A prophetic cry has gone out to those within the Kingdom of God since the beginning:
“Listen up! Why won’t you listen? God gave you ears, yet you refuse to listen! Hearing and listening are not the same thing, just as seeing and understanding are not the same thing. I have a message for you and in turn, you must go to the world.”
There are those who claim to be prophets, and then there are those who are prophets and may not realize it. Unfortunately the word “prophet” has been given a meaning that is only partially true. Most of the time it is used to describe someone who can foretell the future...but if we look at the Biblical prophets, most of them didn’t “forthsee” that often. Most of their messages were to the people of God, to as my Dad used to say, “straighten up and fly right”! Limiting the spiritual gift of prophecy to merely foretelling the future is like limiting the spiritual gift of healing to only healing people who are blind.
The word translated as “prophet”, in the Hebrew & Greek languages, merely means “mouth piece” or “one who speaks in behalf of another”. We find that Paul tells us that the gift of prophecy is one of the gifts we should earnestly desire, among some others (1 Cor. 12:31), but then he tells us that he wants to show a more excellent way of using spiritual gifts...always in love.
A prophetic message should always be seasoned with the salt of love. Sometimes it is for an individual, like when the man stepped forward and showed Paul that he would be apprehended and imprisoned. Sometimes it is for a local group of followers of Jesus, like most of Paul’s letters. But then, there is the time when the tenor of the message is for the whole Body of Christ, which is like the Bible as a whole.
Most of Jesus prophetic words were spoken for the entire Church; The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), His parables, His scathing, yet needed words for the religious establishment, the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 25). Whenever there was a need for words to be spoken, Jesus (at the prompting of His Father) would speak them. All too often, we take it upon on ourselves to speak because we “feel led”, when in fact, we just want to be heard. Our view is the correct one (we think) and so everyone else should know it, too.
I have been guilty of this very thing. Thankfully, I never write it for others to see/read/hear unless I am ABSOLUTELY sure that it is for public consumption. To move or speak without God’s “thumbs up” can only do damage, while at the same time, to NOT move or speak when God says to can only mean that we are being disobedient to Him and, therefor, someone is not hearing what they need to hear.
Speaking in behalf of God is a sobering and humbling thing. It is not to be taken lightly nor is it a task to be ignored.
I claim no connection to the Lord that hasn't been available to those in the past nor to anyone listening. I just know that beyond the shadow of a doubt that I hear Him when He speaks and then do as I'm told. My sinfulness will arise and then I cannot hear Him above the din and end up writing some stupid crap. You would not believe how many notes/blogs I have written that have never been seen by anyone, not even my wife. Like I said...if it becomes clear that it's just me, then I know that no one will gain anything from it.
Listen to Him...if you get quiet you can hear Him. Turn off the tv, the computer, the iPod, the radio, the cd player. Shut out the talk shows, the blogs, the newspapers and magazines. Sit quietly and listen...you may be surprised what you can hear.
12/6/10
Feeding 5,000+
People had come from miles around to hear Him, to catch a glimpse of Him, to possibly even touch Him or have Him touch them or the sick loved one they brought. His students asked Him to dismiss the crowd, after all it was starting to get late in the day, time for supper. They thought they were being compassionate, thinking about the approaching darkness and how hungry they themselves were. The people needed ample time to get something to eat and then make their way home.
But then He said, "Why don't you guys give them something to eat?" One replied that they didn't have enough cash to feed them all...even what they did have in the company purse wouldn't be enough for everyone to even get a crumb of bread. Then one of them came to Him with a young boy and his food basket; 5 personal-sized loaves of barley bread and 2 small salted & cured lake carp. He smiled and prayed silently, "Father...this is more than enough for You to feed them."
Jesus took the small amount provided and fed 5,000+ people. We are told that there were 5,000 men, besides women and children, so at least 10,000 were present...and had their hunger assuaged. Amazing.
Amazing that Jesus told His students to feed them; amazing that Andrew had the nerve to bring a small lunch to Jesus thinking that He could do something with it; amazing that He did do something with it; amazing that we can participate in such a miracle today. With very little we can join others in providing food and clean water as well as the ultimate gift of salvation to people all over the world...even next door.
If we just move forward in faith, doing the right thing, God will bless it. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus gives us a mandate to feed, provide drink, clothing, and love through relationships to anyone in need and equates doing so as having done it to Him. How many of us would turn a blind eye to giving Jesus a cup of cool water or a sandwich or new shoes or holding His hand in the hospital or friendship while in prison?
Don't answer that with words...answer with action.
But then He said, "Why don't you guys give them something to eat?" One replied that they didn't have enough cash to feed them all...even what they did have in the company purse wouldn't be enough for everyone to even get a crumb of bread. Then one of them came to Him with a young boy and his food basket; 5 personal-sized loaves of barley bread and 2 small salted & cured lake carp. He smiled and prayed silently, "Father...this is more than enough for You to feed them."
Jesus took the small amount provided and fed 5,000+ people. We are told that there were 5,000 men, besides women and children, so at least 10,000 were present...and had their hunger assuaged. Amazing.
Amazing that Jesus told His students to feed them; amazing that Andrew had the nerve to bring a small lunch to Jesus thinking that He could do something with it; amazing that He did do something with it; amazing that we can participate in such a miracle today. With very little we can join others in providing food and clean water as well as the ultimate gift of salvation to people all over the world...even next door.
If we just move forward in faith, doing the right thing, God will bless it. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus gives us a mandate to feed, provide drink, clothing, and love through relationships to anyone in need and equates doing so as having done it to Him. How many of us would turn a blind eye to giving Jesus a cup of cool water or a sandwich or new shoes or holding His hand in the hospital or friendship while in prison?
Don't answer that with words...answer with action.
10/24/10
CHURCHES, MONEY & SACRIFICE
Last year I attended a church "mortgage burning" event. It was a big deal...people who were charter members were there, former pastors, conference officials, etc. The current pastor had a few words to say about how they had gotten to that point; how there had been some serious sacrificial giving along the way in order to retire the debt on the building. Some very good points were made...but...
As with most churches (not all, but most) this is a building that is used approximately 10 hours a week. Wednesday nights for a few hours and on the weekend for classes and worship service. Maybe more if there is a special event going on. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, millions of dollars, for a meeting place that is not utilized to it's fullest potential...this is a waste and very poor stewardship of monetary blessings.
I think about times when I was growing up that my family experienced some hard times financially...the church was strangely absent in our time of need. But when there was a new building program,everyone (including those who had very little) was encouraged to give "sacrificially" under the guise that it was for "God's glory" that we get a new kitchen or new classrooms. I think about times that people have gone hungry under the shadow of a church steeple or grown cold because they couldn't pay their electric bill, while the church down the street had the heat on while there was no one on the premises. "Sacrificial giving" to add on to a church, or increase the space it occupies.(?)
If the church boards were honest with themselves, they would ask the question, "If this church burned to the ground today, would the surrounding community miss it?" Obviously there would be a physical void, but what about a spiritual void or community void? "Sacrificial giving" to what end? Building up a church facility just so we can say, when asked, "Where do you go to church?"..."Oh,I go to that BIG church up on the hill." This is not giving God glory...just a black eye.
Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, said, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world is...Christians; who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." "Denying Him by our lifestyle" is far more than engaging in lying, stealing, using pornography or other of the more "obvious" sinful behaviors; to misuse or mishandle the monetary blessings He has provided is just as egregious in His eyes...possibly even more so. Sacrificial giving is only sacrificial if it is what God asks for, not what we think He's asking for.
Think about it.
As with most churches (not all, but most) this is a building that is used approximately 10 hours a week. Wednesday nights for a few hours and on the weekend for classes and worship service. Maybe more if there is a special event going on. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, millions of dollars, for a meeting place that is not utilized to it's fullest potential...this is a waste and very poor stewardship of monetary blessings.
I think about times when I was growing up that my family experienced some hard times financially...the church was strangely absent in our time of need. But when there was a new building program,everyone (including those who had very little) was encouraged to give "sacrificially" under the guise that it was for "God's glory" that we get a new kitchen or new classrooms. I think about times that people have gone hungry under the shadow of a church steeple or grown cold because they couldn't pay their electric bill, while the church down the street had the heat on while there was no one on the premises. "Sacrificial giving" to add on to a church, or increase the space it occupies.(?)
If the church boards were honest with themselves, they would ask the question, "If this church burned to the ground today, would the surrounding community miss it?" Obviously there would be a physical void, but what about a spiritual void or community void? "Sacrificial giving" to what end? Building up a church facility just so we can say, when asked, "Where do you go to church?"..."Oh,I go to that BIG church up on the hill." This is not giving God glory...just a black eye.
Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel, said, "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world is...Christians; who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." "Denying Him by our lifestyle" is far more than engaging in lying, stealing, using pornography or other of the more "obvious" sinful behaviors; to misuse or mishandle the monetary blessings He has provided is just as egregious in His eyes...possibly even more so. Sacrificial giving is only sacrificial if it is what God asks for, not what we think He's asking for.
