Dan Baker is the Co-President of the Wisconsin based Freedom From Religion Foundation which has been responsible for the placement of the Winter Solstice sign at the Washington State Capital that in part reads...
"May reason prevail...
There are no gods,
no devils or angels,
no heaven and hell.
There is only our natural world.
Religion is but myth and superstition
that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
What makes this presentation so attention grabbing is that it has been placed directly next to the Nativity Scene that recognizes and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. To Dan, its an 'equal rights' type of thing. According to his 'reason', there are so many religions, (all of them harmful and ignorant) that there must be a place for agnostics and atheists to make expression of their disbelief. What better time than Christmas and what better place than directly alongside the Nativity Scene? A stroke of genuis for sure by those pledged to secularism!
Marketing unbelief in a season devoted to those whose faith is in Christ as Messiah is pretty much an 'in your face' tactic. Secularists, like many religionists can be people of indescribable charm.
Dan is right on some counts, and Christians need to be on full alert.
It is true that December 21 or 22 is when the Winter Solstice normally occurs over the Northern Hemisphere. This is the result of the 23.5 degree tilt of the earth spinning upon its axis toward the plane of its rotation, (all the while making its rotation about the sun). Because of all these agreeing and delicately balanced factors, (this is where you have to debunk your faith and trust in the logic of reason), our Hemisphere receives less direct sunlight which creates winter as well as the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
Our present day Christmas focus of December 25 came from the Roman holiday known as Saturnalia. This holiday celebrated the birthday of the unconquered sun, (Saturn) and began each December around the 19th of the month. Seven days of unrestrained revelry ensued. Many of the Christmas traditions we celebrate today have their origins in these quite pagan customs, (aren't you glad I waited until Christmas came and went before I spoiled it for you?). Feasting, parades, gift giving, special music, candlelighting, green trees and other traditions originated with the 'Saturnalia Solstice' so to speak. As Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire, Emperor Constantine declared Christ's birthday an official Roman holiday, December 25th being the date of choice.
Christians kind of 'baptized' Saturnalia in an attempt to trump the season with Christ rather than align with pagan practice and custom. Many Christians at the time of Constantine to this present day have refused to honor December 25th as 'Christmas' as the designated birthday of Jesus because of the history of 'Christmas'.
"The chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus..." Luke 22:2
Dr. Dan is smart enough to know that he is not the first one to come along and feel the threat of a coming Messiah. Even the ancient King Herod did all that he could to eradicate the possibility that there was truly a God worthy of worship that was not himself. That is why he had so many innocents slaughtered in the regions of Ramah (Matthew 2:18) seeking to depose a King who had yet to be discovered and receieved.
Christians do not need Christmas to celebrate the Advent of Christ as Messiah, King and Savior. It is nice, but not necessary. Christians do not need to be daunted by the Equal Rights advocates that trash Christmas and every good, worthy, and spiritual focus that leads all to recognize and reflect upon God's gift to the world through His Son, Jesus the Christ. Like many others, I am offended that people of no faith have a need to use the season of faith to market their agenda of Christ rejection. Yet, this affords opportunity to open the message of Christmas more fully in Washington State and beyond as well as days and months after the holiday has been celebrated.
Your life in Christ is the full time announcement on a daily basis that He is Who He says He is, a Grace Giving Savior and a Life Changing Lord. That is a truth that just confounds logic!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Weight Lifting
Have you ever walked with a slump?
I used to...maybe sometimes still do. A friend in college pointed this out to me once he had my attention off of my shoes and locked on to his words on my way to class one day. He was not a close buddy or a room mate, but a friend who took notice of the chagrined way that I lumbered around campus day after day. For some odd reason...I never walked with my face up...always face down, always.
Tom did me a favor that day. I started to consciously look up when I walked the concrete or the halls. When I did that, I saw so much...like clouds, trees, directional signs, campus promotions, artwork and...people. I saw faces that smiled at me. I saw women that attracted me. I saw friends who greeted me. I saw professors who chatted with me. I even saw exam scores posted with the latest grades from the day before.
Amazing what and who you can see when you look up!
I reflected on my 'look down' lifestyle and wondered why I had drifted into that slumping daily routine. Reality Check Answer: I was 'weighted down' with all sorts of 'stuff', and my walk told the deeper story of my heart. What had so burdened me I wondered? Why had I allowed myself to take such a beat down? I unpacked my 'stuff'. It took more than an afternoon, but I began the long process of releasing the burden of my failures, disappointments, rejections and past history to God. I took my eyes off of my shoes for a change...and the view was so much better!
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close in on you like a trap." Luke 21:34
I really was not wasting away or getting loaded to forget my ills (I had so few as a young man). But, those 'anxieties of life'...that was totally another story for me. Like many, practical concerns took their toll. I had no cash to pay my way through college much less a car or the gas money to bum a ride back home to see the folks from time to time. When the buds went for a Whataburger, I made lame excuses as to why I had to stay behind while my mouth watered at the thought of a midnight chocolate shake! I was not much for dating and it was not for lack of interest...maybe lack of social skills or rhythm, and that became a monster challenge for me. Above all, I was concerned about my future...very concerned. I knew that I specific calling from God...but at that time...I had none of the 'specifics', and that alarmed me for sure.
When I determined to quit looking at my shoes, I began to look up. I looked above the building of my university into the skies. At night I would sneak out to the other side of the cafeteria and lay on the slope alone under the bright southern stars, my Bible my only companion. I did not 'see' God, but I did notice more than a few things that He brought to my attention about Himself. When I stopped looking at my shoes and the corresponding load that made my shoulders slump downward, He lifted the weights of anxiety and replaced them with joy after joy, time after time. I was still broke, but in Him I was rich. I was still taken back by a lady from time to time, but I learned how to make conversation and friends by His grace, (and He gave me quite a gal on top of that for sure!). I still was uncertain about my future, but now I was on His agenda and not mine so that was His concern not mine!
30 years later I walk with my head up. There have been times that I have picked up the 'stuff' again...and new 'stuff' too...but when He calls that to my attention, I unload that backpack in a short hurry and keep my eyes raised. When Jesus said;
"Always be on the watch and pray." Luke 21:36
He was talking about His coming again. He will come again. He said He would the first time, (we call it Christmas) and He followed through, so I know that He makes promises to keep them! I don't want to miss a single nano-second of His invitation to join Him in His heaven. Had not the weight been lifted, I may have been staring at my shoes and missed the greatest promise and hope fulfilled of all time.
The Christ of Christmas is the Ultimate Weight Lifter. That's a fact.
I used to...maybe sometimes still do. A friend in college pointed this out to me once he had my attention off of my shoes and locked on to his words on my way to class one day. He was not a close buddy or a room mate, but a friend who took notice of the chagrined way that I lumbered around campus day after day. For some odd reason...I never walked with my face up...always face down, always.
Tom did me a favor that day. I started to consciously look up when I walked the concrete or the halls. When I did that, I saw so much...like clouds, trees, directional signs, campus promotions, artwork and...people. I saw faces that smiled at me. I saw women that attracted me. I saw friends who greeted me. I saw professors who chatted with me. I even saw exam scores posted with the latest grades from the day before.
Amazing what and who you can see when you look up!
I reflected on my 'look down' lifestyle and wondered why I had drifted into that slumping daily routine. Reality Check Answer: I was 'weighted down' with all sorts of 'stuff', and my walk told the deeper story of my heart. What had so burdened me I wondered? Why had I allowed myself to take such a beat down? I unpacked my 'stuff'. It took more than an afternoon, but I began the long process of releasing the burden of my failures, disappointments, rejections and past history to God. I took my eyes off of my shoes for a change...and the view was so much better!
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close in on you like a trap." Luke 21:34
I really was not wasting away or getting loaded to forget my ills (I had so few as a young man). But, those 'anxieties of life'...that was totally another story for me. Like many, practical concerns took their toll. I had no cash to pay my way through college much less a car or the gas money to bum a ride back home to see the folks from time to time. When the buds went for a Whataburger, I made lame excuses as to why I had to stay behind while my mouth watered at the thought of a midnight chocolate shake! I was not much for dating and it was not for lack of interest...maybe lack of social skills or rhythm, and that became a monster challenge for me. Above all, I was concerned about my future...very concerned. I knew that I specific calling from God...but at that time...I had none of the 'specifics', and that alarmed me for sure.
When I determined to quit looking at my shoes, I began to look up. I looked above the building of my university into the skies. At night I would sneak out to the other side of the cafeteria and lay on the slope alone under the bright southern stars, my Bible my only companion. I did not 'see' God, but I did notice more than a few things that He brought to my attention about Himself. When I stopped looking at my shoes and the corresponding load that made my shoulders slump downward, He lifted the weights of anxiety and replaced them with joy after joy, time after time. I was still broke, but in Him I was rich. I was still taken back by a lady from time to time, but I learned how to make conversation and friends by His grace, (and He gave me quite a gal on top of that for sure!). I still was uncertain about my future, but now I was on His agenda and not mine so that was His concern not mine!
30 years later I walk with my head up. There have been times that I have picked up the 'stuff' again...and new 'stuff' too...but when He calls that to my attention, I unload that backpack in a short hurry and keep my eyes raised. When Jesus said;
"Always be on the watch and pray." Luke 21:36
He was talking about His coming again. He will come again. He said He would the first time, (we call it Christmas) and He followed through, so I know that He makes promises to keep them! I don't want to miss a single nano-second of His invitation to join Him in His heaven. Had not the weight been lifted, I may have been staring at my shoes and missed the greatest promise and hope fulfilled of all time.
The Christ of Christmas is the Ultimate Weight Lifter. That's a fact.
Bling Bling
Oh, to be recognized!
There has to be a shortage of precious metals in the world for all the awards that are going around. From The People's Choice Awards to the CMA Awards, to the Emmy, the Tony and the Oscars, and even that Ballroom Trophy for the 'star' dancers on 'Dancing with the Stars'...there is some serious celebrating going on for the amazing feats of celebrity excellence in music, songwriting, acting, dancing, directing, producing, animating...and the list goes on and on and on and on and....
Some folk are so intriguing that in the blur of the digital flash, they walk a Red Carpet, (well, actually they stop and pose just a tad along the Trail of Honor) protected by their entourage, escorted by the infamous and drooled over by those on the other side of the restraining ropes. These people are among the undisputed beautiful, stunning, glamorous, talented, and envied. They turn heads by their mere presence. These are just the celebs, too! Add to that the athlete, the politician among the adored and you can well see the impact of center stage upon those on it and those desiring it.
Before you think me to be biting sour grapes, I have to admit that I can get a bit silly at the 'K' during a Royals game. You can get on the gi-normous Jumbo Tron that way! I am still waiting for that "Kiss Cam" thing to point my way so that I can plant a big one on the wife for the other 240 folk at the ballpark to see and celebrate. That day (when it comes) will live in infamy as far as I am concerned!
"They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted at the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." Luke 20:46
You might be interested in who Jesus speaks these words to. They are the most 'religious' sort on the planet. They oozed importance and spirituality, yet they reeked of shallow piety, insincerity and outright hypocrisy. They quoted Scripture, explained it to the letter and would even let out some intercessory 'bling' on the public stage of self-absorbed prayer for the needy. It was a 'righteous' sort of snobbery, the kind of which they themselves were absolutely blind to as they proudly advanced the agenda of the Almighty among the serfs.
Post Christmas reflection is a good annual practice for the 'spiritual' and the nonspiritual.
Rather than the Christ of Christmas being the center of our celebrations, this is the season that if we are not careful, could easily center around advancing our lifestyles...robed in self-righteousness or in the latest fashions from Macy's, The Buckle or Express, that in truth accentuate self. The sentimentality of being 'home for Christmas' can actually mar the true reason for the season. Nothing wrong with Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa, (please don't take me as the Grinch), but Christmas without Christ is really not Christmas...or is it?
When Jesus arrived as the Promised Messiah, no red carpet, national text message, Internet news alert, or really much fuss. A homeless family with no place but a barn to deliver the Christ found themselves surrounded not by anxiously waiting family or municipal officials, just cows and donkeys. Only the scent of putrid stable animals greeted the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nothing posh in the least. No extravagance to mention. Really, a dangerous, unsanitary, mice infested stable...a feeding trough for a cradle...this was the designated place for Messiah to be born into the world. Seems so much less than we would tolerate for ourselves come to think of it.
So, when you think about God, Christ and Christmas...you have to be impressed that He would choose backstage rather than center stage.
Center stage happened at the Cross. No bling there, either...just His blood...'the precious blood of Christ', (1 Peter 1:19).
He is worthy of our utmost attention...the trail He walked was stained in red as well.
There has to be a shortage of precious metals in the world for all the awards that are going around. From The People's Choice Awards to the CMA Awards, to the Emmy, the Tony and the Oscars, and even that Ballroom Trophy for the 'star' dancers on 'Dancing with the Stars'...there is some serious celebrating going on for the amazing feats of celebrity excellence in music, songwriting, acting, dancing, directing, producing, animating...and the list goes on and on and on and on and....
Some folk are so intriguing that in the blur of the digital flash, they walk a Red Carpet, (well, actually they stop and pose just a tad along the Trail of Honor) protected by their entourage, escorted by the infamous and drooled over by those on the other side of the restraining ropes. These people are among the undisputed beautiful, stunning, glamorous, talented, and envied. They turn heads by their mere presence. These are just the celebs, too! Add to that the athlete, the politician among the adored and you can well see the impact of center stage upon those on it and those desiring it.
Before you think me to be biting sour grapes, I have to admit that I can get a bit silly at the 'K' during a Royals game. You can get on the gi-normous Jumbo Tron that way! I am still waiting for that "Kiss Cam" thing to point my way so that I can plant a big one on the wife for the other 240 folk at the ballpark to see and celebrate. That day (when it comes) will live in infamy as far as I am concerned!
"They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted at the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." Luke 20:46
You might be interested in who Jesus speaks these words to. They are the most 'religious' sort on the planet. They oozed importance and spirituality, yet they reeked of shallow piety, insincerity and outright hypocrisy. They quoted Scripture, explained it to the letter and would even let out some intercessory 'bling' on the public stage of self-absorbed prayer for the needy. It was a 'righteous' sort of snobbery, the kind of which they themselves were absolutely blind to as they proudly advanced the agenda of the Almighty among the serfs.
Post Christmas reflection is a good annual practice for the 'spiritual' and the nonspiritual.
Rather than the Christ of Christmas being the center of our celebrations, this is the season that if we are not careful, could easily center around advancing our lifestyles...robed in self-righteousness or in the latest fashions from Macy's, The Buckle or Express, that in truth accentuate self. The sentimentality of being 'home for Christmas' can actually mar the true reason for the season. Nothing wrong with Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa, (please don't take me as the Grinch), but Christmas without Christ is really not Christmas...or is it?
When Jesus arrived as the Promised Messiah, no red carpet, national text message, Internet news alert, or really much fuss. A homeless family with no place but a barn to deliver the Christ found themselves surrounded not by anxiously waiting family or municipal officials, just cows and donkeys. Only the scent of putrid stable animals greeted the King of kings and Lord of lords. Nothing posh in the least. No extravagance to mention. Really, a dangerous, unsanitary, mice infested stable...a feeding trough for a cradle...this was the designated place for Messiah to be born into the world. Seems so much less than we would tolerate for ourselves come to think of it.
So, when you think about God, Christ and Christmas...you have to be impressed that He would choose backstage rather than center stage.
Center stage happened at the Cross. No bling there, either...just His blood...'the precious blood of Christ', (1 Peter 1:19).
He is worthy of our utmost attention...the trail He walked was stained in red as well.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
You know the song and the singer.
Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' is regarded as an all time favorite and an all time Rock classic from the 'Queen of Soul'. Franklin's 'Respect' has been voted as one of the Top 500 songs of all time. Billboard Magazine has recognized Franklin as the #1 Singer of pop history. No doubt, she has the R-E-S-P-E-C-T that she sang for and about!
The daughter of a Baptist minister in Detroit, Aretha had the 'gift' from the start. Celebrated as a singing herald with her nationally acclaimed preacher Dad, it seemed as though the Divine Providence had His hand of grace upon her from her very early years....until her parent's marriage first struggled and then failed. Franklin became a teenage mother at 14 and again at 16 and had seen her share of broken promises as well as dreams run aground. Some say that 'Respect' was a feminist response from a minority voice that had simply had 'enough' of being beaten down by men and culture.
"The the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him." Luke 19:13
This is the heart of a story told by Jesus to those who despised Him to the core. Veiled in the obvious, Jesus was referring to His Heavenly Father who had sent His very own Son into the world as Redeemer of Souls...only to be rejected, brutalized, humiliated and murdered. Jesus was making an announcement and a prediction. He pulled no punches that He was indeed the beloved sent by the Father to retrieve the produce of the vineyard that rightfully had been entrusted to the those who should have recognized Him. He also made it plain that He would not be joyfully received, but woefully treated instead.
For Jesus...no 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T'.
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the capstone." Luke 19:17
What does Christmas mean to you?
Now that another Christmas is 'in the books'...how did and do you treat God's 'beloved'? In all the decor, travel, gift wrap, gatherings, family photo shoots, Plaza walks, table games, face stuffing, Nativity Scenes and Christmas pageants...what about this Christmas made Christ the focus of your reverent acceptance of Jesus as Lord? Have you welcomed God's 'beloved' into your life and heart this Christmas? Have you received His gift of grace laden forgiveness that frees your soul from the weight of guilt and the regret of decisions past? The price that He paid to secure these and more for you deserves a little if not a lot of R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Aretha is said to have composed this song with a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She was deserving of some common appreciation for her love investment in her wayward and distracted man when all she was 'askin for was a little respect'. From her vantage point, he needed to 'find out what it (respect) means to me', and get on with the business of dishing out the R-E-S-P-E-C-T rather than dissing her with more D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
A thought...
Give the Son of the Man some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He earned it. He deserves it.
Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' is regarded as an all time favorite and an all time Rock classic from the 'Queen of Soul'. Franklin's 'Respect' has been voted as one of the Top 500 songs of all time. Billboard Magazine has recognized Franklin as the #1 Singer of pop history. No doubt, she has the R-E-S-P-E-C-T that she sang for and about!
The daughter of a Baptist minister in Detroit, Aretha had the 'gift' from the start. Celebrated as a singing herald with her nationally acclaimed preacher Dad, it seemed as though the Divine Providence had His hand of grace upon her from her very early years....until her parent's marriage first struggled and then failed. Franklin became a teenage mother at 14 and again at 16 and had seen her share of broken promises as well as dreams run aground. Some say that 'Respect' was a feminist response from a minority voice that had simply had 'enough' of being beaten down by men and culture.
"The the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him." Luke 19:13
This is the heart of a story told by Jesus to those who despised Him to the core. Veiled in the obvious, Jesus was referring to His Heavenly Father who had sent His very own Son into the world as Redeemer of Souls...only to be rejected, brutalized, humiliated and murdered. Jesus was making an announcement and a prediction. He pulled no punches that He was indeed the beloved sent by the Father to retrieve the produce of the vineyard that rightfully had been entrusted to the those who should have recognized Him. He also made it plain that He would not be joyfully received, but woefully treated instead.
For Jesus...no 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T'.
"The stone that the builders rejected has become the capstone." Luke 19:17
What does Christmas mean to you?
Now that another Christmas is 'in the books'...how did and do you treat God's 'beloved'? In all the decor, travel, gift wrap, gatherings, family photo shoots, Plaza walks, table games, face stuffing, Nativity Scenes and Christmas pageants...what about this Christmas made Christ the focus of your reverent acceptance of Jesus as Lord? Have you welcomed God's 'beloved' into your life and heart this Christmas? Have you received His gift of grace laden forgiveness that frees your soul from the weight of guilt and the regret of decisions past? The price that He paid to secure these and more for you deserves a little if not a lot of R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Aretha is said to have composed this song with a bit of a chip on her shoulder. She was deserving of some common appreciation for her love investment in her wayward and distracted man when all she was 'askin for was a little respect'. From her vantage point, he needed to 'find out what it (respect) means to me', and get on with the business of dishing out the R-E-S-P-E-C-T rather than dissing her with more D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
A thought...
Give the Son of the Man some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. He earned it. He deserves it.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Putting on the Polish
My father taught me how to polish my shoes when I was just a runt.
To this day, I take the laces out, rub the polish on just right, wait a few minutes, and buff those Bostonians until they shine like nobody's business. Dad taught me how to put the shine on my shoes. The Marines taught my sons how to do the same!
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14-15
Want to be trendy? Want to make a fashion statement? Want to stand out a bit? Thinking about being 'different'?
Here's your chance.
Compliment, don't complain.
One of the personalized car tags that many Christians could aptly display on their ride is 'Critical'. Maybe 'Judgmental'. 'Mean' might fit some. 'Harsh' could work for many. Some believers justify their attitude under the guise of 'righteousness', but in fact, they have a point to make at the expense of someone who is 'deserving'. Even their outlook on life itself is muddied with complaint. Life is not a blessed journey, it is drudgery that leads to eternity...and let's get there in a hurry!
If there was ever a time or an opportunity for Christians to make a bold statement of the character of God, it is in these days of great uncertainty, job loss, war and global conflict. People need encouragement in the midst of the obvious losses that are being incurred by households, families, corporations and governments. That is not to say that tough times are not tough. That is not to say that losses are not real, jobs are not hard to find, and that holiday gift exchanges will not be severely reduced...it is to say that in the midst of the present realities...there is Hope.
God communicates His hope through His people...people who suffer as do all the rest. People who hurt as are many. People who endure with absolute confidence that God is Who He says He is and this is our chance to pay closer attention to Him. He is offering grace and perspective that ascends beyond the temporal (although important...he knows that) to the ultimate. When in spite of insecurity, your life pronounces confidence, a message of His operations shine with a radiance that confounds...and brightens the way for others to journey into His presence.
Travel at the speed of light, (186,000 miles per second) at midnight on January 1, 2009 and you would pass Pluto and her sister moon in 5 hours and 31 minutes...still on January 1, 2009. You would be 3.5 billion miles to the outer limits of our solar system. Travel 5 additional years, and on April 19 you would reach Alpha Centuris A, the nearest star to our solar system some 25 trillion miles away and you would still be just beginning. You are still in the 'universe'...an amazing fact that stuns even the simple minded like me. In the midst of so many miles and light years, 'stars' shine brightly through the backdrop of darkened space.
You are nearer than that to your spouse and kids! You are much closer than that in your office, work space, classroom or dorm to others within your spheres of daily influence. YOU have the chance...the calling...to 'shine like a star in the universe' as you smile, speak, bless, encourage, compliment, stand up for, express care to and compassion on those who are suffering and many who are embittered because of their past or current life circumstances. That is the brilliance of your relationship with God. That is the power of His influence through you today if you so choose.
You can wear the tattered shoe or you can lay some shine on the tattered shoe! Choose the polish and walk in the light and with The Light.
To this day, I take the laces out, rub the polish on just right, wait a few minutes, and buff those Bostonians until they shine like nobody's business. Dad taught me how to put the shine on my shoes. The Marines taught my sons how to do the same!
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14-15
Want to be trendy? Want to make a fashion statement? Want to stand out a bit? Thinking about being 'different'?
Here's your chance.
Compliment, don't complain.
One of the personalized car tags that many Christians could aptly display on their ride is 'Critical'. Maybe 'Judgmental'. 'Mean' might fit some. 'Harsh' could work for many. Some believers justify their attitude under the guise of 'righteousness', but in fact, they have a point to make at the expense of someone who is 'deserving'. Even their outlook on life itself is muddied with complaint. Life is not a blessed journey, it is drudgery that leads to eternity...and let's get there in a hurry!
If there was ever a time or an opportunity for Christians to make a bold statement of the character of God, it is in these days of great uncertainty, job loss, war and global conflict. People need encouragement in the midst of the obvious losses that are being incurred by households, families, corporations and governments. That is not to say that tough times are not tough. That is not to say that losses are not real, jobs are not hard to find, and that holiday gift exchanges will not be severely reduced...it is to say that in the midst of the present realities...there is Hope.
God communicates His hope through His people...people who suffer as do all the rest. People who hurt as are many. People who endure with absolute confidence that God is Who He says He is and this is our chance to pay closer attention to Him. He is offering grace and perspective that ascends beyond the temporal (although important...he knows that) to the ultimate. When in spite of insecurity, your life pronounces confidence, a message of His operations shine with a radiance that confounds...and brightens the way for others to journey into His presence.
Travel at the speed of light, (186,000 miles per second) at midnight on January 1, 2009 and you would pass Pluto and her sister moon in 5 hours and 31 minutes...still on January 1, 2009. You would be 3.5 billion miles to the outer limits of our solar system. Travel 5 additional years, and on April 19 you would reach Alpha Centuris A, the nearest star to our solar system some 25 trillion miles away and you would still be just beginning. You are still in the 'universe'...an amazing fact that stuns even the simple minded like me. In the midst of so many miles and light years, 'stars' shine brightly through the backdrop of darkened space.
You are nearer than that to your spouse and kids! You are much closer than that in your office, work space, classroom or dorm to others within your spheres of daily influence. YOU have the chance...the calling...to 'shine like a star in the universe' as you smile, speak, bless, encourage, compliment, stand up for, express care to and compassion on those who are suffering and many who are embittered because of their past or current life circumstances. That is the brilliance of your relationship with God. That is the power of His influence through you today if you so choose.
You can wear the tattered shoe or you can lay some shine on the tattered shoe! Choose the polish and walk in the light and with The Light.
Customer Service
How would you like being a customer service rep? The faint of heart need not apply for that undertaking.
Imagine being responsible to ease the frustration of a discontented client. You are the front line trouble shooter for the cable company whose service is being complained about...caller after caller. You field complaints for outages, missed appointments, faulty equipment, billing discrepancies, unqualified field techs and the lack of speed of your high speed connectivity...and the list goes on and on and the frustration goes up and up.
After 8 hours of offering comfort, assurance, remedy and problem solving, you take off the headset and gladly jump into your car to rest up in readiness for the avalanche of calls awaiting you the next day. Do you suppose that earfuls of daily gripes could jaundice your spirit and erode your hope to be nice to the cat once you step through the kitchen door? How could you possibly keep your attitude in check after being unjustly yelled at day after day?
Complaining for many is a way of life. That's just how they operate. They have a gripe about just about everything and everyone and every circumstance. There is no 'bright side' for them. There is no sense of hope. Relief is deserved and far removed. Their life stinks. Their marriage is awful. Their kids are dopes. Their health is in the pits. They have had too many birthdays. Their neighborhood is going to the dogs. Their co-workers are dummies. The weather is either too hot or too cold. They even point out that the Santa at the Mall is a 'fake'...they can tell by the beard or the less than plump tummy on the Toy Maker. They live in the Land of Complaint and they take 'Merry' out of Christmas every December.
AND...they really cast a long, dark shadow on those who are forced to relate to them and have no choice but to keep the 'headset' on continually.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14-15
Can you imagine a true to life oxymoron more devastating than a complaining Christian?
God says that a complaint ridden believer is lacking some essentials...like...blamelessness, purity, faultlessness and intimacy with Him as Heavenly Father. Rather than standing out in stunning brilliance that reflects the nature and character of God and His grace in a world marred by disappointment, conflict, reversal, brokenness, selfishness and more...the complainer injures the message of the Good News through which redemption, hope and new life are broadcast from God Himself.
So, be careful today to pay attention to the silver lining God provides with most dark clouds. In the midst of threat, insult or stresses, determine that you so value your walk with God and your witness in this world that you will 'shine' where most choose to be extinguished.
You may be more of a Customer Service Rep than you think! Remember Who you 'Rep' for.
Imagine being responsible to ease the frustration of a discontented client. You are the front line trouble shooter for the cable company whose service is being complained about...caller after caller. You field complaints for outages, missed appointments, faulty equipment, billing discrepancies, unqualified field techs and the lack of speed of your high speed connectivity...and the list goes on and on and the frustration goes up and up.
After 8 hours of offering comfort, assurance, remedy and problem solving, you take off the headset and gladly jump into your car to rest up in readiness for the avalanche of calls awaiting you the next day. Do you suppose that earfuls of daily gripes could jaundice your spirit and erode your hope to be nice to the cat once you step through the kitchen door? How could you possibly keep your attitude in check after being unjustly yelled at day after day?
Complaining for many is a way of life. That's just how they operate. They have a gripe about just about everything and everyone and every circumstance. There is no 'bright side' for them. There is no sense of hope. Relief is deserved and far removed. Their life stinks. Their marriage is awful. Their kids are dopes. Their health is in the pits. They have had too many birthdays. Their neighborhood is going to the dogs. Their co-workers are dummies. The weather is either too hot or too cold. They even point out that the Santa at the Mall is a 'fake'...they can tell by the beard or the less than plump tummy on the Toy Maker. They live in the Land of Complaint and they take 'Merry' out of Christmas every December.
AND...they really cast a long, dark shadow on those who are forced to relate to them and have no choice but to keep the 'headset' on continually.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14-15
Can you imagine a true to life oxymoron more devastating than a complaining Christian?
God says that a complaint ridden believer is lacking some essentials...like...blamelessness, purity, faultlessness and intimacy with Him as Heavenly Father. Rather than standing out in stunning brilliance that reflects the nature and character of God and His grace in a world marred by disappointment, conflict, reversal, brokenness, selfishness and more...the complainer injures the message of the Good News through which redemption, hope and new life are broadcast from God Himself.
So, be careful today to pay attention to the silver lining God provides with most dark clouds. In the midst of threat, insult or stresses, determine that you so value your walk with God and your witness in this world that you will 'shine' where most choose to be extinguished.
You may be more of a Customer Service Rep than you think! Remember Who you 'Rep' for.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Lost and Found
Look at most grocery store entrances and you might find a picture of a lost dog posted by an anxious owner in hopes of being reunited with his family treasure.
Detectives say that the first 24-48 hours are critical for those who are in search of a missing loved one. Hopes are dashed for the safe return of loved ones when a two day recovery period lapses. Is there anything more heart wrenching than parents overcome with grief during the frantic search of their missing child? Hardly.
Many of us will not be touched with the severity of these kinds of traumatic losses, (we should be thankful every day for such grace), but we know well the frustration of the hopeless search for a missing sock from the dryer. Ever lost your keys to the house, car or backyard shed? Just the other day I lost my blue tooth ear piece for my cell phone. From what I can remember, I went from the kitchen to the garage and into the car...no more than 20-30 feet...in that short amount of time and space, I lost my gadget and am still amazed how that could ever have happened!
The custom of traveling families in the days of Christ was to move along toward home in caravans of people, family and friends alike. During the return trip from an annual celebration and observance of the Passover, Jesus' parents were confident that their young son was among the familiar faces of trusted fellow sojourners. After a day apart, they searched for their son, only to discover that he had never struck out with them for the return trip...
"The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." Luke 2:43, 46
Let that sink in for just a bit. Lost for day, three days to recover.
Think for a minute of how Mary and Joseph must have felt for those three long, arduous days. How many police reports did they file? How many times did they retrace their steps through the city? How many 'Lost Child' posters did they nail to street posts and hang in grocery store entrances? Do you think that they fretted? No doubt they were sweating bullets, blaming themselves, anxious to the gills...they had lost their son. They had lost the Son of God.
