My Online Faith Journal

Spiritual Appraised

2012-01-27T22:01:00.000-05:00

     When I was in college, I was reading a book called "Billy Budd". I hated that book. More than just hate it though, I didn't understand it. It was confusing and I might as well of been reading French or some other language foreign to me. I complained to a friend's mother about it and she took pity on me and bought me a copy of the cliff notes for the book. Largely because of those cliff notes, I was able to make enough sense of it to pass.
     And that is largely how I would approach most subjects. I feel like I am intelligent enough that if I simply study hard enough and work hard enough then I can figure it out. Many people approach trying to read the Bible and understand spiritual things in the same way. But, the Bible declares that we need to not only have intelligence, but to be spiritual appraised in order to understand God's Word. In fact, it says regarding the natural man and the Bible that:

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man."

    Maybe this is why we have so many theories and ideas about spiritual things. So many churches and cults and false religions. Because there is a way that seems spiritual and good and right to man and then there is another way that is right to God. And also the thing is, that unless God gives understanding and gives us guidance and understanding from the Holy Spirit, then no cliff notes in the world are going to help. We must be willing to swallow our pride to understand that.

     I think this is why Paul said this in the book of Colossians, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form." Colossians 2:8-9. He said this because he said that the cross of Christ was foolishness to those who are lost. They don't understand how victory can come through a cross. They want to continue to add to Christ.

   In 1 Corinthians 2:16 it says, "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." So what does that mean to have the "mind of Christ"? I believe it means that God reveals truth to the believer through His Spirit when we are truly depending on Him. It means we have to humble ourselves and realize that interpreting and understanding the Bible requires more than our own insights or intelligence.

Inside Out

2012-01-22T13:23:00.000-05:00

    I don't know if you've had the pleasure of reading any of the work of Dr.Larry Crabb. I had to read about his counseling model for a class last fall and now I am reading one of his other books on my own called "Inside Out". It is about how God desires to change us from the inside out. To be honest, Dr.Crabb is a deep thinker and I'm not sure I understand all that he is saying, but one of the things that he talks about is that as people we tend to seek out things that will fill our needs with things and stuff instead of God. Dr.Crabb calls this part of who we are the crucial part of our person. And he says that nobody can fill this area of our life except for God.
    He points out how often Jesus referred to himself as water or living water. But, he also shares this passage in Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils; They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, To hew for themselves cisterns, Broken cisterns, that can hold no water." It's like a man who refused to use the well of water that is provided and takes a shovel and digs through rock randomly seeking water.
    This is what the woman at the well was trying to do when she met Jesus. Jesus said to her in John 4:10, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you. "Give me a drink" you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." Later Jesus says to the crowd, 'If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, "From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." So, Dr.Crabb was pointing out that one of the first requirements to be changed on the inside is that we must recognize our thirst. Upon recognizing it, we must go to the right source to fill it, which is Jesus.
    But, sometimes people get prideful and think they are doing okay and don't recognize their thirst. They hew cisterns for themselves, which can be any kind of pleasure of thing that brings passing satisfaction. Our own stubbornness keep us from recognizing our need. So, we try to be self-sufficient. But, you can't receive if you don't come to Him and to do that you must humble yourself and see your need. The Pharisees never did, they thought they had it all together and Jesus condemned them.

For a review and info about this book on amazon go to
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Larry-Crabb/dp/1600060994/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327256483&sr=1-1#_

Sanctified

2012-01-15T13:36:00.002-05:00

    So, I was reading through 1 Peter 1 and I noticed a word in verse 2. The word is "sanctifying". The word "sanctification" is an interesting word. In Baker's Evangelical Dictionary it says that this word means "the state of proper functioning" in other words to sanctify something is to set it apart for its intended use, the purpose for which it was made by its creator. I thought that was an interesting idea, that God sanctifies us in Christ, so that we can fulfill our intended purpose.

    In examining this further, I looked at passages to see how this word is used. The first time this word is used is in Lev 22:32. It is the Hebrew word Qadash (verb) and it means to be "set apart, dedicate, be seperate, to be hallowed". In this chapter, it is mentioned in terms of the priests. God says to them, "So you shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am the Lord. And you shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you." You notice this throughout the Bible, that the act of sanctification is always something that God does. You also notice that all three persons of the Trinity are involved in this process.

   For example, look at 1 Peter 1:2 which says, "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood; May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure." You notice all three persons of the Trinity mentioned here. The Father knew who would be sanctified, the Spirit is involved in sanctifying and the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon the believer. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus and in Jesus that you are sanctified.

   One other thing that I noticed that nowhere this word is used does it indicate that we do this ourselves. Never does it indicate that we impress God with how good we are. Never does it indicate that I'm good enough. Never does it even hint that God is impressed with our actions. It does not say that it adds to anything, subtracts anything or purifies anything. In fact, I would submit to you that if you think that you can add to the cross and resurrectioin of Jesus by your actions then your a heretic and not being biblical.

   This is one of the reasons Paul got so upset with the Galatian people in the letter of Galatians. He said, "But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8. He said this because Hellenistic Jews were coming to the Galatians telling them they needed to add to the cross with the law of Moses. But, Paul corrected them saying "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law, since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

    This is a part of the good news of the gospel. Your salvation does not hang in the balance because of your performance of good deeds. This means there is no purgatory or things like that. That is a man made idea which leads to fear. Rather, perfect love casts out all fear. We don't live in fear of hell as a believer. Rather, we know that we are loved and cherished and washed clean because of the blood of Jesus. And you don't have to add anything to it.

How does God speak today?

2012-01-09T19:43:00.000-05:00

    Recently, I was visiting a forum where a person asked if it was okay to ask for a sign from God or a prophetic word. I can relate to this question because there have been times when I have really desired a word from God. Maybe something written across the sky or something that would help me to know God's will. I say this, knowing that often God's voice is much more subtle than that. It often takes us time and it takes prayer. How does God speak to us today?

   In Hebrews 1:1-2 it says, "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world." To me, this means that Jesus' message still speaks to us today and it is where our focus should be. Not on seeking additional revelations, but on obeying what He has already said.

   There are times I realize when we may want a specific word about what to do or where to go. Do I take this job offer? Do I move to a different home? Do I marry this person? I do think that God cares about those things. But, I think that more than just about what we are doing God cares about who we are. He wants us to focus on things like holiness, purity, humility and patience. He seems to have a different agenda in other words than we do. And unfortunately, these qualities are often worked out in suffering and in trial and in discipleship. Most people want a quick fix, but God tells us instead, take up your cross and follow me.

   There are times when God grows silent. I don't know all of the reasons why. I only know that the testimony of many strong believers suggests that it isn't just because of sin that God becomes silent. I heard one man say that when you are a young christian you need God to speak like a neon sign. As you grow older and more use to his voice, you should not need the neon sign anyone. In a mature relationship, often a couple or a friend can say a lot to you with only a look. God wants us to know Him like that. That we know how to respond to him because we are that close.

"Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart; Commit your ways to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." Psalm 37:4

God's Ways are Higher

2012-01-07T12:19:00.000-05:00

In Isaiah 55:8-9 it says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts."

       One of the most important books besides the Bible to me is a book written by J.I. Packer called "Knowing God". It is a profound book about the nature of God. You might think that it is not that important to consider the nature of God, but I believe for the christian it is one of the most important issues. Frankly, it seems to me that for most christians God is in all practicality nothing more than a good friend who does magic tricks rather than a transcendant, holy and loving God who is all together different in the way he conducts himself.
      Packer says this about knowing God, "knowing god is a matter of persona dealing, as is all direct acquaintance with personal beings. Knowing God is more than knowing about him, it is a matter of dealing with him as he opens up to you, and being dealth with by him as he takes knowledge of you. Knowing about him is a necessary precondition of trusting in him, but the width of our knowing about him is no gauge of the depth of our knowledge of him." (Packer, 1973, p.39).
     So, there is a difference then between knowing about God and knowing him. Just as there is a knowledge of the head and a knowledge of the heart. I may read a passage that says, "do not worry" or something of that nature in the Bible and agree with it. But, I toss and turn and the passage isn't real to me in my heart. Then, something happens and I not only believe in my head, but also see that it is true in my own life. My faith is enlarged and I realize the foolishness of worry and the importance of giving it to God. My outlook changes.
     An example of this in scripture is in 1 Samuel 1:1-18. There is a lady who cannot provide her husband with children in this story named Hannah. Hannah goes and prays near the doorposts of the house of the Lord. Eli the priest sees her praying and thinks that she is drunk. When she tells him of her earnest prayers he says to her "Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him." verse 17. And it says of Hannah, "So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad." verse 18.
     So we see that Hannah believed Eli and it caused her to respond differently to her situation. Because she was a person of faith. Her head believed, but also her heart. So, even though at that moment she wasn't pregnant, she believed that it was going to happen. This is what it says in Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you."

The Ragamuffin Gospel

2011-12-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

   In a book by Brennan Manning called "The Ragamuffin Gospel", Brennan makes this statement "The American church today accepts grace in theory but denies it in practice. We say we believe that the fundamental structure of reality is grace, not works-but ou lives refute our faith. By and large, the gospel of grace is neither proclaimed, understood, nor lived." (Brennan, 1990, p.18). Brennan goes on to say that Jesus spent most of his time on this earth with the ragamuffins. Ragamuffins are the downtrodden, the tax collectors, the outcasts, the prostitutes, the burned out. He spent time with them because they had no problem in seeing their need, their brokenness and had no self-righteous attitudes to overcome.   He spent time with and also made disciples of those who others rejected, men like Matthew and Zaccheus.

    In Luke 19, the story of Zaccheus is told where Jesus is walking by and looks up and sees Zaccheus in a tree. He says, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." Brennan goes on to point out that in modern times we lose the shock waves this caused through the crowd on that day. It surely tested the faith of many in the crowd. For to eat with someone in those days, as is the case today in the Middle East in many case, is to say that you are at peace with or in fellowship with this person. And Zaccheus was the despised tax collector, hated by Jews and rejected from public worship. He was a cheat and a person who had sold out to the Romans. And now, Jesus wants to have a meal with him.

     This is the gospel of grace. This is the point that Brennan wants to get across in his book. It is an important point, that many of us ignore. The grace means "unmerited favor". It is unmerited because we didn't come close to earning salvation and fall a little short, like small change that we need to make up at the cash register. No, the Bible says that we were dead in our trespasses and sins. There was no hope of earning anything on our own. Until that truth hits the heart we don't truly understand what grace is. Even as a believer, my faith, my deeds, my words and my actions, do not earn one little bit to get me into heaven apart from what Jesus did on the cross. It is a gift and not something earned.

     And why was this grace given to you and me? It was given because of the radical and furious love of God. A love that knows no depth and no width and is beyond comprehension. "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. One of the stories and things I think about when I read about the love of God is the story of the prodigal son. At the end of the story, the father is watching for the son to return when he sees him from a distance. He loses all sense of dignity in a desire to reach out and embrace his son. God loves is like that for us. He longs to embrace us, to have a relationship with us because he loves each of us.

Favorite Verses

2011-12-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

It doesn't' seem like it was that long ago, but 10 months ago I shared a few favorite verses of mine. I want to share a few more that have been meaningful to me. I hope if you haven't read them in a while they will bless you.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

This verse comes in part of what is called the "Sermon on the Mount" and is a part of the section regarding worry and anxiety. Jesus was telling his disciples where their focus should be. Instead of being worried about food or clothes or being filled with worry. Their priority was to be concerned about God's kingdom instead of their own. The bigger picture here is that worrying doesn't help solve any problems. Rather, it devalues the time we do have and wastes a lot of energy.

"Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

This verse was one I used when I was a youth/education minister right out of seminary for my youth group. It was to remind us all that God is in the process of creating something new in us. So often, we think of life as more like snapshots. We think about who we are instead of thinking about the fact that God is at work in us to change us. Consider Moses, who lost his temper and killed a man when he was younger. Only to be molded by God through many years of hard work as a shepherd and then called to shepherd his flock. God sees the potential and newness in us even when we are focused on the old.

"if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forigve us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

This verses is important to me for several reasons. One thing is, that the word "all" is used here. God doesn't just wash some of our sins away. He washes them "all" away. He does this it says because of His own faithfulness. He does this also by his power and not mine. The action is God's when I am faithful to confess or agree with God that sin is sin.

"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's House are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place fo ryou. And if I go to prepare a place fo ryou, I will come again, and receive you to Myself, that were I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3

These verses capture a lot of the hope of being a christian in the first place. That one day we will abide with Jesus in a heavenly place that He has made himself. It will be a place where there is no more sin, sickness, or pain. It will be a place of perfect fellowship and peace. It will be a place personally made by Jesus for you.

2011-12-10T20:27:00.000-05:00

What makes a church a good church home? What are your expectations when you walk in the door on Sunday morning? How is a church suppose to help you grow in your walk with God? These are some of the questions I have been asking myself as I think about attending church on Sunday.

I have been in a lot of churches these last few years in my attempts to deal with my issues with the church. I've visited several different denominations and even walked out of some church services. Yes, you heard right, I got up and left a few times. I went to a new church last Sunday and will probably go back again next Sunday even though it wasn't a great experience. So, I am asking myself what I need in a church home and what is truly important.

Things that I think are important
1. Sound Biblical truth being taught and preached. I really am not interested in preachers like Joel Osteen who basically preach pop psychology and not doctrine. I'm also not interested in just hearing doctrine without some practical application. What I do want is a pastor who will challenge me to think about my faith and even have some good insights once in a while. Granted, I'm probably not in the same place as the average church goer since I've read through the Bible numerous times, but at least once in a while help me to think of something differently and grow. There needs to be opportunities throughout the year to grow deeper and study harder.

2. Friendliness- I don't want to have to stand up and introduce myself, but I do want for people to act as though they are happy to see me. Who wants to be around a bunch of stuck up jerks. The church is suppose to be a family. A family sticks together. I was thinking about when I was in Hull, Texas. I had both of my kids at home, my wife was working late and my son was running a fever. One of the church members ran out and got some medicine for him and brought it to me in the middle of the night. Which probably involved a drive to nearby Liberty since everything else was closed by then. She was one of those people who would do anything for you. There really are people out there like that. Too often these people are overshadowed by the bigots and judgmental folks the church seems to breed.

3. Outreach into the community. I don't want to be a part of the local church on the corner where everyone shows up Sunday and doesn't do anything for their community. I think churches should have clothes closets and food pantries and help people in need. There needs to be a sense that this is my mission field, this community knows who we are and knows we are alive and kicking. Too many church resemble a funeral home instead of a spiritual hospital (which is what in many ways it is). Too many churches are known for what they are against, rather than for their compassion, love and kindness.

4. Worship that honors God. I honestly don't like the rock music that is in many churches. But, doing the traditional hymns all the times is boring too. Worship that is honoring God is uplifting, inspiring and encouragement to the soul. I need that more than ever. I need someone to remind me that God loves me and is on my side. I need someone to tell me that Jesus overcame my sins and faults. I need an encouraging word that helps me to remember that God cares about what I am going through.

deception

2011-12-09T21:16:00.001-05:00

   "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." psalm 32:7

      I was reminded as I read my final book for one of my classes this semester that many people need to be freed today from various things which hold them in bondage. For some people this comes in the form of faulty thinking and for others it comes in toxic relationships or sinful actions. The good news is that God wishes to deliver us from the things which overwhelm and destroy our peace and replace anxiety and fear with joy and peace. The problem comes when we don't wait on him and he isn't our true hiding place.

     Another passage that talks about this is in Isaiah 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the cpatives and release from darkness for the prisoners and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. . . ." These are words that Jesus himself read and attributed to himself. He came to set the captives free, that is you and me, captive of sin and lies and all the things that keep us from being all that He wants for us.

Do you want to be "set free"? Then get into his word. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Thinking about it and apply it. Let it transform your mind. It is work, but it is worth the effort.

    In the church we were at last week, the pastor mentioned that he knew that some people wanted to get out on time and go to K&W cafeteria. I thought to myself that most people in that congregation wouldn't complain about sitting for three hours to watch a football game, so why should the pastor feel like he has to rush through a sermon? Something mixed up about the priorities there.

How do we experience being "set free". I think one of the main ways is to meditate on and be renewed through the word of God. When I was a sunday school teacher, I was always amazed at the amount of ignorance of the Bible. You would think with a church everywhere you look we would be knowledgeable about what the Bible says, but that just isn't the case. You can see it in many sermons, that are pathetically weak and shallow. In Romans 12:2 it say that we are not be conformed any longer to the world, but to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind". That renewal takes place as we allow God to speak His truth to us through His Word.

bondage breaker

2011-11-30T21:30:00.000-05:00

    For one of the classes I am taking this fall, I have to read 8 books in 8 weeks. We are now into the sixth week of the class. I have enjoyed most of the books quite a bit as it helps to show different counseling methods and models. This week I initially resisted the ideas presented in the book by Dr.Neil Anderson called "The Bondage Breaker". I don't know that he really presents a counseling model, but he does remind us that there is a spiritual battle going in in the believers life and this battle starts in the mind. One of his big ideas is that we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5

    While I am not endorsing all of the book since I don't believe that believers can be influenced by demons and things like that, I do think that it is a good reminder that what we believe about ourselves is often how we behave. It is also a good reminder that Satan does not want us to understand who we are "in Christ". That little phrase "in Christ" is used often, particularly by Paul the apostle, in describing our relationship with God. It is a key to understanding how God sees us and how God can welcome us with open arms into his family. Because we are victors in God's eyes over sin because of what Jesus did on the cross and the power of the resurrection.

     So, it is important to replace lies with truth. Lies can be subtle, but also very dangerous. An example that is mentioned in the book "Search for Significance" by McGee is that this

   "I am what I am. I cannot change. I am hopeless." (McGee, 1990).

     A lot of people believe they cannot change. In truth, they don't want to change. Change is sometimes painful and difficult. But, the truth is that under the power of Jesus nobody is hopeless. And you can overcome sin and change and become more christ-like. You can have victory. It isn't just for the super spiritual. God does accept you and loves you, but also wants you to experience more of that love and grace. Another lie goes like this:

    "I must be approved by certain others to feel good about myself."

    There are people who commit suicide or do all sorts of foolish things when they experience peer pressure because they think they must be approved by certain people. The truth is that even if nobody approves of your actions or likes you God still loves you. When you base your self-worth on what he thinks about you rather than other people's opinions then you can experience peace knowing that God loves you. If others don't want to be your friend or like you then that is their loss, not yours.

Sent

2011-11-26T09:22:00.000-05:00

      Jesus said, "I can do nothing on My own initiative, As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 5:30

    Years ago, I went to a church where there was a sign at the end of the parking lot. It said, "Now entering mission field". The truth is, that though there are professional missionaries who get paid to go to other places and do mission work we are all on mission. A lot of the time most christians forget that and think they are simply here to do their own will instead of God's. Jesus Himself repeated many times that he was on a mission that the Father had sent him on. You'll notice, particularly in the gospel of John, that the word "sent" is used numerous times. What were you "sent" to do?

    I say this because I think it is easy for us to get off of God's agenda for our lives and get on to our own. We can get caught up in the attraction of having things or doing things that are good and miss the best. I think this is why Jesus spent so much time in prayer. The temptations were there for him both big and small. They wanted to make him king more than once. But, he steadfastly refused because he understood that was not a part of his mission.

    I think this is one of the things that makes the gospel something that brings hope to people. That God gives us a purpose and mission also. Back in 1988, I went on a mission trip with several other people to the state of Nevada. We did some backyard bible clubs (poorly organized) and VBS (I think I worked in about 5 that summer) and I did some preaching (poorly). After coming back someone asked me why I went and what I had learned. I remarked that the only thing I learned was that I didn't want to go out west. Sometimes it is still hard to see where and why God sent me to some places or if God did. But, God's word does not return void.

     But, I think we also need to be careful about trying to get God to bless our agenda. We can fool ourselves sometimes with our motivation. God's people do all sorts of things for their own agenda and reasons instead of his. That doesn't mean that he is going to bless our agenda or mess that we create. He patiently waits for us to get on the same page as Him and that requires humility, solitude and prayer. It requires for us to get our priorities right. It requires for us to be quiet. Do you know how hard it is for some people just to be quiet for one second?

Loaves and Fishes

2011-11-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

   In several places in the gospels, the story is told of Jesus taking a few fish and loaves and feeding a multitude. One story it is 5,000 men and another situation is 4,000 men not counting women, children and slaves. Have you ever wondered why these stories are emphasized so much in the gospels?

    In Matthew 14:13-21, we have the story of the 5,000 that were fed. It says that the disciples realized the people were getting hungry and told Jesus that he should send the people away that they might buy food. But, when they said this Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" verse 16.   The disciples are quick to point out the impossibility of this claiming that they only have five loaves and two fish. These fish were more like sardines and what is that among thousands.

In Marks account of this same story in Mark 6 it says that one of the disciples remarked that it would take two hundred denari (about 7 months wages) for them to have something to eat and even then they wouldn't be full.

  Why, in God's infinite wisdom, did he allow them to get into this situation? Did you ever notice that sometimes God will allow you to walk into a situation where there is a crisis of faith? Jesus himself walked into the wilderness to face temptation early on in his ministry. Peter had to step out of the boat and walk on water to Jesus. Faith must be tried through the furnace of affliction to be purified. The disciples faith was still very weak. So, he put them in this situation to teach them to trust Him.

   One of the things you don't see in this passage is Jesus in a panic. He already had a plan. What looked impossible to the disciples was plain and ordinary to Jesus. I think it is the same with us. Sometimes he just says to us "Go and look" and lets us see how impossible the situation is and waits for us to bring it to him. Notice in this passage in Matthew 14:18 Jesus says, "Bring them here to me." Then, our weak efforts and insufficient efforts are more than enough. Only then, are we adequate. Because we are conquerors only through Him.

My new favorite verse

2011-10-28T21:16:00.000-04:00

    One of the most of quoted books in the New Testament is the book of Isaiah. Isaiah had quite a bit to say about Jesus. Even though, his ministry started around 739 B.C. before Christ. Yet, he seems to barely be able to write a chapter without mentioning Jesus.
    A verse that came to mind today is "The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace. Because he trusts in Thee." Isaiah 26:3. It made me think about why it is that so many people, including many christians don't appear in the least to be experiencing peace.  Is it possible that our minds and hearts are not reflecting and focused on Him and His promises. It is too often that we are focused instead on our circumstances rather than Jesus. You will notice that this promise is for those who "trust" in Him and not themselves.
     I'm really glad I read this passage because I needed it. It seems to me that my day is much better when I start it with spending time with God and focusing on Him. It makes me wonder if this day was "better" what was worse going to look like? You may think that on a busy day you don't have time to spend with God, but from what I have experienced the busier I get the more I need to make the time to spend with Him. I need it because it is too easy to lose my cool and say something I will regret or get angry or gossip or something like that. It is too easy to walk in the flesh and forget about focusing on Christ. I need to be reminded daily and sometimes hourly to trust Him. As Jesus told his disciples, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Yes, we are very weak.
    In that same chapter, I noticed a promise also for the future that is pretty amazing when you think about it. In Isaiah 26:19 it says, "Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn. And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits." I thought about that as I was driving by a graveyard, that one day the spirits would rise up out of the earth and rejoice that Jesus has resurrected them and that God's power is great enough to do that. That maybe my trust is God is too small and that on the tough days he stretches me because he wants me to grow up and mature in my faith in Him and remember how great he really is.

