I don't really have anything inspiring to write about today, so please read this and make it your prayer with me today. Regardless of inspiration or motivation, prayer is the thing we can, and should, always turn to so that we may express our hearts to God and have peace and encouragement in Him.
Father God,
Life doesn't seem fair at times. I try and try to make good things happen for myself and those I care for the most. I want so desperately to be a blessing but it seems like I just spin my wheels. For every step forward it seems I take two steps back. So I ask why? Why Heavenly Father do I work so hard for so little gain?
Then I hear Your voice calming me, reminding me that it is not by my works but by Grace that I am Your child. You remind me that no amount of my effort without Your guidance is sufficient to accomplish the smallest amounts of Your Will. You are the calmer of storms, the giver of life, the forgiver of my sins.
Guide me through my days, Lord, and show me Your Will that it should be done and not my own. Grant me peace in the midst of chaos that I may help the tormented, blessings in the midst of famine that I may feed the hungry, and the strength to help the helpless whom Satan would seek to ruin.
I love you more than I can express, Father. You are always and forever good. All of these things I ask in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Top 10 - Ways We Do God's Work
In reading that title, you might think that is actually a good thing. I'm going to tell you that it isn't so cut and dry. Sure, doing the things we were created to do when God leads us to do them is excellent. That is what it means to be obedient.
But so often we tend to get caught up in trying to do God's work for Him and that is not a good thing at all. Who do we think we are that we're more capable than God of deciding what is to be done and when??? It's funny, but there is a trick to being obedient to God and it's so simple that most of us just plain miss it. Here is a hint...
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. -- Romans 11:6 NIV
The key to it all is grace. Without it we're done for no matter how much 'good work' we do. We wouldn't need grace if doing enough good in our lives would get us to Heaven. It's an all too common misconception these days that being a good person is enough, and yet the Bible speaks very plainly about this subject and tells us it's the gift of salvation that we must accept and not anything else will do! We get so busy trying to be good and say good things and do God's work that we don't have time to stop...be still...and ask God what He would have us do next. It is far harder to stop and wait for God's instruction than it is to just make assumptions about what He wants us doing and get to it.
So with that in mind, here are ten ways that I think we fall into that trap of doing God's work for him.
But so often we tend to get caught up in trying to do God's work for Him and that is not a good thing at all. Who do we think we are that we're more capable than God of deciding what is to be done and when??? It's funny, but there is a trick to being obedient to God and it's so simple that most of us just plain miss it. Here is a hint...
And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. -- Romans 11:6 NIV
The key to it all is grace. Without it we're done for no matter how much 'good work' we do. We wouldn't need grace if doing enough good in our lives would get us to Heaven. It's an all too common misconception these days that being a good person is enough, and yet the Bible speaks very plainly about this subject and tells us it's the gift of salvation that we must accept and not anything else will do! We get so busy trying to be good and say good things and do God's work that we don't have time to stop...be still...and ask God what He would have us do next. It is far harder to stop and wait for God's instruction than it is to just make assumptions about what He wants us doing and get to it.
So with that in mind, here are ten ways that I think we fall into that trap of doing God's work for him.
- 10 - Thinking God will bless whatever we do because we have good intentions.
- 09 - Passing judgement on a person or situation instead of having an attitude of love.
- 08 - Saying the right things with our mouths but having the wrong feelings in our hearts.
- 07 - Twisting Bible scripture around to prove a point.
- 06 - Anytime we step on others in order to build ourselves up as more important to God.
- 05 - Refusing to share what we know of God's love to others...again, so we can feel more important.
- 04 - Neglecting our families in the name of God. He would never require that of us.
- 03 - Christians pointing fingers at other Christians over things that don't matter. It just makes all of us look silly to those we really need to be reaching.
- 02 - Missing an opportunity to perform real ministry because we are too busy with other church work. Nobody is going to mind if you didn't read your Sunday School lesson if you tell them you spent hours counseling a friend in need.
- 01 - Focusing on metrics and performance. If we're really talking to God and listening for a response, we aren't going to care how many people we've saved in our lives or how many scripture verses we know. All we need to know is that Jesus is Lord and that we've done our absolute best to listen and be obedient to His teachings and instructions. If we've done that, our success will be greater than we ever would have imagined and far greater than anything we might ever have accomplished on our own.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Keeping Up Appearances
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -- Matthew 18:19-20 NIV
Watching some TV around getting dinner cooked and eaten, we found three different shows that all in some way or another dealt with appearances. I watched a very famous man search for his ancestry. In the process he found that he has white blood in his family line (he's black) that came from his ancestor's slave owner. His family was treated like just another possession; not even as important as the livestock. Next we moved on to a 'news' show and watched as they planted a waiter and customers in a restaurant to gauge the reaction of real patrons. You see, the planted customers were gay and lesbian couples with kids and they had this waiter openly question and berate them until they got a reaction from another patron. At that point, 'news' guy descends on the restaurant and talks to these people about their reaction. Last, we ended up on another news program and learned about albinism and how children around the world are treated simply because they look different.
Searching through the Bible to write this post, I searched for the words 'all' and 'nations' and got back 189 results, including the verse I quoted for you today. That verse is commonly known as The Great Commission, as it was Jesus' instructions to his disciples for all generations to come (that's you and me!). The use of the word 'all', I can't help but notice, means this instruction is quite inclusive. It is careful not to make any discrimination against anyone regardless of their belief, color, gender, wealth, actions, hygiene, lifestyle, or anything else. Even if something about a person is biblically wrong, they aren't excluded from 'all'.
So when did we get so far off the rails on this? When did we get so concerned with how someone looks that we forgot that we're supposed to be Jesus for everyone we come across? I can tell you how I feel and what I believe and why I believe it...and I certainly don't agree with a lot of what goes on in the world, but Jesus' instructions tell me not to worry about all of that and to do what I was created to do.
We can't change everyone's mind all at once on this, but we can make sure we don't contribute to the disease but to the cure. When we show impartiality with our love and kindness, we stand the chance of affecting someone else's mindset, and when that happens is when things begin to change. Remember, Jesus doesn't care what they look like on the outside but He cares immensely about how we all look on the inside.
Watching some TV around getting dinner cooked and eaten, we found three different shows that all in some way or another dealt with appearances. I watched a very famous man search for his ancestry. In the process he found that he has white blood in his family line (he's black) that came from his ancestor's slave owner. His family was treated like just another possession; not even as important as the livestock. Next we moved on to a 'news' show and watched as they planted a waiter and customers in a restaurant to gauge the reaction of real patrons. You see, the planted customers were gay and lesbian couples with kids and they had this waiter openly question and berate them until they got a reaction from another patron. At that point, 'news' guy descends on the restaurant and talks to these people about their reaction. Last, we ended up on another news program and learned about albinism and how children around the world are treated simply because they look different.
Searching through the Bible to write this post, I searched for the words 'all' and 'nations' and got back 189 results, including the verse I quoted for you today. That verse is commonly known as The Great Commission, as it was Jesus' instructions to his disciples for all generations to come (that's you and me!). The use of the word 'all', I can't help but notice, means this instruction is quite inclusive. It is careful not to make any discrimination against anyone regardless of their belief, color, gender, wealth, actions, hygiene, lifestyle, or anything else. Even if something about a person is biblically wrong, they aren't excluded from 'all'.
So when did we get so far off the rails on this? When did we get so concerned with how someone looks that we forgot that we're supposed to be Jesus for everyone we come across? I can tell you how I feel and what I believe and why I believe it...and I certainly don't agree with a lot of what goes on in the world, but Jesus' instructions tell me not to worry about all of that and to do what I was created to do.
We can't change everyone's mind all at once on this, but we can make sure we don't contribute to the disease but to the cure. When we show impartiality with our love and kindness, we stand the chance of affecting someone else's mindset, and when that happens is when things begin to change. Remember, Jesus doesn't care what they look like on the outside but He cares immensely about how we all look on the inside.
The Handbook
...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. -- Ephesians 6:17
Listening to Dave Ramsey in the car yesterday, he said something that really struck Suzanne and I as both brilliant and hilarious. He had been asked about whether or not someone in debt who is trying to become debt-free should tithe. He explained to this caller what tithing is and how the Bible instructs us to give that first before anything else and to give it to our local church and then to only give offerings (any other giving) out of our surplus. He was asked about people who don't believe in God and said, "I think everyone should give because giving changes a person from the inside. That's why God gave us the instruction to give a tenth. He knows that it changes us for the better. I can't tell you what people who don't believe in God should give; they don't have a handbook. Christians have a handbook that explains things. Athiests don't have that."
