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Love, the Need and Solution for This and All Times
So I don't know if I need to through all of this but here goes; a worldwide pandemic that won't stop, a global economic meltdown with no end or very far end in sight, wars putting millions at risk of starvation, discrimination tragically costing horrendous numbers of innocent lives and social unrest. Sufficiently bummed and/or stressed now? Where do we turn? Where is any light? The edge of the cliff seems already behind and above us as we plummet down to our destruction? There is an answer and it is as it has always been……love. People of all types came against Jesus Christ and His followers with the most vile language, threats and attempts at physical violence. A god of vengeance, a god of only power, a god of arrogance or human justice would have crushed those people. The God of love, loved them, forgave them and saved them, just as He has and will continue to do for us today. Love is the answer. Love always triumphs, regardless of circumstances or times. Jesus Christ tells us if we abide in Him then we will be able to triumphantly love as He does. These times will pass. Love, however, will never pass away.
The True Blessing of Father's Day
A Father's Day reflection. Oh for these many years that I've been a father, Father's day has been a day of true reflection and celebration, However, it is not the celebration of me in the position of father, but the celebration is of the blessing and privilege I have to be able to have the experience of being a father. Thus a group celebration starting with she with whom it has been an honor, joy and blessing to share the title of parent; my wife. Then to the two who have provided such nonstop joy, love, fun and inspiration, my daughter and son. Of course such humble thanksgiving to our Father in Heaven by which this and all blessings come. "May you have children who act just the same way to you as you have to me", used to be a tongue in cheek curse that a parent would speak to their child. However, for me, I can think of no greater blessing or wish for my children or any potential parent that they be blessed with children who act now and have always acted as the children I have been blessed with. Hoping however you celebrate it, you are having a blessed Father's Day
The Lesson In a Sunset, The Ultimate Beauty in the Blended Whole
So last night I witnessed the most spectacular sunset. I wish I had a camera that could've adequately captured its majesty for I would have posted it. As I gazed and pondered the scene, it occurred to me that the most astonishing aspect of the vista was the mixing together of almost countless colors and shades of colors. As well, there were so many different textures of clouds at so many different altitudes. And above all was the backdrop of the sky. As I took in the spectacle, I realized what made the vision so utterly amazing was the mixing together of the contrasting hues and textures. Were you to take away one shade, one texture, delete a high or low cloud, obscure the sky in some way, would cause the scene to be incalculably diminished. Thus I wondered would it be possible for us to come to a place where our society can be so beautiful? Can we come to a place where we see the diminishment of any of us as a disastrous diminishment of all us us? Can we see that it is in the harmonious blending together that not only our individual beauty, but all beauty is elevated to its most admirable extent? Finally I would be remiss to leave out the sun. For it was the sun's rays which provided the illumination for last night's great event. In a similar, yet grander way, the Son, Jesus Christ is sending illuminating shafts of love to bring light to even our darkest places. May we find some way to come together in love, His love, to allow all of us to shine with God's intended light.
Appropriate Perhaps Even Righteous Anger? What Does Jesus Christ Say
Anger, Appropriate anger, Righteous anger, Without anger nothing gets noticed or changes. Anger seems to be a hot topic these days to the point that some have called our time, the Age of Rage. There is the talk of the need for anger. There is talk that anger is good and necessary as long as it is appropriately channeled. Along with and/or perhaps in contrast to some of these thoughts, I'd point out what Jesus Christ warned about anger. For Christ warned that when we become angry we are libel for judgement. He continued along that theme that as we become more personally angry with another person, the more likely it will lead to our destruction. Wait! You respond: Did not Christ get angry? Yes, on rare occasions both Christ and our Heavenly Father are described as being angry. However, we can not lose sight of the fact that they are God and we are not. They triumphed over the enemy who is expert at using anger to achieve evil purposes. We can not triumph over that enemy without relying on God and His power. Our anger so often leads to destruction that we would have never wished or planned for had we been in any other state. Yes our anger leads to the wanton destruction and theft of property (yeah, point that out some demand somewhat smugly). Yet out anger also leads to speeding a car into a peaceful crowd representing something we don't agree with or chasing down and ultimately killing an innocent human being, a fellow creation of God, who just happens to look different than us because we are angry because we believe they are getting away with something or resisting us! (Oh wait that would never be me….."There but for the Grace of God, go I). Jesus wants us to know that anger is anger. When unleashed it can destroy relationships and families all the way up to costing countless millions of lives as it sparks senseless wars. Human anger is a worldly process that needs to be avoided and overcome. To truly, sustainably accomplish that, we must call upon and rely on the Prince of Peace to come and rule in us. We need to pray that WE not enter into anger as much as we pray for others to turn from their anger. Channel anger? Let's turn instead to the channel of love which triumphs over anger and brings blessed peace to us in the first place.
We Shall Overcome!
To triumph, be triumphant. How we long to triumph today, whether it is over the physical threat of a natural pandemic or the human scourge of bigotry, hatred and divisiveness. We can look to the One who overcame both. For Jesus Christ was triumphant over the greatest physical calamity of all; death. Plus, He overcame the intense hatred and bigotry rained down on Him by outsiders as well as those closest to Him. How'd He do it? Jesus listened. Jesus always listened to others; whether it was His close followers or those who were coming against Him. Jesus spoke out. When He saw the poor and downtrodden being abused or a person being wronged in a rush to judgement; Jesus spoke out against it. Jesus forgave. Time and time again up to His last few breaths, Jesus forgave. Jesus was not too arrogant to ask for help. In the garden, when He doubted His ability to go on, He went to the Father for the Father's help. Jesus always loved. Jesus knew and knows love triumphs over all. To try and follow Jesus in His ways we must understand we are not Jesus. We are not God on earth. Thus we must call to God our Father to help us be like His Son. Then, only then will we have the triumphant power that Jesus did. For Jesus Christ, Himself promised: Ask and it will be given to you.
Can "Coming Together" Become a New Norm?
"Coming together" There is this idea, a process, (maybe a myth?) about how and when we "come together" as a society. When we're attacked, when a natural disaster happens, when a national tragedy (mass shooting, space disaster), when there's a pandemic; we hear, read and maybe experience this "coming together, this selfless caring about others, who are no longer "others" but become ours. We laud one generation as greatest in the way they came together during a great depression and went on to fight and win a world war. Yet stop a moment and please, please consider this: That we consider those times of coming together so important, so impactful is that we spend the vast majority of our existence willfully being apart! It takes some stupendous, often horrible circumstance to force us out of our isolation to "come together". God cries. But that's just human nature is the reply. And I agree, it is worldly, solely human nature to be apart, to care primarily about me, mine and only those who can positively impact me. I have no time for others. God cries. Remember Jesus was very clear when He asked: How will they know you are mine? His answer: "That you love one another". Note that He didn't say, JUST one another, as if one another had some geographic, familial or belief component or restriction to it. We are all "one another". We are now seeing calls and actions for us to get "back" to "normal". Is that normal going to be back to our living and being apart? God will cry.
The Lesson of Good Friday
The lesson of Good Friday is that no matter how dark and evil it may seem in the world, our Heavenly Father's Plan is never thwarted, His love is never extinguished and His Light will always shine. May you have a blessed, safe and sane Good Friday
This is a Cycle That Can See a Blessed and Triumphant End
As we contemplate these days ahead, both from a theologically historical perspective and at the present moment perspective, we see a cycle. That is a cycle of triumph, then tragedy, then a greater triumph. Historically, the first triumph was Jesus's entry into Jerusalem. To His disciples this seemed the greatest triumph for it seemed no one, not the Jewish leadership nor the Roman might, could stand against Jesus. Swiftly came the tragedy. Jesus was betrayed by His own, tortured, condemned and then executed for a crime He did not commit. This Sunday we celebrate the even greater triumph over death and the coronation of the King of Kings as Jesus Christ was resurrected. In these times for many, up until a few months ago, there seemed either a triumph or at least a triumphant trajectory. The economy was booming, lowest unemployment, wages on the rise, wars drawing down. Then, seemingly out of nowhere and with such a worldwide devastating swiftness, the Corona-virus pandemic. Two things to understand. First, the cycle will continue in that we will triumph over this scourge, by the Grace of God. The second thing to understand, is that the first triumph was mostly a false one, a worldly one. Even for the disciples, they were thinking in terms of earthly power, glory and domination, not about love and sacrifice. In the same way our earlier triumph was more about wealth than the well being of all, especially the poor and those left behind. We seemed more about picking losers and winners versus love for all and forgiveness. Thus let us look to the triumph to come. Are we going "back" to the ways of personal gain, getting even and letting the hurting take care of themselves? One of the greatest benefits of Jesus Christ's resurrection is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit, let us now declare we will live into the greater triumph of love, mercy, forgiveness and generosity that will shine as a legacy to overcoming this current tragedy. Pray you stay safe (and at home) and well this Holy Week.
There Is A Lesson From the Past Concerning Handling the Fear of Today
It may do us well to remember during this situation and during this time of year back to a group that was also experiencing real fear. Yes the group was much smaller but their anxiety was just as fierce. In such a short period of time, basically a week, their life had been turned upside down. They had suffered a great loss. They were holed up, afraid for their very safety if they ventured out. They worried about what type of future there might be for them or even if there was going to be a future. Yet this fearful time for them was short lived. After dying, Jesus rose from the dead and returned to his fearful disciples. His first words to them were words of comfort and love: "Peace be with you". Jesus Christ is speaking those words to us today in the midst of this crises and accompanying fear: "Peace be with you". Remember, Christ promises we will do greater things than He did if we abide and trust in Him. That small group, trusting in Christ and through the Holy Spirit, overcame their fear and went on to spread a movement that has spread and transformed the entire world. Through Christ we will come through this and will indeed go on to even greater things. Thus, Peace be with you. May Christ's Peace rain and reign down on you, uplifting you and comforting you. Then take that peace and share it now in the appropriately safe way until the day comes when we will again clasp hands together in personal fellowship in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Often Our Fears Come From Our Questionably Accurate Predictions of the Future
It's not so much the uncertainty concerning tomorrow that causes our fear and anxiety, it is as much our certainty concerning our predictions of the future that drives our fears. Numbers will go up, supplies will go down and we know that means x………. and x is bad, disastrous, catastrophic. And it's not just in today's situation, more and more we predict and call "fact" that which will happen tomorrow, next week, next year and the end of the century. I'm not sure with our history of predictions and their dubious accuracy, where we get our arrogance from. Jesus Christ is very clear, we have today. And yes there will be troubles that will come our way today. And those troubles will be enough to tackle without adding a future's worth of predicted troubles onto it. God owns the future. God also owns today. God will grant what we need to triumph over any trouble today. He will also richly love and bless us today. Doesn't that make today enough? I pray you have a blessed, focused on day, today and will allow God to have your tomorrow.
Pray Be It a Request or Thanksgiving Pray
Are you ill; pray for healing. Then say a prayer of thanksgiving for those who are well. Are you well; say a prayer of thanksgiving. Then say a prayer of healing for those who are ill. Are you scared or anxious, pray to God for His Spirit of peace. Are you calm, pray thanksgiving for His peace and pray for it to spread. Pray, knowing that whatever need or thanks you're praying for; you, in truth are acknowledging and declaring belief in the One True Sovereign God. No political leader can do these things, no CEO. No sports legend or entertainment superstar can carry you through these times. You are loved and the One who will see you through these and all times, longs to hear from you and be in relationship with you. God is listening. God is loving you. And God is the same regardless of the times or circumstances.
Be Wary of Engaging in the Chase
Chasing? Chasing Rabbits? Chasing can be hard work. "Chasing rabbits" adds a whole new dimension of exhaustion to the equation. Why? Because there is no straight line to follow, no predictable path to chasing rabbits. Just when you think you are closing in on your goal, it zigs a completely unforeseen way and then zags in a totally opposite direction. The world wants you chasing rabbits. The world wants you exhausting your energy in empty pursuits whose aims and characteristics seem to change in a moments notice. The world dangles some ever elusive prize and calls out; come chase it. What do we hear from Christ? Come unto me and I will give you rest. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled. In Psalm 46 God declares: Be still and know that I am God. The Lord Almighty is with us. And understand, God is not out there saying: Chase after Me for I am allusive. No, He says I am coming to you. I am sending my Son to you. Let us then ask ourselves today: What are we chasing after, is it worldly things? At the end of the day do we find our day's pursuits have left us exhausted, frustrated, discouraged and/or bitter? Through Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father told the story of a father running to meet his son returning from a period of foolishly chasing worldly rabbits. God used that story as a promise to us that He will indeed run to us, forgive us, provide for us, comfort us, protect us and most importantly love us each day for the rest of eternity. Let us stop all the "chasing" and instead, let us be found in the Lord.
How Does Faith Work in the Information Age?
We live in the information age. What's the impact? Well for one, how we approach decisions. Before making a change big or small we are more likely to research or at least search , can you say "Google it". We may think: "show me the data, what are the facts, prove it to me" , then I'll act. So let's say you or I feel God is calling us to do something, make a change, step out in some way. Do we respond; "okay show my Your facts that this will work, what's the data that this is good for me, I need to see the proof"……..FIRST! Seems only prudent, right? Let's do some research. Did Abraham have a laid out time line or itinerary before he answered the call to move to the promised land? Did Moses have a checklist of miracles to be performed prior to returning to Egypt? Did Ruth have a full biography of Boaz, her future husband, before she left for a foreign land with her also widowed mother-in-law? Except for Matthew, most of the disciples came to Jesus before He had performed His first miracle. Did they have the facts? No! Our research shows they acted in and on faith. That's a challenge we may struggle with in this information age. For to act on faith without a basis in proof or facts is often looked at as naive, ignorant, foolish and/or just plain crazy. So here's the question: What are we missing out on while we try to substantiate with our own wisdom, our own logic, our own research, a calling we receive from God? We see from the interaction of Jesus with the rich man, Jesus invited/called the man to join and follow Him, but the man did not have the faith to do so and turned and left. Jesus let him leave. If and when we receive that calling, let us "research" in prayer and in the spirit. Let us have faith that God will testify to our heart and fortify our spirit to lead us in the blessing of His calling. Let our faith in Jesus Christ be the overarching "information" we rely on.
The Difference in Life Between Being Filled and Empty The Lesson From a Toy Balloon
Think of a balloon. Picture a balloon before being filled with air; basically it's a lump of rubber with little utility. Sure, it has potential but as long as the balloon remains unfilled, its potential remains unrealized. But, fill the balloon with air then its possibilities expand (yes pun intended) greatly. Let go of the end and it becomes a jet powered projectile zooming at great speed and height. Some balloons can be transformed through imagination to amazing shapes, becoming animals, crowns or swords. Leave it filled with air and it becomes a nearly lighter than air, floating apparition, gliding effortlessly from hand to hand. Once filled, the balloons potential becomes realized, propelling it far beyond its unfilled state. So what the heck does that have to do with us? Without being filled with love, we face the prospect of drastically unfulfilled potential, going through our days feeling like of lump of existence instead of a living, thriving being. Yet when we open ourselves to be filled with love our potential to live blessed lives and be blessings to others expands and increases exponentially. By the very process of filling, our emptiness is forced out and replaced by the powerful, uplifting force of love. Through love, we can become so many different things helping ourselves and others in the transition. What is the source of that spirit filling, life lifting love; our Heavenly Father. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, God Himself and His love can dwell in us if we will but ask. May you be filled with love this day expanding your being to heights, places and blessings you didn't know or only dreamed possible.
