I make light of a few things now and then, stick in a nudge here and a pun there. But this is not one of those times.
There are some amazing people doing even more amazing work on this earth to help people who would otherwise not be able to help themselves. I am talking about the addicts anonymous programs setup for alcoholics, gamblers, drugs, and pornography just to name a few.
But what about the Christian, the person who doesn't have any of these "addictions"?
We know that we are all sinners by nature. I mean no matter how hard we try to be good, we sin. It is all but impossible to not too. We can't help it, without help and guidance from others like us and leaders in the subject, we will continue to sin our way to hell.
Small groups are the key.
Like church, it's not a fix all, but it better mimics what Christ had in mind when he talked about teaching others. The issue is, many people are not getting the real spiritual growth that the small group was designed to give. The small group is changing from the biblical discussions to another form of Sunday school. It's just held a someones home instead of the church. Small groups were meant to be much more. Things like prayer walks, working in a soup kitchen together, block parties for the unchurched, and mission trips are all fantastic and very powerful things, provided that the group is close enough to do them. Small groups seem to be getting more disconnects and out of touch, but I think lack of outside involvement is only part of the problem. People are just not getting those life changing moment in their small groups anymore.
Basically, there are two factors, regardless if the topic, that dictate how profound and enlightening the small group experience will be.
First:
There needs to be a strong group leader. This is the obvious one. The better the leader is in preparation, spirituality, transparency, leadership, growth, and presentation; the more attentive and open the small group members will be. But this is not the most important part.
Second:
Is the overall participation by the members. The proverbial, leading the horse to water issue. Transfiguration can only happen when a person opens themselves up to it. It really doesn't matter how amazing the study is, or isn't for that matter. What matters is how deeply one is willing to look inside of themselves for what they really feel regarding the questions being asked and the relevant scripture involved.
I have in the past and am now teaching studies that have amazing potential to be truly soul changing topics. Subjects that if a person was to spend a little time and look deeper than the surface of a question, they would start to explore a more profound and amazing part of how our life intertwines with God and our Saviour. But many don't. I am not sure why, maybe they are scare of what they may find. Maybe they are too proud and think that they really don't have an issue. Or maybe they know it would be very hard to face something that they have been hiding and they don't want to open those wounds again.
Most of us already know, but either don't understand or won't admit that God already knows what we are feeling. We're only hiding it from ourselves.
So, if your in a small group do this. Pray about the topic, spend time that week in a quiet place, listen to what God has to say about the study topic. Then search your heart for that deeper meaning to the questions being asked.
Matthew 13:3-8
..."A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. 4 While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by the birds. 5 Other seeds fell on thin rock ground and started to grow quickly because the soil wasn't very deep. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots. 7 Some other seeds fell where thorn-bushes grew up and choked the plants. 8 But a few of the seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered." (CEV)
If you are not in a small group I strongly suggest joining one. And if you are in one I suggest you look deeper and not think of it as a class but as a discussion for everyone in that meeting to learn more about themselves and Jesus Christ. We do have our own Addictions Anonymous, is called a Small Group, and it's filled with sinners,... just like you.
Hello, ...
My name is Tom,...
and I, am a Sinner...
PRAYER:
Lord,
You keep giving us amazing tools and language to help us better find our way closer to You. However, we seem to be blind to the fact that it is us that has to not only choose to make that journey, but also do the work required along that journey. Your grace, love and patience has no bounds, I ask Lord please help us all open our eyes and our hearts to Your will. Help us become the deep good rich soil that is needed to grow strong plants of faith and transfiguration from the seeds cast upon us that is Your word.
In your Glorious Name, We Pray
Amen
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Broken Record
I know it's been a long time since my last post. I have no excuse for my absence, those of you who know me know what I have been doing and why. God has been with me the whole way over the past year, and boy have I grown, and been humbled.
See, many of us we go to church every week, we pray everyday and we ask ourselves to place our entire lives in Gods hands. Unfortunately, many of us fail to actually do so.
I know there are some of you that don't agree, but trust me on this, it's true and here's the simple why.
Think about almost every sermon you have ever heard. What about Sunday school? Almost everything we are taught in church is directed towards trusting our entire lives in God. Why do you think this is? Because we are simple humans that, even as adults, act like children when we don't want to do something when it's "Too Hard".
I mean, EVERYDAY I ask my sons not to chew with their mouths open, or to wash after using the restroom. They know they are supposed to, but it's an inconvenience. So they don't do it.
Adult Christians (and I mean people who really try to be Christ Followers) do the same thing when it come to there life and trusting it to God. It's only when everything is (or seems to be) at its worst, do we completely surrender ourselves to Him. He then picks us up, dusts us off, hugs us and says, "See, I told you I would be here!" The (not so) funny part is, soon after that happens, we start to forget how to trust in Him, until we need Him again.
Free will gives us the choice to love Him, and the choice to follow Him. But Satan uses that same free will to lure us into independence. "I can do it myself" or "Look what I accomplished"
With everything around us implying we can do this or we should do that, we seem to forget one of the most important lines in scripture. Jesus is giving His diciples a template on how to pray when He gives the single most important instruction of the entire Bible. "Thy will be done"
Not our will or not our wants, Gods will, Gods wants, that's what we are supposed to be doing.
That's why we are taught over and over again to trust in Him. We are by nature selfish and sinful, we don't want to give anyone the credit we think we deserve.
We don't deserve it, He does.
Prayer:
Lord,
You are greater than I can ever imagine. Your love, grace and wisdom have no bounds. Who am I to take claim for what I have done. It is you that has given me the talents, abilites, and vision to do whatever it is that I accomplish. It may be my physical hands that do the work, but it's Your design that made it happen. I pray that I continue to trust fully in You and not forget the lesson I have so recently been taught. (again) Your will be done.
