Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Back on Track
Haven't posted anything for a while. Many things have been changing and I have been very slow in keeping up with tasks on a regular basis. While thinking about an appropriate note to write in this post, a common word continuously enters my mind. That word is "Faith." Lately many things and decisions in and around our family have come back to this word, Faith. We have recently moved into a different home, we have welcomed a new Pastor and his family into our lives and Church, we have sent our daughter to first grade. Some might say that these decisions and events are small, but it takes faith to move and make these decisions. I found out the emotional attachment my daughter and wife had to a home and the difficulty it has been to leave that home. Many things in life require faith. I am so fortunate to have a faith in my God who knows my steps that will take care of all things according to His Will (Psalms 139:16). I couldn't imagine going through life without His assurance. I hope you can rest easy in this assurance as well.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Rest Assured in the Election
So now that the debates are finished and we are off and running with this race 'til November 4th with every talking head analyzing every angle possible and polls published daily to find out the spread until we all become numb. We now have the responsibility to do the most powerful thing that we can as American citizens. We must VOTE! A friend of mine said a few weeks ago that no matter how things turn out on election day, we should never forget that we serve a God who supersedes all this. This morning as I was reading the booklet, "If my People," a 40 day prayer guide leading up to the election, I was reminded of this idea. The scripture passage was from the book of Psalms,
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.
Psalm 61:1-4
What a reminder that whatever the outcome of this election is that we can trust in the shelter of His wings. So when you step into that voting booth in a few days be reassured that you are not voting for your preference or party, but vote for God's will and know that He will reign. So go VOTE now and exercise God's will through His Body, the Church.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Digging in to the Parable of the four soils
Last night was dedicated to reporting on our recent Mission Fuge experience in West Palm Beach, Fl. I have attached the sermon that was delivered during the service. I have had a few inquires about reading it so I thought this was the best place to publish it. The text is Matthew 13:1-9 which is the Parable of the four soils. I am not a professional theologian or Bible scholar, but I am passionate for the truth. I am attaching the text of the sermon here so that you can hear my heart. Please feel free to comment. For those of you who heard this live, I thank you for your encouragement.
In order to understand the parable of the four soils, we must look at it from three different points of view. There are three main characters in this parable and they each play a vital role in the success of the story.
We must first look to the one who gives, and sustains all life. The one in whom we must praise, the only one worth our praise and adoration. It doesn’t take much observing to see this taking place naturally. The other day I was riding down Hwy. 417 on the way to work in Simpsonville and a field of Sunflowers caught my eye on my right. I thought to myself at that time, how easy it is for the Sunflowers to be in constant praise, when I sometimes find it hard to even ask a blessing before a meal. All in unison, I saw them there looking constantly for the source of their strength. It is not hard for them to understand who deserves praise. Psalm 84:11 says,
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
I wonder if we could learn something from these Sunflowers. I’ve seen people including myself in worship with no thought to worshiping the Lord God who is so worthy of our total worship. I see people wandering though life with no sense of the one who is worthy of all our praise. It is evident on Sunday morning when we can’t make it through a song or a sermon without a yawn. I see it when we notice an unfamiliar character joining our worship, and we are more concerned with their clothes choices than the choice of their heart to join us in worship. It is also evident outside of the church when we complain about the sun being too hot, or the weather being too wet. I know we haven’t needed to complain about the rain lately more like the lack of it, but still we are concerned with how it affects us rather than how our actions affect the one who sends the sunshine and the rain. I see the store clerk mindlessly scanning items and telling totals rather than glowing with all radiance reflecting the light of the father. I see the restaurant wait staff serving people for the most amount of tip instead of serving God and trusting in his abundant blessings. From God’s point of view, wouldn’t it be great if all of creation’s faces exclaim all Glory, Honor, and adoration to Him all the time.
