Kelly has developed an addiction to Grey's Anatomy. This is surprising because Kelly really doesn't like TV. For years she has attempted to get me to limit my TV viewing. Finally, a few years ago I was able to give her a small gift, one night a week without TV.
But I've recently noticed this addiction to Grey's Anatomy. It became apparent when I was traveling frequently last quarter. Kelly would rush home from her Thursday night meeting to turn on Grey's Anatomy. Fortunately for me, work hours were such that her calling me after 10 pm (once the show was off) wasn't too dificult. Most nights we had just finished for the day so her timing was perfect.
It was the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Stairway to Heaven," (original air date January 22, 2009) that got me thinking. In this episode, Izzie is continuing to have conversations with her dead fiancee, Denny. During the episode, Denny asks Izzie if one person's heaven could be another person's hell.
I possed that question to Kelly this morning over pancakes and she said no. Kelly didn't believe the person "in heaven" would be so oblivious as to not recognize they were causing a "hell" for their partner.
I disagree with my lovely wife. In part, the episode also explored this option. Denny actually asked if his continued presence with Izzie were causing her hell. It certainly appeared to be so. Yet he continued to hang around, talk to her, and make her life difficult. His desire to remain with her (he died the night he proposed, so they never really did have a chance to develop a relationship outside of the hospital), to experience what he imagined to be heaven, was causing extreme pain for Izzie as she attempted to finally move her life beyond Denny.
Yet even had Grey's Anatomy not gone there with the script, I believe there are daily instances where someone is "in heaven" (no, not the literal heaven) and the one they love is in hell. Take for instance every man at the mall with his wife and teenage daughter. Those men are certainly not in heaven.
Or what about the woman who sits at home alone while her husband is "out with the guys?" Maybe they are both in heaven, but in many cases, the women I've encountered are in a hell of their own. "What is he doing tonight? Who is he with? Why do I have to sit here with the screaming baby while he gets to go out?"
I believe that until the world learns the love of God, until we live daily into His edict "love your neighbor as yourself," each of us will find moments when we are in heaven and those around us are in hell.
I hope each day brings me closer to causing fewer of those moments for the ones I love.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Angry with God?
Sunday night at small group, the conversation turned to anger. One of our group asked if I would consider a post about being angry with God. This was a topic that really intrigued me, so I sat down this morning and did a little probing into the Psalms.
Psalm 22:1-3 (the Message)
"God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?"
Psalm 10:1 (New International Version)
"Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Psalm 6:3 (New International Version)
"My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?"
David was not afraid to tell God how he felt. He was able to lay out some very raw emotions, showing us God can handle the truth. How could He not, God created us. He knows everything about us.
Psalm 139:1-4 (Contemporary English Version)
"You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say ..."
This God who created us, knows what we are thinking, what we are going to say, even before we do. As God, living outside of time, He understands where we will be emotionally.
So is it OK to be angry with God? I believe so, but there are some guidelines:
1. Do not sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26). While anger is an acceptable emotion (Jesus was angry in the temple), it is imperative you do not sin in your anger.
2. Do not curse God (Job 2:1-10). Even after he lost his children, his wealth, and his health, Job did not curse God. Job, like David, understood you had to accept the good from God along with the trouble.
3. Allow God to have a place in your heart (Psalm 139:23). Even in our anger with God, we still need to allow Him access to our heart to be able to work healing in our pain. Keep your heart open to Him as you are honest with your emotions.
4. Remember your faith and remain connected to a group of believers (Hebrews 10:22-25). Even in the depths of despair, we need to remember our faith. Being connected to a group of believers who can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
God is not shocked when we are honest with Him. I believe He is relieved. Trust Him enough to be honest with your emotions. Then, you will be able to experience the healing David felt in Psalm 51, the Psalm of forgiveness after the Prophet Nathan confronted him on his affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband Uriah.
Psalm 51:12-17 (New International Version)
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 22:1-3 (the Message)
"God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?"
Psalm 10:1 (New International Version)
"Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Psalm 6:3 (New International Version)
"My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?"
David was not afraid to tell God how he felt. He was able to lay out some very raw emotions, showing us God can handle the truth. How could He not, God created us. He knows everything about us.
Psalm 139:1-4 (Contemporary English Version)
"You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say ..."
This God who created us, knows what we are thinking, what we are going to say, even before we do. As God, living outside of time, He understands where we will be emotionally.
So is it OK to be angry with God? I believe so, but there are some guidelines:
1. Do not sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26). While anger is an acceptable emotion (Jesus was angry in the temple), it is imperative you do not sin in your anger.
2. Do not curse God (Job 2:1-10). Even after he lost his children, his wealth, and his health, Job did not curse God. Job, like David, understood you had to accept the good from God along with the trouble.
3. Allow God to have a place in your heart (Psalm 139:23). Even in our anger with God, we still need to allow Him access to our heart to be able to work healing in our pain. Keep your heart open to Him as you are honest with your emotions.
4. Remember your faith and remain connected to a group of believers (Hebrews 10:22-25). Even in the depths of despair, we need to remember our faith. Being connected to a group of believers who can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
God is not shocked when we are honest with Him. I believe He is relieved. Trust Him enough to be honest with your emotions. Then, you will be able to experience the healing David felt in Psalm 51, the Psalm of forgiveness after the Prophet Nathan confronted him on his affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband Uriah.
Psalm 51:12-17 (New International Version)
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise"
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God Bless the President
Today is Inauguration Day in America, the peaceful passing of the baton from one administration to another. But today is a very special day ... not only is there a changing of the guard from one political party to another, today history is made.
Today Barack Obama becomes the the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. Congratulations Mr. Obama! May God bless you as you take the leadership of this great nation I love. While I don't agree with many of your political views, I pray for your presidency and ask God to bless America.
Today Barack Obama becomes the the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. Congratulations Mr. Obama! May God bless you as you take the leadership of this great nation I love. While I don't agree with many of your political views, I pray for your presidency and ask God to bless America.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Outrageous Nonsense
While I don't often have free time on Saturday afternoons (most weekends I'm working as video director at church or on the road), sometimes when I'm not working elsewhere, we drive downtown to the Salvation Army to help with "Feed the Hungry." It was during this drive Kelly and I were discussing a sermon she had recently heard from a favorite preacher. I don't know his name, but Kelly hears this Cleveland, Ohio preacher on the radio. As a HUGE Michigan fan, I wonder if anything good could ever come out of Ohio, but Kelly seems to enjoy the message this man brings.
He is currently in James, a great book on Christian living. If you are not familiar with the book of James, take the next week and read all five chapters. It might take you a little longer than a week, this book is full of some heavy truths. However, as you dig deeper into the information provided by Jesus' brother to the early church, you will be shown a tremendous way of living.
The series is currently studying in the second chapter of James. This instantly brought the conversation around to verses 14 - 17.
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? James 2:14-17, The Message.
Talk about hitting right where we were at that very moment. How many Christians sit at home each weekend while 500+ bologna, mustard sandwiches are served to 80+ families each week? How many of those Christians are not even aware such activities happen on a regular basis?
As I'm downtown getting mustard on my shirt sleeve (it doesn't matter how careful you are, somehow mustard will get on you), we talked about how many other programs there are in Lexington to also help. Sunday those who need it can find three different serving locations. During the week there is always a government program or a faith-based program that is offering at least one meal. But Saturday, the only game in town is at the Salvation Army.
Had it not been for a wonderful lady who saw a need nearly 13 years ago, Saturday would be a very sad day for many people in Lexington. But this humble servant of God, a woman who knows her reward is in heaven and doesn't care much about the things here on earth, saw a need, and more importantly got her hands dirty so others less fortunate didn't have to spend a day without something to eat.
It didn't take some new government program, this weekly serve has spanned several mayors, governors, and presidents. It didn't take a mega church underwriting the bill for a multi-course meal. In fact, the only given each week is there will be bologna, mustard sandwiches. Everything beyond that is out of the generosity of local stores who have slowly heard about this weekly event and started to donate day-old breads, cakes, and cookies to supplement the bags handed out to everyone who graces the door of the Salvation Army between 2 and 3 pm each Saturday.
One person can change the world. What need have you noticed in your world? How can you get your hands dirty to help someone less fortunate than yourself? Or are you just anther voice spewing outrageous nonsense?
He is currently in James, a great book on Christian living. If you are not familiar with the book of James, take the next week and read all five chapters. It might take you a little longer than a week, this book is full of some heavy truths. However, as you dig deeper into the information provided by Jesus' brother to the early church, you will be shown a tremendous way of living.
The series is currently studying in the second chapter of James. This instantly brought the conversation around to verses 14 - 17.
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? James 2:14-17, The Message.
Talk about hitting right where we were at that very moment. How many Christians sit at home each weekend while 500+ bologna, mustard sandwiches are served to 80+ families each week? How many of those Christians are not even aware such activities happen on a regular basis?
As I'm downtown getting mustard on my shirt sleeve (it doesn't matter how careful you are, somehow mustard will get on you), we talked about how many other programs there are in Lexington to also help. Sunday those who need it can find three different serving locations. During the week there is always a government program or a faith-based program that is offering at least one meal. But Saturday, the only game in town is at the Salvation Army.
Had it not been for a wonderful lady who saw a need nearly 13 years ago, Saturday would be a very sad day for many people in Lexington. But this humble servant of God, a woman who knows her reward is in heaven and doesn't care much about the things here on earth, saw a need, and more importantly got her hands dirty so others less fortunate didn't have to spend a day without something to eat.
It didn't take some new government program, this weekly serve has spanned several mayors, governors, and presidents. It didn't take a mega church underwriting the bill for a multi-course meal. In fact, the only given each week is there will be bologna, mustard sandwiches. Everything beyond that is out of the generosity of local stores who have slowly heard about this weekly event and started to donate day-old breads, cakes, and cookies to supplement the bags handed out to everyone who graces the door of the Salvation Army between 2 and 3 pm each Saturday.
One person can change the world. What need have you noticed in your world? How can you get your hands dirty to help someone less fortunate than yourself? Or are you just anther voice spewing outrageous nonsense?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Can Christians Change the World
A friend (her blog is linked to this one) asked the following question on her facebook page, "Can Christians change the world or do we just have to wait for Jesus to return?"