Amen
See, many of us we go to church every week, we pray everyday and we ask ourselves to place our entire lives in Gods hands. Unfortunately, many of us fail to actually do so.
I know there are some of you that don't agree, but trust me on this, it's true and here's the simple why.
Think about almost every sermon you have ever heard. What about Sunday school? Almost everything we are taught in church is directed towards trusting our entire lives in God. Why do you think this is? Because we are simple humans that, even as adults, act like children when we don't want to do something when it's "Too Hard".
I mean, EVERYDAY I ask my sons not to chew with their mouths open, or to wash after using the restroom. They know they are supposed to, but it's an inconvenience. So they don't do it.
Adult Christians (and I mean people who really try to be Christ Followers) do the same thing when it come to there life and trusting it to God. It's only when everything is (or seems to be) at its worst, do we completely surrender ourselves to Him. He then picks us up, dusts us off, hugs us and says, "See, I told you I would be here!" The (not so) funny part is, soon after that happens, we start to forget how to trust in Him, until we need Him again.
Free will gives us the choice to love Him, and the choice to follow Him. But Satan uses that same free will to lure us into independence. "I can do it myself" or "Look what I accomplished"
With everything around us implying we can do this or we should do that, we seem to forget one of the most important lines in scripture. Jesus is giving His diciples a template on how to pray when He gives the single most important instruction of the entire Bible. "Thy will be done"
Not our will or not our wants, Gods will, Gods wants, that's what we are supposed to be doing.
That's why we are taught over and over again to trust in Him. We are by nature selfish and sinful, we don't want to give anyone the credit we think we deserve.
We don't deserve it, He does.
Prayer:
Lord,
You are greater than I can ever imagine. Your love, grace and wisdom have no bounds. Who am I to take claim for what I have done. It is you that has given me the talents, abilites, and vision to do whatever it is that I accomplish. It may be my physical hands that do the work, but it's Your design that made it happen. I pray that I continue to trust fully in You and not forget the lesson I have so recently been taught. (again) Your will be done.
Amen
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Big Picture
We all have heard sayings like, "Can't see the forest through the trees." Others are out there but they escape me at the moment.
Basically, the concept is that if we only look at small part of the situation or object, it is very hard to get a grasp on the overall picture of what is around us. We then end up making accusations and conclusions based off of incomplete information.
And this is exactly what Satan wants us to do.
Many times, in church or in christian books or other situations we only get little snips from the Bible, you know, a verse here and a verse there. The problem comes when that verse is taken out of context. All of the verse's are part of a bigger story. If you want to know the meaning of a verse, read the 3 or 4 before it and the 3 or 4 after. Simple concept I know but I am getting to a point.
I recently had a heated discussion with a close friend on the different translations of the Bible. I was asked "Which one was the right one?" My answer, all of them.
See the argument was that given a single passage or verse in one translation will differ (in the wording) from another. If we only look at the Bible in this verse, microscope kind of way, it is very easy to begin to doubt that the meaning of the verse, the Bible, the word of God. The truth of what was meant when it was originally written gets lost.
And that is exactly what Satan wants us to do.
Satan does not want us to worship him, he wants us to not worship God. Once we do that, then he wins. And don't be fooled, Satan is out there, and deep down you know it.
In the end the most important part is to make sure that even if we don't understand what the Bible is telling us, that we accept it fully and know that God is the reason for EVERYTHING!
See God is too big to see if you use a microscope. Beauty is distorted the closer you look, or the more you try to dissect it, or the less you just believe. Because even a Picasso, or a Rembrandt is nothing more than just random brush strokes of you look at it too closely.
Matthew 15:1-9
1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked. 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' "
You see, Jesus saw that the Holy men of the time had lost site of what was important. They stopped looking at the big picture and started to break it down. Satan had come in and distorted their view of what God wanted.
Prayer:
Lord please help me to see the twists and doubts that Satan tries to insert into my life about You and Your word, for what they are. Please give me the vision to see the defiance and the strength to overcome it. I know Satan is a diligent worker and will not stop trying to take my faith in You away. Please Lord help me to open my eyes so that I may see Your big picture, and the wisdom to share that big picture with the world.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Basically, the concept is that if we only look at small part of the situation or object, it is very hard to get a grasp on the overall picture of what is around us. We then end up making accusations and conclusions based off of incomplete information.
And this is exactly what Satan wants us to do.
Many times, in church or in christian books or other situations we only get little snips from the Bible, you know, a verse here and a verse there. The problem comes when that verse is taken out of context. All of the verse's are part of a bigger story. If you want to know the meaning of a verse, read the 3 or 4 before it and the 3 or 4 after. Simple concept I know but I am getting to a point.
I recently had a heated discussion with a close friend on the different translations of the Bible. I was asked "Which one was the right one?" My answer, all of them.
See the argument was that given a single passage or verse in one translation will differ (in the wording) from another. If we only look at the Bible in this verse, microscope kind of way, it is very easy to begin to doubt that the meaning of the verse, the Bible, the word of God. The truth of what was meant when it was originally written gets lost.
And that is exactly what Satan wants us to do.
Satan does not want us to worship him, he wants us to not worship God. Once we do that, then he wins. And don't be fooled, Satan is out there, and deep down you know it.
In the end the most important part is to make sure that even if we don't understand what the Bible is telling us, that we accept it fully and know that God is the reason for EVERYTHING!
