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!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
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.
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