Many years ago in college I heard a noted pastor use this text to teach an incredible truth that has stuck with me to this day; "Miss Jesus for a day, it may take you three days to catch up!" He was speaking specifically about being too casual in my relationship with Christ, (I felt as though he was speaking directly to me!) and that the loss of one single day of non-communion might set me back three times over in regaining the precious communion forfeited by neglect.
I am not saying that Mary and Joseph neglected their son in the least. I am saying that I have tended to from time to time...abandoning the journey with Him, distracted by the crowds, the conversations, the meal time chatter and the sweat of the walk itself! When he was found, Jesus was exactly where he should have been. Mary and Joseph might have thought they they had been were they needed to be as well...but found out that they had been a bit mistaken.
If you sense that there is some distance between you and God, ask yourself how many days you have walked without paying close attention to who matters most. Hurry..catch up...He can be found...waiting for you in the very place you should have been in the first place...by His side.
Detectives say that the first 24-48 hours are critical for those who are in search of a missing loved one. Hopes are dashed for the safe return of loved ones when a two day recovery period lapses. Is there anything more heart wrenching than parents overcome with grief during the frantic search of their missing child? Hardly.
Many of us will not be touched with the severity of these kinds of traumatic losses, (we should be thankful every day for such grace), but we know well the frustration of the hopeless search for a missing sock from the dryer. Ever lost your keys to the house, car or backyard shed? Just the other day I lost my blue tooth ear piece for my cell phone. From what I can remember, I went from the kitchen to the garage and into the car...no more than 20-30 feet...in that short amount of time and space, I lost my gadget and am still amazed how that could ever have happened!
The custom of traveling families in the days of Christ was to move along toward home in caravans of people, family and friends alike. During the return trip from an annual celebration and observance of the Passover, Jesus' parents were confident that their young son was among the familiar faces of trusted fellow sojourners. After a day apart, they searched for their son, only to discover that he had never struck out with them for the return trip...
"The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions." Luke 2:43, 46
Let that sink in for just a bit. Lost for day, three days to recover.
Think for a minute of how Mary and Joseph must have felt for those three long, arduous days. How many police reports did they file? How many times did they retrace their steps through the city? How many 'Lost Child' posters did they nail to street posts and hang in grocery store entrances? Do you think that they fretted? No doubt they were sweating bullets, blaming themselves, anxious to the gills...they had lost their son. They had lost the Son of God.
Many years ago in college I heard a noted pastor use this text to teach an incredible truth that has stuck with me to this day; "Miss Jesus for a day, it may take you three days to catch up!" He was speaking specifically about being too casual in my relationship with Christ, (I felt as though he was speaking directly to me!) and that the loss of one single day of non-communion might set me back three times over in regaining the precious communion forfeited by neglect.
I am not saying that Mary and Joseph neglected their son in the least. I am saying that I have tended to from time to time...abandoning the journey with Him, distracted by the crowds, the conversations, the meal time chatter and the sweat of the walk itself! When he was found, Jesus was exactly where he should have been. Mary and Joseph might have thought they they had been were they needed to be as well...but found out that they had been a bit mistaken.
If you sense that there is some distance between you and God, ask yourself how many days you have walked without paying close attention to who matters most. Hurry..catch up...He can be found...waiting for you in the very place you should have been in the first place...by His side.
Monday, December 8, 2008
PT & Quals
I usually have to ask my Navy son what these initials and abbreviated words mean.
"PT" is "Physical Training". That means that you have to stay in shape! You have to run, exercise and stay fit to serve in the military. Makes sense to me. "Quals" is short for 'Qualifications'. In other words, according to your specific job, military personnel are required to aspire. You have to be stretching in your understanding of your job. You have to move toward improvement of your skills and making upward progress in your abilities.
With each, there are time limits. A specified amount of time encourages development as well as onward and upward motion.
Have you ever had the notion to quit? To me, strange is the person who loves training in the Gym, putting in the PT that brings them up to 'Qual'. I am guessing those are just a couple of reasons that I would not have made it through Boot Camp in any branch of the Armed Forces! I have heard the stories of my Navy son and my two former Marine sons of their experiences, and I would have probably been booted out of Boot Camp!
Do you sometimes struggle in your spiritual life, even to the point of contemplating 'chucking it'? Many have. What really interests me as a Christian is the downright challenge of spiritual progress. Forward motion is described by the Apostle Paul as 'straining toward what is ahead'. In another portion of Scripture he goes on to describe the intense nature of progressive Spiritual PT:
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:25
Paul would use the 'PT" Illustration time and time again to encourage serious minded Christians to make spiritual fitness and usefulness their continuing goal. He would use military terms to insist that those who follow Christ take their 'PT' seriously: "Ensure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ," he wrote as Timothy's Personal Trainer (look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 for more insight). Hardship, challenge, resistance, opposition, pain and even agony are all ingredients that combined result in a fully developed and godly man or woman. No shortcuts. No easy street. No route of least resistance. Uphill all the way.
So, as your week begins, expect challenge. There will be times for water breaks, cool downs and timeouts, but the champion that God is making in you as a testimony of His grace and power takes some priority setting on your part as well. Make up your mind that you will stay the course. When you think about it, Jesus did not cut corners to secure your redemption. No wonder that the writer of Hebrews described Him as the 'author and the perfecter of our faith', (Hebrews 12:2). The cost for Him in your behalf was the ultimate expression of courage, motivated by resolute love that assured your salvation, and your present and future victory.
So today, give thanks to God who gives you His victory and...
"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58
Don't give up reading your Bible today. Don't give up on talking to your Heavenly Father and listening for His voice. Don't give up looking to Him whan you are under fire, when you face discouragement, when you are confused, burdened, tempted, fatigued, offended, wounded, and at the break point. You do not follow Him in vain, and He will enable you to overcome. Why?
Because you have put in the PT and have met His 'Qual'.
"PT" is "Physical Training". That means that you have to stay in shape! You have to run, exercise and stay fit to serve in the military. Makes sense to me. "Quals" is short for 'Qualifications'. In other words, according to your specific job, military personnel are required to aspire. You have to be stretching in your understanding of your job. You have to move toward improvement of your skills and making upward progress in your abilities.
With each, there are time limits. A specified amount of time encourages development as well as onward and upward motion.
Have you ever had the notion to quit? To me, strange is the person who loves training in the Gym, putting in the PT that brings them up to 'Qual'. I am guessing those are just a couple of reasons that I would not have made it through Boot Camp in any branch of the Armed Forces! I have heard the stories of my Navy son and my two former Marine sons of their experiences, and I would have probably been booted out of Boot Camp!
Do you sometimes struggle in your spiritual life, even to the point of contemplating 'chucking it'? Many have. What really interests me as a Christian is the downright challenge of spiritual progress. Forward motion is described by the Apostle Paul as 'straining toward what is ahead'. In another portion of Scripture he goes on to describe the intense nature of progressive Spiritual PT:
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:25
Paul would use the 'PT" Illustration time and time again to encourage serious minded Christians to make spiritual fitness and usefulness their continuing goal. He would use military terms to insist that those who follow Christ take their 'PT' seriously: "Ensure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ," he wrote as Timothy's Personal Trainer (look at 2 Timothy 2:1-7 for more insight). Hardship, challenge, resistance, opposition, pain and even agony are all ingredients that combined result in a fully developed and godly man or woman. No shortcuts. No easy street. No route of least resistance. Uphill all the way.
So, as your week begins, expect challenge. There will be times for water breaks, cool downs and timeouts, but the champion that God is making in you as a testimony of His grace and power takes some priority setting on your part as well. Make up your mind that you will stay the course. When you think about it, Jesus did not cut corners to secure your redemption. No wonder that the writer of Hebrews described Him as the 'author and the perfecter of our faith', (Hebrews 12:2). The cost for Him in your behalf was the ultimate expression of courage, motivated by resolute love that assured your salvation, and your present and future victory.
So today, give thanks to God who gives you His victory and...
"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58
Don't give up reading your Bible today. Don't give up on talking to your Heavenly Father and listening for His voice. Don't give up looking to Him whan you are under fire, when you face discouragement, when you are confused, burdened, tempted, fatigued, offended, wounded, and at the break point. You do not follow Him in vain, and He will enable you to overcome. Why?
Because you have put in the PT and have met His 'Qual'.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Here's Your Sign!
Bill Envall is a funny man.
Lat night I felt horrible. A cold coming on, drained from a demanding day, all I could think of was the comfy, warm bed that waited for me...and I hurried to it...earlier than I usually do by far. You know how it goes. You rest some, you wake up. Your throat is sore, your sinus is stuffed, your head is pounding and you yearn for relief. You repeat the cycle over and over until you say, "ENOUGH"!
At that moment, you stay up because you just gave up on a night's much needed rest. I tried to read but even my eyes were sore. Flipped on the tube to be distracted and wound up gazing at CMT with Bill about the present the 'Here's Your Sign Award'. This award goes to the nutcase of the day, who was videoed being stupid...really stupid. There were some well deserving qualifiers by the time Bill made the presentation to a loser turned winner. For a moment, I was relieved by the comedy of it. It would be awhile before I would be able to sleep, but I did think about that phrase, "Here's Your Sign".
"Teacher, we want a miraculous sign from you." Matthew 12:38
What a strange contradiction at a crucial moment. Jesus was recognized as a 'Teacher'. He communicated the heart of God with such authority that thousands knew that He was no ordinary professional clergyman. When He spoke, God spoke, (duh...'Here's Your Sign'!). With a word of invitation, successful businessmen dropped their blackberries, cell phones, iPods and laptops, (not really, but they did leave their fishing boats and families!). Women would be raised from their illnesses; one immediately after her recovery began to make Jesus lunch!
One thing was common when Jesus was in town...people heard truth. People saw the light. People were rid of their infirmities. People were witness of the miraculous. People were transformed. Heart change happened wherever Jesus was. Troubling thing was...all of this was not enough.
"Teacher, we want a miraculous sign from you."
Have you ever made any similar demand? You might have thought Jesus would have agreed to this, but instead He said;
"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign!" Matthew 12:39
What more did Jesus have to do to validate His Messiahship? What other 'sign' did He have to deliver that would be more convincing than the teaching or the track record that He already had established throughout the region...time after time? What an amazing request. What an alarming response.
Jesus would go on to say that the 'sign' of all 'signs' would be His victory over the death and the grave, but even then, others...to this very day, demand more evidence that He is who He says He is by demanding a 'sign'.
Read your Bible some. Let His teaching sink deep into your soul. Look around you some. Witness the lives that give Him glory for His grace and redeeming touch. Look ahead a bit. Anticipate your meeting Him when you too continue your life after this life.
There's your 'sign'!
Lat night I felt horrible. A cold coming on, drained from a demanding day, all I could think of was the comfy, warm bed that waited for me...and I hurried to it...earlier than I usually do by far. You know how it goes. You rest some, you wake up. Your throat is sore, your sinus is stuffed, your head is pounding and you yearn for relief. You repeat the cycle over and over until you say, "ENOUGH"!
At that moment, you stay up because you just gave up on a night's much needed rest. I tried to read but even my eyes were sore. Flipped on the tube to be distracted and wound up gazing at CMT with Bill about the present the 'Here's Your Sign Award'. This award goes to the nutcase of the day, who was videoed being stupid...really stupid. There were some well deserving qualifiers by the time Bill made the presentation to a loser turned winner. For a moment, I was relieved by the comedy of it. It would be awhile before I would be able to sleep, but I did think about that phrase, "Here's Your Sign".
"Teacher, we want a miraculous sign from you." Matthew 12:38
What a strange contradiction at a crucial moment. Jesus was recognized as a 'Teacher'. He communicated the heart of God with such authority that thousands knew that He was no ordinary professional clergyman. When He spoke, God spoke, (duh...'Here's Your Sign'!). With a word of invitation, successful businessmen dropped their blackberries, cell phones, iPods and laptops, (not really, but they did leave their fishing boats and families!). Women would be raised from their illnesses; one immediately after her recovery began to make Jesus lunch!
One thing was common when Jesus was in town...people heard truth. People saw the light. People were rid of their infirmities. People were witness of the miraculous. People were transformed. Heart change happened wherever Jesus was. Troubling thing was...all of this was not enough.
"Teacher, we want a miraculous sign from you."
Have you ever made any similar demand? You might have thought Jesus would have agreed to this, but instead He said;
"A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign!" Matthew 12:39
What more did Jesus have to do to validate His Messiahship? What other 'sign' did He have to deliver that would be more convincing than the teaching or the track record that He already had established throughout the region...time after time? What an amazing request. What an alarming response.
Jesus would go on to say that the 'sign' of all 'signs' would be His victory over the death and the grave, but even then, others...to this very day, demand more evidence that He is who He says He is by demanding a 'sign'.
Read your Bible some. Let His teaching sink deep into your soul. Look around you some. Witness the lives that give Him glory for His grace and redeeming touch. Look ahead a bit. Anticipate your meeting Him when you too continue your life after this life.
There's your 'sign'!
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Nose on Your Face
Can anything be more obvious than the nose on your face?
I think so.
During a speaking engagement many years ago, I was impressed by the impression I was having on my listeners. I found out when I sat down after my presentation that my zipper was 'down doobie doo down down'. The realization that the past 30 minutes had been more of a comedy routine than a mind bender became quite obvious to me when I returned to my seat on that platform. I had more than a broken fly. I had a bruised ego. Two very obvious realities!
Some people live in constant pursuit of attention. They want to be noticed. They want to be valued. They want to be talked to and heard. They want to be touched and hugged. They want to be backslapped and high fived. Everybody responds to 'attaboys'! They want to matter to somebody, somewhere, sometime. No one wants to be ignored. No one wants to be passed over. The choices we make, the fashions we choose, the places we frequent, the crowd we hang with, the speeches we make..and so much more scream out to the inattentive..."Here I am. Please notice! Choose me! Listen to me!"
I am not a social scientist, but I think that I have picked up on this human trait by: 1. Being human. 2. Watching and listening. I can see you shaking your head in the affirmative as you review this truth as obvious as the nose on your face.
Do you think God appreciates attention directed His way? Do you suppose that it matters to Him when He is slighted, ignored and passed over? Why would God even desire attention? What would be the point for Him to make us gawk with wonder? Would it be to get a kudo or two from the impressed, or to draw attention to something much deeper? When something stunning grabs our attention, we may then consider the awesomeness of God...but there are evidences of His kindness that daily beckon for your second and third look.
"He has not left Himself without a testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17
In others words...pay attention people! Look around notice a few things! Let these realities stir you to appreciate Creator God who is taking the extra step...initiating a relationship with Him that is real, personal and practical. If you have doubts that God is real, just look at your table at dinner time. If you struggle to think that He is real, watch the rain as it falls and listen to the wind that whips through the trees during the storm that quenches the earth. You cannot escape the absolute truth that God has given hard evidence of His presence and involvement in YOUR life if you just pay attention a bit more through the routines and rhythms of your day.
The Apostle Paul makes this appeal to a throng of people who have been startled by God's grace toward a miserably crippled man gives strength to his legs, enlarges his heart, deepens his faith, saves his soul and grabs the attention of an entire city. WHY? Why the miracle? Several reasons...but chew on this one thing...they had ignored the obvious. Each day God was screaming for their attention, making obvious overtures of His love and provision...and they missed it. Because they missed the obvious, they were in grave danger of missing the essential. They needed...and longed for soul care. We all do.
Today, pay attention. Look around and you will see the obvious. Make a list of all the ways and means through which a Loving God has been faithful to you, sustained you, cared for you, amazed you, blessed you and revealed Himself to you. Don't blame Him for what others have done as an excuse for not paying Him the attention that He deserves.
Start with the nose on your face.
I think so.
During a speaking engagement many years ago, I was impressed by the impression I was having on my listeners. I found out when I sat down after my presentation that my zipper was 'down doobie doo down down'. The realization that the past 30 minutes had been more of a comedy routine than a mind bender became quite obvious to me when I returned to my seat on that platform. I had more than a broken fly. I had a bruised ego. Two very obvious realities!
Some people live in constant pursuit of attention. They want to be noticed. They want to be valued. They want to be talked to and heard. They want to be touched and hugged. They want to be backslapped and high fived. Everybody responds to 'attaboys'! They want to matter to somebody, somewhere, sometime. No one wants to be ignored. No one wants to be passed over. The choices we make, the fashions we choose, the places we frequent, the crowd we hang with, the speeches we make..and so much more scream out to the inattentive..."Here I am. Please notice! Choose me! Listen to me!"
I am not a social scientist, but I think that I have picked up on this human trait by: 1. Being human. 2. Watching and listening. I can see you shaking your head in the affirmative as you review this truth as obvious as the nose on your face.
Do you think God appreciates attention directed His way? Do you suppose that it matters to Him when He is slighted, ignored and passed over? Why would God even desire attention? What would be the point for Him to make us gawk with wonder? Would it be to get a kudo or two from the impressed, or to draw attention to something much deeper? When something stunning grabs our attention, we may then consider the awesomeness of God...but there are evidences of His kindness that daily beckon for your second and third look.
"He has not left Himself without a testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17
In others words...pay attention people! Look around notice a few things! Let these realities stir you to appreciate Creator God who is taking the extra step...initiating a relationship with Him that is real, personal and practical. If you have doubts that God is real, just look at your table at dinner time. If you struggle to think that He is real, watch the rain as it falls and listen to the wind that whips through the trees during the storm that quenches the earth. You cannot escape the absolute truth that God has given hard evidence of His presence and involvement in YOUR life if you just pay attention a bit more through the routines and rhythms of your day.
The Apostle Paul makes this appeal to a throng of people who have been startled by God's grace toward a miserably crippled man gives strength to his legs, enlarges his heart, deepens his faith, saves his soul and grabs the attention of an entire city. WHY? Why the miracle? Several reasons...but chew on this one thing...they had ignored the obvious. Each day God was screaming for their attention, making obvious overtures of His love and provision...and they missed it. Because they missed the obvious, they were in grave danger of missing the essential. They needed...and longed for soul care. We all do.
Today, pay attention. Look around and you will see the obvious. Make a list of all the ways and means through which a Loving God has been faithful to you, sustained you, cared for you, amazed you, blessed you and revealed Himself to you. Don't blame Him for what others have done as an excuse for not paying Him the attention that He deserves.
Start with the nose on your face.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Playing Favorites
Did you know that there is such a thing as 'good hate'?
I learned that just yesterday from listening to local sports radio. The guy was right on in my book.
Think about it for a second. What's the deal with the flood of Yankee fans at the K when the Royals take on the New Yorkers? They come out in their pinstripe droves and scream like they are back in the Bronx. I personally think that anyone who shows up in true Royal Blue should get a 25 percent discount for dugout and luxury box seats while a 25 percent ticket surcharge should be added to anyone wearing that whacked NY emblem on their jersey or cap...for way upper deck seating only. OK, I hate the Yankees...but it is a 'good hate'.
I am not too fond of the Cincinnati football Bengals either. They stole the team colors of my boyhood heroes, the Cleveland Browns, located to the south in the same Buckeye state and went to the Super Bowl. Don't even get me started on the Baltimore Ravens! Those are the Browns! They left my boyhood hometown, (some call it the 'Mistake by the Lake'...jealous kinds of people obviously), moved toward the national capital...and just a couple years later...WON the Super Bowl. I 'hate' both of those teams...but...it is a 'good hate'.
Later as a young teenager, our family relocated to central Alabama. We were introduced to the state rivalry that is more intense than anything I have ever known. Auburn or Alabama? Choose your side and your friends according to "War Eagle" or "Roll Tide". My bride is an Auburn graduate, her father an Alabama fan. I had to really walk the line when I asked for her hand in marriage! It is a sharp divide that provides plenty of opportunity to express 'good hate'.
Do you practice 'good hate'? You have favorites, right? Your preferences mean something to you, correct? Chinese or Mexican tonight? The Triangle or the backstreets? A cruise to the Caribbean or a camping trip to Yosemite? Gangsta Rap or Opera? Obama or McCain? Are you or were you a 'favorite child'? Do you have one as a parent? Teams and preferences aside, do you play favorites with people? Are there some folk that you just plain like more than others? Are there others that you just don't give a flying flip for?
Do you think God has 'favorites'?
Well, He had the Chosen People thing going on for a while, and for some that is a real stumbling block when it ought not be at all. The truth is that He chose a certain people for a specific purpose that radiated far beyond themselves to express and demonstrate to all that God really plays no favorites.
"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." Acts 10:34-36
When Peter made this statement, he had faced the reality that he had misinterpreted the heart of God because of personal prejudice. He had been taught that grace had limits and that the goodness of God had borders. He may even have believed that some hate was indeed 'good'. In a dramatic, personal way, the God of the Bible spoke deeply to the apostle while he was praying one afternoon. He finally understood that it was God's plan to reveal His heart to all people, of all nationalities, political views, belief systems and religious traditions through the completed redemptive work of His Son, the Lord Jesus...the Christ. With that revelation, Peter accepted the invitation of a gentile Roman military commander (quite a few 'good hate' qualifiers) to share the redemptive message of God's heart (and actions) toward all.
'God does not show favoritism.'
Think about that for a few moments. Let that sink in some. Consider that fact when you have been duped into believing that you are beyond His reach because of your shame or hardness of heart. Before you exercise or express any type of 'justifiable' judgment or prejudice toward a classmate, a work team member, an employee, neighbor, family member or Yankee fan, remember that God does not wear pinstripes or royal blue. To be honest about it, there will come a time when all distinctions will be laid to rest and all who know Him will be in perfect union with one another...dressed in the redemptive gear He has provided by grace;
"From every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb, they were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out with a loud voice; 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
Imagine that! All together...and happy about it! Only Jesus could do that. Maybe now, today, you can throw down your prejudices, distinctives, preferences and 'favorites' and invite others to experience His all inclusive grace through your words, actions, conversations and Christ-like lifestyle. That is a barrier buster for sure! That is a taste of what grace can do and the glory that grace promises to all who know Him and who will be robed in white one day soon!
I learned that just yesterday from listening to local sports radio. The guy was right on in my book.
Think about it for a second. What's the deal with the flood of Yankee fans at the K when the Royals take on the New Yorkers? They come out in their pinstripe droves and scream like they are back in the Bronx. I personally think that anyone who shows up in true Royal Blue should get a 25 percent discount for dugout and luxury box seats while a 25 percent ticket surcharge should be added to anyone wearing that whacked NY emblem on their jersey or cap...for way upper deck seating only. OK, I hate the Yankees...but it is a 'good hate'.
I am not too fond of the Cincinnati football Bengals either. They stole the team colors of my boyhood heroes, the Cleveland Browns, located to the south in the same Buckeye state and went to the Super Bowl. Don't even get me started on the Baltimore Ravens! Those are the Browns! They left my boyhood hometown, (some call it the 'Mistake by the Lake'...jealous kinds of people obviously), moved toward the national capital...and just a couple years later...WON the Super Bowl. I 'hate' both of those teams...but...it is a 'good hate'.
Later as a young teenager, our family relocated to central Alabama. We were introduced to the state rivalry that is more intense than anything I have ever known. Auburn or Alabama? Choose your side and your friends according to "War Eagle" or "Roll Tide". My bride is an Auburn graduate, her father an Alabama fan. I had to really walk the line when I asked for her hand in marriage! It is a sharp divide that provides plenty of opportunity to express 'good hate'.
Do you practice 'good hate'? You have favorites, right? Your preferences mean something to you, correct? Chinese or Mexican tonight? The Triangle or the backstreets? A cruise to the Caribbean or a camping trip to Yosemite? Gangsta Rap or Opera? Obama or McCain? Are you or were you a 'favorite child'? Do you have one as a parent? Teams and preferences aside, do you play favorites with people? Are there some folk that you just plain like more than others? Are there others that you just don't give a flying flip for?
Do you think God has 'favorites'?
Well, He had the Chosen People thing going on for a while, and for some that is a real stumbling block when it ought not be at all. The truth is that He chose a certain people for a specific purpose that radiated far beyond themselves to express and demonstrate to all that God really plays no favorites.
"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." Acts 10:34-36
When Peter made this statement, he had faced the reality that he had misinterpreted the heart of God because of personal prejudice. He had been taught that grace had limits and that the goodness of God had borders. He may even have believed that some hate was indeed 'good'. In a dramatic, personal way, the God of the Bible spoke deeply to the apostle while he was praying one afternoon. He finally understood that it was God's plan to reveal His heart to all people, of all nationalities, political views, belief systems and religious traditions through the completed redemptive work of His Son, the Lord Jesus...the Christ. With that revelation, Peter accepted the invitation of a gentile Roman military commander (quite a few 'good hate' qualifiers) to share the redemptive message of God's heart (and actions) toward all.
'God does not show favoritism.'
Think about that for a few moments. Let that sink in some. Consider that fact when you have been duped into believing that you are beyond His reach because of your shame or hardness of heart. Before you exercise or express any type of 'justifiable' judgment or prejudice toward a classmate, a work team member, an employee, neighbor, family member or Yankee fan, remember that God does not wear pinstripes or royal blue. To be honest about it, there will come a time when all distinctions will be laid to rest and all who know Him will be in perfect union with one another...dressed in the redemptive gear He has provided by grace;
"From every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb, they were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out with a loud voice; 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10
Imagine that! All together...and happy about it! Only Jesus could do that. Maybe now, today, you can throw down your prejudices, distinctives, preferences and 'favorites' and invite others to experience His all inclusive grace through your words, actions, conversations and Christ-like lifestyle. That is a barrier buster for sure! That is a taste of what grace can do and the glory that grace promises to all who know Him and who will be robed in white one day soon!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Nesting
Gabe went gadzooks the other day.
Our 8 year old, 90 plus pound boxer is a member of the Weber Nation. Our son wanted a chick magnet while attending college, and Gabe was the result. Awesome dog. Barrel chested and a fierce bark moves folk away from the door in a hurry...back down the driveway as well for that matter! When our son decided to join the Marine Corps after 9-11, Gabe become a permanent fixture at the dinner table, (he is a beggar, too!).
A few days ago he leaped off the back deck in hot pursuit to our back fence, barking wildly. Not knowing what had him so lathered, I followed him out to discover that a squirrel was scrambling atop our fence, leaping back to a tree, and then going airborne to our oak about 10 feet or more from the branch he launched himself from opposite the fence. Quite impressive! From there, Mr. Squirrel hustled to the top of our almost leafless tree...to the very top. The pinnacle of our tree had become the home of our ready for winter moocher. I had wondered what in the world was that huge clump at the summit of our tree...now I knew...a squirrel nest had been constructed and a family of furry tails now claimed squatter's rights! Good choice...they have a room with a view!
We have more permanent guests that call our address their home. The rabbits underneath the deck cause a commotion daily for Gabe. EVERY day is rabbit hunting season in the backyard. After taunting and darting around, they wear our old Gabe out and head under the deck for a carrot and a nap. They are not so lucky with our other pooch...that little white tornado has out legged them more than once...another story for another time...
The apartment that the squirrels have built has caught my attention. It is huge. It is secluded. It is safe. Our rabbit tenets also have found a place of security and supposed safety under our deck. The mice and the moles have not been so lucky!
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:26
You may be struggling today with safety issues. You may have very real security concerns. Money is tight. The Market is in a free fall. Your equity is shrinking. Your savings are necessary. Your job may be on the line as the new fiscal year requires downsizing for your company. In just the past few weeks, unemployment is becoming real...very real. Ask the lifers at the Ford Plant, or the young executives at Pepsico, or those making your airline reservations. These are as tough of times as our nation has faced since the 70's and some say even as far back as the Great Depression.
That is when you have to take a serious look at the squirrel nest atop your tree. Consider the rabbits who have found refuge and are carefree. Maybe the Canadian geese that are migrating south is yet another reminder of the great grace of Almighty God that He has provided to give you the assurance that His eye is upon you and your needs. He pledges to you His watchcare and attention. He guarantees that since birds matter to Him, you especially do! The lesson is simple, obvious and current; "I know you. I love you. I am paying attention to you."
Here are better questions that deserves honest answers; Do you know Him? Do you love Him? Are you paying attention to Him?
Needs have a way of reminding us that we are more dependent than independent. That reality can bruise your ego and put a limp in your swagger, but it is a fact. That is why we 'worry'. We know that we just can't control everything. That is why we need to have needs. They force us to consider the squirrel nests...and Who feeds the furry ones in the cold of winter.
"Your Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
There are better and more eternal realities to experience that transcend your mortgage, your IRA, and your reduced fat Christmas List. Turn your attention to the squirrel nest...and then look a bit higher to Him who knows your needs and guarantees you His lasting security.
Our 8 year old, 90 plus pound boxer is a member of the Weber Nation. Our son wanted a chick magnet while attending college, and Gabe was the result. Awesome dog. Barrel chested and a fierce bark moves folk away from the door in a hurry...back down the driveway as well for that matter! When our son decided to join the Marine Corps after 9-11, Gabe become a permanent fixture at the dinner table, (he is a beggar, too!).
A few days ago he leaped off the back deck in hot pursuit to our back fence, barking wildly. Not knowing what had him so lathered, I followed him out to discover that a squirrel was scrambling atop our fence, leaping back to a tree, and then going airborne to our oak about 10 feet or more from the branch he launched himself from opposite the fence. Quite impressive! From there, Mr. Squirrel hustled to the top of our almost leafless tree...to the very top. The pinnacle of our tree had become the home of our ready for winter moocher. I had wondered what in the world was that huge clump at the summit of our tree...now I knew...a squirrel nest had been constructed and a family of furry tails now claimed squatter's rights! Good choice...they have a room with a view!
We have more permanent guests that call our address their home. The rabbits underneath the deck cause a commotion daily for Gabe. EVERY day is rabbit hunting season in the backyard. After taunting and darting around, they wear our old Gabe out and head under the deck for a carrot and a nap. They are not so lucky with our other pooch...that little white tornado has out legged them more than once...another story for another time...
The apartment that the squirrels have built has caught my attention. It is huge. It is secluded. It is safe. Our rabbit tenets also have found a place of security and supposed safety under our deck. The mice and the moles have not been so lucky!
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:26
You may be struggling today with safety issues. You may have very real security concerns. Money is tight. The Market is in a free fall. Your equity is shrinking. Your savings are necessary. Your job may be on the line as the new fiscal year requires downsizing for your company. In just the past few weeks, unemployment is becoming real...very real. Ask the lifers at the Ford Plant, or the young executives at Pepsico, or those making your airline reservations. These are as tough of times as our nation has faced since the 70's and some say even as far back as the Great Depression.
That is when you have to take a serious look at the squirrel nest atop your tree. Consider the rabbits who have found refuge and are carefree. Maybe the Canadian geese that are migrating south is yet another reminder of the great grace of Almighty God that He has provided to give you the assurance that His eye is upon you and your needs. He pledges to you His watchcare and attention. He guarantees that since birds matter to Him, you especially do! The lesson is simple, obvious and current; "I know you. I love you. I am paying attention to you."
Here are better questions that deserves honest answers; Do you know Him? Do you love Him? Are you paying attention to Him?
Needs have a way of reminding us that we are more dependent than independent. That reality can bruise your ego and put a limp in your swagger, but it is a fact. That is why we 'worry'. We know that we just can't control everything. That is why we need to have needs. They force us to consider the squirrel nests...and Who feeds the furry ones in the cold of winter.
"Your Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
There are better and more eternal realities to experience that transcend your mortgage, your IRA, and your reduced fat Christmas List. Turn your attention to the squirrel nest...and then look a bit higher to Him who knows your needs and guarantees you His lasting security.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Name Dropper
"Tell them you know me."
Wanting to have a Thanksgiving Dinner with a group of friends that we meet with every week, my bride came up with a great idea. "Go to Hy Vee and order a Thanksgiving Dinner for all of us. We can split the cost and that keeps it simple and easy." Why am I so blind to the obvious? A super idea that never occurred to me!
When I walked in the store, something did occur to me...I knew someone who had a direct line to the caterer! Thankfully, I brought my cell phone, made a quick call to my friend and was told the exact person to go to so that I could place my order to a green bean.
"Tell them that you know me."
Once I mentioned the name of our mutual friend, a page was made, the caterer was on the spot in a flash, and my order was complete within minutes. Amazing what name dropping can do! That is why I am now planning to show up at Arrowhead for the next Chief's game, walk straight to the Will Call window and tell the ticket agent that Len Dawson said to let me in and to seat me on the 50 yard line, pronto. When spring gets here, I plan to do the same at the newly renovated 'K'. I will say that George Brett sent me with the instruction that I am to be escorted to one of the new luxury sky boxes to enjoy Opening Day with all the other Royal's fans that could do no better than the Cheap Seats. Think that will work?
Maybe...only if I REALLY KNEW Len or George! Right now, I have a better chance of getting a break on a Turkey Dinner with the caterer than I do of getting caught on camera at either of the ball parks at the Truman Sports Complex!
I heard about a middle school student conducting a social experiment on her campus during the Presidential campaign. One day she wore "McCain Girl" hand painted in red on her shirt. Waiting and listening, making no response to comments by friends, classmates and teachers, she chronicled what was being said to her. The next day, she wore another hand painted T, this time in blue, with "Obama Girl" inscribed. Waiting for comment with pen in hand, she carefully recorded the responses of friends, classmates and teachers. Suffice to say that she learned some pretty telling lessons on her public school campus with the mentioning of a name!
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6
In back to back chapters in the Book of Acts (3-4), the name of Jesus is referred about 9 times in total. In reference to His name, a crippled man is fully healed, literally thousands are drawn into the knowledge of God, and some are even jealous to the point of blood red anger. The name of Jesus is so uniquely powerful and authoritative that something even more amazing than this physical miracle captivates the city...
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
The fact is that ordinary men do not have the ability or the power to make damaged people well. The truth is that to be delivered from sin, setbacks and stumbling blocks, a Deliverer is needed. Human ability and ingenuity, no matter how impressive, convincing and compelling falls short of breaking through and delivering us from our deepest needs. An Intercessor is necessary. An Advocate is essential. A Rescuer is is the only hope when you are dropped into (or fall into) the pits of life.
Although Peter and John were blue collar types, supposedly uneducated, ordinary and rough around the edges, there was no denying that they had the mojo going on. What had happened was so undeniable that even those of high brow bloodlines admitted the obvious; these guys had hung out with Jesus, (see Acts 4:13). His power was all over them. His authority had been conferred upon them. His presence and wisdom had saturated them. His name was being dropped by them...constantly and with life changing results.
"Tell them you know me."
That's really about all these apostles did. They spoke what they heard. They did as they were told. No matter if they were at the marketplace or the interrogation room, they attributed all the supernatural life change that brought thousands to wholeness to Jesus...and spoke His name in boldness as well as in reverence.
His name is where the deliverance is. His name is where the victory is. His name is where the power is. His name is where salvation is. And I bet you may even drop His name when you are talking to God one on one. If you came to God in the merit of your own name...well...you would have a better chance to getting into Arrowhead or the K dropping the names Len and George! Approach God today through the Name of Jesus, your Salvation Giver and daily Sustainer. Trust in His Name. Speak His name as a reminder of His great grace. Call upon His name. Stand up for His name.
Be a name dropper today. You might even get a good deal on a Turkey Dinner.
Wanting to have a Thanksgiving Dinner with a group of friends that we meet with every week, my bride came up with a great idea. "Go to Hy Vee and order a Thanksgiving Dinner for all of us. We can split the cost and that keeps it simple and easy." Why am I so blind to the obvious? A super idea that never occurred to me!
When I walked in the store, something did occur to me...I knew someone who had a direct line to the caterer! Thankfully, I brought my cell phone, made a quick call to my friend and was told the exact person to go to so that I could place my order to a green bean.
"Tell them that you know me."
Once I mentioned the name of our mutual friend, a page was made, the caterer was on the spot in a flash, and my order was complete within minutes. Amazing what name dropping can do! That is why I am now planning to show up at Arrowhead for the next Chief's game, walk straight to the Will Call window and tell the ticket agent that Len Dawson said to let me in and to seat me on the 50 yard line, pronto. When spring gets here, I plan to do the same at the newly renovated 'K'. I will say that George Brett sent me with the instruction that I am to be escorted to one of the new luxury sky boxes to enjoy Opening Day with all the other Royal's fans that could do no better than the Cheap Seats. Think that will work?
Maybe...only if I REALLY KNEW Len or George! Right now, I have a better chance of getting a break on a Turkey Dinner with the caterer than I do of getting caught on camera at either of the ball parks at the Truman Sports Complex!
I heard about a middle school student conducting a social experiment on her campus during the Presidential campaign. One day she wore "McCain Girl" hand painted in red on her shirt. Waiting and listening, making no response to comments by friends, classmates and teachers, she chronicled what was being said to her. The next day, she wore another hand painted T, this time in blue, with "Obama Girl" inscribed. Waiting for comment with pen in hand, she carefully recorded the responses of friends, classmates and teachers. Suffice to say that she learned some pretty telling lessons on her public school campus with the mentioning of a name!
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Acts 3:6
In back to back chapters in the Book of Acts (3-4), the name of Jesus is referred about 9 times in total. In reference to His name, a crippled man is fully healed, literally thousands are drawn into the knowledge of God, and some are even jealous to the point of blood red anger. The name of Jesus is so uniquely powerful and authoritative that something even more amazing than this physical miracle captivates the city...
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
The fact is that ordinary men do not have the ability or the power to make damaged people well. The truth is that to be delivered from sin, setbacks and stumbling blocks, a Deliverer is needed. Human ability and ingenuity, no matter how impressive, convincing and compelling falls short of breaking through and delivering us from our deepest needs. An Intercessor is necessary. An Advocate is essential. A Rescuer is is the only hope when you are dropped into (or fall into) the pits of life.
Although Peter and John were blue collar types, supposedly uneducated, ordinary and rough around the edges, there was no denying that they had the mojo going on. What had happened was so undeniable that even those of high brow bloodlines admitted the obvious; these guys had hung out with Jesus, (see Acts 4:13). His power was all over them. His authority had been conferred upon them. His presence and wisdom had saturated them. His name was being dropped by them...constantly and with life changing results.
"Tell them you know me."
That's really about all these apostles did. They spoke what they heard. They did as they were told. No matter if they were at the marketplace or the interrogation room, they attributed all the supernatural life change that brought thousands to wholeness to Jesus...and spoke His name in boldness as well as in reverence.
His name is where the deliverance is. His name is where the victory is. His name is where the power is. His name is where salvation is. And I bet you may even drop His name when you are talking to God one on one. If you came to God in the merit of your own name...well...you would have a better chance to getting into Arrowhead or the K dropping the names Len and George! Approach God today through the Name of Jesus, your Salvation Giver and daily Sustainer. Trust in His Name. Speak His name as a reminder of His great grace. Call upon His name. Stand up for His name.
Be a name dropper today. You might even get a good deal on a Turkey Dinner.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Who's Your Daddy?
I used to play fantasy football.
I was good at it, too. I studied hard. I drafted well. I released and picked up players at the right time off the waiver wire. I usually won my division. I never missed the playoffs. AND, I could talk good smack on my weekly opponent and back it up by pounding them down week after week.
One exception. 'Who's Your Daddy' was the 'crem de la crem' in my Fantasy Football League.
The 'owner' of 'Who's Your Daddy' was a friend who prided himself as the King of Smack atop of the heap of trash talkers. He spared no one with his ruthless, cut to the quick, intimidating assaults, and could back up every word each Monday night when the final player and team stats were posted. 'Who's Your Daddy' left no prisoners as 'Da Man', with the rest of us being nothing more than 'wannabe's'.
By the way, who is your 'Daddy'? What do you know about him? What does it mean to you to be the next generation child of your human father? How important is that single relationship to you? Do you yearn for more from your 'Daddy'? Was he aloof or engaged? Hidden or authentic? Sincere or manipulative? Was he invested in you? Did he teach you about life? Was he around for your games, and did he hold your head to his chest when you were heartbroken? Did he affirm you when you were weak, stand up for you when you were attacked, wait up for you when you were late, and teach you by an example that made his words credible?
"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Matthew 1:1
What a confusing introduction to the New Testament! Whose 'son' was Jesus? 14 generations removed from King David and still his 'son'? Thousands of years since the days of Abraham and yet his 'son'? What is that all about? Why should you care? You may have even heard or read that Jesus was the 'Son of God'. How does that fit in the mix?
Literally, this verse can be read; "A record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah..." Those three words capsule the meaning of the entire New Testament, and fulfill the descriptions of His Sonship(s). 'Son of David' is a description of His fulfillment as King of all (including your heart) and 'Son of Abraham' is the covenant designation given only to Jesus as the fulfillment of the redemptive promises of God (including forgiveness for your sins). In one sweeping sentence, the God of the Bible reveals that His Son is the promised Deliverer, sent on mission to set free those mired in the reality of sin and desperate for timely and timeless hope.
When Joseph was confused, wounded and angry that the woman to whom he was engaged was expecting, the Heavenly Father stepped in with the message, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 1:20). No human father would qualify Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy and history. The Heavenly Father would dispatch His only begotten to return to each of us the glory that had been stolen in the Garden of Paradise by sin. His coming trumped sin and triumphed over hopelessness.
From time to time, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" would be heard from the heavens affirming to Jesus His Father's loving approval and confirming to those who heard the reality of Who exactly they were being taught and healed by. Jesus never doubted whose Son he was. Here's the kicker...YOU can be adopted into His family! As you continue reading your New Testament for the upcoming 63 days, this incredible fact will become absolutely crystal clear. So, keep reading!
Today...read Matthew 1-2 and Acts 1-3. This is your first step to real and lasting transformation!
"Sons of Thunder" was the name of my fantasy football team. I named my team after the beach side bad boys of the New Testament as I thought they must have earned that name...or been born to a powerful man of strength and persuasion. They retired that name to take up the name, 'Apostle' instead. Rather than being known for their brute, they chose instead to hang out with the Messiah. Now that is transformation of the kind you and I still read about and are impacted by to this very moment.
That's not trash talking...that's just a fact!
I was good at it, too. I studied hard. I drafted well. I released and picked up players at the right time off the waiver wire. I usually won my division. I never missed the playoffs. AND, I could talk good smack on my weekly opponent and back it up by pounding them down week after week.
One exception. 'Who's Your Daddy' was the 'crem de la crem' in my Fantasy Football League.
The 'owner' of 'Who's Your Daddy' was a friend who prided himself as the King of Smack atop of the heap of trash talkers. He spared no one with his ruthless, cut to the quick, intimidating assaults, and could back up every word each Monday night when the final player and team stats were posted. 'Who's Your Daddy' left no prisoners as 'Da Man', with the rest of us being nothing more than 'wannabe's'.
By the way, who is your 'Daddy'? What do you know about him? What does it mean to you to be the next generation child of your human father? How important is that single relationship to you? Do you yearn for more from your 'Daddy'? Was he aloof or engaged? Hidden or authentic? Sincere or manipulative? Was he invested in you? Did he teach you about life? Was he around for your games, and did he hold your head to his chest when you were heartbroken? Did he affirm you when you were weak, stand up for you when you were attacked, wait up for you when you were late, and teach you by an example that made his words credible?
"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Matthew 1:1
What a confusing introduction to the New Testament! Whose 'son' was Jesus? 14 generations removed from King David and still his 'son'? Thousands of years since the days of Abraham and yet his 'son'? What is that all about? Why should you care? You may have even heard or read that Jesus was the 'Son of God'. How does that fit in the mix?
Literally, this verse can be read; "A record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah..." Those three words capsule the meaning of the entire New Testament, and fulfill the descriptions of His Sonship(s). 'Son of David' is a description of His fulfillment as King of all (including your heart) and 'Son of Abraham' is the covenant designation given only to Jesus as the fulfillment of the redemptive promises of God (including forgiveness for your sins). In one sweeping sentence, the God of the Bible reveals that His Son is the promised Deliverer, sent on mission to set free those mired in the reality of sin and desperate for timely and timeless hope.
When Joseph was confused, wounded and angry that the woman to whom he was engaged was expecting, the Heavenly Father stepped in with the message, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 1:20). No human father would qualify Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy and history. The Heavenly Father would dispatch His only begotten to return to each of us the glory that had been stolen in the Garden of Paradise by sin. His coming trumped sin and triumphed over hopelessness.
From time to time, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" would be heard from the heavens affirming to Jesus His Father's loving approval and confirming to those who heard the reality of Who exactly they were being taught and healed by. Jesus never doubted whose Son he was. Here's the kicker...YOU can be adopted into His family! As you continue reading your New Testament for the upcoming 63 days, this incredible fact will become absolutely crystal clear. So, keep reading!
Today...read Matthew 1-2 and Acts 1-3. This is your first step to real and lasting transformation!
"Sons of Thunder" was the name of my fantasy football team. I named my team after the beach side bad boys of the New Testament as I thought they must have earned that name...or been born to a powerful man of strength and persuasion. They retired that name to take up the name, 'Apostle' instead. Rather than being known for their brute, they chose instead to hang out with the Messiah. Now that is transformation of the kind you and I still read about and are impacted by to this very moment.
That's not trash talking...that's just a fact!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Windows and Grids
When you have to replace your windows you are forced to learn a lot about them.
By the time it was said and done, I had sat down with 8 sales reps, living through presentation after presentation. I learned about double pane, triple glass, argon and krypton gas, seals, grooves, frames, wraps, safety locks, tilt in sashes and a load more. When it came time to place the order, the wife and I had one final decision to make.
What 'grid' pattern did we want? 'Grids' are the annoying window trim that accents the beauty and the style of your window. To me...they are dust magnets that cannot be cleaned apart from exposing some serious personality flaws! Ever tried to clean those things? Nearly impossible. Grids are now built into the window so that you don't have to clean them. You just have to enjoy them! You can choose traditional grids, prarie style, or even go 'grid-less'. One Saturday morning, my lady and I went for a drive and saw more houses with grids than Santa has elves. We looked. We studied. We imagined. What grid style would we enjoy the most? A consuming subject that we bantered around for that day and the next few days!
We chose the prarie style grids for the north side of our home. The grid pattern runs on the outer edge of the window. Once they were installed, we could not help but to stare through windows and marvel. Where grids had once been was now unmarred glass. We could see our trees without any sight barriers...and the leaves turning color were quite stunning! Nothing hindered our looking across the street, down the drive and across the neighborhood. The grids were gone and we could see!