See God is too big to see if you use a microscope. Beauty is distorted the closer you look, or the more you try to dissect it, or the less you just believe. Because even a Picasso, or a Rembrandt is nothing more than just random brush strokes of you look at it too closely.
Matthew 15:1-9
1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked. 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"
3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' "
You see, Jesus saw that the Holy men of the time had lost site of what was important. They stopped looking at the big picture and started to break it down. Satan had come in and distorted their view of what God wanted.
Prayer:
Lord please help me to see the twists and doubts that Satan tries to insert into my life about You and Your word, for what they are. Please give me the vision to see the defiance and the strength to overcome it. I know Satan is a diligent worker and will not stop trying to take my faith in You away. Please Lord help me to open my eyes so that I may see Your big picture, and the wisdom to share that big picture with the world.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Monday, March 16, 2009
Back...
OK,
I will admit, I have been in a dip in my faith. I did the classic "Hey, everything is great and ...." you know the drill.
Anyway, I am back. I am not saying that I will be posting as much as I was, but I do have a new vision in my walk and a new found love for leadership in my church, my family, and my small groups. It is this leadership along with the vigilant prayers of many men and women of Christ that have helped me come to this point. And I can gladly say that I am closer to God now than I ever was.
Matthew 6:31-34 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you a well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Prayer:
Lord, Thank you. There is so much to be said and to be done in this world and I feel I don't often enough give credit to the One that is truly in charge of it all. Over the past couple of weeks You have shown me again and again Your power and glory. You have given me a path, a responsibility, the strength, and a need to be a leader in my church, Your church. You have given me many reasons to praise You, and help picked me up out of the dip I found myself in. All I ask is that You give me the strength and the vision to lead in Your name and that you find new ways to use me to help spread Your word.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
I will admit, I have been in a dip in my faith. I did the classic "Hey, everything is great and ...." you know the drill.
Anyway, I am back. I am not saying that I will be posting as much as I was, but I do have a new vision in my walk and a new found love for leadership in my church, my family, and my small groups. It is this leadership along with the vigilant prayers of many men and women of Christ that have helped me come to this point. And I can gladly say that I am closer to God now than I ever was.
Matthew 6:31-34 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you a well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)
Prayer:
Lord, Thank you. There is so much to be said and to be done in this world and I feel I don't often enough give credit to the One that is truly in charge of it all. Over the past couple of weeks You have shown me again and again Your power and glory. You have given me a path, a responsibility, the strength, and a need to be a leader in my church, Your church. You have given me many reasons to praise You, and help picked me up out of the dip I found myself in. All I ask is that You give me the strength and the vision to lead in Your name and that you find new ways to use me to help spread Your word.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Absence
I just wanted to apologize for not posting in a little while.
I have let life get in the way. Between traveling halfway across the country to be with family for the holidays, a shoulder surgery that went very well, and starting to lead my small group in a subject that I am VERY passionate about, I have let this site and my readers (if they are out there) down. I am sorry.
Shoulder surgery was for some rotator cuff issues and bone spurs. Rehab to begin soon.
The topic for the small group is Fireproof Your Marriage. This study is based off the movie "Fireproof" we start this Monday and I really can't wait to hear the stories and comments from the group.
I will post more on this subject as we move forward.
Prayer:
Lord, please guide me as I continue on my walk with You. Over next month or so I will be trying to use Your word to help people in our small group better their marriages. I have myself been trying very hard to model my marriage after Your teachings and I have to say that I have never been happier, both because You are in my heart, and because you have given me a strong Christian woman to be my partner. We both know that it is in You that we will find true happiness. I ask that You work through me to help others have the joyful union that You have blessed me with.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen
I have let life get in the way. Between traveling halfway across the country to be with family for the holidays, a shoulder surgery that went very well, and starting to lead my small group in a subject that I am VERY passionate about, I have let this site and my readers (if they are out there) down. I am sorry.
Shoulder surgery was for some rotator cuff issues and bone spurs. Rehab to begin soon.
The topic for the small group is Fireproof Your Marriage. This study is based off the movie "Fireproof" we start this Monday and I really can't wait to hear the stories and comments from the group.
I will post more on this subject as we move forward.
Prayer:
Lord, please guide me as I continue on my walk with You. Over next month or so I will be trying to use Your word to help people in our small group better their marriages. I have myself been trying very hard to model my marriage after Your teachings and I have to say that I have never been happier, both because You are in my heart, and because you have given me a strong Christian woman to be my partner. We both know that it is in You that we will find true happiness. I ask that You work through me to help others have the joyful union that You have blessed me with.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
CHRISTmas
OK, OK, OK...
I know that the most of you that are reading this are Christians and that I don't have to give any speech on keeping the CHRIST in Christmas.
So I wont.
If you have email I am sure you have had many MANY emails on the subject and are probably sick of hearing about it, because most of time you get those emails from people that you may personally question their faith.
I mean we are Christians right! WE KNOW ALREADY!!!!
And if any of you where just nodding in agreement to what I was saying...
Shame on YOU!!!
Don't get me wrong, seeing the same message over and over again is annoying. However, in this world were the "non-believer" is trying to make it harder and harder for us to celebrate God and all He has done for us, we should be happy to get those messages. Because it shows that the silent majority in starting speak up.
Let's just make sure that this speaking up is because we want to see a change towards Jesus, and not just because it's Christmas Time.
This is the time of our Lord, so I am going to do something I normally would have trouble doing, and I am going asking others to do this as well.
Pray for the world, "Peace on Earth, Good will towards men..."