Turning to Christ First Will Give Us the Power to Turn the Other Cheek When Attacked
While it's never been easy and I say that personally as well, it seems we live in a time where a desire of Christ, dare I say a commandment of Christ's has become virtually non-existent; to turn the other cheek if and when assailed by another. It's not only between nations, but throughout our media, places of work, our homes, at times our places of worship and even among our precious young children in school, no perceived slight goes unanswered, no insult unresponded to, no punch, countered. One reason this is so prevalent is that the world rewards the get-even behavior of the person who throws shade back or "owns" another on social media, who belittles the challenger or has the "power" to crush all opponents. To turn the other cheek is the behavior of the weak, spineless and the loser. Jesus Christ weak and spineless? Jesus Christ a loser? Was there no power in calming the storm, feeding the 5,000, calmly walking through the angry crowd without responding and the many other miracles He performed? No reward? Who is it Who sits at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty? Whose Name is above all names? Jesus Christ! But it was easy for Him, you say, He is God. EXACTLY Don't try to rely on your own strength of character to respond appropriately to an attack; turn first for help to the One with the power, Jesus Christ. He will give you the strength to respond in mercy and grace. In doing so also remember whose child you are, God reminds us there is a vengeance and it is His. In His perfect timing He will respond and that response cannot be withstood. Sometime soon, someone will unfairly slight you, taunt you or attack you. It will seem unfair but God may be using you to teach the lesson of mercy to a world so much in need of that learning. Understand as we turn the other cheek away from vengeance, we are actually turning our entire being toward God. He will respond to us in blessing.
Blessed Are The Peacemakers Let Us Strive For That Blessing
Jesus Christ predicted, He warned us there would be wars and rumors of wars. Such is a world we live in . Yet He reminded us that we should not be discouraged or grow faint. For Jesus proclaims that His Father and through Him our Heavenly Father remains on His throne. His power is in no way diminished. Remember another powerful declaration of Christ: Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God. What do peacemakers do? For one thing they can call upon God in prayer. But what good is that when it seems fewer people believe? We are all God's creation and under His power whether He is believed in or not. The Pharaohs did not believe in God yet He hardened one of their hearts to show His power through Moses. Decades earlier God softened the heart of a different Pharaoh toward a foreigner, making Joseph the second most powerful person in Egypt and over all the Egyptians to save His people in a famine. Pray for God's power to rain and reign down upon any and all leaders contemplating war. And do what Christ would have His followers do, pray for our enemies. Pray that God will have mercy on them and even bless them that they may turn from their evil plans. Also remember Christ's warning concerning the destruction that anger and hate lead to. Man-made war is a disastrous and unnatural state. Whether in the scale of a family or between nations, the cost is always terribly expensive. Strive for peace and as a child of God may you find and spread His peace today.
Christmas Season is Coming to an End? To Be Replaced by What?
It's January 2nd and you know what that means. It's over. The Christmas Season is over. As we pack up the decorations, it is over for another year. Over? Really? To be replaced by what? You see there are natural seasons whose coming and going we have no control over. We can't control the rotation of the earth, nor the tilting of its axis. Spring, summer, winter and fall will come and go. But Christmas isn't a season tied to a natural process of the earth. If Christmas is a "season" then it's governed by a Higher power. And what are some of the hallmarks/trademarks associated with the Christmas season; giving, generosity, humility, joy, peace, togetherness, harmony, forgiveness, service and love? So if we say the season is over do we go "back" to self-centeredness, stinginess, grudge-bearing, pride, divisiveness, anger and hate? I so hope not. Thus I implore us, don't think of Christmas as a season that comes and goes, a period of changed, improved behavior which is not sustainable. If we are to think of it as a season then let us be like the character Scrooge, though skipping all his earlier evil behavior and be as he was described at the end of the story; a person who kept Christmas in his heart the year round. Yes, it is fine to limit the length of a celebration to a specific period of time; the tree can come down, the manger scene delicately packed away. However, the underlying reason for the celebration and its accompanied behavior need never end. Christmas season over? Jesus Christ did not just reside on earth 12 days. He lived on this earth until He willingly sacrificed Himself for us and our salvation, then rose again and lives to this very day. Jesus Christ is the blessed reason for a season that never ends. May you have a blessed and happy January 2nd.
Happy New Year! May This Be For All A Year of Our Lord 2020
Happy New Year!! Let us strive to live into this YEAR OF OUR LORD 2020! How do we do that? First and foremost, love. We become a receptacle of our Savior Jesus Christ's love. We truly receive it and embrace it. Then, upon its reception, we return it. We return it first to our Heavenly Father in every respect of our being. Next, we share it. We spread His love as far and wide as we can, including those who no one else loves, the difficult to love, those who won't return it to us, even our enemies. And we share it as we've received it; unconditionally. In the YEAR OF OUR LORD 2020 we look to our Lord to receive true blessings, forsaking the false blessings promised by worldly pursuits. In the YEAR OF OUR LORD 2020, we are filled with eternal thanksgiving, never ceasing in our praise of God's bountiful grace. Finally, in the YEAR OF OUR LORD 2020, let's remember it is not my Lord but our Lord. Let us not make a false lord in our image that we then serve and demand others to accept. Let us be humble and understand we are created in the image of the One True God who is love and not hate and we must be likewise. Therefore, ask for Him and He will come and be with you to provide His blessings, His joy, His peace, His forgiveness and His love in this His Year of 2020 and all eternity to come. Again Happy New Year!
Using the Promises of the Past to Live into the Blessed Promise of the New Year
The new year is imminently upon us and with it comes the plethora of renewal messages: You can start anew, The slate is clean, A new year a new you, and the oft repeated phrase, "the promise of the new year". And while I have no issues with those messages and concepts per se, I think it is vital that we remember and securely hold on to some promises of the past. You are loved. You have been loved since the day you were born. You will continue to be loved in 2020. Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, each know you personally and love you personally, regardless of your circumstances. You are forgiven. No matter what the sin ever committed, Jesus Christ has taken that sin upon Himself, paid the price for that sin and raised you up, forgiven and pardoned. You are never alone. No matter how isolated you are or feel, Jesus Christ is right there with you. In fact, the Holy Spirit is sent to actually enter into you and exist with you, guiding you, loving you at all times. These promises are old, older than you've been alive. Yet they are just as real, just as powerful as the day they were uttered. So yes, there is promise in the new and new year, AND there is peace contentment, confidence and joy in the ever constant promises of the past. Let us live into both promises to live into the blessed lives we are meant to have. May you have a happy and blessed New Year.
Handling the Pressure of Events and Changes
Events and pressure. Things are going to happen. Small and large possessions; some very expensive, are going to break, often at the most inopportune time. Illnesses will happen, some very debilitating with long recovery periods. People and circumstances will add significantly to your already very taxed workload. Not all events are unpleasant. You may meet your significant other. You may welcome a new family member into your world. You'll get that promotion or advancement. Whatever the change, it will more than likely result in some amount of pressure. Realize in some cases pressure is necessary. You can't fly to your dream vacation if the plane's engines don't generate the appropriate amount of pressure. Electricity is not generated if there is not enough wind pressure to turn the turbine. Yet when the changes happen to you, the world and its leader may make every attempt to drive the pressure up within and upon you to disastrously damaging levels. That level can lead to depression, desperation, addiction among other destructive ends. How do we fight succumbing to that pressure? Don't forget Whose coming we are celebrating this season. Talk about pressure; feeding 5000+ people with five loaves and two fish, healing thousands of sick including restoring sight to the blind and ability to walk to the lame, oh and did I forget to mention bringing salvation to the entire world for all time, now that's pressure! Yet that's exactly what Jesus Christ accomplished without screaming and yelling, calling down fire upon His enemies or demanding instant obedience under immediate pain of death. Jesus Christ was the epitome of grace, confidence and calm in seemingly pressure packed situations. He also told us how He did it and what we can follow. First, Jesus knew there was a plan and He didn't have to come up with it. Over and over Jesus proclaimed He was carrying out His Father's plan, who is also our same Heavenly Father. Jesus knew the plan was perfect and no earthly power could thwart it. Secondly, Jesus knew He had been given the power to accomplish the plan. Finally, Jesus knew He was not alone, His Father was right there with Him. Sure, you say, that's nice, but Jesus Christ was God and I'm not. EXACTLY! That is why Jesus came, lived, died and was resurrected; for you! He knows you and I can't handle the pressure alone so He invites us to come and be in Him. Jesus Christ is the ultimate pressure reliever. All we need to do is believe in, have faith in and love Him. Oh, and when we stumble (which we will), turn away, fail and sin; the world will judge, condemn and shame us. Jesus Christ replies, no pressure, no pressure if you will only return to me, for I've already taken your sin and its punishment upon Myself. So come back and be at peace. Thus, as this year transitions in to the next understand, things will happen, changes will come. Some will be from God supplying just enough pressure to move us along His plan. Some things will be generated by the evil of this world. In all, be in Christ and He will keep the pressure in complete check and provide to you and I a peace which surpasses all understanding. Prayers for peace and blessings from now and throughout 2020.
The Power and the Value of "The Gift"
What makes for a great present? The day has passed. The gifts have been exchanged and opened. Now we move forward with the gifts we've received. Yet which gifts were impactful? Which gifts will make a difference? Are all the same? Well, the saying is true, it truly is the thought that counts. That's why a rather misshapen, strangely painted bowl can be worth more than any solid gold, diamond encrusted article when made by the loving hands, given in complete, loving sincerity and with the largest smile of one of our children. Likewise the gifts we tend to remember and favor are those that actually get used. It is not the gift that gathers dust in the closet or hides under the bed that impacts our consciousness and our world; it is the gift we touch and touches us daily for which we find a greater level of value. So what was yesterday all about? The gift of Jesus Christ. How do we see that gift? Is the gift of Christ even now being put away on a shelf or some far away corner of our lives to be dusted off 365 days from now? Well for one there is no greater thought, no greater love than our Heavenly Father has for us. The thought and love behind the gift of Christ is none other than our complete and total salvation, from the day we entered this life through all eternity. Is the gift of Jesus Christ meant to actually be used now? Yes! A thousand times Yes! The gift of Christ is meant to be used every moment of every day to bring peace, joy, healing and love to us and those around us. But where is the instruction manual, the FAQ section? We have one, it's called the Bible. And if something doesn't seem right, who and how do I call? You can go to the source Himself, 24/7-365, our Heavenly Father, in prayer. Jesus Christ is a gift. We didn't earn or deserve Him. He came by the Grace and Plan of God. All we need to do is accept the gift of Jesus Christ. Then yes, oh please yes, go out and use the Gift. You can't wear It our or break It. But you can change the world, both your personal and the greater world around you. May all your days after Christmas be blessed.
"God Knows That……" Yes He Does!
God knows…… There's a phrase, a part of a sentence that starts, God knows……; as in God knows it's been a tough year, God knows I need the promotion or God knows being sick stinks. It's as if to communicate, nobody else may know or no one else knows the depth of degree of my need, but God does. This phrase is often flippantly or haphazardly thrown around but the amazing thing is; God truly does know. He knows because He has experienced it. God so loves you that He left perfection and came to dwell in and with imperfection. God, in the person of Jesus Christ knows pain, frustration, hunger weariness, despair, loneliness and sadness, among others because He experienced them. He also knows joy, peace, elation, friendship and of course love as He experienced those as well. He even knows temptation. So today, if you're experiencing the triumph of the mountain top, God knows it. He wants you to know that He put you there. But if you're experiencing the dark valley of despair, fear, loneliness and/or pain God knows it and can relate to it. For He felt such despair in the Garden of Gethsemane and the aloneness of the cross. If being in the valley is connected to sin, God knows that. Not that God experienced the act of actually sinning Himself, but He has taken your sin upon Himself and you are now and forever more, forgiven. God knows and will lead you out of and lift you up from the valley. God knows…..you. God knows you individually. God cares for you individually. God loves you individually. He can relate. And God knows if that isn't a reason for celebration than what is? Praying you have a most blessed Christmas Eve and a very Merry Christmas.
Being Careful Not to Miss the Blessing of Today Due to Focusing on the Blessing of the Past
I'm a huge fan of history. I definitely believe it can teach us much as well as we can bring much folly down upon ourselves and those around us if we disregard the lessons history teaches. However, we can also make the mistake of missing out on the all powerful present resource because we relegate it to a relic of the past. I'm speaking of the real, life affirming power of Jesus Christ. It is right and proper to celebrate the event of our Savior being brought forth on this earth in human form by a blessed virgin giving birth. Later in the calendar it is again right and proper to reverently pay homage and celebrate the Savior's sacrificial death and resurrection. Yet if we fall into the trap of primarily focusing on the birth, earthly life, death and resurrection of our Savior; as truly momentous as those past events were, we may miss the true meaning and impact, the purpose of those blessed events. For our Savior is not now a baby or an innocent Sacrifice hanging on a cross. Our Savior is not just solely or souly a historic figure. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives! His is not a figure like Abraham Lincoln who we can study about, let their past words and deeds influence us; but sadly never be able to interact with. Instead we must focus on Jesus Christ as a living, loving Savior who we can have an immediate and intimate relationship with. With that focus, He will be as impactful today, if not more so, than he was when He walked this earth some two millennia ago. Indeed how wonderful Christ laying in the manger is. Though how much more impactful and relevant is He today as He stands at the Right Hand of our Heavenly Father, interceding for us, Loving us and Leading us. Jesus Christ is historical, yet He is not just history. Let us celebrate the baby Jesus while we focus and live into the present, living Savior. May you have a very merry and blessed Christmas.
Be Open to It, Joy Will Come
You may have to cut and paste the above link for it to run; techy I am not :).
This came from a flash mob performance in Spain in 2012. What struck me as I watched this, besides the beauty of the music, was the reactions from both the onlookers and the performers. For the onlookers, what started as bemused curiosity became spontaneous enjoyment and yes joy. For the musicians and vocalists there was also a sense of pure joy at the being in that moment of performing, donating their God given talent to any and all who wished to experience it. It is only befitting that the piece being performed is popularly known as Ode to Joy. Another thought crossed my mind as well. I'm sure there were those who crossed the square who completely missed the offering. There would be some who would have loved the music but the press of the day, the weight of the world on their shoulders, perhaps a lack of curiosity, the urgency and pace of time or some other self-absorption blocked them from noticing the blessing happening just within their reach. Today, slow down. Today, be curious. Today, be open to the blessing. It may not be a flash mob or music, maybe it's a sunrise/sunset, a beautiful nature scene, the joyous laughter of a child or the warm touch of a loved one. God wants you to have joy. He may very well move heaven and earth to bring it to you. However, He won't force you to partake in it. That is our responsibility. Please be open to your Ode to Joy experience today, whatever your circumstances might be. God can and will deliver it.
Being Noticed and Noticing Others
Getting noticed. It seems this world and we who inhabit it are often obsessed with the desire to simply be noticed. We build computer platforms for getting it, we create TV programs and entire channels to see it. We come up with words to describe it like "going viral". And all too often we'll do almost anything, even if it's self-destructive, to achieve it. Ironically the same world that so rewards getting noticed also builds processes and circumstances that so hinder us or try to separate us from noticing any of those around us. We build devices that so capture our immediate attention that we become oblivious to any and all adjacent to us. Maybe we should take a moment to consider the example of Jesus Christ. For Jesus noticed. He noticed the big, like 5000+ people in danger of falling faint from hunger or an entire world in need of salvation. Yet He also noted the individual; like the poor woman who gave such a little total amount but in reality gave all she had. Or Jesus noticed the blind beggar everyone else just passed by. Likewise let us strive to notice, truly notice someone today. It could be anyone, a family member, coworker, a neighbor would be good and/or perhaps someone not quite so familiar, maybe we could take notice of someone not quite so familiar someone that society has over looked, discarded. Also, today if you are noticed, be grateful. Too often we clamber for an ever increasing number of likes, follows or shares. One person genuinely noticing is special. Finally and most importantly God notices you today. Jesus Christ knows you today. Their noticing of you is more important than any of the world's. They notice you because they love you and will bless you. Who will you be noticing today?
Are You the Always Getting the Tough Assignments Person? Take Heart, God Will Bless You Through Them!
So you're one of those "they give you the particularly hard or tough things because you can handle it" kind of person. It's not just your impression, they actually tell you: "I'm giving you this tough task, this problem worker or student, this broken process to fix because you're the one, maybe the only one who can handle it". And…..you're tired! You're weary of being that person. You're perhaps thinking: "Thanks for nothing!", "Stop doing this!". If so, take heart. First God has clearly stated "the one entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Though at times it may not seem it, God has given you much to sustain you and bring you successfully through. No one else had been asked to do what Jesus was tasked to do; heal the sick, teach the good news, refute the evil, and take upon His shoulders, for all time, the sins of the world and be the one necessary sacrifice for all salvation. Yet even though Jesus is the One and only God come in flesh, the begotten true Son of God, our Heavenly Father did not leave Jesus alone in His task. For the Father gave Jesus the plan. The Father gave Jesus help, like John the Baptist, His disciples, Elijah and Moses on the mountain and the Father's very presence in times of prayer. Thus, you too are not expected to take on these difficult tasks alone. The world may not provide any assistance and worse yet may be a real hinderance. However, God stands ready to provide all the wisdom, courage, strength, resources and support you need to be successful. Let's say you're not "that person" but see that person struggling. You may be the God-sent resource to help them out. To God, you are much and with much He will bless you.
And We Will Soar on Wings Like Eagles
So I was joyfully watching an eagle soar over our neighborhood, at first admiring the eagle and its presence for this marvelous spectacle. Then I noticed something that profoundly changed my perspective. As the eagle majestically soared, it barely, almost imperceptibly moved its wings. It came to me that it was not the mighty power of the beats of those tremendous wings which were holding it aloft but the eagle was using the power of the wind. It was the power of the God delivered wind that allowed the eagle to mount its lofty heights. Indeed the eagle was completely reliant on and trusting in that wind to sustain its locomotion. You and I may find ourselves desiring or even planning to mount the skies of our lives like a magnificent, triumphant eagle. Yet will we learn the lesson that the eagle teaches and not try to rely on our own limited strength, disregarding the blessed hope and support that our Heavenly Father stands ever ready to freely supply? Or will we truly soar to unimaginably towering heights trusting in and relying upon God's always uplifting support of love to carry us ever up and forward?
The Only Distance Between God and Us is the Distance We Put There
Here's something that I think might be worthy of some contemplation leading to a deeper understanding as we go through our days. The only distance between God and each of us is the distance we place there. For God created us in love to be in a constant relationship with Him. Jesus Christ came, died for us, was resurrected and lives as our Savior and pathway to the Father. It is the Father's plan carried out by Christ, that Christ would send the Holy Spirit to reside in us at every moment. Sadly, we can go through this day seemingly acknowledging none of those things and live a life very distant from the blessed life God has intended. Don't let the enemy and his world of distractions create any space between you and the Loving, Living, Grace filled presence of God.
A Favorite Song or a Race, How Are We Living Our Lives?
Are our lives more like a race or a favorite song? Huh, you ask? I don't see the connection or the comparable difference. It seems today we are ever more fixated on the end of things. Who will be the bachelor (ette) pick? Who will get voted off the island? Who wins the championship is all that matters. How much money will I get when I sell my stock? In every endeavor, will I win or come out on top, is the overriding concern. "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing", may be a great slogan to motivate a sports team (although I'm not sure about that), but it seems a potentially and particularly hellacious way to live a life. For one thing, winners are only crowned at the end of an event. Thus, the more we prize the acknowledged future win, the less we are sure of the value of our effort on even given day leading up to that end. The more we focus on that uncertain future worldly victory, the more we find our daily lives filled with anxiety, stress and doubt. So what does that have to do with music or a your favorite song? Think about your favorite song for a moment. Whether R&B, country, rock, classical or the polka; whatever genre, it doesn't matter if the world declares it is a #1, it is your song and you love it. As it plays, you are swept up in its melody and carried away by its lyrics if it has any. And most importantly, the last thing you want is for it to be over. The true joy is being in the midst of it. Jesus Christ knew, from the beginning, when His mission and life on earth was over when He declared, "It is finished". However, many other times he also declared, "My time has not come", that is to say my life and mission are not over. Yet in each day He never failed to love, lead, teach, heal, to live. He did not let His goal of His future final victory, distract Him from living and giving His fullest and fully experiencing each day. So are we living a race where some worldly gain, accolade, fame and/or fortune is our reason for being? Or is our life today part of a movement, a measure, a piece of a melody that is composing a song of life we are able to call our own and cherish in the midst of it? God has all the instruments, talent and inspiration that we will ever need and is ready to freely give them to us. Together with Him let our life's composition commence.
Do We Truly Know What We Are Asking?
Do we know what we are asking? Let's take a look at two "asks" from the bible. The disciples are seeing Jesus walk on water. They are scared thinking they are seeing a ghostly apparition but Jesus urges them not to fear as He is the same flesh and body person they left back on the shore. Peter is not convinced and asks Jesus to let him walk on water out to Jesus. Jesus grants Peter's petition. Another time, the disciples are walking with Jesus to Jerusalem for the last time. Privately John and James ask Jesus to grant their request to sit, one of them on His right hand and the other on His left, in seats of power. Jesus's initial response was to warn them that they did not fully understand the impact of what they were asking for. James and John were thinking about glory but Jesus knew the excruciating path of sacrifice built into the granting their request. Peter was initially thrilled at being able to walk on water but then the unprecedented and threatening nature of his request being granted overwhelmed Peter causing fear and his starting to sink. The point? Jesus tells us in the gospel of John that we can ask for anything in His name and quite often we take Him up on that promise. However, we are ill equipped to see the true nature of and all the, including future, ramifications of our request. Thus we would be wise to ask and faithfully believe like Jesus did in the garden: Father please do this for me but not my will but Thy will be done. The Father's will, like His plan is perfect. When our petitions are in alignment with His will, we experience the petitions fulfilled. However, when God knows better, He will give us peace in letting us know we truly do not know all the impacts, perils and even destruction that would come from His fulfilling our petition, at least the way we asked it. Both responses are blessings and both are given by Him in love. Let us receive and perceive His response as a blessing.
P vs. p Power, Its True Nature and Who Really Has It?
P vs. p In this case the "P,p" that I'm referring to is power and the thoughts of measuring the strength of it. Somewhere a little over 2000 years ago, it would seem that the most dominant "P" was wielded by the Romans through their empire. They were so powerful they could order a census of their entire empire and force their subjects to stop all they were doing and return to their place of birth to be counted. Yet they didn't realize their "P" was actually a rather minuscule "p", which was part of God's "P" to bring our Savior Jesus Christ into this world in the place and manner prescribed by prophecy. Some 33 years later, another Roman, Pontius Pilate would claim to have the ultimate power, that of life and death, over Jesus. Pilate was shocked and somewhat fearful to hear that he had no power as a Roman, but the only power that he had came from the Power of God whether he believed in Him or not. What does that have to do with today? So many things and people are claiming to have vast "P", power. Countries who can split the atom claim to have massive, supreme power. Political parties and politicians proclaim that Power rests with them. Wealthy people claim that their accumulated money is the source of great Power. Some even claim that their physical strength or beauty give them great Power. Today, you may feel overwhelmed by other's power and feel particularly powerless yourself. If that's the case, understand this; the only true and everlasting "P" ower still resides in the living Jesus Christ, by our Heavenly Father, through the Holy Spirit. There is no true lasting power in the machinations of this world and those who rely on them will see their schemes and plans end in futility. Thus let us turn to and constantly rely on the true Power of God Almighty letting the Power of HIs Light and Love, fill us and shine through us to the darkened, Power starved world.
Have To or Get To ?
"Get to" or "Have to" This is connected in a way to the previous "Life is….." post. So as you go through this day, how many activities do you "have to" do versus activities you "get to" do? For the purpose of this post, "have to" activities are those which you feel required to do but if you had your choice you wouldn't be doing them and would be doing something else. On the other hand "get to" activities are those you do and want to be doing as well. Now understand I don't think this is an academic question. We hear about a world where people feel they are under ever increasing pressure leading to high levels of stress, addictions and unfortunately suicides. It seems that people feel bombarded with "have to" things keeping them from ever being able to obtain the opportunity for any "get to" activities. Do we ever stop to think that our perspective is the thing that might need changing versus the activity? This week, in the midst of the hottest, most humid stretch of days so far this summer our air conditioning system broke. So I knew I would "have to" call a repair person and would "have to" pay him; which I did. Yet in the midst of my sweating it occurred to many how many places there are where it's even hotter and more uncomfortable and where air conditioning is only a dream of a luxury they will never come to close to being obtained. The truth is I "get to" have my air conditioning fixed because I'm blessed to have it in the first place; same activity two vastly different perspectives and feelings. Some are reading this and saying this is a load of rose colored glasses, polyanna garbage or even more colorful language. This is a "have to" world so just accept it. Well I don't choose to look to the world for my perspective. Jesus was very clear, He did not "have to" come to our world. No, He said it over and over again, it was His privilege to "get to" carry out His Father's plan for our salvation. He was glad to "get to" heal the broken, bring peace to the troubled and be good news to the entire world for all time. Where did that perspective take Him. Jesus Christ now "gets to" sit at the Right Hand of our Heavenly Father being placed above all things. I would say His perspective worked and works. I'm blessed to "get to" share these messages and pray you see and are able to participate in many blessed "get to" activities this day.
Life is ………… What?
Life is…. Now by the very nature of the fact that you're reading this, you're alive. Yet we seem to be unique in the animal kingdom in that we not only have the choice to do something like read a post but furthermore have the ability to judge the merit of the choice we made. We are not just about survival behaviors but can traverse beyond those needs to a more profound existence. That is, if we choose to. So life is……what? Is life simply a process of survival to be accomplished daily, ending in sleep to be repeated again day after day? Is life a cosmic opportunity with which we have the freedom to live completely as we see fit? Is life a thrust upon experience of responsibility requiring a never ending quest for personal and societal improvement? Is life a gift, meant by the Giver to primarily forge a loving, living relationships with Him and each other? What's the answer? What should the answer be? Well, don't ask me? In fact I would be wary of relying on any other human being claiming to have that answer for you and how you should live. Thus first, do you ever stop in this break neck paced world to ever ask yourself that question; let alone take the additional time to contemplate its answer? Do you understand that how you see and value life is a principle determinate of the actions you will take? For me, it can be a struggle at times to see life as a gift, which I believe it is meant to be. But that is not a function of lack from the Creator God who lovingly gives my life to me. It is from my loss of focus on His answer of what life is. So I hope you will take the time to finish your sentence; Life is…….. I hope you find love and peace in your answer. However, especially if the answer is difficult to come by or you find the answer disquieting or discomforting or should the answer be any other than life is a gift, I encourage you to be open to turning to the Great and Loving Giver of Life, our Heavenly Father, who will reveal His blessed loving ending to that most important statement: Life is…….
"Thy Will Be Done" is Not a Request to be Made Lightly
"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven", is a bold, humbling and potentially fearful petition. It is bold in that it starts by our proclamation of our steadfast belief that God is the One true God of Heaven and there His Will reigns supreme. Plus it is our sincere desire that His Will also would reign on earth in our lives. It is humbling because I do not wish for any part of "my" will be done. I don't ask that this be a partnership, a combination to make it "our" wills. No, I understand there is only One perfect Will and I want to be wholly and holy subject to that Will. The fearful part is His Will in its totality is beyond my understanding. I have desires and plans but they may be completely contradictory to the Will God has for me in His plan. Therefore, I must put my faith and total trust in Him that His Will for me is the perfect Will and must supersede my will in all things. So please don't make the petition lightly or robotically. Though if we do ask in faithful confidence, walking forth in the light of His loving plan for us, then we will be given the blessed fruits of receiving His answer through His Will to our boldly, humble request.
A God Lesson From a Baby Bird
Your every hair is numbered. Over the past month we've been blessed with a pair of bluebirds nesting in our yard. We watched them build the nest. We watched as the eggs hatched and the pair carried out their tireless duties of feeding and caring for the chicks. Yesterday the first fledge left the nest. It could barely fly and with its plaintive cheeps, it seemed so vulnerable. So then the questions started. What if a neighborhood cat gets it or a crow? What if a violent storm drenches it or it flies into the pool? What if……. Then a verse came into my head. Jesus Christ taught: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside the Father's care,". Jesus was teaching about worry and faith. Now please understand, I don't take that scripture to mean that these bluebird babies will survive. Jesus wasn't promising that. So how do I find any comfort in that statement? Jesus is telling us that, this God, our Heavenly Father is of such power, omnipotence and omnipresence that He plans down to the last detail. Right now these bluebirds are in His plan. He knows them and, if they fall, His plan called for that. And oh by the way, His plan is perfect. Notice that Jesus characterizes the Father as caring. How do we know? Because that same Father sent His Son to save us. He didn't come to help the righteous but to save sinners. That is a love and caring that brings true peace. The world really couldn't care less about these two little birds. but they are in God's eye right now. You may feel that you are vulnerable, outside anyone's caring about you. If that's the case then listen to and be comforted by Jesus's next statement: "So don't be afraid, you are worth many sparrows,". Finally, so far, the now two fledglings are doing just fine.
The Risk of Living an I Want It All and I want It Now Kind of Life
"I want it all and I want it now", might make for an amusing commercial, but I fear it is becoming an all to real desire in today's world. What's wrong with wanting it all; who wouldn't want it all? You'd be crazy not to! And yes, not only do I want it all, but I want it NOW!! Hmmm. Well what if my all conflicts with your all? At the very least that makes us competitors; but, does it make us also potential enemies? Is my message, I'll help you, but only to the extent that you will help me back to an equal or greater amount? Oh by the way, have you or I really stopped to consider the consequences if we ever actually achieved it all; could we handle it? Would it turn out that we would end up being controlled by our all instead of us being in control? Would we live in perpetual fear of losing even some piece of our all? There was an article yesterday that stated that deaths from suicide, alcohol and drug abuse has reached an all time high. Could some of that be attributed to the frustration and exhaustion that comes from the constant exhaustive, draining efforts to achieve all and continually coming up short? Jesus Christ never promised obtaining earthly all; far from it. In fact, He warned about the real danger of losing our soul even in the pursuit of obtaining earthly all. Jesus explained that there is an eternal all, coupled with an earthly, abundant, enough. He also made it clear that the achieving of that state is not obtained through the quality and quantity of our efforts, but through the Grace of God's love and our faith in Him . It's that love that Christ urges us to reach for, to make our all. Plus, as we receive that all sustaining love, then in turn, share it freely with all.