"One thing I do know. I was once blind but now I see!" John 9:25
A blind man, conditioned in darkness since birth, had not seen and could not see and in all likelihood, would not see. Physically, his condition was beyond pitiful. Being led by the hand each day to a place where the slightest chance of hope might occur, he had become accustomed to disappointment. He would never enjoy all five senses...until Jesus opened his eyes, gave him sight and opened his soul as well. This man is at the heart of one of the most stirring narratives in the whole of Scripture. He illustrates the condition of all of us apart from the redemptive touch of God.
"He is a light of revelation for the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:32
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:4
Only God can remove the spiritual blinders to give us clear vision of Himself and ourselves. No one wants to stumble around in this life, and yet many settle for just that. Directionless, you move without intention or aim, hoping to 'see it' one day through an experience, an encounter, a job, a love, a family, a cudesac, a religion, yoga, tennis lessons, Jenny Craig or the finest imported wine. You look for meaning, purpose, having 'eternity set in your heart, foolishly bumping into others joined together on the bridge to nowhere, (well somewhere actually...where there is a darkness that will never be remedied). And then, God steps in, touches you deeply...and you can 'see'. Really 'see'.
"Lord, I believe." John 9:38
That very verse goes on to say that this formally blind man 'worshipped Him'. In other words, the 'grids' were gone! He could see His Redeemer clearly without any sight barriers whatsoever. Everything came into sharp focus and he would never have to stumble again because of the oppressing darkness of blindness.
Not only can we see out of windows better now that the grids are gone...others may be able to see into our house a lot better too! Wonder what God sees when He looks in from where I am looking out of?
By the time it was said and done, I had sat down with 8 sales reps, living through presentation after presentation. I learned about double pane, triple glass, argon and krypton gas, seals, grooves, frames, wraps, safety locks, tilt in sashes and a load more. When it came time to place the order, the wife and I had one final decision to make.
What 'grid' pattern did we want? 'Grids' are the annoying window trim that accents the beauty and the style of your window. To me...they are dust magnets that cannot be cleaned apart from exposing some serious personality flaws! Ever tried to clean those things? Nearly impossible. Grids are now built into the window so that you don't have to clean them. You just have to enjoy them! You can choose traditional grids, prarie style, or even go 'grid-less'. One Saturday morning, my lady and I went for a drive and saw more houses with grids than Santa has elves. We looked. We studied. We imagined. What grid style would we enjoy the most? A consuming subject that we bantered around for that day and the next few days!
We chose the prarie style grids for the north side of our home. The grid pattern runs on the outer edge of the window. Once they were installed, we could not help but to stare through windows and marvel. Where grids had once been was now unmarred glass. We could see our trees without any sight barriers...and the leaves turning color were quite stunning! Nothing hindered our looking across the street, down the drive and across the neighborhood. The grids were gone and we could see!
"One thing I do know. I was once blind but now I see!" John 9:25
A blind man, conditioned in darkness since birth, had not seen and could not see and in all likelihood, would not see. Physically, his condition was beyond pitiful. Being led by the hand each day to a place where the slightest chance of hope might occur, he had become accustomed to disappointment. He would never enjoy all five senses...until Jesus opened his eyes, gave him sight and opened his soul as well. This man is at the heart of one of the most stirring narratives in the whole of Scripture. He illustrates the condition of all of us apart from the redemptive touch of God.
"He is a light of revelation for the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:32
"In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:4
Only God can remove the spiritual blinders to give us clear vision of Himself and ourselves. No one wants to stumble around in this life, and yet many settle for just that. Directionless, you move without intention or aim, hoping to 'see it' one day through an experience, an encounter, a job, a love, a family, a cudesac, a religion, yoga, tennis lessons, Jenny Craig or the finest imported wine. You look for meaning, purpose, having 'eternity set in your heart, foolishly bumping into others joined together on the bridge to nowhere, (well somewhere actually...where there is a darkness that will never be remedied). And then, God steps in, touches you deeply...and you can 'see'. Really 'see'.
"Lord, I believe." John 9:38
That very verse goes on to say that this formally blind man 'worshipped Him'. In other words, the 'grids' were gone! He could see His Redeemer clearly without any sight barriers whatsoever. Everything came into sharp focus and he would never have to stumble again because of the oppressing darkness of blindness.
Not only can we see out of windows better now that the grids are gone...others may be able to see into our house a lot better too! Wonder what God sees when He looks in from where I am looking out of?
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Headlight Deere
My oldest son likes working the graveyard shift.
He has been in the Navy for going on 6 years and has become quite the 'Go to Guy' in his squadron of Avionic Electricians, (known as 'AE' in the Na-vy). Now the Shop and Shift Supervisor, his knowledge, expertise and rank have been worked for and looked to all over the country and the world...usually on the Night Shift.
For the most part...he likes it that way. He gets pulled from shift to shift, place to place and from pilot to pilot, sometimes working days, nights or both...either on land or at sea. No doubt, this young man is skilled AND adaptable!
Many, many years ago, my friend John was really good to me. He was an area Sales Rep for John Deere, and in a rural community, he was on the go and busy and then some. He became a Christian after we became friends. We celebrated the joy of being 'brothers' in the Lord as a bonus of our growing friendship. One day he backed a trailer into the driveway of our parsonage with a John Deere riding mower ready for drop off. He told me that I could use it as long as I was his pastor. I sure looked forward to being his pastor for a long time!
This mower had a great feature. It had headlights! I could mow at night if I wanted to...and I wanted to! Some days were just too long with responsibilities and family activities, so I would crank up the John Deere, pop on the headlights, and mow to my hearts delight. I was working the Night Shift on my high beam John Deere!
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5
Look at that sentence structure one more time. The pronouns are not in agreement, or I am just confused? "Me" was sent. "We" are engaged in the work. Why does Jesus not do the 'work' Himself? Could it be that 'we' are just as sent as 'He'? For a Christian, that is certainly the truth behind the teaching. 'We' have this one and only life to get in on the living and lasting 'work' of God that involves loving people into His light. The opportunity for that is very real, and quite limited. Some chances will come only once. Some opportunities will fade away. Some open doors will close. 'We' have to be engaged while there is time and opportunity.
You may not get elected to anything, but you can be engaged in the 'work' that matters to God. You may hold no office, have limited resources, know just a few people, and think that you have nothing to offer to anyone...but if you have Christ, you have everything to offer to everyone. The time to be invested has a beginning, and according to Jesus, has a conclusion. There will come a time when the last chapter has been written and yours or others biographies have been lived to and earthly ending.
Jesus spoke these words as instruction to those who would pay attention that you have to live your life with a sense of quality control. You have to be sure that you are invested in the things that are in step with His agenda fleshed out through you. You have to be absolutely engaged in making the most of every chance to make a difference for His name's sake. 'Work' while you can! Labor over that which matters, knowing that there will be a 4th Quarter, a 9th Inning, a Finish Line, and an Epilogue.
You may have to 'work' the Night Shift with headlights on high beam. Be fully engaged when the kids need that nighttime book read and a Daddy led prayer. Keep at it when the boss is demanding and the task overwhelming. Stay the course through acts of kindness and words of blessing are being strained by the choking reality of disappointment. This is your 'day' to be about His 'work'. You may never pass that way again!
When I resigned the church in which I was John's pastor, he dropped by one afternoon with the truck and trailer one last time. Loading the John Deere with headlights, I realized that I would never again cut my lawn at night. My heart sank knowing that I would miss cutting the grass, riding along with my elementary pre-Navy son in my lap, making our way around the yard in the heat of the day or the cool of the night together...enjoying the ride with him at the wheel. We bonded some on the John Deere with headlights. What an opportunity!
Glad that I didn't miss that one!
He has been in the Navy for going on 6 years and has become quite the 'Go to Guy' in his squadron of Avionic Electricians, (known as 'AE' in the Na-vy). Now the Shop and Shift Supervisor, his knowledge, expertise and rank have been worked for and looked to all over the country and the world...usually on the Night Shift.
For the most part...he likes it that way. He gets pulled from shift to shift, place to place and from pilot to pilot, sometimes working days, nights or both...either on land or at sea. No doubt, this young man is skilled AND adaptable!
Many, many years ago, my friend John was really good to me. He was an area Sales Rep for John Deere, and in a rural community, he was on the go and busy and then some. He became a Christian after we became friends. We celebrated the joy of being 'brothers' in the Lord as a bonus of our growing friendship. One day he backed a trailer into the driveway of our parsonage with a John Deere riding mower ready for drop off. He told me that I could use it as long as I was his pastor. I sure looked forward to being his pastor for a long time!
This mower had a great feature. It had headlights! I could mow at night if I wanted to...and I wanted to! Some days were just too long with responsibilities and family activities, so I would crank up the John Deere, pop on the headlights, and mow to my hearts delight. I was working the Night Shift on my high beam John Deere!
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4-5
Look at that sentence structure one more time. The pronouns are not in agreement, or I am just confused? "Me" was sent. "We" are engaged in the work. Why does Jesus not do the 'work' Himself? Could it be that 'we' are just as sent as 'He'? For a Christian, that is certainly the truth behind the teaching. 'We' have this one and only life to get in on the living and lasting 'work' of God that involves loving people into His light. The opportunity for that is very real, and quite limited. Some chances will come only once. Some opportunities will fade away. Some open doors will close. 'We' have to be engaged while there is time and opportunity.
You may not get elected to anything, but you can be engaged in the 'work' that matters to God. You may hold no office, have limited resources, know just a few people, and think that you have nothing to offer to anyone...but if you have Christ, you have everything to offer to everyone. The time to be invested has a beginning, and according to Jesus, has a conclusion. There will come a time when the last chapter has been written and yours or others biographies have been lived to and earthly ending.
Jesus spoke these words as instruction to those who would pay attention that you have to live your life with a sense of quality control. You have to be sure that you are invested in the things that are in step with His agenda fleshed out through you. You have to be absolutely engaged in making the most of every chance to make a difference for His name's sake. 'Work' while you can! Labor over that which matters, knowing that there will be a 4th Quarter, a 9th Inning, a Finish Line, and an Epilogue.
You may have to 'work' the Night Shift with headlights on high beam. Be fully engaged when the kids need that nighttime book read and a Daddy led prayer. Keep at it when the boss is demanding and the task overwhelming. Stay the course through acts of kindness and words of blessing are being strained by the choking reality of disappointment. This is your 'day' to be about His 'work'. You may never pass that way again!
When I resigned the church in which I was John's pastor, he dropped by one afternoon with the truck and trailer one last time. Loading the John Deere with headlights, I realized that I would never again cut my lawn at night. My heart sank knowing that I would miss cutting the grass, riding along with my elementary pre-Navy son in my lap, making our way around the yard in the heat of the day or the cool of the night together...enjoying the ride with him at the wheel. We bonded some on the John Deere with headlights. What an opportunity!
Glad that I didn't miss that one!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
24
Jack Bauer is a Field Agent of a special clandestine government protection unit assigned to discover and eliminate domestic terror threats plotted against the USA. 24 is the series name of this Fox produced, Golden Globe winning drama, set to launch its 7th season and guaranteed its 8th by the network. 24 depicts the daily life of Jack Bauer as he roots out enemies of the State in a fast action, high powered, shoot and ask questions later story line.
Was your day yesterday like Jack's?
Did your last 24 race by or did you limp to bed ready to turn out the light on another lost 24?
If you had the choice of spending the next 24 in any place doing anything that you possibly could, what would you choose to do or experience? Any place that you would go? Any person you would want to share your 24 with? At the end of your chosen 24, what would you reflect back on and relish? If you would have had 25...what would have been crammed into that one extra hour that 24 just could not make happen?
When you answer that question, you know what you really care about and what truly defines you.
Some might use their 24 to perfect their golf swing. Others might hurry to Hawaii to catch some rays and waves. Others might opt to experience the Land of the Rising Sun on the other side of the world. Spending the day with the kids at the park, backpacking with your gal in the Rockies, or herding buffalo with your buddies in South Dakota might get your 24. Would you decide that interviewing people of interest, power, means and authority would be quite a 24 experience instead?
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Psalm 84:10
Some would choose to take their 24 to the Super Bowl, the NCAA Basketball Final Four, an Oscar after party or New Year's Eve in the Big Apple...but not the Psalmist. He could not get enough of (hold your breath on this one)...GOD! That's a hoot! You have to be kidding me! Give the man a day, a 24, and he would spend it with God? Even Ripley would not believe that one! This man was sincere to the core. You can feel his passion in his words long before you get to verse 10...
"My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:2
He concluded his thoughts on his desired 24 like this;
"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10b
"Let me be an usher!" "I am happy with handing out programs." "Just let me close enough to get a glimpse...I don't have to be near the front row...I don't have to be snuggled up to the stage...I don't even care to be on stage in the bright lights and cheered on by the crowd. Let me just be near You, God. Let me just be close to You. 24 here beats 1,000 24's hand's down."
Some live for the day that they will be inaugurated. Others are determined that they will wear a Championship ring. Many dream about their moment holding the trophy, winning American Idol, walking down an aisle to be married or across the platform to be handed their college degree. I am not sure if any of these things are particularly bad or even wrong. That I don't know. One thing I do know...I want to get to the place that this Psalmist was. I want to get to the place that if I could choose the agenda completely, I would joyfully, happily, gratefully and deliberately choose 24 to be a doorkeeper at the gate through which the "King of glory" would enter!
Today is a day that many have looked forward to throughout 2008. Election Day is the 24 that candidates and their supporters have marked on their calendars for over two years. This is the 24 when dreams will become realities, when problems will be solved, when wars will be stopped, when gas prices will plummet, when mortgages will be paid and debt forgiven, and the nation will sing Kumbaya when the tally is finalized by the next 24. How we place our focus and our trust in well intentioned people and policies who energize our hope with assurances that no human can truly guarantee.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
Spend a 24 with the Lord of Hosts, and maybe even string a few 24's together with that same holy ambition, and you cannot help but to be fully, completely satisfied no matter the election results. Be sure to vote, no doubt...but make it a part of your 24 not the essence of it.
Was your day yesterday like Jack's?
Did your last 24 race by or did you limp to bed ready to turn out the light on another lost 24?
If you had the choice of spending the next 24 in any place doing anything that you possibly could, what would you choose to do or experience? Any place that you would go? Any person you would want to share your 24 with? At the end of your chosen 24, what would you reflect back on and relish? If you would have had 25...what would have been crammed into that one extra hour that 24 just could not make happen?
When you answer that question, you know what you really care about and what truly defines you.
Some might use their 24 to perfect their golf swing. Others might hurry to Hawaii to catch some rays and waves. Others might opt to experience the Land of the Rising Sun on the other side of the world. Spending the day with the kids at the park, backpacking with your gal in the Rockies, or herding buffalo with your buddies in South Dakota might get your 24. Would you decide that interviewing people of interest, power, means and authority would be quite a 24 experience instead?
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Psalm 84:10
Some would choose to take their 24 to the Super Bowl, the NCAA Basketball Final Four, an Oscar after party or New Year's Eve in the Big Apple...but not the Psalmist. He could not get enough of (hold your breath on this one)...GOD! That's a hoot! You have to be kidding me! Give the man a day, a 24, and he would spend it with God? Even Ripley would not believe that one! This man was sincere to the core. You can feel his passion in his words long before you get to verse 10...
"My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:2
He concluded his thoughts on his desired 24 like this;
"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10b
"Let me be an usher!" "I am happy with handing out programs." "Just let me close enough to get a glimpse...I don't have to be near the front row...I don't have to be snuggled up to the stage...I don't even care to be on stage in the bright lights and cheered on by the crowd. Let me just be near You, God. Let me just be close to You. 24 here beats 1,000 24's hand's down."