3 Important truths

2011-10-23T23:16:00.000-04:00

If I had just a few things to say about the truths of the gospel that I would want anyone to know I could boil it down to a couple of truths that have changed my life and gave me hope time and time again. There are three truths that I want to mention:

1. God loves you. There is nothing more important for you to remember. God is on your side. He is for you. He is totally and completely in love with you with a love that is not measureable. You can't fathom it or contain it. And he feels that way about your neighbors and relatives and everyone else as well. He loves the unloveable and He loves the people who are easy to love. Love is who God is. Your Creator loves you enough to send Jesus to die for you. You are that important to Him.

2. God won't abandon you. Sometimes it feels like God left the building. Sometimes life throws us curve balls. We end up wondering if God was asleep for a while and didn't notice. Our enemies start to laugh at us. We end up falling on our faces. But, God is going to have the last laugh one day. He is not asleep. He sees everything and He didn't leave the building. He is very much on his throne. If life is unfair, remember that God is fair and He is with you even when you have forgotten Him.

3. God is anxious to forgive you. He wants to cleanse you from every sin and to wash you clean and make you into a new creation. Whatever it is you have done, God's grace is greater than your weaknesses, your regrets, your stupidity, your errors in judgment, your faults. God doesn't ignore your faults and sometimes there are consequences on this earth for those things, but as 1 John 1:9 says, He is faithful to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from our unrighteousness and He is anxious to forgive you each day and each time you ask. Jesus' blood is enough to cover all your sins.

This may seem simple to you, but these truths can change your life if you get them deep into your heart and head.

Lessons this week

2011-10-21T23:56:00.000-04:00

    I have been reading the Bible more this week and I wanted to take a minute to share with you some lessons learned this week. The first thing that was reinforced to me is that prayer is about my getting on God's plan and not His getting on mine. If you recall, in Matthew 7:11 says, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven give what is good to those who ask Him?" This verse tells me that it is not God's inability to answer that sometimes leads to a delay in answered prayer. Sometimes it may be a matter of what I am praying for or the fact that God and I are not on the same page in the playbook.
     In his book "Effective Biblical Counseling" Dr. Larry Crabb has a section about what it means to be a christian counselor He talks about how many people, including many christians think the main objective in life is to "be happy". While I don't think that God has called me to be the next Jeremiah (often called the "weeping prophet"), I do think that this is true. Many christians do not present themselves as having a biblical viewpoint. We are influenced and have been influenced by the world. And that is something that as we pray and seek God's face and get into the word that God has a chance to transform. For we need to be transformed and renewed in our thinking (Romans 12:2).
    The fact is, that scripture teaches us that God's priorities are not ours and that God has a very different way of thinking that we do. In Isaiah 55:8-9 it says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts." So how much higher is the heavens than the earth? The answer, of course, is that they are infinitely higher. We can even fathom the width or breath of the heavens and so it is with God's thoughts being so much greater than ours.
    Not only are God's thoughts higher than ours, but it is clear he has a greater agenda than ours. Sometimes prayer can be used as almost like drive through ordering. I heard a preacher one day say that modern christians want God the same way they want a hamburger at McDonald's: fast, hot and cheap. But, God's desire for us is transformation into the character of Christlikeness. This is his ongoing mission in my life, my sanctification. This happens, as I spend time with Christ and surrender to Him each part of my life. Sometimes a byproduct of this is contentment and peace and sometimes it is just plain hard. But, the goal is not happiness, the goal is Christlikeness.
    This is one of the first lessons that the people of God had to learn about the nature of God, that God is holy. When Moses encountered God on the mountain, God told Moses to take off his sandals. He spoke to the people in fire and thunder and in power and declared himself to be holy. Then, he told them that they would need to reflect that they know him by living holy lives. In one of the hardest to read books of the Bible, Leviticus, it says this in Lev 11:45 "For I am the Lord, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy." He told them this lesson over and over again for over 40 years of wandering and sadly, most of them never learned.   He said that his people, who are called by His name are to be different, sanctified (set apart) and holy. Too often, we simply look like the world, when God has called us to be transformed.
    I think this is one of the main reasons the church today is really powerless, at least in America it appears to be, while in other parts of the world such as China the spirit of God is moving and thousands upon thousands are being saved. God simply doesn't bless our plans. Rather, he calls us to get on his plan and He will wait until we do so.
    "And My people who are called by My name humble themlselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

I'm back

2011-10-08T23:37:00.001-04:00

    If you've been following this blog for a while, you know I have not written much lately. This is because a few months ago I started working on my Masters in Counseling degree. This coming Friday I will actually finish two more classes and will have a total of 12 hours completed. The program is a 60 hour program. I will try and be a little more faithful in writing on here.
My last two classes have been on multicultural competence and ethics and counselor identity. It has been an interesting semester as I have studied another culture and learned more about the importance of following a code of ethics. The last week, we looked at couple counseling and group therapy.
    One of the videos I watched recently showed two students at Liberty, one of who is from Puerto Rico and the other from Japan. The student from Japan had only been in the U.S. about a year. He mentioned that students here in the U.S. are much more assertive in talking in class. Also, he mentioned that the church was one place that he felt like transcended culture. Due to the different cultures he felt very, very different from everyone else, but in the church he felt accepted.
     I think it is a very good example of how the church can transcend race and socioeconomic issues and bring people together. Unfortunately, in many cases it does not bring people together.   Whether it is the senior adults not appreciating the youth or the youth not appreciating the traditions from the past or whatever it is. The church sometimes appears to be just one more social club that divides people into categories.   But, then we can look at Jesus and see that he had a whole different set of categories than we do. He was willing for prostitutes and tax collectors and even Pharisees to come listen to him. He didn't turn people away because of what they had done. He didn't just judge and condemn people because they didn't act like he did. More than anything, Jesus loved people of all sizes and shapes and backgrounds.

There is a story in John 4 about one day when Jesus stopped by a well. It was in the heat of the day and Jesus and his followers had been traveling. A woman came to the well near where he sat with the intention of drawing water. She was a woman with a history and was probably trying to avoid the other women in town by coming to the well in the middle of the day. She was shocked that Jesus would even speak with her. She was probably more shocked when he told her he knew she had had five husbands and the one she was with now she wasn't married to.
My point is, that Jesus spoke to her anyway, without condemning her. He did more than that though, he offered her and anyone who would call on him "living water" (John 4:14). This reminds me of something I said one of the first times I preached back in 2001. I said, "where sin is great, grace is greater." That is the way that God treats us, with grace and mercy.

God's forgiveness

2011-09-07T13:04:00.001-04:00

     Jesus told a story one day of a man who was a tax collector and a Pharisees. In Luke 18:9-17 it says that these two went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed "God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people; swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get." verse 11-12. While the tax collector, one of the most hated of professions in Jesus' day said, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!" Jesus declared that it was the tax collector not the Pharisees who walked away that day just.

     One of the things that the Lord is showing me is that in pride is one of man's greatest sins and hindrances towards spiritual growth. That is because in order to come to God and ask for forgiveness and to see ourselves the way that God sees us we must be humble. God does not see any of us as just, righteous or pure in and of ourselves. Righteousness is a gift not something that we earned. So, the minute we start to think we've done God a favor by accepting him and acting all prideful like this Pharisees did then we are in dangerous waters. God expects for us to receive him in humility realizing that He didn't have to save us.

     The other reason that pride is such a problem is that it keeps us from acknowledging our need. Pride hinders us asking God for forgiveness. You notice in this passage that the Pharisees never did ackowledge any wrongdoing. In fact, he pointed out the wrongdoing of a man standing near him instead. Pride will cause us to hold on to past hurts instead of letting them go. Because when we aren't willing to forgive we are in a sense saying that even though God forgave us we aren't willing to forgive others. Rather, God causes us to realize he has forgiven us far more than anyone has hurt us. And He expects us to follow Him example.

   God takes it so serious in fact that it says this in Mark 11:25-26 "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgression. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgiven you." Now, there is some debate whether or not verse 26 was added later or not since in some manuscripts it doesn't read that way. But, even if you take out verse 26, it is still a pretty serious word to us about how much God wants us to forgive. The point is, sometimes you just have to let go of that little thing called "pride" and forgive because Jesus has forgiven you already so much.

   It isn't just a suggestion, it is a command.

What a week and it's only Wednesday

2011-08-03T16:32:00.000-04:00

This week has started out busy and stay that way. It is the kind of week that you wish you could clone yourself, so you can be in three places at once. More than once I wondered to myself how i was going to solve a problem that presented itself. Yet, somehow I got through it. This has been a good week to practice some deep breathing exercises.

One of the other things that I have been thinking about when I have felt stressed this week is that God has seen me through a lot of things. I was thinking about when I was a chaplain at WakeMed in Raleigh. It is a 500 bed facility and I was the only chaplain there several times during weekends. I had one night where I had 5 trauma calls I had to respond to in less than 90 minutes. The chaplain goes to the trauma room and helps get the contact information for the family. Then you call the family and let them know their family member is at the hospital. It's a hard call to make. Then, you sit and provide support to the family while they wait to see their loved one. Sometimes it is good news and sometimes bad. But, it is always stressful.

Yet, after going through a nightmare of a week with a sudden infant death case and someone who had a car accident and multiple other issues, I survived it. Not only did I survive, but I did pretty well. The point is, that God saw me through it. And that gives me hope that he will see me through the future as well. Which, if we are going to be completely frank here, and I am, seems kinda scary to me too. But, I know as a pastor friend of mine would say that God is not sitting on his throne popping antacids wondering what to do. God is in control. Even when it appears that He is silent.

In the Beginning. . . .

2011-07-30T13:08:00.000-04:00

The first chapter of the Bible is difficult to understand knowing what we do about what scientist say is the age of the earth. Many christians today would say that we should not take the story of creation literally and that God did not make the earth in 7 literal days. One of the issues that I see in this is what constitutes a day when there is no form, structure or even light in existence? How would time even be measured? I don't think however that it would be difficult to create the earth in 7 days. God is all powerful and He can do whatever He wants.

Then there is the issue of the first two verses in Genesis 1. The essential truth of these two verses is this "God created the heavens and the earth." That is the major point. God is creator of all things. As such, he is owner and author and the one who sits on the throne. The "how" is much less significant than the "who".

Many people hold to what is called the "gap" theory. In other words, we do not know how long of a period of time verse 1 and 2 represent. How long was the earth there before God said, "Let there be light." verse 3. One thing that I clear to me is that the earth was present in verse 2 and that it was covered in water. For when we look at verse 2 we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. Which makes sense when you wonder how else would something like the Grand Canyon be formed. Why would sea shells be found on mountain tops otherwise. These things seem to prove the truth of verse 2 rather than deny it.

The other question is what does it mean when it says "formless and void". You may say, "Well, I think it means what the other planets of the solar system look like." Maybe something like Mars which means pretty desolate to me from what I have seen of pictures. But, I think a scientist would argue that point saying that Mars and even Jupiter and some other the other planets are pretty consistent with what they show over the years. They may play by different rules, but they are rules there none the less

I've come to the conclusion that what it means that there was no boundaries of nature like there is now. Even though we see those boundaries crossed many times with natural disasters like hurricanes or other disasters of nature. It meant that the seas were not held back by coastlines. That the heat and cool of the earth was not held back to temps that were liveable. Literally, that there was no laws that governed creation.

And then God spoke and created order where there was none before. I think that also holds a lesson for us because many people try to live their lives without order and without following God's laws and then make a mess out of things. But, when God shows us and speaks to our hearts, he gives us laws, not to hurt us, but to bring order out of chaos.

Spiritual Renewal

2011-07-18T23:52:00.000-04:00

    I know it has been a long time since I have written on this blog. One of the reasons for that is that I just started working on my Masters in Counseling degree. This is a big change for me since I have not been in a program like this before. There is a lot of reading and writing and it keeps me busy. It has been busy and stressful lately. So, I was thinking during my quiet time about spiritual renewal.

    One story that came to mind is in Matthew 12:8-14 where Jesus heals a man with a withered hand. This is in a section where Jesus teachings are being compared to those of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus heals the man with the withered man and then tells the Pharisees that it is lawful to heal a man on the Sabbath and to do good.

    You might wonder what that has to do with spiritual renewal. One thing that I think it has to do with it is that we are to learn a lesson from the mistakes of the Pharisees. They had a rigid list of rules and standards. Jesus didn't meet those standards. Their faith boiled down to a list of right and wrong, do and don't. They forgot love and grace and forgiveness. The interesting thing about it is that when Jesus healed the man they actually wanted to "destroy" (verse 14) Jesus for healing the man.

     I think one of the ways that we pursue spiritual renewal is remembering the importance of loving other people and caring. Caring can be an exhausting thing sometimes. People can disappoint us. Sometimes people do stupid things and lie and fall short. But, you know what, all of us do that at times. It's our job, our privilege, to show each other grace during those times. And to treat others the way we would want to be treated.

    Spiritual renewal is not found in a vacuum where we simply focus on ourselves and ignore the needs of other people. Jesus told us that if you want to gain your life you have to lose it. If you want to follow Him then you have to pick up your cross and be willing to sacrifice, to surrender and in the middle of that you find renewal because you find the presence of God.

Hidden Things

2011-06-20T22:09:00.001-04:00

    I was reading in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 where it says, "but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom that none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." I noticed that Paul talked about a "hidden" wisdom that he speaks with with those who are mature believers and I thought about what it means by "hidden".

    In the 3rd century, there was a belief system called "gnosticism". The gnostics believed that they had a secret wisdom that others did not have. Among other things, they believe that the flesh or material things were bad and that the spirit was good. Since the two could not mix, they developed a hierarchy of angels or spirits that help mediate between God and man. A lot of people think that the apostle John was refuting the gnostic system of beliefs when he said, "The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.' John 1:14

   I don't think that Paul was referring to a gnostic type of "secret wisdom" when he wrote these words. Rather, he is talking about something hidden from those whom are popular or wise according to the world's standards. He says this earlier in chapter 1 when Paul says, "the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify that things that are that no man should boast before God." 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 It is hidden from those who are self-sufficient or self-righteous and open to those who are humble and seeking Him.

   This is why the self-righteous Pharisees, who thought they knew everything did not see that Jesus was the Son of God. This is despite the fact that he raised the dead right in front of them. In fact, they hated him so much that by the time poor Lazarus came out of the grave, not only did they want to kill Jesus, but they wanted to kill Lazarus too. The nerve of him, rising from the grave! It goes to show you how closed minded people can be in the face of the miracles of God.

   Paul says, in fact, that the natural man is not able to understand the things of God. To the natural man the words of God are foolishness. The natural man is in a state of hostility towards God. First, must come repentance and surrender then God can begin to show his truth to those who are open to it. (1 Corinthians 2:14). God can then renew our minds and transform them and begin to teach us his truth. Romans 12:2

   I don't want to be that kind of person who has closed off his mind to the truth of God. I don't want to walk around in ignorance to the truth that God has for me. Unfortunately, today many walk in ignorance to the truths of God. They don't give a thought to what God wants for them or how much God loves them. This is sad because many people are seeking the kind of love that only God can truly give.

A Poem "Hidden In My Heart"
http://www.heavensinspirations.com/hidden-in-heart.html

A Time for Everything

2011-06-15T11:41:00.000-04:00

    In the book of Ecclesiastes, the prophet wrote these words, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up." Prov 3:1-3

   I've seen that in my own life and work. Things seem to move in patterns. We go through a season of growth, then pruning, then testing, then waiting, then watering, then rebirth. When I left Philippi, I told the church that God calls people to places and he calls them away. He moves by his own times and seasons, not ours.

   The important thing is to see that each season has its purpose. When I wait, it tests my faith, so that I am ready for the next step that I must take. When I am pruned, it is for the purpose of more growth. When things die or move on, then it makes room for other things. Each season has its own joys, its own heartaches and its own trials. They build on each other sometimes.

   When I was a chaplain at WakeMed, I can recall being afraid at first when I was on call. Being on call at a hospital with 550 beds by yourself is a terrifying thing, at least it was to me. I can recall one Sunday doing a worship service and having a trauma call right in the middle of the service. I had to pray and end the service and run to the other end of the hospital. You just never knew who you would meet or what they would be going through, could be a car accident, or a knife wound or a stillborn baby or something else. Most of the circumstances were sad and difficult, a valley to be walked through.

   But, even the valleys have a purpose. Though God does not cause them. He can bring something good out of them. That is the meaning of Romans 8:28. In Romans 5:3-5 it says "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; andhope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."   The apostles never promised a trouble free life. Most of them were actually martyred for their faith. They promised that it wasn't in vain.

The Good Shepherd

2011-06-01T21:42:00.001-04:00

     When I first started work as a chaplain, the ministry that I worked for was a non-denominational ministry started by a guy named David Peterson called "The Shepherd's Staff". I remember it very well because it had a picture on the logo of Jesus carrying a staff and also a lamb that he was carrying. The image is taken from John 10 where Jesus calls himself the good shepherd. I have been thinking about these verses and what it means that Jesus would call himself that.

        Jesus often used images found in daily life in the New Testament to teach. He pointed to water, light and a door. Jesus would use parables to get people's attention and was a master storyteller. Jesus tells us in John 10 that he is not a shepherd who is a hireling. In other words, the sheep are his and he puts himself at risk to protect them and watch over them. In fact he says, "even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." John 10:15

    Jesus would go on to say that his sheep understand and know his voice. They aren't fooled by imposters who seek to lead the sheep astray or steal them. He says they won't follow a stranger. This is something every person living in those days would know, that the shepherd and sheep have a very close bond. The sheep could be led by simple voice commands.   Jesus said, "When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him becasue they know his voice." John 10:4. This goes back to the practice of shepherd mixing they're sheep at night and then calling them out by name in the morning to go out to pasture.

   Then the thought occurs to me, that the Shepherd leads best when he is in front. The sheep don't tell the shepherd where to go. In fact, they may very well walk right off a cliff if allowed to. The shepherd and his staff are there to protect from danger and to guide. I've gotten into trouble a few times when I wanted to be out front. It must amuse God that I want to lead when I don't know the way. It is just as dangerous though as being too far behind. Our goal is to stay close to the Lord. That is how we hear his voice.

    I think it is pride and maybe some anxiety that causes people to act first and then listen for God's voice. The first king of Israel had that problem in the person of Saul. The story is located in 1 Samuel 13:8-24 where Saul grows impatient with waiting on Samuel to come. There is a delay for some reasont that we are never told and Saul becomes fearful, so he acts in haste. It is for this reason, that the kingdom is taken from Saul and given to the next king, a man named David.

"But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you." 1 Samuel 13:14

   So, how do we respond when there are seemingly delays in answers to prayer? Do we realize that sometimes waiting is in order to build up our faith? For us to show that even if we think God is silent it doesn't mean he is not at work? Most great theologians and giants of church history have always talked about when God appears silent. Early years, there is great bursts of insight and growth and it seems God is writing his will in neon colors. Later, the neon sign is taken away because we don't need it anymore. The feelings may be gone because God doesn't call us to walk by feelings, but by faith.

With Your Cross

2011-05-27T18:52:00.001-04:00

As I was driving down the interstate today, I saw a commercial bus that has the motto "Travel with the Cross". I thought about what this motto means and what it means as a believer to "travel with the cross". It reminded me of scripture where Jesus told his disciples to take up their cross and follow him. In a word, it means "surrender". Surrender my will over his, my time over his timing, my goals over his goals for me. The cross signifies surrender and also sacrifice.

When we talk about sacrifice, I think of giving things up, but when we talk about sacrifice for Christ we should remember it is in order to gain what Christ has to give us. If our hands are full of our own goals and desires then they are too full to grab a hold of what he wants for us. We have to trust God that He is indeed good and knows what is best for us. I think that is the true issue, is one of trust. Do I trust God enough to let go?

Rapture today?

2011-05-21T15:23:00.000-04:00

Jesus said; "For this reason you be ready too for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:44

   For about two months now a group led by Harold Camping has been claiming that today is the today of the rapture. He marks a date in October as the date of the second coming. I'm not really sure how he came up with those numbers. But, the sad thing is that some people actually believed him and sold house and property and left jobs and followed him to tell people of Jesus' return. This is despite the fact that Jesus himself said that he didn't know the date or hour.

   There were believers in Paul's day in Thessalonians who were confused about this issue also. They had become lazy and sold houses and businesses and sat around waiting for his return. Paul wrote some of 1 Thessalonians dealing with this. For example:

   Now as to the times and the epochs breathren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." 1Thess 5:1-3

So, according to these verses it will be a time of optimism, when people are declaring themselves safe and not expecting his return that Jesus will come back. Then there is the whole other issue all together, that many people don't agree that the rapture and the second coming are seperate events to begin with either. Where did the idea of a rapture come from? One reference is in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

   "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

   Many teach the rapture and say that the rapture is done in secret or people will simply disappear. But, that is not what this passage teaches either. In fact, I use to believe in the rapture because that is what many taught when I was a young believer. But, the verses in 1 Thessalonians aren't actually teaching a rapture at all. The word rapture means "caught up" and though those words are used in this passage, this is clearly a time when the Lord visibly returns with a shout. Graves start opening up and the dead in Christ rise and I have a hard time believing that would happen secretly.

     I think it is a shame that so many people were misled by Mr.Camping and his predictions. I imagine that for some this prediction will cause a crisis in they're faith. It says something about the state of the church that so many are being misled. Hopefully, the church will use this as an opportunity to teach what the Bible does actually teach and what it doesn't. For this man's predictions could actually be turned into a teaching opportunity to educate people about what the Bible actually says.

   Jesus told us not be misled by man people who claim to be him. He told us that many would claim to be Jesus and mislead people. He didn't claim that he would come invisible to those on the earth. Rather he said,
   "If therefore they say to you, Behold, He is in the wilderness, do not go forth, or, Behold, He is in the inner rooms, do not believe them, For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24:26-27

God is Shy

2011-05-18T13:57:00.002-04:00

"God gives us just enough to seek him, and never enough to fully find him. To do more would inhibit our freedom, and our freedom is very dear to God." Ron Hansen.

    At first this comment in Philip Yancey's book "Reaching for the Invisible God" shocked me. He says "God is shy." What he means by that is that "God is shy to intervene." And when you think about it it really is true. God allows many things to happen on this planet that must make him unhappy. An abused children for example or father who abandons his children. Sometimes God does intervene in miraclous ways such as with the Israelites being led out of Egypt. But, first we should remember that that was after 400 years of enslavement.

    We might pray for a particular couple to be reunited only to hear that months later they divorce. Or maybe for a wayward child to return to God only to hear they died of a drug overdose. The extent to which God allows us to make choices and then to live with those choices is amazing. Considering how many times our choices can hinder his plan for our lives and for others. It shows you how true the quote is that this post starts with, that our freedom is very dear and important to God.

    The fact is, that God could overwhelm us with his power. He could thunder from the heavens and shock us into submission. He does show up a few times in scriputre with thunder and lightning and terrifying everyone around. But, that doesn't appear to be the way that God most of choses to operate. Rather, he choses to love and then to express that love through His Son. He choses love over fear to motivate us to in turn, to chose Him.

    The way that God works Yancey says is illustrated in 1 Kings 19:11-12 where it says, "Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." Then when God does speak, he does scold Elijah for running from Jezebel, but simply says, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" verse 13. He demonstrated mercy and gentleness even here where he has a right to say to Elijah, "I just threw down fire from heaven. What is wrong with you?" But, instead he gently whispers and confides in His prophet.

    This fact that God loves us appears to be the overwhelming motive behind why God does what he does. He does not love us because we are valueable, but because it is His nature to love. His love makes us valueable. He loves because it is part of who He is. And that love is without limit or restraint and also without strings attached. I cannot make God love me more or less by what I do or say. I cannot earn it or demand it or manipulate it. This reality that God loves us is what should cause us to then accept ourselves. If the God who made us, loves us, then whose opinion matters more than that.