What Should the Chain Do Concerning Its Weakest Link?
So it is said, with much truth, that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So here's the question; what to do about the weak link? You see in human chains, depending on the task at hand, we're all going to have different talents, varied capabilities and individual levels of motivation. Depending on those factors, we'll provide varying levels of strength. So what to do with the weakest link? We could ignore the weakness, crossing our fingers that the weak link will somehow strengthen itself or their weakness won't have a negative impact, basically hoping for the best. We could simply discard the link altogether. We could take steps to strengthen the link. What should we do; what would Jesus want us to do? To ignore the weakness is to knowingly and purposefully put the entire chain at risk. We might be showing we have no caring for any of the links. So let's just get rid of the link, cut them out of the chain. This option saves time and resources. Yet with a shorter chain we have less flexibility in different circumstances which calls for its use. Additionally, with a shorter chain, more stress is added to each remaining link which could build until the rest of the links fail. Also, discarding the weakest link communicates to the rest of the chain that there is little caring for individual links and at any sign of weakness anyone can be gone. Finally we could commit time and other resources in an attempt to strengthen the link. If successful, our chain maintains its length, the links are stronger and the links know they are cared about. That's what Jesus did; He purposely went to the weakest links in society, the links the rest just wanted to be gone. Jesus taught them, fed them, healed them and yes, died for them as well as us. Some didn't change. However, some; like Matthew, did change, did repent, did strengthen to become one of the 11 strong links who spread Christ's message to the world. Thus we are all links in this chain of society. Do we ignore the challenges and obstacles of others, hoping it won't cause the chain harm? Do we look to marginalize, to dismiss and, as much as possible send away those we judge weak? Or do we extend the helping resources to those who are struggling knowing that the outcome is uncertain but the effort is worthy? Let us strive not to break up our chains but to build and strengthen them.
Becoming Proactive to Prevent the Tragedies that Require Us to be Reactive
Proactive and reactive togetherness. In the past few days we've seen some stark, powerful and different scale examples of coming together. One example is the laying aside of political, social and the other differences to come together as one community in support of the mass shooting victims and the city of Virginia Beach in the wake of the horrific mass shooting. On Thursday, we saw a commemoration of a coming together on a massive scale as nations and militaries united to attack and liberate Europe from the evil Nazi regime on June 6th, 1944. So we see that whether it is a mass shooting, an evil, killing, world empire wannabe or a natural disaster, we are wonderfully motivated and swift to come together to support and help. That is a great thing. But it's also reactive. We've seen and heard it lamented how we seemed so together as a nation after 9/11 and are so fractured today. The question, then, we must ask ourselves is can we find a way to be proactive in our coming together? Is there a way that we can come to understand that our caring and supporting of each other, as a norm, will actually prevent some if not many of our manmade disasters in the first place? When you hear from the veterans, first responders and people who reach out to help, a word you often hear is duty, as in I felt it was my duty to respond. And even though the circumstances can be grim, tragic and even life threatening, you hear a sense of satisfaction and even a certain peace from those people in that they fulfilled that duty. Can we find a way to make the showing of support, caring and respect for all, even those we disagree with, who are different, maybe vastly different than we are, a duty to be fulfilled? It is most definitely possible that the more proactive we are in our support, caring and coming together, the less often we will find ourselves forced to witness the manmade tragedies that require our reactive response. So today; start small, do something supportive and caring at work, school and/or your neighborhood. How does it feel? Tomorrow do something else; then the next day and the next, that's how a habit gets formed. With a shared habit like that, that's how cultures change.
Is the Life We're Leading Matching the Legacy We Want to Leave
I listen to the life stories; so filled with beauty and giving, being told about the 12 victims of the horrific mass shooting in Virginia Beach and two things seem abundantly clear. First, we truly have little to no control over the when, where and how of our transition from this life to the next. It is true that we are not guaranteed tomorrow. However, if this truth was contemplated much by these 12 wonderful people, their lives did not show it by being filled with worry and fear. But an equally, if not more powerful truth that is exemplified by these 12 souls, is that we have great control how we live our daily lives which, in turn, drives how we are seen and what our legacy will be. So many of the victims have been characterized by their giving, loving and caring nature. Over and over again stories of generosity and selflessness flow forth from the lips of coworkers, family and friends. Note how we, not only just in Virginia Beach, but in our state, our country and even beyond are being exhorted to follow, in our lives, the living examples of these wonderful people in terms of our caring and respecting each other. Without the worrying about an uncertain end over which we have no control, let us reflect on whether we are living lives which might garner memories of warmth and praise when our time of transition comes. Now is the time to be charitable, respectful, uplifting, forgiving, positive and above all loving. In that way, the life we live matches and builds the legacy we wish to leave.
Christ Declares Clearly That Comfort Will Come to Those Who Mourn
There were times when Jesus, God on earth, taught using parables. For some, who didn't have the blessing of Jesus's later explanation, the lesson might have been obscure or even missed. However, there were other times when Jesus did not mince words. He was and is crystal clear. One of those times is when He declared that mourners are blessed; for they will be comforted. In times of national or personal tragedy, that proclamation may seem strange, dismissive of someone's pain and even harmful. Well, one might ask, what form will that comfort take? How can someone who lost a child or other dear cherished family member or friend ever be comforted? My short answer is I don't know. I don't know because I am not all knowing or all powerful to have the insight into what is comforting to each individual. Here's what I do know. Jesus declared He would die and rise again in three days and He did it. Jesus declared that He would heal and restore life and He did. Jesus ordered thousands to be seated so they could be fully and freely fed using 7 loaves and a few fish and the crowds ate their fill. So when Jesus declares that those in mourning will be comforted, He can and will do that as well. Now it is true that, at the time, the only ones to receive those words were those who had sought to hear Jesus and were open to His teaching. Am I insinuating that non-believers won't or can't receive His comfort? Absolutely not, because Jesus does not declare that. Who, when, where and how people who are in mourning will receive comfort is above my spiritual paygrade and I should not attempt to take on those answers. Though what I need to do, what is within my paygrade is to be open to being a source of that comfort should Jesus choose to use me in that way. Jesus made another unambiguous statement. He gives to us His peace; a peace that is not fleeting, sporadic and piecemeal like the world's peace is. No, Jesus's peace is the peace of the One who has overcome the world and all the evil in it. Today, let us seek to be comforted and then go forth to bring comfort to others. Let us receive Christ's peace then go out and spread it. And remember, when Jesus Christ says it, He will do it.
Understanding the Power in Sending Prayers
Thoughts and prayers. Lately, at least in some aspects of society, there as been a vocal questioning and at times derision about the power of sending thoughts and prayers in times of loss and tragedy. To reflect on those thoughts and make a case for prayer, I humbly offer an analogy of jumping your vehicle when the battery has died. You go out to your vehicle, turn the key (I know how old fashioned) or hit a button and unexpectedly, nothing happens. You try everything within your power, you turn off all electrical equipment, you check and maybe even take off and reconnect the battery cables. Still, nothing. Suddenly this huge, powerful vehicle pulls up next to you. It has so much energy spewing out of it, it is practically shooting out lightning bolts. It pulls up so close to your vehicle they are practically touching. With a shout of hurrah, you jump into your vehicle turn the key/push the button and…..nothing, dead as a door nail. Why? There's no connection. You never attached the jumper cables. You see prayer is that needed connection, the spiritual jumper cables that is vital to channeling the flow of God's energy. But surely that big truck has the power on Its own to act? The truck certainly does have all the necessary power but if It/He were to do it all alone, where would that leave you? You'd still be stuck dead, sitting on the side of the road. That's the last thing God wants. He doesn't need our prayers, we are the ones with the need. Why? We need that connection to fully live. We need to understand the uniqueness of that connection. You see I never pray to my parents, friends, bosses or even my wife. Oh sure we might discuss or I may ask them for something, but I don't pray to them. Why? Because we're basically equal (sorry dear). Prayer is a purposeful humbling connection where I reach out to say I am not powerful enough, I can't do this or do this on my own. I need You, I believe in You and yes, I love You. Even a prayer of thanksgiving is a humble acknowledgement of our weakness in comparison to His strength. Yes the Large Truck, God sends out reviving energy to start us moving again. However, be careful, you pray for comfort for someone and God sends you the energy to be their comforter. You pray for peace and God sends you the energy to be a peacemaker. You might reply; but I was going to use the energy for work or to go to the ball game. But know this, the power God gives you to help others will always be accompanied with overflowing power for you too. Finally, the flaw in my analogy is that, on earth, after we get our vehicles started, we break the connection by disconnecting the jumper cables and the two vehicles go their separate ways. God will never break the connection and He never leaves your side. So yes, please pray for Virginia Beach. Please pray for the flood victims in OK, TX, MO and AR. If you need a prayer please send a reply or message and I'd be humbly blessed to include your prayer request. Don't let your battery die or if you're already sitting on the side of the road of life with your hood up, get out and connect those jumper cables of prayer and connect with the All Powerful God. He is right beside you waiting to light up your world.
Judging Our Use of Power in Terms of God's Perfect Plan
Power and judgement. No this not about the power to judge but judging the use of power. Put in another way; have you ever wanted something really badly and either, had the complete power to make it happen, worked desperately to obtain the power and/or lamented the lack of power to make it happen? Whether you have the power or just want it; have you ever taken the time to reflect on, to judge the wisdom of using that power for you and those around you? Do you reflect on previous times you've used your power and the ultimate results, to include unintended consequences? You see power is, and I use this term literally, intoxicating. And like a person once intoxicated, they often want more and more. Think about this, we have laws to prevent people from doing things, like driving, while intoxicated. In most places, being intoxicated in public is a crime. Why? Because our judgement is so impaired when we're intoxicated. Often really tragic outcomes happen when we take actions while intoxicated. That same judgement impairment can happen when we're intoxicated with power. Sadly, there is no legal limit, no .08, when it comes to power. So the next time you have the power to, are desperately seeking the power to, or depressed over the lack of power to pull the trigger on some action, you might stop and ask yourself some questions. Am I certain this is a good thing to do? Why am I so confident my judgement is not impaired? Am I truly looking for and seeing the big picture? I ask myself one more question. Is my use of power aligned with the One who is all powerful and has perfect judgement? It is upon answering those questions that I/we can be the most confidence in either pulling the trigger on or holstering the power at my/our disposal.
Our "New Normal" is Not New to God
Perhaps something new has entered your life. Perhaps it's an exciting new opportunity, person, situation or chapter. However, perhaps it is a new challenge, struggle, set back perceived obstacle or tragedy. Whether for good or ill, we may find ourselves declaring; this is our "new normal". Yet to fully and clearly see where we are; to capitalize and sustain the positive as well as overcome and move past the negative, we need to understand that where we are, our new, is not "new" to God. Where we are is where God is. And though He did not cause the evil that has come against us, He stands willing and most certainly able to bring His all powerful strength to our rescue. He did bring the blessing and stands ready to multiply it, desiring only that we believe He is the One who brought it. Love, strength, mercy, forgiveness and grace; those are the God normal. Let us strive to live into His normal and the abnormally powerful grace, joy and everlasting peace that comes with it.
Let Love be Our Response to the Sacrifice We've Benefited From as We Celebrate Memorial Day
What is the basis for this day? What is it all about? Some might say loss, others sacrifice, others service, or some might say death, still others celebration. Are there elements of all these things in Memorial Day? Absolutely. Though the basis for me is love. It is the love Jesus Christ proclaimed when He declared that there is No greater that a person has than they give their life for a fellow person. So, so many have demonstrated that selfless love to and for you and I over the years. Thus what should our response be? Remember and honor them, most certainly. Yet I feel the greatest response is to love. Yes love them and love the families they left behind. But we shouldn't stop there. We need to practice love as often as we can to an ever widening swath of people. We need to make love as widespread as possible, to even include our enemies. Let our goal be to honor them in love and being love, that there might come a time when the type of loving sacrifice they gave is a type of sacrifice no longer required. May you have a blessed and loving Memorial Day.
Good Knowledge and Experience
Should we obtain the knowledge of what is good without ever experiencing the actions of carrying out that good, then that knowledge is of little meaningful good to/for us and those around us.
Being Still Through the Knowledge of God
God says: "Be still and know that I am God". This comes to us from Psalm 46. Why state it as a command; why not a more polite request or suggestion? Because our Creator knows us, His creation, all too well. Sometimes we have a sense of responsibility; I caused this problem or it's my wonderful blessing so I owe it to God to step in and help Him out. That's what any good follower would do. Sometimes it's both an arrogance and lack of trust that we believe requires our action. I know how the solution should look, I have a plan that should be implemented and/or I'm not quite sure God will get it right without me. Sometimes it may be the thought, well if I am "still" through all of this, how can I claim any glory? We are absolutely sure Jesus is addressing the storm when He commands: "Peace, be still!". But I wonder if part of that command was for the disciples as well for they were quite agitated and crying out in fear. They absolutely experienced the power of God in that boat. How we can be still comes from the second half of the command "and know that I am God". It is in that knowing that we can conquer our arrogance and become humbly, patiently still. It is by that knowledge that we can vanquish our fear and rest in His peace knowing we are in the loving care of the One True God. Thus, in faithful, loving humility; make your petition known to God, then still yourself in the certain knowledge that God has heard your prayer and His perfect, loving, grace filled plan will triumph with no necessary assistance or guidance from anyone, not even you.
Why Our Perspective Concerning Acts of God is So Important
Acts of God. An interesting phrase for an interesting concept. Interesting in the idea that the phrase is most often associated with large scale or even personal natural catastrophes. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, volcanoes would all fall into what are often referred to as acts of God. Then there are things like getting cancer, or a disease like Alzheimer's, or having a miscarriage are all deeply personal events or catastrophes that may or may not be termed acts of God but are also often described as being the Will of God. Now I don't want to debate the theology of those concepts as much as I want to point out what I believe to be an amazing irony. Today, many people will be promoted, get a pay raise, graduate or see their children graduate or receive high grades, win a game, win a championship and many more positive things. Yet rarely do those triumphs get included in the idea of or phrased in terms of an act of God. Instead, more often, those positive things are attributed to a person's talents, hard work and great work ethic, tireless practice, hard study, great parenting skills and even good genes among many other things. How we see "acts of God" is vitally important in so many ways. Take, for example, the message we want to spread for and about the Kingdom of God. If we communicate through our words and deeds, whether intentionally or unintentionally that we are responsible for our own successes, but God primarily interacts with us in large and small ways by means of catastrophes and disasters, who, in their right mind, would want to follow a God like that, let alone love Him. We would be helping to communicate the worldly message that, if God exists at all, He is a judging vengeful, unmerciful tyrant more likely to hate and lie about it then love us. As importantly from a personal standpoint, God is not helped by our appreciation, He doesn't need to hear our praise and thanksgiving for His sake. God needs to see in us an aspect that, as He provides abundantly for us, as He blesses us with success, we are not allowing our own worldly arrogance to turn that abundance and success into a wedge or an obstacle in our relationship with Him. You see, if acts of God were all about judgement, punishment and destruction, Jesus Christ would have never come to earth and there would be no scars on His hands and feet. Our Heavenly Father is a God of love who in the words of Paul, works all things together for good for those who love Him. Our God is not a God who acts in random, occasional ways with some blessings and some tragedies. He is a God who is always acting in our lives through His love, grace and mercy. Thus let us ask ourselves, what acts of God are we experiencing in our lives today.
