Stained Glass Masquerade
Pastor Jeff Williams
Luke 18:9-14
1-1-06
A Lying Lion
Not many people know that Pastor Dick wanted to work for the zoo when he was younger. As a teenager, he bugged the manager nearly every day for a job. Each time the man would have to let him down easy. But one day, things took a strange turn. The manager took Dick in the back room and began to whisper, “If you really want a job at the zoo, I have a proposition for you. Our gorilla died last night and we can not afford a new one so try this on.” The man handed Dick a brand new gorilla suit. Well, Dick excitedly tried it on and it fit. He finally had a job at the zoo.
The next morning, he climbed into the cage and starting eating bananas. A young boy took a keen interest in the gorilla and Dick became inspired. He jumped up and down, made gorilla sounds, and started swinging on the tire swing. The young boy called his mother over excitedly. Egged on by his audience, Dick swung so high that he ended up going over the wall and landed with a plop…in the lion’s cage! By this time, the mother had walked away but the young boy ran to the other side. The lion woke up and let out a slow growl. At this Dick panicked and began yelling for help. The boy yelled for his mom, “Mommy, monkey can talk.” The lion got up and slowly circled Dick and the young boy yelled, “Mommy, lion’s gonna eat the monkey.” At this Dick totally lost it and began loudly exclaiming that he was not in fact a monkey but a man and he did not want to be eaten. The lion pounced and knocked Dick to the ground and opened his huge jaws. Just when he thought he was a gonner, he heard the lion say, “Would you please shut up, you are going to get us both fired!”
Sometimes, actually very often, things are not what they seem, are they?
Turn with me to the book of Luke and find the eighteenth chapter. [Prayer]
A Master Teacher at Work
Let’s start with a definition. What exactly is a parable? Simply put, a parable is a fictional story with a moral or spiritual point. All of us have grown up hearing parables. There once was a boy who kept trying to get attention by ringing the bell and saying the wolf was in town and they were all in danger. Then one day, the wolf really did show up, the boy rang the bell, but no one believed him. The moral? Don’t “cry wolf” if there ain’t no wolf! A variation of this story involving a little chicken who kept thinking the sky was falling. More recently, the parable of four children who wander into a wardrobe and discover the magic land of Narnia has captured our imaginations. These parables are a part of our folklore and we learn from such stories lessons that can be applied to real every day lives.
Jesus was a master teacher and if you read the Gospels carefully you will discover that He almost always taught the crowds using parables. One time one of the disciples asked why He did not just teach like the other rabbis. Jesus’ reply is cryptic:
“This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” (Matthew 13:13)
Jesus understood the role of a great teacher is not to give the students all the answers but to teach them how to think. These stories sparked discussion and debate, confusion and questions. In one sense, the parables Jesus told were so simple: stories of farmers and seed, lost sheep and coins, bandits and victims. Out of the forty parables Jesus told, only a couple of them mention the name of God. In another sense, Eugene Peterson writes that they were much deeper than that: “They walked away perplexed, wondering what they meant, the stories lodged in their imaginations. And then, like a time bomb, they would explode in their unprotected hearts. An abyss opened up at their very feet. He was talking about God; they had been invaded!”
A Parable for the Proud
Wherever Jesus went, He was surrounded by crowds. These crowds were made up of all kinds of people, from the spiritually dead to the spiritual snobs. We are told that this particular parable is for the snobs. Look at verse 9:
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:” (Luke 18:9)
The phrase “looked down on” can be translated “to utterly despise.” I love the way the Message paraphrases this verse, “To some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people.” Ouch! These spiritually superior super-saints were about to learn a lesson about what is most important in the kingdom of God.
White Hat…Black Hat
Jesus begins the story by telling setting the stage:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” (Luke 18:10)
There are two characters in the story – a Pharisee and a tax collector. His listeners would have automatically understood that this was a story about a good guy and a bad guy. The only problem with Jesus is you never know which one is which.
First, we see a Pharisee going up to Jerusalem to pray. This is not out of the ordinary. Pharisees were good at praying. The word Pharisee literally means “Separated ones” and were members of a strict sect that gained prominence in the century before Christ was born. This man was probably the head of the synagogue and a member of the city council. He knew the Scriptures, much of it by heart. He knew all the rules and was a stickler for form and tradition. He was a good guy, well respected in the community. He wore a white hat. Parents wanted their children to grow up to be Pharisees.
The second man seems out of place. A tax collector going to the Temple to pray would be highly unusual. He is the “bad guy” of the story. He had sold his soul to Rome for a cheap buck. The Romans occupied Israel at this time and were hated. This guy not only worked for the enemy, but skimmed money off the top and got rich off his own countrymen. He was not even allowed in the synagogue, could not hold public office, and couldn’t testify in court. You didn’t want your babies to grow up to be tax collectors.