He's right, though. Giving changes us, any of us, whether we believe in God or not. It reduces the selfishness in us and increases the selflessness and that was God's plan from the start. That was Jesus' message in a nutshell. As Christians, we have the handbook for our lives and we should use it. The Bible calls it "the sword of the Spirit" and swords are meant to cut things down. The Word of God has the ability to cut away from our lives anything that stands between us and righteousness and, as my pastor so beautifully pointed out to us at our men's group last week, a great way to look at righteousness is to take away the eous and being left with 'right' and 'ness'. Rightness is what we're meant for, so use that handbook to change any area of your life that isn't right.
Listening to Dave Ramsey in the car yesterday, he said something that really struck Suzanne and I as both brilliant and hilarious. He had been asked about whether or not someone in debt who is trying to become debt-free should tithe. He explained to this caller what tithing is and how the Bible instructs us to give that first before anything else and to give it to our local church and then to only give offerings (any other giving) out of our surplus. He was asked about people who don't believe in God and said, "I think everyone should give because giving changes a person from the inside. That's why God gave us the instruction to give a tenth. He knows that it changes us for the better. I can't tell you what people who don't believe in God should give; they don't have a handbook. Christians have a handbook that explains things. Athiests don't have that."
He's right, though. Giving changes us, any of us, whether we believe in God or not. It reduces the selfishness in us and increases the selflessness and that was God's plan from the start. That was Jesus' message in a nutshell. As Christians, we have the handbook for our lives and we should use it. The Bible calls it "the sword of the Spirit" and swords are meant to cut things down. The Word of God has the ability to cut away from our lives anything that stands between us and righteousness and, as my pastor so beautifully pointed out to us at our men's group last week, a great way to look at righteousness is to take away the eous and being left with 'right' and 'ness'. Rightness is what we're meant for, so use that handbook to change any area of your life that isn't right.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Power Of Encouragement
I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. -- Ephesians 6:22 NIV
I've started to make a habit of being transparent about a lot of things that go on in my life when I write these articles. It isn't always easy because, while I may never have met many of you, a bunch of you are my friends and family. I see you every day. It can be pretty hard to admit when things aren't going well because we all really want to look like we have it all together, don't we? I've been writing these off and on over the past few years. In the beginning I had no real vision or direction for them, but I knew God needed me writing so I did.
An amazing thing has happened over the past few months in general, but the past few weeks in particular. As I've been more transparent, I've had lots of people offer encouragement...and that is something that goes beyond value. Even though I have a Godly perspective on 'negative' events of the past few weeks, it's still wonderful to be offered words of hope and encouragement.
Just today my very good friend Mike sent me an e-mail with a couple of Bible passages he said he felt led to share with me. You know what? I needed to hear them! It's the understanding look or the simple smile or just a quick word to let someone know you care about them and are praying for them that can make a world of difference. So when you hear that little voice inside of you (God) urging you to reach out and encourage someone, take the opportunity and do it. Trust me, it matters and maybe more than you realize.
Think about it this way...how much different would the world be if every single human on the planet said or did something to encourage one other person every day of their lives? We spend a lot of time gossiping and laughing as people fail. I say it's time we reverse that trend. Instead of laughing at another's misfortune let's pray for them. Instead of being exclusive, let's be inclusive. Instead of discouraging others from chasing their dreams, let's tell them we have faith in them. What do you think will happen if we all start doing that?
I've started to make a habit of being transparent about a lot of things that go on in my life when I write these articles. It isn't always easy because, while I may never have met many of you, a bunch of you are my friends and family. I see you every day. It can be pretty hard to admit when things aren't going well because we all really want to look like we have it all together, don't we? I've been writing these off and on over the past few years. In the beginning I had no real vision or direction for them, but I knew God needed me writing so I did.
An amazing thing has happened over the past few months in general, but the past few weeks in particular. As I've been more transparent, I've had lots of people offer encouragement...and that is something that goes beyond value. Even though I have a Godly perspective on 'negative' events of the past few weeks, it's still wonderful to be offered words of hope and encouragement.
Just today my very good friend Mike sent me an e-mail with a couple of Bible passages he said he felt led to share with me. You know what? I needed to hear them! It's the understanding look or the simple smile or just a quick word to let someone know you care about them and are praying for them that can make a world of difference. So when you hear that little voice inside of you (God) urging you to reach out and encourage someone, take the opportunity and do it. Trust me, it matters and maybe more than you realize.
Think about it this way...how much different would the world be if every single human on the planet said or did something to encourage one other person every day of their lives? We spend a lot of time gossiping and laughing as people fail. I say it's time we reverse that trend. Instead of laughing at another's misfortune let's pray for them. Instead of being exclusive, let's be inclusive. Instead of discouraging others from chasing their dreams, let's tell them we have faith in them. What do you think will happen if we all start doing that?
My Hope Is You
1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. -- Psalm 25 NIV
Third Day does a really excellent version of the 25th Psalm called...you guessed it!...My Hope Is You. Talking a little bit more about relying on God, I think this Psalm really speaks to the reasons why we should do that.
Our hope IS God, not really that God is going to do something for us or that He is there simply to bail us out when things get tough. He may very well be those things, but the peace of God comes from knowing that He means absolutely everything and that there is no hope outside of that. It's as cut and dry as anything could ever be.
Mankind proved ourselves wicked from the get-go and God proved Himself loving and generous enough to send Jesus for us so that we might be redeemed and have the eternal life we were destined for. That's reason to celebrate anytime, regardless of our worldly circumstances!
2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.
4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. -- Psalm 25 NIV
Third Day does a really excellent version of the 25th Psalm called...you guessed it!...My Hope Is You. Talking a little bit more about relying on God, I think this Psalm really speaks to the reasons why we should do that.
Our hope IS God, not really that God is going to do something for us or that He is there simply to bail us out when things get tough. He may very well be those things, but the peace of God comes from knowing that He means absolutely everything and that there is no hope outside of that. It's as cut and dry as anything could ever be.
Mankind proved ourselves wicked from the get-go and God proved Himself loving and generous enough to send Jesus for us so that we might be redeemed and have the eternal life we were destined for. That's reason to celebrate anytime, regardless of our worldly circumstances!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Praising God When Your Day Stinks
“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” - Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
Our week did not start out so well yesterday. What has already been a pretty stressful financial time of late just got worse. The car's power steering decided it was too pooped and popped. Simple part to replace, but only available from a dealer (and they had to get it from Texas) and it's labor intensive. Bottom line is we got hit with a car repair bill on a week where we really didn't need anything to go wrong!
Funny how that works out. Dave Ramsey talks a bunch about how Murphy shows up at your house (or car) at exactly the worst times. That's why he suggests an emergency fund...and too bad we've had to use ours over the past couple of months but hadn't yet replenished it.
So, it was already going to be a tight week and it just got way tighter. Nobody would blame us for reacting poorly to the situation, right? I mean, it would be socially acceptable at this point to whine and cry and throw things, don't you think?
Yeah, it's been a long, hard road but we don't react that way around here anymore. We did for years. We'd get all stressed out about it and start pointing fingers at each other and slamming around the house. Pretty much no fun for anyone. The thing is, we realized that we can't go acting like that if we truly have God's love because to have God's love means to understand that it's a setback but also that God is in control and things will be fine. It's a bump in the road, not the end of the world.
After all, we'll still get to work and school and have food to eat and shelter over our heads this week...and the car will be fixed today or tomorrow. Maybe we just haven't tightened our belts enough and put the priority on getting that emergency fund built back up so that the next thing doesn't cripple us. It's the perfect Murphy repellent!
It's easy to praise God when things are going great, and it's just as easy to decide that maybe we can do it without Him. But when things go wrong, and when our week goes sour in a hurry...well, that's when we can learn something about our hearts and about our character. We can learn something about just how much we really trust God with everything, regardless of the circumstances, by our actions in times of hardship, stress, and pain.
Will you remember your Creator in those times? Will you realize that He is still your provider and the bringer of joy to your soul even when things seem the bleakest?
Our week did not start out so well yesterday. What has already been a pretty stressful financial time of late just got worse. The car's power steering decided it was too pooped and popped. Simple part to replace, but only available from a dealer (and they had to get it from Texas) and it's labor intensive. Bottom line is we got hit with a car repair bill on a week where we really didn't need anything to go wrong!