Paul Made It To Rome! There's a Blessed Lesson For All of Us In This Fact
Paul made it to Rome. It's important that we realize this. Paul made it to Rome. Paul continually prayed to go to Rome. Yet for many years Paul was thwarted in making it to Rome. Why did Paul want so fiercely to go to Rome? There were Christians there. These Christians had heard of the Way of Christ, but no Apostle had been there to provide the in-depth knowledge and support that would sustain them. This was the mission Paul felt he had been put on this earth to fulfill. Two other aspects; first, Paul had not always felt this way. As Saul the last thing he wanted to do was to go to the home of the hated Roman Empire, let alone preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet when the time came, he listened to Christ and changed. Second, Paul did not sit around sulking or doing nothing during the time when the advance to Rome was not happening. No, although Paul deeply desired to go to Rome, each day he awoke not in Rome, he asked himself; what can I do today to further what God wants me to do, even while I pray to go to Rome. He was not bitter toward or abandon his faith in God or eventually making it to Rome. So what desperate desire is on your heart today? Have you prayed about it? Do you continue to pray about it even if it doesn't seem to be happening? More than once Jesus taught about the appropriateness and power of persistent prayer. What is your attitude toward God even if your petition has not been granted? Can you still serve Him enthusiastically? We need to also understand that Paul's desire to go to Rome was not about Paul achieving some aspect of fame, fortune or self-glory. Paul believed Rome was where he could be an effective servant and powerful resource for God's people. Does your heart's desire align with fulfilling your Heavenly Father's mission for you? If so, don't lose hope. Keep in faith. Keep in prayer. And remember, in God's blessed, perfect timing, Paul made it to Rome.
The How, What and the Power of Us in Our Prayer
A curious or perhaps interesting thing for us to reflect on. The disciples had experienced the way Jesus prayed. Then Jesus taught the crowd to pray the way He did. That is, Jesus said to go somewhere and pray to our Heavenly Father in private and our Father who hears everything will hear and reward. After that, the disciples asked and Jesus not only taught them, but the crowds and through the record down to us, what to pray as He gave us the wonderful Lord's prayer. So here's the interesting part to note and consider; we're by ourselves, praying the prayer we've been taught to pray and what's the first word our of our mouths? OUR! In fact, every pronoun within the prayer is a plural pronoun: "us our daily bread….", "we forgive….". I of course would never make a declaration that I know the Mind of God and what He is thinking other than what's clearly stated in the Bible. So I ask the question; is it possible, even in that intimate time of personal, isolated prayer with our Heavenly Father, that we are to be thinking about, concerned about the welfare of others as well as ourselves? That it's not solely or souly about my bread, my forgiveness, me not being led into temptation and being delivered from evil? When it comes to speaking of only one thing it is "thy" that is, the Father's Kingdom, Will, Power and Glory. Thus it appears clear in Christ's teaching, we are in this together. As we pray, it's not just about me, I need to be intentional and care about us and we. In addition, as much as I should be thankful for the blessings to me, I should be thankful to God for others being fed, forgiven, led away from temptation and delivered from evil. It is a prayer of hope and love. As Jesus Christ taught in the two greatest commandments; the love of God is first, then in EQUAL parts, love of myself and others. Let us go forth in prayer and then in our behaviors to be about us, not me, love out and not primarily in, understand that Christ deeply loves me which is a life sustaining, peace fulfilling, joy enhancing truth; and He loves you in the exact same, intimate way and that's a great thing. We are in this together as we should and need to be.
Let Us Insure We Are Carrying the Right Cross
Jesus Christ instructs us to take up our cross and follow Him. Yet when we contemplate the experience of Christ and His cross, baring a cross can seem to be a frightful, overpowering feat indeed. So don't be confused. Christ doesn't want you to, knows you aren't designed for and can't begin to carry His cross. For on Christ's cross rests all or our sins for all time. We can't begin to carry that cross and should never try. Note two things; first, in declaring that we must carry our cross, Christ first declares we must deny ourselves. Thus to follow Christ, we must not be first but put Him first. Then, we pick up our cross and FOLLOW Him. This cross we pick up is not the cross of Christ, that is the same cross Christ bore, our cross IS Christ , our faith in Him, our focus on Him, our obedience to Him. Remember, in Christ's own words, He beckons us who have heavy burdens to come to Him and we will find rest from those burdens. He then tells us the yoke He wants us to carry is gentle and will bring rest for our souls. Christ does not want to add to our burdens or replace our burdens with an even greater one. So if you're trying to carry the same cross as Jesus Christ carried, put it down. Instead let us pick up the only cross we are meant to carry which is having Christ in our lives for all to see. In that way, we may show others Who it is who can ease their burdens and bring them rest now and for all eternity.
The Vital Importance of Where We Place Our Focus
Focus-to bring into clarity. Focus-to bring intense energy to while avoiding the distractions from the environment around it. Focus-to assign a sense of importance. From the Bible, Steven had a focus of bringing the message, vision, purpose and blessing of Jesus Christ to those who didn't understand. Ruth had the focus of serving and protecting and old widow who was alone in the world. For Steven the environment around him was violent and hostile. Ruth's environment was filled with poverty and constant, draining labor. Yet neither were deterred. Then there's Kendrick Castillo a young man, 18 years old, who richly deserves to be named in the same breath as biblical heroes. For Kendrick's focus was helping those around him, whether at charity events with his father or fellow students in his high school. He wanted to help others no matter what the cost. So when two shooters entered his classroom focused on hatred, destruction and death, Kendrick did not let their focus distract or deter him from acting on his focus. Kendrick leapt into action, tackling one of the shooters, sacrificing his own life, that his fellow students might live and they did live. What is the common basis for the focus of Kendrick, Ruth and Steven. Jesus told us when he declared no greater LOVE is there than a person laying down their own life for another. Each of these people focused on love. And here's a thing about their focus. Love wasn't just the focus of that instant but their entire lives. We get the sense from the Bible but know in Kendrick's case that the focus on love served him well. Kendrick was described as a person of peace and good humor, a selfless person who was a joy to be around. Each of those three people were victorious in and with their focus. Additionally, Jesus Christ is not willing to let Kendrick's family and friends twist and suffer in their sorrow. For Christ declares they who mourn will be comforted. So for you and I; what will be our focus today? If we focus on the chaos, dysfunction and destruction around us we may become fearful and withdrawn. If we focus only on ourselves and our self interest we may become coveting, vengeful, prideful and bitter. Either of these two can lead to hatred and destruction. Instead, let us focus on love. We can love ourselves but equal focus should be on loving others; all others. That focus leads to service, giving, charity, forgiveness, peace and inner joy not dependent on the vagaries of the chaotic world around us.
Jesus Christ Lives and the Way He is Living Truly Matters
Jesus Christ lives! He is very much alive! It is vital or, should be vital, to our lives that we understand this. He is not just was, but IS! Why is this so vital? Why does it make a difference? First, we must understand the difference in the "was" and the "is" and why that is crucial. Jesus Christ was, is and ever shall be, God. However, when Jesus was, that is living on the earth, He knew/committed no sin. Yet right at the end, He took upon Himself all our sin. As He lives now, He is our redeemer, having sacrificed Himself, He paid our price, has taken our guilt upon Himself so that He now presents us guiltless before God. Thereby, through the Living Christ, we are able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. How do we know this? Because the Living Jesus Christ sends God, who is the Holy Spirit, to dwell in us, teach us, show us, the love, peace and purpose of Jesus Christ. Hold on a second, you say. If Jesus Christ is God and He is alive, why do we live in such a screwed up world of evil, hatred, dysfunction and misery. Jesus Christ answered this when He was on earth and it makes sense. The simple and tragic news for the world is, to receive the Love and Blessings of Christ, it has to believe in and except Jesus Christ as their living savior. The tragedy is so many in the world refuse to believe. Think of it this way, let's say someone was to tell me they love me. If I don't believe they exist or don't believe them capable of love, their love has no impact regardless of how sincere it is. If the city I live in reveals they have a plan for perfect peace; but I refuse to listen and, instead, go my own way, their plan, no matter how perfect has little relevance to me. So for those who believe in Jesus Christ, are we living into the risen King of Kings, or more just a historical figure? For those reading this who have not accepted or believe in Jesus Christ, is the world loving you unconditionally right where you are today? Is the peace of the world lasting for you? Finally, how should believers interact with non-believers; in judgement, condemnation, wishing to isolate or shun them? No! In fact heaven forbid. In the Name of Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we should love all, just as Jesus Christ does. Jesus Christ is alive today. Jesus Christ loves you today and wants to bring peace and mercy to you. Believe it.
It's Not About the Ritual but the Faithful Intention Behind It!
Rituals can be good things but we must be careful. Take for instance the ritual of giving something up for Lent. As you know that ritual is about the sacrificial giving up of something of seemingly daily importance to us both to honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ but also to substitute a purposeful intention of drawing closer to Christ in its place. Now we've celebrated Easter and it's time to go back; go back to the eating of this or drinking of that, to go back to watching that show, playing that game or going to that social media site. In short, time to go back to the old life before Lent. One can imagine Christ asking: Really? Jesus makes it clear, there is no going back. It's all about how we go forward. Christ instructs and warns us there should be no aspect of our life that should be separated from Him and His influence. So as we start doing again what we gave up, are we focused on Christ as we do it? Do we live into Jesus Christ's two declarations; abide in Me and we will do great things, apart from Me we can do nothing? Thus we can take up again what we had temporarily given up. Yet in taking it up again, we can do so with an earnest attempt and effort to focus on Jesus Christ while doing it. We can do it with the ultimate goal of glorifying the name of our Heavenly Father in all we do. That is the way forward. Happy day after Easter
In an Age of Blessed Abundance, Why Do We Often Feel Left Wanting?
Lessons from the backyard. I was watching two squirrels happily devouring seed that I had, in their minds, mistakenly put out for the birds to eat. Then in an interesting twist, one squirrel became aware of the other squirrel eating and stopped eating to chase the other squirrel away. For the next several minutes (yes I have too much time on my hands) I watched as neither squirrel ate at all as they were too busy trying to chase the other off. The irony is that several feeders were full and I'm not going to stop filling them so there was easily enough for both. Yet the fear of the other getting any, caused them both to get none of what was right there in front of them as they took time to chase the other away in hopes of having it all! By most historical standards we live in an era of amazing abundance and choices. We produce more things, are living in a time of unprecedented global peace. Strangely though, stress related illnesses and impacts like suicides and addictions, hypertension and depression are at all time highs. Statistics show a significant rise in hate and bigoted speech and acts. Why? Could it be that our mantra of "I can have it all" has unintended consequences? If you and I want, feel we deserve, the same all; do we then have to fear the other achieving their all for then I can't get mine? Maybe I feel you don't deserve to get your all and I hate you for even trying to achieve it. Do I become so consumed with the singular struggle for my all, plus the fear of losing it once achieved, that I lose any sense of peace, fulfillment and enjoyment with the real abundance I actually have been blessed with? Am I smarter than a squirrel? One of the most overlooked commandments is about not coveting. One might think that it is to protect the person who is being coveted against. However, in reality it is to protect the coveter. For God realizes that coveting leads to fear, selfishness, frustration, anger, hatred, greed, violence and war. Instead the commandment is to love. Love first the Father who will give us all, abundantly we need, not even withholding the life of His Son. Then love your fellow person. For where love abounds, coveting can 't exist. Today, through love, let us strive to keep our squirlleshness in check.
I'm Sorry But I Have No Choice! But is That Really the Case?
"I'm sorry I have to do this, but I HAVE NO CHOICE". I wonder how many times you and I have heard those words said to us or have used them ourselves before taking some negative action. If being used honestly, what this statement acknowledges is there is some process in place or established procedure. Further, it infers that we don't believe that process or procedure rightly applies in a case but we are unwilling to take the action to countermand that process or procedure. Jesus could have used that same justification saying; I'd love to talk to you but Jewish men don't talk to Samaritan women, when He met the woman at the well. Or, I'd love to spare your life from the unjust, corrupt mob, but we have this procedure to stone adulterers, so my hands are tied. Jesus could have said the process for handling people who condemn and then execute an innocent man is to be mercilessly destroyed and damned for all time. Yet Jesus did none of those things. The woman needed talking to, teaching, so Jesus did it. The woman needed forgiving and the crowd needed instructing so Jesus gave it. The people who condemned Jesus needed forgiving so Jesus forgave them. It is not easy but we need to understand that those processes and procedures we cling so tightly to and yes, even hide behind sometimes, are primarily of own conception and fashioning. It is our BELIEF in our powerlessness versus the fact of it, that blocks our thoughts and actions concerning finding alternative more appropriate solutions. We have all been given the gift of judgement for the expressed purpose that we will actually use it! So the next time you feel tempted to use the statement, truly meaning it; I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do, ask yourself, did you even attempt to do anything different, anything more just, more right? Are we truly as powerless as we make ourselves out to be?
What's Truly In A Threat?
What's in a threat? Why doesn't Jesus Christ act? I'm a faithful believer in Christ so why is this situation allowed to happen? These questions may have never crossed your mind but I know they have occurred to me before, sometimes in real frustration. Now I cannot in anyway answer for Jesus Christ but think we can gain some insight by His words and behavior here on earth. Did and/or does Christ lack the power to act? Don't tell that to the storms or the crowds who wanted to stone Him or throw Him off a cliff. For Jesus effortlessly quieted the storms and walked, untouched through the angry mobs until it was His time. Maybe, Jesus doesn't care about our petty, insignificant problems. Didn't He teach us that each of our very hairs are numbered; thus, God knows and cares about the smallest details. Yes, Christ faced many earthly "threats" and hatred. Christ could have responded in His power of righteous judgement and wiped all who attempted to threaten Him off the face of the earth and into eternal damnation. But He didn't. Instead Christ responded in love. Christ said I will listen to you, teach you, correct and, yes, even rebuke you, but always in love. And should you come to Me, regardless of your past transgressions, I will forgive you and welcome you. You see none of these earthly challenges Jesus ever really considered a threat; even death! The world and the enemy want us to fixate and concentrate on worldly threats, real or imagined. The world and the enemy want fear, hatred and revenge to be our overriding responses to threats. That is why Jesus called His peace, the same peace He freely pours out upon us as not like the world's. It is a peace that states that no earthly threat can be victorious over those who abide and put their faith in Jesus Christ. You and I may find ourselves in a worldly threatening situation today. That is why Christ beckons us to come unto Him. For He declares: "take heart for I have overcome the world", assuring us that in Him, we will overcome the world as well.
It Is Not About This, It's About You
Jesus Christ doesn't what you to know so much that I've got "this" as much as He wants to make it perfectly clear and for you to never doubt that I (as in Jesus Christ) have you! I have you in all My Love, Power and Strength. You see the "this" is not what Christ is concerned with. He is concerned with you. Most of the time, the "this" is worldly stuff. Jesus says I'm not going to focus on the "this" and I don't want you to either. I am focused on you so please focus on Me. Rest assured My Power will always defeat whatever "this's" come against you. Christ asks us: Focus on Me as I am focused on you and there will be no room to focus on or fear "this". Jesus Christ wants you to know; as this very moment and for all eternity: I have you.