Most of you know that I have very strong Christian beliefs, and true to this countries founding traditions, there are others here that have very strong beliefs in other religions of their choice. There feelings are just as strong as ours no matter how misguided we may think they are. That being said, nod, smile, wish these people a good day, show them respect, so that they in turn have no reason not to respect us as followers of Christ. "Do on to other's as you would have them do on to you.."
Prayer:
Lord we are quickly approaching the time of the birth of our Saviour. I know that the view's and testimony I place here can be and are sometimes meant to be harsh. Lord, please know that everything I do here and through out my life is in an effort to please You. As for those who do not completely know You and those who choose not to, I ask that you please show them mercy, give us as Christians the strength to not insult them and show that Christianity is not about worshiping people, or idols, but that Christianity is about the purest of LOVE. Help us show that we as followers of Christ, worship You, for You are Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Hope. Lord please help us show those things, Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Hope, so that we can try to be more like You.
In this Glorious Time if the Birth of Your Son JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!!!
I pray to You,
Amen
I know that the most of you that are reading this are Christians and that I don't have to give any speech on keeping the CHRIST in Christmas.
So I wont.
If you have email I am sure you have had many MANY emails on the subject and are probably sick of hearing about it, because most of time you get those emails from people that you may personally question their faith.
I mean we are Christians right! WE KNOW ALREADY!!!!
And if any of you where just nodding in agreement to what I was saying...
Shame on YOU!!!
Don't get me wrong, seeing the same message over and over again is annoying. However, in this world were the "non-believer" is trying to make it harder and harder for us to celebrate God and all He has done for us, we should be happy to get those messages. Because it shows that the silent majority in starting speak up.
Let's just make sure that this speaking up is because we want to see a change towards Jesus, and not just because it's Christmas Time.
This is the time of our Lord, so I am going to do something I normally would have trouble doing, and I am going asking others to do this as well.
Pray for the world, "Peace on Earth, Good will towards men..."
Most of you know that I have very strong Christian beliefs, and true to this countries founding traditions, there are others here that have very strong beliefs in other religions of their choice. There feelings are just as strong as ours no matter how misguided we may think they are. That being said, nod, smile, wish these people a good day, show them respect, so that they in turn have no reason not to respect us as followers of Christ. "Do on to other's as you would have them do on to you.."
Prayer:
Lord we are quickly approaching the time of the birth of our Saviour. I know that the view's and testimony I place here can be and are sometimes meant to be harsh. Lord, please know that everything I do here and through out my life is in an effort to please You. As for those who do not completely know You and those who choose not to, I ask that you please show them mercy, give us as Christians the strength to not insult them and show that Christianity is not about worshiping people, or idols, but that Christianity is about the purest of LOVE. Help us show that we as followers of Christ, worship You, for You are Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Hope. Lord please help us show those things, Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Hope, so that we can try to be more like You.
In this Glorious Time if the Birth of Your Son JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!!!
I pray to You,
Amen
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friendships
What does it take to be a friend?
Other than your spouse, (whom should be the very first person you think of when about your earthly friends) how many friends do you have? BE CAREFUL!!
I have heard a few views on this, both right and wrong. Some examples of what I have heard are:
Other than your spouse, (whom should be the very first person you think of when about your earthly friends) how many friends do you have? BE CAREFUL!!
I have heard a few views on this, both right and wrong. Some examples of what I have heard are:
- You can NEVER have too many friends
- You should be able to count your friends on your thumbs
- A good friend will bail you our of jail, a great one will be there with you
- A friend is someone who will never judge you, but is never afraid to tell you when you are wrong!
I am sure that many of you have heard these sayings and many more. Some are true and some are "so so" at best. Let's see if we can break this down. I guess I am going to give what I think is the closest truth about the idea of friendship.
A friend (to me) should be a person that loves you more than themselves. They will ALWAYS be just a phone call away. They will not judge, but would sacrifice the friendship to help keep you on the right path. Last but not least, no matter where they are, or what they are doing, a friend will drop what ever it is that they are doing and will be by your side in a time of need, with out question or ever expecting it in return, no matter what.
Everyone else, no matter how nice, is an acquaintance.
I am very proud to say (aside from my wife) I have two people that I call my friends. They know how they are and know that I am their friends as well.
Thanks guys for everything over the years!!
See, to me that is the true job of a friend. This is what Jesus is doing, wants to do, did do, and will continue to do for all who love him and strive to know him. Jesus wants to be our friend.
I was talking with my 9 year old son a couple of days ago and it was his comments that got me thinking about this topic. See he had a classmate that he was playing with at school whom my son was starting to build a friendly relationship with. My son had mentioned something about the Bible, (details escape me and are not relevant) the classmate stated that he did not believe in the Bible, or Jesus, or even God for that matter. My son (bless his soul) was not happy about this reaction and (as school boys that age do) stated that he could no longer be friends with the classmate.
I asked my son why? Why do you think that you can't be friends with a person who does not love the Lord as you do? He said to me that, if he does not love the Lord then he is a bad person and I don't want to be around him.
Ahh!!! Opportunity!!! I jumped from my chair, grabbed my Bible, and said to my son, "It is our job as Christians to seek people like your classmate!" "You don't have to talk about Christ, but if your classmate knows you believe and live in Jesus' ways, and then sees the choices you make, it may help him to some day find Christ!!!"
I through open my Bible to my favorite story!!!
Matthew 9:10-13 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." "... I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners."
My son looked at me, smiled, and went on his way. I have no idea if he gave his classmate another chance. But I know he was listening.
Jesus spoke to many, and taught only a few. In the end, even the few He taught and held close, betrayed Him. He knew this would happen and predicted it. However, He did not betray us.
My challenge is this, look around you, aside from family, do you have any real friends. More importantly, are you someone else's friend?
