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Viewing entries posted in March 2012
The Romans 8:28 cake
The other day I heard someone explain a very familiar verse in a very new way. The verse is Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This verse was explained to me in the context of making a lemon cake. The ingredients for a lemon cake include things like flour, concentrated lemon juice, eggs, baking powder, salt, and sugar. If I collect all these ingredients and set them out on a counter, but instead of making a cake I decide to eat the ingredients one by one—I won’t be too happy. A handful of flour doesn’t taste very good. Neither does straight lemon juice. If I do this, I’ll probably start to doubt that I want to eat this lemon cake thing at all! Someone out there is pulling a fast one on us with this recipe for a “delicious” cake!
Rules, Relationship, and Rebellion
A couple of years ago one of our Ranch students was sitting in my office. It was one of his frequent trips there as a result of his troublesome behavior. As I was expounding on the need for him to get his act together and get with the program, he stopped me in my tracks with this question: "How come any time I am in your office it's because I'm in trouble?" After our meeting, I pondered his words and became convicted! Yes, he was immature, was often a pest, was stubborn, and was certainly not getting with the program. But, really, the bigger question was: "Am I getting with the program on his behalf?" For, you see, in my frustration with him I had forgotten about the most important thing: RELATIONSHIP.