Think about it.
10/15/10
JESUS & MODERN CHRISTIANITY: Is there a difference?
I have a couple of friends who have left the church of their upbringing, and to all appearances, God as well. I guess I technically haven't "left" the denomination of my upbringing, even though I don't adhere to some teachings like I once did. With that being said, I may leave a denomination...I may no longer label myself by a particular "brand"...but I will never throw out the Baby (Jesus) with the bath water.
I wonder what makes people not only leave Jesus behind, but even become antagonistic towards Him. I understand that some have been hurt, disappointed or disillusioned with Christianity as a result of someone being a butt-head or something even worse. I am by no means defending anyone or any action that has caused pain...enough pain to make a person walk away from Christ. But I am here to remind you that Jesus is not the same as Christianity...sad but true.
A movement started 2,000 years ago by a Man who literally epitomized love, compassion, forgiveness and freedom has been maligned by His own people by their actions over the past 1,800 years. Within 200+ years after He left, His followers have been devoted to the Church rather than to the Lord of the Church. Everything terrible that can be attributed to Christians throughout history can also be disputed simply by looking at the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels and His words when He said, "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' are mine."
I would love nothing more than for everyone, those who believe in Him as well as those who do not, to be able to take their blinders off and see the Jesus that I see. Unvarnished, pure, no pretenses...just Jesus. No forcing, no guilting, no reciting vows other than confessing Him as Lord & God and sharing your knowledge of Him with others. Knowing Him is so simple...but we've complicated the heck out of it!
I think about my bride, Beth. I fell in love with her immediately. I am more in love with her now than yesterday and will only love her more tomorrow. Having gotten to know her better over the 20 years we've known each other, having been married 19 of them, I can't help but love her...and I know she loves me more than anyone else, except Jesus, which I would have no other way. That is the way it can be with Jesus...the more you get to know Him, you can't walk away from Him. My point is, if you have walked away from church, that's fine...but do not make the mistake of walking away from Jesus, too. If you have, then the church you walked away from never showed Him to you in the first place...not really.
Find Him for yourself - and if you need help, let me know...maybe I can help.
I wonder what makes people not only leave Jesus behind, but even become antagonistic towards Him. I understand that some have been hurt, disappointed or disillusioned with Christianity as a result of someone being a butt-head or something even worse. I am by no means defending anyone or any action that has caused pain...enough pain to make a person walk away from Christ. But I am here to remind you that Jesus is not the same as Christianity...sad but true.
A movement started 2,000 years ago by a Man who literally epitomized love, compassion, forgiveness and freedom has been maligned by His own people by their actions over the past 1,800 years. Within 200+ years after He left, His followers have been devoted to the Church rather than to the Lord of the Church. Everything terrible that can be attributed to Christians throughout history can also be disputed simply by looking at the life of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels and His words when He said, "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' are mine."
I would love nothing more than for everyone, those who believe in Him as well as those who do not, to be able to take their blinders off and see the Jesus that I see. Unvarnished, pure, no pretenses...just Jesus. No forcing, no guilting, no reciting vows other than confessing Him as Lord & God and sharing your knowledge of Him with others. Knowing Him is so simple...but we've complicated the heck out of it!
I think about my bride, Beth. I fell in love with her immediately. I am more in love with her now than yesterday and will only love her more tomorrow. Having gotten to know her better over the 20 years we've known each other, having been married 19 of them, I can't help but love her...and I know she loves me more than anyone else, except Jesus, which I would have no other way. That is the way it can be with Jesus...the more you get to know Him, you can't walk away from Him. My point is, if you have walked away from church, that's fine...but do not make the mistake of walking away from Jesus, too. If you have, then the church you walked away from never showed Him to you in the first place...not really.
Find Him for yourself - and if you need help, let me know...maybe I can help.
10/4/10
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns
On Sunday mornings when I was a kid, my mom would make breakfast and I would plunk down in front of the TV to watch The Three Stooges...but some mornings they would be preempted by some sort of special program, what we now call infomercials.
I remember in particular when the TV station would air the ones about starving children all over the world. I hated those, because there I was, a kid myself, eating a plateful of food while looking at another kid with a bloated belly somewhere in the world, eating cornmeal mush with his or her fingers, with flies landing on them. I would then start to feel two conflicting feelings: anger and nausea. Anger that my morning ritual was being disrupted; anger that these other kids should be able to eat what I was eating. Nausea because I couldn’t look at the hollow eyes of these kids without feeling sick; nausea because I felt guilty for knowing I would scrape scraps off my plate that these children would love to have.
When I requested The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, I knew I would get some “behind the scenes” info on World Vision, the world help organization of which he is the president...I didn’t realize I would be convicted to my core of just how little Western Christianity seems to care. Oh, our churches will have food drives to make baskets during Thanksgiving & Christmas; we’ll even have a weekend of “awareness” where our youth groups will “camp out” in cardboard boxes to see “what it’s like” to be homeless. But when many larger churches will spend tens of millions of dollars on an addition to their physical facility, while donating only a couple of thousand dollars to the effort to relieve suffering from many factors in another country...need I say more?
This book is incredible in its scope - Rich Stearns will, on one hand, give us statistics that will astound us, and then on the other hand, tell us a story that should move us to action. In particular, he points out that the citizens of the 10 wealthiest countries are 75 times richer than the citizens of the 10 poorest countries. In 1820, that disparity was 4 times richer rather than 75 times richer.
Also, he tells of how he, after only 6 months at the helm of World Vision, went to the village of Rakai in Uganda and met 3 brothers, the oldest being named Richard. They has lost both parents to AIDS, and their graves were literally right outside the hut the boys lived in.
Rich goes on to tell his story of how he left being CEO of very prestigious company to take the wheel of World Vision; he tells of the pain of his selfishness of NOT wanting to do it, but came to the conclusion that God was calling him to do it. He gives us ample information to be able to do something; to get involved...in something. I have a feeling that Rich would want us to help ANY organization, not just his own, in an effort to fill the Hole on Our Gospel, the hole being that the Gospel is less about us being comfortable in our pews every weekend for a couple of hours, and more about alleviating the hunger pangs of people who are in need...who are in need for no other reason than they were born in a poverty stricken country.
So, read this book...underline in it, make notes, read it and do something. For God’s glory and the sake of people in need, do something.
I am a member of the Nelson Book Review Blogger program.
I remember in particular when the TV station would air the ones about starving children all over the world. I hated those, because there I was, a kid myself, eating a plateful of food while looking at another kid with a bloated belly somewhere in the world, eating cornmeal mush with his or her fingers, with flies landing on them. I would then start to feel two conflicting feelings: anger and nausea. Anger that my morning ritual was being disrupted; anger that these other kids should be able to eat what I was eating. Nausea because I couldn’t look at the hollow eyes of these kids without feeling sick; nausea because I felt guilty for knowing I would scrape scraps off my plate that these children would love to have.
When I requested The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, I knew I would get some “behind the scenes” info on World Vision, the world help organization of which he is the president...I didn’t realize I would be convicted to my core of just how little Western Christianity seems to care. Oh, our churches will have food drives to make baskets during Thanksgiving & Christmas; we’ll even have a weekend of “awareness” where our youth groups will “camp out” in cardboard boxes to see “what it’s like” to be homeless. But when many larger churches will spend tens of millions of dollars on an addition to their physical facility, while donating only a couple of thousand dollars to the effort to relieve suffering from many factors in another country...need I say more?
This book is incredible in its scope - Rich Stearns will, on one hand, give us statistics that will astound us, and then on the other hand, tell us a story that should move us to action. In particular, he points out that the citizens of the 10 wealthiest countries are 75 times richer than the citizens of the 10 poorest countries. In 1820, that disparity was 4 times richer rather than 75 times richer.
Also, he tells of how he, after only 6 months at the helm of World Vision, went to the village of Rakai in Uganda and met 3 brothers, the oldest being named Richard. They has lost both parents to AIDS, and their graves were literally right outside the hut the boys lived in.
Rich goes on to tell his story of how he left being CEO of very prestigious company to take the wheel of World Vision; he tells of the pain of his selfishness of NOT wanting to do it, but came to the conclusion that God was calling him to do it. He gives us ample information to be able to do something; to get involved...in something. I have a feeling that Rich would want us to help ANY organization, not just his own, in an effort to fill the Hole on Our Gospel, the hole being that the Gospel is less about us being comfortable in our pews every weekend for a couple of hours, and more about alleviating the hunger pangs of people who are in need...who are in need for no other reason than they were born in a poverty stricken country.
So, read this book...underline in it, make notes, read it and do something. For God’s glory and the sake of people in need, do something.
I am a member of the Nelson Book Review Blogger program.
9/30/10
CHINESE MONKEY TRAP
One time, when I was a kid, I was watching a TV show about animals, monkeys in particular. There was footage of monkeys being trapped so they could be sold on the black market for everything from pets to ingredients for some sort of soup.
