I've been delinquent in my blog this past week. Last weekend was my wife's annual family reunion, and thanks to the generosity of one of her brothers, we were able to attend.
Each year her great-grandfather's descendants gather in Manton, Michigan (off the 131 north of Cadillac, Michigan) for a few hours on a Saturday in July to catch up, eat, and spend money at the white elephant auction. This past weekend was the 29th reunion, but my lovely bride and I have only had the privilege of attending four of them.
Even though we were only gone a few days (we left Lexington at 5:30 pm on Thursday and were home again by 11:30 pm Sunday), the time away threw off some of my rhythms. Blogging regularly was one of those things that was easy to let slide. Reading my Bible prior to eating while on the trip was also something easily forgotten. It wasn't until sometime late Friday I realized I had not done my daily reading and yet had eaten breakfast with her brother and sister-in-law in Hastings, Michigan and grabbed lunch as we made the next leg of our journey north to Traverse City, Michigan where we would be staying at her uncle's house.
Fortunately, I have a lovely wife who desires to help me be better, and she read to me as we drove north that afternoon to help keep me on track. That became our daily ritual, each day as we were in the car making the journey to some destination, my bride would read to me from her Bible. I was able to remain connected to God through daily bible reading, and able to share some of my thoughts about the reading with my wife.
I am grateful my wife helped keep me on track and focused each day of vacation as it pertains to my commitment to read God's word. However, I am concerned at how easily I was able to forsake a practice I thought had become habit; a daily routine I had managed to maintain even while traveling for work. Somehow, going on vacation physically offered my spiritual routine a chance to also "check out."
As I sat at home this afternoon thinking about how easy it was for me to get off track last weekend, I received an email from a church I follow through the internet. Eastside Christian Church (www.eastside.com) is located in Fullerton, CA. In the past year, this church has experienced significant growth as a new pastor has come in and challenged the church to allow God to breath new life into their midst. The growth of the congregation, not simply in numbers, but in spiritual matters as well, has been a joy to watch.
As I read about the new series Gene Appel will be starting this weekend, Dangerous, I was reminded about Matthew 11:12: "And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it." (New Living Translation)
Listen to Gene's description of the Christian life he desires to live: "I want to be a more dangerous follower of Jesus. Jesus doesn't call us to a bland mediocre life of safety, but to a life of risk, adventure, and on-the-edge faith. I want to live with a more dangerous faith, pray more dangerous prayers, see Eastside be a more dangerous church, and take some new dangerous risks with those who are far from God."
Doesn't that sound similar to the passage in Matthew? Wouldn't living life as a more dangerous follower of Jesus be necessary to forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven?
Gene has just returned from his summer study break, and I have just returned from a very mini vacation with my family. Yet somehow, despite the differences in the length of our time away, we have both realized we must be intentional if we are going to make a difference for the cause of Christ. How we live each day, the decisions we make while in our normal routine or while on vacation, are important to the big picture.
I look forward to hearing the sermons online as they are posted. I can't wait to see how living dangerously for Jesus continues to change the Eastside family, and me.
Are you forcefully advancing? Maybe you've been on vacation too long. I invite you to join in our quest to live dangerously, forcefully advancing the Kingdom of God.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Inspiration Comes When Least Expected
My family is leaving for Michigan later today to attend the Van Pelt Family Reunion just outside Traverse City, Michigan on Saturday. My father-in-law is the grandson of one of the Van Pelt daughters, hence our connection to the family.
As I was packing, doing laundry, cleaning out the car, and all those other things you do just prior to leaving town for an extended weekend, my youngest was watching the movie Chocolat. I was only able to catch parts of the movie, but immediately recognized this small French community was under the dictatorship of a very controlling man. To make matters worse, the man used as his mouthpiece the priest.
Each Sunday people were chastised by the homily. Using his strong influence over the priest, the mayor would provide significant input into the homily, using the pulpit to influence local policy. Every time an element the mayor did not wish to tolerate came into town (the woman who set up a chocolate shop, the "river people" who docked along the shore of the river), the mayor would influence the priest to describe how this new influence was evil. The influence was so significant, there is a scene where the priest includes a lecture against one of the groups during a funeral.
While I'd like to say this sort of spiritual control no longer happens, that as people have learned more about God's grace, they have become more Christ-like in their daily lives, it simply isn't true. You don't have to wait very long in some churches before you hear some form of "hate speech" (for lack of a better description). Even in a world where tolerance is expected, so often those who have received forgiveness for so much, offer forgiveness to so few.
Like this French village, we are so often caught up in outward appearance and miss the eternal. Unfortunately, this is not some new phenomenon that has risen out of the vanity of the modern age. The inability of people to see each other as God sees them has been around for a very long time. In 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) we read: "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"
Fortunately, the story takes a turn for the better. Near the end of the movie, redemption (and restoration) is achieved when the priest stands up on Easter Sunday and says:
How are you living your life today? Are you living in a judgmental, intolerant, holier-than-thou manner, or are you striving to live each day of your life in a manner that honors the humanness of Jesus? I'm not talking about wearing a WWJD bracelet. I'm talking about digging deep into the scripture and learning for yourself just who Jesus was, what he did, and how you can emulate him. How can I ask myself "what would Jesus do" if I don't truly understand who Jesus was?
Take a good look at your life today and choose. Will I continue to live my life in the same narcissistic manner that has brought me this far or will I realize that only through connecting the least, the last, and the lost with the human face of Jesus will I also be "saved."
As I was packing, doing laundry, cleaning out the car, and all those other things you do just prior to leaving town for an extended weekend, my youngest was watching the movie Chocolat. I was only able to catch parts of the movie, but immediately recognized this small French community was under the dictatorship of a very controlling man. To make matters worse, the man used as his mouthpiece the priest.
Each Sunday people were chastised by the homily. Using his strong influence over the priest, the mayor would provide significant input into the homily, using the pulpit to influence local policy. Every time an element the mayor did not wish to tolerate came into town (the woman who set up a chocolate shop, the "river people" who docked along the shore of the river), the mayor would influence the priest to describe how this new influence was evil. The influence was so significant, there is a scene where the priest includes a lecture against one of the groups during a funeral.
While I'd like to say this sort of spiritual control no longer happens, that as people have learned more about God's grace, they have become more Christ-like in their daily lives, it simply isn't true. You don't have to wait very long in some churches before you hear some form of "hate speech" (for lack of a better description). Even in a world where tolerance is expected, so often those who have received forgiveness for so much, offer forgiveness to so few.
Like this French village, we are so often caught up in outward appearance and miss the eternal. Unfortunately, this is not some new phenomenon that has risen out of the vanity of the modern age. The inability of people to see each other as God sees them has been around for a very long time. In 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) we read: "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"
Fortunately, the story takes a turn for the better. Near the end of the movie, redemption (and restoration) is achieved when the priest stands up on Easter Sunday and says:
"I'm not sure what the theme of my homily today ought to be. Do I want to speak of the miracle of our Lord's divine transformation? Not really, no. I don't want to talk about his divinity, I'd rather talk about his humanity. I mean, you know, how he lived his life here on earth. His kindness, his tolerance. Listen, here's what I think. I think we can't go around measuring our goodness by what we don't do, by what we deny ourselves, what we resist, and who we exclude. I think we've got to measure goodness by what we embrace, what we create, and who we include."A few weeks back, I posted a blog about a group of people who did exactly that, they embraced Jesus' humanity. These men went to a gay pride parade with signs and shirts saying they were sorry, sorry for the way the church has treated the gay community. Through their humility, a bridge was built. These men understood the humanity of Jesus.
How are you living your life today? Are you living in a judgmental, intolerant, holier-than-thou manner, or are you striving to live each day of your life in a manner that honors the humanness of Jesus? I'm not talking about wearing a WWJD bracelet. I'm talking about digging deep into the scripture and learning for yourself just who Jesus was, what he did, and how you can emulate him. How can I ask myself "what would Jesus do" if I don't truly understand who Jesus was?
Take a good look at your life today and choose. Will I continue to live my life in the same narcissistic manner that has brought me this far or will I realize that only through connecting the least, the last, and the lost with the human face of Jesus will I also be "saved."
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
In Too Deep?
As a result of the series we just completed at church, "If God Is Good ...," I began reading the book with the same title written by Randy Alcorn. Today I wanted to share some of the initial insights I have learned in the first few chapters.
As you might expect, the book has to deal with difficult situations. If you follow this blog, you know that in recent posts I've been writing about personal struggles my lovely bride and I have been enduring recently. Quite probably due to my current situation, the early pages of Mr. Alcorn's book seem to resonate deeply with my soul.