Funny how that works out. Dave Ramsey talks a bunch about how Murphy shows up at your house (or car) at exactly the worst times. That's why he suggests an emergency fund...and too bad we've had to use ours over the past couple of months but hadn't yet replenished it.
So, it was already going to be a tight week and it just got way tighter. Nobody would blame us for reacting poorly to the situation, right? I mean, it would be socially acceptable at this point to whine and cry and throw things, don't you think?
Yeah, it's been a long, hard road but we don't react that way around here anymore. We did for years. We'd get all stressed out about it and start pointing fingers at each other and slamming around the house. Pretty much no fun for anyone. The thing is, we realized that we can't go acting like that if we truly have God's love because to have God's love means to understand that it's a setback but also that God is in control and things will be fine. It's a bump in the road, not the end of the world.
After all, we'll still get to work and school and have food to eat and shelter over our heads this week...and the car will be fixed today or tomorrow. Maybe we just haven't tightened our belts enough and put the priority on getting that emergency fund built back up so that the next thing doesn't cripple us. It's the perfect Murphy repellent!
It's easy to praise God when things are going great, and it's just as easy to decide that maybe we can do it without Him. But when things go wrong, and when our week goes sour in a hurry...well, that's when we can learn something about our hearts and about our character. We can learn something about just how much we really trust God with everything, regardless of the circumstances, by our actions in times of hardship, stress, and pain.
Will you remember your Creator in those times? Will you realize that He is still your provider and the bringer of joy to your soul even when things seem the bleakest?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Top 10 - Worship Songs
Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. -- Psalm 100:2 NIV
I really love a great, Godly message delivered by an engaged speaker (that's you Pastor Philip!) but my favorite part about a church service is worship. It's funny, because as I grew up worship came to be the part of service that I least enjoyed. We were singing out of the old hymnals and it just seemed lifeless and boring to me most of the time. Then I discovered that some churches have contemporary music and live bands and I was captured by it. I had never felt so connected to God in my life! Then I started hearing traditional hymns sung in new ways and it really brought the passion of my youth back to me.
Worship is a time to really let your soul open up to God...to prepare you to listen to what He has to say to you. I've grown to really treasure it. So, this week I give you ten of my most favorite worship songs. If there are some you haven't heard I urge you to check 'em out and I would absolutely love to hear from you on some of your favorites too! There is no way I could ever really limit myself to ten of these. In fact, it may not even be fair to try...but here we go at any rate...
I really love a great, Godly message delivered by an engaged speaker (that's you Pastor Philip!) but my favorite part about a church service is worship. It's funny, because as I grew up worship came to be the part of service that I least enjoyed. We were singing out of the old hymnals and it just seemed lifeless and boring to me most of the time. Then I discovered that some churches have contemporary music and live bands and I was captured by it. I had never felt so connected to God in my life! Then I started hearing traditional hymns sung in new ways and it really brought the passion of my youth back to me.
Worship is a time to really let your soul open up to God...to prepare you to listen to what He has to say to you. I've grown to really treasure it. So, this week I give you ten of my most favorite worship songs. If there are some you haven't heard I urge you to check 'em out and I would absolutely love to hear from you on some of your favorites too! There is no way I could ever really limit myself to ten of these. In fact, it may not even be fair to try...but here we go at any rate...
- 10 - Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew
- 09 - Your Love Oh Lord by Third Day
- 08 - Rain Down by Delirious
- 07 - Marvelous Light by Charlie Hall
- 06 - Creed by Rich Mullins
- 05 - Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns
- 04 - Calling Out Your Name by Rich Mullins
- 03 - I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me
- 02 - Never Let Go by David Crowder
- 01 - He Reigns by Newsboys
Friday, August 20, 2010
Questions, Questions
When it comes to faith, I don't think it matters how "righteous" you are or how many years you've been in the ministry, we all have questions. There are simply things that we do not have definitive answers to...maybe that's part of the reason we call it faith?
I've noticed that it seems like we can get really caught up trying to answer these questions and, eventually we have to start trying to answer them based on our personal beliefs and that can easily degrade into emotional arguments that nobody participating can possibly win! I also think that, unfortunately, there are some who will reach one of these impasses and start to seriously question God because He doesn't provide us the answer to every question we have when we want it answered.
Be careful about this, because there are questions that we each need to answer for ourselves based on the evidence available to us...and for the most part these aren't the questions we focus upon, instead favoring the more trivial ones. Don't get me wrong, I think it's worthwhile to ponder the universe and to read our Bibles close enough to formulate interesting questions. I'm just cautioning that you don't get so hung up on those questions that you neglect the really important ones.
And just what are the important ones, you ask? Well, I'm glad you did!!! The big ones are whether or not you accept that there is one true God in the universe and especially whether you believe that Jesus was God in human form sent to live a sinless life and die for the sins of all who would believe in Him. For an encore, try taking a look at what the life of someone who truly believes in those things looks like. People say that "all you have to do" is believe in Jesus, but I'm asking what it looks like for a person to truly believe? Is it enough to say it and mean it? Does a person who truly, fully believes in Jesus exhibit some similar characteristics of others who truly, fully believe? Are these the people who always give the guy on the street corner $5? Are they the ones who make sure they go to church every Sunday morning and evening and on Wednesday nights? How do they act and what do they sound like when they talk? How do I know if I really, truly believe in Jesus as my savior and Lord???
Those are the questions you really need to know how to answer. If you aren't sure, maybe you need to keep searching until you are sure. Maybe we're never 100% sure, but I know that I want to be as close to that mark as possible. Read your Bible, read what others have to say on the subject, or maybe just pray a whole bunch about it and ask for help figuring it out...all I know is it should consume your life on Earth because those answers will affect you for eternity (if you believe!). The reason I can say that is found at the end of the Bible, in chapter 20 (11 through 15) of Revelation:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Really kinda seems like The Book Of Life or the Lake Of Fire are our two choices, and while Lake Of Fire sounds like a really cool name for a heavy metal band I don't think that's where any sane, rational person would want to spend eternity. So get to work and let's get those questions answered...what do you say?
I've noticed that it seems like we can get really caught up trying to answer these questions and, eventually we have to start trying to answer them based on our personal beliefs and that can easily degrade into emotional arguments that nobody participating can possibly win! I also think that, unfortunately, there are some who will reach one of these impasses and start to seriously question God because He doesn't provide us the answer to every question we have when we want it answered.
Be careful about this, because there are questions that we each need to answer for ourselves based on the evidence available to us...and for the most part these aren't the questions we focus upon, instead favoring the more trivial ones. Don't get me wrong, I think it's worthwhile to ponder the universe and to read our Bibles close enough to formulate interesting questions. I'm just cautioning that you don't get so hung up on those questions that you neglect the really important ones.
And just what are the important ones, you ask? Well, I'm glad you did!!! The big ones are whether or not you accept that there is one true God in the universe and especially whether you believe that Jesus was God in human form sent to live a sinless life and die for the sins of all who would believe in Him. For an encore, try taking a look at what the life of someone who truly believes in those things looks like. People say that "all you have to do" is believe in Jesus, but I'm asking what it looks like for a person to truly believe? Is it enough to say it and mean it? Does a person who truly, fully believes in Jesus exhibit some similar characteristics of others who truly, fully believe? Are these the people who always give the guy on the street corner $5? Are they the ones who make sure they go to church every Sunday morning and evening and on Wednesday nights? How do they act and what do they sound like when they talk? How do I know if I really, truly believe in Jesus as my savior and Lord???
Those are the questions you really need to know how to answer. If you aren't sure, maybe you need to keep searching until you are sure. Maybe we're never 100% sure, but I know that I want to be as close to that mark as possible. Read your Bible, read what others have to say on the subject, or maybe just pray a whole bunch about it and ask for help figuring it out...all I know is it should consume your life on Earth because those answers will affect you for eternity (if you believe!). The reason I can say that is found at the end of the Bible, in chapter 20 (11 through 15) of Revelation:
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Really kinda seems like The Book Of Life or the Lake Of Fire are our two choices, and while Lake Of Fire sounds like a really cool name for a heavy metal band I don't think that's where any sane, rational person would want to spend eternity. So get to work and let's get those questions answered...what do you say?
Disappointed
I'll let you in on a little secret. I know I post these blogs and send them out pretty early in the morning, but I almost always write them the night before so that all I have to do is publish the next morning. This one is getting written this morning.