One of the traps used was a small cage with not just vertical bars, but horizontal bars as well. The square openings the bars made were very small, just big enough for a child’s hand to fit through...or a monkey’s. Inside the cage, in plain sight , was a piece of fruit. The footage showed a curious monkey (no, I don’t think it’s name was George!) who came up to the cage and reached in to get the fruit. The problem was, he couldn’t pull his hand back out while holding the fruit. The monkey’s inability to understand that to let go of the fruit was his means of escape, became his undoing.
Things that allure us, that please us, that spoil us, can indeed, entrap us. When we find that we cannot let go of anything, even something good, then we are truly undone. Jesus says that our lives to do not consist of the things which we possess, He also said that we cannot serve two masters, God and Mammon. Mammon was a pagan god of material wealth...he symbolized what we Christians call “blessings”. He also said that wherever we place importance or priority, that’s where our heart can be found.
Wealth is the easiest to point out because it’s presence is obvious, but it is not bad or evil; the often misquoted Bible verse actually reads, “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”, not money itself. As I have said many times before, money is merely a tool with which we can accomplish a task, much like a hammer. But when a hammer is misused, like as a weapon, then bad things happen for which the hammer cannot be blamed...rather the user of the hammer is to blame.
When we become followers of Jesus we are shown by His words and the words of His followers, that we are to take care of those less fortunate than ourselves. We are commanded to do so. Jesus even emphasized that we would always have the poor among us. This was His way of saying, “Hey, no matter how good things might seem, there will always be someone who needs a helping hand...no strings attached.”
Jesus spoke more about money and the effect it has, than He did about healing, hell and even heaven, so caring for the helpless, the marginalized, the (as Jesus called them) “least of these”, is a HUGE part of the Gospel message. In fact, Jesus said at the beginning of His ministry that He was here to preach the Good News to the poor. Does that mean the Gospel is not for everyone? Of course not...because we are ALL poor in some way.
Jesus said that the gate we should enter is small and the path is narrow...just wide enough to have to go through in single file - meaning that you cannot bring anyone with you or anything, there’s not enough room. When we follow Him, we can, should and MUST invite others, but our salvation is just that - ours.
So, will we continue to hold on to the fruit and fail to escape the enemy? He may not get us yet; the fruit may even rot in our hand before we find ourselves in captivity.
Or...do we wise up and let it go and escape with our very lives? To then move forward living for Jesus and others is His plan for us anyway, for we are His masterpiece created to perform acts of mercy so that the world will recognize Him in us...and come to Him and be saved.
Think about it.
One of the traps used was a small cage with not just vertical bars, but horizontal bars as well. The square openings the bars made were very small, just big enough for a child’s hand to fit through...or a monkey’s. Inside the cage, in plain sight , was a piece of fruit. The footage showed a curious monkey (no, I don’t think it’s name was George!) who came up to the cage and reached in to get the fruit. The problem was, he couldn’t pull his hand back out while holding the fruit. The monkey’s inability to understand that to let go of the fruit was his means of escape, became his undoing.
Things that allure us, that please us, that spoil us, can indeed, entrap us. When we find that we cannot let go of anything, even something good, then we are truly undone. Jesus says that our lives to do not consist of the things which we possess, He also said that we cannot serve two masters, God and Mammon. Mammon was a pagan god of material wealth...he symbolized what we Christians call “blessings”. He also said that wherever we place importance or priority, that’s where our heart can be found.
Wealth is the easiest to point out because it’s presence is obvious, but it is not bad or evil; the often misquoted Bible verse actually reads, “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil”, not money itself. As I have said many times before, money is merely a tool with which we can accomplish a task, much like a hammer. But when a hammer is misused, like as a weapon, then bad things happen for which the hammer cannot be blamed...rather the user of the hammer is to blame.
When we become followers of Jesus we are shown by His words and the words of His followers, that we are to take care of those less fortunate than ourselves. We are commanded to do so. Jesus even emphasized that we would always have the poor among us. This was His way of saying, “Hey, no matter how good things might seem, there will always be someone who needs a helping hand...no strings attached.”
Jesus spoke more about money and the effect it has, than He did about healing, hell and even heaven, so caring for the helpless, the marginalized, the (as Jesus called them) “least of these”, is a HUGE part of the Gospel message. In fact, Jesus said at the beginning of His ministry that He was here to preach the Good News to the poor. Does that mean the Gospel is not for everyone? Of course not...because we are ALL poor in some way.
Jesus said that the gate we should enter is small and the path is narrow...just wide enough to have to go through in single file - meaning that you cannot bring anyone with you or anything, there’s not enough room. When we follow Him, we can, should and MUST invite others, but our salvation is just that - ours.
So, will we continue to hold on to the fruit and fail to escape the enemy? He may not get us yet; the fruit may even rot in our hand before we find ourselves in captivity.
Or...do we wise up and let it go and escape with our very lives? To then move forward living for Jesus and others is His plan for us anyway, for we are His masterpiece created to perform acts of mercy so that the world will recognize Him in us...and come to Him and be saved.
Think about it.
9/27/10
ANGRY SAINTS
When I was working out on a regular basis, I would sit in the free weight area at the Y and listen to the guys who were "get a hernia" serious about lifting. To look at the these guys, you would think they could lift a car. They were huge, powerlifters...not bodybuilders. They were big all over with no sculptured physiques, just big and bulky. They were going for strength & size, not aesthetics.
They would get angry that they were at a plateau with their strength gains. They could be heard saying things like, "I should be better than this" or "I don't know what's wrong with me" or something of that nature. This mind set brings me to the spiritual application.
There are brothers & sisters in the body of Christ who are walking angry. They are angry because they do not measure up to some standard they have in their heads. Unfortunately, the anger they feel towards themselves is more often than not, redirected to others. The frustration that they cannot perform, that they "should be better than this", manifests itself as judging others. They seem to have the unrealized attitude that "If I can't measure up, by George, somebody will, even if it kills me!".
I have been in this place. I have done this with others, I have done this with family members, and for that I am sorry. Don't misunderstand, Jesus does NOT want us to stay where He found us. He does not want us to remain stagnant. We cannot, for it is impossible. The Christian life is not a steady state, no, it is kinetic; ever moving, always changing. If we find ourselves to be the same as we were even a couple of weeks ago, we are not growing, we are dying.
Growth is natural, so if we are not growing, it is un-natural. If you plant a seed, it will grow if it receives nourishment. All that the seed can be is inherent within the seed itself. God can see inside of the seed, the seed being us. He sees the potential. He sees whether we are to be a mighty oak, like Paul or Martin Luther or D.L. Moody. He sees if we are to be a small rose bush that is both beautiful and fragrant, like my mother was or like Mother Teresa. One is no greater or less than the other, because they both have their place in God's economy. We would do well to ask the Lord to give us His worldview, so we will see that all are important and that everyone has a place in the whole, vast configuration of things.
So, consider yourself as God sees you; as the potential oak or rose bush that God has planned for you to be. We are not, at present, what we will be, but we are not as were either...by His Grace.
Think about it.
They would get angry that they were at a plateau with their strength gains. They could be heard saying things like, "I should be better than this" or "I don't know what's wrong with me" or something of that nature. This mind set brings me to the spiritual application.
There are brothers & sisters in the body of Christ who are walking angry. They are angry because they do not measure up to some standard they have in their heads. Unfortunately, the anger they feel towards themselves is more often than not, redirected to others. The frustration that they cannot perform, that they "should be better than this", manifests itself as judging others. They seem to have the unrealized attitude that "If I can't measure up, by George, somebody will, even if it kills me!".
I have been in this place. I have done this with others, I have done this with family members, and for that I am sorry. Don't misunderstand, Jesus does NOT want us to stay where He found us. He does not want us to remain stagnant. We cannot, for it is impossible. The Christian life is not a steady state, no, it is kinetic; ever moving, always changing. If we find ourselves to be the same as we were even a couple of weeks ago, we are not growing, we are dying.
Growth is natural, so if we are not growing, it is un-natural. If you plant a seed, it will grow if it receives nourishment. All that the seed can be is inherent within the seed itself. God can see inside of the seed, the seed being us. He sees the potential. He sees whether we are to be a mighty oak, like Paul or Martin Luther or D.L. Moody. He sees if we are to be a small rose bush that is both beautiful and fragrant, like my mother was or like Mother Teresa. One is no greater or less than the other, because they both have their place in God's economy. We would do well to ask the Lord to give us His worldview, so we will see that all are important and that everyone has a place in the whole, vast configuration of things.
So, consider yourself as God sees you; as the potential oak or rose bush that God has planned for you to be. We are not, at present, what we will be, but we are not as were either...by His Grace.
Think about it.
9/26/10
WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
In the world of quantum physics there are tiny particles that have been discovered that appear to be able to occupy two spaces at the same time. To be able to be in two places at once could be an incredible gift; by cloning yourself you could accomplish twice as much. You could earn twice the salary, or have one of your selves play while the other worked, or double your chances to win the lottery.