A Note from the Mental Ward

2011-05-10T21:35:00.001-04:00

   I had to go see a client today at Central Regional Hospital in Butner, NC. I asked the man who was escorting me back to see how many patients were in the hospital. He commented that there was about 500 last he heard. He said that many people stay there for a long time at the mental hospital. One man is said to have been there since the late 70's. I know the hospital sure is huge. I had to pass through three locked entry ways before I saw the person I came to visit.

   One of the hardest things about my job is seeing the young people effected by the abuse and neglect of others. I'm not sure about the particular person I came to see today, if what he has been experiencing is the result of abuse or simply mental illness. I'm just not sure, but I know a lot of the problems I have been seeing lately stem from abuse and emotional and sometimes sexual abuse that occur. Sometimes from a brother, parent or trusted extended family member. We live in a culture where many people use other people and do horrible things.

    Jesus said, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, when neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21. When I think about this verse and verses like it, I think to myself, "how do I lay up treasures in heaven?" I think one of the ways we do that is by being a blessing and ministering to other people. I think that is because there is nothing more valueable on this earth than a person's soul. And when we love and respect other people we are truly giving people the greatest gift we can give.

    We got a new cat a few months ago. Her name is Keke and she is the same color and markings as a cat named Oscar that we had who died last January. I guess you could call her a replacement cat. She is scared of everything. She spent the first month at our house under the bed. She has onlly gradually come out and let us pet her and depending on what mood she is in sometimes will still run away. It makes me wonder if she has been abused. Unfortunately, when that bond of trust is destroyed or never formed with people and animals it can be very difficult to claim back. But, with patience and love I think it is possible. Because God doesn't make trash or hopeless cases.

Oscar

Be Renewed

2011-05-05T12:45:00.000-04:00

"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." Eph 4:23-24

    When I think about this passage, a number of thoughts come to mind. Paul uses this phrase in his epistles a number of times to "put on" or "put off" like a person puts on clothing. I actually used a jacket to illustrate that one time in a sermon. We need to make a conscious choice to put on one and to take off another. Even as believers, we can remain in the flesh. It is a daily decision, to cling to Jesus and to let go of the things of the flesh.

    You notice that Paul emphasizes "the mind" in verse 23. It basically is challenging me that I need to change the way I am thinking and to adopt a biblical view of my world, of who I am and who God is. When we adopt this new way of thinking it is renewing. For example, the Bible tells me God loves and cares for me. It tells me that he hears my prayers. I have to remind myself of this daily. That though this world may seem cruel, God does love me. God does care about the things that are on my mind. Not only that, but that he wants to hear from me!

      I think it also means that God wants us to change our way of thinking in terms of priorities. The world system in some places in the Bible is referred to as a "Babylon" or "Rome".   You see this in Revelations 18 where the world system is described as the whore Babylon. The world is guilty of committing spiritual adultery with this whore. They have not remained faithful to God and His values. I am sanctified or "set apart" for the purpose of his kingdom. God calls us to set ourselves apart and to be different. Different in thinking and different in priorities.

      This concept also means that we are different in values. The world appears to place a low value on human life. When gunman can open fire on crowds protesting in Egypt or Syria or places like that they are saying that those who they are firing upon are not valued. When we call unborn babies a choice and abort millions of babies a year it shows what our true values are. In contrast to this, our values are placed in people, because Jesus found people valueable. To the point that he was willing to suffer and die for save us.

     This true is so renewing, that God loves us, wants to hear from us and values our relationship with Him.

Jesus and the Fig Tree

2011-04-30T08:55:00.003-04:00

      Recently, I posted a message on a forum to discuss the passage in Matthew 21 where Jesus curses a fig tree. It always seemed odd to me that he would do that. When the disciples see the tree later they see that it has quickly withered and then ask Jesus how that happened. He goes on to talk to them about faith. Some on the forum I have been involved in suggested that this is also a parable about the importance of bearing fruit. (see Matthew 21:18-24)

    I'm not sure that that is the main focus or point, but it certainly is true. It is expected of us as believers to bear fruit. John 15:2 says "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." So, what type of fruit are we to bear?

     I think one evidence of the Spirit at work in our lives is the ability to control our tongues. James talks about this extensively. We have the ability, even as christians, to use our words to build others up or tear them down. James said in James 1:26-27 "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faithless is this: to look after orphands and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."   That's pretty strong words. James calls it "worthless" if we don't keep a tight rein on our tongues.

      What are some of the other evidences that the Spirit is working in our lives? Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by he Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit." Do I keep in step with the spirit? Are these things growing in our lives and increasing?

   One other thing that I think you can say, if you look at the opposite end of this and look at the evidence of the sinful nature being in control is that the sinful nature is selfish. The person who doesn't care about what others think or who they hurt gossip as much as they want. They don't care that what they say is hurtful. The person who has the flesh in control will cheat and steal and lie becasue the most important thing is themselves. Whereas, love puts others first 1 Corinthians 13 We need to remember that Jesus himself sacrificed himself and gave us an example of how love sacrifices for others.

   In Isaiah 53 the whole chapter is basically devoted to a view of Jesus, hundreds of years before he came to earth. Isaiah says this about Jesus, "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their face he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." verse 3-4 He gave us an example of forgiveness also when he forgave those who crucified him. Now, he wants us to reflect that we know him and set our hearts on Him.

Flowers on the Cross

2011-04-26T21:42:00.000-04:00

    I hope everyone who is reading this had a good Easter. I just wanted to share some thoughts about our Easter service this past Sunday. We went to a church that is non-denominational that we have been to several times in the area. Though we had not been to that particular church in about 6 weeks.

    This is a church that has a traditional service and then a more contemporary service at 11 am. On this particular morning, because it was Easter we started at 10:30 am. Most of the service was music, which was loud and contemporary. I like contemporary music, but knew only one song out of all the ones he used. The pastor himself spoke for less than 10 minutes, possibly less than 5, I did not time him.
I felt after leaving that I did not attend a service, but a concert. The pastor who preaches less than 5 minutes should be ashamed of himself. People come to hear the word. I know he would say you heard the word in music, but there is a difference.

   The one thing I did enjoy was the flowering of the cross. We were allowed to come up to the front and place flowers on a wooden cross. The pastor commented that we made something that was ugly beautiful. The truth is that Jesus made what was ugly, a symbol of torture now a symbol of hope. What was a symbol of hopelessness and a cruel death, now for millions comes to symbolize God's love and the extremes that God would go to to demonstrate that love.

Crown of Thorns

2011-04-21T21:52:00.000-04:00

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soliders wove a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and arrayed Him in a purple robe." John 19:1-2

     Have you ever thought about why the soliders treated Jesus the way they did? Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:33 "are you king of the Jews?" Pilate got this question from the Pharisees and Sadducees and they're accusations against Jesus. The claim that they made that finally made some head way with Pilate was they're claim of treason. They stated that Jesus was making himself out to be bigger that Caesar. So, Pilate questions Jesus expecting him to deny this. The question in verse 33 is a rhetorical one. He doesn't really expect Jesus to answer. He begins to get flustered at Jesus and then finally says, "What have you done?" In other words, how in the words How did you get these people so mad at you?

    So, Jesus words about his kingdom must have come as quite a shock to Pilate. That Jesus did in fact claim to be a king, but a king of a different kind of kingdom. That is why, immediately following this the soliders who were with Pilate would go out and tell the others and they would weave a crown, not of gold, but of thorns. And instead of bowing, they gave him blows to the face. John 19:3

    Yet, despite all of this, Pilate did not take the accusations against Jesus that seriously because he would come out to the crowd later and say "I find no guilty in Him." John 19:7. He realized that the Pharisees and Sadducees were jealous of Jesus and wanted to simply get rid of him. Luke 23:22. But, as a riot developed he saw that the people wanted blood, so he willingly gave up to them an innocent man. Nice guy hu?

    It isn't just here, but throughout the gospels that we see Jesus often speak about the kingdom. His concern is not our earthly kingdom or our comfort, or even our country if it is not faithful to Him. He is concerned about his kingdom and the Lord name would be honored over all.    This is why Jesus would say in Matthew 6:33 "but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." And then also to lead Paul to say in Colossians 3:1-2 "If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Easter is a great time to be reminded of what Jesus did for us and where our focus should be as believers today

Prayer

2011-04-11T19:39:00.001-04:00

     If you really examined my prayer life lately, you would have to say that it is "spotty" at best. At times, I have had long periods of time where I don't pray that much and other times where that seems that is all I do. And if we are going to be totally honest about it, I am not all that patient when it comes to answered prayer. I mean that actual part where you rest and give God time to answer. I am much more likely to try and produce a result or two on my own.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

   So, passages like in Matthew 7 which tell us to ask, seek and knock are not my favorite passages. That is because the asking, seeking and knocking are words that are used to describe consistent, active, persistent action. It is not just a polite knock and then sit back and wait. The other day I was reminded of this when we had a child and family team meeting scheduled at the school. One of my co-workers went over to the mom's house to wake the lady up because we couldn't meet without her. She pounded on her door and then honked the horn a few times in the car. She was persistent and probably a little annoying, but the lady got up and came to the meeting. That is the kind of prayer that Jesus talked about over and over again. It is also the kind that I often fall short of and try and do things myself.

   So why, if God is a good God does he tell us to pray like this? It isn't because God needs to be convinced to do something nice for us. God tells us that he loves a cheerful giver and that he is also a generous God. So, why can't I just pray once or twice and be done with it? I think what it comes down to is that God wants to sometimes deal with the one who is praying and not just the prayer. Waiting for an answer, gives me a chance to examine my heart about what I really want and need. Also, to examine what I am asking for and if it is truly what God wants for me. And, if we are going to be completely honest, I don't have the faintest idea why he waits sometimes. There is an element of mystery to prayer.

"You are forgiving and good, O Lord. abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." Psalm 86:5-7

Sometimes we are like Job who faced with the loss of all the things he had is wondering in his heart where God is. Even Jesus had that moment on the cross where he called out to God and said that he had forsaken him. But, unlike our situation, God truly did forsake Jesus on the cross where he does not forsake us. So, ultimately, Jesus knows more about being forsaken than I ever will. Because he became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God.

Tired today. . . .

2011-04-06T20:28:00.000-04:00

   I am not sure what is the matter with me lately. I had two issues at work with clients that needed to be resolved as soon as possible. They really have been wearing on my mind. I prayed about it on the way to work today because one of these issues was rsolved yesterday, yet another had to be resolved soon. I was anxious because I didn't see a way to resolve the issues except to bring all parties to the table to try and hash out an answer.

   We met for about an hour and a half this morning and the issue has been resolved, at least I hope it has been. We will continue to monitor the situation. I came home and took a nap because I felt physically beat down after 3 hours of CFT meetings in less than a day (Child and Family Team Meetings). Not to mention that though I have been working in mental health for about 3.5 years now, out of home placements are not my specialty. At least I do not yet have the experience with it that I do with some other situations. That's okay, but it is an area that I am growing in and learning about.

   But, the fatigue that I have felt is not new. And it is not related to my diabetes as some who know me might assume. My blood sugars have actually been really good. I can only describe it as feeling like I need spiritual renewal and refreshment. The fatigue really isn't physical, but it feels spiritual and emotional.

   So, I am trying to spend more time in prayer and in the Word and in meditation. And I am grateful that my prayer this morning was answered and the issue is resolved. I'm glad that I don't have to feel at my best or at my closest to God for him to hear me. I just need to have the faith that though he may be silent he is still concerned about what I am going through.

   Thank God that He answers prayers and hears us when we cry out to Him.

The Burning Bush

2011-03-29T14:47:00.001-04:00

   In Exodus 3:2-3 it says, "And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush, and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. So Moses said, "I must see turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up."

    This is such an amazing and unique story to me that I wanted to take a few minutes to share some thoughts about it and what I think is unique about it. I love the story of Moses, how God took someone from an obscure place and used him to lead his people to the promise land and through many trials. It seems that God does delight to do that throughout scripture whether it be Jeremiah, David, Gideon or the apostles.

   One of the first things that I see in this passage is that God's appearance to Moses was unique. If this were to happen today, we might expect someone to go out and write a book. Maybe it would be called "How to Have Your Own Burning Bush Experience" or "40 Days of Burning Bushes" or maybe "Light Up Your Yard with God".   But, God's experience was totally personal and unique to Moses. He came to Moses in a powerful way and a personal way and spoke to the heart of his need. I think it is a shame that so many people expect for others to experience God the way they do. If I don't wish to roll around on the floor or create a public spectacle of myself, it is okay. It doesn't negate the fact, that perhaps God is speaking to me also.

   Second, going along with that idea is the fact that God spoke Moses name. The first words that God spoke are "Moses, Moses!" verse 4. God was trying to get his attention personally. He knew that the fact that a burning bush by itself was not going to get Moses' attention. That sometimes happens in that part of the world in the desert where the heat can get so intense. But, Moses noticed that the burn was not burned up, which was totally unique and got Moses attention.

   Third, God wanted Moses to know that he is holy verse 5. We live in a world where it seems more and more people are saying that truth is relative. But, God declares himself as pure and holy with no sin or stain in his person. Not only has he never done wrong, but he cannot do wrong. He does not tempt anyone to sin and is entirely trustworthy. It reminds me of when Pilate asked Jesus "what is truth?" Literally, he is saying that truth is relative. But, little did he realize that truth in the person of Jesus was standing right in front of him.

   Fourth, God wants Moses to know that he cared about the people's situation verse 7. Twice in verse 7 God makes it clear that he has both seen and given heed to the cry of his people. Remember that this is a time period where previously God has been silent for 400 years. During that entire time the people have been in bondage in Egypt. They have been the builders of the great towers and buildings of Egypt. They were treated cruelly and it is only natural after all that time to wonder if God is truly listening. For them and for us, the message is that God does see and hear and take notice of our suffering, our need and our pain.

The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry." Psalm 34:15

End Times?

2011-03-25T17:29:00.000-04:00

     Most of us have been shocked at the destruction of the earthquake and tsunami that swept through Japan recently. The pictures coming in remind me of some of the stories of destruction in the Bible or some of the pictures of England at the end of WWII. I can't even imagine 30 feet of water rushing in and washing whole towns away. It reminds me of catastrophic pictures of what will happen in the end times mentioned in Revelations.

     As a christian, I think we are to be looking for that day and hour when the Lord will eventually return. But, the Bible says that we are to be busy until that return. I recently posted a message on a forum that I am a moderator on about how one group thinks the end of the world will be on May 11, 2011. They have a set of buses and are going around the country warning people of Jesus return. People have left houses and families to get on these buses and travel around warning people.

    But, that is not what the Bible tells us to do. But, it is interesting to think about. If you really truly thought the world was coming to an end in the next two months, would you do anything differently? If you thought Jesus was coming back this weekend or week would you change your plans?

Moses face Shines

2011-03-19T17:39:00.000-04:00

        When Moses was originally enlisted by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, he was reluctant saying that he was "slow of speech". God allowed Moses to enlist his relative Aaron to speak for him. But, time and again we see that Moses really did have the courage and ability to speak on his own. One of these times was in Exodus 34. Moses had asked the Lord to see his glory, so God comes down to visit him and reveal himself to him.

         God specifically told Moses that nobody could see his face and live. But, he did say that he would pass by and speak his name to him. So, as Moses stands on the top of Mt.Sinai the Lord appears and says "The Lord, The Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness, and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives inquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the inquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generation." Ex 34:5-7

        It was after a lengthy stay on the mountain top when the covenant that God had with his people was renewed. As Moses came down from Mt.Sinai it says his face shone because God had been speaking to him (Ex 34:29). In fact, when Aaron and others saw this they were afraid to come near to him. So much so, that Moses would have to wear a veil over his face after that. The shine on Moses face was a glow from the glory of God that he had been exposed to.

       I've always said that I think that is the kind of light that we are in Christ. I think our light is a reflective light. If I am a light it is only because I know that light. My hope is, that I have spent enough time working on my relationship with God that there is some actual difference in who I am. That others can realize that I know God because I am different than the world.

       I think often times, whether it is because of peer pressure or a lack of knowledge or understanding of who we are in Christ, many who call themselves believers don't act any different than the world. We worry, fuss and argue just like the world does. We sometimes don't do a very good job of reflecting his glory. Yet, God doesn't give up on us, he continues to try and mold us into something that he can use. The Bible calls it pruning.

   "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit."

    The Bible tells us that God is good and that God does not bring evil into our hearts or lives. But, this world that we live in is a difficult place sometimes. Life can change in a millisecond. While I don't believe God causes that, I think that God can bring something good out of it. I think that this is one way that he prunes us so that we can bear more fruit for him.

   "we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within us." Romans 5:3-5

   "Consider it all joy; my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4

   "even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

More Favorite Verses

2011-03-17T12:01:00.000-04:00

     Just wanted to share a few more of my favorite verses and some that are meaningful to me especially.

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.   On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God." Psalm 62:5-7

      I have a difficult time with waiting. I once told someone that I thought hell is waiting room where your number is never called. I would rather do anything than wait. Sometimes that has gotten me into trouble. Sometimes, when I have done what I could, I simply need to sit back and trust God. Maybe I am in God's waiting room so much because I don't learn that lesson and need reminders.

   "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:11-12

      I like this because it reminds us of how unlimited the love of God is. The heavens are infinitely higher and greater than the earth. The same is true for God's love. Just as east and west never meet our sin is separated from us forever because of what God has done.

"Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, The one who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:26 and    "Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31

     The entire chapter of Isaiah 40 is about the greatness of God. In verse 26, it tells us that God leads and has named all of the stars. We can't even count that high and God has them all named and leads them across the sky. I like verse 31 because it tells me that there is strength in my faith that will be renewing. I think we all need that at times. I know that I do.

   "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

   This verse is in a paragraph about worry from verses 25-34. The Lord was telling us that our priority as His was is His kingdom and things that are eternal. To trust God to be able to take care of us and not to walk in worry. I need to be reminded of this daily because I tend to worry a lot.

     "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation will provide a way of escape; that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

    Paul gives us this verse in a discussion about learning from the mistakes of Israel when they grumbled and doubted God and were destroyed. God provides a way for us to escape temptation or overcome it. God is faithful to do this. I cannot blame God if I give in to temptation.

Favorite Verses

2011-03-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

     I thought I would do something a little different today and share with you some of my favorite verses and tell you a little about why they are important to me.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me." John 15 4

     This is a command from Jesus, probably while he was talking with his disciples in the upper room. I think this is so important to remember because we have a tendency toward self-reliance, even in our spiritual walk. I have to remember that I am reliant on Him for everything. At work, I can pretend that my productivity is a result of my own ability, but if I am to bear fruit eternally, it is going to be because of my relationship with the Lord. It is of first importance.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

     This doesn't mean that God causes all things to be good or that all things that happen to a believer are good. I have found that if you give your problems to God that God can often bring something good about it. At the very least, our weakness makes us more sympathetic to those who are weak. Maybe it makes us more sensitive to our own weakness and in turn less prideful and more aware of how life can change in a moment.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5

     This verse was brought to my attention by my roommate in college Brett Dutton, who is now a pastor south of Houston. Again, I think it is for the same reason as the verse I first quoted, it is of primary importance that I trust God, even when I do not see him at work. This verse comes with a promise, that he will make the mountains in the front of me straight.

"For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14

    The emphasis in Colossians is on the preeminence of Christ in all things. I love the idea that we are rescued. Like a man or woman plucked off a rooftop in Japan, we are helpless to save ourselves. It was He who did it. He is the one who washes us clean. We simply receive what he wants to give out of his love.

"And there shall no longer be any night; and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign forever and ever." Rev 22:5

    There is a lot of great things to look forward to in heaven. I think one of those things is that things that are fearful or that cause anxiety will be gone. Darkness represents the unknown and sin and sometimes the dark place in our own lives. Those things will be done away with. Sometimes it is good just to remember that this isn't all there is.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

    Again, it is always important to remember who does the saving, it is a gift. As proud of myself as I may be sometimes I don't deserve it. God gives it to me because he loves us. My good works are like filthy garments in his eyes. My best efforts do not measure up. The grace of God is his "unmerited favor" and it is important that this is how he treats us.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

    I am not by nature a particularly optimistic person. I call myself a realist, but sometimes I can get downright negative. But, I need to remember there is a source of strength that I often leave untapped and that is the Lord. Through Him, I can do must more than I think or imagine. My problem is that I often try to do things on my own.

Pastor attacked and assistant injuried

2011-03-04T22:21:00.000-05:00

        I usually don't post thoughts like this, but I was thinking that this could just as easily of been me in the church on a Thursday afternoon. On different days it has been when I was a pastor. Some maniac broke into or somehow attacked this pastor Clint Dobson and his assistant Judy Elliott. They are saying now that robbery may have been a motive. The pastor is now dead and the assistant is (at the time of writing this) fighting for her life.

       It just seems sad that a man who is trying to just do some good for his community can't sit in his own church and work and feel safe. It reminds me of a time when I was in West Virginia and I found a man who was in one of our Sunday School rooms. I think he was just looking for a place to sleep on a quiet afternoon. It was unnerving because I was alone in the church at the time or at least I had thought I was.

        My prayers go out to this church and the survivors of this tragedy.

Household Idol

2011-03-02T15:58:00.001-05:00

"Michal took the household idol and laid ot on the bed, and put a quilt of goats' hair at its head and covered it with clothes." 1 Samuel 19:13

      This quote is taken from the period of time when David is beginning to distinguish himself as a warrior on the battlefield. God is blessing the people of God with victories and Saul is becoming increasingly jealous and paranoid about David's popularity.   It says that this started when Saul heard the women singing this song,

   "Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands." 1 Samuel 18:7

     Instead of feeling flattered that they included him in the song, which he clearly didn't deserve, he becomes paranoid that David is plotting against him.  Saul tries to manipulate the circumstances so that David will die on the battlefield, but David achieves victories and ends up marrying Saul's daughter Michal.

     It is unclear to me how long Michal and David had been married at this point, but David become aware that men are coming to kill him, so Michal lets him down the back window, which is apparently near the city wall. Most likely soliders were watching for David at the city gate. When they come to get him at home, Michael uses a household idol as a way or making it appear that someone is in the bed. The word idol here is the Hebrew word "Teraphyiym" and while it can mean a household shrine or idol it doesn't seem to indicate a particular size.

   Up until now, we haven't heard anything about an idol. We don't know if this was Michal's idol that she brought when they got married or if it was David's. It seems clear that as the husband he would have known of its existence. How seriously he took the worship of it or if it was merely a sign of past traditions and customs is unclear.

    I think though that it is an indication of a compromise in David's life with tradition. He was willing to make small compromises due to the customs of his day. I think it is a warning to us that if this was possible with a man like David, who had a heart like David, then it is possible with us as well. I think this is telling us that we need to be consistently diligent to guard our hearts and minds against all forms of idolatry, whether person, place or thing. Unfortunately, if you look at David's son Solomon, he did fall into idolatry because of idols that his wife had.

   In early years, Solomon wrote these words in Proverbs 4:23-25

       "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put devious lips far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you."

You are Not Able

2011-02-26T09:13:00.001-05:00

   I recently decided to try and write a book. The working title of it is "Before He Was King". It has to do with the period when David was anointed, yet not king. I am just beginning work on this and will keep you posted on progress. Keeping that in mind, I will probably be posting a lot of comments about David for a while. This post is about a phrase that caught my eye when restudying the encounter David had with Goliath.

Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth." 1 Samuel 17:33

   Saul had a lot of characters flaws about him, but at the point in this story he is king of Israel. The first living breathing mortal to be king of God's people. Goliath had been coming and taunting the people of God daily. And as I look over the story, Saul never makes a move to defend his people himself. The role that David is trying to take on is one of defender, which is a role that Saul should have taken. But, Saul is too much of a coward to do so. Not only is he a coward, but he tries to stop David who has the faith to take on Goliath.