Dueling Prayers
Next, Jesus tells us what they prayed. You can learn a lot about someone by listening to their prayers.
The Pharisee was a professional. He walked to the center of the inner court, ruffled his prayer shawl, cleared his throat, struck a pose and prayed:
“The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ’God, I thank you that I am not like other men-robbers, evildoers, adulterers-or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ (Luke 18:11-12)
His prayer contained thirty-three words and five of those were the word “I.” It was been suggested that this guy needed an “I exam.” Toby Keith captured the Pharisees sentiments in a song called, “I Want to Talk about Me.” His prayer begins with a comparison between himself and others who are less righteous than he. He ends his prayer by listing, loudly, all the good things he has done for God. To the people in the crowd, this would have been expected from this character. Remember, he is the “good guy.”
As I said before, the tax collector presence in the Temple is a bit awkward:
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ’God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ (Luke 18:13)
The tax collector knew better than to go into the inner court, so we find him “standing at a distance” probably somewhere in the outer court. No flowing robes, no fancy words. In fact, just seven words – “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” No comparisons, who could he compare himself to anyway? No list of “good deeds.” It was just a humble plea for pardon. He asked, while beating his chest, for mercy, undeserved favor. While our hearts may go out this poor guy, to Jesus first-century audience this guy was going to get just what he deserved –judgment!
A Terrible Twist
Everyone had the story figured out, or so they thought. Jesus finished the story by telling them who was actually justified, made right, before God. He said, “The tax man went home right with God” and every jaw in the crowd dropped. Can’t you hear the gasps? The whispers? “Tax collectors are bad guys. God doesn’t listen to them! Who does this guy think he is?!” Jesus, anticipating their response, drops this bombshell on them:
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:14)
Again, we see the upside down theology of Jesus. Many in the crowd walked away mumbling, “What was that all about?”
What the Point of the Parable?
What is the point of this parable? What is the moral lesson we can take home and hang on our coat rack for 2006? I do not believe it is matter of “good and bad.” The point is that the Pharisee wasn’t real. He was plastic, superficial, a poser. The tax collector brought to God his real self, warts and all. When it comes to God, He demands reality.
The problem with reality is that is so hard to find in this culture. Even “reality TV” is not real! Unfortunately, reality is hard to find even within the walls of the church. That’s why Mark Hall of Casting Crowns wrote the song, “Stained Glass Masquerade.” In the chorus he asked some pretty pointed questions: “Are we happy plastic people/under shiny plastic steeples/with walls around our weakness and smiles to hide our pain/if the invitations open/to every heart that has been broken/then maybe we can close the curtain on this stained glass masquerade.”
There is a story told of an Emperor in ancient China who loved classical music. He asked the court musician to form an orchestra to play for him. A young man joined the orchestra in the flute section. The only problem was he didn’t play the flute. He just pretended, he was a con-man.
It was a good gig, though. He lived in the nice quarters and got paid well. Everything was working out until the Emperor called for each musician to perform a solo. This young man knew he was up a creek so he came up with a plan. He called in sick. He was taken to the court physician would couldn’t find anything wrong with him. Finally, his solo was scheduled for the next day. The found him the next morning. He had taken poison and ended his life. This is where we get the saying, “He couldn’t face the music.”
That’s we are talking about this morning. “Facing the music,” being real with God and others. I want you to write the word “REAL” down the margin of your Bible.
Relationship vs. Religion
Look at the parable with me again. The Pharisee was religious. Most people, including Jesus’ audience, thought that was a good thing. The only problem was the some of Jesus’ most stinging criticism was directed at the religious people. In just one section of Scripture in Mathew, Jesus called the Pharisees “hypocrites” (Matthew 23:23); “blind guides” (Matthew 23:16); “white washed tombs” (Matthew 23:27); and “snakes, brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33). Jesus did not mince words when it came to religion.
They had substituted following rules for falling in love with God. Religion seeks to reduce God to a formula. If you jump through the right hoops then you win brownie points with God.
Isaiah wrote:
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. (Isaiah 29:13)
The Pharisee’s prayer consisted of two very religious practices – comparison and conceit. He thanked God that he was not like other men, especially not like the “scum bag” tax collector. Religious people are good at comparing themselves to others. The problem with that outlook is that we are never called to compare ourselves to other people. If I compare myself to an ax-murderer, I can become pretty snug about my soul. But, if I compare myself to Jesus, I keep coming up short. The righteous robes we proudly wear are as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) to the sinless Savior.