The fact of the matter is, we cannot occupy two spaces at once. It is a physical impossibility...it is also a spiritual one as well.
Thinking about myself about 20 years ago, I thought I could have one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of God...straddling two realities. I found myself running myself ragged; attending church and even teaching classes from time to time, while later that day having selfish and sinful thoughts about what I could do next to fulfill the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).
The discomfort I experienced was horrible, to say the least. There have been times when who I am (outside of Christ) has cried out from the grave to try and lure me back to that life. There have been times when I again briefly tried to make it “work”...to have one foot in the world and one in the Kingdom of God but then I started to feel that anxiousness, that uneasiness again.
The reason for it is this: Trying to occupy both realities, you find that you fit into neither. There is enough of one in you to disturb the part that has experienced the other. Anger ensues as does resentment and frustration and then comes the running. The running is the worst part - to try and keep yourself so busy that you think you can get away from deciding where you need to be. You immerse yourself in getting more stuff or doing more activities or burying yourself in relationships, events or even religion.
The reality is, that anything other than complete, full-tilt boogie surrender to Jesus you will soon find yourself exhausted and very unhappy. Nothing will ease the gnawing; nothing will erase the feeling that your missing something, like when you forget to get something at the grocery that you really needed, but can’t remember what...only much more intense and definitely more important. I experienced the anger, resentment and frustration...but thank God, when I ran, I ran to Him.
Please know that if you have this discomfort, this gnawing uneasiness, there is a cure. Get that one foot out of the quicksand that is the world and on the solid ground that is the Kingdom of God.
The fact of the matter is, we cannot occupy two spaces at once. It is a physical impossibility...it is also a spiritual one as well.
Thinking about myself about 20 years ago, I thought I could have one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom of God...straddling two realities. I found myself running myself ragged; attending church and even teaching classes from time to time, while later that day having selfish and sinful thoughts about what I could do next to fulfill the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).
The discomfort I experienced was horrible, to say the least. There have been times when who I am (outside of Christ) has cried out from the grave to try and lure me back to that life. There have been times when I again briefly tried to make it “work”...to have one foot in the world and one in the Kingdom of God but then I started to feel that anxiousness, that uneasiness again.
The reason for it is this: Trying to occupy both realities, you find that you fit into neither. There is enough of one in you to disturb the part that has experienced the other. Anger ensues as does resentment and frustration and then comes the running. The running is the worst part - to try and keep yourself so busy that you think you can get away from deciding where you need to be. You immerse yourself in getting more stuff or doing more activities or burying yourself in relationships, events or even religion.
The reality is, that anything other than complete, full-tilt boogie surrender to Jesus you will soon find yourself exhausted and very unhappy. Nothing will ease the gnawing; nothing will erase the feeling that your missing something, like when you forget to get something at the grocery that you really needed, but can’t remember what...only much more intense and definitely more important. I experienced the anger, resentment and frustration...but thank God, when I ran, I ran to Him.
Please know that if you have this discomfort, this gnawing uneasiness, there is a cure. Get that one foot out of the quicksand that is the world and on the solid ground that is the Kingdom of God.
9/14/10
A Letter from a Friend
Dear Friend,
It’s been a while since we last spoke and I just thought I’d drop you a line or two to let you know I’ve been thinking about you.
I know that you’ve been having a hard time lately...with pretty much everything. From the job loss of last year and the horrible time you had with the job you found that you absolutely hated - which could have been much worse in that you could’ve not found a job at all.
I also know of the spiritual struggles you’ve been dealing with; not sure where God is in all of the wrestling and agonizing over finances, your oldest child rebelling and letting go of the spiritual values you’ve tried so hard to instill within her and also you just wanting to serve God in a very real way. I understand...as the saying goes, been there - done that.
I just want you to know that I love you and am here for you. I may not come through in the ways you think you need me to come through, but I am here to listen to your heart; to give you long distance hugs to sustain you. One of the last times we spoke you even said that you could feel my arms around you, which made me feel good!
Through these times it’s easy for people to give pat answers and platitudes...some people even quote me to try and bring comfort, but many times they have misused my words and end up making me look careless, even cold-hearted. I assure you, they don’t know me like they think they do or else they would never say to you (or anyone else) the things they have said...mostly out of context.
You know, I long for the day when all of the troubles you’ve experienced will be even less than a distant memory. You’ll be rich beyond your wildest imagination, live in a home that requires no maintenance, spend time with loved ones and never have to say goodbye. You’ll make friends with people that you’ve only heard of, and get to spend time with me in a way that we never could before.
But for now, we’ll have to be content with our conversations and our mutual acquaintances. I enjoy hearing from our friends about you, and from you about them. I really feel very close to you all. My heart breaks when you tell me of something that breaks your heart...it really does. Because of how much I love you, I can hardly wait for my dad to say, “Go get him!” I know it will be soon...it has to be.
Your friend forever,
Jesus
It’s been a while since we last spoke and I just thought I’d drop you a line or two to let you know I’ve been thinking about you.
I know that you’ve been having a hard time lately...with pretty much everything. From the job loss of last year and the horrible time you had with the job you found that you absolutely hated - which could have been much worse in that you could’ve not found a job at all.
I also know of the spiritual struggles you’ve been dealing with; not sure where God is in all of the wrestling and agonizing over finances, your oldest child rebelling and letting go of the spiritual values you’ve tried so hard to instill within her and also you just wanting to serve God in a very real way. I understand...as the saying goes, been there - done that.
I just want you to know that I love you and am here for you. I may not come through in the ways you think you need me to come through, but I am here to listen to your heart; to give you long distance hugs to sustain you. One of the last times we spoke you even said that you could feel my arms around you, which made me feel good!
Through these times it’s easy for people to give pat answers and platitudes...some people even quote me to try and bring comfort, but many times they have misused my words and end up making me look careless, even cold-hearted. I assure you, they don’t know me like they think they do or else they would never say to you (or anyone else) the things they have said...mostly out of context.
You know, I long for the day when all of the troubles you’ve experienced will be even less than a distant memory. You’ll be rich beyond your wildest imagination, live in a home that requires no maintenance, spend time with loved ones and never have to say goodbye. You’ll make friends with people that you’ve only heard of, and get to spend time with me in a way that we never could before.
But for now, we’ll have to be content with our conversations and our mutual acquaintances. I enjoy hearing from our friends about you, and from you about them. I really feel very close to you all. My heart breaks when you tell me of something that breaks your heart...it really does. Because of how much I love you, I can hardly wait for my dad to say, “Go get him!” I know it will be soon...it has to be.
Your friend forever,
Jesus
8/31/10
CHANGING SEATS
Once upon a time, a man got on a bus. It was a big bus with many seats. There were a lot of people on the bus, so many, that the man was a bit intimidated. He didn't know where to sit...and he had carry-on baggage to boot! Wherever he went people would say, "This seat is saved" or "Someone is already sitting here" or even "Go away, I don't want you to sit here".
He finally found a seat next to a man named Bill who was very kind and inviting. He sat down, got as comfortable as he could, and started talking with him. After a few miles he started to get uncomfortable. Bill started insisting that his way of sitting in the seat was the best way and his view out the window was better than everyone else's, even though everyone with a window seat on his side of the bus saw exactly the same scenery.
The man decided to try and find another seat at the next rest stop. When everyone got back on the bus, the only seat left was right behind the Driver. It was a single seat so there was no one to talk to..and the Driver wasn't supposed to talk to the passengers, it was against policy. As the bus started to roll again, the Driver reached under His seat and pulled out a Book and passed it back to the man. When he opened the Book, it started with an introduction of who the Driver was. He was the One to get you to your destination; He was the One in whom you could place all your trust, because He knew the route quite well.
There were some passengers with which the man could converse freely, and they seemed to know the Driver quite well. One woman told him that she only rode on this Driver's bus, that no one else could take her where she wanted to go...because she only wanted to go where the Driver went.
All the people had the same destination, but many would grow weary of the long road and request to be let off. They felt like the Driver was going in circles and the destination was Make Believe. The man, as he got to know the Driver through the Book and conversing with others who knew Him, was quite happy. He knew the Driver had the best Way to go and although not everyone saw what he saw and heard what he heard, they all knew and trusted the Driver...I guess you could say they had Faith in Him.
Think about it.
He finally found a seat next to a man named Bill who was very kind and inviting. He sat down, got as comfortable as he could, and started talking with him. After a few miles he started to get uncomfortable. Bill started insisting that his way of sitting in the seat was the best way and his view out the window was better than everyone else's, even though everyone with a window seat on his side of the bus saw exactly the same scenery.
The man decided to try and find another seat at the next rest stop. When everyone got back on the bus, the only seat left was right behind the Driver. It was a single seat so there was no one to talk to..and the Driver wasn't supposed to talk to the passengers, it was against policy. As the bus started to roll again, the Driver reached under His seat and pulled out a Book and passed it back to the man. When he opened the Book, it started with an introduction of who the Driver was. He was the One to get you to your destination; He was the One in whom you could place all your trust, because He knew the route quite well.