Prayer:
Lord, as we approach the day that started it all, I find myself looking for gift's for people that I am not really sure why I am buying for, while at the same time I struggle to find things for the people I love the most. Because of Your love for us, You gave us the greatest gift of all, Your son Jesus Christ. I think that is where the struggle lies, see stuff is easy to get for those who are acquaintances, but it is hard to find a gift for someone that you love, because it is so hard to try to match the real feelings with "stuff".
Lord You gave us Your Son because You love us, I give You the only thing I can in return. My heart. Lord I ask You to help me be a better person tomorrow than I am today, help me help others in their search for the truth, help me, be a friend.
In Your Holiest of names I pray,
Amen.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sunday Sports
I have recently been confronted with a problem. Two of my children are competitive swimmers and have been for about 3 years now. I think the fact that they are in a sport is a very strong learning tool for sportsmanship, teamwork, preparing, and so on. I firmly believe that youth sports (unforced) are one of the best teaching tools for how to treat others and how to harness a will to be the best you can be.
I am also VERY firm in my beliefs of the following:
I am also VERY firm in my beliefs of the following:
- NOTHING comes before God
- The Man (Father) is the spiritual leader of the household (family)
- As the spiritual leader of my household, it is my responsibility to make sure that the Lord is in our lives, and in a way that is welcoming so that the family does not feel forced, but wants to worship.
- Sunday is the start of the week and the only way to start the week is in Gods house worshiping him.
The third one is the problem. Like I said I feel sports are a very important development tool. The children love to swim and the meets are the only way they can reap the values of their hard-work during practice.
The organizers of the swim league are, in my opinion, teaching a very bad lesson to these children. (age range from 4-16) They are scheduling these meets to last all weekend, and no matter what time your race is, all swimmers must arrive at the pool for warm up very early in the morning. They must also not leave until after they have raced. This is fine for Saturday, but this leaves no time for worship on Sunday. The coaches are (unwittingly I hope) placing swimming in front of God.
How is it that God has taken such a back seat to so many peoples lives that they will gladly go to a sporting event instead of Church! How are we supposed to teach our children about the value of worship and the love and faith of Jesus Christ when we are teaching them that the Lord can be worshiped when we find time?!?!
On that same token, ff I tell me children that they can not go to the meet because of Church. I fear that they will resent me for it and despise Church and the Lord as well because I "Forced" them to go. I want them to go because they want to, not because they feel like the have to.
I know that many professional sports are play on Sunday. The difference is, at every one of those events, there is a Church Service held in the site of the event so that the athletes can worship the Lord on Sunday.
Luke 16:13 - No Servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will devote to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Prayer:
Lord, I am trying to show my children that Your love, and faith in You, come second to nothing. I ask that You to please help me and guide me in this leadership path that I am on. The faith those children will have in You resides on the choices I make and the example I set. With out you in their hearts they will have no direction, they will have no purpose, and they will not be ready when Your Son comes back to us on the day of judgement.
Please help them understand that it's my love for them that wants them to open up so that they can feel Your love, and that as they grow up and have children of their own, they would be inclined to follow and continue what I have (with Your help) started now.
In Jesus' Name we Pray,
Amen
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Rocking the Boat
Before I get started, I would like to say that for the most part I will not voice my political views on this blog unless they are directly related to scripture, then I will cite the scripture as needed.
That being said...
Over the past couple of days, (months for that matter due to this being an election year) political figures have been in the news for one reason or another. It is an unfortunate trend that we are seeing more of a negative view of our political leaders than good. (One guess to why that is) Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that all politicians are crooks, liars and thieves. I am sure there are many political people that are good. Not to mention that I would be judging them if I were to make a statement like that, and that is not for me to do.
We as Americans are loosing Faith in our government. Not too long ago, the American people trusted the government, and believed that Washington worked in our best interest all the time. What went wrong?
A prime example of what I am talking about would be the recent events surrounding the governor of Illinois. I am not going into detail, but this guy is some real trouble!!!
Now we as Americans have this great power to choose who we want to run our country. This is a right given to us by the God fearing Founding Fathers of this (I still believe) great nation of ours. Hold that thought, I will come back to this...
I have heard a term used quite a bit regarding Christians as the "Silent Majority". But why are we so silent?
I have heard, and read from Christian speakers, and pastors alike that there are basically two types of people that call themselves Christians; The "Sunday Christian", and the "Christ Follower".
The Sunday Christian is the person that lives how they want Monday - Saturday. They will not speak of the Lord, they will live in Adultery, Greed, Pride, Envy, and so on. But come Sunday, they thump that Bible as hard as they can, as if it makes up for the week of denial of the Lord. I feel these people want to love the lord but are scared to truly let go and that they are just a touch or a revelation away from moving forward to the next level.
The Christ Follower still lives in sin, but they try to live their life everyday in the guidelines and rules set forth by the Lord. We will engage in discussions about our faith and are not ashamed.
However I do believe one thing. That both of these groups of people are the majority of the population of the United States. This give us power to make change. No matter what your political affiliation.
All over the place we are seeing God being taken out of our lives by the relatively small number of people who are "Offended" by God. OFFENDED!!! Yet they are not ashamed to speak up.
It does not take much research to see what this country was founded on. Even all the way back to when the Pilgrims first came to this country. This country was founded on a love and fear of God. That's why the ten commandments are on the grounds of so many court houses and government buildings. God was in the heart of the people who made this country. "In God We Trust!!!"
God gave us free will. There are those who choose not to believe. And there are others who choose to believe in another God. If they do not want to worship The One True God then that is their choice. But I asking the silent majority to stop being silent. Use the power that our countries God fearing founders gave us and stop letting the minority take God away from us. If we do that, if we push that God issue, if we stop being ashamed, we will see our country, our environment, and our lives get much, MUCH better.
Matthew 15:7-9 (7)"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:" (8) These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (9) They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for giving the Founding Fathers of this country the strength and resolve to stand up, and build a nation based on Your rules. But lord I see that image fading, I see crime and violence escalating and corruption building on our once great nation. I truly believe that we are not to far gone. But Lord we need Your help. Lord I pray that all of us who call ourselves Christians can rise up and take a stand to not let Your name be erased from our lives. I do not want to have to one day worship You in secret for fear of my life, or my freedom. Please Lord guide the leaders we have in making sure that You stay in our lives and in our laws, so we as a nation may live in Your light, love and grace.
In Jesus Name we Pray,
Amen
That being said...
Over the past couple of days, (months for that matter due to this being an election year) political figures have been in the news for one reason or another. It is an unfortunate trend that we are seeing more of a negative view of our political leaders than good. (One guess to why that is) Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that all politicians are crooks, liars and thieves. I am sure there are many political people that are good. Not to mention that I would be judging them if I were to make a statement like that, and that is not for me to do.
We as Americans are loosing Faith in our government. Not too long ago, the American people trusted the government, and believed that Washington worked in our best interest all the time. What went wrong?
A prime example of what I am talking about would be the recent events surrounding the governor of Illinois. I am not going into detail, but this guy is some real trouble!!!
Now we as Americans have this great power to choose who we want to run our country. This is a right given to us by the God fearing Founding Fathers of this (I still believe) great nation of ours. Hold that thought, I will come back to this...
I have heard a term used quite a bit regarding Christians as the "Silent Majority". But why are we so silent?
I have heard, and read from Christian speakers, and pastors alike that there are basically two types of people that call themselves Christians; The "Sunday Christian", and the "Christ Follower".
The Sunday Christian is the person that lives how they want Monday - Saturday. They will not speak of the Lord, they will live in Adultery, Greed, Pride, Envy, and so on. But come Sunday, they thump that Bible as hard as they can, as if it makes up for the week of denial of the Lord. I feel these people want to love the lord but are scared to truly let go and that they are just a touch or a revelation away from moving forward to the next level.
The Christ Follower still lives in sin, but they try to live their life everyday in the guidelines and rules set forth by the Lord. We will engage in discussions about our faith and are not ashamed.
However I do believe one thing. That both of these groups of people are the majority of the population of the United States. This give us power to make change. No matter what your political affiliation.
All over the place we are seeing God being taken out of our lives by the relatively small number of people who are "Offended" by God. OFFENDED!!! Yet they are not ashamed to speak up.
It does not take much research to see what this country was founded on. Even all the way back to when the Pilgrims first came to this country. This country was founded on a love and fear of God. That's why the ten commandments are on the grounds of so many court houses and government buildings. God was in the heart of the people who made this country. "In God We Trust!!!"
God gave us free will. There are those who choose not to believe. And there are others who choose to believe in another God. If they do not want to worship The One True God then that is their choice. But I asking the silent majority to stop being silent. Use the power that our countries God fearing founders gave us and stop letting the minority take God away from us. If we do that, if we push that God issue, if we stop being ashamed, we will see our country, our environment, and our lives get much, MUCH better.
Matthew 15:7-9 (7)"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:" (8) These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. (9) They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men."
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for giving the Founding Fathers of this country the strength and resolve to stand up, and build a nation based on Your rules. But lord I see that image fading, I see crime and violence escalating and corruption building on our once great nation. I truly believe that we are not to far gone. But Lord we need Your help. Lord I pray that all of us who call ourselves Christians can rise up and take a stand to not let Your name be erased from our lives. I do not want to have to one day worship You in secret for fear of my life, or my freedom. Please Lord guide the leaders we have in making sure that You stay in our lives and in our laws, so we as a nation may live in Your light, love and grace.
In Jesus Name we Pray,
Amen
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"Luke, ... I am your father..."
Almost every living person in the world knows the line that titles this entry. They all know what movie, etc... But for those of you that don't let me set the scene for you. (maybe a little different way of looking at it)
After a long and exhausting volley of light sabers, our hero, Luke Skywalker, is laying on his back on the edge of a catwalk, he is missing part of his lower arm from the previous fight. Darth Vader walks up, able to finish off our hero, and offers a choice. Reaching out his hand Vader says "Come with me and together we will rule the Galaxy!!" Luke responds "Never.. You killed my father" Vader Replies "No Luke... I am your father!!" Luke screams in disbelief "NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!"
OK I know for many of you as you read that you were picturing the movie and the scene. The odd part is that I am sure you are wondering, "How does this have anything to do with being a Christian?" And on the face you would be right, but lets read between the lines. Jesus spoke in parables, lets look at it like that.
It's actually quite simple, God, our lord and Father, is constantly reaching out to us, trying to get us to join him. When Luke was at his lowest point his father reached out to him, the Lord reaches His hand out for us everyday. The old testament devoted an entire book on how to "correctly" worship the Lord. It's the book of Job. Job was very blessed with land, live stock, and family. He always thanked the Lord for his wealth. Satan told God that he could turn Job against Him. God said you may do what ever you want to Job, but you may not kill him. Satan took everything, and I mean everything. Job never turned on God. Job stated over and over, This is my masters will, and I will accept it. Job knew that as long as he held his faith and trust in God that no matter what happened, he would come through. If you would like to know the "rest of the story" I urge you to read the book of Job.