I hope she follows up with the results of her impromptu survey, because I'm really curious to know what her friends think.
As for me, I believe we can, the same way Jesus did, one life at a time. While our change won't be permanent (only God can effect permanent change), we can leave the world around us a better place than it was before.
Let me share some examples of individuals around America trying to live Christ to those around them, trying to change their world.
I'm not sure how long the link will remain posted, but I've attached a link to the title of this post. It is a story we heard in church this weekend about possibly the strangest football game ever played. The game was the Grapevine Faith vs. the Gainesville State high school. While I'm not sure if coach Hogan is a Christian, he certainly change the world for the fourteen Gainesville players and their coach that evening in Texas.
And then there is the church just outside Chicago, IL that is changing the world of AIDS victims in Africa through their financial support. This same church is also raising money for the furtherance of the gospel in places around our world where Christians continue to be martyrs for their faith.
Or what about the church in Lexington, KY that spend nearly $70 thousand in 2008 for water projects in Central America and the Kentucky Appalachian mountain regions. This same church has budgeted over $51 thousand in 2009 for food projects in depressed areas of Central Kentucky. This in the midst of a "financial crisis" in America.
So yes Lisa, I believe we can change the world now. Certainly the change Jesus brings with him will be better, but we can't wait. God called us to change the world, starting in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the world.
How have you changed your world?
I hope she follows up with the results of her impromptu survey, because I'm really curious to know what her friends think.
As for me, I believe we can, the same way Jesus did, one life at a time. While our change won't be permanent (only God can effect permanent change), we can leave the world around us a better place than it was before.
Let me share some examples of individuals around America trying to live Christ to those around them, trying to change their world.
I'm not sure how long the link will remain posted, but I've attached a link to the title of this post. It is a story we heard in church this weekend about possibly the strangest football game ever played. The game was the Grapevine Faith vs. the Gainesville State high school. While I'm not sure if coach Hogan is a Christian, he certainly change the world for the fourteen Gainesville players and their coach that evening in Texas.
And then there is the church just outside Chicago, IL that is changing the world of AIDS victims in Africa through their financial support. This same church is also raising money for the furtherance of the gospel in places around our world where Christians continue to be martyrs for their faith.
Or what about the church in Lexington, KY that spend nearly $70 thousand in 2008 for water projects in Central America and the Kentucky Appalachian mountain regions. This same church has budgeted over $51 thousand in 2009 for food projects in depressed areas of Central Kentucky. This in the midst of a "financial crisis" in America.
So yes Lisa, I believe we can change the world now. Certainly the change Jesus brings with him will be better, but we can't wait. God called us to change the world, starting in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the world.
How have you changed your world?
Friday, January 9, 2009
What Does it Mean to Live as a Christian?
I was asked today, "What does it mean to live as a Christian?" This question is a tough one to answer, but then isn't any question about life. But the more I thought about it, the easier it became to answer.
As a Christian, we all should take our marching orders from our Father and his Son, Jesus. Fortunately, when he was approached by a teacher of the law and asked about the greatest commandment, he answered:
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31, New International Version)
In providing this answer, Jesus demonstrated what living the daily life of a Christian is to be. We are to first love God and then love those around us. To further help us understand how he defined "love your neighbor," Jesus presented the Parable of the Good Samaritan (read Luke 10:25-37).
Daily living the life of a Christian isn't easy, even though Jesus has provided us with our marching orders. Loving God is tough. Each day I must chose to make God first place in my life. Each decision must be filtered through His eyes. Not an easy chore.
And loving my neighbor is even harder. While it is difficult to love God, I have the motivation of His love for me to help. I usually have no such motivation from my neighbors, and certainly have no such motivation from strangers.
And yet, that is what God has called me to do. Love Him, love others as myself. So while finding the answer was easy, finding the ability to live into the answer is much harder. However, it is something I will strive to do each day of my life because I do desire to serve my Father in Heaven and achieve the abundant life he has promised us all (see John 10:10).
As a Christian, we all should take our marching orders from our Father and his Son, Jesus. Fortunately, when he was approached by a teacher of the law and asked about the greatest commandment, he answered:
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31, New International Version)
In providing this answer, Jesus demonstrated what living the daily life of a Christian is to be. We are to first love God and then love those around us. To further help us understand how he defined "love your neighbor," Jesus presented the Parable of the Good Samaritan (read Luke 10:25-37).
Daily living the life of a Christian isn't easy, even though Jesus has provided us with our marching orders. Loving God is tough. Each day I must chose to make God first place in my life. Each decision must be filtered through His eyes. Not an easy chore.
And loving my neighbor is even harder. While it is difficult to love God, I have the motivation of His love for me to help. I usually have no such motivation from my neighbors, and certainly have no such motivation from strangers.
And yet, that is what God has called me to do. Love Him, love others as myself. So while finding the answer was easy, finding the ability to live into the answer is much harder. However, it is something I will strive to do each day of my life because I do desire to serve my Father in Heaven and achieve the abundant life he has promised us all (see John 10:10).
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