Silencing the Shrill Voice of the Enemy
Let's take a deep breath. And then another one, deeply filling our lungs with life giving air and slowly, peacefully releasing that air to bring a state of calm. There are many, so many shrill, almost deafening voices screaming: "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!". The "we" they speak of can be any segment of society: a gender, a race, a political party, a religion, a marriage stance. Sometimes it's more personal, I'm under attack, by family, friends and/or coworkers and I don't know why. First I'm here to say that there is an attack going on and it's against all of us no matter which segment of society we are. This enemy wants us to strike back and out mindlessly, if struck and better yet, to strike first at any perceived threat or offense. This enemy wants all love, forgiveness, patience and desire for understanding purged as contemptible weaknesses to be supplanted with desires for hate, revenge and destruction of any and all others who are different. Jesus Christ met this enemy and defeated him at every turn. Yet notice this, Christ's followers, after His resurrection, were attacked, hated and persecuted mercilessly, yet being in Christ, they never preached revenge. They never called upon Christ's followers to take on hate, revenge and the destruction of those who were against them. In Jesus Christ let us silence the shrill voices in our own head. Then, also in Jesus Christ, let us not be an enabler of the other shrill voices outside of us but instead, let love be the answer, forgiveness our focus and service our desire. Take a moment to breathe in a very deep breath of Jesus Christ and expel the hate of the enemy.
Lesson From the Backyard The Power of the Sun and the Son
Lesson from the backyard. Yesterday was cold, the temperature hovered around freezing the entire day. Then, when you walked outside, the strong wind hit you like a brick wall of cold. It made it difficult to stay outside. Yet and interesting thing, when out of the wind, the sun was so bright, the light and the heat so strong, that even with the cold temperature it was comfortable enough to be outside without even a coat on. The comfort from the sun completely overcame the discomfort of the coldness of the air. You probably know where I'm going with this but as we enter this season of Lent, it would be good for us to reflect on the power of the Son, Jesus Christ who came down to us and lives today as the Light who overcomes any and all earthly darkness and frigidness. Though here's where the comparison ends. For you know the sun is on the outside and thus its effects are not constant. In fact the world gets in the way many hours of a day leaving us in darkness. However, the Light and Power of Jesus Christ comes from the inside and thus never leaves us and can never be blocked or diminished by earthly means. Jesus Christ said and meant it literally when He said He is the Light of the world. Let us seek out that Light, live into that Light and share that Light with the world.
Never Experience a "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" Moment
Have you ever been in the presence of someone who really loves you? I mean someone who loves you for just being you? It could be a parent, child or other relative, a spouse, a partner, or a close friend. Think to those moments and the incredibly uplifting power that comes from them. Think about how those moments impacted your entire being and perception. Reflect on how you so wanted to return that love and wish all could experience and live that way. Sadly within the human and earthly realm, those moments are all too fleeting. Yet our Heavenly Father wants us to know that, with Him those moments don't have to be fleeting at all. With Him, His love is constant, never changing and unconditional. His power to uplift is never distracted by the cares or obstacles of this world. How do we tap into that never ending, all powerful, completely sustaining gift of love? One way is through prayer. Jesus taught that we should find a place of isolation and quiet to pray so that we can experience the flow of God's love to the fullest extent possible, away from the distractions and competition of worldly matters. In those moments, God's love washes over and through us, washing away sin, doubt, fear and frustration, replacing them with love, peace, calm and power to carry on. From those times of prayer, if we're open to the Spirit who dwells within us, the power of God's love does not leave us but grows within us; lifting us up, carrying us to a deeper more lasting relationship with Him and those around us. So let us not neglect prayer and the love, power and relationship it brings.
What it Takes to Hear "Well Done You Good and Faithful Servant"
Hear this good news; when our Heavenly Father beckons someone to come and join Him, proclaiming they have been a good and faithful servant, it is not because they are the richest, smartest, most physically attractive, strongest, have achieved some great feat, in short have reached some worldly milestone only a few can ever attain. NO, God will make this proclamation, offer this invitation, to any and everyone who faithfully follow Him and use their God given gifts to serve their fellow person and further the Kingdom of God. So let's ask ourselves, how are we using His gifts today; are we burying them, keeping them to ourselves or are we generously sharing them with any and all in need? May you have a blessed, giving day.
Who's Right? Judgement in an Age of Diversity
So who's right? Are you a _____ or a_____? I'm a ______ and that means I'm this or that. Yet whatever I am, I am right and that makes you_______? Think of this current paradox; in business, schools, military, churches, all across society there is the mantra about the need to include and "celebrate" diversity. And you would think that would be especially easy today because of the almost seemingly infinite different classifications we claim for ourselves. Yet we no sooner proclaim our own classification then we start to judge all the other classifications. We seem to judge those classifications closest to ourselves more favorably and those furthest from ourselves most harshly. Enter Jesus who warns through declaring to us; do not judge. And please, please don't miss this; Jesus doesn't declare: Don't judge other believers but go ahead and judge the heck out of everyone who doesn't believe. No, it's simple, don't judge anyone. Why? Because we are so horribly bad at it and will never be good at it. But certainly there must be someone I'm justified in condemning, some group I'm justified in hating!? I'm no biblical scholar but I can't find them and I see no value in looking. Jesus is clear, whether believed or not, we're all our Heavenly Father's creation. He loves us all even though we're sinners so we should do the same. Leave all the judging, even the smallest to He who has the only true wisdom to do so accurately, Jesus Christ. Who, it may also be worth noting declared, He didn't come to judge the world but to save it. So we might want to rethink our steadfast, only human justified belief, that they (whoever they might be) are worthy of our negative judgements.
The Blessing In Our Corner
One of the challenging aspects of life is that sometimes we can't really tell who and how many are in and the power that is in our corner until we are backed into it. We like to be in control and be able to handle things. However, when the power of the world overwhelms our individual ability to respond, it can be a true, extreme blessing to see who and the power of them who come to our aid. Finally, the One we should never forget, who is always in our corner is our Heavenly Father. In faith, we can actually have an inner peace that His power is unmatched and His plan for our way forward is perfect even if we can't see all the steps right now. So if you find yourself in that corner today, try not to solely or souly focus on the power and threats arrayed against you. Instead, rest on and be thankful for the power and those wielding it, especially from above, who are riding swiftly and in ultimate power to your rescue and restoration.
Become Divided and Be Conquered Unify in Christ and Be Victorious
Christ said it and it echoes down through the years to this very day: A divided house will not, indeed cannot stand. And today there are so many voices trying, and if we're not extremely careful, succeeding in dividing us. But they're so stupid, so unjust, a bully and I'm better than they are and shouldn't have to put up with them….and them and them. Each them we target, isolates us more, makes us more vulnerable. From my days in the military we knew this; to defeat an enemy, even one of seemingly great power, the key was to divide, isolate and then defeat and conquer. Jesus got angry. Jesus felt pain. Yet Jesus never let the pain and anger divide Him from us. Jesus never stopped or stops loving. Jesus never stopped or stops forgiving. We are not Jesus. We cannot do the things of Jesus, the loving and forgiving, without committing to and joining with Him first. Don't let any circumstances divide you from Christ, no matter how the world looks or you feel treated by it. It is in the power, His power that comes from being in unity with Him, that we can, in turn, have the power to love and forgive, thus seeking to come together as the victorious creation He means us to be.
Can You Hear the Knocking?
Do you hear the knocking? In Luke, Jesus Christ invites us to knock and the door, His Door to salvation and the Heavenly Kingdom will be opened. Yet Jesus is not one to stand idly by, for in Revelation, Christ proclaims: "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with them and they with Me". Right now a knock is happening. You may be at home, school or work. You may be driving down the road or may be at a church conference. You may be the one doing the knocking; but if not, listen, Christ is knocking. The message is clear, there is a door that needs opening and that opening starts with a knock. So can you hear it? Are you at the door? Are you raising your hand to either knock or respond to Christ's knocking? Please let's get the door open to Him.
I Desperately Want to See
You don't need a telescope, microscope or horoscope to view the way you should live. Look inside first. Look to see, if you can see Christ within you. Do you see Christ's love and the light of Christ's Spirit within you? If the answer is no don't fret but take immediate action. Believe and ask and Christ will be swift and allow nothing to deter Him from coming to save you. If the answer is yes, then be thankful and go forth in the Christ's Spirit and Light, sharing His Love to all who He places in your path.
It's Not Just History
It's not just history. If Jesus Christ was not as alive today as He was over 2000 years ago, then the stories of His miraculous deeds would just have historical significance. However, He is alive and He beckons you, as He did to Peter, come out of your boat, focus on Me and I will allow you to walk above any troubled water without harm. Or as with 5,000 people, Jesus Christ promises, come, sit and be taught by me and I will freely feed you. For Jesus Christ declares and fulfills that He is the Bread of Life and will meet all spiritual, mental and physical needs, even if the resources seem scarce. That Jesus Christ is alive today as He was then, His invitation to us to join Him, abide in Him with His mercy, power and grace, is just as real and alive today. Let us always be accepting of that invitation; thus, by living through the love, power and grace of Christ, see the blessed history we will make together.
In the Name of Christ, Go Be Awesome!
You were created awesome in the Name of and by the Power of Jesus Christ before you did a thing. That means by being in Jesus Christ you are meant to be awesome. Now don't make the mistake of judging awesome by worldly measures. At times Jesus just healed one person. At times Jesus taught a few people, once just one person, a woman at a well. The world might not have judged those to be awesome events; but, to the people involved in those events, they were truly awesome indeed. So go out, being in Jesus Christ and do awesome. How will you know it's awesome? Jesus Christ will let you know in your spirit and that's all the proof you need. In the Name of Jesus Christ, may you have an awesome day.
How's the View From Where You Are?
Through the eyes of……… Christ could have viewed the world through eyes of privilege, instead he chose the view of seeing all including the lowest to bring healing peace and light to them. Christ could have viewed the world through eyes of power, justice, retribution and revenge, devastatingly destroying any who spoke a word against Him. Instead, Christ viewed the world through grace, mercy and forgiveness, even to those who put Him there as He hung dying on the cross. Christ could have decided not to view the world at all seeing the decrepit state of human fallenness, leaving us to our own destruction. Instead Christ viewed and views us in love, humbling Himself to come and be a sacrifice for our salvation, plus healing us from our ills and iniquities. So are we going to take time to see Christ? As we view Him; will we see the awe inspiring nature of His eternal majesty or see Him as just some old story? Are we going to strive to gain His vision and see others as He would have us see them, with love, forgiveness, mercy and generosity? We must ask ourselves whose vision is the basis for our actions; is it our earthly, worldly view or His eternal All powerful view? Here's looking at you………. through His eyes.
We Can Work It Out!
There seems to be a lot of "I" out there today. I am bold. I am beautiful. I can do anything. I CAN HAVE IT ALL! But have I ever stopped to ask: If I do get it all; what are you left with? Do I even care? There is a song that states "One is the loneliest number". How does all of this "I" fit into that? Jesus Christ came to this earth and lives today to teach us how to be "we" people; about how blessed being we truly is. It starts with connecting to the Holy They; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Once so connected, I, through They become a We that reaches out to All around me. Yes we reach out to family, friends, co-workers, but the power of We doesn't stop there. Through the power of the Holy They, we reach out to strangers and yes, even our enemies. We are no longer about singular triumph and the destruction of others. We are about love. We are about receiving the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and then spreading it as far as We can. Let us be people of the We. Where We will be loved and show love. We will be triumphant. And, in the lyrics of another song: We can work it out.
TOMORROW! TOMORROW! TOMORROW! ………. today?
There are 644 tomorrows until the next presidential election. There are 20 tomorrows until another potential government shutdown. There are two tomorrows until the coming of an arctic blast; until, until…… Today someone will give you a smile. Today some will desperately need a smile from you. Today someone will be kind to you. Today someone will desperately need your kindness. Today you will receive love. Today someone will desperately need to receive your love. However, truth be told, we will miss all of those receives and needs if our focus is on our tomorrows. God gives you and I today. God pleads with us not to waste it. God promises that He will give to us today. God wants us to share His gifts to us, with those in need around us. God also knows all tomorrows. He knows also to the extent you and I have an earthly tomorrow. And, in His perfect plan, He is the only One who controls how many of our tomorrows, He will turn into todays. Jesus taught us to let tomorrow have tomorrow; we are to be people of today. So today, which is the only day that truly matters, live like it matters. First receive from God, His blessings and love which will surely come abundantly. Then, in turn, share those blessings and love with those around you. This is the day the Lord hath made!
The Peace of Christ in the Midst of Earthly Testing
Christ says: "Peace be with you". Yet we might answer there is little peace for world puts these arbitrary tests to us with ever changing rules and outcomes and says that's where our value lies. Christ responds: I understand for they tried to do the same to me. Christ further states: If you belonged to the world then what the world values and these tests would matter. But don't forget, YOU ARE MINE and I value you for you, as I created you and that's all that matters and will not change. Take heart for I will see you through all tests. I know your true value and will bless you regardless of what earthly tests measure. The only test I have for you is that you believe that I am the true Son of God, came to earth, died for your sins and now live at the Right Hand of God. So indeed, be at peace, have my freely given, all encompassing peace. For if you pass my test of belief and I stand ready to help you with that, no earthly test matters.
Judging What's the Intent of a Wave?
"Judge not lest we be judged". Okay this is likely to be a little more crass than some of my other posts, so I apologize. You see I walk our dog in the morning. I also like to to send a wave and smile to folks that pass by. My hope is, perhaps, with being acknowledged and smiled at, even by a stranger, might bring some small aspect of brightness into their day. Yet my dog will also have bodily functions which I also clean up and carry with me until I can dispose of it at home. From whence comes my dilemma. For with my hand so encumbered, I can still wave but; to some, I am waving a bag of poop at them which is hardly a friendly or brightness bringing gesture. My point? I can know my intentions for an action but I can't control another person's reaction to that action. Thus today we may have an encounter with someone whose intention may have some ambiguity associated with it. In my judging I can choose to interpret it and react negatively to it. Or, I can choose to be open to the possibility they're trying to be positive with the only tools (including words, time, gestures, etc.) they have available to them at the time. If that's the case then our reaction is likely to be quite different. Finally our ultimate striving is to react as Jesus Christ would react; in love. Whether friend or enemy, positive or negative, Jesus reacted in love, grace and forgiveness. Though we are not Christ and the only way to get there is to pray that His Spirit would abide in us as we abide in Him.
Priorities In the New Year of 2019
Priorities. Okay so it's 2019. This is not so much about New Year's resolutions or changes that we think we want to make. It's more about the why of what we do, whether old or new and how we can tell if we're really doing what we tell ourselves we want to be doing. It's about our priorities; what we say is important. It's also about realizing what we "say" is important is rather meaningless when it comes to our priorities. For it's what we "do" that really defines, in truth, what are priorities are. Thus it is not the beginning of the day which reveals our priorities; but, as we reflect at the end of the day on what we actually did in that day, that we will have defining proof of what we found most important. For example, what would Jesus find at the end of a day He had on earth. He would see that He was carrying out His Father's plan. He would see how much He loved us through the healing, teaching, feeding, forgiving and leading He had done. In short He would find that His actions showed that He prioritized practicing what He preached. So maybe as we start this new year we've said we're going to make being kinder, loving more, making time for friends and loved ones, being more generous, more forgiving, praying etc., our priorities. Do know that to the extent your priority is directly or indirectly to be more like Christ, the enemy will use the world and its evil to try and prevent that, to put many obstacles in your path. However, take heart, Christ lives and stands ready to bless, give you the power to overcome the worldly obstacles and have you be successful in fulfilling those priorities aligned with His. Starting this night, before you close your eyes to sleep, think back on what you've done this day and ask: Do my actions of the day match the priorities I've said that I intend to have? And don't forget to pray for His power and thanks for His support. Happy New Year!