Secondly, we must pay attention to the character of the seed in this story. For you see the seed has limited choices based on its circumstances. This seed differs from us in some ways, because we can choose to pick ourselves up and place ourselves in fertile soil where this seed has no say so in where it falls. Although, my wife told me one time that she saw this one grass seed that was so tough that it would even grow on concrete. I thought that was pretty good until last night I was cutting grass and realized that I already had some of this grass in my yard. It is called centipede, that stuff will run anywhere; I had it growing 1-1/2 feet onto my driveway. I don’t think this is the kind of grass she saw on TV, but aside from that, the only way to grow firmly is to be planted in fertile soil. Most of the time we have good intentions of being planted in fertile soil that we don’t realize we’ve settled in soil fertile for weeds that will choke us out once we have started to root. I spent yesterday morning removing some weeds from one of my flower beds in the back yard and I had this one vine that Bek says is poison Ivey, hope not, that had vines growing from the back of the yard all the way down to the back corner of the house that I tried to remove. I know I didn’t get all of it out, but I will keep cutting it back as it grows so hopefully it won’t take over the flower bed. We must plant ourselves in fertile soil always being mindful of weeds that can creep in and choke us out. In order to be planted in fertile soil we must understand what that looks like. For us to be rooted and growing deeper with God, we must have a passion and a desire for the word of God. It is recorded in Ezekiel 3:1-3 which says,
“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat this Scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
If we have a passionate desire for the word of God, we will learn to read it, study it, memorize it, find it sweet and satisfying, and finally be able to use it as it is intended. As we become rooted in the Scripture we become stronger and able to handle many challenges. The Word of God can be used as a mighty weapon to ward off the enemy who is out to destroy all that is good. The writer of Hebrews says it best in Chapter 4 verse 12.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
So as we find ourselves becoming rooted we will also be equipped to remove the weeds and vines from penetrating the fertile soil so that true growth can occur.
Finally, we must look at the Farmer. The Farmer played a small, but essential role in the parable. In order for the seed to get to the place where it could take root, it was necessary for the farmer to have the willingness to sow it. Without the willingness of the farmer to sow the seed, there would never be the chance for any of the seed to bear fruit. If the seed stays in the store house or the package, it has no chance to bask in the sunlight, soak up the rain, or become rooted in fertile soil. At Mission Fuge our group was given many opportunities to sow seeds. I was placed in a group sent out to minister to children. We spent the week getting to know the children by playing games, singing songs, and telling stories. The last day of the missions track was spent at a downtown park much different from the location where we had met all week thus far. We had been playing at an old suburban landfill turned Community Park, which is a whole story in itself. This day, however, we moved to this location downtown in front of the city library. We spent the day there playing with the same children as we had all week, but at this location something interesting happened to me. I had noticed since we arrived at the park that there was a gentleman sitting at one of the tables minding his business for most of the day. It got to be near the end of our day there and we had some leftover food that we wanted to give away. Someone wanted to ask this guy if he would like some food because it looked as if he was homeless. No one else had the nerve to go ask, so I determined myself to go over and strike up a conversation with this man. I noticed as I was approaching that this gentleman was wearing a hat made from palm fronds. When I was a child, there was a man who made these same kinds of hats where we stayed at the beach. I commented on this man’s hat and told him the story of my childhood memory. He told me that he made this hat and asked if I would like to buy it. Well an hour and a half later, I ended up buying the hat from Conrad and not talking him into any of the leftover food. I learned that Conrad was originally from Germany and he has been in the U. S. since 2005 and in West Palm Beach for about 1-1/2 years. I spent most of the time listening to his story that he told in broken English and sharing with him my heart. That day God gave me the opportunity to be the farmer and sow some seed. I will probably never know if that seed bears fruit, but I will always remember meeting Conrad where he was.
The story of the four soils is not complete without an additional person that we must not forget. The story teller, Jesus Christ, is essential for this story to be told. Without hope in Him and the sacrifice that He made for our failures, we cannot realize the blessings waiting for those of us who are called into fellowship with the Father. Without a relationship with the story teller, we have no part in the story.
In order to understand the parable of the four soils, we must look at it from three different points of view. There are three main characters in this parable and they each play a vital role in the success of the story.
We must first look to the one who gives, and sustains all life. The one in whom we must praise, the only one worth our praise and adoration. It doesn’t take much observing to see this taking place naturally. The other day I was riding down Hwy. 417 on the way to work in Simpsonville and a field of Sunflowers caught my eye on my right. I thought to myself at that time, how easy it is for the Sunflowers to be in constant praise, when I sometimes find it hard to even ask a blessing before a meal. All in unison, I saw them there looking constantly for the source of their strength. It is not hard for them to understand who deserves praise. Psalm 84:11 says,
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
I wonder if we could learn something from these Sunflowers. I’ve seen people including myself in worship with no thought to worshiping the Lord God who is so worthy of our total worship. I see people wandering though life with no sense of the one who is worthy of all our praise. It is evident on Sunday morning when we can’t make it through a song or a sermon without a yawn. I see it when we notice an unfamiliar character joining our worship, and we are more concerned with their clothes choices than the choice of their heart to join us in worship. It is also evident outside of the church when we complain about the sun being too hot, or the weather being too wet. I know we haven’t needed to complain about the rain lately more like the lack of it, but still we are concerned with how it affects us rather than how our actions affect the one who sends the sunshine and the rain. I see the store clerk mindlessly scanning items and telling totals rather than glowing with all radiance reflecting the light of the father. I see the restaurant wait staff serving people for the most amount of tip instead of serving God and trusting in his abundant blessings. From God’s point of view, wouldn’t it be great if all of creation’s faces exclaim all Glory, Honor, and adoration to Him all the time.
Secondly, we must pay attention to the character of the seed in this story. For you see the seed has limited choices based on its circumstances. This seed differs from us in some ways, because we can choose to pick ourselves up and place ourselves in fertile soil where this seed has no say so in where it falls. Although, my wife told me one time that she saw this one grass seed that was so tough that it would even grow on concrete. I thought that was pretty good until last night I was cutting grass and realized that I already had some of this grass in my yard. It is called centipede, that stuff will run anywhere; I had it growing 1-1/2 feet onto my driveway. I don’t think this is the kind of grass she saw on TV, but aside from that, the only way to grow firmly is to be planted in fertile soil. Most of the time we have good intentions of being planted in fertile soil that we don’t realize we’ve settled in soil fertile for weeds that will choke us out once we have started to root. I spent yesterday morning removing some weeds from one of my flower beds in the back yard and I had this one vine that Bek says is poison Ivey, hope not, that had vines growing from the back of the yard all the way down to the back corner of the house that I tried to remove. I know I didn’t get all of it out, but I will keep cutting it back as it grows so hopefully it won’t take over the flower bed. We must plant ourselves in fertile soil always being mindful of weeds that can creep in and choke us out. In order to be planted in fertile soil we must understand what that looks like. For us to be rooted and growing deeper with God, we must have a passion and a desire for the word of God. It is recorded in Ezekiel 3:1-3 which says,
“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat this Scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.’ So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”
If we have a passionate desire for the word of God, we will learn to read it, study it, memorize it, find it sweet and satisfying, and finally be able to use it as it is intended. As we become rooted in the Scripture we become stronger and able to handle many challenges. The Word of God can be used as a mighty weapon to ward off the enemy who is out to destroy all that is good. The writer of Hebrews says it best in Chapter 4 verse 12.
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
So as we find ourselves becoming rooted we will also be equipped to remove the weeds and vines from penetrating the fertile soil so that true growth can occur.
Finally, we must look at the Farmer. The Farmer played a small, but essential role in the parable. In order for the seed to get to the place where it could take root, it was necessary for the farmer to have the willingness to sow it. Without the willingness of the farmer to sow the seed, there would never be the chance for any of the seed to bear fruit. If the seed stays in the store house or the package, it has no chance to bask in the sunlight, soak up the rain, or become rooted in fertile soil. At Mission Fuge our group was given many opportunities to sow seeds. I was placed in a group sent out to minister to children. We spent the week getting to know the children by playing games, singing songs, and telling stories. The last day of the missions track was spent at a downtown park much different from the location where we had met all week thus far. We had been playing at an old suburban landfill turned Community Park, which is a whole story in itself. This day, however, we moved to this location downtown in front of the city library. We spent the day there playing with the same children as we had all week, but at this location something interesting happened to me. I had noticed since we arrived at the park that there was a gentleman sitting at one of the tables minding his business for most of the day. It got to be near the end of our day there and we had some leftover food that we wanted to give away. Someone wanted to ask this guy if he would like some food because it looked as if he was homeless. No one else had the nerve to go ask, so I determined myself to go over and strike up a conversation with this man. I noticed as I was approaching that this gentleman was wearing a hat made from palm fronds. When I was a child, there was a man who made these same kinds of hats where we stayed at the beach. I commented on this man’s hat and told him the story of my childhood memory. He told me that he made this hat and asked if I would like to buy it. Well an hour and a half later, I ended up buying the hat from Conrad and not talking him into any of the leftover food. I learned that Conrad was originally from Germany and he has been in the U. S. since 2005 and in West Palm Beach for about 1-1/2 years. I spent most of the time listening to his story that he told in broken English and sharing with him my heart. That day God gave me the opportunity to be the farmer and sow some seed. I will probably never know if that seed bears fruit, but I will always remember meeting Conrad where he was.
The story of the four soils is not complete without an additional person that we must not forget. The story teller, Jesus Christ, is essential for this story to be told. Without hope in Him and the sacrifice that He made for our failures, we cannot realize the blessings waiting for those of us who are called into fellowship with the Father. Without a relationship with the story teller, we have no part in the story.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Are we preparing our Joshua and Caleb?
The last couple of days have been busy and stormy in Indianapolis. I planned to submit this post on Monday night, but ironically the "Prepare for Rain" pastor's conference drew such a physical storm from the Heavens that it knocked out the power in the hotel so I lost my network connection. It was honestly a hair-raising experience.
I just wanted to spend a few words and reiterate something that was said on Monday that is dear to my heart. Again, I heard the messages of three men of God who are so commited and engaged in the work of the Heavenly Father. The last pastor, Dr. Jay Strack, spoke about Moses, and I want to share his insights that he delivered to those at the conference. Dr. Strack asked how would Moses mentor the Millennial generation. We find evidence in Exodus 17:8-16 that Moses started early. Moses did not wait until he realized that he would not enter the promised land to train a successor. This evidence in the early part of Exodus shows that he spent many years mentoring Joshua and Caleb. Moses got it. It was not about Moses, it was about passing the torch to the next generation. To quote Dr. Strack, "Success without Successors is no success at all." The problem that we find later on in the text is that Joshua was a great leader of Israel, but he did not raise up a successor and we see the failures of the people of Israel under the Judges.
We have to realize that it is not about us. It is not about our comfort. It is not about maintaining. We need to continuously be searching out our Joshua's and Caleb's to carry on the torch of Truth. I am so thankful for those heroes of faith who trained me and encouraged me as I grew. I am also fortunate now to be in a position of leadership. I am thankful that someone saw the Joshua and Caleb traits in me. It is my prayer that as I continue to grow in my faith that I will constantly be on the lookout for those Joshua's and Caleb's in my journey. Dr. Strack made one more clear but interesting point on Monday night. He said, "In 100 years not a single one of us would still be here. In 1000 years none of the buildings around us would exist." Sounds pretty real when we think about it in those terms. Pray that God would show you the Joshua and Caleb in your journey and decide to invest your time and encouragement in those people.
I just wanted to spend a few words and reiterate something that was said on Monday that is dear to my heart. Again, I heard the messages of three men of God who are so commited and engaged in the work of the Heavenly Father. The last pastor, Dr. Jay Strack, spoke about Moses, and I want to share his insights that he delivered to those at the conference. Dr. Strack asked how would Moses mentor the Millennial generation. We find evidence in Exodus 17:8-16 that Moses started early. Moses did not wait until he realized that he would not enter the promised land to train a successor. This evidence in the early part of Exodus shows that he spent many years mentoring Joshua and Caleb. Moses got it. It was not about Moses, it was about passing the torch to the next generation. To quote Dr. Strack, "Success without Successors is no success at all." The problem that we find later on in the text is that Joshua was a great leader of Israel, but he did not raise up a successor and we see the failures of the people of Israel under the Judges.
