APRIL 2017

One of the things that I know Michelle and I have to look forward to are our two girls spending time on   cell phones (not making calls with them, really, who does that any more -insert sarcastic emoji here.   I     do of course because it’s a phone and isn’t that what you are supposed to do with a phone.)  Neither of    them have a cell phone yet, they have tablets and they spend plenty of time on them.  But Madison has     a group of friends that text each other and so she uses Michelle’s cell number for the group text.  It is     not  a great situation for Michelle, but there is an advantage.  We can see everything that is being texted.  Right now there is nothing inappropriate that is being said in the texts, but give it time and I’m sure it will happen.  But it is good for Madison to understand that we can read them all.  

This has made me think about what Jesus said to Nicodemus, after the John 3:16 part.  Jesus says: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19-21).  Darkness, hiddenness, and secrets are all places where we can allow the worst of ourselves to thrive.
 
We keep resentment tucked away until we think we are safe to let it out.  We hold lust back until we are alone.  We talk behind backs, in secluded corners, and away from others ears because we don’t want    people to know what we are really thinking.  We keep up a mask hoping no one sees through it or looks behind it.  But one day we need to know that it will all be exposed.  1 Corinthians 4:5 tell us to “judge  nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in        darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

This is why we are encouraged to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other, because it is in confession that we are brought into the light and the light is life.  Confession is scary. Being honest with ourselves is hard enough, but being honest and open with someone else can be downright frightening,   but it is there that we find freedom, it is there that resurrection and new life is found.  This is why Paul when he is writing to the Ephesians says: “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but  rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.  But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’” (Ephesians 5:11-14)

So no one is probably reading your text messages to see what you are saying and no one knows what     you are thinking in your heart or what you do when you are alone, but I want to encourage you to find someone you trust, who you know loves you and desires the best for you, and spend some time together sharing.  Do it on a regular basis.  I have questions for our transformation groups that can help shed some light if we will be honest.  Life is found in the light, so let’s walk in the light.
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Because of Him,
Lynn