I don't like to admit this, but I was simply too angry and disappointed last night and I can't write what God wants me to write with an angry heart. I need to work on that because the Bible tells me not to let the day end with any of that stuff still lingering. So pray for me on that, if you would?
I was having a pretty good night last night. We had breakfast for dinner (and is there anything better???) and then headed over for our couple's small group at the church. We had a really good session there and then it was time to go put our horses away for the night and come home to veg. We get to the horse stable and Rachel decides to be frustrated at having to help and then proceeds to cop attitude with me about why I let her leave the house with good shoes on...and this after I plainly told her we would be putting the horses up after church.
When my kids show a lack of gratitude and disrespect, even independently of one another, it goes all over me. That is where the disappointment comes in.
It got me to thinking this morning, if we as parents can get that balled up with disappointment and frustration, how disappointing must we be for God when we fail to show our gratitude for all that He does for us or when we're asked to do the simplest of tasks and refuse? My creator getting upset with me is not something I want to turn into a trend. The real kicker is that no matter how upset I am with my daughter right now, I know He's more upset that I didn't handle the situation with more grace, understanding, and forgiveness...because that's what He does.
In all of your relationships, remember that we have the grace of Christ covering us. We are called to live a life of love and forgiveness, so when you start getting frustrated or disappointed with someone...remember that!
I don't like to admit this, but I was simply too angry and disappointed last night and I can't write what God wants me to write with an angry heart. I need to work on that because the Bible tells me not to let the day end with any of that stuff still lingering. So pray for me on that, if you would?
I was having a pretty good night last night. We had breakfast for dinner (and is there anything better???) and then headed over for our couple's small group at the church. We had a really good session there and then it was time to go put our horses away for the night and come home to veg. We get to the horse stable and Rachel decides to be frustrated at having to help and then proceeds to cop attitude with me about why I let her leave the house with good shoes on...and this after I plainly told her we would be putting the horses up after church.
When my kids show a lack of gratitude and disrespect, even independently of one another, it goes all over me. That is where the disappointment comes in.
It got me to thinking this morning, if we as parents can get that balled up with disappointment and frustration, how disappointing must we be for God when we fail to show our gratitude for all that He does for us or when we're asked to do the simplest of tasks and refuse? My creator getting upset with me is not something I want to turn into a trend. The real kicker is that no matter how upset I am with my daughter right now, I know He's more upset that I didn't handle the situation with more grace, understanding, and forgiveness...because that's what He does.
In all of your relationships, remember that we have the grace of Christ covering us. We are called to live a life of love and forgiveness, so when you start getting frustrated or disappointed with someone...remember that!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Rendered Speechless
Yeah, not really a problem I have much as you might have guessed! I don't really have that problem now either and while I hope you benefit from reading my take on things, maybe sometimes it's best to just hear from God. Today I present to you the 19th Psalm since today is the 19th. Let's read a song of David together, shall we?
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Amen.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Amen.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What Was Old Is New Again
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -- Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Have you ever had a T-shirt that you couldn't bear to part with? Maybe you liked the color or maybe you liked what it said on the front. Mine is on Oklahoma Sooners shirt that was given to me on my birthday more than 10 years ago. The crimson has faded a bit and you can't really tell that it says Oklahoma on the front anymore. The neck and sleeves are fraying after a few too many trips through the washing machine. I have much newer and nicer OU shirts now and I don't wear the old one much, and the old one has pretty much been retired. It spends week after week stuck up in the closet while the newer ones get worn but every so often I notice it up on the shelf and pull it down again. Each time I put it on it's just as comfy as it ever was and I'm glad that I saw it.
I think we do that throughout our lives. We really enjoy something while it's new and fresh, but after time has taken hold and maybe started to fray the edges a bit, we kinda put it on the shelf in lieu of something newer and nicer. We even do this with our kids to an extent. We have another baby and the baby gets almost all of our focus and attention. The older kid(s) suddenly have to get a bit more independent, don't they? Or maybe it's our pets (I have 10 of them, so I can speak to this). We got adopted by a little kitty recently and he's been occupying a bunch of my time to the point that my dog wonders if I've forgotten about him sometimes!
The good news, in fact the greatest news, is that God doesn't ever forget about is in favor of something new. Instead, He takes His children and continually renews us. When we get weak He makes us strong again. When we fail He picks us up off the mat and tells us everything will be OK. If you've ever tried making it on your own, you know how my old worn out T-shirt feels, because that's what the world will do to the best of us. But, if you know God and believe in Jesus then you know what it feels like to be made new...and that's a feeling that is worth having!
Have you ever had a T-shirt that you couldn't bear to part with? Maybe you liked the color or maybe you liked what it said on the front. Mine is on Oklahoma Sooners shirt that was given to me on my birthday more than 10 years ago. The crimson has faded a bit and you can't really tell that it says Oklahoma on the front anymore. The neck and sleeves are fraying after a few too many trips through the washing machine. I have much newer and nicer OU shirts now and I don't wear the old one much, and the old one has pretty much been retired. It spends week after week stuck up in the closet while the newer ones get worn but every so often I notice it up on the shelf and pull it down again. Each time I put it on it's just as comfy as it ever was and I'm glad that I saw it.
I think we do that throughout our lives. We really enjoy something while it's new and fresh, but after time has taken hold and maybe started to fray the edges a bit, we kinda put it on the shelf in lieu of something newer and nicer. We even do this with our kids to an extent. We have another baby and the baby gets almost all of our focus and attention. The older kid(s) suddenly have to get a bit more independent, don't they? Or maybe it's our pets (I have 10 of them, so I can speak to this). We got adopted by a little kitty recently and he's been occupying a bunch of my time to the point that my dog wonders if I've forgotten about him sometimes!
The good news, in fact the greatest news, is that God doesn't ever forget about is in favor of something new. Instead, He takes His children and continually renews us. When we get weak He makes us strong again. When we fail He picks us up off the mat and tells us everything will be OK. If you've ever tried making it on your own, you know how my old worn out T-shirt feels, because that's what the world will do to the best of us. But, if you know God and believe in Jesus then you know what it feels like to be made new...and that's a feeling that is worth having!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Top 10 - Things I've Learned This Week
Learning is a lifetime experience. We don't just hit a point, or at least I hope we don't, where we know all we're ever going to know and that's it. There is so much going on in the world and while much of it is deplorable to most of us, there is plenty to be found that is worth knowing if you look around a bit. So, I give you the best 10 things I have personally learned this week. As always, I hope you get at least a half chuckle out of some of it and that some of it causes you to think a little...
- 10 - Bono (U2's lead singer) doesn't just wear those glasses all over the place to be cool. He has a severe case of light sensitivity and they are specially made to alleviate it.
- 09 - Water spraying out of the back or your tub's faucet into a closet makes a big mess...and costs $95.42 to repair.
- 08 - Many times it's the good you do for goodness sake that makes the biggest impact, and it's really cool to have someone tell you when your actions make a positive impact on them!
- 07 - The trick to having God calm the waves of the storms in our lives is first to ask for it and then to get out of His way so that it can happen.
- 06 - The Xbox Slim's DVD drive dings when you press the button to open or close it...and this a source of endless giggling for my daughter.
- 05 - The power of speaking your desires into another person's life is not to be underestimated. If you want a a different result out of someone, you are the catalyst!
- 04 - I've seen a 10-year old girl sing like what I imagine an angel to sing like and a guy who juggles pizza dough to rock and roll music. The breadth of God's creation is incredible.
- 03 - The amount of time I can lay on a float in the pool before I feel the sun starting to cook my face is approximately 7 minutes.
- 02 - Sometimes the best thing for an ailing heart is good company.
- 01 - That whole "Know God, know peace...no God, no peace" thing is for real. I spent an afternoon with my focus wholly shifted away from God and there wasn't any peace to be found. A feat I do not ever wish to repeat, I promise you!!!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Breaking Bread
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. -- Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
One of my favorite activities is to have dinner and hang out with people I care about. Meals are just more fun when you have good company to go along with good food, aren't they? There is always lots of smiles and laughter...it's a time of joy and contentment. I suppose you could say that it just feels right.
Looking at the verse from Revelation, it seems like Jesus is telling us that He is meant to be a part of all of those occasions and, even more so, wants to be our company even when nobody else is around. He wants to laugh with us when have a good time and also wants us to put our heads on His shoulder when we need one to cry upon.
Even if He's been to our house before but we've told Him to go home, He keeps coming back and knocking at the door...wanting desperately to be invited in. Jesus wants to be the VIP guest to the rest of our lives.