Is the Season of Giving Over?
Perhaps the glow is fading. You received much of what you wanted and gave with amazing generosity. Yet the presents are unwrapped and the process seems over. Time to return to the humdrum routine of the every day. But is the season over; is it ever truly over? The idea of a present is twofold; first, it is something we need/want and additionally there is an aspect of surprise and revealing as well. He who came as a baby and now lives as our Risen Savior stands ready to bless you today. He knows what your most pressing needs and deepest desires are and will bless you with those things that are aligned to His/our Heavenly Father's plans for you. Often those blessings, His gifts, come in surprisingly, unexpected ways. What we must be ready to do is receive them. A gift that remains unwrapped never achieves its entire goal or purpose. Second, as we receive we should feel the motivation to give. We should give gratitude and glory to our Heavenly Father for the gift and also give the love to others which always accompanies the blessings from Jesus Christ. The season of giving and receiving is over? Don't you believe it! Don't you live like it is.
Be in Awe! Live in Awe!
Be in awe. Live in awe. The shepherds saw and left in awe. The wisemen came and worshiped in awe. Herod heard and feared in awe. Some have come to Christ and seen Him as an equal and all those eventually turned away, unfazed and unsaved. But those who come and experience God come to earth as Christ are awed, blessed, loved by and saved by Him. Therefore let us show the impact of our coming into the presence of the all knowing, all powerful, all loving, eternally living Jesus Christ by living in awe of His majesty and receiving from Him and then sharing His love to the world. Merry Christmas!!!
A Peace Beyond All Understanding – His Peace
May you be at peace. Be at peace?! Now I know you are delusional. For where is the peace when person is pitted against person with lies and vile names, when spouse murders spouse and sometimes children, where thieves steal brazenly from our very door steps; where is the peace? The peace comes from Him whose season we celebrate. Peace comes from His presence. For in His presence an enemy Roman soldier humbled himself and pleaded for a healing. In His presence the condemned found peaceful redemption In His presence quarreling disciples turned to love each other. Christ promises His peace to all who will believe in Him. Christ promises His permanent perfect peace which is far different, far better than the fleeting, temporary, shallow earthly peace. May it be that in Christ through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, you find yourself in the Perfect Peace of Christ this and every season.
Rejoice Again Rejoice
Rejoice! Rejoice! Why? What examples do we have? We have heavenly beings who have a special insight into the actions of the Heavenly Trinity. Those beings are the angels and how they rejoiced not only at the coming of Christ but also for human beings who now have salvation given to them. We also have the esteemed and the humble of humanity rejoicing. We have both the shepherds and the kingly wisemen who came to see and then rejoiced at seeing God come to earth. The earthly would declare we're crazy to be rejoicing, with shutdowns, conflicts, hardships and drama in the world. When Jesus Christ came to earth, He did not promise to end all earthly drama. Christ promises that He has overcome the earthly tribulations and because He is our risen, living Savior; He promises us that if we live in Him we will overcome all of them as well. So may this season find you blessed and rejoicing in our raised and living Savior, Jesus Christ.
Make That Impact
In your actions this and every day, try to be that person that will bring someone else, perhaps even a stranger, to pray "Thank God, You put this person in my life"
The Gospel of John and the Christmas Story
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God". This is how John starts his gospel concerning Jesus Christ and as such would seem to leave the Christmas story to others. Yet in a way, I read the heart of the Christmas story right here. You see John is stating that Christ was and is God with all the power of God. John then goes on to chronicle how God was on this earth as a human being; to the eyes of the world a rather ordinary human being. Just for a moment, stop and consider the humility of this act. He with all power, through which all things were created, came to earth in the meekness of His creation. To be a human He must have started out as a child, a humble baby in fact. Now He could have come down in the glory, majesty and power of the Heavenly God which is how He will be upon His return. However, to fulfill His Father's loving plan of salvation for each of us, Christ needed to be a human which meant he felt hunger, pain, sorrow, loneliness, rejection, needing sleep, just as we do. Thus let us ask ourselves, can we be that humble? Is there some task that needs completing, some societally cast off person who needs our help; yet we find ourselves saying that the task or that person is beneath us? With the example of Christ's humility; how is our arrogance justified? Finally, we must not attempt, on our own, to out humble Christ. We will fail. The only way to be truly humble like Christ is to abide in Christ, then ask for His help to bring about true humility. Fortunately, that is exactly why Christ, in perfect love, came to earth. That through His sacrifice, we might now be able to be in relationship with Him where we are strengthened and enabled to be more like Him in humility and love.
Celebrate the Christ Child and Live Into the Living Christ Savior
During this season when we celebrate the coming of God to earth in the person of a baby, it is vital that we remember we serve and are served by a risen, living, all powerful Savior. In need of healing; think of the physical, mental and spiritual healing Christ blessed any and all who believed on Him with. In a place of danger; consider how Christ, not only passed unscathed through hostile, murderous crowds until His time of sacrifice came, but also kept His disciples unscathed as well. A natural danger; turn to Him who quieted the wind and calmed the stormiest of seas. Have a material need; reach out to the One who turned ordinary water into extraordinary wine or who fed thousands with a few loaves and two tiny fish. In need of love; as we all are, receive from Him who, out of love for you, gave His life for your salvation, a love of immeasurable blessing. Yes indeed, celebrate the coming of the Christ Child but live into the salvation of the living Savior, Jesus Christ is now.
A Scripture Passage, An Event and A Season – How They All Fit Together
The juxtaposition of an event, a season and a scripture passage. According to scripture, upon receiving a invitation from Jesus to come follow Him, a man replied: "Lord first let me go and bury my father", to which Jesus replied: "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God". In the past I felt this was an overly harsh and heartless rebuke, especially coming from the Son of God. But by the blessed revealing of the Holy Spirit, I've come to understand that this is actually a very blessed expansion and explanation of His invitation. For in following Christ, death is defeated and though the functioning of our earthly, flesh existence may cease, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the life of spirit, the true life of who we are, continues without ceasing! This day we acknowledge the transition of George H.W. Bush from one level of existence to another. Yet we need to be very careful in saying he is dead. In truth the earthly vessel which housed his spirit has ceased; however, through Jesus Christ, he is still very much alive. That is what Christmas and this season is all about. Yes it is appropriate that those loved ones who had close reoccurring contact with him will mourn the loss of that contact. Yet Christ promises comfort to them which comes in part by the assurance their loved one lives and there will be a wondrous reuniting one day. Again, that is at the heart of this season. God so loves us that He came down in the form of His Son to live an earthly existence as we do. He died, taking upon our sins but then He was resurrected into a perfect existence and promises that the same can and will happen for us if we will but faithfully believe in Him. You may be mourning the loss of someone this Christmas season but please take heart in this certain knowledge. In the coming to earth of Jesus Christ, your loved one lives. Thus you are justified in continuing to love them as well as feeling the love they most certainly continue to have for you. May all have a blessed Christmas season.
From Whence Comes My Salvation?
Starting in Acts 21 we read how the Apostle Paul is in a real, mortal mess. He is over a thousand miles from where he desperately wants to be, feels called to be. Worst yet he is surrounded by those who despise him; who want to to reverse his life's work and utterly wipe Paul of the face of the earth. The few friends Paul has in Jerusalem have virtually no power against the powerful Jewish leadership arrayed against him. A plot was hatched that would most certainly bring about Paul's death and most likely completely destroy his work. Except Paul belongs to God. Paul is a fervent believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. So God steps in to thwart the evil. And who does God use? The Romans! Yes, the Romans who didn't believe in God. Yes the Romans who believed that Jesus Christ was some obscure, fantastically idiotic story of a few delusional Jews. None of that mattered to God. Under God's perfect plan, the Roman's step in and completely quash the Jew's attempt to destroy Paul and his work. They also give Paul passage to the place he so desperately wanted to go; Rome. What are we to make of this? You may be or feel you are in the place where Paul was. You are surrounded by haters and you are so far from where you want to be; where you feel God wants you to be. Don't lose hope. Have faith. God can and will move heaven and earth to see His perfect plan and your blessing fulfilled. He will often bring that salvation through wholly and holy unexpected means, maybe even an enemy. Nothing is too difficult for God. As unexpected as God coming to His creation as a blessed, humble baby, later sacrificing Himself to wipe away our sins and bring about our salvation. Take heart He is with you.
Being In Relationship With God Through Prayer
Yes here we are again. A mass tragedy, a mass shooting has happened. There have been requests for prayers, statements of support in prayer and some questioning the power of prayer and why pray. However, to fully understand prayer and its power, we have to remember what it is. It is a conversation, a relationship with the All Powerful Creator God. At the heart of this relationship is the love God so wants to pour out for and on us. Would and will God pour out His love out for the victims of Pittsburgh without our prayers? Unequivocally yes. So do we really need to pray? YES! First, there is no reason to pray except that we are acknowledging the existence of God. Second there is no reason to pray with acknowledging the Power of God. And God answers. God, in that answering shares His perfection with us, He shares His power and His love. That perfection and that power blesses and empowers us to be His blessing for and to the world. So pray PLEASE Pray and not just during tragedies. Have a need? Pray. See someone in need? Pray for them now. Have something good that happened? Pray a prayer of thanksgiving. See something good happening for someone else, say a prayer of thanksgiving for their experience. Be in relationship with God and let it be started and strengthened in prayer.
We All Need to Change
Jesus Christ told those whom He taught when He was on this earth and tell us today; we need to change. In fact we all need to change. Jesus did not say the poor had it right but the rich had it wrong or the religious leaders were wrong but the regular religious worshipers were right, or even the Jews were right and the Romans wrong. So today we have a situation where, seemingly a section of society is being targeted by a bomber. Listening to both sides, they are saying we have a toxic, divisive discourse in society. Here's the thing, at least in my opinion, each side is completely blaming the other for the toxicity. They say "we" need to change and be more civil and then they point their finger at the other side and say You have to change. I've heard neither side, or at least their TV media champions, acknowledge any aspect of change needed on their own side or any sense of shared responsibility for the current level of civility or lack there of. The one person who didn't need to change was/is Jesus Christ. Why? He is perfect. Are we so sure of our position, our behavior, that we rise to that same level of perfection? Is there some aspect of change that we ALL are required to make, that there is a shared responsibility? (not for the bomber or bombs, the bomber bares that responsibility and does not get a pass) If I say you are the only one responsible and I have no reason to change and you say and believe the exact same thing about me, NOTHING will change. Is that what "we" really want?
What Emotions are You Waking Up With Today?
I truly hope you are not waking up with these emotions today; disappointment, envy and/or hatred. Why might that happen? Because there was one top prize winning lottery ticket sold in SC and it probably wasn't yours. You may have prayed and prayed hard with a true sense of desperation. You may feel you were not listened to. You may feel God let you down or worse yet God doesn't care about you or love you. You may feel mad at Him and envious of the one who won. If that is you in any way, please understand this; God did hear you. God does love you. A young child may desperately believe they need and ask for a loaded, real gun. But we would know it is better for that child not to give him/her that gun. Understand this, God knows best. God didn't have you win because, regardless of your judgement and desires, He knew it would be harmful to you. Also 1.6 billion is nothing to the God of all creation. He has more than enough to insure all who call upon Him will be winners by God's eternal standards. He will pour out His love, blessings and all material things you need. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you are an ultimate winner in God's eyes.
Be Careful What You Wish or Even Pray For
Woooweee there are some pretty big lottery jackpots out there. So here's some questions for each of us to ponder whether we play or not. In your heart, mind, body and soul; would you, in all sincerity and truthfulness, be able to say to God and mean it: I need You as much today, even with winning the lottery then I did yesterday before I won? Could you say to God and mean it: The life you provided for me before the win, was just as good as the life you're providing me after the win? Could you say to God and the world; I am still as poor in spirit today, after the win, then I was before? Just how much does that amount of money mean to you? Why did I include those who don't play in these questions? Because do you envy those who play, a least the winners? Depending on the answers what might seem a blessed win could actually be a disastrous loss.
Advocacy Versus Scarcity
Advocacy versus Scarcity. This morning I came across a couple of stories of advocacy; a news article about patient advocacy and story about student advocacy about individual student's learning desires being promoted. It brought to mind just how much the principle of advocacy is being practiced these days for so many things. Yet I thought about another concept I first learned in high school and was reinforced in some college classes and that is the law of scarcity. That law states that while the scope of human wants is unlimited, the resources with which to fulfill those wants are limited. So I got to wondering, as you and I go about our day, advocating for our individual or group wants, do we do so with any sense of this basic understanding? First, lets say I get what I want, you may be advocating for something slightly or significantly different. Do I even consider that my fulfillment leaves less for you? Do I even care? Do I contemplate that you feel as passionately about your fulfillment as I do mine? Do I even consider for a moment the impossibility of all diverse desires being able to be fulfilled? Ah, you say, but with God all things are possible. True, however, God's knowledge and judgement are perfect. He knows we have wants that if fulfilled, would be highly damaging to us and/or those around us. Thus as we advocate for ourselves today, let us do so with a touch of humility, understanding in the human realm there is only so much to go around and others need some too. Plus in the Heavenly Father's realm, His fulfillment is based on what's best for us versus just acquiescing to our desires. Perhaps as the song goes: We just might find, we get what we need.
Why Do _____________things happen to ___________________people?
Why do _______________things happen to ___________people? Now really the question often gets asked by believers and non-believers alike as: "Why does God allow "bad" things to happen to "good" people? While it's a natural question, if we are honest with ourselves, it is a question from a rather worldly point of view. For that question assumes that we are adequate judges of who is good or bad as well as having the wisdom to discern what is ultimately a good or a bad thing. However, history shows us that we might not be the wise, discerning judges that we think we are. There was a man Ted Bundy who was looked at as a warm, generous, kind, polite young man. That portrait of him lasted right up to the time he was caught and convicted as one of our country's worse, sadistic mass murderers. Hitler was very well thought of by many, including the likes of Charles Lyndburg. Conversely, mold was looked at as a primarily wasteful and destructive thing, but then the wonder drug penicillin was discovered from it. A man's encounter with Jesus Christ shows our lack of ability to judge accurately when, instead of seeing Jesus as the Messiah, the true Son of God, came to Him and called Him merely a "good" man. Good people, who deserve good things? Jesus is clear, we are sinners and, if simple justice was to be served, we should be found guilty for our sins and punished. But God's way is not our way thankfully. For instead of punishment, God has given us His Grace. Within that Grace is such an amazing sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ taking all our sins upon Himself and dying for them, so that we might be forgiven and restored. We receive God's endless, boundless love. Then let us be humble, not falling into the trap that when we find ourselves blessed by God, it is actually a just reward for our righteousness and not a free, undeserved gift of His Grace. Further let us not be judgmental where when we see that some tough circumstance has come to someone else it is obviously a punishment for some wrong they have committed. Let us more accurately see God as the architect and builder of His perfect plan for our lives. In that building process there may be some bricks of plenty and some bricks of lean. Whichever, the case, the Builder is perfect and with a foundation based on Jesus Christ, the building which is our lives, will withstand any and all storms which may come against it.