   Unfortunately, the church is full of people like Saul. No longer living by faith they not only don't want to step out on faith, but they try to stop the people who are. They say, "Wait a minute, let's form a committee to look at that." They make assumptions, excuses and boldly declare what cannot be done. At the same time, thank God there are also Davids. David was a man who had seen God in action and had an enlarged faith.

   When Saul begins to protest that Goliath is too big and David is just a youth, it makes me think of Jeremiah.   Jeremiah hide behind the fact that he was a youth in Jeremiah 1:6. He tried to make excuses about what he could not do. But, instead God tells him that He himself has appointed Jeremiah to go. To his credit, that is the last of the excuses for a while from Jeremiah.

   Instead of reflecting on what Saul said he cannot do for even a minute, David tells Saul what God has done. David reflects on how God protected him from a lion and bears. Having just recently been to the zoo and seen the huge polar bear at the zoo I can confidently say that while he looks cute, I think that polar bear could kill me without even trying. David was a man of faith and that is the kind of heart that God was responding to. He was concerned about God's name being blasphemied by Goliath, something else that God was also concerned about.

   When people like Saul come our way we need to energize ourselves to be people of faith and not to meditate on what others say we cannot do. We need to be busy then, doing what we know God has told us to do and give the glory to God when it is accomplished.

David's Wanderings

2011-02-23T20:17:00.001-05:00

"And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. . . ." 1 Samuel 22:2

     In the verse above, David is in his time of wandering in the wilderness. Those who were discontent, whether it be with the spiritual status of the day or the rule of Saul was gathering to David. They recognized that there was something more about David. They saw the hand of God on his life, though he was basically homeless and running for his life at the time.

    The time of wilderness is a time of waiting. A time that on the surface of things can appear as though it is wasted. In this case, the people had asked for and received a king. His name was Saul and he was one of the most sick and demented of all the kings Israel had. I personally think he had schizophrenia or something similiar to it. But, the people wanted a king, so God gave them what they wanted. But, the time wasn't wasted. For the man God desired to give the throne was being molded and shaped for the day he would take that throne.

   In Romans 5:3-5 it says, "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

     Paul, a man who experienced many adversities in furthering the kingdom of God, suffering blows from rods and shipwrecks and stoned at least once. He says these adversities that we go through, though you may not notice now can be used by God to bring about in you character and hope. God means to bring about roses in the desert, water out of rocks, fountains out of tears. God will bring something good out of your misery.

    I write this having had a hard day today and a hard week. Some of the people I have been helping lately have had it hard and not all because of what they did, but sometimes because of other people's sins. Sometimes families get broken up, sometimes people chose a dark path to walk down.   But, through it all there are also opportunities to learn and to move forward.

    Sometimes times of waiting and sitting in the desert as David did here are also times to reevaluate what is important. I really think that is sometimes why God delays in prayer. Because he is giving us time to think through what we really want and to consider why we are really asking. It is a time of pruning and purifying, or refining and redefining. Burn away what is not worth anything, so what ends up lasting is purified as though gold.

Are you in a wilderness today?
What is God trying to show you?
What is He trying to build in you today?

The Professional Worrier

2011-02-18T23:14:00.002-05:00

I have a confession to make; I think I have mastered the art of worry. I seem to have no problems at all worrying about all sorts of things. It comes as naturally to me as breathing and eating. Yet, for all of my mastery of this skill, it doesn’t seem to be doing me much good. In fact, I can remember a time in my Christian walk, when it was so debilitating that I literally couldn’t eat much of anything and was on three different stomach medications.

The Bible has several suggestions on what to do about worry. In Philippians 4:6 it says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” This is followed by the promise that if I give up my anxiety and fears to God that “the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7. Having worked in the mental health field over the last several years, I can tell you I am not alone in my mastery of worry, fortunately there is a cure. There is also a God who wants to take our worries and fears and replace it with His peace.

Years ago, when we moved into a pastorate in rural east Texas we were surprised to learn that the parsonage that we moved into had flooded before. We actually moved in while a tropical storm was in the area. Houston had received over 33 inches of rain within a period of about a week. It really troubled me that the congregation didn’t reveal until everything was moved in that the house had flooded before. I spend a lot of time worried about what would happen.

Several years past and we were packing up to move to a new location halfway across the country. A storm came through again and dumped over 12 inches of rain in a 12 hour period of time. I’ve never in my life seen it rain that hard. I told my wife that I thought it was going to flood and started stacking boxes on the tables and putting things up high. My wife simply said, “Well, I guess we’re going to get our load lightened before the moving van gets here.” While I was fearful, she was the picture of calm.

Unfortunately, nowhere in the Bible does it promise us either a life free from storms or trials. In fact, a careful study of scripture show us that all of the saints had they’re struggles and problems. The good news is that we have a peace that can replace the fears that “goes beyond comprehension”. That means it is greater than our fears, it defies logic, it goes beyond the facts.” That is because we have a God who is “near us” and went through many of the struggles that we have and has promised not to abandon us.

So, I’ve put in my resignation as a professional worrier. I have decided I don’t need to be a part of that union anymore. Instead, I have joined a different team. And when I still feel the urge to worry or get upset about the things around me that don’t go right. I remember that God is with me and that He wants me to give him my burdens and trials. He wants all of us to do this because God cares for His children. Matthew 7:9-12

Reminders

2011-02-15T22:16:00.001-05:00

"This is My body which is given for you; do this in rememberance of Me." Luke 22:19b

     Have you ever noticed how many times God uses different events, rituals or traditions to remind us of what he has done or who he is? Here in this passage in Luke, it is a reference to the Lord's Supper. The Lord never says how often we should observe the Lord's Supper, but what he does say is that "as often as" the church observes this that it is to be a reminder of who Jesus is and what He has done. It is to be a reminder of his sacrifice and the fact that he shed his blood.

    I think the Lord does this because he realizes that we so often get busy, even busy doing good things, that we need constant reminding. We need help remembering who we are in Christ and the good news that the gospel does present. We need reminding, so that we are not just known as christians for what we are against, but why it is called "good news" in the first place. We have a tendency to get off center, focused on other things, even sometimes completely forgetting who we are in Christ. I know that I am like that more often than I care to admit.

    Many of the festivals and events of the Old Testament were used also as reminder. Sometimes memorials were set up in special places where God had delivered his people. These reminders are important, particularly in difficult times when it doesn't appear that God is answering our prayers to remind ourselves to hold fast and to have faith. One incident that I can think of is in Joshua 4:6 Joshua says, "Let this be a sign among you; so that when your children ask later, What do these stones mean to you?" Then you shall say to them "Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, when we crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off." So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.""

   So, God was using this opportunity not just to remind the immediate generation, but also those in the future. He wanted them to know that God is a God who delivers, who is able to answer, who redeems, who cares. So many times when we look at the harshness of life, it might be tempting to think that God does not care. When we see a child who has been abused or the evil in the world or hear about a terrible injustice.   But, God gives us reminders. Most of all, He gives us the cross, a reminder to us all that God loves and cares for each one of us.

What reminders do you have in your life? What reminds you that God loves you? When you look back, what reminds you that God answers prayers?

Lessons Learned

2011-02-10T13:05:00.000-05:00

   I have been reflecting lately on what God has been telling me and try to get back into going to church lately. We found a non-denominational church near our home that has a contemporary service. I have taken the kids so far three times. I enjoy the more contemporary service, though some of the songs I don't know. I also like it that the church seems organized to do outreach and is reaching out to the community. That has always been important to me. Some other thoughts that have been going on in my head lately. . .

1. Life doesn't work out like you expect. I never thought going through college that I would work in mental health. I always thought I would work in a church and for a time did. But, now I would not do that if it was offered to me. I have what I consider a fulfilling ministry working as a case manager, helping people in practical ways. My faith encourages me to work hard for people and to see it as more than a job or paycheck. I'm glad that I am able to use my psychology degree, since I worked very hard to get it.

   I think about Joseph in the bibie, how so many unexpected challenges met him. His brothers hated him and other people treated him with contempt, yet God was with him through it. The Bible doesn't promise an easy life or prosperity when it comes to money. The Bible does say that when adversity comes our way that God has the ability to use it to make us stronger and to build things in us like perseverance, character, integrity and hope. Jospeh, one of my heros of the Bible, was able to see God at work years after his trials when his brothers came to him. He saw his brothers for who they were, but also saw that God was trying to bring about a deliverance.

2. Pain is a great teacher. Years ago, my son stuck a popcorn seed in his ear for some reason. We took him to the emergency room, but the doctor there couldn't get it out, so we had to wait till the next morning to take him to an ENT to get it out. I remember it took 5 of us holding him down to get it out. One thing that Dr.Jordan mentioned after it was out that it was in some ways good that it hurt a little because "he won't do that again." And he never has done that particular stunt again.

    I've noticed that a lot of things get put on hold for the people I serve also, until that day and hour when it becomes a crisis. Then, things move along quite quickly. I've seen families put housing on hold and other issues regarding finances and jobs and housing until the eviction notice comes and then they want to work on doing something about it. I get frustrated with those who wait that long, but sometimes I put things off or want to ignore things also, hoping they will go away on their own. Unfortunately, a lot of things never do go away on they're own.

Uprising in Egypt

2011-02-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

Jesus said, "Therefore, be on the alert; for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.. . .For this reason you be ready too for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:42,44

    Like a lot of you, I have been watching events unfold in Egypt. Having never really heard much about Egypt in the news in the past, I was interested in learning why the protesters were protesting and wondering what the results would be of this conflict. Also, I wondered with all the turmoil if these events would in any way lead to events that would prepare for Jesus's return.

   You may think that it is silly that I would think that these events might lead to Jesus' return. But, scripture seems clear that we are to have an attitude of expectancy. While there has been much upheaval in the middle east, it is clear that this region is the area where Jesus will one day return again. What the sequence of those events are a little unclear to me, but we are to live as people who are ready for his return. Do we really do that though?

   The other thing that is mentioned in news reports about Egypt is that of oil prices. It mentions the possibility of the Suez Canal being closed or oil flow disrupted and that causing oil prices to spike. I think it shows just how vulnerable our world economy is and how much we take it for granted. This is important because it reflects what it says in Revelations 6:5-6 when it says that an angel came forth carrying scales and prices of food were disrupted. Yet, it says, "A quart of wheat for a denarius and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and the wine." The oil and the wine are figurative words symbolic of the wealthy. It means most will be poor, but there will be a upper class as well.

The other thing that I wonder about is how will these events effect the middle east as a whole. There is some unrest already in places like Yemen and Jordan. Is this the beginning of something even bigger?

2 Peter 2:1-9

2010-12-04T11:00:00.004-05:00

     In 2 Peter 2, Peter gets to the heart of what he wants to talk and warn about: false prophets. Jesus warned that there would be those who would sneak into the church and claim to be true believers and teachers but who were not (see Matthew 24:11 for example). Peter goes on to tell here what is the result of they're teaching and how to identify them.
     The first thing that Peter says is that the false teachers will "deny the Master who bought them." verse 1 The word bought is the word "purchase" (in the greek is the word agorazo) and it is talking about how through the blood of Christ we were purchased and redeemed for heaven. It isn't always a popular doctrine today to say that some people will be condemned because they don't believe in Jesus. It is easier to believe in heaven than hell. I think false teacher are ones who do this. They create a gospel where there is no hell and everyone is a good person.
    One of the other evidences of a false prophet is that this person does they're ministry for personal gain. They exploit those who are under them. I remember when I lived in Texas, there was a man who would come on television late at night and claim to be a bible teacher. He would sit in front of the camera and smoke a cigar and show pictures of his granddaughter riding at horse riding events. There is nothing wrong with horses or horse riding events, but he showed that instead of preaching or teaching! He never would open his Bible, but was always begging for money to stay on the air. Many won't be this obvious, but the end result is the same. To them, it is about the position, the fame, the bigger buildings, the recognition.
    One way that these false teachers do this is through lies and flattery. They want to be popular, so they won't try to step on toes, unless it is someone who other people don't like. They want to be liked and want the spotlight on them. Satan is a liar and those who are his followers also lie. You know a false prophet by his not recognzing the redemptive work of Christ and by his lack of integrity. In contrast to this, it is impossible for God to lie (Heb 6:18) Peter says that the true way will be maligned because of these false teachers. We see some of that today as people call Christians backwards and close minded.
    Peter gives us three examples to encourage us that these people will be judged in the end. He gives us the example of angels who were condemned verse 4. He gives us the example of the ancient world that was condemned when Noah was alive verse 5 and he gives us the example of Sodom and Gomorrah verse 6-7. I am not sure of what angels here that Peter is referring to in verse 4 and I am not sure that it matters. The point is that these false teachers will be judged by God in the end verse 9 and God will protect and honor those who honor Him.

2010-12-02T14:16:00.000-05:00

    If you've never read one of Warren Wiersbe's commentaries on the Bible, I would highly recommend them to you if you are a serious bible student. Currently, I am reading through the one for 2 Peter called "Be Alert" (picture to the left) It also includes 2 and 3 John.

   As I am studying through 2 Peter, I noticed how many times the word "knowledge" is used. Peter thought that it was important that knowledge grow in the believer. I think that is a big problem today that many believers simply settle for what the pastor tells them to believe and doesn't take the time to study or read the Bible for themselves. It is one of the reasons that many believers end up falling for so many false religions like Jehovah's Witnesses and groups like that today.

    Wiersbe points out that Peter did not say that spiritual growth was automatic with the believer. Rather, in 2 Peter 1:10 he tells us "be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble." It is the believer and the Lord working together, the believer submitting his will to God that allows growth. The "these things" were mentioned in verses 5-7

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith suppy moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindenss, love."

   Peter goes on to say that if these things are growing in you, you will be fruitful and never useless when it comes to the kingdom of God. That is because, to the point where we reflect that we know Christ, then we are useful. To the point where I am surrendered and in his will and faithful then I am useful. To the point where I am still having my own way then I am not useful. Those parts of who I am still need to be pruned away.

   This is not to say that knowledge always equates with spiritual maturity. Sometimes it leads to pride and legalism also. Those are two conditions we must watch out for. The Pharisees were blasted by Jesus because they were arrogant and thought they were self-righteousness. They pursued knowledge for knowledge sake and it became an end in itself. But, for the believer, it is never an end in itself. The pursuit of knowledge is so that I might grow in my relationship with God and know Him. He is the reason for this pursuit and to please Him.

   I'm sure you have met people who are legalistic or self-righteous. Some churches seem to manufacture them like shoes. They are a poor example of what the faith is like because they do not see their need. When Moses or Peter came close to knowing God and into his presence, there were moments when they simply had to fall on their faces and acknowledge his holiness. Truth knowledge about God and who he is should result in this same type of humility. The more we know, I hope the more we want to know. But, the closer we get to the light, the more we realize our own darkness, our own need.

God's Patience and Grace

2010-11-24T12:34:00.002-05:00

I passed a sign out in front of the Seventh Day Adventist church near our home the other day. It says, "To Whom Do We Owe Thanks?" Normally, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to church signs, but this one got me to thinking. We talk about this time of year that we have a lot to be thankful for or at least some of us do. But, sometimes we neglect to say to "whom" we owe our thanks. More than that even, we sometimes are only talking about the temporary things of this world instead of things like eternal life.

The longer I am a christian, the more amazed I am by the grace and patience of God. I am amazed that God puts up with how slow I am to respond to him and to learn lessons of grace. Not only that, but how many times I go backwards instead of forwards. It is amazing that God forgives us, even the best of us. It is amazing that he wants to have a relationship with us all.

In working in mental health, I have some clients that I get along with and personally like more than others. You can't and shouldn't play favorites and that doesn't mean that I do, but there are naturally some people whose personalities are kinder and easier to get along with. Others, to be blunt, have made me a little reluctant to even work with them because they seem so self-destructive or dysfunctional. I think to myself that there is nothing that I can do and nothing is going to help. It makes you want to give up sometimes though you can't. I wonder sometimes if God feels the same way about me? Multiplied times 1,000. Because he can see the heart and not just the exterior and see how black it is without the blood of Christ.

So, this thanksgiving, I am grateful for a lot of things. I am grateful for a wife who puts up with me and two good kids. I am thankful for my job and for the things that I have. I am thankful for those I call my friends. I am thankful for a lot, but most of all I am thankful for a gracious and merciful God who doesn't give up on me.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord. And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High; To declar Thy lovingkindness in the morning, And Thy faithfulness by night," Psalm 92:1-2

Brutality and the Bible

2010-11-20T22:11:00.002-05:00

    I don't mean to make this sound like I am doubting God or the goodness of God. I do believe that God is good. I sometimes have trouble reconciling some views of God in the Old Testament with what I know of Him in the New Testament. There is a lot of brutality in the Old Testament. Anyone who doesn't see that must not have read much of it. One example that I have been pondering over is what happens to Achan in Joshua 7.
    Achan was one of the ones who paraded around Jericho and was there when the walls fall. He was told along with the others that they were not to take spoil for themselves, but to destroy everything. It seems that this was too difficult for him and he took several things some silver and some gold and a mntle from Shinar. He hid them in this tent after the rout of Jericho. We don't know if he told his family or not, but it seems unlikely to me that he could have kept the news to himself.
   So, the next battle comes along and Israel is defeated before Ai. Joshua is stunned at this defeat since Jericho was much bigger and he cries out to God. God reveals to him that someone has kept some of the spoil from Jericho and that is why they could not stand before Ai. I wonder at why this news was kept from Joshua before the battle. At any rate, the battle of Ai results in 36 men dying on the Israelites side.
So, to find out who has kept the spoil, the people come before Joshua by lot and Achan is chosen. He confesses what he kept for himself (Joshua 7:20-21). Joshua sends men to Achan's tent and they find what he has hidden. As a result, everyone and everything Achan owns is brought to the valley and there they stoned and burned all that he had including his daughters and sons and possessions.
   This action is said to turn God fierce wrath away from the people of God and allows them victories in the war effort. But, what it doesn't say is why God would want to punish the sons and daughters as well as Achan for his sins. Why is his whole family judged along with him including the poor animals and children? Unless I am reading this wrong or missing something in the interpretation that is what it says to me. How do I reconcile that with a merciful, loving God who sent Jesus to die for us?
   I don't have a position on this at this moment. It is something I am pondering about. I asked this question on a forum I use to be moderator on and I have not gotten an answer yet. There is a possible explanation that Adam Clark mentions in his commentary that his children were not killed, but witnessed Achan's death that they might take more seriously the sins of their father. Certainly, this verse takes punishment for stealing or disobeying God's word to a whole new level. A level that was not typical even for most of Israels history.

Deut 24:16- "Father shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin."
Also 2 Kings 14:6

Does God speak to you?

2010-11-17T22:25:00.003-05:00

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold, I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God." Psalm 62:5-7

    Most christians have times in their lives when it doesn't appear that God is saying much or they struggle to understand God's will for they're lives. I've had several long periods where God seemed distant and others times when he seemed as close as a person could be. What do you do when it seems God is hiding and is unwilling to be found? Even when you feel the need for a direct word from God so you can make a choice or decision.

   I find that when I really want to hear a word from God it often seems it is at that specific point that God seems harder to find. It really causes me to seek after him. Like trying to find a treasure a mile under water. At the very moment I want God to shout, He whispers. It's frustrating. It's also tempting at times like that to just do whatever I want and not to wait.

   There is a story in the Bible that I love about King David. He goes into battle against his enemy and is victorious. It really isn't close. Then he goes into battle again against the same enemy. It would be easy to assume and just do the same thing the second time, but David stops and asks God what he should do. God tells him to set an ambush and when the enemy is drawn out to move. Specifically, God says when he hears the sound of a great army in the treetops overhead then it is time to move. (see 2 Samuel 5:23-25) It is almost as if he can hear the sound of the army of God going out before him to fight. The point is, that David didn't assume. Other times, he does assume and the results are dramatically different.

  An example would be when an enemy of the people of God come and make a treaty with Joshua and his people. They dress up as if they have come a long ways. God specifically told Joshua not to make a treaty with any of the nearby neighbors,but to destroy them completely. Instead, Joshua hears these mens stories and sees that it appears they came on a long journey and doesn't consult with God. In Joshua 9:14 it says, "So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord." As a result, they can never overcome this enemy and it becomes a burden to the people for centuries to come afterward.

Truth be told, I like to do things my own way most of the time. And silence from God can sometimes seem like a written invite to do whatever I want. But, I think rather God is trying to tell us to slow down, to focus on him and not ourselves and to take the time to seek Him. The hard part is sometimes being silent and waiting on God and being still.

How does God speak to you? Does he speak to you?

No

2010-11-12T10:36:00.000-05:00

     So, I am trying to lose a few pounds and get my blood sugar under better control. In the process of doing that, I am also going to they gym and working out. I've gone 6 weeks so far and lost about 7 pounds. It is difficult! Especially the first two weeks or so I thought I might die. But, now I actually look forward to it. The hard part for me now is eating right. It is so easy to eat something, especially as a snack that is unhealthy.

    Yesterday, we had someone bring some snacks to work. Some of my favorite all time chocolate bars "Crunch" bars and Kit Kats and stuff like that along with a lot of bread and stuff. I had to walk past that all day long. I thought to myself, "Why is it that saying no to yourself is so easy in some cases and so hard in others." "No" seems to be the first word every child learns as they learn to assert their indpendence. But, saying "no" and practicing some self-discipline at times seems to be about the hardest thing I have to do.

    After saying "no" once or twice, I find myself thinking up ways I can try and justify eating one or two candy bars. I might say to myself "Well, I'll just work harder when I get to the gym today." Or something like that. In other words, I am already thinking of a way to compromise. But, don't we do that alot with things? Isn't that the first hook that usually trips people up, that trips me up. I try to find a way to eat what I want and lose weight to.

   Practicing that self-discipline, especially when nobody is watching is a tough thing. I am still stumbling around at times and having some difficulties. But, overall doing better than I was. . .

you have not passed this way before

2010-11-10T21:06:00.002-05:00

   In Joshua 3:4 it says that the officers of the Israelites went through the camp and told the people who were preparing to enter into the promise land "you have not passed this way before." In other words, for fourty years they have been wandering around in the desert under the leadership of Moses. But, now Joshua is taking the helm and a new way is being forged. No more wandering in circles, now it's time to claim what is yours.

   A lot of us growing up in churches have heard the story of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. But, there was also another parting, perhaps less dramatic, the parting of the Jordan River. It is also mentioned in these verses in Chapter 3 of Joshua. God parts a sea at the beginning and now here at the end, another body of water parts. Have you ever wondered why?

  You might say "Well, isn't it obvious, they needed to get to the other side!" But, that really isn't the point. There are places where it would have been relatively easy to cross the Jordan. Historically significant and now a place of a great deal of conflict, it isn't that big of a river. Certainly, not one of the great waters of the world. I think rather, God is doing several things here, some for Joshua and some for the people and then also for those who would try and fight against the Israelites.

   Rahab mentioned the Red Sea in Joshua 2:10 even though that event had happened about 40 years prior to the Israelites arrival in Jericho. Most of them couldn't even remember leaving Egypt since most had been born in the wilderness. But, as it always does, word had traveled around about what God had done. They knew the victories and also the defeats of the people of God. Rahab gives a pretty good testimony herself of what God had done by the way she receives the spies. But, now God puts his handprint on a new generation. It is almost as if he is saying to them, "I brought you into the wilderness and now I am taking you out." To a newly appointed Joshua, who is just getting use to Moses not being there, that must have been a comfort to him.