Directions: go to Psalms, and take a left. If you run into Esther you went too far.
I once heard a quote from a WWII officer it said: "There are no atheist's in fox holes." It is unfortunately true. Many people are quick to take credit for their good fortune and when things go right, but when they go wrong, these same people begin to pray for help and ask why? We become passive when we are good, and faithful when they are not. But the entire time God is there reaching out to us hoping that we take notice, take his hand, and feel his love, Always.
We are all Gods children, and His love for us is far grander than we can even imagine. This is why when Jesus teaches his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 he starts it with "Our Father...." This was not by accident.
You are laying on your back on the edge of an eternal abyss. The Lord is standing over you with His hand reached out saying: "Come join Me, Live in the kingdom of heaven!" you yell back, "NO! you did this to me..." The Lord then opens His heart to you and says, "No (your name here) I am your Father..."
The question is, will you still deny Him?
Prayer:
(I would like everyone to pray with me on this one)
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
After a long and exhausting volley of light sabers, our hero, Luke Skywalker, is laying on his back on the edge of a catwalk, he is missing part of his lower arm from the previous fight. Darth Vader walks up, able to finish off our hero, and offers a choice. Reaching out his hand Vader says "Come with me and together we will rule the Galaxy!!" Luke responds "Never.. You killed my father" Vader Replies "No Luke... I am your father!!" Luke screams in disbelief "NNNOOOOO!!!!!!!"
OK I know for many of you as you read that you were picturing the movie and the scene. The odd part is that I am sure you are wondering, "How does this have anything to do with being a Christian?" And on the face you would be right, but lets read between the lines. Jesus spoke in parables, lets look at it like that.
It's actually quite simple, God, our lord and Father, is constantly reaching out to us, trying to get us to join him. When Luke was at his lowest point his father reached out to him, the Lord reaches His hand out for us everyday. The old testament devoted an entire book on how to "correctly" worship the Lord. It's the book of Job. Job was very blessed with land, live stock, and family. He always thanked the Lord for his wealth. Satan told God that he could turn Job against Him. God said you may do what ever you want to Job, but you may not kill him. Satan took everything, and I mean everything. Job never turned on God. Job stated over and over, This is my masters will, and I will accept it. Job knew that as long as he held his faith and trust in God that no matter what happened, he would come through. If you would like to know the "rest of the story" I urge you to read the book of Job.
Directions: go to Psalms, and take a left. If you run into Esther you went too far.
I once heard a quote from a WWII officer it said: "There are no atheist's in fox holes." It is unfortunately true. Many people are quick to take credit for their good fortune and when things go right, but when they go wrong, these same people begin to pray for help and ask why? We become passive when we are good, and faithful when they are not. But the entire time God is there reaching out to us hoping that we take notice, take his hand, and feel his love, Always.
We are all Gods children, and His love for us is far grander than we can even imagine. This is why when Jesus teaches his disciples to pray the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 he starts it with "Our Father...." This was not by accident.
You are laying on your back on the edge of an eternal abyss. The Lord is standing over you with His hand reached out saying: "Come join Me, Live in the kingdom of heaven!" you yell back, "NO! you did this to me..." The Lord then opens His heart to you and says, "No (your name here) I am your Father..."
The question is, will you still deny Him?
Prayer:
(I would like everyone to pray with me on this one)
Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us of our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Book Store
Lately I have been reminded that life (or more, how we react to it) is very much like walking through a library or a book store.
We spend lots of time just skimming what we see and not really taking the time to see what's inside. Yet when something is flashy, bright, or different, we take notice. But yet many times we still don't take a close enough look to see what is really there. "Judging a Book by it's Cover."
There is a specific instance that comes to mind that happened about a year ago. I was at a charity function with my wife when I noticed this young man over on the side of the room, standing by himself. What made me notice him was not his looks but his sound. He was making noises. Verbal beeps, barks, yips and so on about every 5-10 seconds. These sound bites were not quite by any means, in fact they were quite loud. I remember thinking to myself; What's this guys issue? He's being disruptive, people in the room are looking at him with scowls? If he can't help it then he needs to leave the room.
Soon this young man starts running around the room and gets up on stage and begins to speak at the event, (Yes he was supposed to) and no one seemed supirsed. I kept these thoughts to myself and later asked my wife about him, she told me that he was a great guy, did a lot for the charity organization that we were at and that he had Tourette's Syndrome. The barking and chirping was not to be helped.
See, I judged this young man as having a real disability and began to feel sorry for him. I did not know how wrong I was.
You will hear me say now and in the future that God works in "Mysterious but not Encrypted" ways. This one of those.
On Sunday Dec 7th CBS aired a made for TV movie call "Front of the Class". It is a story of a young man with Tourette's that would not take no for an answer and saw is condition as a tool to educate. The movie was based off the autobiography of a man who would not let his condition bring him down. In fact, he became one of the best school teachers in the state of Georgia!!!
The young man that I had felt so sorry for and "Judged" was Brad Cohen. The man that wrote the book and the man that "Front of the Class" was about.
This judging happened to Jesus many times. Matthew 9: 10-13 tells it all. The Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners and asked Why? Jesus answered by saying that these are the people that need Me, that's why? He was Judged by what He looked like, He claimed to be the King of the Jews yet He looked like nothing more than a Sheppard, and many never accepted who He was.
Prayer:
Lord help me to see through the surface. Help me to take the time to get to know what is on the inside. I have been VERY guilty in the past of just, jumping to conclusions and not getting all of the facts. After finding You in my heart I have been able to open up more, but not completely. Lord I ask that You help not only me but all of us to accept with out intent. I also pray that You give me and others like me the power to help other to stop judging You by what they see on the outside and truly see You for who You are.
