In Spite of Cussing and Southern Comfort

There was a time in my life when I stood outside, looking in on the Christian way of life.

I was an onlooker.



Through the window I could see joy, deep joy, peace, freedom, authentic laughter and meaningful friendships. Christians were fascinating to watch.

But I was just that...a watcher. An outsider.

By choice.

I thought that the Christian life was reserved for those who were good. People who made clean choices. People who didn't cuss. Or drink Southern Comfort.

But as fascinated as I was with the Christian life, I was equally convinced that it was restrictive, dull, condemning and judgemental. And who wants to enter a room full of people looking down their noses?

These people will see right through me. They would have my number. There is no room for people like me. They wouldn't understand me. No, it's too risky. I'll stay out here. Alcohol, sex, body image, envy, money -much safer. Out here, I don't have to change. I am familiar with this side of the window.

Whoever loves his life loses it. - Jesus

Irony: By trying to gain acceptance from my peers, I was losing. By trying to gain affection from the opposite sex, I was losing. By trying to gain attention with my sexuality, I was losing.

Losing (apollymi)- to destroy. Render useless. Be lost.

I was destroying my own life. One day after useless day, I was loving a lost life.

Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it. - Jesus

Hate my life (miseō) meaning to love less. Postpone in love.

Love my life less and I will love it more.

Quite the paradox.

Overtime, I kept coming back to that window. Standing outside. Looking in.

And the more I stood there, the more clearly I could see my reflection. My tired face. My weary spirit. My emptiness.

My side of the glass was looking less and less appealing.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Jesus

I needed rest. My lifestyle wore me out. People pleasing is exhausting.

OK. On a trial basis, I will walk in. Just to see what is really going on in there. At this point what do I have to lose?

Except everything?

So I stood amongst them. The Christians. Waiting, with clinched fists and squinted eyes, for the stones to hit. Waiting on my lecture of why I don't belong.

But instead, they opened my hands, and handed me stones. Stones of their own. One story after another of their struggles with money, sex, body image, lying, cheating, stealing, hatred, bitterness, envy, cussing and Southern Comfort.

Struggles. Present tense.

So. They aren't perfect?

No. But they have hope. And rest.

They have Jesus.

Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25

Its seemed like a risk. Giving up all I knew, for this Jesus. This God who asks me to hate my life, so I can love Him more.

To love myself less, so I can love myself more.

For something that doesn't make sense, that sure does make sense.

My trial run of Jesus, became a lifetime pursuit.

A pursuit of this God who died for sex, drugs and rockin' roll.

A pursuit of this God who loved me, in spite of cussing and Southern Comfort.

A pursuit of this God who gives my weary soul rest. Who makes my tired eyes light.

A pursuit of this God who called me to hate my life - to love it less. So I may keep it.

Eternally.

Whatever we give up, He will replenish.

Whatever we lose, He will restore.

He is worth the risk.

...the old has gone

I feel like a little girl this morning! Easter. I absolutely love it. I know my love for Easter is deep rooted from childhood. As a little girl, my mom and grandmother made a big big big deal of the Easter Sunday "get-up". Flowery, frilly dresses, white hats, white stockings, white patent leather shoes. Aside from my permed mullet (yes, I had one) - I was simply adorable. The Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, buffet lunches at Holiday Inn. Random, I know. But it was our Easter and it was refreshing and exciting and so much fun. Looking back, even as a child, I knew there was something deeper to Easter. Something deeper to be excited about. Fast forward twenty-five years or more, and I am still so giddy about Easter. I love this day. I am thankful for the newness of Spring. I am thankful for tulips and buttercups. I am thankful for the smell of a hard-boiled Easter egg. I am thankful I no longer have that permed mullet. Hallelujah. But even more, I am thankful for my Resurrected Savior.

I have a lot to celebrate. Because of the events that we celebrate this Easter weekend, I am free. I lived in bondage to my sin for years. Bound. In chains. Hopeless.

Until Christ.

Today, I celebrate. Liberated. Redeemed. If you knew me then, you would know. I was different. 1 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Yes.

It is no coincidence that Easter falls in the heart of Spring. He makes all things new. Beautiful. Alive. He makes us new, beautiful and alive. I have such Passion for Jesus because I KNOW what He has done for me. I remember where I came from. Oh, Lord, don't ever let me forget. Grace is unmerited favor. He has given me unmerited favor. He has given us all unmerited favor. Grace. It is what we are celebrating today. Forgiveness for sin.

Don't be fooled by the bunnies (although I love them).
No bunny loves you like Jesus. Oh, yes I did.

This day is all about Jesus. He is Alive. Hallelujah.

Be blessed this Easter.

Alive Forever. Amen. - Travis Cottrell

Verse 1
Let the children sing a song of liberation
The God of our salvation set us free
Death, where is thy sting? The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open, come and see

CHORUS
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive! Praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Verse 2
Let my heart sing out, for Christ, the One and only
So powerful and holy rescued me
Death won't hurt me now because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me from my King

CHORUS
I'm alive, alive, alive, hallelujah!
Alive! praise and glory to the Lamb.
He's alive, alive, alive. Hallelujah!
Alive forever. Amen

Bridge
Worthy is the Lamb, worthy of our praise
Worthy is the One who has overcome the grave
Let the people dance, let the people sing
Worthy is the mighty King.


Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead...'. - Matthew 28:5-7a