    It was also a comfort to the people of God themselves. Slow to follow Moses, they were not use to seeing someone else guiding them. They rebelled repeatedly against Moses, but they knew him. Here was Joshua and human nature being what it is I am sure some had doubts about him. Just seeing the waters part as the started getting there feet wet must have been comforting and reassuring. God was still with them even if they did have a new leader. If God had not acted in this manner, it may have been that the people would not have been so willing to follow him when times got tougher, which they would.

   But, it also served as a warning to the enemies of God. The same God that Rahab had heard about was still present with his people. It put everyone on notice. You notice that when the people of God arrive in Jericho, they may have been in awe of the huge wall around the city, but the city itself was shut up tightly. They were afraid (Joshua 6:1) Not because of the people, but becasue of what God had done through them.

Who is Really Rich?

2010-11-06T10:19:00.004-04:00

    I met a really rich lady the other day living in a trailer park. You might be surprised by that since most rich people live in nice, big houses, but yes she is rich. She made a statement to me while we were visiting that proves it. She said all she had was Jesus. I thought to myself, "Then your better off than most people who don't have him." To truly have Christ and to know Him is what it means to be spiritually rich. This is what Paul said about this.

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8

   So, while the world would look at this lady and see someone who is near destitute, spiritually she has something far more valueable than gold or material possessions. While it may appear that she is very alone, she is actually never alone. Paul said he counted all things as trash compared to knowing Jesus. It didn't even compare in value.

"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them." Psalm 34:7

   The people of Laodicea in contrast to my new client and friend thought they were rich, but God called them poor. This is the church known as the lukewarm church. I believe it is symbolic of the church of today. Jesus said to them. "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see." Revelation 3:17-18

  We could just as well cry out this statement in Hollywood or Wall Street today to those who think they are self-sufficient and not in need, "You are poor." To those who walk the red carpet and have pictures taken of them now and don't know Jesus. "Enjoy it now because this is your full reward. You are poor." To the lady in the trailer park, whose family lives far away and can't get enough money together to afford her copayment on her medication, "You are rich. You know Jesus. You are never alone."

We need to remember this in these hard economic times, that those who know Jesus are truly rich. We have something that nobody can take from us. He is always there for us and has promised not to leave or forsake us.

My First Bible Study

2010-11-02T15:31:00.001-04:00

   When I was a teenager, our youth group had an informal bible study that was led by a guy named Jim on Wednesdays. We would meet at people's houses and have refreshments and Jim or someone would lead a study. I remember first really feeling inspired to read the Bible through that Wednesday study. I remember telling Jim one day that he should do a study on the book of Job. He told me instead that I should do it. So, I told him I would. A few weeks later, I led the study.

  The thing that amazed me about the book of Job is that in the first two chapters it looks like God and Satan are making wagers on if Job will cave in or not and curse God. First, God allows Satan to take away everything except his health. Then, God allows Satan to take away his health, but not to kill him. It tells us that Job was inflicted with painful sores and boils. If you just look at the first two chapters, God looks kinda juvenile.

   But, the book does draw attention to an important issue, one of pain and why it happens. In the end, the book actually doesn't answer this question. In fact, for quite a while the book discusses the old reasons why people give for suffering from Job's friends and Job's responses. Job craves an answer from God Himself since he feels he is innocent. Then in the end of the book, God shows up in a whirlwind. Basically, he tells Job that he is creator and that He does not have to justify himself to Job.   In a sense, God tells Job to trust Him even when he does not understand.

   As you may have noticed from my last post, this has been a difficult issue for me. No more so, then when I was a chaplain at a trauma hospital in 2006. I saw people come in who had been stabbed and several very bad car accidents. I remember they taped one poor guy up from the middle of his chest down after surgery. He didn't make it to the next morning from internal bleeding. When you work in a setting like that, you see how quickly life can change. How often unreal and unexpected things change life in a nanosecond. You realize that life is not secure, safe and it makes you want to hug your kids harder. It makes you realize that we are not promised a tomorrow and then we need to make the most of our time.

  Making the most of my time for me means doing things in my life that make an eternal difference in people's lives. Doing things that help people and encourage them. Really being salt and light in a dark place. That is what making the most means to me because people are eternal and all the stuff in this world is not. So, that is where I want to make a difference. I see the hurts of other people as an opportunity for ministry.

There is a parable that Jesus tells of the sheep and the goats. One is on his left and the other on his right. One is judged and condemned and the other is not. In the end, the ones who are condemned think that they should not be. The others ask Jesus when did they see him in hunger, naked, or thirsty or in need and help him. Jesus replies that when you do it to the least of these it is like you are doing it for him. That is an awesome thought to think that when we do something out of kindest for someone else in Jesus' name it is like we are doing it for him.

The problem with evil

2010-10-30T10:07:00.001-04:00

"But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pains in their death; And their body is fat. they are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind. . " Psalm 73:2-5

""It was troublesome in my sight. Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end." Psalm 73:16-b17

    Lately, the stories that some of my clients have been telling me are very sad. Most of the clients I have heard about lately talk about parents who either neglected or abused them. They talk about times when parents neglected to be watchful, was physically abusive or permissive or sexually abused them. I told my supervisor that in some cases, I think it would have been better if they had been raised by wolves. At least wolves would feed and clean their young.

    In fact, a look at the world around us would make it seem that if there is a god he is rather cruel. Since the innocent often die young or are ill treated by those who are evil. Children are often victims of abuse and neglect and those who don't know better are taken advantage of. I think that is part of what the psalmist was seeing here. That if we simply look at what is going on around us, we see that life is often times very unfair. That is the part where he says, "my feet almost slipped." In other words, I couldn't make sense of what I was seeing. How could a loving God allow this to happen. I think if your going to be honest as a christian, at some point you have to struggle and come to terms with the fact that we don't live in a safe or always kind world. The beautful things of this world often get run over and crushed by the ambitious or greedy.

   That is exactly how I have felt several times lately. I recall one man telling me how he was physically and emotionally abused as a child and it left me speechless. As I thought about what it must have been like growing up in that family, I just could not find a word to say. Finally, I just said, "That is incredibly sad."   A person growing up in a environment like that, what do they even think when we refer to God as "Father"? When that word "Father" brings to mine a tyrant who beats his children. Not only that, but often times these evil people, despite what CPS does or whatever else happens, seem to get away with it.

   The psalmist said that he felt that way until he entered the sanctuary of God. Then he realized that at the end of their lives, they had to stand and face God. They may have had safety and security here on earth, but all of their deeds would be one day answered for. That God will take the wounded under his wing and bring healing and will judge and deal with the abuser. That there is no "getting away with things."

"The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry." Psalm 34:15
"The righteous cry and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

The Church Part 2

2010-10-26T15:02:00.000-04:00

    This post is a response to a comment made in a previous post about the church. I mentioned what my ideal church would be like knowing full well that there is no ideal church. Because the church is made up of imperfect people. Many people lead to many different viewpoints and many different places in maturity in the faith. I also think, that there are probably many people who go to church week in and week out that are not really believers at all, but think that they are. Jesus said that until the end, the wheat and the tares would grow together. That is what you have today.

    So what needs to change to make the church better? One thing, is honest to God revival of the true church. I don't mean meetings and a guest speaker or special music. I'm not sure that singing is necessary at all. In fact, singing sometimes seems to me a little like the orchestra playing while the Titanic was sinking. Rather revival starts with personal acknowledgement of sin and repentance. It starts with honest to God soul searching about what we have done wrong and asking God to forgive us for it. It starts with honest sorrow over sin and how it grieves God. Without true revival, I'm afraid the church will slip into an apostacy that the Bible warns about. Maybe it already has. Without it, the church has grow complacent with sin in its midst.

  I think one of the things that the church needs to repent of is a lukewarm relationship with God. I know that there are times when my prayer life has been better than it is now. To some degree, most of us have grown use to keeping God at a distance. At a distance from certain areas of our lives and certain subjects that we don't mention in prayer. A truly vital relationship with God, which is the key to true revival, starts when we are willing to surrender every area of our lives to God. Without that surrender, we are just making noise.

The other thing I have already mentioned numerous times on this blog, it is christians getting right with their neighbors and each other. It is hypocrisy to say that you love God and then hate other people. God doesn't buy it and neither does the world that watches us. If church members have things against each other then they need to stop what they are doing and go to each other and ask for forgiveness. Make it right and make amends. Stop and ask for forgiveness. Show some mercy.   You can't get right with God and then continue on holding on to grudges and complaints against each other.   John said in 1 John that your a liar if you say you love God and don't love your neighbor.

Along with what I mentioned earlier about a lukewarm relationship with God is a determination that things will change and making a concrete plan for change. If you keep doing the same thing and expect different results then your a fool. As unspiritual as it may sound, I think making a plan about how your going to grow in your faith is important. Maybe the plan is setting aside a place and time to meet with God daily or reading through a part of the Bible you haven't read or buying a devotional. Something that will help you work toward progress in a concrete and meaningful way.

The Church

2010-10-24T22:21:00.000-04:00

    I know people may get sick of hearing my rantings against the church. I don't want for this post to be a continuation of that. The church has its problems, but I want to get beyond that. I want to talk a little about what I wish for and what I want in a church.

    I grew up in a church that was in a area that was really growing and during the time of my childhood we saw the church grow from a few dozen members to well over two thousand. It seems a least from the outside looking in that everyone got along with each other. Though I am sure that was an illusion now. But, it is easier to overlook some things and feel good about things when the church is growing and the bills are getting paid. It seems we have the tendency the most to turn on each other when money is tight and membership is dropping. Unfortunately for me, both the churches I pastored were in areas of stagnant growth or declining growth.

    In my ideal church, it would be nice to see a church where people loved each other despite their problems. A lot of times people assume the worst in each other. I had a lot of times when people made assumptions about me without all the facts. The other thing that people may not realize is that when you gossip about someone a lot of times word gets back to the person about what you said and it hurts. I really think if you really thought the person was listening to what you were saying about them then most of us would have a whole lot less to say.

    It really makes me wonder what God thinks of our worship when our actions and our words don't line up with each other. I mean, in the Old Testament, when that happened God said to Israel that their worship was an offense to him. He actually told them to stop bringing to them their sacrifices and to start actually doing what they were suppose to. We may be good at seperating our daily life from worship, but it doesn't appear to me that God is. In fact, it seems that how I live my life is a kind of worship to God. It is a way of honoring God by doing what I say.

Grieving God

2010-10-19T08:25:00.004-04:00

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30

    I've spent most of my life until recently in the church. As someone who has been a part of numerous congregations over the years, I don't think we take the command in Ephesians 4:30 seriously enough. How can we actually grieve the heart of God? I believe it is in the way we treat each other. God's commands to us are firm, love God and love each other.

    Typically, it seems most church fights and disagreements don't start over big things. Most churches fight not over whether or not Jesus is God or some point of theology, but rather what color carpet they are going to buy or something that in the long run is not that important after all. We'll go 10 rounds with each other over something trivial because it is an issue of control and power, not something spiritual, but carnal. The world sees that and we end up losing our witness also. Because the world realizes that we aren't any different than them.

    In doing so, God sees the fights that go on between believers and takes his hand of blessing off the church. The church loses its power and effectiveness. And you know what? God would allow a church like that to completely die and close its doors rather than continue. That is how serious he takes it when his children fight each other. He would rather have no church at all that a lukewarm, ineffective church. The truth of the matter is, that he doesn't really need us that bad.

    Jesus said that if you come to the altar and there realize you have something against your brother to leave your offering at the altar and go and be reconciled with your brother. The thing is, that many churches don't take that to heart. And believer sits in the congregation with believer and they aren't even speaking to each other, yet expect God to still bless the church. Then wonder why he isn't. It's because God has removed his hand of blessing on things until we do things his way and not our own. This is the key I think to revival in the church in this country. We need to realize God isn't going to honor things until it is done his way. The answer isn't to have some new program or youth group or a guest speaker. The key is to honor God and get right with each other.

    When I was in Philippi, West Virginia, there was a church outside of town where the church voted out the trustees of the church. As a result, the trustees responded by locking the doors of the church and not letting anyone inside to worship. The church actually met out in the parking lot for several weeks for worship service because they couldn't get inside! Sometimes I think it is at least as difficult for the Holy Spirit to get inside some churches.

    I heard about a man who went to a church dressed in jeans and was dressed down for the particular church he was going to. The church members kinda looked at him and made remarks but nobody said anything to him. Nobody greeted him until the pastor came over and spoke to the man and asked him to go home and pray about what God would have him wear to church.
   A week goes by and the man comes back to church dressed pretty much the same way. The pastor sees him from the pulpit and to congregation looking back at him and making remarks. Again, nobody bothers to greet him or welcome him. The pastor approaches the man after the service and asks him, "Did you go home and pray about what the Lord would have you wear to church here?" The man replied, "Yes, I did. And God said, that He wouldn't know since he hasn't ever been in that church."

    God forgive us for the way we treat each other. Let me finish the chapter I quoted at the beginning, "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32

Dark Days for David

2010-10-15T21:05:00.000-04:00

1 Samuel 30 tells the story of David and his victory over the Amalekites. In those days David lived among the Philistines because he had fled from Saul who was seeking to kill him. But, the Philistines still mistrusted David because he had at one time been in Saul's army and leader of his forces. So, when they are preparing to go into battle against Israel, they tell David that he cannot go with them.

So, it happens that as David returns home he finds that the village that his family lives in has been attacked. All of his children and wives and those of his army have been taken captive. In 1 Samuel 30:5-6 it says that the men were in so much distress that they thought of killing David by stoning him. But, then it goes on to say that "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." verse 6. David then took steps to seek God's face by calling for the priest and what is called the ephod.

David's question to the Lord at that time was "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" verse 8 I like it that David doesn't assume anything. David asked for God's guidance and was prepared to wait on God's word to come to him. It seems that when God's people do make assumptions as to God's will they get into trouble. But, when they wait on the Lord they grow stronger. It is easy to be impatient and to assume. Or to neglect to even ask what God wants in the matter. But, that is what David took the time to do. God not only answers him, but tells him that he will achieve a victory and rescue "all". Important words of comfort to a man who is worried he just lost his entire family.

A good example of a time when the people of God didn't seek the guidance of God is found in Joshua 7. The people are really feeling proud of themselves for the victory over the people of Jericho. Immediately after that battle they faced a place called Ai. Joshua sends spies out to Ai to see how big the city is. A report comes back from the spies that says in essence, "Don't send all the people. Just a few thousand will be enough to defeat them." Joshua never does seek guidance from God. As a result, the people are chased home in defeat. It is an example to us of the importance of giving our plans and goals to God. Allowing him to change them, bless them or reject them as he sees fit.

The Captain of the army

2010-10-12T20:28:00.000-04:00

    I was driving by the library a little earlier today in town. This is where the voting booths usually are and I was wondering if they were doing early voting. It appeared that many people were in the room that is usually reserved for voting or the ongoing and never ending book sale they have the rest of the time. It got me to thinking if Jesus were on earth would he vote? Who would he vote for? That led me to think about a passage where many think Jesus make a preincarnate visitation to earth to speak with Joshua. It is found in Joshua 5:13-15

"Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or our adversaries?"
"And he said, "No, rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the Lord." It response to this Joshua bows down to him. The captain of the Lord's hosts responds,
"Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." and Joshua did so."

   I say that this is a preincarnate Jesus because of the response of the captain is to tell Joshua to take off his shoes. Much like God commanded Moses when he went to look at the burning bush. The ground is holy due to the presence of the Lord. One thing that struck me about this passage is that when asked if he was for or against them, the Lord did not respond, "Of course, I am with you." But, rather Jesus responds here by saying, "No. I am a captain of the Lord's hosts." He had an opportunity to say that he was a part of Israel and that was the flag that he was for, but he doesn't say that. Rather, Jesus is not as concerned about Joshua's kingdom or Israel's or anyone else's rather than God's kingdom.

   That just seems like a very important distinction to make to me.

Another preincarnate vision of Jesus is at Daniel 3:24-25

Water to Wine

2010-10-10T17:22:00.002-04:00

"And when the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus, said to Him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."" John 2:4-5 NASV

    I was recently looking at a book by Jack Miles about Jesus. He talks at length about this exchange from Jesus and Mary. Jesus has begun to establish his earthly ministry and has started to gather disciples around him and they are invited to a wedding. Some days in the ceremony, the wine gives out. Some think that perhaps Mary had some role in the wedding to help provide for the ceremony, but that is not necessary to the story. Mary realizes that this is a huge embarrasement to the family and in her own way tries to help. Somewhere along the way, she has realized that it is a good idea to bring these kinds of problems to her eldest son, who happens to be Jesus.

   Jesus' words sound harsh to us because we don't particularly know for certain how this was phrased or caught by Mary. It seems though, that Jesus was stating to her that though he obeyed her under her roof for many years as her son, now things were changing. No longer was she the one who would be telling Jesus what to do. Now Jesus is following the leading of the Spirit to do the work of the Father. Yet, it is a good example for us to follow that Mary shows us, that we should bring things to Jesus.

   Another good lesson from Mary is what she tells the servants. It seems to suggest from her words that she has seen Jesus solve problems before, if not to do miralces. It also seems to suggest that she wants the servants to understand that no matter how odd or unusal the request may be, they are not to question, but to obey. Mary has come to see that sometimes Jesus' words and commands did not always make sense at first, but to trust Him anyway. That is a good lesson for us as well.

   Unlike raising Lazarus from the dead or healing the blind to see this miralce may have gone unnoticed by many in the party that day. Jesus himself did not raise his hands or shout or draw attention to himself. Yet, he responds in compassion to those in need. He simply says, "Fill the waterpots with water." Seems like an odd thing to do. The waterpots were for ceremonial washing. Some have said that this is to show that the need for the old ceremonies are over and that something new has come. As much as wine is better than water. Perhaps that is part of the idea, but I don't think John had that in mind when he wrote it. Rather, it seems these pots, which were pretty large, were the ones available at the time.

   After Jesus is born, we hear very little from Mary throughout the gospels only to see her briefly once or twice and then again at the cross and resurrection. Yet, Jesus has shown to her through the way he was raised and by his wisdom that he understands how to solve problems. He cares about the little and big things. And it would be right for us to do what Mary says and does here and to bring it to him and then to do what he says.

God is Spirit

2010-10-05T19:10:00.001-04:00

    In the gospel of John, Jesus is talking to a woman who came to a well. It says that Jesus spoke to her asking for water (John 4:7). Then came a long discussion about where the place was that it was appropriate to worship God. Jesus replied to her that God is Spirit and those who worship Him, must worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I was thinking about what this means that God is spirit.

   The last few weeks, there have been a lot of football games on television. It isn't uncommon for there to be a hundred thousand people gathered for one game. A lot of times you will see pictures taken from a blimp from the sky looking down on the stadium. The people simply look like dots on the ground. When I see a picture like that, I think to myself that all those people and God knows each one of them. God not only knows them, but knows even how many hairs are on each head (Luke 12:7). God not only knows those people, but everyone else as well. God not only sees them, but sees everyone else as well, whether hidden or in plain sight, God sees it all.

   God can do this because God is in infinite, but also because God is spirit (Jeremiah 23:23-24). In other words, He isn't limited to time and space and a body. He sees what is happening on distant stars that our satellite and telescopes can't even see, but also sees you and me. Not only does he see us, but he sees our motives and intentions and our hearts. He sees it all in a moment in time, with no review needed, no pondering, no doubt, no questioning. How in the world God can keep track of the almost 6 billion people in the world is something only God knows. But, part of my point here, is that God is not like us. God doesn't have the same limitations that we do. That God doesn't get sleepy or tired or was out shopping and not paying attention.

   I have a tendency to think of God as a person to the point that I limit him sometimes. But, though he is friend, he is also transcendant over all. Though he is an active part in redeeming mankind, he is not a man. His ways are infinitely higher than mine as much as the heaven are over the earth (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Today

2010-09-28T16:31:00.000-04:00

    This book I mentioned in the last post has really gotten me thinking about prayer and why we pray. It also got me to thinking about the church and where it is today. It is just my opinion, but it seems to me that the church today lacks the power and authority that it should have. You look at the church in the New Testament and you see the ground shake when the believers prayed. You hear stories of how the early christians faced death in the lions dens and in other ways with courage and strength. Then, I look at my own life and it seems there is a total absence of that kind of strength. I don't see it in my life and I don't see it in most christians lives that I know of, so what is the problem here?

    I'm not sure, but I came away from this book feeling convicted that I need to pray more. I know that that is true, but sometimes it is easy to talk about and not to do. I get busy and with a lot of other things prayer gets put on the back burner. Yet, as busy as Jesus was, he always found time to get away and pray. Not only that, but it seemed he had an ongoing dialogue with God the Father all day and all night long. Over and over again, Jesus refers to doing the service that God wants him to and sent him for. He said that he does the work that he sees the Father doing. There was an intimate connection there and I think he wants us to have the same relationship to Him.

   If we are honest about it, I don't see that in my own life. I see an attitude that says that I can do this on my own. Maybe that is what sin is. This attitude that since we have overcome and done well with some things in the past that we don't need God's help. More and more, I am feel I need his help just to get out of bed in the morning. Maybe that is also what God waits for, for us to come to the end of ourselves, so that we are ready to give full control up to him. I know that for me, I can't do this christian life thing without God in control. When I take control, I make a mess out of things.

   I am thankful that God is infinitely patient and merciful to me and treats me with his grace and not as I deserve. I am so slow to learn the basics. Not just me, but the whole church needs revival today. We need to be the praying church that God meant for us to be, intimately connected to him in service and love. We can't do anything without him. In fact, we make a mess out of things. The world is not convinced and our witness lacks power and strength. It is only through total surrender that I find my adequately. It is in my weakness and powerlessness that I find Him adequate. His grace is sufficient.

Talking with My Father

2010-09-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Recently, I picked up a book at the library called "Talking with My Father" by Ray Stedman. The late Ray Stedman was a great bible preacher and teacher, so I was anxioius to read what he had to say. I have heard him preach on several internet sermon sites. So far, I have not been disappointed with this little book. It appears that the chapters were adapted from sermons that he preached on prayer.

        One of the first passages that he quotes is in Luke 18:1-18. The parable is about an unjust judge and ruler who is bothered by a widow who is seeking justice for herself. She decides she will bother the judge until she gets justice. The story is one of contrast. Jesus is contrasting the unjust judge with a just God. In effect, Jesus is saying that unlike this judge, God is a willing giver of gifts. God is like a merciful Father, who loves his children and is willing to give.

   Ray makes a comment early on in the book that really struck me as interesting. He says that prayer is a reflection of faith. If, in fact, I do not believe that God will do anything if I pray how likely am I to continue praying? Probably not very likely. But, if I believe that God is anxious to answer my prayers and hears me, then I am much more likely to bring to God all that I need.

   I would add that it is a reflect of a healthy relationship with God. If I have a open and honest relationship with God then I will have a ongoing dialogue with God. I will share with God my struggles and pains and also my joys. A lack of a dialogue is a sign of a strained relationship at best. Having said that, also talking about prayer, rather than actually praying is also a sign of sickness. How would you like it if people talked about talking to you, but then never did?

  This book really has made me think about how I pray. I am looking forward to reading more of what he has to say this week.   Some related scriptures that are brought up in this book are:
Luke 18:9-14; Luke 11:1-4; 11:5-13; John 17; John 14:12-18

Paralytic Cured

2010-09-18T11:57:00.001-04:00

"And behold, they were bringing to Him a paralytic, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, "Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven."" Matthew 9:2

      This appears to be the same story where the young man is lower from the roof to Jesus by his friends (also mentioned in Luke 5:18-26). Jesus is in the middle of a home, one of the few times we see him teaching inside, and the roof is literally taken off the house to get this paralyzed man to Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus responds to them. That is so important to get. It was the faith of those present, who were desperate to get this man to Jesus, that made this miracle possible. God honors our faith even when it is as small as a mustard seed.