On page 12 he wrote: "If you base your faith on lack of affliction, your faith lives on the brink of extinction and will fall apart because of a frightening diagnosis or a shattering phone call. Token faith will not survive suffering, nor should it."
That kind of slaps you in the face, doesn't it? If your faith isn't tested, how can you know if it is real? Well, I have to say, having lived deep in the muck of life for the past who knows how long, I have to say my faith is real. Each day I wake up knowing there is a God, knowing he is in control, and knowing he has conquered death. My faith is real.
Turning to page 14 we read: "I never expected that a Christian who had access to God could feel so empty and alone." This describes someone who was crying out to God in the midst of their difficulties, and yet felt alone. It kind of sounds like Psalm 10:1, "Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide when there is trouble?" (New Century Version)
What about Psalm 44:23-24, NCV: "Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't reject us forever. Why do you hide from us? Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?"
What about when you are feeling like God has abandoned you, does that mean you are in too deep, that you've lost your faith? Habakkuk felt like he was. In Habakkuk 1:2-3 we read, "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." (NIV)
I think the proof your faith is real is despite feeling abandoned, you still cry out to God. Why would I cry out to someone in whom I didn't have faith? If I'd lost my faith, wouldn't I start looking elsewhere for answers at the moment I truly felt abandoned? If I simply went back to the same god out of convenience, despite feeling neglected and alone, wouldn't that pretty much make me hopeless?
So, God shows me my faith is real by allowing bad things to enter my life. Sometimes, in the midst of those times, I feel abandoned. My response at that moment determines if my faith is real.
If my faith is proven true, then what? In Jeremiah 32:42 we read: "This is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them." (New Living Translation) God allowed calamities to enter our lives, but when we rise above them, showing our faith is true, we have his promises of good to look forward to as well.
Unfortunately, sometimes that good isn't realized in this world, but that is another blog post. I want to leave you with one final thought from Randy Alcorn's book. On page 38, having just described several situations where Christ followers had endured difficult situations, including death of loved ones, Randy says: "We need only read Scripture, look around us, or live long enough in order to learn that trusting God doesn't ward off all evil and suffering. He never said it would." (emphasis copied)
We will face trouble in this world. How we handle those times determines whether we are in too deep.
As you might expect, the book has to deal with difficult situations. If you follow this blog, you know that in recent posts I've been writing about personal struggles my lovely bride and I have been enduring recently. Quite probably due to my current situation, the early pages of Mr. Alcorn's book seem to resonate deeply with my soul.
On page 12 he wrote: "If you base your faith on lack of affliction, your faith lives on the brink of extinction and will fall apart because of a frightening diagnosis or a shattering phone call. Token faith will not survive suffering, nor should it."
That kind of slaps you in the face, doesn't it? If your faith isn't tested, how can you know if it is real? Well, I have to say, having lived deep in the muck of life for the past who knows how long, I have to say my faith is real. Each day I wake up knowing there is a God, knowing he is in control, and knowing he has conquered death. My faith is real.
Turning to page 14 we read: "I never expected that a Christian who had access to God could feel so empty and alone." This describes someone who was crying out to God in the midst of their difficulties, and yet felt alone. It kind of sounds like Psalm 10:1, "Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide when there is trouble?" (New Century Version)
What about Psalm 44:23-24, NCV: "Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't reject us forever. Why do you hide from us? Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?"
What about when you are feeling like God has abandoned you, does that mean you are in too deep, that you've lost your faith? Habakkuk felt like he was. In Habakkuk 1:2-3 we read, "How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." (NIV)
I think the proof your faith is real is despite feeling abandoned, you still cry out to God. Why would I cry out to someone in whom I didn't have faith? If I'd lost my faith, wouldn't I start looking elsewhere for answers at the moment I truly felt abandoned? If I simply went back to the same god out of convenience, despite feeling neglected and alone, wouldn't that pretty much make me hopeless?
So, God shows me my faith is real by allowing bad things to enter my life. Sometimes, in the midst of those times, I feel abandoned. My response at that moment determines if my faith is real.
If my faith is proven true, then what? In Jeremiah 32:42 we read: "This is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them." (New Living Translation) God allowed calamities to enter our lives, but when we rise above them, showing our faith is true, we have his promises of good to look forward to as well.
Unfortunately, sometimes that good isn't realized in this world, but that is another blog post. I want to leave you with one final thought from Randy Alcorn's book. On page 38, having just described several situations where Christ followers had endured difficult situations, including death of loved ones, Randy says: "We need only read Scripture, look around us, or live long enough in order to learn that trusting God doesn't ward off all evil and suffering. He never said it would." (emphasis copied)
We will face trouble in this world. How we handle those times determines whether we are in too deep.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tough Words to Hear
Yesterday morning as I sat in church and listened to the final installment in the "If God is Good..." series, I was reminded of the old song, "He Never Promised Us a Rose Garden."
"God is far more interested in my character than He is interested in my comfort," Mike Breaux told us. He quoted James 1:2-4, which in the New Living Translation reads: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
How's that for encouragement from the brother of Jesus and my pastor? You want your faith to be stronger? Well, then you need to be tested!
Looking back over the past few years, I'm guessing my lovely bride and I have some pretty beefy faith "muscles." We've endured much in these past few years. While I don't know why, like I recently said in my "Mountain of God" post, I certainly hope the glories of the mountain far outweigh the pain and suffering we currently endure!
Mike further said, "Suffering cultivates humility and draws us into closer relationship with God." Look at Ephesians 3:16-19: "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (NLT)
Isn't that just like the Christian experience? We want to be close to God, so He allows suffering and turmoil to come into our lives. We want to have a stronger understanding of love, so God introduces us to the move unlovable, difficult people known to man. We pray for patience and God sends trials and tribulations. Everything is opposite in God's economy. However, in case you think you can outsmart God and pray for poverty so He will send you wealth, we were reminded yesterday about God's economy as well.
The story goes a man was talking to God one day and said, "God, is it true that to you a minute is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a minute?"
"Yes," God responded.
"And so I would imagine," the man continued, "a penny is like a million dollars and a million dollars is like a penny."
"Yes," God replied.
"Well," then asked the man, "God, can I have one of your pennies?"
"In a minute," God said.
Hebrews 13:5 tells us: "Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you." (God's Word Translation)
We cannot understand in this life the whys to many of the issues we face. Mike showed us yesterday that suffering prepares us for eternity and the suffering and hardships of this world are but temporary nuisances. II Corinthians 4:17-18 reads: "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (NLT)
Do I enjoy hearing suffering is part of this world, and through suffering we are given the opportunity to draw closer to God? Do I enjoy knowing that each day I may have to endure more, not knowing the end game, other than heaven awaits? Do I find comfort knowing I am not alone in my suffering, it is common to all mankind?
Of course not! I need to believe that C.S. Lewis truly understood when he said, "That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory."
Take heart, my friends; as bad as your suffering now seems, Heaven awaits! Whatever things we endure on this earth, we have God's promise that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5b, above) and in the end, we will live with Him eternally.
Is that enough hope while I'm stuck in the middle of turmoil? I don't know. All I can do is continue to move forward, one day at a time, and hold on to Jesus.
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Simple words, and yet so powerful! Even in the depths of your darkest despair, hold on to Jesus, hold on to His truth, hold on to His love!
"God is far more interested in my character than He is interested in my comfort," Mike Breaux told us. He quoted James 1:2-4, which in the New Living Translation reads: "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."
How's that for encouragement from the brother of Jesus and my pastor? You want your faith to be stronger? Well, then you need to be tested!
Looking back over the past few years, I'm guessing my lovely bride and I have some pretty beefy faith "muscles." We've endured much in these past few years. While I don't know why, like I recently said in my "Mountain of God" post, I certainly hope the glories of the mountain far outweigh the pain and suffering we currently endure!
Mike further said, "Suffering cultivates humility and draws us into closer relationship with God." Look at Ephesians 3:16-19: "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (NLT)
Isn't that just like the Christian experience? We want to be close to God, so He allows suffering and turmoil to come into our lives. We want to have a stronger understanding of love, so God introduces us to the move unlovable, difficult people known to man. We pray for patience and God sends trials and tribulations. Everything is opposite in God's economy. However, in case you think you can outsmart God and pray for poverty so He will send you wealth, we were reminded yesterday about God's economy as well.
The story goes a man was talking to God one day and said, "God, is it true that to you a minute is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a minute?"
"Yes," God responded.
"And so I would imagine," the man continued, "a penny is like a million dollars and a million dollars is like a penny."
