On The Road to Emmaus Meet the Hero of the Story

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Donna Harris

On The Road to Emmaus, Meet the Hero of the Story

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 13

Reflections on Luke 20 – end

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:17 (NASB)

We often read the Bible as if it were fundamentally about us: our improvement, our life, our triumph, our victory, our faith, our holiness, our godliness. We treat it like a book of timeless principles that will give us our best life now if we simply apply those principles. We treat it, in other words, like it’s a heaven-sent self-help manual. But by looking at the Bible as if it were fundamentally about us, we totally miss the Point…like the two on the road to Emmaus.

As Luke 24 shows, it’s possible to read the Bible, while missing the whole point of the Bible. It’s entirely possible to read the stories and miss the real Story.

Contrary to popular assumptions, the Bible is not a record of the blessed good, but rather the blessed bad. The Bible is not a witness to the best people making it up to God; it’s a witness to God making it down to the worst people. The OT predicts God’s rescuer; the NT presents God’s rescuer.

There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. So, if we read the Bible asking first, “What would Jesus do?” instead of asking “What has Jesus done” we’ll miss the good news that alone can set us free.

In all of its pages and throughout all of its stories, the Word of the Lord reveals the Lord of the Word. Some people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose), they get afraid and run away. At times, they’re downright mean.

The gift is the plot line of the Bible, which is Jesus-centered. He is the Hero of the Story.

Adapted and Quoted from The Gospel Coalition | Tullian Tchividjian | Reading the Stories and Missing the Story | Reading the Bible Narcissistically

About 40 Gifts of Lent

I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…To continue reading, please go here: 40 Gifts of Lent

I Want to See!

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Donna Harris

I Want to See!

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 12

Reflections on Luke 13 – 19

“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Luke 18:51 (NIV)

There was a time when I couldn’t see clearly at all. I packed for an extended trip out-of-town without an extra set of contact lenses or packing my standard go-to pair of eye glasses. Unaware that I had forgotten to pack either, I tossed the contact lenses, that I had already worn for a month, down the drain. Upon realizing my circumstance, It wasn’t long before a substantial panic attack ensued. I was stranded in a haze of blurred color and fuzzy shapes until someone came to rescue me.

I don’t take for granted that I can see the bright color of flowers and the sharp bending of branches in a magnificent tree or the sparkling twinkling eyes of my granddaughter when she laughs with me. Yes, I am thankful for my sight…but many days and much too often, I remain blind. Images of people in need are blurred. The needs of the homeless and children on the street are hazy.

I wrote about experiencing a radical mercy, yet I avoid noticing…I avoid looking, to see the way of grace and mercy.

So, I pray, “Lord, I want to see.” I want to see beyond the skin of the hurting person seeking help. I want to see that child, with needs that are woven in a special tapestry, so different from others. I want to see clearly how to make a difference…I want to see how to leave an imprint for the glory of God.

“I want to see!” I need God to rescue me. I need to pray this everyday. The gift is when God restores my sight, I will see His grace and I will show and live His grace and mercy to others.

It should be the thing that greets your mind and fills your heart as you wake each morning. It should be your final thought as you settle in for a night of sleep. It should define how you face your day, and it should shape your self-reflections. It should be the thing that directs how you respond to others. It should be at the forefront of your thoughts in times of trouble or disappointment. It should alter how you think about finances, possessions, decisions, relationships, and everything else. It should be a central theme of your existence. It’s so huge, so gorgeous, and so glorious that once it gets hold of you, you’ll never be the same again. I am talking about God’s grace ~Paul David Tripp

About 40 Gifts of Lent

A Radical Experience of Mercy

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Radical Experience of Mercy

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 11

Reflections on Luke 9 – 12

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them.” Luke 9:51 – 55 (ESV)

Why didn’t the fire come down on the Samaritans? Because of His radical mercy, they (you and me) are not consumed.

His face is set towards Jerusalem where he will take the fire upon himself…he will be immersed in the judgement of God. He got what we deserved.

He came to take it. He came to bear it. Luke 9:22 says, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected…and on the third day be raised to life.” They rejected him, shouldn’t they be rejected?

A radical mercy means that he’s rejected for us. The Son of Man came to be rejected and to be killed. He is the living mercy. And because of his mercy..we have a new priority in life and a new identity through Christ.

The judgment we unquestionably deserved, He completely exhausted on the cross. [1]

You have to be melted and amazed and astounded that he took the fire, the punishment, for you and that’s the key to everything else. You cannot have a new identity without a radical experience of mercy. Without a radical experience of grace. Without a radical experience of love. [2]

The gift for us is living this radical mercy toward others when we are rejected.

[1] Scotty Smith quote | [2] Tim Keller quote

About 40 Gifts of Lent

The Great Artist |Sunday Respite | 40 Gifts of Lent 2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Donna Harris

Sunday Respite | 40 Gifts of Lent

God is the Great Artist–Creating a Masterpiece

Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I pray to you.
I wait for you in hope.
Psalm 5:3 (NIrV)

Let God show you His way for you today. Pray about everything–the big things and the little things .Give your entire day to God and then wait to see what He will create with it.

God is the Great Artist, and your day is His empty canvas. Watch him do his work; he will pair his colors into your life–colors of Jesus’ love, mercy, peace, hope, and joy. And you will not be disappointed.

Trust Him to take your ordinary day and create a masterpiece.

