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Michael Mercer: teacher. writer. father. husband. follower.

Why My Life (And Yours for that Matter) Makes Sense

4/23/2011

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Two weeks ago I had an incredible chance to have a meaningful conversation with one of my 3 year old sons.  As we were sitting in worship the communion trays were being passed.  As each one was passed to me and then I passed them to his mom, he asked, "What is that?"  It was awesome and an incredible task to explain to a 3 year old that a man named Jesus came from heaven, brought good news about God and His kingdom, died a cruel death (I left the details out for this one), and rose from the dead.  So we eat a piece of cracker and drink a little grape juice to think about his sacrifice and the life we have because of Him.  I could tell as he listened to my words that he understood some, but was confused.  And why wouldn't he be that story, that logic just doesn't make sense.  There are many things in our world that don't make sense.

Divorce doesn't make sense
Poverty doesn't make sense
Cancer doesn't make sense
Tragic accidents don't make sense
Evil dictators don't make sense
Genocide doesn't make sense
Unemployment doesn't make sense
Depression doesn't make sense
Suicide doesn't make sense
Unexplained infertility doesn't make sense

But there is one thing that is so nonsensical that it actually makes sense.  God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son who died for us so that we might have life forever.  There are many things in my life that just don't make sense.  But it doesn't mean that my life doesn't make sense.  My life (and yours for that matter) makes perfect sense.

Jesus came to earth from his dwelling with God to make sense of our lives with nonsensical actions.  Jesus' teachings make sense of God.  Jesus' healings make sense of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus' death and burial make sense of our humanity.  And Jesus' resurrection makes sense of why we live in the first place.  We live because he lives.  We die because he died.  We will rise because he is risen.  He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

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Pretty Perfect...Then and Now

4/12/2011

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It was a perfect day.  I was all dressed up and hanging out with some of my closest guy friends.  Leah was hanging out with some of her closest friends putting on a dress I had never seen.  When the time came music from a four string quartet played softly over the crowd.  Candles helped light the elegant church sanctuary.  There was a quiet joy and expectation in the room.  Following two of my nieces scattering rose pedals down the isle and the ring bearer, bearing a belled cross that rung in the picture of perfection.  The doors opened and my heart became mush, my eyes filled with tears.  The most gorgeous woman ever came down the isle glowing with beauty and flawless grace.  As promised by others the next 30 minutes blurred some as we exchanged rings, vows, and shared a time of candlelight with our guests.  It was a day when three became one:  God, Leah, and me.  The Holy Spirit graced us all with the presence of joy, peace, and hope.  We said, "I Do!"  We walked out of the sanctuary that day as man and wife.  It was pure bliss!

Fast-foward 8 years.  Through all of the things in life that seem to take our joy and perfection away, Leah and I are celebrating that day when the Holy Spirit joined our hearts and our souls together forever.  While the things in our life can sometimes be broken and burdensome.  The covenant of marriage is perfect.  Our partnership is perfect.  Not because we are perfect, but because God is perfect and every day He redeems our lives and He redeems our covenant.

I love my wife with all of my being and every day I see God in her eyes, Jesus in her heart, and the Holy Spirit in her steps.  I am a blessed man.  And the best part is that there are more years (the rest of our lives) to go.

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One Way

4/7/2011

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There was a time in life when I thought that God had a specific plan and path for my life and He would give me directions as I needed them.  God was my GPS!  That was in college and now through circumstances of life my view has changed.

In 2005 Leah and I decided to take a new job in a new city.  We put our house up for sale that October.  On December 31, 2006 it finally sold. During those agonizing 14 months, Leah and I had many questions.  People assured us that God wanted us to be in our new city at our new church in my new job so much that our house would sell.  That is when I began down a trail of "opposite thought."  Because the opposite of this philosophy is that if our house doesn't sell, then God must not want us in our new place and we made the wrong choice.  Our GPS was on the fritz!

It is my perspective that God doesn't map out our journey using "one way" streets.  God has many ways.  He has many directions where He can use us for His purposes.  When we say that God has that one special person out there for us or that God has one perfect job for us or God has already chosen our one path to take, then we are limiting his ability and his creativity.

God is not our puppeteer but rather our Father.  He is our savior and He is our guide.  We should take responsibility for the choices we make and not lay blame on God for what may or may not happen in our lives.  God may watch American Idol, but I'm pretty sure He isn't tampering with the results to either give you the victory or teach you something in defeat.  We are walking this journey.  God will use us in mighty ways whatever turns we may take as long as we are journeying for Him.

Next time when it seems that life is not working out at all like you had hoped.  Next time everything you prayed about has happened as you told God it should.  Next time you are caught at the Crossroads and not sure whether to move without a sign.  Remember God wants your faith and your movement.  And then He will provide you with everything you need to faithfully trust in Him.  The only One Way, God has is to glorify Him in all that we do!

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    Michael Mercer

    I like to explore different things about theology and the life of the church.  You might also find things here about me and my family.

    Prayer Requests: 

    mercerprays@gmail.com

    God Is... by Michael Mercer

    Available in Paperback and ebook!

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    God Is... -God is... is a book that takes a look at Genesis and portrays six true images of God.  There are many ways we think about God that are unhealthy and even destructive.  These six images help turn our attention to who God really is and how we might follow him more closely.  Click the Lulu button below to download your copy!

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