I’m terribly sorry if that offended you. I’m not sorry that I said it, and I’ll say it again. I’m just sorry that you have become so sensitive and intolerant as to be offended by me wishing you joyfulness during the holiday that is about to be celebrated.
You have the right not to participate in the holiday. You have the right to get a job somewhere that doesn’t close for Christmas and work like it isn’t happening. You have the right not to return the greeting. You have the right not to give or accept any gifts. You have the right not to celebrate with a feast. You have the right not to put up a tree and decorate it. You have the right not to decorate your house with lights. You have the right to select music that has nothing to do with the holiday. You have the right not to watch the special programming on television. You have the right not to participate in the celebrations at your local church. You have the right to treat Christmas like an ordinary day just like any other. You even have the right to be offended when I say it and NOT have a merry Christmas, but you do not have the right to stop me from saying it.
In the United States, after the Constitution that established our country was ratified, some intelligent men realized that the ability to speak and worship freely was extremely important and should be protected. It became the highest priority to amend the Constitution to include that right. That Amendment says: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
So, you see, you have lots of rights, but the very first law passed after our constitution says I can say “Merry Christmas” to you … and I will because regardless of your ethnic background, beliefs, or creed, I truly want your Christmas to be merry.
Merry Christmas!
Pic of the Month
You know the economy is bad when people are growing their own hats
Friday, December 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Saturday Morning
Concept: Power Over Death
Today’s question is: What scares you? What is that one thing that strikes fear in your heart, that seizes you up and leaves you shaking afterwards? What is your worst nightmare?
New question: What is the most powerful thing you can think of? 220V house current? Three phase electrical lines? A nuclear bomb? The sun? A quasar? Puny. Miniscule. Easily overcome.
People have always feared death. It is completely unknown. People can’t come back and report on it. It’s a one way ticket and always has been. Billions upon billions of dollars are spent each year pushing death just a few days further away. The entire medical industry counts on that reaction to pedal their newest drugs, newest treatments, and nice hotel-like hospitals. We have tablets and capsules and liquids and injections. Women spend hundreds and thousands and some even millions on makeup and creams and ointments and botox and lifts and tucks and implants just to give the illusion that death is further off than it really is. Men spend time in the gym and exercise like madmen to keep the same illusion. Yet death will come. It always does. We are powerless to change it.
About 2000 years ago, someone came on the scene that was able to supersede natural laws. Just as the law of gravity can be overcome by the laws of aerodynamics, he demonstrated that his new law overcame the old. Boundaries of nature and physics were crossed as easily as magnetism overcomes gravity to lift iron. He never violated laws, but showed that He knew higher laws. He controlled weather. He healed the sick. He multiplied food. He made water into wine. Then, near the end of his life, he did the unthinkable. He showed that he was superior to death. He brought a friend back from the dead (Lazarus – John 11:1-44) and he came back from death himself.
In spite of all the arguments against, the evidence that Jesus was executed by professionals in front of hundreds of witnesses, was buried in a tomb sealed by the Roman government, and rose from the dead and walked among people for forty days afterwards is irrefutable. Although they deny Jesus was the messiah, Jewish historians recorded it. Although they refused he was God, the Roman government recorded it. Though they don’t trust in him, modern theologians can’t explain it.
Jesus came. He showed who he was and that he had power over death. Then he returned to sender. He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Remember this concept: Jesus has power over death.
Let’s review our concepts. Sin requires blood. God offers salvation. Repentance is to turn back to God. We need to proclaim this message. Jesus has power over death. These concepts have the key to Return to Sender. As you travel back, some of you will relax and for you camp will be over. I hope it is not. I hope that each morning you seek the Sender and return to Him.
Today’s question is: What scares you? What is that one thing that strikes fear in your heart, that seizes you up and leaves you shaking afterwards? What is your worst nightmare?
New question: What is the most powerful thing you can think of? 220V house current? Three phase electrical lines? A nuclear bomb? The sun? A quasar? Puny. Miniscule. Easily overcome.