"Yes," God replied.
"Well," then asked the man, "God, can I have one of your pennies?"
"In a minute," God said.
Hebrews 13:5 tells us: "Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you." (God's Word Translation)
We cannot understand in this life the whys to many of the issues we face. Mike showed us yesterday that suffering prepares us for eternity and the suffering and hardships of this world are but temporary nuisances. II Corinthians 4:17-18 reads: "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (NLT)
Do I enjoy hearing suffering is part of this world, and through suffering we are given the opportunity to draw closer to God? Do I enjoy knowing that each day I may have to endure more, not knowing the end game, other than heaven awaits? Do I find comfort knowing I am not alone in my suffering, it is common to all mankind?
Of course not! I need to believe that C.S. Lewis truly understood when he said, "That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory."
Take heart, my friends; as bad as your suffering now seems, Heaven awaits! Whatever things we endure on this earth, we have God's promise that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5b, above) and in the end, we will live with Him eternally.
Is that enough hope while I'm stuck in the middle of turmoil? I don't know. All I can do is continue to move forward, one day at a time, and hold on to Jesus.
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Simple words, and yet so powerful! Even in the depths of your darkest despair, hold on to Jesus, hold on to His truth, hold on to His love!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Mountain of God
My wife asked me the other night what book of the Bible I am reading now, and I told her I had just started the book of Judges.
"Oh, what a tough book," she replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because it is the same thing over and over again. The people turn away from God, they are oppressed, a new judge is raised up, they overcome their enemies, and then live in peace for a while," was her response.
"Well, you missed a step," I said. "Someone has to cry out to God and repent before He raises up a deliver."
It is a very simplistic overview of the book, but basically that is what happens. It kind of reminds me of the song "Mountain of God" by Third Day.
Just like the Israelite nation of old, we live in a cycle, and the succession from highs to lows often affects our view of God. Right now, my lovely bride and I are in a valley. We have been living in this valley for a very, very long time. I can only hope that when we finally reach the Mountain of God it will far outshine the pain, agony, and turmoil we are currently enduring. Right now, where we are standing, I don't see how anything can supplant this misery; but I have to hold on to the truth "God is faithful."
Why are we in this valley? Why, despite striving each day to live for God, to serve God, and to honor God do we face financial, emotional, and spiritual conflict? I don't know. Yet for some reason God needs us to endure this time, for a season, so we can be ready for the next great thing to which He has called us.
Whether you are in a valley or have finally reached the Mountain of God, remember, God is there with you, He is there with you!
"Oh, what a tough book," she replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because it is the same thing over and over again. The people turn away from God, they are oppressed, a new judge is raised up, they overcome their enemies, and then live in peace for a while," was her response.
"Well, you missed a step," I said. "Someone has to cry out to God and repent before He raises up a deliver."
It is a very simplistic overview of the book, but basically that is what happens. It kind of reminds me of the song "Mountain of God" by Third Day.
I thought that I was all alone, broken and afraid, but you were there with me, you were there with me. And I didn't even know I had lost my way, but you were there with me, yes, you were there with me. Tell you opened up my eyes I never knew, that I couldn't ever make it without you.
Chorus:
Even though the journey's long, and I know the road is hard. Well the one who's gone before me, He will help me carry on. And after all that I've been through, now I realize the truth that I must go through the valley to stand upon the Mountain of God.
As I travel on the road, you have led me down, you are here with me, yes, you are here with me. And I have need for nothing more, oh, now that I have found that you are here with me, yes, you are here with me. I confess from time to time I lose my way, but you were always there to bring me back again.
~chorus~
Bridge:
Sometimes I think of where it is I've come from, and the things I've left behind. Well, of all I've had, what I posess, they can't quite compare, with what's in front of me, with what's in front of me.
Even though the journey's long, and I know the road is hard, well, the one who's gone before me, He will help me carry on. And after all that I've been through, now I realize the truth that I must go through the valley, to stand upon the mountain. . . well, I must go through the valley, to stand upon the mountain. . . yes, I must go through the valley, to stand upon the mountain of God.
I thought that I was all alone, broken and afraid, but you are here with me, you are here with me.
Just like the Israelite nation of old, we live in a cycle, and the succession from highs to lows often affects our view of God. Right now, my lovely bride and I are in a valley. We have been living in this valley for a very, very long time. I can only hope that when we finally reach the Mountain of God it will far outshine the pain, agony, and turmoil we are currently enduring. Right now, where we are standing, I don't see how anything can supplant this misery; but I have to hold on to the truth "God is faithful."
Why are we in this valley? Why, despite striving each day to live for God, to serve God, and to honor God do we face financial, emotional, and spiritual conflict? I don't know. Yet for some reason God needs us to endure this time, for a season, so we can be ready for the next great thing to which He has called us.
Whether you are in a valley or have finally reached the Mountain of God, remember, God is there with you, He is there with you!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
For What Are You Training?
If you read my blog from yesterday, you know I have once again started running, training for an upcoming 5k here in Lexington, Kentucky. For 26 years, people have been lining up in downtown Lexington to be part of this run, which generally starts in the late evening, hopefully making it slightly cooler during race time.
My lovely bride participated in the run a few years ago, but I have not done any running in our nearly 9 years in Lexington. As I mentioned yesterday, my impetus for taking up running again was the Lexington Leadership Foundation's (www.lexlf.org) Team LLF (www.teamllf.com), which recently completed their first race on July 3, 2010.
As I was out training again this morning, my mind wandered to the goal of Team LLF; to mobilize the body of Christ in an effort to increase our level of faith and fitness. This got my mind thinking about the times the Apostle Paul used sports metaphors when referencing the spiritual journey.
I Corinthians 9:24-27 (God's Word Translation) Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.
It is only when we are disciplined that we will find success. If I want to complete the 5k this August, or had I been part of the recent 10k on July 3rd, I would need to be in training. To achieve success, I need to train. While training, I need to have goals.
Paul also talked about setting goals and how they relate to the Christian experience.
Philippians 3:10-14 (New Century Version) I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Then I have hope that I myself will be raised from the dead. I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
If I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead, I need to daily set my goals and then strain to achieve those goals. Just as I now have a goal of being ready for the 5k on August 14, 2010, I need to also have a spiritual goal. Will daily Bible reading and prayer help me better understand Christ and the power that raised him from the dead? It will help, but there should be more. Not only should I read and pray, I must then enact what I have learned in my daily life.
Just like simply getting up and running each morning is a good form of exercise, if I don't ever enter a race, I simply have a healthy body. How many Christians are walking around today with a terrific understanding of the Bible, having read it each day, but have yet to put it into practice? They are like athletes who only train and never compete. I believe that when you understand that training is good, but it is only when you have set a goal and then put everything into achieving that goal, putting all of your training into practice, that you achieve personal satisfaction. Sometimes, you also receive a prize!
How are you doing? Are you training with no intent of ever getting into competition? Are you reading your Bible, praying, and simply staying on the sidelines? What is keeping you from stepping into action? God loves spending time with us, but that time should compel us to become more Christ-like, and that means that we have to get dirty. Jesus touched the leapers, he lived with the poor and needy, and he ate with tax collectors. In doing so, Jesus changed the world.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today, we simply have to train and then put ourselves in the place God sends us. The power is His to give or deny. It is up to us to be sure to be ready when the time comes.
My lovely bride participated in the run a few years ago, but I have not done any running in our nearly 9 years in Lexington. As I mentioned yesterday, my impetus for taking up running again was the Lexington Leadership Foundation's (www.lexlf.org) Team LLF (www.teamllf.com), which recently completed their first race on July 3, 2010.
As I was out training again this morning, my mind wandered to the goal of Team LLF; to mobilize the body of Christ in an effort to increase our level of faith and fitness. This got my mind thinking about the times the Apostle Paul used sports metaphors when referencing the spiritual journey.
I Corinthians 9:24-27 (God's Word Translation) Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.
It is only when we are disciplined that we will find success. If I want to complete the 5k this August, or had I been part of the recent 10k on July 3rd, I would need to be in training. To achieve success, I need to train. While training, I need to have goals.
Paul also talked about setting goals and how they relate to the Christian experience.
Philippians 3:10-14 (New Century Version) I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death. Then I have hope that I myself will be raised from the dead. I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
If I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead, I need to daily set my goals and then strain to achieve those goals. Just as I now have a goal of being ready for the 5k on August 14, 2010, I need to also have a spiritual goal. Will daily Bible reading and prayer help me better understand Christ and the power that raised him from the dead? It will help, but there should be more. Not only should I read and pray, I must then enact what I have learned in my daily life.