So remember the next time you want to have a get together, or when you feel alone and in the dumps (especially at those times), to answer that knock at the door!
One of my favorite activities is to have dinner and hang out with people I care about. Meals are just more fun when you have good company to go along with good food, aren't they? There is always lots of smiles and laughter...it's a time of joy and contentment. I suppose you could say that it just feels right.
Looking at the verse from Revelation, it seems like Jesus is telling us that He is meant to be a part of all of those occasions and, even more so, wants to be our company even when nobody else is around. He wants to laugh with us when have a good time and also wants us to put our heads on His shoulder when we need one to cry upon.
Even if He's been to our house before but we've told Him to go home, He keeps coming back and knocking at the door...wanting desperately to be invited in. Jesus wants to be the VIP guest to the rest of our lives.
So remember the next time you want to have a get together, or when you feel alone and in the dumps (especially at those times), to answer that knock at the door!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Trust Vs. Doubt
Hopefully you've had some time after reading yesterday's post to really think about your relationship with God and to question both your motives and your actions. I also hope you've come to some realizations that will allow your relationship with Him to grow stronger!
Me, I had a pretty awful day in that regard. I spent much of it stressing and doubting myself and wondering where I might have gone off the tracks that so many things could be falling apart all at once. Don't get me wrong, never does it leave my thoughts that there are many who have it worse...even some who are close to me. Maybe part of it for me is feeling so trapped and hamstrung because of my own stupidity. I want desperately to just take everyone I care about and help them and be there for them...but it's hard to do when I am stuck in my own mud pit, mashing the accelerator with all intensity and just watching the wheels spin and sink deeper.
It's an emotional pit I really wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It's also indicative of me not practicing what I spend so much time preaching to you on this blog or in a Bible study. That isn't cool and I won't allow myself to spend much time there lest you start thinking I'm a big fake. That, and it doesn't honor God which...you know...is kind of a big deal too.
The bottom line is that you can't trust God and doubt Him at the same time. You have to come down on one side of that argument at any given point in time. Some of us may even spend a good deal of time bouncing back and forth between them but that's another day's blog. We need to learn that our doubts, just like our pride, lead us away from God's will and into a place of desperation. Desperation easily leads us to a point where we just start reacting and trying even harder to do it all ourselves, when what we really need be doing is trashing those doubts and our pride early on, realizing as we do that these are the times when we need to heap all of it together and pass it up to God the most! When trust in God becomes our focus instead of doubt or pride, it means that we're free to do the work that He's prepared us to do.
I fell into that pit yesterday. I let things get to me and started looking for that panic button. I went into reactionary mode instead of reliance mode. Rest assured, by the end of the day and with a bunch of help from my wife and my friends (you know who you are!) I had regained my spiritual footing. As always, God uses our weaknesses for His good and turns them into strengths. If even one of you manages to relate to my predicament, even in a small way, and this helps you get through yours with grace, peace, and strength next time...well, then it was all worth it in the end.
I liken this back and forth process of trust and doubt to the story of Habakkuk. The book of Habakkuk begins with his plea to God. A plea filled with doubt:
Chapter 1:2-3(NLT) -- How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence!" I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
He ends the book with a prayer that is as much a song of worship, but look at how drastically it contrasts with what you read from the beginning. This passage is overflowing with praise for and trust in God:
Chapter 3:2(NLT) -- I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
verses 18-19(NLT) -- yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will me as a surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
At the end of the day I will trust in the Lord. I will ask forgiveness for my failures and sing praise for my successes that cannot come at all except through Him. And I will hug my kids, kiss my wife, and put my head on my pillow to rest knowing that today's successes were nothing but the result of yesterday's failures.
Me, I had a pretty awful day in that regard. I spent much of it stressing and doubting myself and wondering where I might have gone off the tracks that so many things could be falling apart all at once. Don't get me wrong, never does it leave my thoughts that there are many who have it worse...even some who are close to me. Maybe part of it for me is feeling so trapped and hamstrung because of my own stupidity. I want desperately to just take everyone I care about and help them and be there for them...but it's hard to do when I am stuck in my own mud pit, mashing the accelerator with all intensity and just watching the wheels spin and sink deeper.
It's an emotional pit I really wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. It's also indicative of me not practicing what I spend so much time preaching to you on this blog or in a Bible study. That isn't cool and I won't allow myself to spend much time there lest you start thinking I'm a big fake. That, and it doesn't honor God which...you know...is kind of a big deal too.
The bottom line is that you can't trust God and doubt Him at the same time. You have to come down on one side of that argument at any given point in time. Some of us may even spend a good deal of time bouncing back and forth between them but that's another day's blog. We need to learn that our doubts, just like our pride, lead us away from God's will and into a place of desperation. Desperation easily leads us to a point where we just start reacting and trying even harder to do it all ourselves, when what we really need be doing is trashing those doubts and our pride early on, realizing as we do that these are the times when we need to heap all of it together and pass it up to God the most! When trust in God becomes our focus instead of doubt or pride, it means that we're free to do the work that He's prepared us to do.
I fell into that pit yesterday. I let things get to me and started looking for that panic button. I went into reactionary mode instead of reliance mode. Rest assured, by the end of the day and with a bunch of help from my wife and my friends (you know who you are!) I had regained my spiritual footing. As always, God uses our weaknesses for His good and turns them into strengths. If even one of you manages to relate to my predicament, even in a small way, and this helps you get through yours with grace, peace, and strength next time...well, then it was all worth it in the end.
I liken this back and forth process of trust and doubt to the story of Habakkuk. The book of Habakkuk begins with his plea to God. A plea filled with doubt:
Chapter 1:2-3(NLT) -- How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence!" I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
He ends the book with a prayer that is as much a song of worship, but look at how drastically it contrasts with what you read from the beginning. This passage is overflowing with praise for and trust in God:
Chapter 3:2(NLT) -- I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done. In this time of our deep need, begin again to help us, as you did in years gone by. Show us your power to save us. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
verses 18-19(NLT) -- yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will me as a surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.
At the end of the day I will trust in the Lord. I will ask forgiveness for my failures and sing praise for my successes that cannot come at all except through Him. And I will hug my kids, kiss my wife, and put my head on my pillow to rest knowing that today's successes were nothing but the result of yesterday's failures.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Do You Know Why?
I won't be hand-feeding you Bible verses today. For today, I want you to really think for a few minutes. My friend Tyler inspired me today by posing the following question on Facebook:
"Why did you choose God?"
I really love to hear the next generation (Tyler is either 16 or 17) standing up and asking the tough questions, and there may not be a more important one to ask!
Some of you might have chosen God because that's what your parents told you to do when you were little. Some of you may have picked Him because you wanted to hedge your bets "just in case the crazy Christians are right". Or maybe you haven't chosen God at all. Regardless, it is extremely critical...a matter of life or death in fact...that you get honest with yourself and decide how to answer that question. You can be honest with God. It's OK. Better to be honest now and really wrestle with it than to wait for the end of the world and deal with it then.
Once you really dig in and figure out exactly why it is that God is the way to go, then you are ready to face anything that the world or that Satan can possibly throw at you. Having the peace of God in your heart is the thing that gives you power to overcome everything else.
If you want help working through your answer to that question, find someone to talk to about it. Look for answers to questions you have about God. Let the pursuit of the answer to that question consume you until you are satisfied you have it cornered. Then, and only then, are you ready to not only withstand temptation but you are ready to share what you know with others...and THAT is the biggest blessing any of us could ever ask to receive.
"Why did you choose God?"
I really love to hear the next generation (Tyler is either 16 or 17) standing up and asking the tough questions, and there may not be a more important one to ask!
Some of you might have chosen God because that's what your parents told you to do when you were little. Some of you may have picked Him because you wanted to hedge your bets "just in case the crazy Christians are right". Or maybe you haven't chosen God at all. Regardless, it is extremely critical...a matter of life or death in fact...that you get honest with yourself and decide how to answer that question. You can be honest with God. It's OK. Better to be honest now and really wrestle with it than to wait for the end of the world and deal with it then.
Once you really dig in and figure out exactly why it is that God is the way to go, then you are ready to face anything that the world or that Satan can possibly throw at you. Having the peace of God in your heart is the thing that gives you power to overcome everything else.