People have always feared death. It is completely unknown. People can’t come back and report on it. It’s a one way ticket and always has been. Billions upon billions of dollars are spent each year pushing death just a few days further away. The entire medical industry counts on that reaction to pedal their newest drugs, newest treatments, and nice hotel-like hospitals. We have tablets and capsules and liquids and injections. Women spend hundreds and thousands and some even millions on makeup and creams and ointments and botox and lifts and tucks and implants just to give the illusion that death is further off than it really is. Men spend time in the gym and exercise like madmen to keep the same illusion. Yet death will come. It always does. We are powerless to change it.
About 2000 years ago, someone came on the scene that was able to supersede natural laws. Just as the law of gravity can be overcome by the laws of aerodynamics, he demonstrated that his new law overcame the old. Boundaries of nature and physics were crossed as easily as magnetism overcomes gravity to lift iron. He never violated laws, but showed that He knew higher laws. He controlled weather. He healed the sick. He multiplied food. He made water into wine. Then, near the end of his life, he did the unthinkable. He showed that he was superior to death. He brought a friend back from the dead (Lazarus – John 11:1-44) and he came back from death himself.
In spite of all the arguments against, the evidence that Jesus was executed by professionals in front of hundreds of witnesses, was buried in a tomb sealed by the Roman government, and rose from the dead and walked among people for forty days afterwards is irrefutable. Although they deny Jesus was the messiah, Jewish historians recorded it. Although they refused he was God, the Roman government recorded it. Though they don’t trust in him, modern theologians can’t explain it.
Jesus came. He showed who he was and that he had power over death. Then he returned to sender. He ascended back into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). Remember this concept: Jesus has power over death.
Let’s review our concepts. Sin requires blood. God offers salvation. Repentance is to turn back to God. We need to proclaim this message. Jesus has power over death. These concepts have the key to Return to Sender. As you travel back, some of you will relax and for you camp will be over. I hope it is not. I hope that each morning you seek the Sender and return to Him.
Friday Morning
Concept: Proclaim the Message
Today’s question is: If you discovered a new cure-all drug that would cure cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, malaria, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis, the common cold, the flu (including H1N1), and allergies all in a single dosage of a homemade cure that can be easily put together with items to which everyone has free access, who would you tell? I discovered that a few years back. I figure maybe I’ll publish it some day.
No way! Unless you’re a sadistic jerk, you would tell everyone. In fact, you would try to spread the word fast enough that no one could try to control it. It’s information that can save lives! You would give it away a quickly as possible, giving it to all the sick people you can find. And you would tell the ones you told to pass it on to others.
The Jews were tired of the occupying Roman government. The messiah was supposed to be a deliverer from bondage. Naturally, they expected that to mean deliverance from Rome’s rule, but it was so, so much more. When John said the messiah was coming, people headed to the desert in droves to hear him. Then he hit them with his favorite word: Repent! Turn back to God! Return to Sender!
It’s an enduring message. If you haven’t yet, Return to Sender! Return postage is free! If you have embraced this message, it’s time to spread the word. This is the cure to the disease of sin that ails us all.
Remember this concept: Proclaim the Message.
Today’s question is: If you discovered a new cure-all drug that would cure cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, malaria, tuberculosis, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, meningitis, the common cold, the flu (including H1N1), and allergies all in a single dosage of a homemade cure that can be easily put together with items to which everyone has free access, who would you tell? I discovered that a few years back. I figure maybe I’ll publish it some day.
No way! Unless you’re a sadistic jerk, you would tell everyone. In fact, you would try to spread the word fast enough that no one could try to control it. It’s information that can save lives! You would give it away a quickly as possible, giving it to all the sick people you can find. And you would tell the ones you told to pass it on to others.
There was a man from the desert with naps on his headJohn the Baptist was an interesting dude. He sported the newest line of camel hair with a leather belt. He lived in the wilderness. He ate bugs and honey … all the time. He was born obsessed with one thing: The messiah is coming. Get ready. Remember yesterday’s word, “repent”? That was John’s favorite word and he said it a lot.