There were some passengers with which the man could converse freely, and they seemed to know the Driver quite well. One woman told him that she only rode on this Driver's bus, that no one else could take her where she wanted to go...because she only wanted to go where the Driver went.
All the people had the same destination, but many would grow weary of the long road and request to be let off. They felt like the Driver was going in circles and the destination was Make Believe. The man, as he got to know the Driver through the Book and conversing with others who knew Him, was quite happy. He knew the Driver had the best Way to go and although not everyone saw what he saw and heard what he heard, they all knew and trusted the Driver...I guess you could say they had Faith in Him.
Think about it.
8/25/10
MORNING GLORIES
I love that I can look out onto my backyard as I sit and write. Right now I am looking at my wife's Morning Glories. They are various shades of purple and they look beautiful...I would have said they look "glorious" but that would have been stupid.
I find it interesting that they are only open in the morning. As the day begins, they spread their petals and absorb the moisture of the dew and the first rays of the rising sun. The spiritual symbolism I found is awesome and applies to us humans in a very thought provoking way.
The best time to spend with the Lord is in the morning. Your mind has lay dormant for several hours, except for maybe a dream or two and maybe a potty visit. You awaken to a new day, sometimes not very enthusiastically, but awake nonetheless. Your mind begins to function and can be very open to influence since it has not been bogged down yet with "stuff". If we come before our Father at this time, He can speak to us in ways that can get to be hard to hear later on in the day. Like the flowers, we spread our mind's "petals" and absorb the sweet dew of the Holy Spirit. He will nurture our hearts and minds to be ready to accept the rays of light that shine forth from the face of Jesus.
This "dew" is a daily foretaste of the Rain that will fall/is falling on believers to make them/us over into the image of Christ...to make them/us fit ambassadors to the world. The light that shines upon us, as our minds open to Him, is the light that should reflect out onto this same world. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine among men that they may see your Father in heaven." We are always reflecting something, let it be His grace and love and mercy, and your little part of the world will be a taste of heaven to all those around you.
Think about it.
I find it interesting that they are only open in the morning. As the day begins, they spread their petals and absorb the moisture of the dew and the first rays of the rising sun. The spiritual symbolism I found is awesome and applies to us humans in a very thought provoking way.
The best time to spend with the Lord is in the morning. Your mind has lay dormant for several hours, except for maybe a dream or two and maybe a potty visit. You awaken to a new day, sometimes not very enthusiastically, but awake nonetheless. Your mind begins to function and can be very open to influence since it has not been bogged down yet with "stuff". If we come before our Father at this time, He can speak to us in ways that can get to be hard to hear later on in the day. Like the flowers, we spread our mind's "petals" and absorb the sweet dew of the Holy Spirit. He will nurture our hearts and minds to be ready to accept the rays of light that shine forth from the face of Jesus.
This "dew" is a daily foretaste of the Rain that will fall/is falling on believers to make them/us over into the image of Christ...to make them/us fit ambassadors to the world. The light that shines upon us, as our minds open to Him, is the light that should reflect out onto this same world. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine among men that they may see your Father in heaven." We are always reflecting something, let it be His grace and love and mercy, and your little part of the world will be a taste of heaven to all those around you.
Think about it.
God & Baseball
I wish I could take the credit for what follows...but I'm just sharing.
I was taking my 2 youngest kids to school the other day and was listening to a CD by Bob Bennett. He has a song called, "A Song About Baseball". I've had this CD for several years now and still love it. Bob is a great songwriter and has not been given due credit in the Christian music industry. He is a master storyteller and the smoothness of his voice, as well as awesome acoustic guitar playing, just make it a major treat to be able to listen to him. I got to see/hear him about 15 years ago with Michael Card...don't even get me started on the brilliance of Michael Card.
Anyway, it was only about 2 years ago that I really listened to the Baseball song. He talks about himself, growing up playing Little League and watching games...he grew up "when the Angels still played in LA". He talks about baseball cards & bubble gum, saying "I think there's a hole in my glove", swinging with eyes closed holding his breath, dying on the way back to the bench. But then he says something that, again, after listening to this song for over 10 years, hit me...and it hit me again this morning.
"None of it mattered after the game, when my father would find me and call out my name. An ice cream, a sno-cone, a candy bar, a limousine ride in the family car...he loved me, no matter how I played...he loved me."
Life, like baseball, is not about the "game"...it's about the experience. It's about what happens after it's over. What happens if you lose in baseball? There's another game around the corner. What happens when you lose a battle in life? There's another one around the corner. What we do and how we handle it afterward is the main thing. Who we turn to can make all the difference in the world, both figuratively and literally.
I have a friend who subscribes to this blog. We have known each other for a long time. They have recently given up on God as they have known Him and they are searching...and I want to encourage them in their search, because if they are really searching, they will come full-circle and find Him, this time as He really is, not as a denomination has instructed them to see Him.
It doesn't matter if you swing and miss, it doesn't matter if, in the outfield, you lose the ball in the sun and miss the catch. It doesn't matter if you fall down running down the baseline or if you're thrown out at first...because none of it matters after the game, when your Father will find you and call out your name.
Think about it.
I was taking my 2 youngest kids to school the other day and was listening to a CD by Bob Bennett. He has a song called, "A Song About Baseball". I've had this CD for several years now and still love it. Bob is a great songwriter and has not been given due credit in the Christian music industry. He is a master storyteller and the smoothness of his voice, as well as awesome acoustic guitar playing, just make it a major treat to be able to listen to him. I got to see/hear him about 15 years ago with Michael Card...don't even get me started on the brilliance of Michael Card.
Anyway, it was only about 2 years ago that I really listened to the Baseball song. He talks about himself, growing up playing Little League and watching games...he grew up "when the Angels still played in LA". He talks about baseball cards & bubble gum, saying "I think there's a hole in my glove", swinging with eyes closed holding his breath, dying on the way back to the bench. But then he says something that, again, after listening to this song for over 10 years, hit me...and it hit me again this morning.
"None of it mattered after the game, when my father would find me and call out my name. An ice cream, a sno-cone, a candy bar, a limousine ride in the family car...he loved me, no matter how I played...he loved me."
Life, like baseball, is not about the "game"...it's about the experience. It's about what happens after it's over. What happens if you lose in baseball? There's another game around the corner. What happens when you lose a battle in life? There's another one around the corner. What we do and how we handle it afterward is the main thing. Who we turn to can make all the difference in the world, both figuratively and literally.
I have a friend who subscribes to this blog. We have known each other for a long time. They have recently given up on God as they have known Him and they are searching...and I want to encourage them in their search, because if they are really searching, they will come full-circle and find Him, this time as He really is, not as a denomination has instructed them to see Him.
It doesn't matter if you swing and miss, it doesn't matter if, in the outfield, you lose the ball in the sun and miss the catch. It doesn't matter if you fall down running down the baseline or if you're thrown out at first...because none of it matters after the game, when your Father will find you and call out your name.
Think about it.
8/9/10
Caring for the Poor the Jesus Way
It dawned on me this morning (no pun intended) that there is a major disconnect between the Church here in America and the way Jesus said to care for the poor and marginalized...and not the way some of you “compassionate” or “liberal” Christians may think. But hold on, you “conservative” Christians, this blog is for you too.
I am reading a book right now called, RADICAL by David Platt. David is a pastor of a pretty darn big church in Alabama, but has come to the conclusion that Christianity, specifically here in the West, really is not living and breathing the Gospel the way Jesus presented it. His point: caring for the poor EVERYWHERE is part and parcel of the Gospel message. Paul told Timothy that caring for the fatherless and the widow was “undefiled religion”, and in Paul’s day, being fatherless or a widow was synonymous with being poor. We don’t have to go too deep into the 3 ½ year ministry of Jesus to see that He had a special affinity for the poor and, if we look at the Older Testament, we find that God condemned Israel, and more specifically the priesthood, for neglecting the poor. He even said that forgetting the poor in our midst was a blight on an entire nation.
There is a growing number of Christians who, with good intentions I’m sure, “lobby” the government to do more for our nation’s poor. They agree with policies that extend welfare benefits to people who could work, but don’t. With that being said, there are those who cannot work or who are part of what we call the “working poor” who need the help and it should be provided...by someone, which leads to my next point.
What is sad about this whole situation is:
1) How the church has allowed the world (read: government) to co-opt it’s responsibility to help those in need, and...
2) It shows how easy it is to side-step our own personal involvement by letting a faceless entity do our job for us.