The second part of his prayer is basically bragging. He fasted twice a week and tithed all he had. Doesn’t that sound spiritual? Well, it isn’t! God never commanded the Jews to fast twice a week, only once a year on the Day of Atonement (see Lev 23:26-32). God certainly did not expect people to tithe everything. Can you imagine this Pharisee measuring out a tenth of “dill spice?”
The Pharisees had added 613 laws to God’s commands. They determined that in order to be a “good” Jew one had to follow all of their rules. That’s why religion is spelled, “do.” I must follow the right rules, do the right things, jump through the correct hoops in the correct order in order to be right with God. I am so glad that things have changed…
When I was in seminary, I worked at Red Lobster. It was an incredible mission field and I took seriously my role as local “preacher boy.” There was one girl in particular who kept asking questions about God and I was praying for an opportunity to share my faith with her. There were several young students from a local Bible college who started working there over the summer. They were zealous and annoying. I considered them harmless until the day that Liz asked me to come to the back with her.
I noticed she was crying. She told me that one of the bible college guys had told her she was going to hell because her hair was short. She was mad and scared and asked me, in front of ten other people, what I thought was the most important thing she needed to know from the Bible. I immediately told her that “for God so loved Liz that he gave his only begotten Son so that if she would just believe in Him she would never have to worry about hell again” (see John 3:16-17). Then took the guy to the side and told him Liz wasn’t going to hell because of her hair. She was going to hell because of her heart. She needed to be loved, listened to, and challenged to respond to God’s love for her. She did not need to be bullied by a bunch of legalistic hair inspectors. (I said this in Christian love of course!) To him, hair equaled holiness. Liz was not even a Christian but he was holding her to his standard of spirituality. Religion is useless, burdensome, and irritating.
God called the Pharisee and the tax collector to a relationship with Him based on grace. Paul puts it plainly:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Relationship is spelled “done.” You do not have to earn God’s love. Both men had the opportunity to approach the God of the universe. The Pharisee found that religion was easier.
How about you? Are you trusting in rules or holding on to a relationship with Christ?
Express Your Need for Forgiveness
Look back to verse 11. To whom did the Pharisee pray? Himself! The Pharisee’s prayer was for show, to be seen and heard. It had little to do with needing God. The tax collector’s prayer was just the opposite. It was brimming with need - the need for relationship, restoration, forgiveness, and mercy. He quietly cried out for a second chance, or a third, or a fourth. He closed his eyes, brought his fist slamming down on his wicked heart, and asked for mercy. He knew, unlike the Pharisee, he did not deserve it. That’s what mercy is – undeserved favor. In fact, he uses a very interesting word for mercy that meant “to make restoration by means of a sacrifice.” You think Jesus was trying to tell His listeners something?
We humans are a needy race. We need air, food, and water to survive physically. We need relationships and affirmation to survive emotionally. And we need God to survive spiritually. We need God’s forgiveness and mercy like a drowning man needs a life preserver. Strangely many people act like the Pharisee and pretend they don’t need God. It was been said that the only person God will send away empty handed is the one that is full of himself.”
There are times though when our need becomes critical. When we understand that without radical intervention we will be lost in the sea of our sin. The tax collector recognized this better than most of us. Something that is not captured in the English is how he describes himself. In the Greek, the text literally reads, “the sinner.” He doesn’t say, “a sinner” but “the sinner” – a truly bad guy with a truly bad heart. Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to young Timothy:
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (I Timothy 1:15-16)
It is the tax collectors lack of pride and humility that draws God’s heart:
“For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15)
Solomon wrote in his journal of wisdom:
“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
The tax collector perceived his powerlessness and cried out for help and God heard, as He still does today.
On Monday, I went to the gym to shoot some hoops. I never shot the first shot. I ended up talking to a student who had moved away from Pontiac but was visiting his grandparents over the Christmas break. We talked about school, his new home and girls. Then he said something amazing. He said, “When I was in Pontiac, I didn’t pay much attention at church. I just faked my way through. But I feel like I am growing up and I am much more interested in what the Bible says. I have a lot of questions about God.” I asked him if he was planning to be at the service this morning. He said yes, and then added, “I want to get saved on Sunday morning.” Right there, on the bench at the gym I explained that we all are sinners separated from God (see Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2) But God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross, in our place, for our sins (see Romans 5:6; John 3:16-17). And all He asks of us to is to surrender to His plan and leadership (see John 1:12; Romans 10:9). That freshman guy bowed his head and prayed to make Jesus his Lord and Savior right there, in the rec center!