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
You see The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak
-DC Talk (Jesus Freak) about John the Baptist
The Jews were tired of the occupying Roman government. The messiah was supposed to be a deliverer from bondage. Naturally, they expected that to mean deliverance from Rome’s rule, but it was so, so much more. When John said the messiah was coming, people headed to the desert in droves to hear him. Then he hit them with his favorite word: Repent! Turn back to God! Return to Sender!
It’s an enduring message. If you haven’t yet, Return to Sender! Return postage is free! If you have embraced this message, it’s time to spread the word. This is the cure to the disease of sin that ails us all.
Remember this concept: Proclaim the Message.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday Morning
Concept: Repentence
Have you ever left something important behind? Your glasses, sunscreen, keys, a favorite toy, your phone, a ring, that thing your sweetie asked you to hold, tickets to the event to which you are currently driving? We all have. Most of the time, there is usually a point of no return, a point at which it is better to leave it behind and get it later rather than go back and get it right then. However, many times deferring the pain of going back can get you in more trouble.
In last night’s teaching we heard about a bunch of kings. A few kings were good. Many kings were bad. Some kings were downright evil. Josiah was a good king. His father was a bad king – so bad that his officials conspired against him and assassinated him. His grandfather was evil – sacrificing his own son in the fire, building altars to stars, practicing sorcery and divination, consulting mediums and spiritists, even erecting objects of worship of other gods in the temple. Josiah didn’t have a great family legacy to fall back on.
Josiah was eight years old when he was made king. What were you doing when you were eight? Riding your bike? Jumping rope? Playing tag? Ever rule a country? Me either. Josiah didn’t have a great childhood, the wisdom of age, or an incredible stately presence to fall back on.
What did Josiah do that gets him a special mention? 2 Kings 22:2 says “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his [fore]father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah’s strength was his willingness to follow God no matter what. In the eighteenth year of his reign, He ordered some repairs to the temple and a neglected scroll was found. All he had known was the evil reign of his father and grandfather. When the scroll was read, he immediately took action to get the country back on track. He cleaned all other influences out of the temple and brought it back to good repair. He destroyed all the altars and objects of worship to the false gods. He cleaned up the entire kingdom and led the people back to God.
This turning back is called “repentance”. To repent is to immediately turn back the way you came – like a military about face.
So, if you left something valuable behind, would you go get it? What if it were something that made the difference between life and death? God is the source of life. Where did you leave Him? He’s waiting for you to return. As soon as you turn around and take the first step, He will run the rest of the way to meet you. Do what needs to be done today to return.
Remember this concept: Repent.
Have you ever left something important behind? Your glasses, sunscreen, keys, a favorite toy, your phone, a ring, that thing your sweetie asked you to hold, tickets to the event to which you are currently driving? We all have. Most of the time, there is usually a point of no return, a point at which it is better to leave it behind and get it later rather than go back and get it right then. However, many times deferring the pain of going back can get you in more trouble.
In last night’s teaching we heard about a bunch of kings. A few kings were good. Many kings were bad. Some kings were downright evil. Josiah was a good king. His father was a bad king – so bad that his officials conspired against him and assassinated him. His grandfather was evil – sacrificing his own son in the fire, building altars to stars, practicing sorcery and divination, consulting mediums and spiritists, even erecting objects of worship of other gods in the temple. Josiah didn’t have a great family legacy to fall back on.
Josiah was eight years old when he was made king. What were you doing when you were eight? Riding your bike? Jumping rope? Playing tag? Ever rule a country? Me either. Josiah didn’t have a great childhood, the wisdom of age, or an incredible stately presence to fall back on.
What did Josiah do that gets him a special mention? 2 Kings 22:2 says “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his [fore]father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah’s strength was his willingness to follow God no matter what. In the eighteenth year of his reign, He ordered some repairs to the temple and a neglected scroll was found. All he had known was the evil reign of his father and grandfather. When the scroll was read, he immediately took action to get the country back on track. He cleaned all other influences out of the temple and brought it back to good repair. He destroyed all the altars and objects of worship to the false gods. He cleaned up the entire kingdom and led the people back to God.
