peter 1:22-23 NKJV)

The radical outward conversion performed on television cannot compete with the Extreme Makeover the Holy Spirit performs. Tucked away in 2 Corinthians 5, a single chapter of the Bible presents no less than fourteen before-and-after pictures of the born again conversion of our hearts.

It is impossible to enter the kingdom without being born again (John 3:3). It is equally impossible to be truly born again and remain unchanged.

Little children love without question, trust without assessing motive, accept gifts without hesitation. Their limitless, fearless curiosity wonders over that which grown-ups' eyes have no time for. They accept kisses for injuries soon forgotten. They eagerly share uninhibited affection with one they love. They do not comprehend patience for what they've been promised.

My testimony is that conversion to the heart of a little child is delightful. The first childhood has nothing on this second one.

My Father, Abba, Papa, I love being Your child. You are so good. You give me so much more than I could imagine to ask for. My only complaint is my limited ability to express my love for You from this body, in this world, at this time. I'm waiting at the window, watching for Your return.

Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Abundance

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. (Psalms 36:7-9 ESV)

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

What do you need today? Food and water? Work? Rest? Protection? The light of His guidance in a situation?

It is all available from the One who created you. He grants much of it even to those who are not His children, who hate and slander Him. He loves you and longs to give it to you.

He provides what He knows we need when we don’t know we need it, whether or not we ask Him to do so. How much more might he provide if we come to Him and ask?

O God, Your love and kindness and mercy are indeed precious. Life with You is one of all manner of abundance. Show us what we need today, enable us to receive it, and inspire us to ask for it. Let us not fail to thank You for it.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Receiving a Kingdom

A Psalm of David … Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. … Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
(Psalm 34:1,10,14-16 NKJV)

We are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken …
(Hebrews 12:28 NKJV)

David was anointed king and began receiving a kingdom before he received his throne and crown. Saul’s curse for rebellion was to lose his kingdom while he yet held the throne, and to watch authority, power, and Israel’s loyalty being transferred to David.

We have already been anointed as royalty and are receiving a kingdom now. We need not wait for heaven to be in the place where we do not lack any good thing. Our reward for righteousness is that the eyes of the Lord are upon us and His ears are open to us as we turn to Him for all we need.

Blessed are You O Lord YHWH our God, Most High King of the Universe! How blessed are we to be royal sons and daughters of privilege, with keys to the kingdom’s treasures. Thank You for hearing our prayers.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Liberty’s Responsibility

Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave.
(1 Corinthians 6:12 WNT)

"What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? ... The sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go ... you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
(Matthew 17:25,27 NKJV)

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
(John 8:36 NKJV)

Being a child of the King means freedom—and responsibility. Life as a slave of law is seemingly easier, when every move is governed by the commandment. Once the commandment is met, one can see obligation as fulfilled and expend no further effort.

Life as royalty requires far more. Duty demands meeting the very spirit of the law. We must not offend. We are never "off the clock." We are required to think about our actions—does this profit? Or will it make me its slave?

Lord Jesus our Savior, thank You for the cross. Thank You for our liberty. Thank You for Your Spirit, to guide us in Your perfect way, through which our Father means to abundantly bless us.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

True Unity

I didn't tell you that you could not have any contact with unbelievers who commit sexual sins, are greedy, are dishonest, or worship false gods. If that were the case, you would have to leave this world. Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don't [even] eat with such people.
(1 Corinthians 5:10-11 GW)

"And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:23 NKJV)

Those in Christ belong to a new kingdom, and adopt the lifestyle of royalty. It will not do to have the King’s Own children undermine His authority, dishonor His name out among the subjects, or compromise family unity.

We accept that immorality prevails in the world, for both belong to the enemy’s realm. But if clear immorality enters the King’s house, His humble children must remove it, gently (Gal. 6:1-3)—first making every effort to disentangle its victim (Matt. 18:15-17).

King of kings, You show great mercy and love to make us Your children. We are unworthy to dwell with You. Please keep us mindful of this as we work toward family unity with all Your other kids.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Where is God?

"I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." (Matthew 11:25-27 NKJV)

My favorite study topics are Bible related—its culture, its history, its land. I love the insights I gain by understanding the Bible’s setting. Yet insights of education cannot be compared to the revelations of the Holy Spirit when I simply read the Bible itself as an earnest child, seeking and finding God because I search for Him with all my heart. Like an affectionate daddy playing hide-and-seek with a beloved child, my Abba in heaven wants to be sought, wants to be found.

Lord of heaven and earth, I truly love you as my precious Abba. Thank You for restoring my heart to that of a child if I puff up with knowledge. Please keep me mindful of my ignorance.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy