There are two aspects of my life that I am passionate about. They are spiritual and political. I am passionate about them because they shape and impact my present and my future.
I am blessed to be the daughter, the wife, the niece and a sister-in-law of amazing men of God who write and preach some inspiring sermons. I attend a church where the senior pastor is a prolific writer and speaker; you're never bored listening to his sermons. I enjoy hearing people talk about these men in my life with gratitude for their inspiring words of faith and hope. I love the Christ of whom they preach. I've found the faith, hope and salvation they speak about and wouldn't ever think about living any other life. I have a blessed life.
Living in the home I'm blessed with, we pay attention to politics as well. We believe it is not only our right but it is our responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America to participate in the process that supports these freedoms. We have taught our children that if you don't participate in the process and vote, then you have no right to complain or criticize. The political shenanigans, speeches, debates and propaganda really get to me after awhile.
The interesting thing about these two very different and diverse areas of my life is how similar they really are. A politician and a minister have positions of influence in peoples lives. Their job is to convince, persuade and challenge people to support their cause, belief or party. Their oratory can be boring, fiery, animated, passionate or charismatic. They are recorded, quoted, and taped. They are talked about, lied about, idolized, misquoted, loved and hated. They live in glass fish bowls and their life as well as the lives of anyone who is connected to them are examined and judged. Depending on your persuasion, the same politician or minister can be seen as the hero or the villain.
At the end of the day, however, it's not the words of their sermon or speech that matter. Anybody can write a sermon. It's the life they live that's important. It all goes back to the age old adage 'Actions speak louder than words.'
I'm tired of hearing charismatic speeches and sermons. You don't impress me with your oratory ability and your winning personality. Your percentages in the polls do not impress me or convince me to vote for you. The number of people that attend your church does not persuade me that you or the God you say you serve is a place I want to be or the God I want to dedicate my life to.
No, I choose to vote for you because your values are reflected in your voting record or your work in the community. I attend your church not because of the prolific oratory of your sermons, but because you extend mercy and forgiveness when I fail or people do you wrong. You show kindness and love to every person in your life without favor. You help others when they are hungry, hurting, destitute and just want attention.
Anybody can write a sermon. The people I choose to vote for and allow in my life and the lives of my family will be those who live out the life they sermonize about.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Where are the David's?
I find it pretty difficult to read the books of the Bible that describe the life and works of all the kings. It's gory, filled with violence and fighting, and repetitive. I often wonder why God felt it so important to put some of those things into the Bible.
Today, however, my thoughts have been captured and held tenaciously. Every king is compared to David. Phrases like "he wasn't at all like his ancestor David" and "he did not walk in the ways of his father David." This is not the first time I've seen this and commented on it. However, today a new thought caught my pondering mind.
I really hate to be compared to others. Comparisons make me crazy. You get a new job and you hear, "That's not the way we did it when the other person was in charge." "The other person was so much more easy going than you are." Or let's take it one step further. Getting compared to a brother or a sister. Now that's down right dangerous territory.
Now I'm wanting to know, what's so very special about David. I've heard a lot of messages about David, so I think on this for a while. Here's what I see.
What I remember most that pulls at my memory and I have not listed is that David was known as a man after God's own heart. This phrase was said about David when he was a young man. He was still a shepherd boy. He had not yet killed Goliath nor had he played his harp in the palace. He had not yet led the armies of Israel and the band of discouraged men. What he had was a real relationship with God. He knew God.
It was not who David knew, his network of great people, that made him the top candidate for king. It was not David's charisma or pedigree that made him God's choice. It was his relationship with God that set him apart from everyone else. Succeeding kings did not build the type of relationship David had with God and God was displeased with them. Some managed to have a relationship with God, but they "did not tear down the high places". Their leadership was weak in that they let people do what pleased them.
Now I feel challenged. Where are the David's? I look within and I wonder if I were the one they were writing about today in the book of Kings, what would that last sentence look like? Would it read, "and she did not walk in the ways of her father David?"
I feel lucky today. I am not at the end of my journey in this life. I have a chance to work on my relationship with God. So, I ask myself, and you my friend, these questions:
Today, however, my thoughts have been captured and held tenaciously. Every king is compared to David. Phrases like "he wasn't at all like his ancestor David" and "he did not walk in the ways of his father David." This is not the first time I've seen this and commented on it. However, today a new thought caught my pondering mind.
I really hate to be compared to others. Comparisons make me crazy. You get a new job and you hear, "That's not the way we did it when the other person was in charge." "The other person was so much more easy going than you are." Or let's take it one step further. Getting compared to a brother or a sister. Now that's down right dangerous territory.
Now I'm wanting to know, what's so very special about David. I've heard a lot of messages about David, so I think on this for a while. Here's what I see.
- David was not afraid to spend time alone and in the presence of God.
- David was passionate about defending God.
- David was unafraid to fight people bigger than he was because he was confident in who he was fighting for.
- David ministered to people in need. He took bread to his family and he played the harp when the king was troubled.
- David honored the anointed authority God placed over him, even when that person of authority was in the wrong.
- David led people who were discouraged.
- David recognized the service and sacrifice of others and its value. He would not even drink the water his men had risked so much to bring to him.
- David understood the power of praise. He was able to encourage himself in the Lord.
- David did not care who was around when he danced unto the Lord.
- David received counsel from the prophets and responded appropriately. Repented when he had done wrong and moved according to the word when given divine direction.
- David suffered great loss due to his sins, accepted the judgment of God and renewed his relationship with God.
- David had family problems and took them to God.
- David's accepted the partial fulfillment of his dream without hating God. His dream was realized through his son Solomon.
What I remember most that pulls at my memory and I have not listed is that David was known as a man after God's own heart. This phrase was said about David when he was a young man. He was still a shepherd boy. He had not yet killed Goliath nor had he played his harp in the palace. He had not yet led the armies of Israel and the band of discouraged men. What he had was a real relationship with God. He knew God.
It was not who David knew, his network of great people, that made him the top candidate for king. It was not David's charisma or pedigree that made him God's choice. It was his relationship with God that set him apart from everyone else. Succeeding kings did not build the type of relationship David had with God and God was displeased with them. Some managed to have a relationship with God, but they "did not tear down the high places". Their leadership was weak in that they let people do what pleased them.
Now I feel challenged. Where are the David's? I look within and I wonder if I were the one they were writing about today in the book of Kings, what would that last sentence look like? Would it read, "and she did not walk in the ways of her father David?"
I feel lucky today. I am not at the end of my journey in this life. I have a chance to work on my relationship with God. So, I ask myself, and you my friend, these questions:
- When was the last time you spent more than a few minutes in the Word of God meditating on what you've read and applying it to your life?
- When was the last time you didn't care who was around you and you worshiped God with abandon?
- When was the last time you put your own self-will on the back burner and did what God told you to do?
- When was the last time you sang praises to God and basked in the glow of fellowship between you and God alone?
- When was the last time you enjoyed time with God so much that you never wanted to leave that place?
WYSIWYG (wi-zee-wig)
When I've used this phrase in the past, it was an attempt to communicate that I am transparent or natural. I'm not hiding behind a mask or fake. I'm not pretending to be something or have a hidden agenda. I've even said it feeling a bit self-righteous as I say it. It's got a little attitude.
The truth of the matter, however, is that we all have a "presentation" model of ourselves. When I was growing up you never went to church unless you were in the best clothes you owned. I had school shoes, church shoes, and play shoes. I heard phrases like "we don't act like that in public". Then there were all kinds of rules about when you go on a date, when you look for a job, and when you stay over at so-and-so's house don't talk about.......you fill in the blank.