This turning back is called “repentance”. To repent is to immediately turn back the way you came – like a military about face.
So, if you left something valuable behind, would you go get it? What if it were something that made the difference between life and death? God is the source of life. Where did you leave Him? He’s waiting for you to return. As soon as you turn around and take the first step, He will run the rest of the way to meet you. Do what needs to be done today to return.
Remember this concept: Repent.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wednesday Morning
Concept: God Offers Salvation
Here is today’s question: How many doves did Moses put on the ark? How many alligators? How many unicorns? The answer is the same for each. None! Moses didn’t put any animals on the ark! Noah did!
Have you ever stopped to think how difficult that was? What must it to have been like to build such a huge ship? … on land … nowhere near water … when it had never even rained before … and you’re following a voice of someone you can’t see for building instructions?
Emotionally, there would have been challenges. Maybe people looked at him weird. Maybe the neighborhood kids called him crazy and made interesting little sing-song chants about him. Maybe he got a terrible nickname. Maybe his family had to endure ridicule from their friends and they pressured him to stop. Maybe his best friends alienated him. Maybe he wasn’t welcome in places he wanted to go. Maybe places that had once been comfortable were now intolerable. Maybe he wanted to quit. Maybe he questioned his own sanity.
Building a multi-story cruise ship with built-in mega kennel using nothing but three sons to help is quite an undertaking. He probably got blisters. He probably fell off ladders. He probably smacked his thumb with a hammer. He probably got pinched between boards. He probably got splinters. He probably bumped his head. He probably pierced his skin. He probably bled. He probably got bruises. He probably had to carry heavy loads. He probably got sore muscles. He probably got really tired.
Spiritually, it would be tough too. It would have taken a long time to build such a large ship. It would be difficult to get up in the morning knowing that all you were going to do was work on the ark. It would be difficult going to bed knowing that all you were going to do tomorrow was work on the ark. It would be difficult to see the only thing on your to-do list for the day was “ark”. It would be difficult to see tomorrow’s to-do list was the same as today’s, …, and yesterday’s, … and last week’s, … and last month’s. It would be difficult to tell friends that you couldn’t do something fun because you needed to stay home and work on the ark. It would be difficult to work on the ark after a month of hating it.
Does any of this sound familiar? Sure, you may need to replace “building the ark” with some other point of obedience, but today’s pressures and consequences aren’t that much different. What is the payoff to following God?
The one sentence of Hebrews 11:7 sums it up: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Remember this concept: God offers salvation.
Here is today’s question: How many doves did Moses put on the ark? How many alligators? How many unicorns? The answer is the same for each. None! Moses didn’t put any animals on the ark! Noah did!
Have you ever stopped to think how difficult that was? What must it to have been like to build such a huge ship? … on land … nowhere near water … when it had never even rained before … and you’re following a voice of someone you can’t see for building instructions?
Emotionally, there would have been challenges. Maybe people looked at him weird. Maybe the neighborhood kids called him crazy and made interesting little sing-song chants about him. Maybe he got a terrible nickname. Maybe his family had to endure ridicule from their friends and they pressured him to stop. Maybe his best friends alienated him. Maybe he wasn’t welcome in places he wanted to go. Maybe places that had once been comfortable were now intolerable. Maybe he wanted to quit. Maybe he questioned his own sanity.
Building a multi-story cruise ship with built-in mega kennel using nothing but three sons to help is quite an undertaking. He probably got blisters. He probably fell off ladders. He probably smacked his thumb with a hammer. He probably got pinched between boards. He probably got splinters. He probably bumped his head. He probably pierced his skin. He probably bled. He probably got bruises. He probably had to carry heavy loads. He probably got sore muscles. He probably got really tired.
Spiritually, it would be tough too. It would have taken a long time to build such a large ship. It would be difficult to get up in the morning knowing that all you were going to do was work on the ark. It would be difficult going to bed knowing that all you were going to do tomorrow was work on the ark. It would be difficult to see the only thing on your to-do list for the day was “ark”. It would be difficult to see tomorrow’s to-do list was the same as today’s, …, and yesterday’s, … and last week’s, … and last month’s. It would be difficult to tell friends that you couldn’t do something fun because you needed to stay home and work on the ark. It would be difficult to work on the ark after a month of hating it.
Does any of this sound familiar? Sure, you may need to replace “building the ark” with some other point of obedience, but today’s pressures and consequences aren’t that much different. What is the payoff to following God?
The one sentence of Hebrews 11:7 sums it up: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Remember this concept: God offers salvation.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tuesday Morning
Concept: Sin Requires Blood to be Spilled
Here’s a tricky question: When was the first blood spilled on Earth? Did you catch it in the teaching last night? Was is when Cain killed Abel? Nope. It’s earlier and much more subtle. Here’s a hint. Adam and Eve were naked, then they sinned, realized they were naked and made clothing. From what was the clothing made? They made loincloths made of fig leaves. I’m sure it was quite fashionable. After all everyone was wearing it … literally.
After God enters the picture and pronounces punishment, it says in Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Skins?! Where did He get skins? Genesis 2:2 clearly says that God was finished with creation. He couldn’t have created more skins. And what was wrong with their own high fashion apparel? Does God have something against clothes made from plant fibers? I hope not. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. Most of what I wear is cotton.
The truth is that sin always requires blood to be spilled. Read this excerpt from Hebrews 9:15-28:
Remember this concept: sin requires blood.
Here’s a tricky question: When was the first blood spilled on Earth? Did you catch it in the teaching last night? Was is when Cain killed Abel? Nope. It’s earlier and much more subtle. Here’s a hint. Adam and Eve were naked, then they sinned, realized they were naked and made clothing. From what was the clothing made? They made loincloths made of fig leaves. I’m sure it was quite fashionable. After all everyone was wearing it … literally.
After God enters the picture and pronounces punishment, it says in Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made for Adam and his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Skins?! Where did He get skins? Genesis 2:2 clearly says that God was finished with creation. He couldn’t have created more skins. And what was wrong with their own high fashion apparel? Does God have something against clothes made from plant fibers? I hope not. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. Most of what I wear is cotton.
The truth is that sin always requires blood to be spilled. Read this excerpt from Hebrews 9:15-28:
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.From the earliest sin to the ones you’ve already committed this morning, blood was required. Adam and Eve’s sin required an animal or animals to die to cover them. Your sin required Jesus to die to cover you.
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Remember this concept: sin requires blood.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Timmy's Letter Home
Revolution Parents,
We are taking great care of your students. Relax and enjoy a week free from active parenting. Now would be a great time to enjoy a good book (I've got some parenting book suggestions if you are interested), take a spontaneous road trip, or just spend some alone time with your spouse. It was a hot trip down and it's incredibly muggy, but all is going well and all the students are responding well to leadership, the speaker, and the worship. Before leaving for camp, I came across this letter that was forwarded to me in an email. I assure you that we will be taking better care of your kids than this. Enjoy!
We are taking great care of your students. Relax and enjoy a week free from active parenting. Now would be a great time to enjoy a good book (I've got some parenting book suggestions if you are interested), take a spontaneous road trip, or just spend some alone time with your spouse. It was a hot trip down and it's incredibly muggy, but all is going well and all the students are responding well to leadership, the speaker, and the worship. Before leaving for camp, I came across this letter that was forwarded to me in an email. I assure you that we will be taking better care of your kids than this. Enjoy!
Dear Mom and Dad:
Our Scoutmaster told us to write our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and are worried. We are all okay, only one of our tents and two sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Chad when it happened.
Oh yes, please call Chad's mother and tell her he is okay. He can't write because of the cast. I got to ride on one of the search and rescue jeeps. It was neat. We would never have found Chad in the dark if it wasn't for the lightning.
Scoutmaster Don got mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad says he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him.
