31 Days of Remembering Jesus

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound in chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:8-13. 

A few weeks ago, my friend Christina posted the 31 day blog challenge. I decided to take it. My subject? The one I've been turning over for some time now - Remember Jesus. 

There's something to be said for remembering. It tells us where we came from, and who we were, and how we got here and who we are, and even where we're headed and who we will become. Paul writes about this in his letter to Titus - 

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:3-8 

We are told to remember. Remember who we are. Remember who Jesus is. Remember what Jesus has done. Remember what Jesus is doing. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. 

In an effort remember Jesus this month, I went to the Bible for what it says about who Jesus is. I was drawn to Hebrews, and never left. In fact, I never made it past the first two chapters. Throughout the month of October, I'll be posting short meditations on Christ's person and character taken from Hebrews 1 and 2.


Day 1: Remember Jesus, the Son of God 
Day 2: Remember Jesus, by whom God has spoken 
Day 3: Remember Jesus, the heir of all things
Day 4: Remember Jesus, through whom God created the world
Day 5: Remember Jesus, the radiance of the glory of God
Day 6: Remember Jesus, the exact imprint of God's nature
Day 7: Remember Jesus, who upholds the universe by the word of his power
Day 8: Remember Jesus, who made purification for sins
Day 9: Remember Jesus, who sits at the right hand of the majesty on high
Day 10: Remember Jesus, whose throne is forever and ever
Day 11: Remember Jesus, who has loved righteousness
Day 12: Remember Jesus, who stays the same
Day 13: Remember Jesus, to whom all things are being put into subjection
Day 14: Remember Jesus, who tasted death for us
Day 15: Remember Jesus, for whom and by whom all things exist
Day 16: Remember Jesus, who brings many sons to glory
Day 17: Remember Jesus, the founder of our salvation
Day 18: Remember Jesus, made complete through suffering
Day 19: Remember Jesus, who sanctifies
Day 20: Remember Jesus, who is not ashamed to call us brothers
Day 21: Remember Jesus, who shared in flesh and blood
Day 22: Remember Jesus, who died to destroy the devil's power of death
Day 23: Remember Jesus, who delivers us from slavery
Day 24: Remember Jesus, who helps us
Day 25: Remember Jesus, who was made like us in every way
Day 26: Remember Jesus, who is merciful
Day 27: Remember Jesus, who is faithful
Day 28: Remember Jesus, who is our high priest
Day 29: Remember Jesus, who serves God
Day 30: Remember Jesus, who helps those who are being tempted
Day 31: Remember Jesus 

True and Better

A video to share with all of you, just in case you haven't figured out why I love the Old Testament so much. The Bible is one cohesive story featuring the same in changing God who gives us the knowledge to know him in so many ways. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gmnSnNC8UJk

My personal favorite is about how Jesus is the true and better Job, the truly innocent suffering servant who saves his stupid friends. lol. 

Kids

Substituting a class of 3 giggly four year old girls -

"Coach Kate?" 

"Yes?"

"Shhh it's nap time" 

<2 year olds 

"Heeeeeelp" 

"What?" 

"Hug"

Almost 5 year olds

"Um Coach Kate do think you can substitute for Teacher Rachel sometime and teach us things?" 

"What would you like to learn?" 

"Everything" 

3 year olds 

"Yumi, did your mom have your baby sister?" 

"Yup" 

"What's her name?" 

"I forgot" 

Next child - "I got a baby. I got her from mommy's tummy. Her name is new baby" (this baby turns 1 next week and that is not her name...) 

River just turned 3 and now wears her "swimming suits for gymnastics" (leotards) every single day, as per her dad. 

It's been a hilarious day. 

Disqualifying Sins

Like many Christians and Seattle-ites, I've been following the Mars Hill/Mark Driscoll implosion. My own church is chalk full of former Hill-ers, and gains more of them every Sunday. The mega church has closed 3 churches with more slated to be closed if things don't change. Elders and pastors are resigning or being fired and people are leaving in droves. 

It's sad when Jesus can't be enough to hold a church together because He's not actually the foundation. 

There has been a lot of talk about "disqualifying sin", meaning sin that would inhibit someone (mostly Mark and some other elders) from serving in Christian ministry. Jesus saves sinners. There is abundant and sufficient grace to cover every sin. 

But this doesn't mean every Christian should serve all the time. 

I was reading 1 Timothy 3 the other day and was dwelling on the qualifications for overseers and deacons (or in other terms, pastors, elders and other leaders) 

Respectable 

Not a lover of money 

Gentle

Not quarrelsome 

Not a recent convert (Mark planted MH shortly after his own conversion. It's clear now he lacked some of the necessary maturity). 

Well thought of by outsiders 

Not double-tongued 

Not greedy for dishonest gain (can anyone say New York Times best seller?) 

When I look at this list, it's hard for me to see how Mark could possibly return to the pulpit in just several weeks. While it's possible he has not committed a specifically "disqualifying sin", according to the Scripture, he is not currently qualified for ministry either. 

Praying for the gospel to be unifying and for Christ to be known. Wisdom and discernment for those investigating the charges. Peace for those who stay and refuges for those who leave. Hospitality for the churches around the Hill welcoming newcomers every week. Healing. Reconciliation. Repentance. Freedom. 

If you are in Seattle and floundering for a church home, I am of course partial to Anchor Church, but know that many have turned to call The Hallows or Downtown Cornerstone home. 

Talking Through the Psalms

I noticed something awesome today on my break at work as I read through Psalm 50 and 51. It shows that David knew who God was and what His standard is. And he also realized how miserably he had failed to meet it.

Psalm 50 ends with God's voice, like this:

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God! 

And here are the first 3 verses in Psalm 51, from David:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 

Awesome, right? It's a conversation with the Lord!

But there's more. There's a number of reasons for our salvation, and David found a big one. Years later, Paul would find it to, and Timothy and Peter and so on and so forth -

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. (verses 12-13). 

We are set free to set others free!

I Keep Thinking I Should Blog

And then I don't.

I've mostly been up to the same things.

Work is off to a great start this session. I feel happy at the gym again, which is a nice change.

I love our house and the roommates. I love seeing the mountains and the sunrise and the sunset.

I love Cafe Kopi and Cloud City and riding my bike and getting free donuts and basically all the bicycle benefits.

I love teaching Sunday school and hipster worship and date night babysitting.

I love sitting on our steps and meeting our neighbors and reading book after book and not caring what time it is (on days off, time does not exist) and memorizing Scripture.

I am REALLY loving To God Be the Glory. So much that I finally committed all the words to memory.

I also have a secret and I told Liztowne I had one, and now she's trying to figure out what it is. Hint: It's the Kate way to do an unKate thing.

I also hiked Mount Dickerman. It was hard but the blueberries and views were worth it.