Now, those of you who are saying, “Yeah, you tell those liberals how it is! Expose them for being the hypocrites they really are!” Well, you guys who are more conservative, wipe that smug look off of your faces. You guys are guilty of something as bad, if not worse. “What would that be?”, you may ask. Writing checks in order to side-step your personal involvement in making disciples for Jesus. That’s right...both liberal and conservative Christians AVOID really doing what Jesus said to do and that is, make it personal. I can hear the cries of “foul” already - “I’m not called to do this...” or “I don’t feel led to do that...”! We’re all called, period. When your boss tells you to do something, do you cop the plea, “That’s not in my job description!”? With being a follower of Jesus, there is only one job description and it’s found in Matthew 28:18-20.
A friend of mine told me once that he didn’t mind paying higher taxes in order to help those less fortunate than he. My open question to those of you who feel the same way is...If you actually knew someone who was in serious need, would you write them a check for the same amount as your tax liability you have at the end of the year? Chances are, no you wouldn’t. This addresses the material, practical side of the issue.
Then there are those who, like I said, would rather write a check to pay an evangelist or a missionary to “spread the Gospel”, than get down and dirty with the Holy Spirit and people who don’t know Jesus. We’ve become so comfortable in our multi-million dollar buildings (that get used maybe 10 hours a week at best), with millions of dollars worth of cars in the parking lot, that we forget that there are those who don’t have this luxury and walk miles in the dark to meet in the middle of the night on dirt floors to pray with each other so they will be strengthened to tell others about Jesus.
As I write this, I feel that the sword that I am wielding cuts both ways. I, too, have felt the sting of truth in these very words I write. The shame and guilt of NOT opening my mouth to tell of the love of Christ haunts me. I’m not one of those who could write a check to ease my conscience..heck, my family may be foreclosed on any day now, so shelling out cash to ease my guilt is not a problem I have. As with everything of a spiritual nature, it comes down to the heart. Is your heart in your wallet, or in your chest where God put it? Is you heart sitting in government coffers, or is it willing to seek out those in need and do it yourself?
When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, at the end He asked who of the 3 men who approached the injured man proved to be his neighbor. The people answered
the one who showed him mercy. Jesus response? Go...and do likewise.
Think about it.
I am reading a book right now called, RADICAL by David Platt. David is a pastor of a pretty darn big church in Alabama, but has come to the conclusion that Christianity, specifically here in the West, really is not living and breathing the Gospel the way Jesus presented it. His point: caring for the poor EVERYWHERE is part and parcel of the Gospel message. Paul told Timothy that caring for the fatherless and the widow was “undefiled religion”, and in Paul’s day, being fatherless or a widow was synonymous with being poor. We don’t have to go too deep into the 3 ½ year ministry of Jesus to see that He had a special affinity for the poor and, if we look at the Older Testament, we find that God condemned Israel, and more specifically the priesthood, for neglecting the poor. He even said that forgetting the poor in our midst was a blight on an entire nation.
There is a growing number of Christians who, with good intentions I’m sure, “lobby” the government to do more for our nation’s poor. They agree with policies that extend welfare benefits to people who could work, but don’t. With that being said, there are those who cannot work or who are part of what we call the “working poor” who need the help and it should be provided...by someone, which leads to my next point.
What is sad about this whole situation is:
1) How the church has allowed the world (read: government) to co-opt it’s responsibility to help those in need, and...
2) It shows how easy it is to side-step our own personal involvement by letting a faceless entity do our job for us.
Now, those of you who are saying, “Yeah, you tell those liberals how it is! Expose them for being the hypocrites they really are!” Well, you guys who are more conservative, wipe that smug look off of your faces. You guys are guilty of something as bad, if not worse. “What would that be?”, you may ask. Writing checks in order to side-step your personal involvement in making disciples for Jesus. That’s right...both liberal and conservative Christians AVOID really doing what Jesus said to do and that is, make it personal. I can hear the cries of “foul” already - “I’m not called to do this...” or “I don’t feel led to do that...”! We’re all called, period. When your boss tells you to do something, do you cop the plea, “That’s not in my job description!”? With being a follower of Jesus, there is only one job description and it’s found in Matthew 28:18-20.
A friend of mine told me once that he didn’t mind paying higher taxes in order to help those less fortunate than he. My open question to those of you who feel the same way is...If you actually knew someone who was in serious need, would you write them a check for the same amount as your tax liability you have at the end of the year? Chances are, no you wouldn’t. This addresses the material, practical side of the issue.
Then there are those who, like I said, would rather write a check to pay an evangelist or a missionary to “spread the Gospel”, than get down and dirty with the Holy Spirit and people who don’t know Jesus. We’ve become so comfortable in our multi-million dollar buildings (that get used maybe 10 hours a week at best), with millions of dollars worth of cars in the parking lot, that we forget that there are those who don’t have this luxury and walk miles in the dark to meet in the middle of the night on dirt floors to pray with each other so they will be strengthened to tell others about Jesus.
As I write this, I feel that the sword that I am wielding cuts both ways. I, too, have felt the sting of truth in these very words I write. The shame and guilt of NOT opening my mouth to tell of the love of Christ haunts me. I’m not one of those who could write a check to ease my conscience..heck, my family may be foreclosed on any day now, so shelling out cash to ease my guilt is not a problem I have. As with everything of a spiritual nature, it comes down to the heart. Is your heart in your wallet, or in your chest where God put it? Is you heart sitting in government coffers, or is it willing to seek out those in need and do it yourself?
When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, at the end He asked who of the 3 men who approached the injured man proved to be his neighbor. The people answered
the one who showed him mercy. Jesus response? Go...and do likewise.
Think about it.
7/31/10
Teaching a Man to Fish
On Friday mornings in the cafe in the bookstore my wife and i used to manage, we did what we called "Nooma n' Coffee". We would show a Rob Bell Nooma dvd while people were eating breakfast or having their morning cuppa-joe. It was great (when people showed up for it!) and great discussions afterwards.
One Friday we watched the one called "RICH". Rob starts out talking about how wealthy Americans are compared to most of the world. How an organization stated that $20 billion could feed the world and how that is the same amount Americans spend every year on ice cream.
I had a friend who preached a sermon one time using Krispy Kreme Doughnuts...quite a tasty sermon! Anyway, he had volunteers from the congregation come up and stand in groups. Each group was given a tray with doughnuts on it. There was a group with 2 people who had 14 doughnuts, a group of 16 with 1 1/2 doughnuts, a group of 6 that had 8 doughnuts, etc. Each group represented a nation or people group and what they consumed, food-wise. The group of 2 was the US...the group of 16 was Africa.
I shared this with the woman who had come in for the Nooma that morning. She was a great customer and wonderful person...very sweet and funny. I could tell that she didn't care much for the message in the video. She started out talking about how the poor people in the world had "brought it upon themselves". She stated how we should "teach them how to fish rather than give them a fish". In response I said, "How about we give them a fish WHILE we teach them to fish?"
She continued to try to support her view...did I mention that she is very wealthy? She pointed out that she didn't like organizations...she didn't trust them. She also felt that giving an extra big tip to her hairdresser was a Christlike thing to do, which I didn't dispute. But, her hairdresser HAS a means of support, as opposed to the truly poor.
I pointed out to her that, what if...what if God had looked down after the Fall and said, "Hey, they brought that (sin and it's effects) upon themselves. Let's show them how to be saved, but let's not actually save them." She remained silent.
I understand that some people just don't get it. I also understand that some people will NEVER get it. Those people are one of those that Jesus will say "Depart from me...I never knew you."
I have nothing more to say except...
Think about it.
One Friday we watched the one called "RICH". Rob starts out talking about how wealthy Americans are compared to most of the world. How an organization stated that $20 billion could feed the world and how that is the same amount Americans spend every year on ice cream.
I had a friend who preached a sermon one time using Krispy Kreme Doughnuts...quite a tasty sermon! Anyway, he had volunteers from the congregation come up and stand in groups. Each group was given a tray with doughnuts on it. There was a group with 2 people who had 14 doughnuts, a group of 16 with 1 1/2 doughnuts, a group of 6 that had 8 doughnuts, etc. Each group represented a nation or people group and what they consumed, food-wise. The group of 2 was the US...the group of 16 was Africa.
I shared this with the woman who had come in for the Nooma that morning. She was a great customer and wonderful person...very sweet and funny. I could tell that she didn't care much for the message in the video. She started out talking about how the poor people in the world had "brought it upon themselves". She stated how we should "teach them how to fish rather than give them a fish". In response I said, "How about we give them a fish WHILE we teach them to fish?"
She continued to try to support her view...did I mention that she is very wealthy? She pointed out that she didn't like organizations...she didn't trust them. She also felt that giving an extra big tip to her hairdresser was a Christlike thing to do, which I didn't dispute. But, her hairdresser HAS a means of support, as opposed to the truly poor.
I pointed out to her that, what if...what if God had looked down after the Fall and said, "Hey, they brought that (sin and it's effects) upon themselves. Let's show them how to be saved, but let's not actually save them." She remained silent.
I understand that some people just don't get it. I also understand that some people will NEVER get it. Those people are one of those that Jesus will say "Depart from me...I never knew you."
I have nothing more to say except...
Think about it.