Just like simply getting up and running each morning is a good form of exercise, if I don't ever enter a race, I simply have a healthy body. How many Christians are walking around today with a terrific understanding of the Bible, having read it each day, but have yet to put it into practice? They are like athletes who only train and never compete. I believe that when you understand that training is good, but it is only when you have set a goal and then put everything into achieving that goal, putting all of your training into practice, that you achieve personal satisfaction. Sometimes, you also receive a prize!
How are you doing? Are you training with no intent of ever getting into competition? Are you reading your Bible, praying, and simply staying on the sidelines? What is keeping you from stepping into action? God loves spending time with us, but that time should compel us to become more Christ-like, and that means that we have to get dirty. Jesus touched the leapers, he lived with the poor and needy, and he ate with tax collectors. In doing so, Jesus changed the world.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today, we simply have to train and then put ourselves in the place God sends us. The power is His to give or deny. It is up to us to be sure to be ready when the time comes.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
In Training
My friends at the Lexington Leadership Foundation (www.lexlf.org) started a new running group a few months ago in preparation for a 10K run recently held in Lexington. While both my wife and I are former runners (we have both taken time off, me much more time off than my lovely bride), we chose not to become part of the group when it formed in April.
However, due to our friendship with the President/CEO of the LLF, we were invited to the spaghetti dinner held for the team the night prior to the July 3rd 10K run. It was a pleasure to be there to support the 30+ men, women, and children who would either participate in the 10K or in the 1 Mile Fun Run the following morning. Most enjoyable, however, was the Christian fellowship over a free meal (free to me at least, someone paid for the food) and the pep talks by both a Lexington City Council Member who has become the voice of fitness here in our community and the coach of the UK Women's Basketball team; both Christians.
The evening was so motivating, I told Kelly I felt we could be ready for the next event in which Team LLF would participate, the Mid-summer Night's Run, a 5K event in mid August. Kelly asked me the next day if I was serious about running in the Mid-summer Night's Run, and asked again a few days later, probably because I had yet to start training, and each time I said, yes. So this past Saturday and again this morning, my lovely bride was out training.
I followed suit this morning, and for the first time in over 20 years, I was running. Well, I ran, walked, ran, walked, ran, and walked (in that order) a mile this morning in just under 14 minutes. Now before you get too excited for me, my pace this morning was approximately that of a forced march in the Army, and they are carrying their full packs during their march. Also, when I used to run (now running isn't something I've done significantly since injuring a knee my junior year in school), "back in the day," my slowest times were 8 minute miles. While I'm happy I didn't die this morning, 14 minutes is significantly off my former pace. Of course, I've also added an entire person to my body, now weighing almost 90 pounds more than I did while running competitively ...
So after running this morning, I returned home, picked up my Bible and began my daily devotions. In early May I was challenged by my pastor to make Bible reading and prayer a priority each day, no matter what. Following the example of that pastor, I committed not to eat each day until after I had spent time with God.
Like running, time with God had become something I found easy to ignore, neglect, or simply not do. And like my body had gained extra weight due to the lack of exercise, decreasing my health; not spending time with God had also put me in a place where I was increasing my potential for worsening spiritual health.
Fortunately, making the commitment to be with God daily before food, something I've only missed twice in nearly 2-1/2 months, was an easy routine to develop. It is my hope that the care I've begun to take in my spiritual life (which has also brought forth more blogging), will show me that having put my mind to something, especially when it is God honoring, I can do it!
I look forward to seeing how running will improve my health and my life, just like my daily routine with God has shown positive changes in these past few months.
Where are you "sitting on the fence" in regards to a life change you've contemplated, but not yet implemented? What motivation will be required for you to take the plunge? Who in your life will you choose to hold you accountable? I urge you, follow God's prompting, you will not regret your decision!
However, due to our friendship with the President/CEO of the LLF, we were invited to the spaghetti dinner held for the team the night prior to the July 3rd 10K run. It was a pleasure to be there to support the 30+ men, women, and children who would either participate in the 10K or in the 1 Mile Fun Run the following morning. Most enjoyable, however, was the Christian fellowship over a free meal (free to me at least, someone paid for the food) and the pep talks by both a Lexington City Council Member who has become the voice of fitness here in our community and the coach of the UK Women's Basketball team; both Christians.
The evening was so motivating, I told Kelly I felt we could be ready for the next event in which Team LLF would participate, the Mid-summer Night's Run, a 5K event in mid August. Kelly asked me the next day if I was serious about running in the Mid-summer Night's Run, and asked again a few days later, probably because I had yet to start training, and each time I said, yes. So this past Saturday and again this morning, my lovely bride was out training.
I followed suit this morning, and for the first time in over 20 years, I was running. Well, I ran, walked, ran, walked, ran, and walked (in that order) a mile this morning in just under 14 minutes. Now before you get too excited for me, my pace this morning was approximately that of a forced march in the Army, and they are carrying their full packs during their march. Also, when I used to run (now running isn't something I've done significantly since injuring a knee my junior year in school), "back in the day," my slowest times were 8 minute miles. While I'm happy I didn't die this morning, 14 minutes is significantly off my former pace. Of course, I've also added an entire person to my body, now weighing almost 90 pounds more than I did while running competitively ...
So after running this morning, I returned home, picked up my Bible and began my daily devotions. In early May I was challenged by my pastor to make Bible reading and prayer a priority each day, no matter what. Following the example of that pastor, I committed not to eat each day until after I had spent time with God.
Like running, time with God had become something I found easy to ignore, neglect, or simply not do. And like my body had gained extra weight due to the lack of exercise, decreasing my health; not spending time with God had also put me in a place where I was increasing my potential for worsening spiritual health.
Fortunately, making the commitment to be with God daily before food, something I've only missed twice in nearly 2-1/2 months, was an easy routine to develop. It is my hope that the care I've begun to take in my spiritual life (which has also brought forth more blogging), will show me that having put my mind to something, especially when it is God honoring, I can do it!
I look forward to seeing how running will improve my health and my life, just like my daily routine with God has shown positive changes in these past few months.
Where are you "sitting on the fence" in regards to a life change you've contemplated, but not yet implemented? What motivation will be required for you to take the plunge? Who in your life will you choose to hold you accountable? I urge you, follow God's prompting, you will not regret your decision!
Monday, July 12, 2010
What is "Good"?
Yesterday was week two of the current series at church, "If God is Good..." and the question was raised, what is good? Until we understand how God defines good, how can we determine whether or not He is good?
Many Christians, and even non-Christians, I imagine, know Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV, emphasis mine)
I know man's definition of good and that is how many of us have interpreted this verse. Merriam-Webster defines good as "advancement of prosperity or well being." Isn't that what we are seeking each time we quote Romans 8:28? Don't we use this verse as a promise that God will turn this despair into good somehow? In saying that, don't we mean God will miraculously make this tragic situation somehow advance my prosperity or well being?
But if we live our lives quoting this verse, looking for the good God has promised to work, shouldn't we understand His definition of good? Fortunately, we don't have to wait very long in the book of Romans to find out how God defines good. Simply looking at Romans 8:29 provides the answer: "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to BECOME LIKE HIS SON, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." (NLT, emphasis mine)
You want to understand God's definition of good? You simply need to become more like Jesus. OK, how do I do that? I would imagine you make your priorities the same as Jesus' priorities. I would imagine you labor for the least of these, you daily spend time in prayer to seek God's will, and you never, ever do anything "unless I do what the Father does" (John 10:37). It is only through becoming more like Jesus that God's good will have been worked in our lives.
How are you doing in regards to becoming the good God desires to work in you? Are you becoming more Christ-like each day? Are your pursuits the same as Jesus'? Or has the glitter of the present world pulled you off track?
Commit today to become more Christ-like each day so you might grow into the good to which God has promised!
Many Christians, and even non-Christians, I imagine, know Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the GOOD of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV, emphasis mine)
I know man's definition of good and that is how many of us have interpreted this verse. Merriam-Webster defines good as "advancement of prosperity or well being." Isn't that what we are seeking each time we quote Romans 8:28? Don't we use this verse as a promise that God will turn this despair into good somehow? In saying that, don't we mean God will miraculously make this tragic situation somehow advance my prosperity or well being?