Now don't get me wrong, I think there are protocols and expectations that we conduct ourselves differently in various situations. There are even occasions and places we go where we should be wearing the correct attire. Things such as weddings, funerals, church and work. There are things that you should not talk about or say depending on where you are and who you are with.
What I am talking about here is the core person you are. If you try to be one way at work to fit in there, then you try to be another way at church and then be someone else at home, you're going to drive yourself crazy! You cannot be happy and fulfilled.
James 3:10-18 from the Message version of the Bible puts it like this:
10-12My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?
13-16Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.17-18Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
If you are true blue, authentic and consistent, you won't have to respond to anyone in any place "What you see is what you get!" No you won't. Because others will recognize that about you. It's part of the package. Your daily conduct will demonstrate your authenticity.Sure you'll conduct yourself differently depending on whose company you are in or how comfortable you are in a situation. But you will never change your core values. You won't cuss when you're at work and not cuss when you are home. You won't treat men at work like dirt bags and then treat your husband nicely at home. Oh, you may manage for a while, but you'll blow up eventually.
WYSIWYG should be more than just a phrase you toss over your shoulder in an attitude of "in your face bubba". WYSIWYG should be a way of living, as the Scriptures above describe, "a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others." If you're having trouble with your life perhaps you need to stop trying to change who you are.
Stop trying to hack or modify the programming.
Be the unique and special person God created you to be!
Be the unique and special person God created you to be!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Picked for the team
Have you ever started reading something that caused emotions to explode in you and it feels like you can't swallow? That happened to me this morning. It's amazing. Feelings of inadequacy from long ago just welled up in me and I felt it all over again as if it was today. It's the old way of choosing sides or being picked for the team.
When I was growing up, and I'm sure it happens still today, we'd start to play a game of softball or basketball or even Red Rover and you had to divide into teams. One person was told they were the captain of each side and then the rest of us all lined up and these two people would choose people, taking turns, until all were chosen. Do you know what it feels like to be one of the last few people chosen? I do. Being chosen in the beginning meant you were really, really good; you were really wanted. Being chosen towards the end meant you weren't so good.
Childhood lessons learned on the playground have a way of sticking with us through life. One must put the right perspective on those things otherwise they can affect our adult years as well. Feelings of inadequacy that are a result of childhood are powerful emotions.
There are also positive childhood experiences that can be triggered by a phrase or a smell. For me, when I smell yeast bread or desserts baking, it brings a feeling of comfort and safety. Memories of my family all getting together eating great meals, lots of laughter, good music and playing games.
What I love about the Kingdom of God is that there is only one Captain and he has chosen each one of us. He said, "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." (John 15:16).
He reminds us that he chose us. Why do we have to be reminded? I think it's because it's so easy to forget. It's so easy to revert back to feelings of inadequacy or to feel like we are not very important. Here he reminds us that he chose us, we didn't choose him.
Another important nugget of truth to remember is that everyone has importance in God's kingdom. In Matthew 20, Jesus paid those that were hired first the same as those that were hired for a shorter time frame. The rewards Jesus has for us are not based on how long we've known him or what it is we can do.
He chose me and you. He says we will be successful. Our fruit will not spoil. WOW! What a wonderful Savior. What a great promise!
When I was growing up, and I'm sure it happens still today, we'd start to play a game of softball or basketball or even Red Rover and you had to divide into teams. One person was told they were the captain of each side and then the rest of us all lined up and these two people would choose people, taking turns, until all were chosen. Do you know what it feels like to be one of the last few people chosen? I do. Being chosen in the beginning meant you were really, really good; you were really wanted. Being chosen towards the end meant you weren't so good.
Childhood lessons learned on the playground have a way of sticking with us through life. One must put the right perspective on those things otherwise they can affect our adult years as well. Feelings of inadequacy that are a result of childhood are powerful emotions.
There are also positive childhood experiences that can be triggered by a phrase or a smell. For me, when I smell yeast bread or desserts baking, it brings a feeling of comfort and safety. Memories of my family all getting together eating great meals, lots of laughter, good music and playing games.
What I love about the Kingdom of God is that there is only one Captain and he has chosen each one of us. He said, "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." (John 15:16).
He reminds us that he chose us. Why do we have to be reminded? I think it's because it's so easy to forget. It's so easy to revert back to feelings of inadequacy or to feel like we are not very important. Here he reminds us that he chose us, we didn't choose him.
Another important nugget of truth to remember is that everyone has importance in God's kingdom. In Matthew 20, Jesus paid those that were hired first the same as those that were hired for a shorter time frame. The rewards Jesus has for us are not based on how long we've known him or what it is we can do.
He chose me and you. He says we will be successful. Our fruit will not spoil. WOW! What a wonderful Savior. What a great promise!
So whether you can hit a home run,
or whether you are the bat boy,
remember Jesus chose YOU!
or whether you are the bat boy,
remember Jesus chose YOU!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Until I met you
I heard that phrase, until I met you, again this week. For some really crazy reason I can't get it out of my mind. I woke up this morning and it was yelling at me. So I lay still and pondered for a while. . . . . . . . . . .
Until I met you is the preface for sharing how something or someone has influenced you. I have used it several times and I've had people use it when talking with me. It sounds like this.
Until I met you I thought you were stuck up. :-)
Until I met you I never knew what love was really like.
I was about to give up until I met you.
Until I met you I thought ________ you fill in the blank now.
I have heard these statements a lot of times. One night I remember very well. I was a young preacher's wife and was invited to another church for a women's fellowship. It was a great time and we were laughing and sharing and right smack dab in the middle of it this other preacher's wife says, "Until I met you tonight, I thought you were stuck up!" Talk about a show stopper. If I would have had false teeth, I would have swallowed them. It was really silent all of a sudden. All I could think to say was, "I'm sorry." Every laughed and we began talking about how crazy first impressions can be.
I've also made these "Until I met" you comments. It's incredible how our past influences our future. The life experiences we've had. The culture we are from. The area of the world we grew up in. The type of church we were raised in. The people that have passed through our lives. The education we've had. The places we've visited. The choices we've made.
All these things impact and mold who we are. Who we are impacts and molds those around us. You see, it goes both ways. That thing called influence is invisible yet so powerful that it both affects and effects your world.
May and June are the months we celebrate mothers and fathers and it's a wonderful time. These people have the most powerful influences in our lives. Especially since they raise us through the first few years of our lives. But never underestimate your power to influence those around you. You can either reinforce a persons past or you can influence them to change.
Change is hard. Changing someone's belief, who grew up in the Chicago land area, that the Cubs are better than the White Sox is not possible. But changing someone's belief that you are fun to be around, or that honesty is always the best policy, or that living for Jesus Christ is the best thing in the whole world is possible.
I think The Message version of Matthew 5:13 - 16 says it best of all......................
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
"Until I met you, I didn't know how much I needed Jesus in my life."
Until I met you is the preface for sharing how something or someone has influenced you. I have used it several times and I've had people use it when talking with me. It sounds like this.
Until I met you I thought you were stuck up. :-)
Until I met you I never knew what love was really like.
I was about to give up until I met you.
Until I met you I thought ________ you fill in the blank now.
I have heard these statements a lot of times. One night I remember very well. I was a young preacher's wife and was invited to another church for a women's fellowship. It was a great time and we were laughing and sharing and right smack dab in the middle of it this other preacher's wife says, "Until I met you tonight, I thought you were stuck up!" Talk about a show stopper. If I would have had false teeth, I would have swallowed them. It was really silent all of a sudden. All I could think to say was, "I'm sorry." Every laughed and we began talking about how crazy first impressions can be.
I've also made these "Until I met" you comments. It's incredible how our past influences our future. The life experiences we've had. The culture we are from. The area of the world we grew up in. The type of church we were raised in. The people that have passed through our lives. The education we've had. The places we've visited. The choices we've made.
All these things impact and mold who we are. Who we are impacts and molds those around us. You see, it goes both ways. That thing called influence is invisible yet so powerful that it both affects and effects your world.
May and June are the months we celebrate mothers and fathers and it's a wonderful time. These people have the most powerful influences in our lives. Especially since they raise us through the first few years of our lives. But never underestimate your power to influence those around you. You can either reinforce a persons past or you can influence them to change.
Change is hard. Changing someone's belief, who grew up in the Chicago land area, that the Cubs are better than the White Sox is not possible. But changing someone's belief that you are fun to be around, or that honesty is always the best policy, or that living for Jesus Christ is the best thing in the whole world is possible.
I think The Message version of Matthew 5:13 - 16 says it best of all......................
13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Salt and Light. The two things that are pretty essential to our American way of life. It's also essential to a Christian's life. I will even say that if you become salt and light in your world, people will say......."Until I met you, I didn't know how much I needed Jesus in my life."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Praise the Lord!
A greeting that we Pentecostal's say without meaning it is "Praise the Lord!" It has become a cursory greeting that we say as we shake hands with folks while we make our way to our pews. I know it's cursory because I've sometimes replied with "I do" or "He is faithful!" Most often, the person doesn't even hear what I've said. If they do hear me, they turn around and ask me what I said? You did not expect me to actually "Praise the Lord!"
Last night while driving home from Chicago a speaker was talking about praise. I have no idea who it was. But his comment made me lower the sound and really think about praise.
I've heard it said, and I've even said it myself at times, children and dogs know when someone is being sincere. I think they have a built in antennae or an early warning system that helps them to discern when someone is being sincere.
You know when someone is being sincere when they praise YOU. I do. It's sort of like when one of your children has offended another child. You talk to them about how their actions have hurt the other person and you say, "Now tell them you're sorry." If you've not got your point across to that child, he or she will say "Sorry!" but it has no meaning because they were not sincere. I know you're chuckling.
We do that same thing when we're "praising God". Listen to one of my prayers. "Lord, I praise you. Thank you, Jesus. Lord, you are great! You are awesome!" And I can just see him up there in Heaven replying, "What for?" "I am? Yesterday you wouldn't even speak to me." Or how about the one that we say to our spouses, "Yeah, but do you love me?" See, we're seeking to validate the sincerity of the praise.
The key here is that the person giving the praise must be sincere for it to have any meaning whatsoever. In order to sincerely offer praise, then you must know that person. There is some characteristic, attribute or action for which you are praising that person for. You saw what they did; you heard about what they did; or you were on the receiving end of the action. You know specifically what you are talking about.
Praise is also something that we're supposed to do in the good and bad times. The Bible encourages us by saying "In everything giving thanks....." I have to tell you that's one of the greatest challenges of my life. How in the world am I going to be able to praise God when what I am going through is completely overwhelming me? I can't even remember without significant effort what good has been in my life. Ever been there?
What I realized last night that has energized me is that you can't really do that unless you know God and know what's he's done. I know that's pretty simple, but let me play this out just a bit.
I know that God can make something out of nothing because in Genesis I read that he formed the world, created the environment we live in today called earth, by his spoken word.
I know that God trusted Job so thoroughly that he challenged the devil to test Job and when it was all said and done Job ended up with more than he had before the test.
I know that God provided water out of a rock for approximately 6 million homeless people aimlessly roaming the wilderness.
I know that God heard the prayer of a general leading an army in the middle of the fight and made the sun stand still for half a day. I know that this is not just a story in the Bible but has been scientifically proven.
That's just a few things I know from the Old Testament. If you look at what Jesus did in the New Testament we can add raising the dead to life, healing the blind, the deaf, the crippled and calming the sea before it capsized the boat he and his disciples were traveling in.
If I begin thanking the Lord for these things........ "Lord, I know that you are able to create a world from nothing and hang stars in space by your spoken word." "You are faithful to provide water for 6 million people traveling in the dessert from a rock." And Lord your compassion and understanding are so great because I know you raised a son back to life when the mother was overcome with grief so deep she couldn't stop crying."
When you start praising him with specific things that you know about him and the things that you now remember he has done for you, there's no way that you can suppress the hope that begins to raise in you. If he can do that for other people, he can do that for you. How do I know, because I have also read his Word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. There is nothing that is impossible for him. He promised that we would never see a flood that wiped out the whole earth and gave us a beautiful rainbow as a reminder of that promise; and he has kept it.
You see, it contagious! I can't stop praising him because one thought leads to another and pretty soon I see his hand in my life and joy starts bubbling up! And now I know I am the apple of his eye and that he loves me and he is with me right now and he can and will take care of what began as an overwhelming obstacle in my life.
Warning! This is a repetitive action. Tomorrow you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed. No....wait, in a hour you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed...... But praise, sincere, specific and personal praise will lift you right back up to where you know that GOD is an ever present help in the time of trouble. He is able, waiting and ready to carry you through your day. He is with you always!!
So what are you waiting for? Praise the Lord!!
Last night while driving home from Chicago a speaker was talking about praise. I have no idea who it was. But his comment made me lower the sound and really think about praise.
I've heard it said, and I've even said it myself at times, children and dogs know when someone is being sincere. I think they have a built in antennae or an early warning system that helps them to discern when someone is being sincere.
You know when someone is being sincere when they praise YOU. I do. It's sort of like when one of your children has offended another child. You talk to them about how their actions have hurt the other person and you say, "Now tell them you're sorry." If you've not got your point across to that child, he or she will say "Sorry!" but it has no meaning because they were not sincere. I know you're chuckling.
We do that same thing when we're "praising God". Listen to one of my prayers. "Lord, I praise you. Thank you, Jesus. Lord, you are great! You are awesome!" And I can just see him up there in Heaven replying, "What for?" "I am? Yesterday you wouldn't even speak to me." Or how about the one that we say to our spouses, "Yeah, but do you love me?" See, we're seeking to validate the sincerity of the praise.
The key here is that the person giving the praise must be sincere for it to have any meaning whatsoever. In order to sincerely offer praise, then you must know that person. There is some characteristic, attribute or action for which you are praising that person for. You saw what they did; you heard about what they did; or you were on the receiving end of the action. You know specifically what you are talking about.
Praise is also something that we're supposed to do in the good and bad times. The Bible encourages us by saying "In everything giving thanks....." I have to tell you that's one of the greatest challenges of my life. How in the world am I going to be able to praise God when what I am going through is completely overwhelming me? I can't even remember without significant effort what good has been in my life. Ever been there?
What I realized last night that has energized me is that you can't really do that unless you know God and know what's he's done. I know that's pretty simple, but let me play this out just a bit.
I know that God can make something out of nothing because in Genesis I read that he formed the world, created the environment we live in today called earth, by his spoken word.
I know that God trusted Job so thoroughly that he challenged the devil to test Job and when it was all said and done Job ended up with more than he had before the test.
I know that God provided water out of a rock for approximately 6 million homeless people aimlessly roaming the wilderness.
I know that God heard the prayer of a general leading an army in the middle of the fight and made the sun stand still for half a day. I know that this is not just a story in the Bible but has been scientifically proven.
That's just a few things I know from the Old Testament. If you look at what Jesus did in the New Testament we can add raising the dead to life, healing the blind, the deaf, the crippled and calming the sea before it capsized the boat he and his disciples were traveling in.
If I begin thanking the Lord for these things........ "Lord, I know that you are able to create a world from nothing and hang stars in space by your spoken word." "You are faithful to provide water for 6 million people traveling in the dessert from a rock." And Lord your compassion and understanding are so great because I know you raised a son back to life when the mother was overcome with grief so deep she couldn't stop crying."
When you start praising him with specific things that you know about him and the things that you now remember he has done for you, there's no way that you can suppress the hope that begins to raise in you. If he can do that for other people, he can do that for you. How do I know, because I have also read his Word. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. There is nothing that is impossible for him. He promised that we would never see a flood that wiped out the whole earth and gave us a beautiful rainbow as a reminder of that promise; and he has kept it.
You see, it contagious! I can't stop praising him because one thought leads to another and pretty soon I see his hand in my life and joy starts bubbling up! And now I know I am the apple of his eye and that he loves me and he is with me right now and he can and will take care of what began as an overwhelming obstacle in my life.
Warning! This is a repetitive action. Tomorrow you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed. No....wait, in a hour you may be right back at the beginning feeling overwhelmed...... But praise, sincere, specific and personal praise will lift you right back up to where you know that GOD is an ever present help in the time of trouble. He is able, waiting and ready to carry you through your day. He is with you always!!
So what are you waiting for? Praise the Lord!!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Growing Together; Side By Side
I’ve often wondered why God would allow the wheat and the tares to grow together until the harvest. Why would he allow this condition?
There are many examples that we can draw on to prove that he wants his people, the Jews and the church, to be a separate people. He commanded that the Jews not marry outside the Jewish race. He commanded Abraham to circumcise all male children 8 days old and upwards in order to create a physical difference between Jews and Gentiles. He even gave commandments that new wine could not be put into old wine skins.
So why do we see this anomaly where the wheat and the tares, the genuine and the fake, are allowed to grow in the same field for the entire growth cycle?
Now I have to admit to the true problem I have with this. How do I know what’s genuine and what’s fake? I don’t like being fooled. I get angry when I feel like I’ve been fooled. So I certainly don’t like it when I am fooled by people that I thought were Christians.
Let’s talk about the wheat and tares for a moment. Why this is such a big deal for me? Wheat and tares look much the same. An untrained gardener or farmer could not readily tell the difference. What if I find out that someone who I thought was a Christian is not really a “genuine” Christian? What if I am fooled?
Well, what if I am? It’s not my place to be trying to figure it out and pass judgment. Why am I trying to do that? Why do I feel that I have to examine it to that level and then, what? Refuse to be friends with them? Refuse to work with them? Refuse to go to that church? Run into the pastor’s office and tell him all about my “findings” so that he can what? Confront that person and make an example of them? Reveal the sinful person amongst us and cast them out?
No! A hundred times no!! That’s the spirit of the world. The spirit of Christ says “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1). A person who acts as I’ve described in the paragraph above is not a spiritual person.
Ok, so we restore them and work with them and they are not responding? They keep on doing the wrong things. So what? It still doesn’t change the scripture.
The main point in this parable is that if you remove the tares when you “see” or understand that they are not truly “Christians” as you define them, you might hurt a genuine Christian. Jesus put it this way when the disciples asked if they should remove the tares, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” (Matthew 13:29)
Jesus is concerned that we not hurt other growing Christians by identifying and removing those who are failing; those who are “faking it”. So many times Jesus warned us about judging others. We’re not supposed to do that. A good reason not to, is that whatever measure we hold others to, we will be judged by that exact same measuring stick. Have you considered that? Are you ready to be held to the same measures and standards that you are using to judge others? Many times we are wrong in our judgment of others. It causes good Christian people who have been wrongfully judged or accused to be hurt so badly that they never come back to Christ.
I dont' have to wonder any more. The answer is love and restoration.
He loves us so much that he is unwilling to destroy any opportunity to save someone. He allows us both to be nurtured, fed, pruned, fertilized and watered until the harvest. He is giving us all an equal chance at salvation. Only when the entire growth cycle has been completed and everything that can be done has been done, does he separate us and burn the fake and save the genuine product.
He wants us to restore those who have failed with a spirit of gentleness. Gentleness is not a word we use very often today. It simply means kindly, with a gentle manner, not severe, rough or violent; mild, moderate, gradual. Why does it describe restoration in this way? He wants us to consider that one day, we may be in this same situation and that’s how you would want to be restored.
Jesus wants us to grow TOGETHER. Together so we don’t hurt one another; together so that all have a chance to be saved. Together until the day that he comes back and judges. Until then, grow TOGETHER is God’s plan.
The chorus of the song “We Will Stand” written over 20 years ago by Russ Taft, sums this all up.
You’re my brother, you’re my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There’s no foe that can defeat us
When we’re walking side by sideAs long as there is love we will stand.
There are many examples that we can draw on to prove that he wants his people, the Jews and the church, to be a separate people. He commanded that the Jews not marry outside the Jewish race. He commanded Abraham to circumcise all male children 8 days old and upwards in order to create a physical difference between Jews and Gentiles. He even gave commandments that new wine could not be put into old wine skins.
So why do we see this anomaly where the wheat and the tares, the genuine and the fake, are allowed to grow in the same field for the entire growth cycle?
Now I have to admit to the true problem I have with this. How do I know what’s genuine and what’s fake? I don’t like being fooled. I get angry when I feel like I’ve been fooled. So I certainly don’t like it when I am fooled by people that I thought were Christians.
Let’s talk about the wheat and tares for a moment. Why this is such a big deal for me? Wheat and tares look much the same. An untrained gardener or farmer could not readily tell the difference. What if I find out that someone who I thought was a Christian is not really a “genuine” Christian? What if I am fooled?
Well, what if I am? It’s not my place to be trying to figure it out and pass judgment. Why am I trying to do that? Why do I feel that I have to examine it to that level and then, what? Refuse to be friends with them? Refuse to work with them? Refuse to go to that church? Run into the pastor’s office and tell him all about my “findings” so that he can what? Confront that person and make an example of them? Reveal the sinful person amongst us and cast them out?
No! A hundred times no!! That’s the spirit of the world. The spirit of Christ says “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1). A person who acts as I’ve described in the paragraph above is not a spiritual person.
Ok, so we restore them and work with them and they are not responding? They keep on doing the wrong things. So what? It still doesn’t change the scripture.
The main point in this parable is that if you remove the tares when you “see” or understand that they are not truly “Christians” as you define them, you might hurt a genuine Christian. Jesus put it this way when the disciples asked if they should remove the tares, “No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.” (Matthew 13:29)
Jesus is concerned that we not hurt other growing Christians by identifying and removing those who are failing; those who are “faking it”. So many times Jesus warned us about judging others. We’re not supposed to do that. A good reason not to, is that whatever measure we hold others to, we will be judged by that exact same measuring stick. Have you considered that? Are you ready to be held to the same measures and standards that you are using to judge others? Many times we are wrong in our judgment of others. It causes good Christian people who have been wrongfully judged or accused to be hurt so badly that they never come back to Christ.
I dont' have to wonder any more. The answer is love and restoration.
He loves us so much that he is unwilling to destroy any opportunity to save someone. He allows us both to be nurtured, fed, pruned, fertilized and watered until the harvest. He is giving us all an equal chance at salvation. Only when the entire growth cycle has been completed and everything that can be done has been done, does he separate us and burn the fake and save the genuine product.
He wants us to restore those who have failed with a spirit of gentleness. Gentleness is not a word we use very often today. It simply means kindly, with a gentle manner, not severe, rough or violent; mild, moderate, gradual. Why does it describe restoration in this way? He wants us to consider that one day, we may be in this same situation and that’s how you would want to be restored.
Jesus wants us to grow TOGETHER. Together so we don’t hurt one another; together so that all have a chance to be saved. Together until the day that he comes back and judges. Until then, grow TOGETHER is God’s plan.
The chorus of the song “We Will Stand” written over 20 years ago by Russ Taft, sums this all up.
You’re my brother, you’re my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes
There’s no foe that can defeat us
When we’re walking side by sideAs long as there is love we will stand.
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