Sin Richter Scale???

Is there a Richter scale for sin?

Theologically, I would say no. I would say sin is sin. All have sinned. It separates us from God. It's penalty is death. BUT Jesus came to seek and save us, to die for our sin and pay the penalty for sin ONCE AND FOR ALL. That if we ask him to forgive us and invite him to be Lord of our life, he will make our sin white as snow.

This is what I believe. This is what I would proclaim I believe. BUT I have to admit, even though I hate to, that inside me lurks an ugliness. An ugliness that subconsciously ranks sin...puts it in order of "badness." Ranks it on some ridiculous Richter Scale that makes sense to my feeble mind... Lying isn't as bad a murder. Slander isn't as bad as adultery. I know I sin, but at least I've never stolen anything... blah, blah, blah

YET, Scripture doesn't rank sin. Sin is sin and it ALL separates us from God. Moreover, it has ALL been paid for by a loving Savior. ALL of it.

Why am I even talking about this? Because I read a blog by one of my favs, Carlos Whitaker, that stirred the ugliness in me and made it rise on up to the surface. Made me face my stupid Richter Scale, and made me ask myself some hard questions... Do I really believe what I say I believe in regards to sin? Do I really believe Jesus paid the price for all sin. Do I really believe in the redemptive power of Christ's forgiveness? Do I believe everyone can come to a place of peace and forgiveness, no matter where their sin ranks on my stupid, stupid Richter Scale?

As hard as it is to face my own ugliness, I am thankful every time I look it square in the eye and get it into the Light.

I invite you to read the blog post that got up in my kitchen and stirred my ugliness in the first place. Drop me a line and let me know what it stirred in you.

Colors

Read this statement by a young African pastor...found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred.

It's humbling, inspiring and spot on:

"I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!"

This vibrant declaration was contributed by Dr. Nina Gunter who got it from veteran missionary Louise Robinson Chapman (Africa: 1920-1940). One side note is that today this commitment statement circulates among Christians (and even web sites) with the byline "Author unknown." The story behind this statement makes it all the more potent!

Song Crush #20

Hanging On by Britt Nicole

Not only does this song have the upbeat catchiness that I love (sort of Francesca Batistelli's "Free to be Me"-ish), it's lyrics, though simple, are spot on.

you see my anxious heart
you see what i am feeling
and when i fall apart
you are there to hold me

I love this, because my God DOES know me inside and out, and even when I chose to pretend I'm fine, or when I put on my finest "Sunday best mask," I'm not fooling Him.

But maybe the best part of the song...

this: Your voice is my healing

And it is. Both His gentle whisper that I hear in my gut and my soul. And His voice that I find in the Scripture that is alive and well, and miraculously accessible.

Bowlin'

The hubs just spent several days in Atlanta at the Catalyst West Conference. One of those days he texted me and told me to watch Tripp and Tyler's latest video, which was premiered at the conference. You may remember their awesomeness that I shared awhile ago, a video called "High Five Etiquette."

This one's good too... And I love seeing Chris Tomlin with some swagger.

Watermelon to the Face

I am a person who laughs hysterically if someone falls or gets hit in the head by a ball, etc...ONLY if the person is clearly not injured. I know it's kind of sick but I cannot help it. I guess unplanned, uncontrived slapstick-ish humor is right up my alley.

As you may know, I adore Amazing Race, and the first episode of the new season provided me EXACTLY unplanned, uncontrived slapstick-ish humor.

Check this out and get out your imaginary ice pack in empathy: