Over the years I have made a practice of writing thoughts, feelings & observations. It has helped me express, share and understand what God is teaching me in my journey on this planet. At the end of each calendar year I would look back and journal thoughts, feelings, events and things learned and experienced during the past 365 days as a way to grow and prepare for the coming year (or as much time as God would allow me to survive in the days ahead). I hoped this practice would be a way to help me improve and mature each year. In some cases the jury may still be out as they seek to come to a clear decision on that case.
As the years in the past account pile higher I have come to some basic conclusions (Careful they may apply to you also):
First: GOD'S HAND WAS WITH ME ALL MY LIFE (even when I did not realize it…often and especially when I did not realize it!). As I look back over my life I see God’s hand clearly guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me (sometimes in spite of myself). That does not mean I have not stumbled and struggled but He has kept me from destroying my life and will always redeem me for His purpose as well as use the experiences in my past to honor Him today when I follow and trust Him. Romans 12: 1& 2 tells me to offer myself completely to God not conforming to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. In other words as I give myself completely to Him, thinking & seeing different from the rest of the world I will then be more able see and understand His will for my life. I will then see more how He has been with me, kept me for this time and His purpose and will.
Second: I AM A UNIQUE CREATION. I often tell my wife I know that I am weird and I feel as if I am on the wrong planet (she never argues that statement…Hmmm). Psalm 139:14 tells me I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am not an accident of birth. I have been on 5 of the 7 continents and never seen anyone like me (thank goodness, huh?). There is a divine design behind His creation of me. That same Psalm tells me God knit me together in my mother’s womb. There is also a divine purpose and plan behind my creation. I was not created just to bump around, pay taxes and die. As with Paul, in Galatians 1:15, who was set apart at birth and Jeremiah, who was appointed before birth, (Jeremiah 1:5) God has a divine purpose and plan. That is why His hand was evident in guiding me, preserving, protecting me and leading me to be where I am today for his purpose as I submit to Him.
Finally: LIFE IS FRAGILE AND PASSES QUICKLY. James 4:14 describes life as a mist. It is truly fragile. A mist is something that is frail and can disappear in a second. Next month I will share my annual blog about my miraculous preservation from early death by rupture from any one of three thin aneurysms as God still had work for me in His plan. I KNOW life is fragile and needs to be handled with care. That is why I seek to make the most of each moment. I do not know what will happen tomorrow. I do not have tomorrow promised. I may not be able to journal the end of next year. I may not make it home from work today. However, I DO have this moment. As I learn from my journals of the past I need to make the most of this moment. This is why God has me here!
As I think I guessed correctly these conclusions do not apply only to me. Some people mark time while others choose to do as Ephesians 5:16 guides us and make the most of every opportunity. This is the only opportunity we have here; let us make the most of it!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Times Are Changing
The world has come to an end…no I did not see the latest doomsday movie and think it was real. Nor is this writing about the end of human history but the end of the world as we know it. But, the world as we know it is dying each day. It changes and moves forward as we cling to the ideas and thoughts of the past, if our memory is accurate, and struggle with an uncertain future, for many. The times are indeed constantly changing. The world we knew has come to an end. Depending on your age many things you once treasured are gone for good. I am of the age when I can remember people saying, “I will walk before I pay $1 for a gallon of gas!” Of course, not many are walking today.
As each old year passes and each New Year approaches there is a place for nostalgia as well as dreams for the future but there is a better place for realism. The forecasters and trend predictors are rarely right about the future and the good old days were not always so good. We enjoy thinking of a simpler time when we remember being more religious but there was just as sin, evil and injustice. We just did not have as much access to instant information.
The struggle of good and evil has existed since Eden. It inhabits each heart. Church is not necessarily the answer. That is why attendance has been steadily declining for the past 25 years. Still we are very active as a churched society. About 100 million Americans attend sporting events each year, however although church attendance is declining over 130 million children/adults still come in contact with church each month! Don’t get too excited. Coming in contact does not mean they are spiritually changed. In fact the inverse seems to be true. We are overchurched and ineffective. People are no longer looking to the church for spiritual guidance. There is much confusion from movies, TV, recycled philosophies and cults as people seek God but are not necessarily doing so in the right place.
We will always seek God because we are made in his image. Jesus is a part of all things (John 1:4) so he makes sense of all things. But many outside the church have a negative image of the church and many in church have negative image with much of the unchurched world. Evidence of both are shown by a t-shirt “Jesus save me from some of your followers” and quote from a famous author, Mark Twain; “After spending time with good people of the church, I understand why Jesus spent time with tax collectors & sinners”
George Barna, who studies these things more than anyone says, less than 10-15% of our churches are rated Highly Effective. The Bible is unknown (1/2 who call themselves ‘born again’ read the Bible during week). 12% think Joan of Arc was married to Noah. 80% claim to be Christian but 4 of 10 are unable to name the four Gospels. I wonder if some thing Amos next to the book of Andy. Comedian Jay Leno’s Man on the Street interviews asked two college students to; "Name one of the 10 commandments"; they said, “Freedom of Speech?” They were next asked to complete, “Let he who is without sin…” to which they replied, “Have a good time?” The third question was, “Who was swallowed by a great fish in the Bible?” Pinocchio got the third big laugh of the routine but it was really a sad commentary as we continue the same pathway to confusion and separation from each other and God. The new progressive sounding truths are only old reworded confusion from the past. A famous female celebrity who many looked to for spiritual truth said, to a stadium giving rousing applause, “find your own truth.” That profundity was reminiscent, for those who read the Bible of one of the most wicked times in Old Testament history (Judges 21:25) when “every man did what was right in his own eyes”. We think we are changing and progressing but the secret is still found in connecting with God through his word.
Yet we all struggle with adjustments to change. The clinical definition of death is, “A body that does not change”. However, we are better at this change thing than we realize. You are in constant change right now. Your skin replaces itself every month (Cheek cells replace themselves 3 times a day). You have a; new stomach lining every 5 days, new Liver every 6 weeks, new skeleton every 6 weeks and 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced each year. So as you sit there with 5 pounds of dead skin flaking and flushing off right now don’t tell me you have trouble with change. It is time to make some real eternal changes. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be different, transformed, not like the rest of the world and renew our minds.
So, what am I taking so long to say? The best place to connect with God is still in his word, the Bible. Find a copy of the scriptures that is easy to read and understand and let him speak to you in a fresh new way. Then, if you are not already there, find a group of believers that will help you correctly understand the scriptures (there is much confusion), grow, keep you accountable as you walk in the Spirit and continue to change into the image of Christ…that is the change that is eternal. Time is fleeting and too precious to waste. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us God is in the change business. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Happy New Year!
As each old year passes and each New Year approaches there is a place for nostalgia as well as dreams for the future but there is a better place for realism. The forecasters and trend predictors are rarely right about the future and the good old days were not always so good. We enjoy thinking of a simpler time when we remember being more religious but there was just as sin, evil and injustice. We just did not have as much access to instant information.
The struggle of good and evil has existed since Eden. It inhabits each heart. Church is not necessarily the answer. That is why attendance has been steadily declining for the past 25 years. Still we are very active as a churched society. About 100 million Americans attend sporting events each year, however although church attendance is declining over 130 million children/adults still come in contact with church each month! Don’t get too excited. Coming in contact does not mean they are spiritually changed. In fact the inverse seems to be true. We are overchurched and ineffective. People are no longer looking to the church for spiritual guidance. There is much confusion from movies, TV, recycled philosophies and cults as people seek God but are not necessarily doing so in the right place.
We will always seek God because we are made in his image. Jesus is a part of all things (John 1:4) so he makes sense of all things. But many outside the church have a negative image of the church and many in church have negative image with much of the unchurched world. Evidence of both are shown by a t-shirt “Jesus save me from some of your followers” and quote from a famous author, Mark Twain; “After spending time with good people of the church, I understand why Jesus spent time with tax collectors & sinners”
George Barna, who studies these things more than anyone says, less than 10-15% of our churches are rated Highly Effective. The Bible is unknown (1/2 who call themselves ‘born again’ read the Bible during week). 12% think Joan of Arc was married to Noah. 80% claim to be Christian but 4 of 10 are unable to name the four Gospels. I wonder if some thing Amos next to the book of Andy. Comedian Jay Leno’s Man on the Street interviews asked two college students to; "Name one of the 10 commandments"; they said, “Freedom of Speech?” They were next asked to complete, “Let he who is without sin…” to which they replied, “Have a good time?” The third question was, “Who was swallowed by a great fish in the Bible?” Pinocchio got the third big laugh of the routine but it was really a sad commentary as we continue the same pathway to confusion and separation from each other and God. The new progressive sounding truths are only old reworded confusion from the past. A famous female celebrity who many looked to for spiritual truth said, to a stadium giving rousing applause, “find your own truth.” That profundity was reminiscent, for those who read the Bible of one of the most wicked times in Old Testament history (Judges 21:25) when “every man did what was right in his own eyes”. We think we are changing and progressing but the secret is still found in connecting with God through his word.
Yet we all struggle with adjustments to change. The clinical definition of death is, “A body that does not change”. However, we are better at this change thing than we realize. You are in constant change right now. Your skin replaces itself every month (Cheek cells replace themselves 3 times a day). You have a; new stomach lining every 5 days, new Liver every 6 weeks, new skeleton every 6 weeks and 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced each year. So as you sit there with 5 pounds of dead skin flaking and flushing off right now don’t tell me you have trouble with change. It is time to make some real eternal changes. Romans 12:1-2 tells us to be different, transformed, not like the rest of the world and renew our minds.
So, what am I taking so long to say? The best place to connect with God is still in his word, the Bible. Find a copy of the scriptures that is easy to read and understand and let him speak to you in a fresh new way. Then, if you are not already there, find a group of believers that will help you correctly understand the scriptures (there is much confusion), grow, keep you accountable as you walk in the Spirit and continue to change into the image of Christ…that is the change that is eternal. Time is fleeting and too precious to waste. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us God is in the change business. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Image is Everything (or is it?)
A highly successful marketing campaign combined the media darling of tennis, Andre Agassi, and Canon cameras a few years ago. Commercials would show the then popular handsome athlete energetic action poses stroking his long flowing hair and concluding with a close-up as Andre said, “Image is Everything!” As it turned out most everything was image. The long flowing hair was a wig and much of the energy was assisted by crystal meth. However, the public continues to buy into the ‘image’ of celebrities whether they are politicians, sports or movie stars. Some even enjoy idolizing their favorite pastor. Time after time we see these images collapse in some moral failure as one celebrity after another will disappoint us with failure. Tiger Woods is the latest example in a long line that will continue.
We seem to be a people of short memories as we soon turn our eyes to the next celebrity figure hoping this will be the one we can honor as a role model and place upon a pedestal. We forget that behind what is presented as intelligence, talent, charisma or attractive appearance (much of which is often a carefully crafted marketing image) beats a heart like ours susceptible to the same sins and temptations. More often than not, as they are awarded the privilege of celebrity status an attitude known as ‘hubris’ develops. This ancient Greek term indicates overweening pride, haughtiness, or arrogance, outrageous acts or exhibitions of pride or disregard for basic moral laws often resulting in fatal retribution. Hubris leads people to think they are above normal laws of the land, nature or morality that apply to everyone else. Eventually that pride leads to a fall as well stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Our fascination and desire to honor people and give them celebrity status is illustrated as a liability early in human history in I Samuel chapter 8. God desired his people to look to him and only follow leaders he appoints who have integrity and Spiritual leadership qualities given by him. The people were warned of consequences from following earthly kings but verses 19 and 20 gives their reply; "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations”. The desire to follow others, even to give others celebrity status goes back to the desire for a king. We want to be like everyone else, and look up to others rather than God.
However, God created us to be different. We are to exalt God not fellowmen. We are to look to God for leadership before men. We are to look for guidance from his word before listening to words of men. There are times when God uses people to lead but we should be very careful then to only follow those people who exhibit Godly qualities, even then they should be held accountable and not be given celebrity status lest they develop pride. Scripture gives many such warnings such as I Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Back to the Canon commercial, time has shown us Andre is bald, used drugs and Canon cameras have been topped by iPhone. “Image is not Everything”. Image us usually just that, image. Faith in God and integrity may not be as flashy but they are real, not image. They will last long beyond a carefully crafted celebrity image and never disappoint.
We seem to be a people of short memories as we soon turn our eyes to the next celebrity figure hoping this will be the one we can honor as a role model and place upon a pedestal. We forget that behind what is presented as intelligence, talent, charisma or attractive appearance (much of which is often a carefully crafted marketing image) beats a heart like ours susceptible to the same sins and temptations. More often than not, as they are awarded the privilege of celebrity status an attitude known as ‘hubris’ develops. This ancient Greek term indicates overweening pride, haughtiness, or arrogance, outrageous acts or exhibitions of pride or disregard for basic moral laws often resulting in fatal retribution. Hubris leads people to think they are above normal laws of the land, nature or morality that apply to everyone else. Eventually that pride leads to a fall as well stated in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Our fascination and desire to honor people and give them celebrity status is illustrated as a liability early in human history in I Samuel chapter 8. God desired his people to look to him and only follow leaders he appoints who have integrity and Spiritual leadership qualities given by him. The people were warned of consequences from following earthly kings but verses 19 and 20 gives their reply; "No! We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations”. The desire to follow others, even to give others celebrity status goes back to the desire for a king. We want to be like everyone else, and look up to others rather than God.
However, God created us to be different. We are to exalt God not fellowmen. We are to look to God for leadership before men. We are to look for guidance from his word before listening to words of men. There are times when God uses people to lead but we should be very careful then to only follow those people who exhibit Godly qualities, even then they should be held accountable and not be given celebrity status lest they develop pride. Scripture gives many such warnings such as I Corinthians 10:12-13, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
Back to the Canon commercial, time has shown us Andre is bald, used drugs and Canon cameras have been topped by iPhone. “Image is not Everything”. Image us usually just that, image. Faith in God and integrity may not be as flashy but they are real, not image. They will last long beyond a carefully crafted celebrity image and never disappoint.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Immature Church Members
There is not much that extinguishes a movement of the Holy Spirit, turns people away from church and Jesus more than immature church members. I am not speaking of new members that are in the early stages of their Christian pilgrimage into discipleship. They are usually eager to grow. I am referring to those who have been around for a while and are still like the little boy who was tucked into his bed by his father. As the father quietly reached the door leaving his son’s room he heard a thud and turned to see his son had rolled out of bed onto the floor. The boy looked up and said, “I guess I stayed too close to where I got in.” To grow in Christ one must move deeper into discipleship and become more mature as a member of the body of Christ.
Far too many church members stay too close to where they came in. It is these that Paul addresses in I Corinthians 3:1-3 saying, he “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Once we make a decision to follow Christ and unite with his church we have made a commitment to deny self, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The command to deny self and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus is a call to put self, ego, feelings, desires and anything that is personal to death. It is a call to put self completely and sacrificially aside to follow Jesus.
When church members remain immature they make themselves the issue and are often a continual source of conflict, disruption, distraction and hurt feelings needing to be pampered or enticed to attend or serve as if they were doing the Lord a favor by their presence or offering their service. Jesus, himself gave us the ultimate lesson on service in John 13. Verse three tells us when Jesus knew the Father had given him all authority he did not worry about his desire, plans, ego and feelings. He showed his disciples, then and now, the example of mature leadership and sacrificial action by ultimate humility in lowly servanthood performing one of the lowest and most menial tasks allowed in that culture, washing the feet of his disciples. His disciples were first stunned then amazed but he said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We are to learn and grow from his teaching to put ourselves (ego, agenda and feelings) aside for sacrificial service.
When we uncontrollably give ourselves completely to Jesus putting self totally aside we no longer are worried about our plans, agenda, feelings or ideas there is immense freedom, release and joy that religion absolutely cannot produce. We simply seek to follow Jesus by faith in total obedience through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he calls us to do, the Spirit equips and enables us to do and we move forward by faith as enjoy the ride while God works through us in miraculous unity. This is the body of Christ at its best. When believers do this there is harmony. If we are all following the same Christ there is no division, disunity or disruption in the unity in the body of Christ. We all remain different and unique but blend the different blessings and gifts the Father has given as we place ego aside and work together sacrificially for his glory.
When others see this they are amazed and realize they see something that can not be explained in human terms and they are drawn into the Kingdom. This is the answer to the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane (John 17:20-26). Our mature submission and harmonious service to him answers his prayer. Our Spiritual maturity, our self-less submission and harmony is the answer to his prayer. We expect Jesus to answer our prayers but he leaves it up to us to be the answer to his. He is waiting for his prayer to be answered through us. Why not today?
Far too many church members stay too close to where they came in. It is these that Paul addresses in I Corinthians 3:1-3 saying, he “could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.” Once we make a decision to follow Christ and unite with his church we have made a commitment to deny self, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The command to deny self and take up our cross daily to follow Jesus is a call to put self, ego, feelings, desires and anything that is personal to death. It is a call to put self completely and sacrificially aside to follow Jesus.
When church members remain immature they make themselves the issue and are often a continual source of conflict, disruption, distraction and hurt feelings needing to be pampered or enticed to attend or serve as if they were doing the Lord a favor by their presence or offering their service. Jesus, himself gave us the ultimate lesson on service in John 13. Verse three tells us when Jesus knew the Father had given him all authority he did not worry about his desire, plans, ego and feelings. He showed his disciples, then and now, the example of mature leadership and sacrificial action by ultimate humility in lowly servanthood performing one of the lowest and most menial tasks allowed in that culture, washing the feet of his disciples. His disciples were first stunned then amazed but he said, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” We are to learn and grow from his teaching to put ourselves (ego, agenda and feelings) aside for sacrificial service.
When we uncontrollably give ourselves completely to Jesus putting self totally aside we no longer are worried about our plans, agenda, feelings or ideas there is immense freedom, release and joy that religion absolutely cannot produce. We simply seek to follow Jesus by faith in total obedience through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever he calls us to do, the Spirit equips and enables us to do and we move forward by faith as enjoy the ride while God works through us in miraculous unity. This is the body of Christ at its best. When believers do this there is harmony. If we are all following the same Christ there is no division, disunity or disruption in the unity in the body of Christ. We all remain different and unique but blend the different blessings and gifts the Father has given as we place ego aside and work together sacrificially for his glory.
When others see this they are amazed and realize they see something that can not be explained in human terms and they are drawn into the Kingdom. This is the answer to the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane (John 17:20-26). Our mature submission and harmonious service to him answers his prayer. Our Spiritual maturity, our self-less submission and harmony is the answer to his prayer. We expect Jesus to answer our prayers but he leaves it up to us to be the answer to his. He is waiting for his prayer to be answered through us. Why not today?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Without Jesus, Nothing Makes Sense
Every year we conclude November giving thanks for the wonderful blessings God has given us as a great nation then we descend into silly and sometimes divisive and angry debate over the next important holiday. For years we have misinterpreted our constitution and gone in the wrong direction with the foolish idea of political correctness in so many matters that common sense has long become uncommon. Mark Twain said. “Common sense is the simple knack of seeing something the way it really is and doing something the way it should be done.” Christmas without Jesus makes no sense!
The first six letters of the holiday are CHRIST. People can have holiday trees and seek to miss the point all they wish but the point of the HOLIDAY is JESUS! We celebrate God becoming flesh and invading history to dwell among us as our guide in life, as our saving sacrifice to pay the price for our sin and give us hope for eternity and peace among men. It is because we miss that point to such a great degree everyday that we do not have real joy and celebration in our lives, families and churches today.
He did not come to give us a holiday. He did not come to give us religion. As the holiday without Jesus makes no sense, actually religion without Jesus makes no sense either. That is why so many churches, denominations and religions are empty and failing. Far too many are simply clubs of religious acting people with their own rules and rituals that don’t have much to do with the teachings of Jesus, which majored on love and freedom from bondage of sin. The church he started was an Ecclesia, which was a common term in that day for an assembly called out for action. As his church we are called out of the world and called to him for action. We are called to be his body in this world. He is in heaven waiting for us so we are here as his body. Our assignment is to physically do as he would do bodily were he here. So look at what he did and who he hung around with and go for it.
He gives us the invitation and power to be his body. First we must be born into his Spirit (John 3). Then the Holy Spirit (God) will live in us and give us power greater than any human resource to say no to previous temptation and yes to being like Jesus (Galatians 5:23-23) with life changing power (II Corinthians 5:17). There is a difference in being born again and being religious. Many are religious and are faithful in following their church rituals and traditions. They are serious about them. The will argue and possibly fight over them.
It really comes down to truth. Which way is true? Which is the best way to live? Is Christmas a real holiday? Is Christianity true? Is Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or other belief better or is it better to be an atheist and just enjoy the day as you see fit? I have studied the different faiths and ways to live. It seems to me that the best way would be to follow one who knew enough to conquer death. At the time I wrote this article Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and anyone else who started a religion was still dead. I have a strong suspicion they will still be dead when you finish reading.
Jesus is Alive! History proclaims it! The Bible not a written as a history book but it is the most accurate book of ancient recorded history we have. He was publically executed by the state, buried in a guarded grave but three days later over 500 witnesses, saw him walking around alive, talked with him, some touched him and ate with him! Before he went to Heaven he addressed a large crowd! He is still alive and changing lives. I talked to Him this morning! Life Without Jesus Makes No Sense! Humans have three basic emotional needs; we need to receive love, give love and have a sense of purpose. These three are only met completely in Christ. (John 1:4). So, have a Merry Christmas with Jesus. Have a great life with Jesus. He makes the difference. Without him nothing makes sense!
The first six letters of the holiday are CHRIST. People can have holiday trees and seek to miss the point all they wish but the point of the HOLIDAY is JESUS! We celebrate God becoming flesh and invading history to dwell among us as our guide in life, as our saving sacrifice to pay the price for our sin and give us hope for eternity and peace among men. It is because we miss that point to such a great degree everyday that we do not have real joy and celebration in our lives, families and churches today.
He did not come to give us a holiday. He did not come to give us religion. As the holiday without Jesus makes no sense, actually religion without Jesus makes no sense either. That is why so many churches, denominations and religions are empty and failing. Far too many are simply clubs of religious acting people with their own rules and rituals that don’t have much to do with the teachings of Jesus, which majored on love and freedom from bondage of sin. The church he started was an Ecclesia, which was a common term in that day for an assembly called out for action. As his church we are called out of the world and called to him for action. We are called to be his body in this world. He is in heaven waiting for us so we are here as his body. Our assignment is to physically do as he would do bodily were he here. So look at what he did and who he hung around with and go for it.
He gives us the invitation and power to be his body. First we must be born into his Spirit (John 3). Then the Holy Spirit (God) will live in us and give us power greater than any human resource to say no to previous temptation and yes to being like Jesus (Galatians 5:23-23) with life changing power (II Corinthians 5:17). There is a difference in being born again and being religious. Many are religious and are faithful in following their church rituals and traditions. They are serious about them. The will argue and possibly fight over them.
It really comes down to truth. Which way is true? Which is the best way to live? Is Christmas a real holiday? Is Christianity true? Is Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, or other belief better or is it better to be an atheist and just enjoy the day as you see fit? I have studied the different faiths and ways to live. It seems to me that the best way would be to follow one who knew enough to conquer death. At the time I wrote this article Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith, and anyone else who started a religion was still dead. I have a strong suspicion they will still be dead when you finish reading.
Jesus is Alive! History proclaims it! The Bible not a written as a history book but it is the most accurate book of ancient recorded history we have. He was publically executed by the state, buried in a guarded grave but three days later over 500 witnesses, saw him walking around alive, talked with him, some touched him and ate with him! Before he went to Heaven he addressed a large crowd! He is still alive and changing lives. I talked to Him this morning! Life Without Jesus Makes No Sense! Humans have three basic emotional needs; we need to receive love, give love and have a sense of purpose. These three are only met completely in Christ. (John 1:4). So, have a Merry Christmas with Jesus. Have a great life with Jesus. He makes the difference. Without him nothing makes sense!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Looking for God's will? Give thanks!
What do you do when life doesn’t go your way? Have you had times when you seem to dig out of a pit in life only to fall into a deeper hole? Are there days when it seems that you wonder, “Do I have a sign on me that says ‘Everybody Pick on Me Today? All of us have days when everything seems to go wrong and we wonder; “What’s happening? What did I do to deserve this? I feel like I am trying my best.” Christians will tell me, as a pastor and friend; “I am seeking God’s will…trying to find & do right thing but I am struggling.” Well, I hate to tell you (actually I really enjoy telling…it is just an old saying we Southerners use and I love being a Southerner) but finding God’s will is not that difficult. Finding the right job, spouse or your lost car keys may be more of a struggle but God’s will is revealed clearly in his word. Often people are more interested in seeking affirmation to do what pleases us than we are in seeking God’s will.
To find’s God’s will and the real answer to deal with life when things don’t go your way you can turn to John 3 and follow directions Jesus gave a religious leader 2000 years ago. You must be born again (Spiritually reborn). Being religious will not do. One can be so religious that one’s eyes can shine like stained glass windows but still not have spiritual resources to help in life. Religion is following rituals (admittedly this can be helpful for some). Religion will not change a personality or make a person new. Some of the meanest and most evil people I have met or read about are devoutly religious. Anyone in church is simply in a building or part of an organization but anyone in Christ is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). One must follow Jesus by faith and give self totally to Christ as Luke 9:23 tells us our desires, ego, feelings and agenda are to be given the death penalty. Once that happens we are able to think differently. Romans 12:1-2 tells us we have a renewed mind and do not act the way of the rest of the world…THEN we will know God’s good and perfect will. In other words after doing these things we will see, think and act in such a different manner that God’s vision, understanding and plan will be understandable to us. We will also have resources beyond our experiences, abilities, wisdom and explanation as the power of the Holy Spirit indwells us.
After total faith and commitment to Christ we will have a different attitude and life a life of giving thanks in all that happens as I Thessalonians 5:18 states is also God’s will for us who are in Christ. Being thankful and living a life in this manner unlocks joy and happiness that most seek but few find. Too often we look to circumstances to make us happy. That won’t happen. We live in a world warped by sin. Bad things happen to good people. Evil exists. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45 injustices come to all. However those who are born again will be rewarded forever so justice prevails. So, even in difficult days we can give thanks that God has a plan for us for all eternity. Even in the difficult days we can give thanks that God is perfecting us for eternity through the difficulties that exist in this world. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering while here as we are told in Hebrews 2:10.
No matter what is going on in life one can look to God and find his will. It is first to be born of the Spirit. Then submit all completely to him. Once that is done you will develop a different perspective. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. You will see his will is to give thanks IN all things. No matter what is happening you can and will find reasons to give thanks. Giving thanks IN all things is far different than being thankful FOR all things. It is not possible to give thanks FOR all things but IN all things one can be thankful that God has you in his hand for all eternity. He has an eternal plan for you. He is standing right beside you (II Corinthians 1:3-7). You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to withstand anything the world can throw your way (Romans 8:1, 2, 9, 28-39). So with all this in your favor you can’t lose…Give thanks!
To find’s God’s will and the real answer to deal with life when things don’t go your way you can turn to John 3 and follow directions Jesus gave a religious leader 2000 years ago. You must be born again (Spiritually reborn). Being religious will not do. One can be so religious that one’s eyes can shine like stained glass windows but still not have spiritual resources to help in life. Religion is following rituals (admittedly this can be helpful for some). Religion will not change a personality or make a person new. Some of the meanest and most evil people I have met or read about are devoutly religious. Anyone in church is simply in a building or part of an organization but anyone in Christ is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). One must follow Jesus by faith and give self totally to Christ as Luke 9:23 tells us our desires, ego, feelings and agenda are to be given the death penalty. Once that happens we are able to think differently. Romans 12:1-2 tells us we have a renewed mind and do not act the way of the rest of the world…THEN we will know God’s good and perfect will. In other words after doing these things we will see, think and act in such a different manner that God’s vision, understanding and plan will be understandable to us. We will also have resources beyond our experiences, abilities, wisdom and explanation as the power of the Holy Spirit indwells us.
After total faith and commitment to Christ we will have a different attitude and life a life of giving thanks in all that happens as I Thessalonians 5:18 states is also God’s will for us who are in Christ. Being thankful and living a life in this manner unlocks joy and happiness that most seek but few find. Too often we look to circumstances to make us happy. That won’t happen. We live in a world warped by sin. Bad things happen to good people. Evil exists. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45 injustices come to all. However those who are born again will be rewarded forever so justice prevails. So, even in difficult days we can give thanks that God has a plan for us for all eternity. Even in the difficult days we can give thanks that God is perfecting us for eternity through the difficulties that exist in this world. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering while here as we are told in Hebrews 2:10.
No matter what is going on in life one can look to God and find his will. It is first to be born of the Spirit. Then submit all completely to him. Once that is done you will develop a different perspective. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. You will see his will is to give thanks IN all things. No matter what is happening you can and will find reasons to give thanks. Giving thanks IN all things is far different than being thankful FOR all things. It is not possible to give thanks FOR all things but IN all things one can be thankful that God has you in his hand for all eternity. He has an eternal plan for you. He is standing right beside you (II Corinthians 1:3-7). You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to withstand anything the world can throw your way (Romans 8:1, 2, 9, 28-39). So with all this in your favor you can’t lose…Give thanks!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
“Got any I.D.?”