7/26/10
DANCING ON THE FEET OF GOD
If you are the Daddy of a little girl or if you are the little girl of a Daddy, then you probably have experienced the joy dancing with each other in a unique way.
My girls are now 17 and 9 years old, so we don’t do this much anymore, and I must say I miss it, but when they were smaller we would have music playing and we would dance. Sometimes just a silly jig, sometimes mimicking square dancing, but the most fun was when they would place their little feet on top of mine while holding onto my hands. We would then waltz around the room like the finest of ballroom dancers. Not that I am an experienced dancer...by no stretch of the imagination could I be called even an amateur, but, we had fun none the less. The fun for them was to move about the room without exerting any force; Daddy moved them around, Daddy lifted their feet, Daddy made the moves, Daddy’s strength was what enabled them to dance.
When we said “Yes” to God, having accepted His Son, Jesus, as our Savior, we became His children. We start our prayers, just as Jesus taught His disciples, with “Our Father”.
If we have been honest with ourselves, we have understood that we are helpless in our sin condition. We can do nothing to make it better...of ourselves.
You see, God has a dance that He is quite fond of; it’s called righteousness. It is a way to live, a way to be, a way to exist. It is also a way beyond our grasp as sinful humans. Through no fault of their own, when my daughters were little, they didn’t know the dance steps. In order to dance the dance they had to rely on Daddy. And guess what? Daddy didn’t mind. Daddy didn’t get mad and say, “Because you don’t know how to dance our relationship is over!” No, Daddy took his little girl by the hands and said, “Stand on Daddy’s feet, sweetheart, and Daddy will make you dance!”
God is not mad at us, not even people who have no relationship with Him. But, He cannot deny Who He is and what His standard is, His Dance. This Dance must be danced by everyone who would see Him. Enter the Lord of the Dance, Jesus. Jesus showed how the Dance was done. He knew/knows the steps because He is the choreographer as well as the composer of the music that goes with the Dance. He is also the dance teacher, but better yet...He is our Daddy.
He says to us, “Stand on Daddy’s feet, sweetheart, and Daddy will make you dance!”
Think about it.
5/17/10
Listening to God
For the past few weeks I've been asking God the same question -
"What do you want me to do for You?"
I teach from time to time in a class that is really a great bunch of people. Very diverse folks...people way on the left and people way on the right and people who either are truly moderate, or just aren't sure, which is OK, too.
So, I get an email from a someone who I don't know very well, but consider her a friend nonetheless. I knew her husband before I knew her and his parents are friends who sit in the class that I mentioned. Anyway, she extended an invitation to my family and me to move to Texas and be a part of a core leadership team to plant a church. I was blown away by the invitation, and was also taken aback. Was this God answering my question?
A week or so later I got a phone call from the brother who seems to be the one who spearheads this church planting dynamic. We talked for about 30 minutes or so and had a very good conversation. I told him that I (we) were willing to go wherever God wants us to go, but He would have to make it VERY clear, leaving no questions or doubts about it.
The past 2 years (give or take a couple of months) have been difficult for my family. We have experienced some serious financial difficulties, but thanks to some incredible friends, we stayed solvent. We experienced no loner being a part of a business/ministry that seemed to go in a direction that was not part of the original plan. This was partly my fault and partly our partners. I have had questions for God with no answer. I have been angry with God with no response from Him. This last Friday our washing machine went down for the count, so my wife had to run to a local laundromat to wash some clothes. So I went to the garage to check out the washer...to no avail. So I started on a rant to God..."What are doing to us? What have we done to deserve all this crap that's happened? God, if You don't show up soon, I'm just gonna walk away!" The whole time I was just angry and spoke out of that anger...so it didn't mean much...just the ramblings of an idiot.
Later, after my wife got home and I had calmed down, I received the phone call from the ministry guy I mentioned earlier. Very good, calming conversation. After the call I stepped outside for fresh air. It was nice, but cloudy, so cloudy that even in the dark you could see the clouds...except directly over my head. I looked up and there was a hole in the clouds and centered in the hole was the Big Dipper. I smiled as saw it and heard in my head, "I'm going to pour out a blessing on you." Just like that.
I don't pretend to know what that meant, I'm not even sure what it could mean, but it was real...more real than the lunatic rant I went on only a couple of hours before. He made me aware of His presence and interest in my life and that He has something planned. I write this for those of you who may be in the same situation as I've been in the past couple of years.
He's there...He cares...and He has something for you.
Think about it.
4/27/10
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
I discovered Dietrich Bonhoeffer about 18 years ago as a result of Steven Curtis Chapman's album, "For the Sake of the Call". He mentioned in the liner notes that he had been inspired to write the songs on this project as a result of having read Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship". I knew I had to read it, and after having done just that, I became forever a follower/reader of all things Bonhoeffer.
With that being said, when I requested a copy of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas, I didn't realize what an incredible reading experience I was about to have. I have read much about Bonhoeffer over the years, as well as most of what he wrote, but I have never read such an interesting, engaging account of his life. I have even read Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Eberhard Bethge, who was one of Bonhoeffer's closest friends as well as member of the family by marriage...but, Metaxas' account is, by far, the best I have ever read.
He shows the history of Germany as a culture; academically, scientifically and theologically. He shows the reader how Germany was ripe for the ascent of a monster like Adolph Hitler as a result of World War I. The German people were disenchanted, disheartened and nationally emasculated by their defeat, so when a man making the promises of a Fatherland restored to it's pre-Kaiser glory came to light, they ravenously accepted him. This was the Germany in which Bonhoeffer came of age, both physically and theologically.
Metaxas brings to light letters, interviews and people in Bonhoeffer's life that I had never seen, or heard of, before. The passion that developed within the heart of the young Lutheran pastor and scholar is almost tangible as you read his efforts to hold the Church accountable in Hitler's Germany. The boldness that developed in his mind and heart only intensified as the times grew more and more difficult for the Church, and for him personally. The prophetic tenor that came from the voice and pen of this young man should never be forgotten, and thanks to Eric Metaxas, the information will always be available for the next generation of the brave and the bold within Christendom to learn from.
I HIGHLY recommend this book for the Bonhoeffer "fan" as well as the 20th Century history student. Metaxas presents the information with vivid detail and puts the necessary spiritual emphasis where needed. Read it, digest it and recommend it...but never give it away. This is a book that should be read and re-read if for no other reason than to remind us that God has always raised up men to speak the truth no matter the consequences.
I am a member of the Nelson Book Review Blogger program.
3/16/10
Book Review: The Vertical Self by Mark Sayers
When I received this book, I was pretty excited simply by the fact that Leonard Sweet wrote the forward. When I actually engaged the book itself, I was more than pleased and challenged.
The angle Mark Sayers took on this subject was very interesting, and that angle is this: For far too long people in general, and Christians specifically, have taken their cues of who they are from a horizontal reference, i.e., their peers and culture around them. He used the oft used terms, "cool, sexy and glamorous" as cultural idioms that we use to describe everything from an actor or actress to a car to a political perspective.
Sayers feels, and I think rightly so, that we find the REAL us when we find God's view of us and what He wants for us. This book truly challenged me from the angle that, I too, have been guilty of wanting to appear to be the "cool Christian" as opposed to the stereotypical "nerdy Christian" that seems to always be played out in front of us, whether it is the TV preacher with the bad suit and hairstyle or the dorky neighbor praying and answering everything with "Hi-diddly-doh"! Sayers even addresses how churches can fall for this image projecting malady that has befallen the world, which on one hand is refreshing to see, because then we can recognize the feet of clay that traditional Christianity can have, but it is also sad to realize how weak the church has been to allow this to happen.
I would really recommend this book to anyone, but especially to followers of Jesus and leaders within the Jesus Movement. Read it, take it to heart and realize that to follow Jesus is above and beyond cool, sexy and glamorous.
I am a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger.
The angle Mark Sayers took on this subject was very interesting, and that angle is this: For far too long people in general, and Christians specifically, have taken their cues of who they are from a horizontal reference, i.e., their peers and culture around them. He used the oft used terms, "cool, sexy and glamorous" as cultural idioms that we use to describe everything from an actor or actress to a car to a political perspective.
Sayers feels, and I think rightly so, that we find the REAL us when we find God's view of us and what He wants for us. This book truly challenged me from the angle that, I too, have been guilty of wanting to appear to be the "cool Christian" as opposed to the stereotypical "nerdy Christian" that seems to always be played out in front of us, whether it is the TV preacher with the bad suit and hairstyle or the dorky neighbor praying and answering everything with "Hi-diddly-doh"! Sayers even addresses how churches can fall for this image projecting malady that has befallen the world, which on one hand is refreshing to see, because then we can recognize the feet of clay that traditional Christianity can have, but it is also sad to realize how weak the church has been to allow this to happen.
I would really recommend this book to anyone, but especially to followers of Jesus and leaders within the Jesus Movement. Read it, take it to heart and realize that to follow Jesus is above and beyond cool, sexy and glamorous.