Some live for the day that they will be inaugurated. Others are determined that they will wear a Championship ring. Many dream about their moment holding the trophy, winning American Idol, walking down an aisle to be married or across the platform to be handed their college degree. I am not sure if any of these things are particularly bad or even wrong. That I don't know. One thing I do know...I want to get to the place that this Psalmist was. I want to get to the place that if I could choose the agenda completely, I would joyfully, happily, gratefully and deliberately choose 24 to be a doorkeeper at the gate through which the "King of glory" would enter!
Today is a day that many have looked forward to throughout 2008. Election Day is the 24 that candidates and their supporters have marked on their calendars for over two years. This is the 24 when dreams will become realities, when problems will be solved, when wars will be stopped, when gas prices will plummet, when mortgages will be paid and debt forgiven, and the nation will sing Kumbaya when the tally is finalized by the next 24. How we place our focus and our trust in well intentioned people and policies who energize our hope with assurances that no human can truly guarantee.
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7
Spend a 24 with the Lord of Hosts, and maybe even string a few 24's together with that same holy ambition, and you cannot help but to be fully, completely satisfied no matter the election results. Be sure to vote, no doubt...but make it a part of your 24 not the essence of it.
Pro Choice
I love menu's.
At the drive through ice cream place that we go to every time my daughter is home from college, I am amazed at how many items are squeezed on that open air menu. There is no way that you can read all the choices of flavors, combo's, sundaes, malts, milkshakes and 'concretes' that you can order. The best way to start a parking lot brawl is to take your time reading the menu and then praying through your selection to see if God wills vanilla or chocolate for you. It is possible to go home with a Banana Split, a chipped tooth, broken nose and black eye if you take your time making a choice that keeps others waiting!
That is why we go with at least four folk in the car. You can take more time choosing, and just in case a rumble breaks out, your posse might be bigger than theirs when the swinging starts!
My lady and I stood in line this morning at 5:30 waiting to cast our ballot on Election Day 2008. We were at the front of the line, (it stretched quite a long way out that schoolhouse door) and as is our custom, we were making friends and interacting with each step toward the ballot box. Millions upon millions will line up somewhere in the United States to do the same...to make a choice...after all, like the news channel says, "You Decide, We Report". As I surmised the decisions of those that joined us in line, having thought and prayed through my own choices, I realized once again the impact of choice.
"Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." Exodus 32:26
Moses offered this invitation to those who had blundered while waiting for him to return with a word from God while on Mt. Sinai. They had chosen to mess around rather than to pray for their leader. They had opted to 'partay' and even combined their resources to craft an image of a bull that they called 'god' rather than anticipate the encouragement that Moses was about to offer...written by the very finger of God for their life and national blessing. In the very arena of God's presence, impacted by multiple miracles so obvious, they chose a statue. An option on the spiritual menu that they would regret.
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Another choice for the people as to how their nation could experience the favor and the blessing of the Almighty was posed. Straight up choice. Josh was to the point as to what the options were, and where his life and lot would be cast. A record of shame follows for those who did not choose so well or so wisely as this man and his family. The choice of the wilderness was forgotten by those now able to exercise their free will bent toward selfishness.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you." John 15:16
Jesus looked at the lot of these 12, and because He knew the hearts of all people, He could choose a big mouth, a political right winger, a couple of bruts, (they were known as the Sons of Thunder on the beaches of Capernaum), a skeptic, a confessed extortioner and a turncoat to be joined to His redemptive plan. All but one embraced His choice...the other wished he had.
Think for a moment of the implications of your choices to the relationship that you have or ignore with God, (that is a choice, too). If you were fully aware of the Lord standing at your side when you point and click, or when you use your remote for Pay Per View, would that make a difference to you? If you believed that He was listening when you and the spouse were getting heated about the family budget, would you choose your words more carefully? If Jesus hung out at the club, would you order another round or volunteer to be the DD instead? If you had the opportunity to experience His fullness, His presence, His blessing and favor, would you, or does Guitar Hero get more play time than He? If you are the 'product of your choices', what do you suppose the outcome will be in the final tally?
"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it.
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."
It's Election Day! YOU get to decide! All of us with have to live with the outcomes of national choice. Decide only after you have prayed, studied, and determined that your heart belongs to Him and all your choices do to. After all:
"Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14
He invites many to experience His life. Its the kind and the quality of life and security for the life to come that politicians cannot pledge nor provide to you. Cast your first ballot with Him. There are more choices on the table today than you think there are! He is not an option on the menu of belief. He transcends the menu by far.
At the drive through ice cream place that we go to every time my daughter is home from college, I am amazed at how many items are squeezed on that open air menu. There is no way that you can read all the choices of flavors, combo's, sundaes, malts, milkshakes and 'concretes' that you can order. The best way to start a parking lot brawl is to take your time reading the menu and then praying through your selection to see if God wills vanilla or chocolate for you. It is possible to go home with a Banana Split, a chipped tooth, broken nose and black eye if you take your time making a choice that keeps others waiting!
That is why we go with at least four folk in the car. You can take more time choosing, and just in case a rumble breaks out, your posse might be bigger than theirs when the swinging starts!
My lady and I stood in line this morning at 5:30 waiting to cast our ballot on Election Day 2008. We were at the front of the line, (it stretched quite a long way out that schoolhouse door) and as is our custom, we were making friends and interacting with each step toward the ballot box. Millions upon millions will line up somewhere in the United States to do the same...to make a choice...after all, like the news channel says, "You Decide, We Report". As I surmised the decisions of those that joined us in line, having thought and prayed through my own choices, I realized once again the impact of choice.
"Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." Exodus 32:26
Moses offered this invitation to those who had blundered while waiting for him to return with a word from God while on Mt. Sinai. They had chosen to mess around rather than to pray for their leader. They had opted to 'partay' and even combined their resources to craft an image of a bull that they called 'god' rather than anticipate the encouragement that Moses was about to offer...written by the very finger of God for their life and national blessing. In the very arena of God's presence, impacted by multiple miracles so obvious, they chose a statue. An option on the spiritual menu that they would regret.
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Another choice for the people as to how their nation could experience the favor and the blessing of the Almighty was posed. Straight up choice. Josh was to the point as to what the options were, and where his life and lot would be cast. A record of shame follows for those who did not choose so well or so wisely as this man and his family. The choice of the wilderness was forgotten by those now able to exercise their free will bent toward selfishness.
"You did not choose me, but I chose you." John 15:16
Jesus looked at the lot of these 12, and because He knew the hearts of all people, He could choose a big mouth, a political right winger, a couple of bruts, (they were known as the Sons of Thunder on the beaches of Capernaum), a skeptic, a confessed extortioner and a turncoat to be joined to His redemptive plan. All but one embraced His choice...the other wished he had.
Think for a moment of the implications of your choices to the relationship that you have or ignore with God, (that is a choice, too). If you were fully aware of the Lord standing at your side when you point and click, or when you use your remote for Pay Per View, would that make a difference to you? If you believed that He was listening when you and the spouse were getting heated about the family budget, would you choose your words more carefully? If Jesus hung out at the club, would you order another round or volunteer to be the DD instead? If you had the opportunity to experience His fullness, His presence, His blessing and favor, would you, or does Guitar Hero get more play time than He? If you are the 'product of your choices', what do you suppose the outcome will be in the final tally?
"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it.
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above."
It's Election Day! YOU get to decide! All of us with have to live with the outcomes of national choice. Decide only after you have prayed, studied, and determined that your heart belongs to Him and all your choices do to. After all:
"Many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14
He invites many to experience His life. Its the kind and the quality of life and security for the life to come that politicians cannot pledge nor provide to you. Cast your first ballot with Him. There are more choices on the table today than you think there are! He is not an option on the menu of belief. He transcends the menu by far.
Great Day in the Morning!
Lots of stuff can happen in just 24 hours.
I heard a story some years ago about a man who was having a really bad day. Maybe you can relate.
"Joe" comes home from a tough day and as is his routine he kisses the wife and heads to the bathroom. He is unaware that his environmentally conscious wife has protected the ozone just minutes earlier by disposing the remains of her aerosol hair spray in the toilet. While Joe is reading, relaxing and smoking his Camel down to the filter, he does as he has every day for years. Between his legs and into the flusher goes the smoldering cig remains, igniting the aerosol and literally launching him off of toilet seat and through the shower door into the tub. "Joe" is in a bad way!
Scorched to toast, he lies in the tub like a poached egg. Calling to wife for help, she sees the damage and quickly calls 9-11. EMT's are on the spot in record response time as they have been notified of an explosion that has injured one whose condition is still not known. Seeing "Joe" sunny side up, they do a quick CSI audit and realize that Joe has been burned worse than Nascar tire at Daytona. Fighting back the smiles, they load this poor guy on the spine board, used for patient transfer into the waiting emergency vehicle. One problem...they have to place him on the spine board 'sunny side up'.
Arms hanging downward from the spine board, Rocket Man is is being carried down the stairs toward the front door when one of the EMT's stumbles on a stair, jolting the others and causing them to loose grip of the spineboard. Down goes Joe, arms mashed underneath the board while burning like Duraflame log on his tender side, fully exposed to the world.
In the ER the attending physician greets his broken armed and charcoal roasted patient with; "Having a bad day there, huh?"
I guess you could say that. Sounds like a keen observation from a Med School Grad. "Joe" is having a REALLY bad day!
Some days are good. Some days...not so good.
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Not everything that happens throughout your day may be all that good, or even all as bad as this poor 'Joe'. Some days, we are trudging through, just trying to make it through challenge, uncertainty, calamity or reversal. Some days, we can't believe how blessed we are! The bills are paid, the kids are making their beds and boss gives us a promotion. Good or not so good, every day is really a gift to us...to grow, to learn, to serve, to care, to love, to deepen, to get involved, to think things through, to pray, to hold hands and so much more.
On this very day in 1979, American hostages were taken by Iranian revolutionaries and held captive for over a year. A horrible day of crisis for these innocent people and their families. On this very day in 1842, Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd...a love that he had waited patiently for. A very good day for both! On this day in 1922, archeologists discovered the entrance of King Tutt's tomb. Big day for sure in Egypt! On this day in 1995, Israeli Prime Minister was assasinated in Tel Aviv, ushering in yet another dark day in the Middle East and the world. On this day in 1997, I was one of hundreds of thousands of men who gathered in Washington, DC for a national Promise Keeper Rally. Talk about awesome!
On this day in a year that only God knows, a wonderful person was born into a pretty rough and tumble family. Through the years, this little girl and young lady saw things, heard things, and was exposed to things that no child or daughter should ever hear, see or know. Pretty much unloved and unnoticed, she would hang on one day at a time, looking for the good and taking refuge in the small acts of kindness that others would provide. Keeping a stiff upper lip as well as a sharp sense of humor, fatherless and counted as nothing more than a nuisance, she survived and met the man of her hopes and dreams as a young woman. They married, had three children within a year, and stayed the course of creating a home and family with memories much more cherished than her own growing up years.
Happy Birthday Mom! There are four women in my life that have shaped and blessed me beyond description...my Charlette, our daughter, your husband's mother, and YOU! I thank the Lord that He made YOU and brought YOU into this world so that me and many others could be loved, encouraged, humored, hugged and cooked for! This is a happy day, Mom! Did you know that Laura Bush shares your BD today? I am sure that she is a great gal, but YOU have elipsed her in my eyes, no doubt about it.
Yep, today is the day that the Lord has made. It is a day of rejoicing in His goodness, favor and victory. It is also a great day of thanking Him for blessing this world and my life through you, Mom. Have a happy day!
Guess what? I heard that they scheduled Election Day on your Birthday so that everybody could get in on the party!
It's a great day...and it started in the morning thinking of you on your Birthday.
I heard a story some years ago about a man who was having a really bad day. Maybe you can relate.
"Joe" comes home from a tough day and as is his routine he kisses the wife and heads to the bathroom. He is unaware that his environmentally conscious wife has protected the ozone just minutes earlier by disposing the remains of her aerosol hair spray in the toilet. While Joe is reading, relaxing and smoking his Camel down to the filter, he does as he has every day for years. Between his legs and into the flusher goes the smoldering cig remains, igniting the aerosol and literally launching him off of toilet seat and through the shower door into the tub. "Joe" is in a bad way!
Scorched to toast, he lies in the tub like a poached egg. Calling to wife for help, she sees the damage and quickly calls 9-11. EMT's are on the spot in record response time as they have been notified of an explosion that has injured one whose condition is still not known. Seeing "Joe" sunny side up, they do a quick CSI audit and realize that Joe has been burned worse than Nascar tire at Daytona. Fighting back the smiles, they load this poor guy on the spine board, used for patient transfer into the waiting emergency vehicle. One problem...they have to place him on the spine board 'sunny side up'.
Arms hanging downward from the spine board, Rocket Man is is being carried down the stairs toward the front door when one of the EMT's stumbles on a stair, jolting the others and causing them to loose grip of the spineboard. Down goes Joe, arms mashed underneath the board while burning like Duraflame log on his tender side, fully exposed to the world.
In the ER the attending physician greets his broken armed and charcoal roasted patient with; "Having a bad day there, huh?"
I guess you could say that. Sounds like a keen observation from a Med School Grad. "Joe" is having a REALLY bad day!
Some days are good. Some days...not so good.
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Not everything that happens throughout your day may be all that good, or even all as bad as this poor 'Joe'. Some days, we are trudging through, just trying to make it through challenge, uncertainty, calamity or reversal. Some days, we can't believe how blessed we are! The bills are paid, the kids are making their beds and boss gives us a promotion. Good or not so good, every day is really a gift to us...to grow, to learn, to serve, to care, to love, to deepen, to get involved, to think things through, to pray, to hold hands and so much more.
On this very day in 1979, American hostages were taken by Iranian revolutionaries and held captive for over a year. A horrible day of crisis for these innocent people and their families. On this very day in 1842, Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd...a love that he had waited patiently for. A very good day for both! On this day in 1922, archeologists discovered the entrance of King Tutt's tomb. Big day for sure in Egypt! On this day in 1995, Israeli Prime Minister was assasinated in Tel Aviv, ushering in yet another dark day in the Middle East and the world. On this day in 1997, I was one of hundreds of thousands of men who gathered in Washington, DC for a national Promise Keeper Rally. Talk about awesome!
On this day in a year that only God knows, a wonderful person was born into a pretty rough and tumble family. Through the years, this little girl and young lady saw things, heard things, and was exposed to things that no child or daughter should ever hear, see or know. Pretty much unloved and unnoticed, she would hang on one day at a time, looking for the good and taking refuge in the small acts of kindness that others would provide. Keeping a stiff upper lip as well as a sharp sense of humor, fatherless and counted as nothing more than a nuisance, she survived and met the man of her hopes and dreams as a young woman. They married, had three children within a year, and stayed the course of creating a home and family with memories much more cherished than her own growing up years.
Happy Birthday Mom! There are four women in my life that have shaped and blessed me beyond description...my Charlette, our daughter, your husband's mother, and YOU! I thank the Lord that He made YOU and brought YOU into this world so that me and many others could be loved, encouraged, humored, hugged and cooked for! This is a happy day, Mom! Did you know that Laura Bush shares your BD today? I am sure that she is a great gal, but YOU have elipsed her in my eyes, no doubt about it.
Yep, today is the day that the Lord has made. It is a day of rejoicing in His goodness, favor and victory. It is also a great day of thanking Him for blessing this world and my life through you, Mom. Have a happy day!
Guess what? I heard that they scheduled Election Day on your Birthday so that everybody could get in on the party!
It's a great day...and it started in the morning thinking of you on your Birthday.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Right Winged
It was near midnight (or so it seemed) and I was fast asleep.