But if we live our lives quoting this verse, looking for the good God has promised to work, shouldn't we understand His definition of good? Fortunately, we don't have to wait very long in the book of Romans to find out how God defines good. Simply looking at Romans 8:29 provides the answer: "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to BECOME LIKE HIS SON, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." (NLT, emphasis mine)
You want to understand God's definition of good? You simply need to become more like Jesus. OK, how do I do that? I would imagine you make your priorities the same as Jesus' priorities. I would imagine you labor for the least of these, you daily spend time in prayer to seek God's will, and you never, ever do anything "unless I do what the Father does" (John 10:37). It is only through becoming more like Jesus that God's good will have been worked in our lives.
How are you doing in regards to becoming the good God desires to work in you? Are you becoming more Christ-like each day? Are your pursuits the same as Jesus'? Or has the glitter of the present world pulled you off track?
Commit today to become more Christ-like each day so you might grow into the good to which God has promised!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Better than a Hallelujah
Have you heard Amy Grant's newest single, "Better than a Hallelujah?" It is an amazing song that focuses on God enjoying truthful emotions from His children (a mother's tears, a drunkard's cry, the honest cries of breaking hearts) more than He enjoys hearing "Hallelujah" emanate from our lips.
I believe this song has a biblical foundation. Looking at Hosea 6:6 in the New Century Version we read, "I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings."
God wants us to truly know Him, to be honest with Him as we approach His throne, either in prayer or in offering praise. It is only when we are honest with God that we have also become honest with ourselves. It is only through completely emptying ourselves that we are then able to allow God to fill us.
God is a strange phenomenon when you think about it. He created everything, and by Him are all things made (John 1:3), and yet He does not force Himself upon us. Unless we open ourselves up, God will not come into our life. Unless we freely accept His offer of forgiveness, God cannot change our lives. It is only when we are truly open, truly vulnerable before God that His miracle can happen.
Maybe that is why Amy's new song is so meaningful to me right now, and maybe that is why it was so important to her to record after hearing the song recently. Through this song, understanding that being real with God is more important to Him than saying "Hallelujah;" maybe, just maybe we will be able to find the healing only God can offer.
Are you open to God or are you simply singing hallelujah?
I believe this song has a biblical foundation. Looking at Hosea 6:6 in the New Century Version we read, "I want faithful love more than I want animal sacrifices. I want people to know me more than I want burnt offerings."
God wants us to truly know Him, to be honest with Him as we approach His throne, either in prayer or in offering praise. It is only when we are honest with God that we have also become honest with ourselves. It is only through completely emptying ourselves that we are then able to allow God to fill us.
God is a strange phenomenon when you think about it. He created everything, and by Him are all things made (John 1:3), and yet He does not force Himself upon us. Unless we open ourselves up, God will not come into our life. Unless we freely accept His offer of forgiveness, God cannot change our lives. It is only when we are truly open, truly vulnerable before God that His miracle can happen.
Maybe that is why Amy's new song is so meaningful to me right now, and maybe that is why it was so important to her to record after hearing the song recently. Through this song, understanding that being real with God is more important to Him than saying "Hallelujah;" maybe, just maybe we will be able to find the healing only God can offer.
Are you open to God or are you simply singing hallelujah?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Knowing vs. Not Knowing
I was watching a video this afternoon of a new show on cable. The show follows the daily life of a comedian. The show focuses on struggles he faces in daily life and has a few of his stand up segments spliced in as "color" for the day-to-day activities.
One segment of the stand up routine troubled me. It was discouraging because the star was turning his greed into comedy. I realize that in our calloused world, laughing at American greed has become commonplace, however this few seconds of the routine showed me just how far we have come.
The comedian was talking about how his driving a luxury car actually hurts other people in third world countries. He said he realizes he could trade his used luxury car in on a brand new subcompact and get cash back because of the difference in value. He said he could then use that cash to feed hungry people in third world countries. The entire time he is doing the bit, the audience is laughing.
Now please don't hear be judging people who drive luxury cars. I too have had the privilege of owning luxury cars. My first car was a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Since that car I have owned a Volvo 940 and a Lexus GS300, both entry level luxury cars.
My problem isn't with owning the car; my problem is with having come to the conclusion he could help others but instead turns the situation into a punchline for his stand up routine.
That leads me to my point for today. I believe it is one thing to not understand the problem, it is completely different to know there is a problem, have a solution, and then ignore your conscience, or worse, turn the situation into a punchline.
I recently saw a movie (yes, I do have a life outside of movies, but right now they are making my point for me) where an international aide worker commented his biggest problem was not that people in Uganda were starving to death. His biggest problem was to inform people with money there are people in Uganda starving to death when those potential donors don't even know there are people in Uganda.
It seems to me that as small as the world has become, as intertwined as the global economy has made us, there are still those of us who don't realize there is a Uganda and there are people who live there we could help.
I like my things. I've worked hard to attain them. I did not receive a large inheritance. I am not from a famous family. I have worked hard my entire life to be able to earn my things. I am grateful to God I was born in America, where I have the opportunity to work hard and raise myself up financially, as opposed to some other nation where I would not have the same opportunities.
Yet now that I know there are people starving each day, now that I know I can help, now what?
Does owning a luxury car, being on television, and having more than many people make our comedian a bad person? No! Having knowledge he could make a difference in another part of the world and turning that knowledge into a punchline, that is the problem.
If you are a Christian, God has called you to serve the "least of these." I believe our legacy as Christians needs to be about the entire world (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth). What conviction or realization have you seen in your life and have simply turned it into a punchline by ignoring your conscience?
One segment of the stand up routine troubled me. It was discouraging because the star was turning his greed into comedy. I realize that in our calloused world, laughing at American greed has become commonplace, however this few seconds of the routine showed me just how far we have come.
The comedian was talking about how his driving a luxury car actually hurts other people in third world countries. He said he realizes he could trade his used luxury car in on a brand new subcompact and get cash back because of the difference in value. He said he could then use that cash to feed hungry people in third world countries. The entire time he is doing the bit, the audience is laughing.
Now please don't hear be judging people who drive luxury cars. I too have had the privilege of owning luxury cars. My first car was a Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Since that car I have owned a Volvo 940 and a Lexus GS300, both entry level luxury cars.
My problem isn't with owning the car; my problem is with having come to the conclusion he could help others but instead turns the situation into a punchline for his stand up routine.
That leads me to my point for today. I believe it is one thing to not understand the problem, it is completely different to know there is a problem, have a solution, and then ignore your conscience, or worse, turn the situation into a punchline.
I recently saw a movie (yes, I do have a life outside of movies, but right now they are making my point for me) where an international aide worker commented his biggest problem was not that people in Uganda were starving to death. His biggest problem was to inform people with money there are people in Uganda starving to death when those potential donors don't even know there are people in Uganda.
It seems to me that as small as the world has become, as intertwined as the global economy has made us, there are still those of us who don't realize there is a Uganda and there are people who live there we could help.
I like my things. I've worked hard to attain them. I did not receive a large inheritance. I am not from a famous family. I have worked hard my entire life to be able to earn my things. I am grateful to God I was born in America, where I have the opportunity to work hard and raise myself up financially, as opposed to some other nation where I would not have the same opportunities.
Yet now that I know there are people starving each day, now that I know I can help, now what?
Does owning a luxury car, being on television, and having more than many people make our comedian a bad person? No! Having knowledge he could make a difference in another part of the world and turning that knowledge into a punchline, that is the problem.
If you are a Christian, God has called you to serve the "least of these." I believe our legacy as Christians needs to be about the entire world (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth). What conviction or realization have you seen in your life and have simply turned it into a punchline by ignoring your conscience?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Still, Small Voice
Last night as I was praying while preparing to go to sleep, I was deeply troubled. The same old things were on my mind: no job, no income, past due bills; so I took them to God. In my usual manner, I told God of the issue of concern and then prayed scripture appropriate to the request. "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19-NIV). I also prayed Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, tells those listening they are more important than the birds and flowers so don't worry about food or clothing.
I poured out my soul last night, telling God it had become cumbersome praying the same prayer each day, living each day with the weight of my financial burdens. And during that agonizing time, I heard a "still, small voice" whisper, "You've already given these concerns to me, why do you continue to hold on to them so tightly? Leave your burdens at the throne and I will then be able to answer."
In an amazing scene, something similar to Christian in Pilgrim's Progress losing the heavy pack from his back, I felt a weight fall off me last night. I realized I had continued to hold on to my requests each day by carrying around the weight of the problem despite having offered it to God in prayer. Each night I had prayed for relief, and then each morning I grabbed right back on to the problem, trying to solve it in my own power.
Last night I realized, though unfortunately not for the first time in my spiritual journey, that simply praying does not provide God with what He needs to be able to answer our prayers. In addition to offering the prayer, we have to also leave the burden at the throne. It is only when we truly surrender our daily problems to God that He will be able to provide answers.
I wish I could say that when I woke up this morning I had several emails from people wanting to provide me with job opportunities. Unfortunately, that is not how God chose to work this time. I can say, that in addition to hearing the voice tell me to leave the burden at the throne, I also clearly heard that the answer will come in His time. What is His time? I'm not sure.
I have learned one thing, however in the past five years of being self-employed. While God is rarely early (with answers to prayers), He has never been late. Sure, He operates outside of my personal comfort zone, but in five years, we have always had the money in the bank account on the day it was needed. Would I have liked for it to have been there sooner? Certainly! Have I had to negotiate with companies due to late payments? Yes. Yet each time "our backs seemed against the wall," the funds we had earned would arrive or a job would be offered, providing just enough to cover our immediate need.
You would think that having lived this way for five years I could simply wake each morning with the understanding that God is in control. Unfortunately I do not. There are far too many days, like last night, where I'm holding on to the burden and keeping God from working another miracle in my life. Last night was a great reminder that God cares for us, He has our best intentions in mind, and He will provide; as long as we stop trying to do it on our own and place ourselves in a position to respond to His prompting, in His time.
What are you holding on to today that you thought you had already released to God? Open up to Him completely and let God work His miracle in your life, in His time.
I poured out my soul last night, telling God it had become cumbersome praying the same prayer each day, living each day with the weight of my financial burdens. And during that agonizing time, I heard a "still, small voice" whisper, "You've already given these concerns to me, why do you continue to hold on to them so tightly? Leave your burdens at the throne and I will then be able to answer."
In an amazing scene, something similar to Christian in Pilgrim's Progress losing the heavy pack from his back, I felt a weight fall off me last night. I realized I had continued to hold on to my requests each day by carrying around the weight of the problem despite having offered it to God in prayer. Each night I had prayed for relief, and then each morning I grabbed right back on to the problem, trying to solve it in my own power.
Last night I realized, though unfortunately not for the first time in my spiritual journey, that simply praying does not provide God with what He needs to be able to answer our prayers. In addition to offering the prayer, we have to also leave the burden at the throne. It is only when we truly surrender our daily problems to God that He will be able to provide answers.
I wish I could say that when I woke up this morning I had several emails from people wanting to provide me with job opportunities. Unfortunately, that is not how God chose to work this time. I can say, that in addition to hearing the voice tell me to leave the burden at the throne, I also clearly heard that the answer will come in His time. What is His time? I'm not sure.
I have learned one thing, however in the past five years of being self-employed. While God is rarely early (with answers to prayers), He has never been late. Sure, He operates outside of my personal comfort zone, but in five years, we have always had the money in the bank account on the day it was needed. Would I have liked for it to have been there sooner? Certainly! Have I had to negotiate with companies due to late payments? Yes. Yet each time "our backs seemed against the wall," the funds we had earned would arrive or a job would be offered, providing just enough to cover our immediate need.
You would think that having lived this way for five years I could simply wake each morning with the understanding that God is in control. Unfortunately I do not. There are far too many days, like last night, where I'm holding on to the burden and keeping God from working another miracle in my life. Last night was a great reminder that God cares for us, He has our best intentions in mind, and He will provide; as long as we stop trying to do it on our own and place ourselves in a position to respond to His prompting, in His time.
What are you holding on to today that you thought you had already released to God? Open up to Him completely and let God work His miracle in your life, in His time.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Just Rambling about Worship
I drove from Lexington, Kentucky to Freeport, Illinois today. It wasn't an interesting drive since this is the fourth time I've driven to Chicago in the past two months. I practically have the route memorized, and can track my route with a clock rather than with a speedometer or odometer.
So I spent the time listening to several of my Pandora mixes, starting with my Avalon mix and then moving on to my Casting Crowns mix. I always find it more enjoyable to travel with music, and today I was in the mood for some worship sets.
It never ceases to amaze me how music can change any mood, and sure enough, at the points when I was getting "road weary" a great live worship set would come on the mix. Live worship is always best in my opinion, especially when the crowd gets into the act. I simply love hearing an artist drop out and let the crowd sing the lyrics. In that moment, there is a special bond between the musician and the audience.
It is like that with God too, I believe. When God hears us sing back to him (or use whatever form of worship we prefer), there is a tremendous bond created. God so desires worship from His creation, Luke 19:40 tells us that if his people keep silent, the rocks will cry out. God wants us to worship Him. He desires our praise and that connection with us, His children.
I hope that you find time in your day, each and every day, to worship. Not only does God desire to connect with us, we need to connect with Him!
So I spent the time listening to several of my Pandora mixes, starting with my Avalon mix and then moving on to my Casting Crowns mix. I always find it more enjoyable to travel with music, and today I was in the mood for some worship sets.
It never ceases to amaze me how music can change any mood, and sure enough, at the points when I was getting "road weary" a great live worship set would come on the mix. Live worship is always best in my opinion, especially when the crowd gets into the act. I simply love hearing an artist drop out and let the crowd sing the lyrics. In that moment, there is a special bond between the musician and the audience.
It is like that with God too, I believe. When God hears us sing back to him (or use whatever form of worship we prefer), there is a tremendous bond created. God so desires worship from His creation, Luke 19:40 tells us that if his people keep silent, the rocks will cry out. God wants us to worship Him. He desires our praise and that connection with us, His children.
I hope that you find time in your day, each and every day, to worship. Not only does God desire to connect with us, we need to connect with Him!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Two Truths from the Cross
This morning at church I heard the most convincing argument God exists and is a good and powerful God ever. I've been a Christian my whole life. I was raised in a Christian home, my father a Baptist preacher, my mother a devoted pastor's wife. It was my mother who showed me the path of salvation at our dinner table when I was four years old. My father baptized me when I was seven at the church where he was the pastor in southeastern Michigan.
The past 10 years of my life I've been part of the Willow Creek, non-denominational, "seeker-friendly" church. I would venture that in those 10 years, I've heard the "Why Do Bad Things Happen?" and "How Can God Call Himself Good?" type messages at least once a year. So walking into church this morning, seeing the new sermon series was "If God is Good...," I truly had no expectation to be surprised.
However, as with many things in my life these days, I was blown away. The message started the same, someone who had experienced all the hurts life had to offer (losing a brother to childhood leukemia, a mother who became an alcoholic and then later committed suicide, a father who sexually abused her as a teen) sat with her own daughter after her college sweetheart had walked out on them and asked hard questions of God.
I expected the answers to be the same, but this time, rather than being told that God created a perfect world but in order for man to have free will, He also had to allow for it to be corrupted; we were taken to the cross.
Do you question if God is in control? Do you question if God is a good and just God? Then all you have to do is look to the cross. This morning I was shown the answer to every question about the goodness of God can be handled at the cross. From this day on, each time I am asked by someone about God's goodness, I will have an answer. My hope is that after reading this, you will as well.
Please understand, this is not an answer I found. The work was done by someone else. I am simply forwarding this truth in the hopes that it may touch your life in the remarkable manner in which it touched me this morning as I listened to Mike Breaux at Southland. The thoughts were his, but the truth resonated in me like never before.
Mike took us to the cross and showed us two truths from the cross that answer the "If God is Good..." question:
1. We live in a toxic, unfair world and noone is exempt, not even God.
2. We have a sacrificial God.
The first truth blew me away. Like many of you, I have heard the message of the cross, heard of the sacrifice Jesus paid so we may have forgiveness of sin. It wasn't until this morning, however, I actually saw the connection between the fallen world and the price God allowed His son to pay in order to restore the world.
If anyone had an argument they deserved nothing but good, it was Jesus. His entire public ministry was devoted to sacrificially giving to those who had nothing. He fed people, he healed people, he changed people's lives for the better. In his entire ministry, the only people who were ever hurt were those in power, those who had corrupted the religious system. If anyone had an argument they were unjustly punished, it was Jesus.
Yet scripture tells us in Isaiah 53:7 that he did not open his mouth in defense. Jesus willingly (see John 10:17-18) offered himself as our sacrifice.
Yes bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to really bad people; but even God himself was not exempt from the laws of this world, proving to me He is good. Rather than remove himself (see Matthew 26:47-55), Jesus willingly offered his life for mine. That is the most compelling argument for a good God I can offer. Fortunately, we also serve a powerful God and Jesus is not dead; he was raised three days later.
I hope this brief post has offered you something to consider. If you want to hear Mike's words, follow this link (http://www.southlandchristian.org/teaching/series/if-god-is-good/). The messages will be posted as they are completed.