I am a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger.
Make Your Life Count
He was working the high steel when he saw a co-worker lose his grip. He swung out on a cable and caught him, swung back onto the girder and then lost his balance and fell. Ironic...he saved someone and then was about lose his own life. There was a loud rush of air, a blue and red blur and then his descent slowed and then stopped...and he then found himself hovering in the arms of an angel from the planet Krypton.
Yes, this was an obvious fictitious story from Superman/Action comics from the early 90's. John Henry Irons, a former employee of Lex Luthor, became a high steel worker after being fired as a weapons designer for LuthorCorp. He realized what his weapons were actually being used for and threatened to "blow the whistle" on Lex, so he was fired and discredited as an engineer. After Lex got through with his reputation, he would have been lucky to get a job engineering a new way to make children's craft projects out of popsicle sticks.
After Superman saving him from death, John thanked him profusely, to which Superman replied, "Make sure you make it (your life) worth saving."
I've always been able to find deeper spiritual truths in my hobby-reading, and this story is no less easy to parallel, so stick with me here.
Jesus came to bring us life, not just in the hereafter, but in the here and now. When we accept Him, eternal life begins right then and there - the New Testament is very clear on this fact. When He gave His life on Golgotha and rose from the dead 3 days later, He opened the door for life to truly begin for us, we just have to walk through the door.
With that being said, He also made the way for us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, one that reflects His love, grace and power. We have been told in Scripture that God, through Christ, now wishes to write His law upon our hearts, no longer on cold tables of stone. That means that His ways are alive and empowered by Him, rather than by human effort.
To be obedient to God is a way of life that requires submission to His leading and NOT just performing the duties as outlined on a checklist. Keeping a checklist is the way of man that can be found in every religion, including Western-thought tainted Christianity. The original Plan, as shown in the plain writings of Paul and the plain teachings of Jesus, make it clear that keeping rules and regulations merely for the sake of keeping them is not enough, no, on second thought, is not what is required.
What IS required is to "love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and strength AND to love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said that on these two principles hang all of what the Law and the writings of the Prophets depend. Paul explained further that to fulfill the Law of Love is to truly keep the Law. Does all this mean that we are free to live and do as we please? Yes and no.
YES - As St. Augustine said, "Love God and do as you please." and I couldn't agree more. If we have a real relationship with Him, then His will rules in our lives, so what pleases Him pleases us.
NO - This is not a license to sin, because if we are in Him, then we are dead to sin. When we live in disobedience to His way of Life, then we are disconnected...or as Jesus put it, we are not abiding in Him. (see John 15)
So, in conclusion, Jesus swooped down and saved us from the fall. We were careening out of control and destined to be physical and spiritual street pizza. When we recognize this, we are extremely grateful, but in turn He looks at us in compassion and says, "Make sure you make it worth saving." Then we, in turn, reach out to others and tell them about this Hero who saved us from death and that He wants to do the same for them.
Yes, this was an obvious fictitious story from Superman/Action comics from the early 90's. John Henry Irons, a former employee of Lex Luthor, became a high steel worker after being fired as a weapons designer for LuthorCorp. He realized what his weapons were actually being used for and threatened to "blow the whistle" on Lex, so he was fired and discredited as an engineer. After Lex got through with his reputation, he would have been lucky to get a job engineering a new way to make children's craft projects out of popsicle sticks.
After Superman saving him from death, John thanked him profusely, to which Superman replied, "Make sure you make it (your life) worth saving."
I've always been able to find deeper spiritual truths in my hobby-reading, and this story is no less easy to parallel, so stick with me here.
Jesus came to bring us life, not just in the hereafter, but in the here and now. When we accept Him, eternal life begins right then and there - the New Testament is very clear on this fact. When He gave His life on Golgotha and rose from the dead 3 days later, He opened the door for life to truly begin for us, we just have to walk through the door.
With that being said, He also made the way for us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, one that reflects His love, grace and power. We have been told in Scripture that God, through Christ, now wishes to write His law upon our hearts, no longer on cold tables of stone. That means that His ways are alive and empowered by Him, rather than by human effort.
To be obedient to God is a way of life that requires submission to His leading and NOT just performing the duties as outlined on a checklist. Keeping a checklist is the way of man that can be found in every religion, including Western-thought tainted Christianity. The original Plan, as shown in the plain writings of Paul and the plain teachings of Jesus, make it clear that keeping rules and regulations merely for the sake of keeping them is not enough, no, on second thought, is not what is required.
What IS required is to "love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and strength AND to love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus said that on these two principles hang all of what the Law and the writings of the Prophets depend. Paul explained further that to fulfill the Law of Love is to truly keep the Law. Does all this mean that we are free to live and do as we please? Yes and no.
YES - As St. Augustine said, "Love God and do as you please." and I couldn't agree more. If we have a real relationship with Him, then His will rules in our lives, so what pleases Him pleases us.
NO - This is not a license to sin, because if we are in Him, then we are dead to sin. When we live in disobedience to His way of Life, then we are disconnected...or as Jesus put it, we are not abiding in Him. (see John 15)
So, in conclusion, Jesus swooped down and saved us from the fall. We were careening out of control and destined to be physical and spiritual street pizza. When we recognize this, we are extremely grateful, but in turn He looks at us in compassion and says, "Make sure you make it worth saving." Then we, in turn, reach out to others and tell them about this Hero who saved us from death and that He wants to do the same for them.
2/27/10
Working for "The Company"
(This allegory hit me at 4:00am this morning.)
There once was a man named Neville, who worked for a company. The company was a good company. They offered decent benefits, the comradery among the employees was pretty good, they had weekends off...just generally, a good company to work for.
Neville was very proud of his company and told lots of people about it. He told his neighbors, his barber, his mechanic and even his postman. He bragged often about the benefits his company offered. He even carried in his back pocket a pamphlet that told about the company, and he always kept several in his glove box in his car...you never know when someone might want to hear about this great company.
He had a neighbor named Willie that he had been sharing information about his company with for a few years. Willie had a good job with another company that was just as good, (and even better in some ways) as Neville’s company, but Neville really doubted that Willie’s company was a good company to work for, in fact, Neville thought Willie’s company HAD to be inferior to his.
After a lot of well-meaning pushing and prodding, Neville convinced Willie to come to his place of work for a week long Open House. Each day they shared with those interested enough to come, the various good attributes of the company. Willie was rather impressed with what he heard. Each evening as the Open House presentation ended, the moderator would extend an invitation to fill out an application to possibly become an employee. It turned out the Open House was also a Job Fair of sorts and the company, by it’s own admission, was always “looking for a few good men & women”, if they met the standards set by corporate.
At the end of the week, Willie was convinced to fill out the application and it was accepted. He was so excited! He was now going to work for The Company, which is how they referred to themselves. He was given the date of his first day and he joyfully turned in his 2 week notice to his old company. Willie’s old company never really even tried to convince him to stay, so it was an easy transition...at first.
First day on the job he was given a checklist. This wasn’t just a checklist for him to follow at work, but a checklist that he was to keep up with even at home. It told him what he should eat, what he should wear, no alcohol was to be drank, smoking was prohibited and if he did any of these things he would be put on notice. At first, Willie thought nothing of it, after all, The Company had a right to be well represented to the outside world. He was even given a name badge with The Company logo on it and was told that he should openly share and recruit people to come work for The Company. He jumped into it with gusto! He told everyone; the guy at the gas pump next to him, the garbage man, the person picking out tomatoes at the grocery, even the lady who was visiting the grave of her mother which was next to the grave of his mother.
One morning, Willie realized that he had some questions about some things on the checklist. He wasn’t exactly sure how to go about doing them. He then realized that no one had ever really put him through orientation. He was just given his checklist and left alone. He was able to keep up for a while, but with no one to mentor him he just lost his way, and within 6 months, he quit The Company. No one seemed to really care...not that they didn’t care, they just never really learned how to mentor a new comer.
Unfortunately, Willie never returned to his old company either. He just floundered for years with no real job. He would occasionally find a neat place to work for a while, but it never really felt right. Nothing really felt right anymore. The End.
2/10/10
The Language of Love & Respect by Emmerson Eggerichs
When I saw this book available to review as a Thomas Nelson Book Blogger Review option, I was very, very happy. Having read his book, "Love and Respect", I eagerly awaited another book from him along the same lines. This title is a re-release of "Cracking the Communication Code", and was repackaged for reasons unknown to me. I was pleased to see Eggerichs delve deeper into the intricate dynamics of the male-female relationship, specifically marriage. He uses some great anecdotal material from couples he has counseled as well some great metaphors and similes to really help you understand. One of my favorites is the use of "Blue Hearing Aids/Pink Hearing Aids" to show how we hear things differently based on our gender wiring. It gives new meaning to "he said/she said". I highly recommend this book to newly engaged couples as well as married old timers. The Biblical model of Ephesians chapter 5 is continued as the example for married couples to truly Love & Respect each other as God commanded.
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