In your Glorious Name I Pray,
Amen.
We spend lots of time just skimming what we see and not really taking the time to see what's inside. Yet when something is flashy, bright, or different, we take notice. But yet many times we still don't take a close enough look to see what is really there. "Judging a Book by it's Cover."
There is a specific instance that comes to mind that happened about a year ago. I was at a charity function with my wife when I noticed this young man over on the side of the room, standing by himself. What made me notice him was not his looks but his sound. He was making noises. Verbal beeps, barks, yips and so on about every 5-10 seconds. These sound bites were not quite by any means, in fact they were quite loud. I remember thinking to myself; What's this guys issue? He's being disruptive, people in the room are looking at him with scowls? If he can't help it then he needs to leave the room.
Soon this young man starts running around the room and gets up on stage and begins to speak at the event, (Yes he was supposed to) and no one seemed supirsed. I kept these thoughts to myself and later asked my wife about him, she told me that he was a great guy, did a lot for the charity organization that we were at and that he had Tourette's Syndrome. The barking and chirping was not to be helped.
See, I judged this young man as having a real disability and began to feel sorry for him. I did not know how wrong I was.
You will hear me say now and in the future that God works in "Mysterious but not Encrypted" ways. This one of those.
On Sunday Dec 7th CBS aired a made for TV movie call "Front of the Class". It is a story of a young man with Tourette's that would not take no for an answer and saw is condition as a tool to educate. The movie was based off the autobiography of a man who would not let his condition bring him down. In fact, he became one of the best school teachers in the state of Georgia!!!
The young man that I had felt so sorry for and "Judged" was Brad Cohen. The man that wrote the book and the man that "Front of the Class" was about.
This judging happened to Jesus many times. Matthew 9: 10-13 tells it all. The Pharisees saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners and asked Why? Jesus answered by saying that these are the people that need Me, that's why? He was Judged by what He looked like, He claimed to be the King of the Jews yet He looked like nothing more than a Sheppard, and many never accepted who He was.
Prayer:
Lord help me to see through the surface. Help me to take the time to get to know what is on the inside. I have been VERY guilty in the past of just, jumping to conclusions and not getting all of the facts. After finding You in my heart I have been able to open up more, but not completely. Lord I ask that You help not only me but all of us to accept with out intent. I also pray that You give me and others like me the power to help other to stop judging You by what they see on the outside and truly see You for who You are.
In your Glorious Name I Pray,
Amen.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Getting Started
A friend of mine has a blog that I was commenting on a lot. He mentioned that I seemed to have a interesting view on things. (dunno if that's good or not, lol) But he also told me that he thought I should start my own blog, and he promised to read it to see where I would go on my own without any real direction for topic.
So here I go, following my friends advice and letting God guide my thoughts and feelings. But I make no promise of tact. There are things that I see and things that I don't that about my "Christian Brothers and Sisters". I will speak to both and I will ALWAYS finish in prayer.
I am not a pastor, I have never gone to seminary, I have not been taught how to talk about God.
What am I? I am just an everyday guy, with an everyday job, that fit's into almost every statistic out there. I am the guy that bounces and dances to the songs in church, I am the guy that you see singing his heart out to those songs, I am the guy with his pen out in church taking notes and looking up the scripture the pastor mentions(not just reading it in the handout), I am the guy that always has the opinion in your small group!!!
I'M THE GUY THAT WILL STAND ON THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN AND SCREAM MY LOVE FOR JESUS FROM THE TOP OF MY LUNGS SO THAT WHOLE WORLD CAN HEAR AND SO THAT OUR LORD CAN SEE THAT I AM NOT ASHAMED!!!!!
Yeah... I'm that guy.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
This is a start, I have no idea were this is going and what it will become. Lord all I ask is that you guide me down this path. For me this is growth, this is a way for me to completely let go and let You be seen through my words.
Lord I pray that even though my words my seem course a times that we all can see that all I am intending to do is show Your truth as best I can, and my biggest hope is that someone who is searching can read this and finally see the truth, the light and the love that You give to us all.
I do this in worship and discipleship to You!
In Your Glorious Name WE Pray, Amen.
So here I go, following my friends advice and letting God guide my thoughts and feelings. But I make no promise of tact. There are things that I see and things that I don't that about my "Christian Brothers and Sisters". I will speak to both and I will ALWAYS finish in prayer.
I am not a pastor, I have never gone to seminary, I have not been taught how to talk about God.
What am I? I am just an everyday guy, with an everyday job, that fit's into almost every statistic out there. I am the guy that bounces and dances to the songs in church, I am the guy that you see singing his heart out to those songs, I am the guy with his pen out in church taking notes and looking up the scripture the pastor mentions(not just reading it in the handout), I am the guy that always has the opinion in your small group!!!
I'M THE GUY THAT WILL STAND ON THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN AND SCREAM MY LOVE FOR JESUS FROM THE TOP OF MY LUNGS SO THAT WHOLE WORLD CAN HEAR AND SO THAT OUR LORD CAN SEE THAT I AM NOT ASHAMED!!!!!
Yeah... I'm that guy.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
This is a start, I have no idea were this is going and what it will become. Lord all I ask is that you guide me down this path. For me this is growth, this is a way for me to completely let go and let You be seen through my words.
Lord I pray that even though my words my seem course a times that we all can see that all I am intending to do is show Your truth as best I can, and my biggest hope is that someone who is searching can read this and finally see the truth, the light and the love that You give to us all.
I do this in worship and discipleship to You!
In Your Glorious Name WE Pray, Amen.
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