Next time you wonder, or someone asks "Is God Good?" all you have to do is look to the cross.
The past 10 years of my life I've been part of the Willow Creek, non-denominational, "seeker-friendly" church. I would venture that in those 10 years, I've heard the "Why Do Bad Things Happen?" and "How Can God Call Himself Good?" type messages at least once a year. So walking into church this morning, seeing the new sermon series was "If God is Good...," I truly had no expectation to be surprised.
However, as with many things in my life these days, I was blown away. The message started the same, someone who had experienced all the hurts life had to offer (losing a brother to childhood leukemia, a mother who became an alcoholic and then later committed suicide, a father who sexually abused her as a teen) sat with her own daughter after her college sweetheart had walked out on them and asked hard questions of God.
I expected the answers to be the same, but this time, rather than being told that God created a perfect world but in order for man to have free will, He also had to allow for it to be corrupted; we were taken to the cross.
Do you question if God is in control? Do you question if God is a good and just God? Then all you have to do is look to the cross. This morning I was shown the answer to every question about the goodness of God can be handled at the cross. From this day on, each time I am asked by someone about God's goodness, I will have an answer. My hope is that after reading this, you will as well.
Please understand, this is not an answer I found. The work was done by someone else. I am simply forwarding this truth in the hopes that it may touch your life in the remarkable manner in which it touched me this morning as I listened to Mike Breaux at Southland. The thoughts were his, but the truth resonated in me like never before.
Mike took us to the cross and showed us two truths from the cross that answer the "If God is Good..." question:
1. We live in a toxic, unfair world and noone is exempt, not even God.
2. We have a sacrificial God.
The first truth blew me away. Like many of you, I have heard the message of the cross, heard of the sacrifice Jesus paid so we may have forgiveness of sin. It wasn't until this morning, however, I actually saw the connection between the fallen world and the price God allowed His son to pay in order to restore the world.
If anyone had an argument they deserved nothing but good, it was Jesus. His entire public ministry was devoted to sacrificially giving to those who had nothing. He fed people, he healed people, he changed people's lives for the better. In his entire ministry, the only people who were ever hurt were those in power, those who had corrupted the religious system. If anyone had an argument they were unjustly punished, it was Jesus.
Yet scripture tells us in Isaiah 53:7 that he did not open his mouth in defense. Jesus willingly (see John 10:17-18) offered himself as our sacrifice.
Yes bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to really bad people; but even God himself was not exempt from the laws of this world, proving to me He is good. Rather than remove himself (see Matthew 26:47-55), Jesus willingly offered his life for mine. That is the most compelling argument for a good God I can offer. Fortunately, we also serve a powerful God and Jesus is not dead; he was raised three days later.
I hope this brief post has offered you something to consider. If you want to hear Mike's words, follow this link (http://www.southlandchristian.org/teaching/series/if-god-is-good/). The messages will be posted as they are completed.
Next time you wonder, or someone asks "Is God Good?" all you have to do is look to the cross.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Happy Birthday America
This weekend America celebrates 234 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Compared to other nations of the world, America is more like a teenager. I was watching a movie recently where US armed forces needed to enter a tunnel beneath a museum in Eastern Europe. The museum curator told the general, "I don't care who you are, this museum is older than your country and you will not dig a hole in the middle of it!"
That got me thinking and as I was contemplating what to write in honor of my country's birth, it became apparent I should concentrate on her age. Through that lens, I believe many of the problems we face as a nation today can be explained. So please permit me this deviation from my usual format (writing about the spiritual walk) as I delve into politics for just a bit today.
As an infant and then young nation, America, like children, followed without hesitation the teachings of our parents (the founding fathers). The bible and prayer were permitted in schools, we sought God during major times of crisis, and despite what our most recent President declared in 2009, America was a nation based on Jude0-Christian principles.
But then, like humans, as America entered her prepubescent years around the turn of the 20th Century, she started to shun the teachings of her fathers and seek her own path. Like many preteens, America turned to her peer group for identity and took on many of the teachings of Europe; including removing the Bible and prayer from school and replacing it with humanistic and evolutionary teachings.
As a full-fledged teen, by the end of the 20th century and now into the first decade of the 21st century, America has completely immersed herself in the identity of her peer group; taking on the very socialist, high tax, big government identity our fore fathers fought to gain independence from 234 years ago.
It is my hope, that like humans, as America continues to mature and reaches her "mid 20's," she will realize the founding fathers were men of wisdom and return to their teachings, shoving off this false identity she has taken in her rebellious years. You've heard it said that as children we think our parents are the smartest, strongest people on earth. As teens and young adults we think our parents are the weakest and dumbest people on earth; and sometime after graduating college and perhaps starting our own family, we realize just how smart and strong our parents actually are.
It is my hope America continues to mature and in doing so realizes just how smart the founding fathers were and returns to her roots; roots that include God and true freedom for all.
Happy birthday America. Long may your flag of freedom wave!
Compared to other nations of the world, America is more like a teenager. I was watching a movie recently where US armed forces needed to enter a tunnel beneath a museum in Eastern Europe. The museum curator told the general, "I don't care who you are, this museum is older than your country and you will not dig a hole in the middle of it!"
That got me thinking and as I was contemplating what to write in honor of my country's birth, it became apparent I should concentrate on her age. Through that lens, I believe many of the problems we face as a nation today can be explained. So please permit me this deviation from my usual format (writing about the spiritual walk) as I delve into politics for just a bit today.
As an infant and then young nation, America, like children, followed without hesitation the teachings of our parents (the founding fathers). The bible and prayer were permitted in schools, we sought God during major times of crisis, and despite what our most recent President declared in 2009, America was a nation based on Jude0-Christian principles.
But then, like humans, as America entered her prepubescent years around the turn of the 20th Century, she started to shun the teachings of her fathers and seek her own path. Like many preteens, America turned to her peer group for identity and took on many of the teachings of Europe; including removing the Bible and prayer from school and replacing it with humanistic and evolutionary teachings.
As a full-fledged teen, by the end of the 20th century and now into the first decade of the 21st century, America has completely immersed herself in the identity of her peer group; taking on the very socialist, high tax, big government identity our fore fathers fought to gain independence from 234 years ago.
It is my hope, that like humans, as America continues to mature and reaches her "mid 20's," she will realize the founding fathers were men of wisdom and return to their teachings, shoving off this false identity she has taken in her rebellious years. You've heard it said that as children we think our parents are the smartest, strongest people on earth. As teens and young adults we think our parents are the weakest and dumbest people on earth; and sometime after graduating college and perhaps starting our own family, we realize just how smart and strong our parents actually are.
It is my hope America continues to mature and in doing so realizes just how smart the founding fathers were and returns to her roots; roots that include God and true freedom for all.
Happy birthday America. Long may your flag of freedom wave!
Friday, July 2, 2010
My Friday Morning Prayer
I had a heavy heart this morning as I approached my bible reading and prayer time; there are simply too many things weighing on my mind, and it was reflected in my approach to quiet time. Yet, because I have committed to spending time with God each day prior to eating, I knew that despite my lack of desire, I at least needed to honor my pledge. So I picked up my bible and read II Corinthians 3.
Paul's argument that through the Holy Spirit, there is freedom was just what I needed to hear. I closed my bible and began to freely pour out my troubles to God. I openly listed each issue that was weighing so heavily on my heart, asking God for a miracle in that area of my life.
Beyond the current financial strains, the relationship issues, the fear of the future (as it pertains to ensuring I can provide for my family while pursuing my dream); I was also somewhat concerned about what to write today. Earlier in the week I had heard God tell me I needed to get back to writing regularly, and took that to mean I should blog daily as well as read His word and pray. So during my prayer time this morning I was also asking God what I should write.
The amazing thing was I could "hear" God talking back to me. There was a point as I prayed that I realized I was doing a lot of talking and very little listening. At that moment, I sensed it was a message from God and in my prayer said, "OK God, I want to listen," and I stopped praying and began to listen.
In that moment, old gospel hymns began to fill my mind. The first was the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" and then I continued to hear song after song about Jesus. "Jesus Saves" was followed by "Jesus Loves Me" and then "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." The message was clear; focus on Jesus, and the everything else will no longer be as significant.
For a moment I had peace and thanked God for His message to me. And then a miracle happened; I fell asleep. This is a miracle because I have not been sleeping well the past several weeks. I sleep an hour, am awake a few hours, and then sleep an hour again. I repeat this pattern each night until my lovely bride wakes up to go to work. It was a pattern I had repeated again last night. So this morning, at 8:30 am, after reading II Corinthians 3 and praying for a few minutes, God interrupted me, gave me a great message that the priority in my life should be His son, and then gave me rest.