When you are plastic, when you wear a mask, you do not have needs. But when you are real, you know you have needs and that only God can meet them. Do you recognize your neediness?
Admit you are a Mess
As I talk to people in the community, I hear this statement a lot: “I’ll come to church when I get my act together.” If having your “act together” is a prerequisite for church, my membership would have been revoked long ago.
One of the reasons I love the Bible is that it presents real people with all their problems, insecurities, and doubts. Noah was a man of dogged determination, faith, and purity. After the ark had settled and he had built an altar to honor the Lord, he got drunk and passed out naked in his tent (see Genesis 9). I haven’t heard many sermons on those verses. Noah was messy.
David was a man after God’s on heart but was also an arrogant, impulsive, cheating, lying, murderer in his spare time. David was messy.
Paul the greatest theological mind of all time was messy. Listen to part of his journal as recorded in the seventh chapter of Romans:
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do… For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:15, 17)
That sounds like me on any given day. At least Paul knew the answer to this dilemma. Listen as he concluded this section:
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)
Only through Jesus does our messiness make sense. People love to put on masks and pretend that everything is ok. But we are all a mess. Theologically, it is called “sin.” Paul wrote that we “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Everyone one of us has a dark side. We all are tempted to put on a mask and pretend like we don’t have issues like depression, anxiety, addictions, or anger. We compare ourselves to people who seem messier and feel better about ourselves. As Pastor Brian says, “We don’t like people who sin differently than we do.” Somewhere along the line, the idea got out that in order to be a “good” Christian you have to have in all together. One writer said it this way, “I don’t think it bothers the world that we sin. I think it bothers the world when we act like we don’t.”
Mike Yaconelli, in his book, “Messy Spirituality” list four characteristics of real Christianity: unfinishedness, incompetence, desperateness, and a concept called “unpretending.” He writes: “Unfortunately, in many religious circles, there exists an unwritten rule. Pretend. Act like God is in control when you don’t believe He is. Pretend you believe when you doubt; hide your imperfections; maintain an image of a perfect marriage and healthy and well-adjusted children when your family is like any other normal dysfunctional family. And whatever you do, don’t admit you sin….when you are I stop pretending, we expose the pretending of everyone else. The bubble of the Christian life is burst, and we all must face the reality of our brokenness.”
I read this quote to our students and several commented about they feel like they have to pretend every where they go. Students get tired of wearing masks, just like adults. One student, Shiann Poshard, made such a profound comment, that I’ve asked her to share it with the congregation.
“I started coming to PBC in 2003. I was in seventh grade at the time, and the whole “church” thing was new to me. I had been to church before – but not this kind of church! A church that actually cared about what I had to say.
I had many masks at that time – one for school, one for home, and one for my friends. I was sooo sick of having to hide myself behind a face I didn’t even know. And then there was church. I figured that this was just another place to hide my real life (that I really didn’t even have).
But after a few weeks of coming here things were different than I expected. I realized that people I didn’t even know cared about my feelings and my thoughts. I soon found out that church was not a place for me to hide – it was a place I could take all my masks off! It is weird when Pastor Jeff talks about putting masks on at church. Why would you need a mask in one of the safest places to be! What do you have to hide from here? It’s out there you have to worry about! I mean, yeah, sometimes masks are pretty to look at but what’s the point of wearing it if you can not see yourself in it.”
Immanuel Kant wrote: “The more civilized men become the better actors they are.” Larry Crabb calls the church, the “safest place of earth.” Can you admit you are a mess and join this band of fellow strugglers on the great adventure of faith?
Live a life of Freedom and Grace
After each man had prayed, they both walked out of the Temple. I am convinced the way they left was radically different. The Pharisee left exactly the way he came in – a self-righteous strutting rooster. He done had done his religious duty. Maybe, just maybe, his gait was a little slower. After all, religion is burdensome.
The tax collector approached the Temple weighed down by guilt and shame. He left the Temple dancing to the rhythm of grace. How do we know that? Because Jesus tells us that it was the tax collector who was “justified” before God. You can remember this concept by saying, “just-as-if-I-had-never-sinned.” The tax collector was made right with God. The relationship was restored not on any merit of his human accomplishments.
We love to quote Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” How often do we keep going to verse 24?
“…and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24)
Mercy and freedom are always God’s gifts to give of His own choosing. The tax collector knew what it meant to be lost. As he leaves the Temple, he discovers the joy and freedom of being found.