      Isn't it interesting though, that the sickness that Jesus first mentions is not the physical illness. The Bible clearly states that this sickness affects us all. Paul said in Ephesians 2:1 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins." But, Jesus is willing to cleanse us from these sins if we only ask. So, this is the illness that Jesus addresses first with this young man.

     Instead of being glad for this man, the Pharisees respond by claiming that Jesus is blasphemy against God because he is declaring he can forgive sins. The Pharisees state that only God can forgive sins. This is actually a true state. Only God can forgive sins. Because it is His universe and he alone is the author of our lives and redeemer. Then, Jesus basically says to them, "I'll show you that I have this authority. Is it easier to say "your sins are forgiven" or "rise up and walk". In other words, the miracles testify that Jesus is who he says he is. With that the man walks out of the room and goes home a whole man.

     Many people today want to believe that God is a God of love without understanding that God is also a holy and just God. They want to good without the bad and certainly don't believe in a hell. But, in order for there to be justice there must be a hell. Without purity then God is also corrupt and that is a pretty scary thought. God alone has the right to condemn sins because of his position as author and creator of all things.

Some verses to ponder:
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). . ." Eph 2:4

"For He delivered us from the domain of darkenss, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Col 1:13-14

Dealing with Change

2010-09-15T21:26:00.002-04:00

   One of the best books I read to help me understand the church and its problems was a book by Edwin Friedman called "Generation to Generation" http://www.amazon.com/Generation-Family-Process-Church-Synagogue/dp/0898620597 . What I got out of the book, is that Friedman compares churches and synagogues to families (Friedman is Jewish).   In the sense that, families have role and expectations of each member and so do churches. This expectation is set whether it is consciously acknowledged or not.

   These expectations and roles that churches have, both of their congregations and the ministers in them often will lead to conflict. When one or more members is not living up to the role or trying to take on a role that is not designated to them. This can be particularly difficult for a new situation where the roles and expectations have not been clearly voiced or understood or where the expectations were different somewhere else. I think this is, in part, what led to some confusion on my part in some of the positions I have been in. The role that was expected of me was not clearly voiced or the committee that called me was in conflict with what the churches expectations clearly were.

   In my case, in my first church, I voiced my desire for they're to be an outreach ministry. I was coming from a largely suburban experience of churches to a more rural setting. I was use to things growing and being built and I moved to an area that was experiencing decline. The word "outreach" did not mean to them knocking on doors. I think in looking back on it, they wanted outreach, but they wanted it they're way. Because our expections were different, that led to frustration. That frustration was mainly on my side of things because I didn't understand the expectations. There was probably also things about that culture that I didn't get or didn't take the time to understand.

   I was thinking that maybe this is why change has been so difficult for me over time. I remember my first serious conflict with change. It was the move from elementary school to junior high. I still remember it as one of the worst and most stressful days of my young life. The school was so much bigger and we actually had lockers instead of leaving our books in our desk. Hildebrandt Junior High seemed so huge back then and actually it is not that small now either. I was pretty comfortable back at old Northampton Elementary and would have been okay with everything pretty much staying the same.

I say this in the middle of experiencing big changes at work over the last few weeks. My job duties have changed (I think for the better) and my supervisor has changed and now our doctor and program director is changing. While many, if not most, of these changes in the long run may be good, it has my anxiety up a little this week. The thought occured to me that maybe this is why people in the church often complain when change occurs there also. Whether it be a change in classrooms or a new way of doing ministry. It isn't that we don't want good things to happen, but it is an embrace of the way things have been. Whether or not it has all been good, it is something known.

Maybe this is why I also enjoy the concept of God as unchanging. That while many things may change in my life, if not everything at some point or other, God doesn't need nor does he change. See Malachi 3:6; James 1:17.

The time is fulfilled

2010-09-08T04:59:00.000-04:00

I decided this morning since I could not sleep to do some Bible study in the gospel of Mark. This site in particular seemed like a good bible study tool http://bible.cc/ As I was studying Jesus' words, I noticed his first sentence in this gospel starts with "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdome of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15

Looking at that a little more in depth, we see that Jesus said that the time for his coming was fulfilled. God set aside a time, mentioned in Daniel 9:24-27, when his messiah would come. This was a time in history when it was perfect for the Son of God to come. The Romans had made a universal language that made the telling of the gospel story easier. They had made roads to make it easier to travel and spread the gospel. But, unlike today, most people's hearts were not cold to the gospel and many were open to hearing the message preached. It seems today that for many people they have already decided that the gospel is not for them and they prefer their own way to God's. In fact, most evangelists would tell you that if you do not reach a person when they are a child today the possibility of them accepting Christ is rather remote.

Now that the time is fulfilled, Jesus says, the kingdom of God is at hand. The word "kingdom" is the word basilera. It means the sovereignty, the royal power, the kingdom. The kingdom was at hand. The kingdom and entry into the kingdom was open to them through the person of Jesus. John said, "He came to His own and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." John 1:11-12. Jesus opened a door to the kingdom that nobody could then shut.

The "kingdom is at hand" is related directly to the "repentance and believe in the gospel". The word "repentance is the word "metanocite" which means to "change one's mind or purpose". It literally means to change direction. That is what many churches neglect to mention. They make it seem that we can love the world and our own direction and plans and add Christ. But, the gospel tells us we must chose whether we go the narrow way or our own way. We must chose to change our direction. God is not the co-pilot. He won't share control of the wheel. We aren't to be a back seat driver either. We either give him control and surrender or we are not truly repentant. Repentance means my purpose is now his and his is mine. It changes the whole reason for our existence and redefines what is important and who is important. It is the reason that we can no longer embrace the world and its defintions which are constantly thrown at us.

This is a life long battle for the believer. To be willing each day to surrender my own will to God's and to do His will and not my own. At times I do not see him at work. His timing certainly is not mine. I am an impatient person to say the least. At times, I think I can handle things and stop praying as I should. God calls the believer and unbeliever to repent and change direction daily. To be willing to trust God to take the wheel and not to make demands from the back seat that God is going the wrong way.

satisfied

2010-09-04T11:05:00.001-04:00

In Hosea 13:5b-6 it says, "In the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied. And being satisfied, their hearts became proud; Therefore, they forgot Me."

In several instances in the book of Hosea, God goes back to the time of Egypt. When he led the people of Israel across a land of drought to the promise land. Here he does so again, reminding the people that when they reached the promise land they quickly forgot Him. Moses warned the people before they entered the promise land that this would happen. Yet, it was not only in the promise land that they strayed from Him. It just made it easier to walk away. They also disobeyed him in the desert also time and time again. When times got tough they accused God and Moses of leading them into the desert to kill them.

It is easy to point fingers at the people of Israel saying that I would not do that. But, the truth is that this is a part of our sin nature. This tendency to be self-sufficient, to not pray, to take the easy road instead of the road less traveled. The people became self-reliant because in their hearts they thought they could handle the challenges of life without God's help, forgetting that He was the reason that they were there in the first place. That is easy to do when things are going well, but God still calls it spiritual adultery.

Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

I pray as I read this that God would replace my stubborn heart that wants to do things its own way with a heart that is cleanse and pure and seeks after him. "Create in Me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Hosea's story

2010-08-31T05:42:00.001-04:00

    One of the most amazing stories in the Old Testament is the story of Hosea. In the beginning of this prophetic book God tells Hosea to go and marry a prostitute. This relationship between Hosea, the prostitute named Gomer and they're children are going to be an analogy between God and his relationship with his unfaithful people Israel.

       It really makes you think about what people must have thought to see Hosea, a good and righteous man, go out and propose marriage to a known prostitute! You know people tried to talk him out of it. You know people probably thought he was crazy or worse. But, by doing this God was trying to point to his relationship with Israel. That though God deserved loyalty and faithfulness, what he got was spiritual adultery and illegitimate children. In fact, he compares Israel and Judah's loyalty to the morning mist and the dew on the ground. Hosea 6:4

    For me, the most amazing part comes in Hosea 3. Something has happened, but we are not told all the details. Gomer has left the marriage and found herself being sold into slavery. Maybe she had an outstanding debt or simply wandered off and gotten mixed up in some kind of trouble. You can imagine if you knew your spouse had been unfaithful and then gotten into legal trouble. You might be tempted to let the person reap the consequences. But, here in verses 1 and 2 of Hoses 3, God tells Hosea to buy her back. This is a picture of the absurd and radical forgiveness and redemption of God towards those he loves.

    If Hosea is the picture of God here, then he has every reason in the world to leave Gomer where she is. Nobody would expect for him to buy her back. She has created her own mess and Hosea doesn't owe her a thing. All he has done is been kind to her and she turned on that love. Everyone has reminded Hosea they told him, "What do you expect? She is a prostitute after all. You can't expect her to be faithful. We told you so." That's what I imagine Hosea had heard that day. There is his wife on full display at the slavery auction. Then, Hosea does the thing that nobody expects. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out fifteen shekels of silver and some barley for trade and buys her back. This is love and compassion so great that it is almost unheard of, radical and almost embarrasing to watch.

   God is sometimes accused of being the God of wrath in the Old Testament, while being the God of love in the New. But, here is a vivid picture demonstrated in the live of Hosea of love. Over and over again, God accuses the people of Judah of spiritual unfaithfulness and dealing treacherously against him. Yet, God is so willing to forgive that he is willing to reach out at the slightest need of his people. His holiness demands that he judge the sin in the lives of his people. But, the yearning of his heart is to redeem and forgive.

      I think this is a good reminder to us of how anxious God is to forgive and redeem us as well. We don't really deserve it anymore than Gomer did. The Bible tells us that we were helpless to redeem ourselves and dead in trespasses and sins. That is all of us. The debt was one that we couldn't pay any more than Gomer could.

My Anger

2010-08-28T18:04:00.001-04:00

    One of the things that the CPE program at Alamance Regional Hospital in Burlington taught me was the importance of understanding myself. That means understanding my weaknesses, my tendencies, my reactions, so that I can really help people. I learned a lot about myself through that experience at the hospital. One of the things I learned about myself is that I have a horrible temper at times. It is one of the things that I really dislike about myself and try hard to keep in check.

    I don't think, I may be wrong here, that when people first meet me they see this about me. I tend to come across as fairly quiet until you get to know me. I am by nature an introvert, so sometimes people underestimate me and think they can walk over me. They did when I was younger and I allowed them to. But, that isn't the case for me as an adult.

   I say all this because the Bible says alot about controlling you tongue and temper. It is one of those things that you can talk about, but it is very hard to do at times. Particularly if your embarrased or your pride has been wounded. This actually happened to me earlier today. I went to a garage to get my vehicle inspected. Instead of asking me about the problem they found and fixing it, they simply didn't pass my vehicle. I was very surprised and asked the man why he didn't tell me what was wrong, so it can be fixed and my vehicle could pass. In all the 27 years that I have been driving this is what they would have done. It means more money for them if they do this. In fact, when my Kia Spectra needed two new tires to pass inspection at another garage, they did tell me and we fixed that so it would pass. But, instead I find myself being charged for a failed inspection. It really got me upset at the time that was wasted today. But, then the man has the nerve to raise his voice at me and point his finger at me.

   Wow! I can't believe that this guy had the nerve to do this. I was going to start yelling at him, then thought about the fact that my two kids and a neighborhood friend are with me. I was embarrased and humilitated, but I decided that I would carry this conversation further and that I would file a complaint with his boss about him. I paid my bill and left and came home and called the corporate office. I have to say, the old Jeff would have launched into a verbal assault on this guy and called him names. That is what my flesh wanted to do. I was embarrased. He has no right to do this to me. My pride was wounded. The hardest thing to do was to walk away, without a parting shot and shut my mouth, until I got home to complaint to the proper supervisor.

   I am not sure that what I did showed much maturity or not. But, I know that it shows some sign of growth for me. I have a long ways to go. I still say stupid things at the wrong time that I shouldn't. I still gossip sometimes when tempted. I still have a hard time controlling my temper. It is a bear that has had its baby cubs taken away, cross this line if you dare kind of anger. Though I may have a long ways to go to maturity and I think that I do, I see a little bit of progress here.

To learn more about CPE look at this site
http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/cpe-career.html

For a good article about what the Bible says about anger
http://preachersfiles.com/anger/

For a Bible study about anger look at
http://www.dougbrittonbooks.com/onlinebiblestudies-irritationandangermanagement/whatgodsaysinthebibleaboutanger.php

Reflecting on the Last Week

2010-08-27T22:37:00.001-04:00

    So, recently, I came back from 10 days off from work. I felt refreshed and renewed and ready to come back to work. I was even looking forward to seeing friends at work. The enthusiasm last a whole two days, after that it felt like vacation was a year ago. Then, I think about why is it that work seems so draining at times. There is nothing particularly difficult or demanding about my job physically. Most of the problems that I have seen I have seen before, so there really aren't that many surprises anymore. I think maybe it is because most of the problems I see are avoidable. It seems we can be our own worst enemy at times.

   I think maybe this is in part what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 when he said, "For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do; but I am doing the very thing I hate." Romans 7:15 Then again in verse 18 "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh, for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not." Rom 7:18

   Paul is talking about the battle between the flesh and the spirit. The battle between doing God's will and doing our own. The battle between being led by the Spirit and the flesh. The thing is, that sometimes the flesh is winning and sometimes it is the spirit, but they are never in harmony. They are always at war. Nobody knows this better than the believer who is truly trying to live for the Lord. For someone who is carnal and does whatever they want doesn't have this battle, for there is no conflict. But, for the believer there is always a war. For friendship with the world is hostility to God.

   So, sometimes sin can look attractive and fun. It can come in many forms, but it tells us with a subtle, quiet voice "Don't think about the consequences, do what you want." Only, the truth of it is, that the consequences always come home. That check has to be cashed sooner or later. When I decide to live by my rules instead of God's and ignore his warning then there will be a day of accounting. In many cases, the truth is also that the one I am hurting the most is myself.

   A personal example would be my battle with diabetes. When I eat a snack full of sugar, unless I was low at that point, my blood sugar is going to spike upwards. If I don't give myself insulin then that damages my body. If I do this long enough, then damage occurs. If I do this day in and day out, then I could be causing all sorts of damage to kidneys, heart, nerves and eyes. So, the main person who is going to bear consequences of that action is also me. Sin is also at times like that.   Whatever I may want to indulge in at the moment, a fit of anger, an unkind word, a unkind or ungodly thought etc.  Eventually, there are consequences that I don't want.

  I think this is why it is so important to remember that the battle for each one of us begins in the mind. Jesus says in Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed ouf of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and slanders. These are thing things which defile the man; . . . ." I think this is because what the mind and the spirit dwells on comes through in what we do and say. It is born in the mind and that bears itself out in attitudes and emotions and actions. So, if my mind is dwelling on negative thoughts then my actions will bear this out.

Conforming

2010-08-21T16:24:00.001-04:00

    One of the things that you notice reading the scriptures is that it doesn't appear that people have changed much over the centuries. Whether it is John and James asking to be at the right and left hand of Jesus when he sits on his throne. Or whether it is the disciples arguing about how great they are. People don't appear to have changed very much. We also see that when we look at the history of the Israelites. They had the same frail mind set that we do some times. Yet, though God disciplined them at times, he did not give up on them.

   One of those moments is during the time of Samuel. Samuel was at the time this occurred an older man and he had two sons. His sons did not follow after the Lord like he did and were corrupt. Partly because of them the people decided they did not want Samuel's sons ruling over them. They looked around at the nations before them and decided they wanted to be like the other nations. A kind of corporate peer pressure to conform to the norms of their day. They were a little uncomfortable being different than everyone else.

    They said, "Behold, you have grown old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like the nations."

   When Samuel prayed to the Lord about this request of the people, the Lord said, "They have rejected Me from being a king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day- n that they have forsaken Me and served other gods- so they are doing to you also." 1 Samuel 8:8

   This is what happened when we conform as believers to the world and establish a worldview that is secular. Ultimately, we are saying that we know best and rejecting the Lord and His ways. We are saying that we know better than God. The Bible warns us as believers not to fall in love with this world and its ways. It tells us to be conformed to the Spirit and not to the world.   "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 Then again also in Ephesians 4:23 "And that you be renewed in the spirit of you mind."

   I think this is why it is so important to get into God's Word on a daily basis. Because our minds have a tendency to conform to those around us. We don't really feel any more comfortable being different than the Israelites did thousands of years ago. So, we have to renew our minds and to dwell on the Word of God to renew our faith and our vision for what God wants for us. Without it, we cannot remain fruitful for long.

Waiting

2010-08-17T20:29:00.001-04:00

Psalm 62:5-6 "My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold, I shall not be shaken."

   What does it mean to wait on God in silence? I have heard it said that someone has said that there is an activity that springs from faith and an activity which shows the lack of faith." Faith sometimes causes us to act, despite signs that plans or dreams may not work out. On the other hand, there is a time when action is also a clear sign of a lack of faith. When Ahaz sought out the help from the King of Assyria in 2 Chronicles 28:16, he was trusting in man not God. His actions stemmed from a lack of faith and a lack of a relationship in God.

   The same may be true for us at times. Sometimes our faith may not truly be in God,but in other people or in ourselves. God may allow us to be rocked to the core because our faith is misplaced. Our call as believers is not in independence, but in dependence. So, even if our faith is in ourselves it is a misplaced faith. It is easy to fall into the trap of self-reliance when things are going well though.

  There are other times though when God says to us that this battle is not ours, but God's alone. We are not told to act, but to pray and to wait. It reminds me of what God said to Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:17 when he told the king that they would go out and face the enemy, but he added "You need not fight in this battle: station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem, Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrw, go out and face them, for the Lord is with you." Notice that idea of "be not dismayed". I think that is part of what being "quiet" is about.

I love this story because the enemy clearly had Jehoshaphat and his people very troubled before this time. But, built up with the Word and with worship they determined in their hearts to focus on God and to take God at his word. They're faith was enlarged and then walked out to the battlefield the story says with the singers of praise in front. The story goes that the enemy then destroyed themselves and the King and the people walked out onto the battlefield where the enemy was already dead. The question then becomes why go out at all?

God calls us to walk by faith and that walking out to the battlefield was a demonstration of faith. When we do as God asks us to do you can be sure that God will honor it. God did honor it with Jehoshaphat and the victory was his. But, he could not have claimed it back in the stronghold. He had to take steps of faith and trust God. God also calls us to "be not dismayed" and to silently and without anxiety to trust Him. It may appear that God doesn't have a firm grasp on the situation or that He is asleep, but apparent inactivity doesn't mean that God is not paying attention. God wants us to firmly trust in Him and to rest in that faith.

Our Salvation

2010-08-14T20:29:00.001-04:00

   In reading through 1 Peter today, I was noticing how many times Peter mentions how we are saved. The emphasis, according to Peter, is not on what we have done, but on what Jesus did on the cross and through the resurrection. This is not to say that we do not have a responsibility as believers. But, look at what Peter actually says throughout this letter.

1 Peter 1:3b "caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

"you were not redeemed with perishable things. . . .but with precious blood. . . .the blood of Christ." 1:18-19

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed." 1 Peter 2:24

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God. . ." 3:18

   You notice that the emphasis in redeeming is on what Jesus did, first through the cross and then through the resurrection. Then, Peter exhorts us that since we are redeemed through this imperishable and blood of Christ, then we should respond by living holy lives. Peter tells us that our response to living in the world in which we live is that we should "gird our minds for action, keeping sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

   This is the thing that people often bring up when you talk about how we are saved by grace. They say "Yes, but what about works?" We do have a responsbility." And that really is true. We have a response in our understanding for what Jesus has done for us.   Grace is grace, but it is not free. Sometimes we must make tough choices. We must remember that God calls us to live lives that reflect that we know him. Does that mean that we will be perfect? Far from it. Rather, we know that we are not. It is with humility that we accept the grace and mercy of God knowing that we don't deserve it.

To read more:
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp

Help My Unbelief

2010-08-08T11:40:00.000-04:00

Jesus said to him "If you can? All things are possible to him who believes." Immediately the boy's father cried out and began saying "I do believe, help my unbelief."" Mark 9:23-24

      I often wonder what it felt like for the disciples to come back down from the mount of transfiguration to encounter a problem like the one they face in Mark 9. They come down from the mountain top experience of seeing Jesus illuminated with glory and hearing a voice from the sky and then get plucked down into utter chaos when they come down from the mountain. No sooner do they get to the crowd then they hear the accusation of the father of the young boy in question say "I told your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it." Mark 9:18. I also wonder if there wasn't some sense of shame on the part of the disciples who got left behind that they were not able to handle the situation.

    At any rate, I am sure they were glad to see Jesus coming with James, John and Peter back down the mountain. This boy clearly had a huge problems, he was rolling around on the ground, foaming at the mouth, convulsing. Maybe the disciples got intimidated by the situation. But, when we often focus on the lack of faith of the father, let me first point out that there was also a problem of faith with the remaining disciples. They clearly felt over their heads and initimated by the situation and their faith wavered. It is hard to point a finger of accusation because I am so often there myself.

    So, after seeing the disciples fail miserably at healing his son, the father's faith is wavering. He has heard so much about the multitude that Jesus has healed over the years. That might be why after bringing the boy to Jesus the father is starting to have doubts.   It is that word of doubt that Jesus seek to deal with the "If you can". To the father's credit, at least he admits his doubts and struggles and doesn't deny them. But, he is also a man of faith, so he says to Jesus, "I do believe, help my unbelief." Mark 9:24. I think that is a great statement and sometimes a great prayer also. To be transparent enough before God to say to God, "Yes, I believe in you, but I am really struggling to understand right now. Please help anyway." The great news for us when we read this story is that Jesus does respond and helps him despite his struggles.

     There are so many awful things that happen in our world today, that is would be a person who has either been in a coma or worse that doesn't see that our world can be a cold and miserable place sometimes. In light of that, it can seem like Jesus is on the mountain while we are still here struggling and having difficulties. We may be tempted to thing that Jesus isn't paying attention or seeing our heartache. Clearly, this father was a man with a lot of pain. Most parents would tell you, they would rather hurt themselves than see their children hurt. I'll tell you from my experience, you mess with my kids and your pulling the wrong tail. You don't want any of that. It would be far better for you to mess with me than to mess with my kids.

    An abbreviated version of this story is also told in the gospel of Matthew in Matthew 17:14-18. The disciples ask Jesus after the crowds are gone what went wrong. Jesus says to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, "Move from here to there, and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible for you." So, here we see again, that the problem was a lack of faith. But, the good news is that Jesus says it doesn't take a lot to move a mountain. Even it is as small as a mustard seed then God will honor it.

Politics

2010-08-05T18:53:00.002-04:00

    I am going to mention something that up to now I have not and that is politics. Over the last few years, we have seen a political campaign and an election, followed by a new President coming to lead our nation in America. At first, it seemed there was a lot of good feelings for this man, but now his popularity has been sinking. People are upset that so much money has been spent and so little has come out of it that is good. Also, it seems that this President is interested in big government and not in making small and mid size businesses more competitive. He wouldn't know anything about that since he has never led a big or mid size company in any way, but that is not my point. What I am getting at, is what should my response be as a christian to politics and to what Obama and Congress are doing? Or is there any response at all?

