For the sake of the gospel

I wrote the following article for our upcoming women's newsletter at church. Thought I'd share it with you...

One chilly, snowy day this past winter I called my mother-in-law in California. As we chatted I asked her how everything was going. “Oh my goodness,” she said, “it’s so cold here!” “What’s the temperature down there?” I asked as I stared out the window at three feet of snow. “I think it’s in the 50’s,” she replied. I smiled to myself. Later I thought how often in conversations I assume communication is happening merely because we are using the same English words. In reality, however, as I was reminded with my mother-in-law, the meanings we attach to even common words can vary greatly.

“Modesty” is one of those words. Though it is often used in Christian circles, it is rarely defined. Styles, of course change, but is there a definition or standard for modesty that goes beyond current fashions, individual preferences or personal convictions? Is modesty merely subjective and therefore open to each woman’s interpretation? Or would God have us embrace a more objective definition of the word?

The dictionary defines modesty as being free from vanity, having regard for decency in dress. C.J. Mahaney, in speaking on the subject, defines modesty as “avoiding clothing that is revealing, extravagant, showy or sexually enticing.” In other words, we, as women, should avoid clothes that draw attention to any part of our bodies.

What should motivate a believing woman, though, to make the difficult decision to go against our world’s standards and embrace God’s heart on this issue? A couple Scriptures point us to the answer. Titus 2:4-5 directs women to be godly wives and mothers- to be self-controlled and pure SO THAT no one will malign the word of God. So that no one will defame the word of God. In other words, we behave a certain way-we dress a certain way-so that God would not be dishonored!

The passage goes on to give commands to young men and to slaves on how they should conduct themselves as followers of Christ. And at the end of the exhortations to the various groups, Paul gives the reason behind the commands...”so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (v.10)

I believe what these Scriptures are saying is that, among other things, we must dress modestly so that we do not distract others from Christ. We should desire to dress modestly so that our clothes do not reflect poorly upon the gospel. We should seek to be pure in every way to show the transforming work of the gospel in our lives.

He passed!

Whew! It's over! We are praising God for Roland's ordination yesterday. It was very intense and he was quite nervous to begin with. But after the first few questions he settled in. It was awesome to hear him answer the questions and support his answer with Scripture references. He did such a good job! (And I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be.)

(See Roland's Blog for the Ordination Process)

I am very thankful for the tone that Dan, John, and Mike set. It was very humble. The men were very gracious, encouraging and affirming. Praise God!


From now I think you're supposed to call me the "Reverend Mrs. Roland Sanchez"... or was that
the "Reverend Mother"?... I can't remember. I better do a bit more research. : )

3 more days...

3 more days ....til Roland's ordination. It has been an intense few months, or shall I say, few years of studying. Although Roland finished seminary in December we all still feel that it is not really "over" til his ordination is done.

People have asked why Roland is going through the ordination process if the church doesn't require it of the pastors. (There's no real "physical" incentive-no pay increase, no bigger office, no promotion. Only the title of Reverend awaits him-not much of an incentive!) The answer is simply that his desire is to be tested (as I Timothy 3 talks about.) He sees ordination as the culmination of his formal training for ministry. So, on Tuesday he will have his first ordination council, which will entail three hours of questioning on Bible knowledge, systematic theology, and practical theology. His council consists of three men who have been instrumental in his preparation for ministry-Dan Jarms, Mike Rosario and John Smith.

The kids are not going, but I am. Roland says I'm welcome as long as I don't shout out things like, "Ah, come on! What kind of an answer is that?!" Since I have no plans to do that, I plan to stock up on Tums and go and pray and rejoice in God's goodness.

We'd appreciate your prayers too!

Dancing 101

Over the past ten years I have come to terms with the fact that my children bear no physical resemblance to me. Oh, people try and be kind and say that they see a resemblance, but I know it is just that-being kind. (Even Roland tried to encourage me after Kailyn was born, "Honey, she looks like you from the neck down!) But I know that they are just a smaller, paler version of their daddy. They have his eyes, his skin, his hair, his features, his allergies.

You can only imagine my joy, my pride, my excitement then when we discovered a way in which they do resemble their mama...they dance like me! Let me assure you, though, this is no complement. How the dancing gene got lost is still a mystery. Roland comes from a long line of good dancers. His parents dance. His uncles dance. His siblings dance. He was dancing as soon as he could stand. So how is it that my children cannot even keep a beat? Can't even clap to the music at church? Recently, Roland has had to face the difficult truth....they are stiff little white kids.
Well, Roland felt that this was a reality that he just could not live with. (Something about "No kid of mine is gonna dance like a white guy...") So, he lined the kids up tonight, cranked up the music and gave them their first official dance lesson.
"Step, touch. Step, touch. C'mon, can you feel it?"
"Feel what, dad?"

I'll keep you updated on their progress...
In the meantime, you be the judge.
.

Praising God for others' gifts

The past week or so I've been meditating on 1 Peter 4:10-11:

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.
If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that
in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

As I've meditated on this passage I've been struck by God's wonderful plan and purpose in giving each of us different gifts. We know from Scripture that our giftedness is to serve and edify the body, but the ultimate result, as this passage says, is the glory and praise of God. When believers are faithfully using their unique gifts, the church sees the manifold wisdom and goodness and grace of God more clearly. This week that's been true for me. I've been led to praise God because others are using their gifts according to the measure of faith that has been given to them. Here are just a few examples...

-When I hear Joel teaching Claire's Bible School class with such energy and creativity every week, I praise God because Claire is learning that the Bible is not only filled with amazing truth but it is also anything but boring.
-When I hear Kelli's quick and sincere words of encouragement, I praise God for gifting her that way because people are blessed by her words. (Most of the time it would have taken me an hour to come up with something half as encouraging!)
-When I see Marilyn's gift of serving and hospitality I praise God because the gospel is being adorned.
-When I hear Roland preach I praise God because his teaching challenges me (and the church) to pursue holy living. (You didn't think I was gonna leave that one off, did you?)

It has made me think... If using my spiritual gifts results in praise to God,
what are the implications if I am NOT using my gifts?
That's a sobering thought.