Paul talks about this in his letter to the church in Galatia:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1)
And Jesus could not have been clearer:
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Do you want to lose five pounds of guilt and shame this year? How about five inches off your hypocrisy? Do you want to dance in the freedom of forgiveness? Then accept this simple truth – God loves you unconditionally, irrationally, fiercely and tenderly. It is this love that sets us free to be who God created us to be. It is this wildly extravagant love that sets us free from the lies of our past, (you’re stupid, you’re not good enough, you’re failure), and teaches us the new vocabulary of grace. This love makes us real.
Listen to this conversation between the Skin Horse and the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams:
“Does it happen [becoming REAL] all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”
“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t often happen to people who break easily, or who have sharp edges, are have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are real most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get lose in joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”
Brennan Manning writes in his newest book “Posers, Fakers, and Wannabes – Unmasking the Real You”, “Define yourself radically as one totally loved by God. Right now. As-Is. Not to be left like this, certainly, but just as certainly never to loved, valued, cherished anymore or less than you are in this very moment because God’s love does not depend on you. So please, please, please stop running away when you mess up, and run into to the arms of the one who totally loves you as you are right now.”
Say this with me – I am loved. Now, actually say it like you mean it. What would it mean in your life if you stopped comparing yourself, took off the masks, and actually lived in total freedom? Living with the understanding that God is not mad at you, He is mad about you. He has been seeking you, whispering you name.
The prophet Zephaniah tells us an amazing fact about God:
“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zeph 3:17)
He dances and sings over you with joy when He even thinks about you.
Jeremiah tells that God “loves us with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3) and “has plans to prosper us… and to give us a hope and future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Paul agrees:
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (I Corinthians 2:9)
The Apostle John helps us understand that God is not mad at us or wants to condemn us (as many people think):
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17)
He is not mad at us. He is mad about us. And that kind of love can change a person.
I went to a large men’s gathering some time ago and, honestly, I was in religious mode. I was whining about the worship and was less than inspired by the speakers. I walked into the breezeway and said quietly, “God I need you to teach me something here today. Please help me to listen.” At lunch time, I grabbed my box and tore into my turkey sandwich. Sitting next to me was a man who was eying my cookie. My heart immediately became cold. This event was held on the fairgrounds and I knew that a lot of homeless guys lived at the fairgrounds. I immediately judged him as a loser, a drug-addicted drain on society. I am not proud to tell you that, but it is the truth.
Silas, he had introduced himself by this time, did not have many teeth. He wore purple pants and a pink shirt. He stood out, he didn’t belong. I finally asked him if he lived here at the fairgrounds. He answered that he actually lived on the streets in the downtown area. Barely hiding my contempt, I asked how he got into the conference. I will never forget his answer, “Jeff, I was sleeping yesterday afternoon when a van drove up. The man inside told me he was a pastor and would like to take me to Promise Keepers. I didn’t know what that was but he promised me food, a shower, and a bed. Can’t refuse that, you know. Well, last night that first guy started speaking and how God loves me and something happened to me. I just knew it was true. God loves me. I got up, walked down to the prayer tent and gave my life to Jesus.” By this time he was beaming. “They told me that Jesus can help me stop drinking and doing drugs. Do you believe that Jeff?” By this time I was bawling. I was barely able to get the words out but assured him that Jesus’ love could free him from anything.
Jesus had shown up and I had missed Him. I had on the right clothes, knew the words to the songs, and knew when to say amen. I was the Pharisee. Silas didn’t know squat but found freedom and new humbled friend… and a free cookie.
Real ‘round the Table of Transformation
We come to communion this morning. Let me ask you a few questions to prepare us for the Lord’s Supper.
Jesus died to make us real. To free us from the pressures of pretending. To provide for our pardon and forgiveness. God isn’t shy about demonstrating how He feels about you:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Romans 5:7-10)
We are called to examine our relationship with Him and others during this time.
On the screen will be five possible New Year’s Resolutions. Read them slowly and meditate on the words.
1. In 2006, I resolve to deepen my relationship with God. I will give up trying to earn His love. Jesus never said “Follow my rules,” He said “Follow Me.”
2. In 2006, I will express my neediness to God and one other person I trust. Jesus said, “Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
3. In 2006, I will admit that I am, at times, a mess and that’s okay. I will not pretend. I am a work in progress. Paul, said, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6)
4. In 2006, I will continually remind myself that God loves me passionately and intentionally. I will sing without shame, “Jesus loves me this I know/for the Bible tells me so/little ones (like me) belong/ I am weak but He is strong.”
5. In 2006, I will join with the others that have found freedom and learn to dance the dance of grace. “Those who dance are thought crazy by those who can not hear the music.”
Stained Glass Masquerade
"Stained Glass Masquerade"
(by Casting Crowns)
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