   When we look back at Jesus and his words, we see that Jesus actually appeared to say little about the government of his day. The Romans ruled over the Jews in his time, yet he never directly speaks about Herod or Pilate or Caesar. With the exception of one statement when they were trying to trick Jesus you would see him avoiding the subject more than directly speaking about any ruler or leader. Is this simply avoidance on the part of the writers or did this actually happen? The one word by the way that Jesus did say is in Luke 20:25 "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

   I don't believe that Jesus would be bashing Obama any more than bashing Clinton or Bush. I don't think that God is a republican or democrat. But, do we have a responsibility to those who we elect to office? Yes, I believe we do. What is our responsibility and what is theirs. First, I think we have a responsibility to pray for our leaders. They have a complicated and hard job. It is difficult to pass laws and to get people to agree on courses of actions sometimes. If you think some of the decisions made recently have been stupid then let me ask you: How long have you prayed that God would give Obama wisdom in decisions?

The second thing is that we have a right and ability to have our say. On their side of things, I think they have the responsibility to be honest with how they vote and why. I can influence for the good my officials by talking to them. I can pick up a phone and tell them what is wrong. I can send a letter and ask them to do something I feel strongly about. I admit I have not done this many times on a local or state level with one exception when they recently changed laws effecting mental health, then I did get on the phone and send a letter. I can sign a petition or I can vote them out of office if I don't like what they are doing. What I should not do, is to act as though what they are doing is not important or to bury my head in the sand and ignore them. That is how people like Hitler came to power because people gave their authority away.

The third thing is, that some of the choices that politicians make really are moral choices. I'm going to say something that isn't popular here, but is it right to extend unemployment benefits indefinitely and enable people to sit at home and get a paycheck or should I require people to get off their butts and work? Should I ask them to look for work? Since when is it a good idea to enable people to be lazy? I'm not saying that there should be no help at all for people looking for work. That is a moral and ethical decision and not just a political one.   That is just one issue among many that have moral and ethical implications that I should think about as believers. Many of our decisions today from immigration reform to abortion and civil rights have their answers in the Bible. I think as a christian, I should be enabling people for good and not for laziness or dependence. I think as a believer, I am suppose to let my light shine and to tell people what God's word says and not to just silently go along with what is popular.

The fourth thing that i will say is that for all the good that is going on here we should remember that our focus as believers is always God's kingdom and His righteousness. This is where our true citizenship is, it is in heaven. Our world is sometimes great and often good, but it is not the end. As Daniel saw in his vision of the great kingdoms on earth, one day they will all pass away, but God's kingdom will never pass away. I need to be kingdom focused and be storing up treasures in heaven and not just in the bank down the street.
Matthew 6:33;

no great insights here

2010-08-04T19:37:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make, I haven't felt very spiritual lately. I haven't felt very insightful or very wise. I haven't felt like I am learning something extremely insightful or helpful. Lately, I've been plodding along, most days productive, but some days just frustrated with how things have gone. So, when thinking about what to write in this blog, for some reason I thought about a passage that my pastor in Lufkin, Texas gave to me when I had gotten laid off a job. It is in Nahum 1:7.

"The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him."

When I think about that verse, I think about the troubles I was going through. I had just been laid off for the first and only time in my life. Looking back on it, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me, but I didn't see it that way at the time. I really needed a stronghold then and also do every day of this hot, boring summer we are going through now. I need just as much now for God to be that stronghold to protect me from harm and to guide my path and to help me avoid sin and trouble.

Jersualem was a stronghold like what the prophet is talking about. It was a walled city on a mountain referred to in scripture as Mt.Zion. David picked it as his capital for that reason. Because it would be hard to defeat someone in that kind of stronghold. God has also promised to be that kind of stronghold for us. He doesn't forget like I do. If you tell me two things i will forget one. God doesn't forget those who are His or what they have done. You will be rewarded for being faithful. You'll be rewarded for the little things, the people you helped, the encouraging words you said, the faithfulness at your job, the cold cup of water you gave someone on a hot day. The Bible tells us that when we do it to the least of these it is like we are doing it for Him and He won't forget it.

The first part of that verse is also critical. "God is good." John said that God is light and in Him is no darkenss at all. James said that God cannot be tempted by sin and doesn't tempt anyone. This world may lie to us, fool us and leave us shaking our heads at how stupid people can be and how backwards, but God is still good. Some days we may feel like the hind end of a dog that has been kicked, but God is still good. Terrible things may happen, but God is still good. Everything may change in my life, my dog might try to bite me, but God is still good. I can count on that truth and depend on it. It is a constant in the universe.

disappointment with others

2010-07-31T21:55:00.000-04:00

"I am amazed tha that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel." Galatians 1:6

    Several times in Paul's writings, we see the frustrations that the apostle was experiencing boil over into his writing. One is in 1 Corinthians, for a wide variety of reasons, from lawsuits, immorality and divisions in the church among other things. They truly tested Paul's patience. The other is in the little letter to the churches in the region of Galatia. The frustration was both with the people of this region and Paul also mentions his frustration with Peter, who got caught up in hypocrisy.

   The problems in Galatia were similiar to those in Colossae, that some Jews, probably from Jerusalem, were coming into the area to try and tell the people that they needed to not only follow Jesus, but to obey the law of Moses. This is the "different gospel" that Paul was alluding to. They were trying to say that a person is not saved through faith alone in Christ, but wanting to add conditions and rules and regulations to what should be done. Paul's answer to that is found in Galatians 2:16-17 which basically says that through the law nobody can be justified. In fact, in Galatians 2:21 Paul says, "if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

The other area of contention was with Peter himself. Paul mentions that when he was converted he spent 15 days with Peter and also met James the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:18). When I read that I wonder at what these two pillars of the church talked about. Did they go out to do evangelism together? Did they pray together? I would have loved to have been there and heard some of the conversations they had together. Peter could tell Paul firsthand some of the journeys that Jesus had with his disciples. What an exciting time of fellowship they must have had. That was the good time, but there was also the bad moments also.

Paul mentions this in Galatians 2:11 when Cephas, or Peter, came to Antioch Paul opposed him. I mention this not because it is beat up on Peter week, but because I can relate to Paul's story. There are highs and lows in any ministry. Paul seemed to have the extreme of both of them. It says that Peter was holding himself aloof when Jews would come up from Jerusalem and not eat with the Gentiles. He was being two-faced and Paul didn't let him get away with it. That's the sign of a good friend. He called him on it because he cared about Peter, but also the witness of Peter and the hypocrisy of his actions. The great thing about it is, that Peter accepted the rebuke it appears and corrected his actions. It takes a big person to sometimes admit your wrong.

Having done ministry in a wide variety of settings, I can tell you that sometimes the best thing that could happen to you is to be corrected. It doesn't feel good when it happens, but it is a sign that a person truly cares about you. It takes honesty and sometimes a "tough love" for someone to be honest with us sometimes. It risks confrontation and the other person going off and exploding in anger. Who really wants to deal with that? Most of us would want to avoid it.

The thing is, that God also sometimes corrects us when we need it. It is not a sign of anger only, but of love that he does this. Hebrews 12:11 says "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."   God does this sometimes by allowing us to experience the natural consequences of our actions and sometimes God reveals it to us in other ways. Peter experienced a broken heart over his denial of Jesus and wept, but then was stronger afterward. God loves us too much to allow us to not say anything.

Betrayed

2010-07-29T14:44:00.002-04:00

"And a little while later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times." and he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:73-75

Do you know what it is like to be betrayed by someone you thought you could trust? No more than Jesus. Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray him. He knew that one of his most loyal followers, Peter, would deny that he even knew him. He knew that Judas would betray him to the Pharisees. Jesus is someone who can empathize with our feelings because he has been there.

   Not only has he been there, but he did not give up on Peter even though he knew better than Peter did that he would deny him. He gave Peter a definite sign, the cock crowing, as a sign that this was the betrayal that he mentioned. But, Jesus also told Peter that he had prayed for him, that when he repented he would strengthen those around him. He didn't give up on Peter and he doesn't give up on us.

   In fact, there seems to be something else going on behind the scenes that Jesus alludes to in Luke 22:31-32, that Satan has demanded to sift Peter like wheat. Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you; that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you hae turned again, strengthen your brothers." You notice the idea of sifting here. That Satan had been given an opportunity to sift Peter, to get rid of things in Peters life that were hindering him and to help him to be more fruitful. To be sure, Satan means it for harm, but God uses it for his own purposes.

  Sometimes we can exalt people to a place they should not be in our lives. Then, God allows Satan to sift us as well, he allows Satan a season of purifying us and our faith, not because he is trying to destroy us, but to purfiy what remains, so that we can be more fruitful. I think God wants us to beware of exalting other people than Himself. When we do we set ourselves up for disappointment. For most people will disappoint us at one time or another. We sometimes even will disappoint ourselves. But, God is not shocked by our lack of strength. He knew that it was there all along. He allows us to see it to keep us humble and to help us realize we have less to be proud about than we thought.

To be betrayed by a trusted friend hurts alot. It violates a trust that we had in the person. Whether it is a lie that was said or some gossip or something far worse. But, part of what makes the christian faith so amazing is that God became flesh and dwelt among us and experienced the same kinds of pains that we have. He experienced physical weakness and thirst, but also the deeper things, the friendship of others and also the pain of rejection. Ultimately, he faced it far more than we, for he was forsaken for our sakes on the cross.

How To Study the Bible Part 2

2010-07-28T00:45:00.000-04:00

    As I said in the last post, there are a variety of ways to study the Bible. We could do a inductive study as I mentioned or we could focus on a verse, a bible character or a topical study. I want to give you an example of a study of a particular verse and share with you how I would go about studying it.

    As an example, I will pick Colossians 1:15 which says, "And He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation." This has a number of interesting words in it that we could look at further. For example, what does it mean to be in the image of the invisible God? What does it mean to be the "first born"? We could use several tools to help us identify these words, a concordance would help us look up how the words are used in other parts of the Bible. Also, an interlinear study Bible will break the verse down into its original language, which in this case was Greek. If we look this word up in an interlinear study bible it looks like this:

ov estin (5748) eikwn tou qeou tou aoratou, prwtotokov pashv ktisewv,

If I go further and look up the definition of the word "image" I get this defintion:
an image of the things (the heavenly things);

used of the moral likeness of renewed men to God;
the image of the Son of God, into which true Christians are transformed, is likeness not only to the heavenly body, but also to the most holy and blessed state of mind, which Christ possesses

So, now I want to know more about this word "image" and go to my concordance. I would use something like a Thompson Chain Reference concordance and look up the word image. In doing so, I would get some other references which might help me explore this word further. In this case I would get these references:
The Ultimate Aim of the Christian Life: Christlikeness

Romans 8:29

1 Corinthians 15:49

2 Corinthians 3:18

Philippians 3:21

Colossians 3:10

2 Peter 1:4

1 John 3:2

SEE New; Man

This would help me to explore this word in its proper context and place it in relationship to the rest of the Bible. Other tools that I might use in my search are Bible handbooks and commentaries. Sometimes commentaries are helpful to understand the history behind the verse. It is helpful to know sometimes where the author was when he was writing or who he was writing to. Also, it is helpful to consider if the writer and reader would have known each other. In the case of Colossians, we know that Paul most likely had never been there, but was relying upon word from a man mentioned in Colossians 1:7 named Epaphras, a church leader in Colossae.

   Upon some more study, we might look up the word "first born" since it is the christian view that Christ has always existed and is God in the flesh, we need to understand this idea of first born. It does not intend to mean that Christ was born and therefore is not God. It has a totally different meaning than that. It helps to know in this case the way a first century Jew would use this phrase, which is what Paul was. In looking at Adam Clark's commentary, he comments:

"As the Jews term Jehovah becoro shel olam, the first-born of all the world, or of all the creation, to signify his having created or produced all things; (see Wolfius in loc.) so Christ is here termed, and the words which follow in the 16th and 17th Colossians 1:16,17verses are the proof of this"

   So, we see that what Paul was talking about here is what he also clearly says in verses 16-17 that Jesus is the one through whom "all things have been created by Him and for Him, And he is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Paul is talking about the preeminence of Christ over all things. A major theme of this book to combat problems that Epaphras has told Paul about. He is telling the Colossians not to add to the gospel or to place other things alongside, in importance, the person and work of Christ.

How To Study the Bible Part I

2010-07-24T12:32:00.001-04:00

There is a big difference between reading the Bible and studying. In studying the Bible, we look at word choices, historical context and we draw conclusions about how the word practically affects our lives. When I was sixteen, I started studying the Bible on my own. I didn't want anyone else telling me what to believe about the Word, but I wanted to find out for myself. For the longest time, all I had was the Bible and a Hailey's Bible Handbook. Today, there is no real need for someone to go out and buy a bunch of commentaries or word book because so many are free and online. I want to share with you how I studied and got the most out of the Bible.

There are several things you can look for without having any commentaries at all. This is called an inductive bible study. It allows the Word to speak for itself. Things to look for include
1. Key Words- usually these are words that are repetitve. If the Bible repeats itself it is usually important. Ask yourself "What is the key word here in this passage?"
2. Cause and effect statements- This looks at relationships between things. You want to look for linking words between two ideas. Words such as "because of", "since" "due to". Cause and effect statement tell us that because of one thing another happens. An example, "You are saved by grace through faith and not by works, so that no one can boast." This tells us that we are saved by grace and as a result, you may not boast about what you accomplished.
3. Promises to claim- what promise in the passage is there that you as a believe can hope in?
4. Commands- Unfortunately, we don't just have ten commandments, there are a lot of others spread throughout the Bible. Is there a command in the passage you need to respond to?
5. What does the passage tell you about the nature of God? The nature of man? Ask questions such as: Who, what, where, when, why. Let the word speak for itself.
6. Look up related text. These are often found at the end of a verse or at the bottom of the page. It can often give insight into the meaning.
7. Look at the context of the passage. That means consider where the Bible characters were and what was going on immediately before and after the verses being studied. People get into trouble when they take things out of context.

Some helpful links to study aids for the Bible
http://www.studylight.org/com/

http://www.biblestudytools.com/

http://bibleresources.bible.com/

http://www.bible.org/

Psalm 42

2010-07-21T20:52:00.002-04:00

"Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him. For the help of His presence." Psalm 42:5

It is unclear to me when David wrote Psalm 42, if it was David that wrote it. The psalmist mentioned panting after God and feeling despair. He mentions the Jordan, the area east of Jersualem and the promise land. But, the thing of it is is that there were a lot of times in David's life when he felt despair. There was a lot of time when he was in exile from others. Sometimes on the run for his life. But, David is talking more than about a physical despair here, but a spiritual one.

Two times in Psalm 42:5-6 the word despair is used. It is the transliterated word "Shachach" which means to "bow down, humbled, to be cast down". The word "despair" is also used to describe his condition and that word is the word "Hamah" which means to mourn, to roar, to be in a stir. The psalmist was in a state of turmoil and despair. He was in a place where he felt spiritually dry. So, it is almost as if he is talking to himself in this psalm. He looks at his situation and then says to himself and also to us, "Hope in God". Then, in verse 6 it tells us "Therefore I remember from the land of the Jordan". It could mean he means a literal Jordan, but more than that it is a place of exile, a spiritual wilderness, a dry and weak place. It is from this place he tells himself to remember, to look back on much like looking back from a mountain.

When you look back from the tops of the mountain, you see the twists and turns and peaks and valleys that you came through. You can see a long ways off. You can look back and remember what you went through. That is part of what I think he means here. Sometimes we should look back and remember what we have already been through. To look back and remember the valleys, the heartaches, the injury and the insult, so that we can remember that God saw us through it. This is what Joseph did in Genesis 50:20 when he said to his brothers "And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." In retrospect often times, it is much easier to see God's hand at work than in the present.

prayer

2010-07-18T12:41:00.001-04:00

I went to church this Sunday at First Wesleyan Church in High Point. Here is the web site if you want to check it out at http://www.firstwesleyan.org/

The sermon was about prayer this morning and particularly about God's provision in prayer. The pastor's key verse was about Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread". He talked about how God is able to do so much more than we ask, but he wants us to pray about everything. He wants us to come to him and ask for wisdom when we need it and for our daily needs. Among some of the other verses he used are: Ephesians 3:20; James 1:5; Hebrews 11:6.

I began to think of my own prayer life and how sometimes I simply go to God with my concerns and really don't expand that to cover all of the needs I know about. For example, I know of someone who ran away from home this week. I know people who have drug problems. I drive around each week in areas of Burlington where there are strong problems with unemployment and drugs. Many of the people who come into our office during the week have been sexually abused or physically abused in some way. Yet, how many times does it bother me enough to really cry out to God about it.

The scripture in Ephesisans 3:20 caught my attention during the sermon as well. It says, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abudantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us." In some sense, I think when we go to God and pray only about our needs, I think God says, "Is that it?" "Is that all you want?" We should realize that God can do so much more than we dare ask for. We limit God sometimes by shallow and selfish praying. Maybe that is a reflections of our faith. Maybe that is a reflection of my faith.

Another thought that crossed my mind was that prayer is so much more than asking. Prayer also needs to contain thankfulness for what God has done. If you can think of nothing else, then there should be mention of the cross and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. There should be a mention of how God does not treat us as we deserve. Thankfulness for God's love and mercy towards us.

Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." In the previous verses, the writer mentions Enoch. Not much is known about him except that God "took him" early on in Genesis. We do know because of what this passage says that Enoch was a man of faith because without it he could not please God at all. But, notice also that it says that God rewards those who "seek Him". As I mentioned in a previous post, we are to be seekers of God. Not just for what He can do for us, but for Him.

A Compelling Story

2010-07-14T19:01:00.001-04:00

"I will not let you go unless you bless me." Genesis 32:26

     The thing about Jacob is, that he is an unlikely hero in scripture. Born with his hands on the ankle of his brother. He was the ultimate momma's boy. When his mother said to do something that would ultimately cheat his older brother out of his blessing, He did as he was told. He also stole his brother birthright by deception. Now, after years of working for his distant relative Laban, he is coming home to pay for his sins.

    I think Jacob was worried about how Esau would greet him on return. After all, last time he saw his brother Esau wanted to kill him. He was not the soft and feely type. He was a hard man who let bitterness stew overnight. The evidence that Jacob knew this is how he goes back home, by sending presents on to his brother ahead of him. But, this is a changed Jacob coming home.

   In Genesis 32 we read of a story where it says a man wrestled with Jacob until daylight (Genesis 32:24). This was a battle of which Wrestlemania has never seen. The wrestling match of conscious, of pride, of Jacob's heart and spiritual foundation. And when the man says, "Let me go" verse 26 Jacob says he will not until he blesses him. Maybe Jacob didn't know much, but he knew this man was spiritual and he wanted his blessing before he went on.

It is interesting that Jacob did not know this man's name. I think this is a pre-incarnate view of Jesus. Sometimes that happens in scripture. Jesus said that Abraham saw his day and was glad for it. We need to realize that Jesus is God. As God he has always existed. He is actually the reason that everything exists. So, when Jacob asks him his name, the response is "Why is it that you ask my name?" Part of the reason for this is because Jacob realizes he is wrestling with a divine being. The actual question the man asks could be rephrased "Why do you ask about something that is too great for you to understand?" That is why Jacob responds in verse 30 "I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved."

Sometimes in the face of God's silence, when God hides himself. I think God wants us to find the determination of Jacob. The boldness, the courage, the strength, to say to God, I am going to seek you out. I am going to grab a hold and not let go. I am coming after you and not resting until I find you. In a sense, it is almost like a divine hide and seek if you will. The question becomes, "Do you care enough to look?" God has actually promised to allow himself to be found by those who seek him. But, there is still more than that, it is God himself who gives you the desire to look for him.

Are you willing to say as Jacob did "I will not let you go unless you bless me."? Are you will to ask, seek and knock until your arms are weak and knees are sore? "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

The Spirit over the waters

2010-07-09T15:38:00.001-04:00

Two posts ago, I commented about the scripture where it says that the Holy Spirit hovered over the surface of the waters. I was thinking about that passage today. The picture in my mind came of a writer or artist posed over a blank sheet of paper or canvas preparing to create. There is a pause, as the creator considers what will be made. I think that is the same idea here-- one of anticipation.

The irony is that for much of the history of man, the sea was a place to be feared. Man had to use the sea and oceans for transporting goods, lumber and animals and people. But, people knew early on that storms could arise and that some people simply would not return from the voyage they undertook. Yet, here God is hovering over the waters to create. He is going to bring order out of chaos.

I was reading a web site about this where the author said, "Suffice it to say that the idea of water as a threat to the world, as a symbol of the destructive power of sin, as a way to describe the world or people without God, even as evidence of the judgment of God, is a pervasive theme in Scripture. Conversely, the conquest or taming of water is a common metaphor to describe the creative and transforming actions of God in the world, especially at crucial junctures in human history." God take something here that is feared and shows that he is master over it and creator.

http://www.crivoice.org/biblestudy/bbgen3.html
It reminds me of when Moses and the children of God were escaping from Egypt. As they moved from Egypt they went towards the Red Sea. They became trapped between the soliders of Egypt on one side and water and mountains on the others. Yet, here God again shows he is Lord over the things that we fear. He simply lifted up the waters and allowed the Israelites to pass through. But, at the same time, when the Egyptians tried the same thing they died in the waters.

How many people today have lives that we could describe as formless and void and in darkness. They have not allowed the God of peace to touch what is theirs and to mold it into things for his purposes. As a result, homes are destroyed, marriages crumble and lives are ruined. We are taught to be self-sufficient, when our only true rest and peace comes from surrender and dependence on God not self-sufficiency.

Church Service last night

2010-07-08T12:07:00.001-04:00

I decided to try another church last night, Wednesday night prayer service, at a church I had not been to before. I went to the first church I was thinking of checking out and there was two cars in the parking lot. It didn't look like anyone was really doing anything, so I turned around to go to my second choice. I arrived a few minutes late and slipped in the back.

The first thing I thought was, I wonder where the younger people are. There was about 15 people present, all older than me. Most I think it would be fair to say were senior adults. The second thing I noticed was when the pastor made a point of singling me out after the prayer asking me if I had been there before. They then had a man come to the back to give me an outline, which the pastor then ignored during his lesson. The third thing I noticed, is that though I am required in my job to dot the i's and cross the t's, he didn't seem prepared at all.

Several thoughts went through my mind as I sat there. One was that I understand completely most people not wanting to be there. It was about as boring as boring gets. No wonder most of the pews were empty. Second, I felt sad that there wasn't more younger people there. That is what happens when the church refuses to change, update its methods of reaching people and does the same old thing year in and year out. The other thing is, that it is a shame that the church makes Jesus, who was probably the most revolutionary and exciting person to ever live, seem so drab and boring. I can completely understand my kids desire not to go to church. What a pathetic shame most churches are. Sorry, but that's the truth.

The thing is, that the church has a most relevant message for people today. People are craving to hear that God loves them and to experience his forgiveness. They need the relationship that Christ offers a hurting world. They also need the peace that God offers and understanding and explaining our purpose for being as people. People are looking for these answers in all sorts of other places instead of the church.

Interpreting Genesis

2010-07-06T21:24:00.001-04:00

I was talking with some people on a forum that I have been involved in about Genesis and possible interpretations for it. Particularly, referring to the story of creation and how long it took to create heaven and earth. There are several different views on how to interpret this story and problems with each one. Some people take the story literally, while others do not.

There are several problems with taking the story of creation literally. One is that the earth does not appear to be as young as the story of creation would lead us to believe. Most scholars who study the Bible would say that if it is to be taken literally the earth is approximately 5,000 years old. Then if that is true then what do we make of the appearance that the earth is millions of years old? Some scholars have tried to reconcile this with science by coming up with theories. One of the theories is the young earth theory.

The young earth theory suggests that God created the world with age already built into it. In other words, when he created Adam and Even, when you look at them they would look very much like adults. This makes sense because you wouldn't think Adam would have been created as a helpless baby. So, Adam would have looked much older than he was on his first day of existence. Some would say that God did the same thing with the earth and that there were fossils and things in the ground on the first day of creation.