If you want help working through your answer to that question, find someone to talk to about it. Look for answers to questions you have about God. Let the pursuit of the answer to that question consume you until you are satisfied you have it cornered. Then, and only then, are you ready to not only withstand temptation but you are ready to share what you know with others...and THAT is the biggest blessing any of us could ever ask to receive.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
My Brother's Keeper
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" -- Genesis 4:8-9
If you have more than one child, you've experienced a sibling fight. These are some of the nastiest interactions possible between two human beings...and they're related!!! My kids, having spent almost the whole summer home together finally boiled over yesterday and went after each other. It always makes me, as a parent, feel like I somehow failed them. Don't get me wrong, they are teenagers and I know I'm not personally responsible for their behavior but I really wish I knew what it was I should have said or done to impart to them how critical it is that they respect and love one another.
What gets me about the story is that there isn't really any indication of what impact the sibling fight that led to death for one and banishment for the other had on the parents. Cain had to answer to God, of course, but did he have to answer to Adam and Eve? I can only imagine the pain they felt as parents having essentially lost both of their sons in the blink of an eye.
I don't have any great solutions for you other than to offer this: Make sure they know you love them. Make sure there are very clear consequences for future infractions. Tell them how it hurts you to see them act that way. Show them how Jesus would handle such a situation and how God wants them to handle it.
It is a parent's responsibility to raise our children knowing who God is and why a relationship with Christ is necessary. It is our duty to be their example of that. The rest is up to them...
If you have more than one child, you've experienced a sibling fight. These are some of the nastiest interactions possible between two human beings...and they're related!!! My kids, having spent almost the whole summer home together finally boiled over yesterday and went after each other. It always makes me, as a parent, feel like I somehow failed them. Don't get me wrong, they are teenagers and I know I'm not personally responsible for their behavior but I really wish I knew what it was I should have said or done to impart to them how critical it is that they respect and love one another.
What gets me about the story is that there isn't really any indication of what impact the sibling fight that led to death for one and banishment for the other had on the parents. Cain had to answer to God, of course, but did he have to answer to Adam and Eve? I can only imagine the pain they felt as parents having essentially lost both of their sons in the blink of an eye.
I don't have any great solutions for you other than to offer this: Make sure they know you love them. Make sure there are very clear consequences for future infractions. Tell them how it hurts you to see them act that way. Show them how Jesus would handle such a situation and how God wants them to handle it.
It is a parent's responsibility to raise our children knowing who God is and why a relationship with Christ is necessary. It is our duty to be their example of that. The rest is up to them...
Monday, August 09, 2010
Emmitt & Moose
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. -- John 15:13 NIV
To be honest, I had every intention of writing about Daryl "Moose" Johnston today. Emmitt Smith going into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame was going to by the means by which I reached my goal of talking to you about Moose and about what it means to sacrifice. Make no mistake, I'll get to that part but watching all of Emmitt's speech I can't help but share parts of it with you because it was just that special...and I say that regardless of whether you've ever watched a down of football in your life. I say that because, as much as Moose sacrificed for Emmitt and the Cowboys, do did Emmitt! Please read on about someone I consider a great man and a person from whom we can all learn some things about life. You might even want to go watch it on YouTube or find the transcript at profootballhof.com.
Jerry Jones about Emmitt: "Emmitt Smith evokes in my heart and in my mind God’s will of taking advantage of every gift that you’ve been given. He hasn’t left a yard on the table of his life."
Emmitt:
(Acknowledging Christ first) "Thank you to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for blessing me to play the sport I so dearly love for almost three decades."
(Good example of mentoring) "Thank you to my high school coach Dwight Thomas for teaching me how to set goals, become a team player, and to shine the spotlight upon others such as my offensive linemen."
(The value of effective leadership) "Thank you to Jimmy Johnson for bringing discipline, focus, commitment and your expectation to our team. You propelled us to do great things in life. You set the bar very high and not only demanded that we leaped over it, but, Jimmy, you showed us how. You knew your players were capable of achieving the standard you set for us. You knew we could claim our greatness. It's what drove us to become the team we became."
(The importance of fellowship) "To Michael and Troy, would you both please stand. It has truly, truly, truly been an honor to go into battle with two of the greatest champions I've ever played with. Without you there is no me. That is why we are called the triplets. You cannot have one without the other. Troy, your leadership, dedication and focus helped me become a better football player because I did not want to let you down. Michael, your work ethic, your passion, your love for this sport helped me learn to train and prepare myself differently."
(Critical disciplines, thanking his support) "While playing for the Dallas Cowboys, balance was the key to our success. We had a winning strategy and a spiritual purpose as a team. We also had a collective goal, mental toughness and trust. When it came down to the third and fourth quarters, my offensive linemen knew what was about to go down. Right now I would like to thank them. If you're in the audience as I call out your name, would you please stand."
(Appreciating the unsung sacrifices) Daryl Johnston, where are you? Will you please stand? You mean the world to me (tearing up) not just because we shared the same backfield, but because you sacrificed so much for me. People don't understand what it took to be a fullback in our system, the sacrifices you made not simply with your body but your whole spirit. You took care of me as though you were taking care of your little brother. Without you, without you, I know today would not have been possible. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
The rest is a playbook for success in life...
"Now let's talk about some specific steps I took that were critical to sustaining my vision. There's a difference between merely having a dream and fulfilling a vision. Most people only dream. I only not had my childhood dream, but I did everything in my power to fulfill it. For example, I wrote down my goals and how I was going to achieve them because Dwight Thomas used to tell us, It's only a dream until you write it down, and then it becomes a goal."
"Another critical principle is consistency. Consistency shows value. Consistency is necessary for trust, durability and longevity. You have to show up every week no matter how difficult the game or life might be."
"Next is balance. As I stated earlier, balance was the key to our success. We had all the balance you could possibly have. I exhibit balance in my personal life when I put my family in its proper place, and that is number one." (after God, of course)
"Some time ago I had an older person come up to me and he said, Do you know who is the greatest runningback out of Pensacola that nobody has ever seen? Well, I played in the National Football League and I had accomplished quite a bit. I thought perhaps he was talking about me. However, he went on to explain, your father was a heck of a runningback. This was a revelation to me. Of course, I knew my father had played ball, but I never knew he was that good. Now fast forward in time to February the 6th, the day before Super Bowl XXXXIV there we were, my father and I sitting together. When he turned to me and said, Son, I am so proud of you, I had dreams of doing what you're doing, but my mom got sick and I never did get a chance to go to college (talk about sacrifice!). He said, You're living my dreams, you're living my dream. And all I could think about was, I'm living your dream, I'm fulfilling my dream, and I'm fulfilling God's purpose for my life."
For Emmitt Smith to give that speech, there had to be sacrifices made. Some I'm sure we small and some very great, but sacrifices and plenty of them. He had to commit himself to his dream and refuse to fail. He had to acknowledge God's plan for his life. His parents had to clear the way for him to pursue his passion. His coaches had to mentor him and teach him what he would need to know to be his best, not only in football, but in life. His pro teammates had to support him as an integral part of the team reaching it's goal. They often supported him by sacrificing some of their own glory. Moose, in particular, made much of Emmitt's success possible as you read in that part of the speech.
To succeed we must personally sacrifice, we must have mentors who will impart their wisdom to us, we must have great leadership, and we must have the support and fellowship of those who share our vision and our dream. You are on a team...probably on many different teams in many different capacities across your life. You are critical to each of those teams' success, so dig in and get to work!
To be honest, I had every intention of writing about Daryl "Moose" Johnston today. Emmitt Smith going into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame was going to by the means by which I reached my goal of talking to you about Moose and about what it means to sacrifice. Make no mistake, I'll get to that part but watching all of Emmitt's speech I can't help but share parts of it with you because it was just that special...and I say that regardless of whether you've ever watched a down of football in your life. I say that because, as much as Moose sacrificed for Emmitt and the Cowboys, do did Emmitt! Please read on about someone I consider a great man and a person from whom we can all learn some things about life. You might even want to go watch it on YouTube or find the transcript at profootballhof.com.
Jerry Jones about Emmitt: "Emmitt Smith evokes in my heart and in my mind God’s will of taking advantage of every gift that you’ve been given. He hasn’t left a yard on the table of his life."
Emmitt:
(Acknowledging Christ first) "Thank you to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for blessing me to play the sport I so dearly love for almost three decades."
(Good example of mentoring) "Thank you to my high school coach Dwight Thomas for teaching me how to set goals, become a team player, and to shine the spotlight upon others such as my offensive linemen."