We have to realize that it is not about us. It is not about our comfort. It is not about maintaining. We need to continuously be searching out our Joshua's and Caleb's to carry on the torch of Truth. I am so thankful for those heroes of faith who trained me and encouraged me as I grew. I am also fortunate now to be in a position of leadership. I am thankful that someone saw the Joshua and Caleb traits in me. It is my prayer that as I continue to grow in my faith that I will constantly be on the lookout for those Joshua's and Caleb's in my journey. Dr. Strack made one more clear but interesting point on Monday night. He said, "In 100 years not a single one of us would still be here. In 1000 years none of the buildings around us would exist." Sounds pretty real when we think about it in those terms. Pray that God would show you the Joshua and Caleb in your journey and decide to invest your time and encouragement in those people.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
2008 SBC Pastor's Conference first expierience
I have just returned to the hotel from the first session of the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention Pastor's Conference. I am fortunate enough to be in Indianapolis for my primary job during the convention. I made plans to spend today at the convention center and I was able to sit through a screening of the new movie "Fireproof" produced by the same church that produced the movie "Facing the Giants," Sherwood Baptist Church of Albany, Ga. I also attended the first session of the Pastor's Conference entitled "Prepare for Rain" also sponsored by Sherwood Baptist Church.
This was my first experience at the Southern Baptist convention and if I can be honest, my spirit has not felt this way in some time. It is a joy to see a people come together and worship the one true God in a place such as this. My soul worshipped as I witnessed wonderful music and Divine messages from three Godly men; Dr. Johnny Hunt, Dr. Daniel Simmons, and Dr. Tom Elliff. My prayer is that my heart may begin to experience revival and be prepared for that time when God himself chooses to send that revival our way. We are in such desperate need of revival Lord!
I will not have the opportunity to experience much more of the convention and conference, but I do hope to witness more of it this week. I will post again if I get the opportunity. I am looking forward to returning home to share the passion and spirit that this convention has placed within my heart so far.
This was my first experience at the Southern Baptist convention and if I can be honest, my spirit has not felt this way in some time. It is a joy to see a people come together and worship the one true God in a place such as this. My soul worshipped as I witnessed wonderful music and Divine messages from three Godly men; Dr. Johnny Hunt, Dr. Daniel Simmons, and Dr. Tom Elliff. My prayer is that my heart may begin to experience revival and be prepared for that time when God himself chooses to send that revival our way. We are in such desperate need of revival Lord!
I will not have the opportunity to experience much more of the convention and conference, but I do hope to witness more of it this week. I will post again if I get the opportunity. I am looking forward to returning home to share the passion and spirit that this convention has placed within my heart so far.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Hotel for Saints, or a Hospital for Sinners?
I heard this comment at a conference I went to not very long ago and I haven't been able to forget it since. I have not submitted a post for a while because this statement has really been working on me. Eddie Hammet deserves the credit for this statement. I am not sure he made up the statement or was just passing it on, but I want to make sure he gets the credit in this case.
The first part of this question rings true in many churches today even though most committed church members would like to not think so. We naturally find ourselves creating the space and atmosphere that agrees most with our personality. We take great pains to surround ourselves with those who are like minded and those things that make us most comfortable. All the while thinking that the things we are doing may be acceptable to others in the same way they are in our minds. I understand and agree that churches should do everything they can to provide a safe, clean, and inviting atmosphere for all who choose to participate in the church. All that being said, I think the focus of the church is and always was meant to be a place focused on spiritual healing.
Even though I am in a leadership position in the church now, I come because I need spiritual healing. I need healing on a daily basis and I am thankful to the Good Lord who forgives me, all my sins. I still need a regular dose of encouragement and sharing with others who have an interest in me and share a desire for healing. Sometimes when I find myself in front of a group explaining a spiritual truth God speaks to me so clearly and steps on my toes as well as those who are hearing. We all need to keep in mind that we need help through this journey of life. What better place to get help than from a hospital. Spend some time after you read this thinking how you can actively participate in converting the Hotel to a Hospital. Now go and do what you feel is right. Even the most successful churches can always improve on this.
