Motherhood has taught me a lot, like: dry erase markers wont come off vinyl, colic is deadly…to the parents, mouse traps are nearly worthless unless you want to catch a little boy and boys like repetition. Why else would he get caught in the mouse trap two times, and why else would he get his head stuck in the potty ring three times?

On this day I learned from these two anointed men speaking scripture, church and vision in my living room. Mark said, “They received law under Moses, but they received the Promise Land under Joshua.” My husband helped me to study in beauty school so much that I am sure he could pass State Boards. I however, only recall learning that Joshua or Yesua in Hebrew was a common form of the name Jesus from Josh’s time in college. Joshua (Jesus) gets you to the Promise Land. Not Moses, not Law. Jesus.

We’ve all done it if only mentally. Tried, convicted, and sentenced by the law we were given to live by not to judge by.

Ann Voskamp said, “When the world is selling goods dressed up as love while the church is selling law dressed up as good news—guess where the next generation starts lining up.”

A client turned friend told me in the salon how she wasn’t able to count on her parents for food, water and shelter let alone love, security and affirmation. She says her mom spent time in hospitals and it hurts to hear people talk about crazy or loony people (I rethink how carelessly I say crazy). Her dad kicked her out at 15 and she moved in with her now husband.

In the mirror I see her reflection, one part shame one part defense. She says, “I know that’s sin; to live with a man and not be married.” As if I’m ready to throw that stone. No. Thank. You.

She calls us who keep the Sabbath holy “church people”. She knows just enough about church people to know she doesn’t want any part of church.

I told her what the whole body of Christ should be proclaiming, “Yes. That’s sin, and there is a lot of church people who would cast that stone, but I am a Christian and I am just going to love you.”

Are we really teaching Law, and rules and a Christ that’s merely a way to heaven? Is He no more than a tool? When did Heaven rather than relationship with God become the prize? When did Hell reather than separation from our creator become the punishment? We should be afraid when eternal heat is more scary than eternal separation.

This all sounds good right? What about when things get personal? What about when someone you love sins against you? Can I still choose love when I am forced from theory to practical application? What about when it becomes personal, painful, punishable? I mean I would have every right! Right? Oh don’t think I didn’t clutch the stone! And I would be right—but what about righteous? What good and holy would come from throwing a stone? Only loss of relationship and more disguising the law as love.

Designed to commune with God in the garden but choosing to wonder around clutching stone tablets that cant save us from Hell.

We are following Moses around a dessert when it’s Yesua—Jesus who gets you to the Promise Land.

Billy Graham said, “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love.” I say we are so busy being church people and doing God’s job that we don’t have time to do our own.

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10