(The value of effective leadership) "Thank you to Jimmy Johnson for bringing discipline, focus, commitment and your expectation to our team. You propelled us to do great things in life. You set the bar very high and not only demanded that we leaped over it, but, Jimmy, you showed us how. You knew your players were capable of achieving the standard you set for us. You knew we could claim our greatness. It's what drove us to become the team we became."
(The importance of fellowship) "To Michael and Troy, would you both please stand. It has truly, truly, truly been an honor to go into battle with two of the greatest champions I've ever played with. Without you there is no me. That is why we are called the triplets. You cannot have one without the other. Troy, your leadership, dedication and focus helped me become a better football player because I did not want to let you down. Michael, your work ethic, your passion, your love for this sport helped me learn to train and prepare myself differently."
(Critical disciplines, thanking his support) "While playing for the Dallas Cowboys, balance was the key to our success. We had a winning strategy and a spiritual purpose as a team. We also had a collective goal, mental toughness and trust. When it came down to the third and fourth quarters, my offensive linemen knew what was about to go down. Right now I would like to thank them. If you're in the audience as I call out your name, would you please stand."
(Appreciating the unsung sacrifices) Daryl Johnston, where are you? Will you please stand? You mean the world to me (tearing up) not just because we shared the same backfield, but because you sacrificed so much for me. People don't understand what it took to be a fullback in our system, the sacrifices you made not simply with your body but your whole spirit. You took care of me as though you were taking care of your little brother. Without you, without you, I know today would not have been possible. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
The rest is a playbook for success in life...
"Now let's talk about some specific steps I took that were critical to sustaining my vision. There's a difference between merely having a dream and fulfilling a vision. Most people only dream. I only not had my childhood dream, but I did everything in my power to fulfill it. For example, I wrote down my goals and how I was going to achieve them because Dwight Thomas used to tell us, It's only a dream until you write it down, and then it becomes a goal."
"Another critical principle is consistency. Consistency shows value. Consistency is necessary for trust, durability and longevity. You have to show up every week no matter how difficult the game or life might be."
"Next is balance. As I stated earlier, balance was the key to our success. We had all the balance you could possibly have. I exhibit balance in my personal life when I put my family in its proper place, and that is number one." (after God, of course)
"Some time ago I had an older person come up to me and he said, Do you know who is the greatest runningback out of Pensacola that nobody has ever seen? Well, I played in the National Football League and I had accomplished quite a bit. I thought perhaps he was talking about me. However, he went on to explain, your father was a heck of a runningback. This was a revelation to me. Of course, I knew my father had played ball, but I never knew he was that good. Now fast forward in time to February the 6th, the day before Super Bowl XXXXIV there we were, my father and I sitting together. When he turned to me and said, Son, I am so proud of you, I had dreams of doing what you're doing, but my mom got sick and I never did get a chance to go to college (talk about sacrifice!). He said, You're living my dreams, you're living my dream. And all I could think about was, I'm living your dream, I'm fulfilling my dream, and I'm fulfilling God's purpose for my life."
For Emmitt Smith to give that speech, there had to be sacrifices made. Some I'm sure we small and some very great, but sacrifices and plenty of them. He had to commit himself to his dream and refuse to fail. He had to acknowledge God's plan for his life. His parents had to clear the way for him to pursue his passion. His coaches had to mentor him and teach him what he would need to know to be his best, not only in football, but in life. His pro teammates had to support him as an integral part of the team reaching it's goal. They often supported him by sacrificing some of their own glory. Moose, in particular, made much of Emmitt's success possible as you read in that part of the speech.
To succeed we must personally sacrifice, we must have mentors who will impart their wisdom to us, we must have great leadership, and we must have the support and fellowship of those who share our vision and our dream. You are on a team...probably on many different teams in many different capacities across your life. You are critical to each of those teams' success, so dig in and get to work!
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Top 10 - Things About Being On A Team
Among others, Emmitt Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame this weekend. More on him tomorrow, but it got me to thinking about what it took to make Emmitt the all-time leading rusher in the NFL. So much so that we talked about it in our weekly men's group meeting this morning! So, here are my top 10 things about being part of a team...any team. These are the things that are required to make a team successful. Enjoy your Monday and the rest of your week!
- 10 - Chemistry. You can't win if you don't like the people who line up next to you.
- 09 - Fellowship. Similar to chemistry, but takes it a step further. A team that loves being together when they aren't competing functions better together when they are competing. Thunder, anyone?
- 08 - Support. The feeling that the guy next to you has your back no matter what happens.
- 07 - Success. The Bible says that two are better than one because they get a better return for their work. That is displayed in teams around the world on a daily basis.
- 06 - A common cause. It's awesome to have people around you who stand with you to help reach an objective.
- 05 - Leadership. Great teams have great leadership. Great leaders are those you can't help but want to follow...like Jesus!
- 04 - Perseverance. All teams face adversity. Great teams overcome it.
- 03 - Sacrifice. Each member of a great team makes the personal sacrifices necessary to ensure the team's success...regardless of whether it means personal glory.
- 02 - Charisma. Paired with leadership, but related specifically to team members. There have to be members of the team whom people naturally want to follow into anything.
- 01 - Trust. A team loses it's cohesion when it's members don't trust each other or their leadership. Trust takes a long to time to build up and only a moment to destroy.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Wife Of My Youth
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. -- Proverbs 5:18 NIV
Have you ever sat down and gone through some old pictures, maybe that time when you cleaned out your attic and found a couple of shoe boxes full of them, and found pictures of you at younger ages or maybe some pictures of your wedding day? Isn't it amazing how we can still look like us but look so different today than we did back then? I know I've seen pictures of my parents with some extremely goofy hairstyles and looking back at my younger pictures it's plain to see that I followed suit. Now, I don't have much hair to worry about anymore and maybe that's the goofiest look of all!
But those times were our youth. We had so much life in front of us. The possibilities were endless! Then you "grow up" and the responsibilities seem to mount faster than they can be tackled. You hit 35 and you suddenly don't have endless amounts of energy anymore. You hit 40 and things start to hurt for no apparent reason at all. I can't even fathom what's going to happen as I hit 45 and 50 and then beyond (Lord willing). When life starts doing it's best to take it's toll on us it gets harder and harder to remember what it was like to be young and full of optimism, isn't it?
To go one step further, how can those of us who believe in Jesus and have our salvation in hand do what we're called to do if we're constantly weighed down by responsibility and walking like we're stuck in the mud? We're supposed to be exemplifying the life of Jesus with our words and our actions, but to look at many of us it gets harder and harder to see Jesus in us the older and less vital we get.
We need to remember the gift we have so graciously received from Jesus! We need to recapture the exuberance of our youth. We're still the same people (some of us with far less hair!) that we were in our younger days. Don't the little aches and pains bleed into your attitude. Instead, show the world that no matter what physical limitations befall you, Jesus is your energy source and He is endless. Because of Him your fountain is blessed and you are eternally youthful in spirit!
Those of you who aren't married, remember what you are about to read when you have a spouse someday. The wife (or husband) of your youth is still there. God put you together and created something new. Something that isn't meant to be broken. Don't let anything block your memories of how in love you were on your wedding day. Your love will only grow deeper over time if you do, and there is nothing a few extra pounds, a bunch of gray hair, or any amount of worldly influence can do about it.
Have you ever sat down and gone through some old pictures, maybe that time when you cleaned out your attic and found a couple of shoe boxes full of them, and found pictures of you at younger ages or maybe some pictures of your wedding day? Isn't it amazing how we can still look like us but look so different today than we did back then? I know I've seen pictures of my parents with some extremely goofy hairstyles and looking back at my younger pictures it's plain to see that I followed suit. Now, I don't have much hair to worry about anymore and maybe that's the goofiest look of all!
But those times were our youth. We had so much life in front of us. The possibilities were endless! Then you "grow up" and the responsibilities seem to mount faster than they can be tackled. You hit 35 and you suddenly don't have endless amounts of energy anymore. You hit 40 and things start to hurt for no apparent reason at all. I can't even fathom what's going to happen as I hit 45 and 50 and then beyond (Lord willing). When life starts doing it's best to take it's toll on us it gets harder and harder to remember what it was like to be young and full of optimism, isn't it?
To go one step further, how can those of us who believe in Jesus and have our salvation in hand do what we're called to do if we're constantly weighed down by responsibility and walking like we're stuck in the mud? We're supposed to be exemplifying the life of Jesus with our words and our actions, but to look at many of us it gets harder and harder to see Jesus in us the older and less vital we get.