I was in the 4th of 5th Grade 'back in the day'. I had labored a bit over some fractions that were due the next day for my math assignment right after dinner. That was the nightly requirement for any children with the last name 'Weber' living with Jake and Beverly. All homework was to be neatly placed on the steps that led up to the bedroom shared by my brother and I, to be reviewed by the folks. Reminds me of the statement; "You can't expect what you don't inspect." Dad and Mom were pretty consistent with the inspections for sure!
My father woke me from the Hero Dream I had of the 'World Series Home Run Trot' that I had perfected while playing wiffle ball in the backyard each afternoon, "I need to see you downstairs at the kitchen table now." Sleepy and startled, I wondered what in the world was so important that required such an abrupt interruption. I found out and woke up quickly. My Dad made sure of that.
"Bob...do you understand fractions?" The answer was obvious. I did not understand a thing about fractions. I hoped that Dad had decided not to take a hard look at my completed homework, but that was not to be the case that night. I had been done in by my pitiful attempt to complete my math assignment. I thought fractions were and excuse to love history or reading! "You can't turn this in tomorrow, Bob. Not one of your answers are right." For the next 30 minutes or longer, my Dad went through each problem with me, helping me to understand fractions and getting my homework right. The next day, my friends, my teacher and all my classmates were shocked that I scored a perfect 10 on my fraction homework. I was quite impressed as to how much my father knew about fractions as well!
'Getting it right" was always important to my folks. I learned to fold the clothes 'right', do my chores 'right', shoot a jump shot 'right', and do my homework 'right'. I later realized that something more important than doing the 'right' things mattered to my parents. Living 'right' mattered to them even more. Honesty. Integrity. Hard work. Effort. Virtue. Character. They wanted me to get these 'right' as well.
I read these words today about a national leader that impressed me:
"Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
Reading on, I came across these words about another Head of State and was even more impressed:
Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He did right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." 2 Chronicles 34:1-2
One a kid, the other a young adult...both elevated to prominence, assigned to lead a nation of millions. Both were committed to getting more that their Algebra or Home Run Swing 'right'. They were entrusted with the lives and the futures of newborns and military generals, of teenagers and housewives, of the upper class and the lower class, of the blue collar and the white collar...an entire people group. Try to imagine that if you are twenty five years old or less, or for that matter twenty six years old or more!
Each made tough decisions that were in the best interest of those they governed while being submissive to and agreed with the agenda of the God Who installed them as ruler. These courageous leaders looked first to God to lead them before they began their Administration. They were anxious that their lives honored Him and that their decisions reflected His character and heart among His people and all the peoples of the world. They were determined to live 'right', do 'right' and to govern 'right'. They set the example of the kind and the quality of 'right' that they desired to be lived by every subject under their righteous authority. They consulted God's Word to know His heart and to lead according to righteousness. They assembled humble and godly advisers to counsel them in ways that were right and befitting to the nation looking to be led 'rightly'. Each were blessed of God and were a blessing from God to the people they led.
Election Day is tomorrow. Millions upon millions will exercise their citizenship in casting their ballot. Some will be persuaded by pledges, promises, guarantees, vision, hope and change. Others will be convinced because of their own circumstances, personal needs, issues or deep concerns. Many will opt for a candidate because they have been influenced by others, via Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, CNN, articles, websites, blogs, debates, sermons and/or conversations. In a two party political system of alternate and often opposing views, who is 'right'? What is more important, programs or people...agendas or the average Joe? Even more important, is the candidate making the pledges not just believable, but does he live 'right'? Are you voting on issues, or on character? Should that even matter?
That is why you and I have to do our homework on more than what is said, but how one has chosen to live and operate. No one...no one is perfect and without fault, but a careful examination of a lifestyle will reveal consistencies that cannot be erased by smooth speech or double talk. Where a candidate's treasure is, their heart (or policies) will be as well. What a person is is far more important than what a person does or promises to do.
That is why there is something much more central than issues that most tend to miss. Ask yourself, "Is this 'right'...and will my ballot honor a Righteous God who expects that I live 'rightly'?" Before you become either to focused on candidates or their positions, determine what is 'right' before you decide to pull the curtain that separates you from others, but not the God is not just looking over your shoulder, but examining your heart.
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
Thanks Dad, for insisting that I do right and that I live right. I learned that lesson over fractions and by faith.
I was in the 4th of 5th Grade 'back in the day'. I had labored a bit over some fractions that were due the next day for my math assignment right after dinner. That was the nightly requirement for any children with the last name 'Weber' living with Jake and Beverly. All homework was to be neatly placed on the steps that led up to the bedroom shared by my brother and I, to be reviewed by the folks. Reminds me of the statement; "You can't expect what you don't inspect." Dad and Mom were pretty consistent with the inspections for sure!
My father woke me from the Hero Dream I had of the 'World Series Home Run Trot' that I had perfected while playing wiffle ball in the backyard each afternoon, "I need to see you downstairs at the kitchen table now." Sleepy and startled, I wondered what in the world was so important that required such an abrupt interruption. I found out and woke up quickly. My Dad made sure of that.
"Bob...do you understand fractions?" The answer was obvious. I did not understand a thing about fractions. I hoped that Dad had decided not to take a hard look at my completed homework, but that was not to be the case that night. I had been done in by my pitiful attempt to complete my math assignment. I thought fractions were and excuse to love history or reading! "You can't turn this in tomorrow, Bob. Not one of your answers are right." For the next 30 minutes or longer, my Dad went through each problem with me, helping me to understand fractions and getting my homework right. The next day, my friends, my teacher and all my classmates were shocked that I scored a perfect 10 on my fraction homework. I was quite impressed as to how much my father knew about fractions as well!
'Getting it right" was always important to my folks. I learned to fold the clothes 'right', do my chores 'right', shoot a jump shot 'right', and do my homework 'right'. I later realized that something more important than doing the 'right' things mattered to my parents. Living 'right' mattered to them even more. Honesty. Integrity. Hard work. Effort. Virtue. Character. They wanted me to get these 'right' as well.
I read these words today about a national leader that impressed me:
"Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 29:1-2
Reading on, I came across these words about another Head of State and was even more impressed:
Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He did right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." 2 Chronicles 34:1-2
One a kid, the other a young adult...both elevated to prominence, assigned to lead a nation of millions. Both were committed to getting more that their Algebra or Home Run Swing 'right'. They were entrusted with the lives and the futures of newborns and military generals, of teenagers and housewives, of the upper class and the lower class, of the blue collar and the white collar...an entire people group. Try to imagine that if you are twenty five years old or less, or for that matter twenty six years old or more!
Each made tough decisions that were in the best interest of those they governed while being submissive to and agreed with the agenda of the God Who installed them as ruler. These courageous leaders looked first to God to lead them before they began their Administration. They were anxious that their lives honored Him and that their decisions reflected His character and heart among His people and all the peoples of the world. They were determined to live 'right', do 'right' and to govern 'right'. They set the example of the kind and the quality of 'right' that they desired to be lived by every subject under their righteous authority. They consulted God's Word to know His heart and to lead according to righteousness. They assembled humble and godly advisers to counsel them in ways that were right and befitting to the nation looking to be led 'rightly'. Each were blessed of God and were a blessing from God to the people they led.
Election Day is tomorrow. Millions upon millions will exercise their citizenship in casting their ballot. Some will be persuaded by pledges, promises, guarantees, vision, hope and change. Others will be convinced because of their own circumstances, personal needs, issues or deep concerns. Many will opt for a candidate because they have been influenced by others, via Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, CNN, articles, websites, blogs, debates, sermons and/or conversations. In a two party political system of alternate and often opposing views, who is 'right'? What is more important, programs or people...agendas or the average Joe? Even more important, is the candidate making the pledges not just believable, but does he live 'right'? Are you voting on issues, or on character? Should that even matter?
That is why you and I have to do our homework on more than what is said, but how one has chosen to live and operate. No one...no one is perfect and without fault, but a careful examination of a lifestyle will reveal consistencies that cannot be erased by smooth speech or double talk. Where a candidate's treasure is, their heart (or policies) will be as well. What a person is is far more important than what a person does or promises to do.
That is why there is something much more central than issues that most tend to miss. Ask yourself, "Is this 'right'...and will my ballot honor a Righteous God who expects that I live 'rightly'?" Before you become either to focused on candidates or their positions, determine what is 'right' before you decide to pull the curtain that separates you from others, but not the God is not just looking over your shoulder, but examining your heart.
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
Thanks Dad, for insisting that I do right and that I live right. I learned that lesson over fractions and by faith.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Sway With Me
When you live in the Midwest in the dead of January and February, a cruise on the Royal Caribbean can be a daily dream. On our 25th Anniversary, we did just that...made our dream a reality. OK, I was a couple years late...but it was worth enjoying the Silver Anniversary on our 27th year of marital bliss.
I am married to a romantic. She loves to dance.
She is married to a romantic. He cannot dance.
Each evening of our cruise we would go to a piano bar to be entertained by a fantastic band that played memorable tunes that inspired many to get on their feet and sway. And sway they did! These old timers knew every step in the book, and glided across the hardwood floor with ease in perfect harmony and rhythm with one another as the piano man stroked the ivories and as the sax man blew his eyeballs into his cheeks. My Love would take me by the hand, escorting me to the dance floor and off we would go!
We were so impressive that many stopped to look. It was a stunning sight, really. After a few words of sympathy to my bride, she was being swept off her feet by a 'pro' while I was being schooled by a very patient grandmother in the art of the two step. Charlette swayed. I stumbled. It was a perfect night! As a matter of fact, we strung about five of those perfect nights together at the same piano bar as the more and more folk came to dance with Charlette while I sipped on Diet Cokes into the midnight hours applauding the amazing ability and charm of my woman. My girl knows how to sway! The frustrating thing was not that I could not, but that we had taken lessons together during our morning dance clinic...and still I could not master the art of the 'Sway'.
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" Matthew 16:13
Jesus quizzed His disciples with a strange question. In the midst of the obvious with all the miracles, the extracted demons, the feeding of the thousands and even the raising of the dead, you would think that they of all would 'get it'. Peter busted out with what we call a 'confession'; "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." While others were moving in rhythm with the skeptics and the naysayers, Peter got it. He was not swayed to think the Son of the Living God was to be regarded with the greats like John the Baptist, Jeremiah or the revered Elijah...no...Jesus was much more than these amazing men. Peter was convinced, so much so that Jesus responded...
"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it."
He said that Peter could build upon Himself as the 'Rock'. The Psalmist said the same time and again; "He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand," (Psalm 40:2). "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge," (Psalm 18:2). In other words, in a culture that is easily 'swayed', there is a security upon which certainty stands and upon which our lives can be built with absolute confidence. To build on anything else than The Rock invites disaster, (see Matthew 7:24-27).
On November 4 our nation will choose a new President, Congress and Senate. States will elect new legislators and accept or reject ballot propositions and initiatives that will move us into a future that will seemingly 'pioneer'. We have been bombarded with enticements, pledges, promises, guarantees and action plans that will offer to the burdened, relief; the sick, care; the indebted, protection; the hungry, food; the middle class, wealth. We need 'change' is the cry of Presidential candidates and others who hope to represent you.
Don't be so easily swayed! Think Biblically. Seek the face of God. Get alone before the Lord and examine the agendas of each candidate and make your decision in light of His eternal life giving principles that have stood the test of time and have nothing less than blessing attached to them. No candidate can solve the problems that our nation faces apart from God. We need divine intervention before the Electoral College casts their final ballots. When unborn children will continue to be exterminated, when indebtedness will be addressed by more indebtedness, when associations that impact policy seem meaningless, when suspect character is ignored, when marriage is being redefined, when casinos fund our educational system and when half of your parent's life savings will be taken by the Feds after the Death Certificate clears...this is not the time to 'sway'!
Micheal Buble chorus to 'Sway With Me' comes to mind in this election cycle;
'Like the flower bending in the breeze,
Bend with me, sway with ease,
When we dance you have a way with me,
Stay with me, sway with me.'
Oh yes, the 'mamba rhythms' of the politico are in full swing in 2008. Don't bend with the cultural breeze or be easily swayed by emotion, need, frustration or even broken promises. Decide that your vote will honor Christ as Lord and will be offered as your pledge of being rock solid, Christ centered, Biblically responsible citizen of the United States of America.
I am married to a romantic. She loves to dance.
She is married to a romantic. He cannot dance.
Each evening of our cruise we would go to a piano bar to be entertained by a fantastic band that played memorable tunes that inspired many to get on their feet and sway. And sway they did! These old timers knew every step in the book, and glided across the hardwood floor with ease in perfect harmony and rhythm with one another as the piano man stroked the ivories and as the sax man blew his eyeballs into his cheeks. My Love would take me by the hand, escorting me to the dance floor and off we would go!
We were so impressive that many stopped to look. It was a stunning sight, really. After a few words of sympathy to my bride, she was being swept off her feet by a 'pro' while I was being schooled by a very patient grandmother in the art of the two step. Charlette swayed. I stumbled. It was a perfect night! As a matter of fact, we strung about five of those perfect nights together at the same piano bar as the more and more folk came to dance with Charlette while I sipped on Diet Cokes into the midnight hours applauding the amazing ability and charm of my woman. My girl knows how to sway! The frustrating thing was not that I could not, but that we had taken lessons together during our morning dance clinic...and still I could not master the art of the 'Sway'.
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" Matthew 16:13
Jesus quizzed His disciples with a strange question. In the midst of the obvious with all the miracles, the extracted demons, the feeding of the thousands and even the raising of the dead, you would think that they of all would 'get it'. Peter busted out with what we call a 'confession'; "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." While others were moving in rhythm with the skeptics and the naysayers, Peter got it. He was not swayed to think the Son of the Living God was to be regarded with the greats like John the Baptist, Jeremiah or the revered Elijah...no...Jesus was much more than these amazing men. Peter was convinced, so much so that Jesus responded...
"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it."
He said that Peter could build upon Himself as the 'Rock'. The Psalmist said the same time and again; "He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand," (Psalm 40:2). "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge," (Psalm 18:2). In other words, in a culture that is easily 'swayed', there is a security upon which certainty stands and upon which our lives can be built with absolute confidence. To build on anything else than The Rock invites disaster, (see Matthew 7:24-27).
On November 4 our nation will choose a new President, Congress and Senate. States will elect new legislators and accept or reject ballot propositions and initiatives that will move us into a future that will seemingly 'pioneer'. We have been bombarded with enticements, pledges, promises, guarantees and action plans that will offer to the burdened, relief; the sick, care; the indebted, protection; the hungry, food; the middle class, wealth. We need 'change' is the cry of Presidential candidates and others who hope to represent you.
Don't be so easily swayed! Think Biblically. Seek the face of God. Get alone before the Lord and examine the agendas of each candidate and make your decision in light of His eternal life giving principles that have stood the test of time and have nothing less than blessing attached to them. No candidate can solve the problems that our nation faces apart from God. We need divine intervention before the Electoral College casts their final ballots. When unborn children will continue to be exterminated, when indebtedness will be addressed by more indebtedness, when associations that impact policy seem meaningless, when suspect character is ignored, when marriage is being redefined, when casinos fund our educational system and when half of your parent's life savings will be taken by the Feds after the Death Certificate clears...this is not the time to 'sway'!
Micheal Buble chorus to 'Sway With Me' comes to mind in this election cycle;
'Like the flower bending in the breeze,
Bend with me, sway with ease,
When we dance you have a way with me,
Stay with me, sway with me.'
Oh yes, the 'mamba rhythms' of the politico are in full swing in 2008. Don't bend with the cultural breeze or be easily swayed by emotion, need, frustration or even broken promises. Decide that your vote will honor Christ as Lord and will be offered as your pledge of being rock solid, Christ centered, Biblically responsible citizen of the United States of America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)