Are you listening when God speaks in your life? What message has He given you and what are you doing with that message?
Paul's argument that through the Holy Spirit, there is freedom was just what I needed to hear. I closed my bible and began to freely pour out my troubles to God. I openly listed each issue that was weighing so heavily on my heart, asking God for a miracle in that area of my life.
Beyond the current financial strains, the relationship issues, the fear of the future (as it pertains to ensuring I can provide for my family while pursuing my dream); I was also somewhat concerned about what to write today. Earlier in the week I had heard God tell me I needed to get back to writing regularly, and took that to mean I should blog daily as well as read His word and pray. So during my prayer time this morning I was also asking God what I should write.
The amazing thing was I could "hear" God talking back to me. There was a point as I prayed that I realized I was doing a lot of talking and very little listening. At that moment, I sensed it was a message from God and in my prayer said, "OK God, I want to listen," and I stopped praying and began to listen.
In that moment, old gospel hymns began to fill my mind. The first was the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus" and then I continued to hear song after song about Jesus. "Jesus Saves" was followed by "Jesus Loves Me" and then "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." The message was clear; focus on Jesus, and the everything else will no longer be as significant.
For a moment I had peace and thanked God for His message to me. And then a miracle happened; I fell asleep. This is a miracle because I have not been sleeping well the past several weeks. I sleep an hour, am awake a few hours, and then sleep an hour again. I repeat this pattern each night until my lovely bride wakes up to go to work. It was a pattern I had repeated again last night. So this morning, at 8:30 am, after reading II Corinthians 3 and praying for a few minutes, God interrupted me, gave me a great message that the priority in my life should be His son, and then gave me rest.
Are you listening when God speaks in your life? What message has He given you and what are you doing with that message?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Two Different Approaches
Yesterday I became aware of two different approaches to treating people by Christians that I simply could not pass up the opportunity to share here today. It all started during my prayer time yesterday morning. During my quiet time with God, I sensed Him telling me I needed to return to my writing.
So I wrote my first blog of 2010, on June 30th, exactly half way into the year. And then I began a quest to read other writers, to peruse other blogs, to see what the world was discussing. I found the first of what I'm calling "Two Different Approaches" through a link on Twitter. A friend on Twitter had linked to the following website: http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hugged-man-in-his-underwear-and-i-am.html. It was a story about some Christians who wore "I'm Sorry" t-shirts to a gay pride parade in Chicago. Along with the t-shirts, they carried hand written signs apologizing to the gay community for the way churches and Christians have showered the gay community with hate. The resulting healing that was started was amazing. I recommend each of you read the blog entry and then consider how you can find ways to also begin the process of reconciliation in your community.
I immediately sent the link to my lovely bride because I was so moved by the power of this simply act. Yes, it cost little financially, but it offered so much spiritually and emotionally; both to those who needed to hear the message of love Jesus truly offers, and to those who were offering the "olive branch." I am motivated to be a better Christ follower when I read stories like this; stories of true Christianity in action.
Later in the day, as my bride and I were sitting on our back porch, eating ice cream, talking, and looking at fireflies and stars, I heard the story of the second approach; unfortunately the all too common approach. A nationally syndicated radio host was responding to an email.
Now I cannot truly confirm this host is a Christian. While reading through the website this morning I found a section dedicated to providing the company's solutions to churches, and the corporate mission statement says: "... providing biblically based, common-sense education and empowerment which gives HOPE to everyone ...." However, I could not find sufficient definitive proof on the website to truly say the host himself is a committed Christ follower.
Yet, because churches across the county use the system developed by this company, because many of the principles included in the process are truly bibically based, my wife (and many others I would assume) believe this host is a Christian. So as she was listening to his response to an email while driving to the store to pick up the ice cream we were about to enjoy on the back porch last night (and yes, we had a coupon for the ice cream) she became offended by his response. The question was from a woman who did not agree with her husband's financial choice and she wanted some help.
The response, however was where it all broke down. My wife said the host started mocking the husband, calling him a "loser" in a patronizing tone of voice. He didn't stop there, he continued by saying when you told you father you were going to marry this guy, the sigh you heard escape from his lips was your father calling him a "loser." The host continued to say "loser" still using a condescending tone in his voice as he said the word, repeating it four or more times before my wife turned her radio off, unable to listen to another word.
Again, I cannot confirm this host is a committed Christ follower. I do not listen enough to know his heart. But I do know his response last night, at least the portion my wife heard and relayed to me, was not in concert with a response Jesus would have made. This man's response last night was not uplifting, did not provide the wife, who was seeking help, with hope or ammunition for a strong debate with her husband. The response did not provide the wife with a means of honoring her husband, while also striving to help him grow in his understanding of financial responsibility.
Please do not hear me judging the radio show host with my words. To judge him would be a failure to follow Jesus' example and an act against my own writing. My intention as I wrote today was to offer a challenge; a challenge supported by the offering of "Two Different Approaches."
Do you call yourself a Christ follower? If so, how do your actions reflect Christ. As you touch people throughout your day, consider carefully how that interaction reflects the message of Jesus. Commit today to leave each encounter with the knowledge you have impacted your world positively for the gospel. That is how we carry the message of Jesus to a world in need.
So I wrote my first blog of 2010, on June 30th, exactly half way into the year. And then I began a quest to read other writers, to peruse other blogs, to see what the world was discussing. I found the first of what I'm calling "Two Different Approaches" through a link on Twitter. A friend on Twitter had linked to the following website: http://naytinalbert.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-hugged-man-in-his-underwear-and-i-am.html. It was a story about some Christians who wore "I'm Sorry" t-shirts to a gay pride parade in Chicago. Along with the t-shirts, they carried hand written signs apologizing to the gay community for the way churches and Christians have showered the gay community with hate. The resulting healing that was started was amazing. I recommend each of you read the blog entry and then consider how you can find ways to also begin the process of reconciliation in your community.
I immediately sent the link to my lovely bride because I was so moved by the power of this simply act. Yes, it cost little financially, but it offered so much spiritually and emotionally; both to those who needed to hear the message of love Jesus truly offers, and to those who were offering the "olive branch." I am motivated to be a better Christ follower when I read stories like this; stories of true Christianity in action.
Later in the day, as my bride and I were sitting on our back porch, eating ice cream, talking, and looking at fireflies and stars, I heard the story of the second approach; unfortunately the all too common approach. A nationally syndicated radio host was responding to an email.
Now I cannot truly confirm this host is a Christian. While reading through the website this morning I found a section dedicated to providing the company's solutions to churches, and the corporate mission statement says: "... providing biblically based, common-sense education and empowerment which gives HOPE to everyone ...." However, I could not find sufficient definitive proof on the website to truly say the host himself is a committed Christ follower.
Yet, because churches across the county use the system developed by this company, because many of the principles included in the process are truly bibically based, my wife (and many others I would assume) believe this host is a Christian. So as she was listening to his response to an email while driving to the store to pick up the ice cream we were about to enjoy on the back porch last night (and yes, we had a coupon for the ice cream) she became offended by his response. The question was from a woman who did not agree with her husband's financial choice and she wanted some help.
The response, however was where it all broke down. My wife said the host started mocking the husband, calling him a "loser" in a patronizing tone of voice. He didn't stop there, he continued by saying when you told you father you were going to marry this guy, the sigh you heard escape from his lips was your father calling him a "loser." The host continued to say "loser" still using a condescending tone in his voice as he said the word, repeating it four or more times before my wife turned her radio off, unable to listen to another word.
Again, I cannot confirm this host is a committed Christ follower. I do not listen enough to know his heart. But I do know his response last night, at least the portion my wife heard and relayed to me, was not in concert with a response Jesus would have made. This man's response last night was not uplifting, did not provide the wife, who was seeking help, with hope or ammunition for a strong debate with her husband. The response did not provide the wife with a means of honoring her husband, while also striving to help him grow in his understanding of financial responsibility.
Please do not hear me judging the radio show host with my words. To judge him would be a failure to follow Jesus' example and an act against my own writing. My intention as I wrote today was to offer a challenge; a challenge supported by the offering of "Two Different Approaches."
Do you call yourself a Christ follower? If so, how do your actions reflect Christ. As you touch people throughout your day, consider carefully how that interaction reflects the message of Jesus. Commit today to leave each encounter with the knowledge you have impacted your world positively for the gospel. That is how we carry the message of Jesus to a world in need.
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