That is a question often asked when young fresh faced people seek to purchase certain beverages, tobacco products or enter establishments that require age restrictions. When I was 18 I looked more like 14 on a good day so it was quite well that I usually stayed away from those situations for the most part. I made a commitment in a revival service in Jr. High and hung in there with it as people called me ‘straight laced’ and ‘preacher’ long before I was speaking in buildings with pointy roofs for a living. However, no matter how old we get we have an I. D. We are identified with a job, lifestyle, family, organization or especially by our behavior. Some of the ways we are identified are wrong like the false I.D.’s some once used in High School. However, the longer we hold to our behavior, character, organization, fellowships or actions the better the chance of the true I.D. being recognized.
Scripture tells us that bad company corrupts good character. One must watch their actions and company. When I was younger I realized I could have fun without drinking but I spent time being identified, on occasion, with the wrong places. Once I tried to drive a friend home, before the designated driver was fashionable we watched out for friends. However, he had seen me acting in such a manner, not much different than I do today having fun, that he said, “I’ve seen you tonight. You’re worse off than me!” I assured him I had only consumed three Dr. Peppers, which was my limit in those days, I can’t handle THAT many today! I then realized I needed to remove myself from some environments that adversely affected my witness, what people thought of me or my I.D.
How do people identify you? Have you ever wondered how others would describe you? You DO know they talk about you when you are not around! Gee, I hope I have not given you new information to upset you! You can’t completely control what others say but you can control what you do. As a minister I Timothy 3 tells me to live my life “above reproach”. The Greek really means one should not ‘get a handle on an accusation’. That means I am to conduct myself in such a public way that people may still say things about me, I can’t help that, but the character of my life is such that the accusations can not find a handle. Character and integrity as an I.D. will outlast any gossip, slander or accusation that has no basis.
Your I.D. is vital. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In other words, if what & and how you eat, drink and do does not bring glory to God, you should not eat, drink or do it! Even a product of the Mississippi public school system like me can figure that one out!
The first people identified with the name ‘Christian’ were in Antioch. Originally it was pegged upon them as a name of ridicule. “Oh look at the way they act they are acting like ‘little Christ’s”. They were not ridiculed at all and took the name with pride. That was their purpose, to act completely like Jesus in all they did. When people looked at them they wanted them to think of Jesus. People are looking and I.D.ing you. So the question is not; “Got any I.D.?” You do have one. The question is; What is your I.D.?
Scripture tells us that bad company corrupts good character. One must watch their actions and company. When I was younger I realized I could have fun without drinking but I spent time being identified, on occasion, with the wrong places. Once I tried to drive a friend home, before the designated driver was fashionable we watched out for friends. However, he had seen me acting in such a manner, not much different than I do today having fun, that he said, “I’ve seen you tonight. You’re worse off than me!” I assured him I had only consumed three Dr. Peppers, which was my limit in those days, I can’t handle THAT many today! I then realized I needed to remove myself from some environments that adversely affected my witness, what people thought of me or my I.D.
How do people identify you? Have you ever wondered how others would describe you? You DO know they talk about you when you are not around! Gee, I hope I have not given you new information to upset you! You can’t completely control what others say but you can control what you do. As a minister I Timothy 3 tells me to live my life “above reproach”. The Greek really means one should not ‘get a handle on an accusation’. That means I am to conduct myself in such a public way that people may still say things about me, I can’t help that, but the character of my life is such that the accusations can not find a handle. Character and integrity as an I.D. will outlast any gossip, slander or accusation that has no basis.
Your I.D. is vital. Proverbs 22:1 tells us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” I Corinthians 10:31 says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In other words, if what & and how you eat, drink and do does not bring glory to God, you should not eat, drink or do it! Even a product of the Mississippi public school system like me can figure that one out!
The first people identified with the name ‘Christian’ were in Antioch. Originally it was pegged upon them as a name of ridicule. “Oh look at the way they act they are acting like ‘little Christ’s”. They were not ridiculed at all and took the name with pride. That was their purpose, to act completely like Jesus in all they did. When people looked at them they wanted them to think of Jesus. People are looking and I.D.ing you. So the question is not; “Got any I.D.?” You do have one. The question is; What is your I.D.?
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