Adapted from, Jesus Calling, 365 Devotions for Kids, Sarah Young, page 193

About 40 Gifts of Lent

The Call to Go Deeper

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Donna Harris

The Call to Go Deeper

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 10

Reflections on Luke 5 – 8

[Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Luke 5:4

I know you have been working hard and your nets are empty
Put out into the deep
I understand you want to give up
Put out into the deep and let down your nets
Yes, I see you are tired but please trust me
Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch

Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5

Obedience requires faith
Faith results in action
Action reaps rewards

And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking…and the boats began to sink. Luke 5:6 7

Trust Him
Believe Him
Go Deeper

And when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8

Be amazed at His glory
Be broken in humbleness
Be contrite in spirit

Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10 – 11

He calls you
Come follow me
Go Deeper

“Follow me because I’m the King you’ve been looking for. Follow me because I have authority over everything, yet I have humbled myself for you. I want you to keep trusting me; to stick with me, not turn back not give up, turn to me in disappointments … I’m going to take you places that will make you say, ‘Why in the world are you taking me there?’ Even then I want you to trust me.” ~Tim Keller, King’s Cross

About 40 Gifts of Lent

A Solitary Place

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Solitary Place

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 9

Reflections on Luke 1 – 4

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place… Luke 4: 42

I would find her there, in a secluded place alone. As a girl, I thought she needed this solitary time because she wanted to get away from us kids. But actually she needed this space to get away with God.

My childhood home always had more people living in it than the family that resided there. We had extra cots and air mattresses when there wasn’t enough beds. Our supper table had extra folding chairs squeezed between and I learned to spoon soup into my mouth with my elbows tucked into my side. Mom served us all with joy and grace as our home became a lighthouse of escape for many.

Over time, even the good things will take its toll, clamoring for peace and competing for rest. There’s the danger of pride crowding humbleness, pushing it aside…tempting us to focus on ourselves, thinking we can do it all. We focus more on the people needing our attention, their voices wanting to be heard and the food cooking on the stove while the sheets need to be washed and the children are asking for help with homework.

All of the good busy things crowd the one best thing.

Now years later, here I am repeating her life in many ways.

I think of my Mom going to a solitary place to unwind her crowded thoughts, to be refreshed and focus her energy off of herself (and others) and instead on to Christ. Taking time to be alone with God was a gift to herself and to her family.

Thank you Mom, your life is a gift that keeps on giving long after you’ve gone.

“Solitude molds self-righteous people into gentle, caring, forgiving persons who are so deeply convinced of their own great sinfulness and so fully aware of God’s even greater mercy that their life itself becomes ministry.” ~Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart

About 40 Gifts of Lent

I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…To continue reading, please go here: 40 Gifts of Lent

Linking up at Five Minute Friday to write five minutes about the word: CROWD

Repentant Helplessness

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Donna Harris

Repentant Helplessness

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 7

Reflections on Mark 6 – 11

“I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” Mark 9:24

I’m trying to be brave but I’m full of doubts. I am helpless to cure myself, to stop repeating the same mistakes, and to fill my mind with peace. There are many times when I’m running through life at a very fast pace, doing my own thing without prayer…unaware of the danger that lurks around the corner.

The danger ahead is doubting and unbelief and failure to call out to God. I’ve created so many messes because of not trusting God’s plan nor asking for his help. I’ve picked up my own shovel to dig ruts and large potholes just for me to trip over and fall into face first. Why do I do this over and over again? It’s the pain of sin and helplessness that brings me to my knees.

The amazing gift is that I don’t need to wash off the dirt and mud or clean and bandage the wounds before approaching God, just a repentant helplessness. He has already washed me and healed the moral and spiritual wounds. When I am weak and cannot muster the strength to meet these challenges, all I need to say is, “Help me.”

I sense his embrace, my soul is brighter and I’m ready to walk (or run) around the corner to face what life has in store.

Additional Reading: King’s Cross by Tim Keller

About 40 Gifts of Lent

A Really Good Story

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Donna Harris

A Really Good Story

40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 6

Reflections on Mark 1 – 5

He did not say anything to them without using a story. Mark 4:34

We want to raise a generation who find their identity in the story of God. Tell them a story they will never forget, a life changing truth that is bigger and better than themselves. Teach them, instruct them…cause them to ponder and question, to want more of a really good story.

Thank you God for making us characters in and carriers of your great story of grace. You are the author, the narrator of this really good story, the hero that rescues us from ourselves.

Look for God in these coming days, to write stories of redemption that will reveal his glory and showcase his grace—leaving you reveling in his goodness and rejoicing in him.

We’ll grow in our lives what we plant with our love” ~Bob Goff

About 40 Gifts of Lent 2014

I love the anticipation of celebrating birthdays with my children and grandchildren and can’t wait to gather again with my family and friends around a brightly lit tree at Christmas. My focus for any event or special occasion is mostly on the gift I will buy and then tape it up with all of the wrapping and trimmings to make it a beautiful presentation to give away. I do enjoy watching them rip into the paper and toss the pretty bow without a care to get to the inside of that package.

It’s so much fun to be on the receiving end of good gifts!

I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. I want to focus on the freedom I have in Christ to overcome strongholds, yet also to gain strength, hope, and peace as I lean into the trials…To continue reading, please go here: 40 Gifts of Lent

Donna Harris‑More Grace

A Life Filled with More Grace is a Story Worth Sharing

Tag Archives: Lent Challenge

On The Road to Emmaus Meet the Hero of the Story