The first part of this question rings true in many churches today even though most committed church members would like to not think so. We naturally find ourselves creating the space and atmosphere that agrees most with our personality. We take great pains to surround ourselves with those who are like minded and those things that make us most comfortable. All the while thinking that the things we are doing may be acceptable to others in the same way they are in our minds. I understand and agree that churches should do everything they can to provide a safe, clean, and inviting atmosphere for all who choose to participate in the church. All that being said, I think the focus of the church is and always was meant to be a place focused on spiritual healing.
Even though I am in a leadership position in the church now, I come because I need spiritual healing. I need healing on a daily basis and I am thankful to the Good Lord who forgives me, all my sins. I still need a regular dose of encouragement and sharing with others who have an interest in me and share a desire for healing. Sometimes when I find myself in front of a group explaining a spiritual truth God speaks to me so clearly and steps on my toes as well as those who are hearing. We all need to keep in mind that we need help through this journey of life. What better place to get help than from a hospital. Spend some time after you read this thinking how you can actively participate in converting the Hotel to a Hospital. Now go and do what you feel is right. Even the most successful churches can always improve on this.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Txting for conversation. Good Idea?
4COL 1DR IYKWIM BC I'm txting.
Today it has become common to talk to each other in words or shorthand words rather than to sit face to face and talk. I see some advantages to texting when you need to provide some information that can be responded to at the receiver's leisure. Alternatively, I see a major disadvantage in texting someone to carry on a conversation. When one shares a real time conversation, word or text is only one element of this conversation. There also must exist an element of body language and tone of voice that you cannot transmit with a written message. Even during a phone conversation it is possible to sense some body language by listening to the tone of voice. Texting was never meant to carry on a conversation. Over recent history, I have experienced many hurt feelings and miscommunication when someone chooses to use texting as a substitute for conversation. A generation is coming up today that thinks it foreign to have a face to face or phone to phone verbal conversation. I have put a great deal of thought into this subject and I suggest that those who read this should be guarded in the faith you put into the method of communicating by text. Take care in what you send others, you never know who may hear(read) your words. Make sure your message is clear, and work fast to correct any misinterpretation. Better yet, pick up the phone and call or sit down face to face. It is easier this way.
BTW LY mean it!
Today it has become common to talk to each other in words or shorthand words rather than to sit face to face and talk. I see some advantages to texting when you need to provide some information that can be responded to at the receiver's leisure. Alternatively, I see a major disadvantage in texting someone to carry on a conversation. When one shares a real time conversation, word or text is only one element of this conversation. There also must exist an element of body language and tone of voice that you cannot transmit with a written message. Even during a phone conversation it is possible to sense some body language by listening to the tone of voice. Texting was never meant to carry on a conversation. Over recent history, I have experienced many hurt feelings and miscommunication when someone chooses to use texting as a substitute for conversation. A generation is coming up today that thinks it foreign to have a face to face or phone to phone verbal conversation. I have put a great deal of thought into this subject and I suggest that those who read this should be guarded in the faith you put into the method of communicating by text. Take care in what you send others, you never know who may hear(read) your words. Make sure your message is clear, and work fast to correct any misinterpretation. Better yet, pick up the phone and call or sit down face to face. It is easier this way.
BTW LY mean it!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Honesty begats Trust
The truth is that the TRUTH is all there is. Honesty is a word and an idea that we talk about way too much and put into practice way too little. I would be willing to say that anyone who reads this can "honestly" say that they have not always told the truth. We catch ourselves many times lying to ourselves and others to achieve self-preservation. Wanting to be something other than who we are motivates us to be dishonest. The problem is that eventually you will have to come out of hiding if relationships with others continue to grow. In order for trust to be obtained, complete honesty must be present at the beginning. A relationship that started out with honesty and has grown to trust can still be jeopardized by one's dishonesty. When this occurs one must quickly come clean with the dishonesty if trust will ever be achieved in the relationship's future. Having a sense of trust in a relationship is a good thing. As children and young adults we want to be trusted with more and more freedoms from our parents. With romantic relationships one wants to trust the other and not be faced with looming jealousy. Friendly relationships count on trust to maintain mutual respect. So in order to maintain and grow trust in a relationship one must continuously test this relationship with honesty. Ralph Waldo Emerson said this:
"The highest compact we can make with another is "let there be truth between us two for evermore".