We need to remember the gift we have so graciously received from Jesus! We need to recapture the exuberance of our youth. We're still the same people (some of us with far less hair!) that we were in our younger days. Don't the little aches and pains bleed into your attitude. Instead, show the world that no matter what physical limitations befall you, Jesus is your energy source and He is endless. Because of Him your fountain is blessed and you are eternally youthful in spirit!
Those of you who aren't married, remember what you are about to read when you have a spouse someday. The wife (or husband) of your youth is still there. God put you together and created something new. Something that isn't meant to be broken. Don't let anything block your memories of how in love you were on your wedding day. Your love will only grow deeper over time if you do, and there is nothing a few extra pounds, a bunch of gray hair, or any amount of worldly influence can do about it.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Wow! Moments
We watch America's Got Talent and really enjoy it. I think we're watching for the same reason Howie Mandel agreed to be a judge this year...we're looking for the Wow! moments. We're looking to see something that surprises us or that causes an emotional response.
It occurs to me that maybe that's how many of us view our faith anymore. There seem to be few mysteries left in the world, so we reduce God's creation to the mundane. We've become insensitive to the beauty of the ordinary and long for that which surprises us.
Certainly, the Wow! moments are really cool. They are signature moments to be sure. Moses parting the Red Sea...that had to be a Wow! moment. Seeing the walls of Jericho fall at the sound of Joshua's army screaming...absolutely a Wow! moment. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead...a sure fire Wow!, and later being raised from the dead was maybe the biggest Wow! moment of them all.
Make no mistake that our God is eternally capable of producing the awe inspiring. One has only to read of what is to come in Revelation to understand that. But I think that it is the quiet, personal moments that really make the biggest splash on us. It's having your child profess their belief in and love for Jesus. It's the first time you and your spouse joined hands and prayed, just the two of you. It's the moment when you felt the most broken which brought as close as possible to God and led you back to obedience.
When God whispers into your life, let it hold your attention the way a Wow! moment would and let it lead you to even greater levels of love and obedience for Him.
It occurs to me that maybe that's how many of us view our faith anymore. There seem to be few mysteries left in the world, so we reduce God's creation to the mundane. We've become insensitive to the beauty of the ordinary and long for that which surprises us.
Certainly, the Wow! moments are really cool. They are signature moments to be sure. Moses parting the Red Sea...that had to be a Wow! moment. Seeing the walls of Jericho fall at the sound of Joshua's army screaming...absolutely a Wow! moment. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead...a sure fire Wow!, and later being raised from the dead was maybe the biggest Wow! moment of them all.
Make no mistake that our God is eternally capable of producing the awe inspiring. One has only to read of what is to come in Revelation to understand that. But I think that it is the quiet, personal moments that really make the biggest splash on us. It's having your child profess their belief in and love for Jesus. It's the first time you and your spouse joined hands and prayed, just the two of you. It's the moment when you felt the most broken which brought as close as possible to God and led you back to obedience.
When God whispers into your life, let it hold your attention the way a Wow! moment would and let it lead you to even greater levels of love and obedience for Him.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Three Boats And A Helicopter
Herman and Nancy lived in a nice suburban two story house. Herman was a deacon in their church and Nancy was the unofficial head of hospitality. They even had the Jesus fish stuck to the back of the Oldsmobile. By all accounts Herman and Nancy were very godly people living a very godly life...maybe even a perfect life. Perfect until the big storm hit and the town flooded.
As the flood warnings continued to pour over the TV, Nancy wondered aloud if they should head for higher ground but Herman's reply was "We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." The next morning it was still raining and now there was too much water to even get downstairs, so they headed up to the roof to survey the area. As they were taking it all in, Sheriff Tom pulled up in a boat and urged them to come with him. Herman's reply was "We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." Two hours later, with it still raining and the water still rising, two deputies came by and again urged Herman and Nancy to come with them. Herman's reply was a familiar one..."We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." With the water continuing to rise, Joe from church pulled up to the house's roof and pleaded with our daring couple to abandon ship and come with him. He even told them he had reserved an extra room at the hotel across town for them where it would be safe, but Herman again calmly stated that God would be their shield. He might even have quoted scripture at this point, but that has never been confirmed.
Finally, as dark started to settle and with very little of the roof now visible above the flood waters, a Coast Guard helicopter came over the horizon and straight up to what had been Herman and Nancy's beautiful house just hours prior. The copter pilot announced through the bullhorn for them to grab onto the men being lowered to save them. Herman almost barked this time, "WE DON'T NEED HELP. GOD WILL SAVE US!!!"
As Nancy woke Herman up, the first thing he noticed was that they weren't on the roof any longer. As he began to really look around he realized they were in Heaven. Even as he was thinking to himself "I was just sure God was going to save us from the flood. What could have happened?", he heard God speaking. God's response was a simple one. "I sent you three boats and a helicopter."
How often do we insist on refusing the help of those who would offer it to us and insist that God will take care of us when what is really happening is God is taking care of us through those that we care most about? I know for me those times in my life have been a simple matter of my pride getting in the way of my obedience to God...and the consequences haven't ever been good. In my story, Herman and Nancy got to Heaven. In real life, we usually have far less fulfilling consequences to deal with following our little bouts of pride, don't we? When trouble is on the rise and God sends you help, take it!
As the flood warnings continued to pour over the TV, Nancy wondered aloud if they should head for higher ground but Herman's reply was "We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." The next morning it was still raining and now there was too much water to even get downstairs, so they headed up to the roof to survey the area. As they were taking it all in, Sheriff Tom pulled up in a boat and urged them to come with him. Herman's reply was "We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." Two hours later, with it still raining and the water still rising, two deputies came by and again urged Herman and Nancy to come with them. Herman's reply was a familiar one..."We don't need to leave. God will take care of us." With the water continuing to rise, Joe from church pulled up to the house's roof and pleaded with our daring couple to abandon ship and come with him. He even told them he had reserved an extra room at the hotel across town for them where it would be safe, but Herman again calmly stated that God would be their shield. He might even have quoted scripture at this point, but that has never been confirmed.
Finally, as dark started to settle and with very little of the roof now visible above the flood waters, a Coast Guard helicopter came over the horizon and straight up to what had been Herman and Nancy's beautiful house just hours prior. The copter pilot announced through the bullhorn for them to grab onto the men being lowered to save them. Herman almost barked this time, "WE DON'T NEED HELP. GOD WILL SAVE US!!!"
As Nancy woke Herman up, the first thing he noticed was that they weren't on the roof any longer. As he began to really look around he realized they were in Heaven. Even as he was thinking to himself "I was just sure God was going to save us from the flood. What could have happened?", he heard God speaking. God's response was a simple one. "I sent you three boats and a helicopter."
How often do we insist on refusing the help of those who would offer it to us and insist that God will take care of us when what is really happening is God is taking care of us through those that we care most about? I know for me those times in my life have been a simple matter of my pride getting in the way of my obedience to God...and the consequences haven't ever been good. In my story, Herman and Nancy got to Heaven. In real life, we usually have far less fulfilling consequences to deal with following our little bouts of pride, don't we? When trouble is on the rise and God sends you help, take it!
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Top 10 - Ways God Speaks Through Our Kids
Even if you aren't a parent you can probably appreciate this one. Have you ever noticed how kids are capable of delivering God's message to you in a way that is more effective than if it were 99% of the adults in the world? My kids have made me laugh so hard I have cried and made me tear up at my failures. We all know the saying, 'kids say the darndest things', and if you've ever been on the receiving end of a kid-delivered gem you know how true it is!
So, for this week's top 10 list I give you my personal list of the 10 best things God has taught me through kids.
So, for this week's top 10 list I give you my personal list of the 10 best things God has taught me through kids.
- 10 - Temper tantrums are supposed to go away when get big.
- 09 - The older you get, the more crotchety you can get and people have to listen to you.
- 08 - He made babies cute for a reason...because they turn into toddlers and, eventually, teenagers.
- 07 - So many more things are both edible and flammable than I would have thought possible.
- 06 - Trust is hard to earn and extremely easy to lose.
- 05 - You can effectively disable a mouse by smacking it with a flip-flop.
- 04 - There is no more humbling experience than to realize your kids are smarter than you are (technology anyone?)
- 03 - If you ever need something you wished you had forgotten repeated to someone you wish hadn't heard it, have kids. They will keep you accountable!
- 02 - There is no better feeling in the world than running as fast as you can and feeling the wind on your backside.
- 01 - God has a special place in His heart for the little ones and it only takes having one fall asleep in your arms to experience it.
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