Who or What Do We Depend On and What Difference Does it Make?
Jesus Christ makes it abundantly clear. We will not be spiritually successful, it will not be well with our souls as long as we are worldly dependent. How might we find ourselves dependent on the world? One way is to measure ourselves by worldly standards; I am worldly successful based on a job title, size of bank account, prestige received, power wielded, education attained, number of friends, worldly happy family are just a few of the worldly measure traps. Another way we can show our dependence is by our reliance on the world and our fear of worldly lack. I just need a few dollars more, I just need this car, I can not live without this relationship with this person, and, if I can only get this (whatever the worldly "this" is) then I will be whole. I'll be happy because my life is complete. Jesus called many to come and follow him and many answered; okay, but wait a minute, let me take of this worldly thing, then I'll be ready follow. Some of the reasons seemed fairly legitimate like let me bury my father first. Yet Christ warns us, the enemy will use any worldly reason, even seemingly important, legitimate ones to keep us from salvation. The minute we ask Jesus to wait for before we commit to Him is the one minute we may not have. The worldly is just an instant, the spiritual is for eternity. Don't risk eternal life and salvation on wasted worldly determination.
What Is So Important About Today That We Should Focus On It?
Jesus Christ is very clear; today is the day that matters. Now it's true that when Jesus preached this specifically, He was doing so in the context of why we shouldn't worry. As such, He said that don't worry about tomorrow's trouble as today will have enough trouble of its own. However it is not "trouble" that Jesus and His ministry is primarily focused on. What is involved and the basis of the two greatest commandments? How did Jesus say that His followers would be recognized by the world. Why did God send Jesus to us in the first place? At the heart of all of these, the focus that God has towards us; was, is and will continue to be, LOVE. And not just any love, a deep, personal, give everything kind of love. God doesn't want you to miss out on receiving and feeling that love, missing it because you're focused on, consumed with and/or can only see tomorrow. You are loved today! You are loved by none other than Our Heavenly Father AND Jesus Christ AND the Holy Spirit. If they were not enough, there are followers of Them who want to love you today as well. One more important thing, there are those who are in need of your love today that might not be able to wait to receive it tomorrow. Again, you are loved today! God wants to bless you today. God wants you to be a blessing for others today. Please don't miss out on that uplifting, healing, restorative, redeeming love, not seeing/feeling it today because you're focused on tomorrow.
Glory Glory Glory
Glory. Let's consider glory for a moment and the impact of it. The world seeks self glorification, that is for me, my group, my gender, my country, my, my, my……. Think for a moment what that causes. Consider the anger, frustration, hurt, hatred, war and so many other negative things that comes when we as individuals believe we have not been given the glory we're due, someone else is getting more glory which should be coming to us, and/or worse of all, someone is attempting to steal our hard earned glory. Being God, if anyone was entitled to glory in His own right, it was Jesus Christ. Yet Jesus made it abundantly clear, He did not seek His own glory and if He had, it would have been wrong to do so. No, all Jesus did, He did to bring glory to His Heavenly Father. Jesus would have us do the same for two reasons. First, in seeking glory for the Father versus ourselves, it takes away the constant self absorption concerning our glory or lack thereof and the negative feelings accompanying that. As long as our focus is on glorifying God, that others might not be doing so is no threat to us. Secondly, unlike those consumed with attaining worldly glory, God does not horde His Glory. He has no need to. No one can either take or surpass His Glory. Instead, God freely shares His Glory with those who love and follow Him. Also, unlike earthly glory which is so extremely fleeting, God's Glory is eternal. Thus let us shake of the chains of the pursuit of self glorification and rather focus on the liberating process of giving and receiving Glory from our Heavenly Father.
The Blessing Of and the Need To Know and Be Known
To know and be known. In several different lessons and parables, Jesus Christ stresses the importance of this concept. Jesus warns us it is not enough to speak words of Christ, to "declare" we are Christians, to have a cross on my key chain or a bible on my table. Christ is clear what is important is whether we live in a manner where He and His/Our Heavenly Father actually make a difference in our daily lives. Do we know of the Father's love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, generosity, salvation and blessings. Plus, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, does that knowledge transfer into action? Do we live as though God and His principles actually matter, actually impact our lives? Christ is unambiguous, there are those who will define for themselves what is good and righteous, generous and merciful, forgiving and loving. Having defined those things for themselves or using worldly definitions, they will attempt to live a "good" life. They may even succeed by their limited definition. Sadly though, they will come to Christ expecting eternal rest in the Kingdom and Christ will turn them away; saying: "Depart I never knew you". Christ wants to be in a personal relationship with each of us. Being in that relationship requires that we know about Him and are known by Him. It is through that relationship that we humble ourselves to want Christ's ways and Christ's decisions to be our ways and our decisions. Thus going through this day we need to look at ourselves; asking the question, does our knowing Christ make any difference in what we do, think and feel? Will Christ welcomingly know us by how we attempt to live? Do we live in the desire to have Christ declare: "Come on in, I know you"?
Blessed Are The Meek and Self Esteem; How Do They Fit Together
Esteem and blessed are the meek; how do these two concepts fit together? "Blessed are the meek" is the third beatitude taught by Christ. Toward the end of last century and continuing on into this century, we've seemed to hear the virtues extolled more vehemently concerning gaining a "healthy" or having a strong sense of self esteem, especially starting in childhood. Some themes that seem to be entailed in this are: that I matter, what I say matters, I have the right to think the way I want to and further more, act upon what I think. Now to the extent, for children, that this self esteem equips them to not except abuse, speak out about being abused and that we listen to them is a valuable thing. Yet we must be careful whether child or adult that the concept of self esteem does not morph into a sense of SELFISH esteem. That is to say that who I am, what I think, what I do becomes of paramount importance making be the arbiter of what is right and righteous. Let's remember the humility of Jesus Christ. He washed His disciples feet. He endured the insults and lies of others without it causing Him to doubt Himself or what He was doing or lashing out at His tormentors. Remember the power of Jesus in the storm and what He did to the fig tree. Jesus could have easily and terribly destroyed anyone uttering a syllable against, yet He chose to remain meek. Let us remember that when God created you, He called it good. God loves you and sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for you. However, also remember He did the same things for me and all others. The world sets us against each other in its judging of who is worthy of the greatest earthly esteem and shunning most others. Christ teaches us there is only One whom we should esteem as greatest, Our Heavenly Father and the rest we should treat equally. Should we find we are esteeming ourselves this day, is that at the sake of our esteem for others? In esteeming He who is worthy of all our praise and esteem, let us reject esteeming ourselves more than we should.
Hope, Belief and Hope Fulfilled
Hope. Hope fulfilled. The blind men hoped to see again and believed Jesus could restore their sight and their hope was fulfilled. The lame men hoped to walk again and believed Jesus could restore their legs and their hope was fulfilled. The woman hoped that her condition of 12 years could be healed and believed Jesus could bring it about. Just one touch of His cloak and her hope was fulfilled. The Jewish Leadership hoped for the coming Messiah. They did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. They died never seeing their hope fulfilled. What are you hoping for this day? Going beyond what the world might hope for, what deep fulfilling hope has God placed in your heart? Do you realize that there is Someone who can fulfill that hope; bring that God led thing to fruition? Believe in and on Jesus Christ. Come just as you are today. You don't have to go to church first or read through the entire bible. No, Jesus Christ asks, almost pleads: Come as you are, hungry, perhaps broken, in need great or small and BELIEVE. Christ asks you to Believe that He loves you and stands ready and able to fulfill your God given hope and restore you to the triumphant life in Christ you were created to have today and for all eternity. Hope! Hope in and on Jesus Christ!
There is Only One Place Where Righteous Anger is Right
Wow, there is a lot of anger out there. There seems to be a feeling on all sides that to rise to this level of anger is justified by the circumstances at hand. Maybe it would be wise to take a step back and see/read what the Word has to say about anger. First, the only aspect of "righteous anger" alluded to in scripture is God being angry. Jesus goes as far as to warn us that our becoming angry can lead us down the pathway to hell. We are told that anger is something not to hold onto; that, should it happen, to quickly deal with it and put it away, to not let the sun go down while we are still angry. We are warned that continuous anger is an opening for the enemy to come into our lives. We must go back to the truth that, though we may be different with different ideas, we are equal and equally created in the eyes of God. And while we may be disappointed at different actions of an individual or group, God has not delegated the right of judgement and anger from Himself to us. And just because someone is angry with us does not justify a response in kind. We do have a resource to help us deal with and get past our anger. We are freely given the Holy Spirit, who is more powerful than our spirit, who dwells within us and who can overcome and overwhelm the anger we might have. Let us call upon Him at those times that we feel anger welling up within us or has burst open from us, to calm our thoughts and quench the flames that threaten to consume us. Let us grasp hold of the truth that while anger leads to destructive defeat, love truly conquers all.
What is Truth?
"What is truth?" A question hotly debated these days, especially on this day. In the previous quoted question; a man, Pontius Pilate is asking this of God, Jesus Christ. The man's truth was he had power over Jesus. The man's truth was the man and his government were the ultimate power. In three days God proved what the real truth was. For Christ rose from the grave showing His ultimate power over all things including death. The truth is, upon rising from the grave, Christ did not lash out at His accusers and torturers, He had already forgiven them. The truth is Christ tells us the greatest thing we can do is love. The truth is Christ asks us not to judge, not to condemn, not to hate. The truth is Christ promises to be with us, helping us, protecting us, saving us, loving us, each moment for all eternity. The world's truth, especially lately is couched in anger, accusation, judgement, borders on hatred and seems to change wildly based on the whim of the day. What is truth? Or perhaps another question is which truth are we going to live into; the world's truth or the truth of Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is Seeking Out All Who are Hurting, Burdened and Heavy Laden
You find yourself in a situation, maybe a dark place, perhaps it's physical, mental, spiritual or a combination of some or all. It could have been going on for a while, maybe 38 years. You ask: Does anyone see me? Does anyone care? You watch as others receive help and healing using a process that is so close to you but just out of your reach. Does anyone see me? Does anyone care? You find yourself in the same place each day, doing the same thing, with ever diminishing hope. Does anyone see me? Does anyone care? Enter Jesus Christ, He asks you do you want to be well? You answer based on the history of the worldly process where you desperately hope for a way out but can't see any solution working for you. Christ responds: "I'm all you need" and heals you, not only restoring you but surpassing your greatest expectations. Can that really happen? Read Chapter 5 in the Gospel of John concerning the healing at the pool. But this is not some one time thing. Jesus searched for this man after healing him to assure the man that Jesus was still with him and that the man needed to stay in Jesus Christ to continue to be well. Jesus Christ is searching for the hurting today. He will go to the ends of the earth, He even went to the cross, to find, heal and restore all, including you and I. So if you're hurting, cry out and reach up to Him. If you're not raise up a shout of praise and thanksgiving for His blessings. Either way, let us be in Him, where He wants us to be and where we are created to be,
Difference and Divisiveness Are Not The Same Thing
Difference is not the same as divisiveness. The world would have our differences, divide us; different nationalities, different ethnicity, different genders, different body types, different parts of the country, different generations, different political affiliations, different economic levels, different academic achievements, different faiths. In as many different ways as we can be different, the world would have us judge between those differences as to who's better and who's worse. Jesus Christ knew His disciples were different. He didn't try to make them all identical copies of each other. However, Jesus knew the damning, damaging power, of division. That is why one of His very last acts on this earth before His crucifixion was to pray for His disciples. What did He pray for? Jesus prayed that His Heavenly Father would guard them as they pursued their life in Christ. To guard them against the Evil One and the hatred and divisions he can bring. Jesus asked that they and all who would come after them, which includes you and I, be of one mind and one heart. He prayed that one mind and heart would be the same heart and mind that Christ and God share. We can be different. We were created different/unique. Yet we can be together and not divided as The Father and Son are different but are of One mind. and heart. That is a mind of grace and a heart of love for all no matter how different. May we follow Jesus Christ's example and call on God's loving protection and power. That through Him we might live into the universal Oneness, mind and heart we were created to be.
The Bright Path Forward
The blessed words below were written by the Apostle Paul to the believers in Rome, yet the call out to each of us today and lay out the bright path forward to all who are waiting. In some cases those who are waiting are in time of strife or despondency. Yet these words are comfort for us all allowing us to build our faith in hope in Jesus Christ. Paul writes: "because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." May you find comfort through the Holy Spirit, in the light of Jesus Christ as you journey the path of God's perfect purpose for you, this day.
To and Day, Using the Light of the Son to Guide Our Path Today
"To" A preposition used to express motion or direction toward a point, person or place. "Day" The interval of light between two successive nights; the time between sunrise and sunset. With a spouse who's a teacher, she would rightly point out that the word "today" is a noun. Yet if we look closer at, take time to contemplate its constituent parts, we see it is significantly about motion. Thus where "toward" are you moving this period of light? In what direction have you chosen to point as you move toward some person, place or thing? Is your choice of destination truly worth your efforts? What light are using to guide your journey; only the light of the sun, or primarily the light of the Son. One of those lights, the sun, will fade leaving you and I in darkness that may confuse our direction and hinder our motions. However, the other light, the Son's light, will never cease, never fail to guide us, never fail to protect us from the enemies of the Light, hiding in darkness. May your motion be guided by His light this and every day leading you to the blessed destination He has in store.
What Should We Be Focusing On In Responding to the Storms in Life
Storms are powerful. Sometimes we want to focus on the damage and potential damage of the storm as the message. Yet there is something more powerful, God's love and its manifestation in the love we show one another during the storm and its aftermath. For it is during those times of catastrophe that we don't ask or care about; who did you vote for, what color is your skin, what gender do you date, how much money do you have or virtually any other category. No, what we care about is do you need help, I'm here to lend a hand. And sometimes I'll come hundreds of miles if not further to lend it. God maybe asking us, why does it take a storm to show that unconditional love. Finally, people are going through storms all over this day, maybe some right next to you and I. The geographic scope of the storm maybe less but the intensity of their storm may match the most powerful category 5 storm ever measured. If that is you, know God loves you and has all the resources available to bring you through it. Can we be cognoscente of their storms and reach out to them in the same unconditional loving, selfless way?
We've Been Shown and Told In So Many Ways, It is All We Need
God tells us it is at the heart of the two greatest commandments. Jesus told us it was why God sent Him to us because how He feels about us. Paul tells us it is greater than faith and hope. The Beatles told us it's all we need. The singer Jackie DeShannon told us it's what the world needs now. What I'm talking about, of course, is love. So yes we need love. Now understand it is not that God needs to love us more. The amount of His love as shown in His mercy, grace, forgiveness, healing, blessings and so much more is beyond measure. His love is especially shown by the gift of the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ for us. So what I (and perhaps we) need is to be more open to receiving it, actually looking for it and upon receiving it, I need to be focused and diligent in sharing it. In the present situation with the storm, it is not as if it doesn't exist or that I should ignore it. What God's love means is that I don't need to fear it, knowing that His love will see us through it. Then I need to spread that love and message of comfort to others. For God truly loves us all. And that is all we truly need.