I know there are some who are scared of the truth of themselves and the fallout that will surely occur if they were to ever be completely honest in their relationships. However, you must know to realize full trust, complete honesty must prevail. In no way am I trying to make light of the difficulty of being completely and totally honest, because I know from experience that this is no easy task to bring the real you out and lay it all on the table seeing only then where the chips will fall.
First we must learn to be honest with ourselves so that we can grow to trust ourselves. Only then can we grow to accept the consequences that come along with our honesty.
"The highest compact we can make with another is "let there be truth between us two for evermore".
I know there are some who are scared of the truth of themselves and the fallout that will surely occur if they were to ever be completely honest in their relationships. However, you must know to realize full trust, complete honesty must prevail. In no way am I trying to make light of the difficulty of being completely and totally honest, because I know from experience that this is no easy task to bring the real you out and lay it all on the table seeing only then where the chips will fall.
First we must learn to be honest with ourselves so that we can grow to trust ourselves. Only then can we grow to accept the consequences that come along with our honesty.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Questions for Jesus
Last night we discussed some questions that we would have for Jesus. I want to record these questions that were written down by the group. In no way can I attempt to answer these questions, but most of these questions bring up a recent idea that we discussed during our last lock in. I will list these questions below:
How were you able to feed 5000 people by just looking up and praying?
Why me?
When r u coming back to Earth?
Why did you die for our sins?
Why do you love me out of all the people in the World, why me?
Why did you want to die?
Why would you die for me?
Will people listen to me if I tell them about Jesus?
My question is for his advice on leading others to him. What needs to be done to have more believers in this World?
Why did my mom have to die so young?
Some of these questions deal with the specific timing of events. We talked a few weeks ago about the measure of time as we understand it (Greek - Chronos) and God's measure of time (Greek - Kairos). Chronos is the root word for which we get many of our words that define time measurement devices. It deals in fixed intervals of time defined by seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, etc. Kairos, on the other hand means "right or opportune moment" according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kairos. God's timing is always right. He determines when the tulips will bloom and he determines the proper time for all events to occur. We as humans have very little grasp of this type of time. This brings forth many questions of which we don't understand the timing of certain events past, present, or in the future. Some have tried to define this time and especially many attempts have been made to determine God's time and the time of Jesus' return. If I may quote his word.
How were you able to feed 5000 people by just looking up and praying?
Why me?
When r u coming back to Earth?
Why did you die for our sins?
Why do you love me out of all the people in the World, why me?
Why did you want to die?
Why would you die for me?
Will people listen to me if I tell them about Jesus?
My question is for his advice on leading others to him. What needs to be done to have more believers in this World?
Why did my mom have to die so young?
Some of these questions deal with the specific timing of events. We talked a few weeks ago about the measure of time as we understand it (Greek - Chronos) and God's measure of time (Greek - Kairos). Chronos is the root word for which we get many of our words that define time measurement devices. It deals in fixed intervals of time defined by seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, etc. Kairos, on the other hand means "right or opportune moment" according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kairos. God's timing is always right. He determines when the tulips will bloom and he determines the proper time for all events to occur. We as humans have very little grasp of this type of time. This brings forth many questions of which we don't understand the timing of certain events past, present, or in the future. Some have tried to define this time and especially many attempts have been made to determine God's time and the time of Jesus' return. If I may quote his word.
35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ................ 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)
I do not know when he is returning and do not expect to know, but I do know that I will be ready and waiting when he returns. In the meantime I believe we are to live life with urgency enjoying the present but always reaching to others in our daily lives and sharing the hope we have in Christ and his assured return. We as humans do not have the capacity to understand this Kairos time, but lets not let the worry of Chronos time take away from the willingness to live every moment anticipating God's opportune time.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
First Post
Well my good friend and Pastor Craig Thompson convicted me to get on the blog bandwagon. I will be trying to formulate some of my lofty ideas and insights into print through this media. I hope you will enjoy, be challenged, and find encouragement from the words and ideas you find here. It is only because of the Grace of the Living God that I feel empowered to write. His grace is sufficient.
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