There are some other problems with the literal interpretation of creation such as if Adam and Eve were the first parents then who did their sons marry? They apparently had children and yet no women are mentioned with the mentioning of Cain and Abel. If Adam and Eve did have girls afterwards does that mean that Cain and Abel married they're sisters? Sounds a little strange to me.

One other theory is that of the "gap theory". In other words, some scholars place a gap of millions and possible billions of years between Genesis 1:2 and 1:3. The first two verses are said to be the first creation and then God destroyed that one and so it returned to a state of being void or formless. Then, God started all over again much like you would pottery on a pottery wheel. Smash it up and start all over again from scratch. Some would say that the dinosaurs existed on that first earth before it became formless.

If your shaking your head at this theory your in the same boat with me. Although not everyone who believes in a gap theory would go to this extent. Some would simply say that the earth existed and it was covered in water. The statement in verse 2 would support that water covered the earth. "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkenss was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." The only problem with believing in another first creation with dinosaurs is that you would never get that from reading the passage alone. It doesn't support that and scripture alone cannot be interpreted that way.

One of the other things that have puzzled me about Genesis is who is telling this story and from what perspective? In other words, is this a verbal story passed down from Adam and Eve themselves? Did God tell Adam how he created the earth and then Adam passed it down? How would God have explained the story to Adam, creating something from nothing, in a way that he would understand. In fact, how do I understand that God existed and always existed and made all things from nothing and yet never had a beginning. You would think that God would have to simplify what happened at least for Adam's benefit. Not that God lied, as much as simplified.

One other question about Genesis is do we take the story as a literal 6 24 hour days? You may notice on the first day of the story God creates light. This is despite the fact that the sun was not created for several days later. You would wonder how we would measure time at this point. Also, there is the issue of how long did the earth remain void and formless as it is when the story starts. If it is formless and void does that mean that something did exist at that point? Could that also account for the earth looking older than it is. Don't even get me started on the dinosaurs. . . .

A few links to references to Genesis
http://www.christiananswers.net/creation/menu-bible.html

http://www.religioustolerance.org/com_geev.htm

Set Us Free

2010-07-04T11:54:00.001-04:00

In Galatains 5:1 it says, "It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

    Did you know that in the ancient world where Paul lived there was probably as many as a third of the people living who were under slavery of some kind? Paul knew a lot about slavery. But, physical slavery was not what Paul was talking about in these verses, but a spiritual slavery to the law. Paul was saving that Jesus set us free from the rules and regulations that appear religious, but do not help us to have peace with God. I no longer have to worry about whether or not God is mad at me or try to win his approval. I simply need to have faith that Christ has paid that debt for me.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

   Galatians was written for some of the same reasons that Colossians was written. Some Jews had come, probably from Jerusalem, and were telling new believers they had to follow the law of Moses along with the commands of Jesus. Paul went on to say to them that Jesus set them free from these expectations. They no longer had to worry about what to drink, wash or ceremonies of special days or events. We don't have to worry about trying to earn God's favor because we already have it. Rather, the good works that we do we do out of love for God because of what he has done for us. So, my motivation is not fear, but it is love.

   I was talking with a lady who has been helping her son with paying some bills. She has started to resent how much money the son is asking for. It has been causing a lot of friction in the home. I told her that if she could not give it willingly and because it gave her joy then she should keep it. Keep in mind this is an adult son who is living at home. I specifically told her she shouldn't give him a penny. I think it is the same with giving to God. God loves a cheerful giver. I do the good works that I do not out of fear, but out of gratitude. Gratitude that God has set me free from the fear of hell, forgiven all my offenses and washed my sins away. Though it is as black as the Gulf of Mexico, God has cleansed, forgiven, as if it has never been. If that doesn't make you want to do something in return maybe you don't have an idea of how dark the waters were to begin with.

Gulf Oil Spill

2010-07-02T11:42:00.002-04:00

   Like a lot of other people, I have been watching the news of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  I grew up in Texas near the Gulf coast. We often went to the beach at Galveston during the summer to swim and play in the sand. Though the beaches from what I understand in Texas are still clear, most of the Gulf coast has been effected and will be effected by this oil spill. It is difficult to watch as we have access to watch the oil coming out of the broken pipe at the bottom of the ocean floor. It is difficult to imagine that years of damage this is doing to the coast line and to animals in the water. Not to mention the livelihood of those who depend on the ocean.

    This explosion seems to be the exception rather than the rule thankfully. I can remember looking out at the shoreline and seeing oil rigs for as long as I remember. In fact, when I went to the Outer Banks of North Carolina last year the thing that struck me was that there are no oil rigs there-- at least not yet. The accident occurred not because of the oil rig itself, but it seems because safety measures that should have been taken were not. To the point that the rig itself was unsafe and not built to standards. This was all done in the name of trying to save money and make money. In a word, this happened because of greed.

    I am not saying that the oil rig workers themselves were the ones who caused this. I am sure that most of the employees at BP are honest, hard working folks. I believe though from what I have heard that the people at the corporate level knew that they were cutting corners and allowed it even though they knew it was unsafe. That disregard for the safety and welfare of others is disturbing and the exact opposite of what the gospels tell us to do in treating other people. Jesus tells us that the most important commands of all are to love God and love others. How is this disregard for others demonstrating love?

    There are serious consequences when we try to live and work in a manner that is in contrast to the gospel. When we disregard the safety of others. Eventually these things come back to a time of reaping what was sowed. If I sow good thoughts and positive actions, I believe that it eventually will come back to me. If I disregard God's laws and commands, it may not happen today or tomorrow, but one day there will be a day of judgment, a day to pay for what I have done. Unfortunately, people all along the Gulf coast are also having to pay for the sins of others and not their own. That is part of it to, when there are consequences, those consequences often effect others around us.

Latest Update about the Spill
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100702-706157.html

Zechariah's Visions

2010-06-26T12:29:00.002-04:00

The little prophetic book of Zechariah has some fantastic visions in it. We lose a lot of the meaning in the present day because so much of it is symbolic. Zechariah lived during a time of economic and political upheaval for the promise land. The Jewish people were coming back from captivity from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and their country. Much like Iraq has been the last couple of years, the nation was vulnerable to attack and corruption.

Zechariah has a vision in the night in Zechariah one and he says, "During the night I had a vision-ahd there before me was a man riding a red horse! He ws standing amongh the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown, and white horses." Zech 1:8 I believe this is significant that the rider was down in a ravine. It represents the low place that Israel finds itself in this period. The rider is Jesus Himself, a preincarnate vision of the Son of God. The fact that he is down in the ravine suggests that God is there with them, fighting their baIttles for them and with them. The angel who speaks with Zechariah will clarify this in verse 14-17 of this chapter.

This is meaningful to me because it tells me that though I may go through valleys of my own as a believer, God has not forsaken me. God is willing to get down in that ravine with me and help me to fight my battles. The important thing for me to remember is to stay faithful to him. God tells them this in verse 3 when he tells them "Return to me, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will return to you." Our trouble really begin and ends when we try to do things our own way, in our own timing, without relying on the Lord.

I get frustrated because I cannot see the big picture of what God wants or what direction that he is leading me. He sees it and even in the delays and problems can bear fruit if I allow him to. I must not try to put my hands back on the steering wheel of my life and force the issue. I must allow his perfect timing to have its result. Because it is often in the waiting that he is growing in me the faith, the perseverance, the maturity that I will need to accomplish his will. It needs to be enough to know that God has not abandoned me and is there with me.

Want another encouraging word? Try Beth Moore's a Quick Word at
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/a-quick-word-with-beth-moore/

No more condemnation

2010-06-24T18:40:00.001-04:00

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Romans 8:1

It seems that Christians are more often known for what they are against than what they are for. They seem to be thought of by many people as rigid and judgmental. Maybe that is because we sometimes are and sometimes fight over things that seem petty to others outside the church, like whether or not to have a softball team or an Easter Egg Hunt. But, it seems to me that christians should be a most forgiving lot since we have been forgiven so much.

If I ever do come across as judgmental, I would say that the person I have the least amount of grace towards is myself. I tend to dwell on past mistakes and sins long after I have asked for forgiveness. So, these words in Romans 8 (in fact the whole chapter is beautiful) reminds me that God no longer condemns me. Those sins have been placed on and nailed to the cross. It is great if I want to learn from my mistakes, but I don't have to keep beating myself up over things that God has washed away.

The thing of it is, that if I could have earned my own way to heaven in the first place than the cross would seem like a horrible, cruel thing to do to the Son of God. If it could have been avoided at all. That is in fact what Jesus asked the Father in Gethsemane when he asked that if possible that that cup be taken from him. But, God revealed that there actually was no other way. No other way to attain our rescue than through the hell on the cross.

So, in recalling that I did not earn that forgiveness and it was in fact paid for me by Jesus, then I am to walk in that forgiveness. I am to work hard at forgiving others. That doesn't mean to make light of it or to act as though it did not matter. It doesn't mean to minimize what happened. It means to follow the example of Jesus.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mk 11:25

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

The Power of Our Words

2010-06-19T10:09:00.001-04:00

The New Life Daily Devotional quotes James 3:5-10 regarding the power of our words.
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/NewLife/11633477/

In the book of James, James reminds us that the words that we use can do great damage. Among other things, James calls it a "flame of fire". We would do well to remember the damage that it can do. I heard about a woman who came up to Dwight Moody and told him that "I don't have problems with my tongue. I just go off and then it is done." Dwight replied, "Yes, and so does a shotgun and look at the damage that it does."

Many people grow up hearing only how stupid or ugly they are from parents or other people who should be loving them and not tearing them down. Other people might not hear anything at all, but are treated like dirt and abused. In the absence of encouraging words, a person will start to believe negative hurtful comments even if they are not true. Where I work in the mental health field, we see people who have problems with self-esteem and are abusive to themselves because of messages they were told for years by parents and siblings.

James is reminding us all, to be careful with the words that we say. We are all accountable to God for each thing that we say, both good and bad. We should use our words to encourage and lift up others.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Eph 4:20

Other related Scriptures: Ps 34:13; Pr 13:3; Pr 21:23; 1 Peter 3:10; 1 Peter 2:1.

Jesus Statute Burns Down

2010-06-18T17:14:00.001-04:00

This week we heard about a statute in Ohio of Jesus that literally burned down from lightning strike. A article I found stated:
"The "King of Kings" statue, one of Ohio's most familiar landmarks, had stood since 2004 at the evangelical Solid Rock Church along Interstate 75 in Monroe, just north of Cincinnati.

The 62ft tall 40ft wide sculpture, showed Jesus from the torso up and was nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the way the arms were raised, similar to a referee signaling a touchdown in a game of football."
see rest of article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7831077/60ft-Jesus-statue-burns-to-ground.html

When I first saw this article, I thought about it and wondered to myself when is it expressing reverence and when it is it a graven image? In Exodus 20:4 it says, "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,. . . ." God warned them not to make images because of the tendency of people to worship things rather than God. We make idols out of all sorts of things whether or not we realize it. Could it be that God allowed this statute to be struck down because it was becoming too important to the people of this church? Could it be that it was becoming a source of spiritual pride to these people? Maybe

I was also struck by the phrase that God used in this passage I quoted that God is a "jealous" God. This word is also used in Exodus 34:14 the original Hebrew word is "annq". God is saying that He desires with a passion our allegiance. It is right for God to be jealous of this because He deserves it, as our creator and sustainer. In fact, when we don't allow Him to be the priority of our lives as He should be it is sin. Normally we think of jealousy in negative terms, but in its proper context, it is appropriate.

Apparently, the co-pastor doesn't think that there is anything wrong with the statute because they want to build another one, this time to be fireproof. Quote from the pastor “I think he (Jesus) couldn’t have gotten this much advertising if we had paid a billion dollars,” she said Tuesday. Wow! It is just me or is there something terribly wrong with that statement. See the article about the rebuilding:
http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100615/NEWS01/306160001/-Touchdown-Jesus-statue-fire-not-a-sign-from-God-Solid-Rock-Church-leader-says

You do not ask

2010-06-12T17:13:00.002-04:00

"you want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives." James 4:2-3

This week I had some prayers of mine answered. It was a great encouragement for me to keep praying for those things that I want to happen that have not yet. In thinking about the situation, I realized that I went for a long time hoping, but not praying about my concerns. James was telling his readers that there were two main reasons they were not getting what they wanted. One they were asking with wrong motives. But, also there were times when they were not asking at all. They preferred to do things their own way rather than humble themselves and pray.

Over and over again, the Bible encourages us to lift up our hearts concerns to God. In Philippians 4:6 it says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." You notice there that it says, "in everything", meaning that there is nothing that should be excluded. It should be brought to the Lord. It should be examined in the light of His presence.

There have been times in bringing things to God that God would change my heart and I would stop praying for whatever I had thought was important. There was also times when I would realize as I was praying that what I was asking for was not appropriate or was being asked for for selfish reasons. By bringing that to God, I am saying to God that He has the right to change, to answer or to reject my request. Since I am a child of His, then He has the right to do this. He is the one who I am ultimately answering to at the end of my life the same as everyone else. So, he searches our minds and hearts in prayer and has a chance to show us His will.

One of my friends in college, who is now a pastor use to quote these verses to me, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Sometimes there is a delay in answered prayer because God is examining our hearts "Do you really trust me?" God asks. Are you leaning on your own understanding, your own timetable, your own dreams and goals or are you willing to give them to me? Are you willing to surrender them knowing that I know what is best for you? Or are you stil in the drivers seat?

Related Luke 11:9-10; John 14:14; John 15:7; John 16:24; James 1:5-7; Romans 8:26-27; Luke 18:1; Eph 6:18; Is 65:24; Psalm 91:15;

www.crosswalk.com/prayer/

www.upperroom.org/prayer_center/

www.prayer.org/

Rescued

2010-06-09T20:17:00.000-04:00

Today was one of those days where I just wanted to stay in bed and pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I am not sure why I felt that way. Nothing actually bad happened all day. I actually felt okay and my blood sugar was normal all day. In fact, it was 86 when I came home from work which is right in the middle of normal.

So, after seeing one of my clients and feeling pretty good about the visit, I came home and mowed my lawn. I hate mowing my lawn because it has a lot of hilly spots on it. In fact, the backyard has a huge hill that is great for sledding down if it snows, but otherwise is not a good thing. After mowing, I notice that my cat Tootsie had a baby rabbit (brown) in her mouth. She was going across the street with it presumably to eat it. Of our three cats, Tootsie is the only female and the hunter of the group.

Anyway, I stopped Tootsie and took the rabbit out of her mouth and let it go. I took Tootsie inside to get her away from it and then came back to the rabbit. It looked to be in shock, but when I walked toward it it ran off across the street. I know some would say that I should have left it alone, but it felt pretty good to save the little guy.

It made me think about the verses in Colossians, one of my favorite letters, where Paul stated that God rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His son. The emphasis is not on what we do, but on what God does. God does the rescuing, which we are helpless, undeserving and condemned. Don't think that when you get to heaven your going to be able to claim what a great person you are because you are not. You and I stand condemned without the cross, plain and simple. As helpless and hopeless as that rabbit was about an hour ago. But, despite the fact that we did not deserve it (grace) God had mercy on us and saved us. I think that is pretty cool.

Maybe not a lot of people cared today whether or not I got out of bed and went to work and did my thing. But, I know one little rabbit in this neighborhood that is very grateful I was there. I know too, that I don't say to God how grateful I am that He saved me, when I was helpless to do it myself.

God Knows

2010-06-03T14:56:00.001-04:00

"If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:8, NIV

In Psalm 139, the psalmist writes about how God is all powerful and all knowing. He tells us that there is nowhere that we can go to escape the attention of God. There is nothing that we can think of or know that God has not seen. There is no secrets with God, no unknowns.

A coach at Sam Houston State University for the football team came and spoke at our BSU and referred to this chapter. It was the first time that I had had any exposure to this chapter that I can recall. That was also the first year that I realized that I had problems with fatigue and possible blood sugar problems. To me, when I look at this chapter, I think of those times. It tells me that there is nothing that I am going through that God doesn't see, know about and know the answer for.

Some times when you hear people pray it sounds like they are informing God of what happened. Almost like making a police report. They tell their side of the story to God. But, the thing is, is that God knows the story already. He doesn't need to be informed. But, at the same time sometimes we need to get it off our chest. I don't need to worry though about being misunderstood by God. God sees the problem and already understands the solution. That is really good news because there are times when I do not know what to do.

"You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar, You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139:3

When I was a chaplain in the nursing home, the administrator and nursing director were roommates. They called me into a meeting one time and said that the director had overheard a phone conversation that I had. She said she picked up another line and heard me make some negative comments about the facility to a activity director who was no longer with the company. The fact of the matter is, that I don't know who she heard talking, but it wasn't me. Not that I didn't have some negative feelings about the nursing home, but I was not guilty of making that phone call. Truth is, I didn't even have that ladies phone number. But, they continued to accuse me of it nevertheless. Until the day when the corporate people came and fired the administrator a few weeks later for falsifying documents.

I could confess my innocence all day long to those two ladies and they didn't hear what I had to say. They didn't believe me because they had already made up their minds about what to do and say. But, I decided to leave the situation in God's hands and went home and prayed for the whole situation. Some time after that both of them were gone. The nursing director walked out the door and I never saw her again. Whatever they wanted to believe about me, God knew the truth. He saw my heart and where it was. He saw what really happened. Sometimes you just have to leave it at his throne and let him deal with things. God may not respond in the quick way he did with my situation, but God will have the final word.

Recognizing Holidays

2010-05-30T18:20:00.000-04:00

I struggled with this question a lot more when I was a pastor and had a say in the planning of a service of worship. I went to church this Sunday, Memorial Day and the question of how much should we recognize holiday in our services came up again in my mind.

We call it a "worship service" yet the service I went to this morning, I would say that at least 80% of the service was in reference to our country, how our country is going down the toilet or prayers for our veterans. I don't want to sound ungrateful for our soliders. I really do appreciate the sacrifice they make for us. I know I wouldn't like going to Iraq or Afghanistan and appreciate that they do, in intense situations to stop terrorist and hateful people from doing things like 9/11/01. Yet, is a worship service really the place to focus on veterans?

I struggled as a pastor about how much the service should be altered to mention those holidays such as Veterans or Memorial Day, Father's Day or Mother's Day. If I am in the middle of a sermon series, should I change the sermon for that Sunday? Many people would be expecting a sermon related to the holiday rather that just my systematically going through a text and not recognizing the season. The fact is, that church is not done in a bubble, but in a community and holidays are a part of that.

There was also a reference to Benjamin Franklin as bein a christian. The pastor stated that some called him a deist, but that he was definitely a christian. I thought to myself "have you tried reading a Jeffersonian Bible?" Jefferson took out every spiritual and supernatural reference to Christ in his bible and all the miracles. If they were believers, they weren't believers as I would define them. Most of what I have heard about Franklin, he was a womanizer who liked to drink. Granted, I appreciate his efforts also for our country, but I didn't go to church to worship or thank him.

There is also a real possibility if I am going to be totally honest, that I am looking for an excuse not to go back to church. It makes me uncomfortable these days and that makes me a little sad. I feel more exhausted than when I went in to the service. I look around and wonder to myself who the trouble makers are instead of thinking of them as brother and sisters in Christ.

The churches in Revelations

2010-05-28T20:02:00.000-04:00

I mentioned in my earlier post that I went to a bible study last Wednesday. The topic was regarding the churches in Revelations, particularly the church in Smyrna. There are several different thoughts about these churches and what they mean and why they were singled out.
1. These were literal churches that John had particular messages to at the time. These churches may have been churches that John had a relationship with. Historically, it is thought that John had a strong connect to the church in Ephesus, which is mentioned first here.
2. These churches represent 7 church ages in the history of the church. Often when you hear this view the speaker will say that we are in the Laodicean period, which is the lukewarm church that Jesus had nothing good to say to.
3. These churches are symbolic of many of the problems the church would face. The number 7 is thought to be a significant number and a divine and perfect number, signifying completion.
I would say that there is a good likelihood that all the above is true. We can adopt and take note of the blessings as well as the warnings to these churches. For example, the church in Ephesus, though it was a very productive, strong church is said to have lost their first love. Revelations 2:4. Can the church today, learn a lesson from that? I would think there may not be a more important lesson that we can learn. That God wants more than just activity, but a strong relationship with us. It was so important, in fact, that Jesus threatened to remove "your lampstand" or "your church" from its place if they did not return to their first love. That is pretty serious. Keep in mind they weren't guilt of flagrant sin, but leaving their first love.
Like a lot of relationships, we have ups and downs in our spiritual life. The important thing is that we realize we have a responsibility to cultivate our love relationship with God. It is not just the pastors job or the music minister's job or someone's elses job to write a lesson or preach a sermon or something like that. It is a matter of day and night, consistently, pursuing God and a renewed, vibrant relationship with Him.

"I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." Psalm 77:11-14

Church Service last night

2010-05-27T10:08:00.000-04:00

For those of you who know me and know a little about my past, you know that I have issues about the church. I pastored two churches between 2001-2006 and saw first hand some of the pettiness and mean spiritedness of the church. I am still licking my wounds from this. So, for the last year or so I have not been in church. I think the experience that I have had has forever changed my feelings about the church. So, this was a big experience that I went to a prayer service and bible study last night.

I will say that I picked that church last night because I have met the pastor previously and he does seem to care about his congregation. His comments during prayer service indicate to me that he realizes who is sick and in need of extra care. That does seem to be missing in many congregations these days when the bottom line is money and power. But, I will also say that I felt very anxious being back in church, even though I was not asked to do a thing. It brings back some painful memories I would rather forget.

As I have been thinking about this for some time the question arises in my mind, why even bother going to a church? Part of the answer I think is that we don't go to church simply because of or despite the people there. At least in part, we should go because God deserves to be worshipped and honored. If I do nothing else during the service time, perhaps it gives me time to reflect on Him and then we really can't say that the time was completely wasted. For whatever it says to people about going to church, it says that I had the choice on this day where to go and I chose to honor God by at least having the chance of worshipping or thinking about him. If others do not use it as an opportunity to do this then that is their fault and not mine.

Does this mean that next week I am going to be teaching a Sunday School lesson again or sitting on a committee. No, it doesn't. Stronger words come to mine, but since this is a spiritual blog I will leave it at that. I think there are lessons to be learned from the past. Perhaps I was a little too naive about the nature of people and needed to grow up in my thinking. Perhaps the fear is not completely misplaced that there are people in the church that truly are wolves in sheeps clothing. I think of the words of Solomon that there is a season for everything. Hopefully, this is a season of healing and learning for me.

I think the other lesson to be learned from this is to open yourself up is to be vulnerable. To hide is safe, but it is also a place where we do not live life to the fullness. To risk loving others, to risk caring again, means to risk being hurt again. This is a scary business, this caring about people. It reminds me of a book written by author Denise George called "Becoming Tender in a Tough World". Denise talks about an experience where she goes to the zoo during the winter. There was an animal there who was standing near the area where people walk by. I forget exactly what kind of animal it was at the moment. She talks about how the animal stuck its neck out for Denise to pet it. In that moment, when the animal stuck its neck out, it is vulnerable. But, to not do so means it will never be touched.

I worked as a chaplain in a nursing home between 1998-2001. There was a bird that was kept in the lobby for the residents along with a fish tank. The bird had a habit of putting his head outside the cage and holding it there for the residents to pet its head. Someone could have easily come also and hurt the bird. Sometimes we get hurt also when we take that risk. The question is, is it worth it to try?