Did you know if you put gasoline on a campfire, the gasoline will blow up? The wet wood didn't burn but one of the tents did and a lot of our clothes. David is going to look weird until his hair grows back.
We should be home on Saturday if Scoutmaster Don gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked fine when we left. Scoutmaster Don said that with a car that old you have to expect something to break down; that's probably why he can't get insurance. We think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it all dirty, and if it's hot he sometimes lets us ride on the fenders. It gets pretty hot with ten people in a car. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrol man stopped and talked to us. Scoutmaster Don is a neat guy. Don't worry, he's a good driver. In fact, he is teaching Terry how to drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. All we ever see up there are logging trucks. Scoutmaster Don hopes that Terry can drive us home.
This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster Don wouldn't let me because I can't swim and Chad was afraid he would sink because of his cast. So he let us take the canoe across the lake. It was great. You can still see some of the tree tops under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster Don isn't crabby like some Scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about the lifejackets. He has to spend a lot of time working on the car so we are trying not to cause him any trouble.
Guess what? We have all passed our first merit badge. When David dived into the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Wade and I threw up, but Scoutmaster Don said it was probably food poisoning from the left-over chicken and not the blood. He said he got sick that way from food he ate in prison. I'm glad he got out and became our Scoutmaster. He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing time.
I have to go now. We are going to town to mail our letters and buy some more beer. Don't worry about anything, we are all fine.
Love,
Timmy
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse - A Male Perspective
Unfortunately, every review I’ve read online for Eclipse was written by a woman, and when it comes to the The Twilight Saga, it somehow seems that women have completely lost their minds. I saw the movie on a Monday morning, almost a week after its unconventional early-in-the-week release. The theater was packed with women of all ages, some escorted by very patient significant others, and of course a few die hard movie fans like myself.
The women seemed to take no heed to the “don’t add your own soundtrack” warning after the previews. They giggled constantly, cheered when characters were shirtless, awed when they kissed, and the young lady sitting next to me interjected some cat-calling language that I’m sure would bring a lawsuit if directed to her from some construction workers. Surprise, surprise, there is a double standard.
A day before I saw this movie, I witnessed a heated Facebook “argument” over who was going to marry which character. It took a great deal of restraint to keep from jumping in the middle of it and posting a reminder that these people are not real.
Females are reacting to this movie like they are combining heroine and ecstasy, atomizing it, and pumping it though theater ventilation systems. Here is why. Every image and conversation is specifically designed to cater to an unachievable fantasy of what women perceive romance to be. It makes no sense to a logical male mind. For example: A coming threat is leering on the horizon. Conversations are frantic about “preparing” and “training” and “getting ready”. Cut to Edward and Bella lounging in the middle of an idyllic field of flowers having a casual conversation. This happened multiple times. Girls see it as romantic. Guys see it as the illogical nonsense it is.
The one bright spot in the film was support of marriage. Edward’s dedication to abstinence from sex before marriage is a positive. Even in the face of Bella’s constant bombardment pushing for sex, Edward stays constant to his moral commitment. His explanation, however, was a little weak, citing an old-fashioned “that’s how it was” reasoning. Bella ridicules him calling it an “ancient” standard and pushes for a “sex now” mentality. For those of us that work with youth, this sounds too familiar. It appears that Edward is winning this battle so far in the series, much to the chagrin of the fairer sex seated around me. Also, a conversation between Bella and Charlie about whether the institution of marriage has any value comes through with a positive but unlikely “yes” from Charlie, even though he is an unmarried divorcée. Hurray, Charlie!
My advice to women: Don’t get your hopes up. These people aren’t real. No one will treat you like that. Fantasy and reality clash. Men will protect you, but they have physical limitations with no super-human strength, impossible speed, or telepathy, and we can’t change ourselves into extra large wolves. We can’t read minds. Don’t expect it.
My advice to men: See this movie with your girl. She will hold you tight during it and be very affectionate afterwards. Go directly to a sporting goods store and buy a pair of boxing gloves and a 100lb bag – because she will ignore the last paragraph and you will eventually need a safe way to vent your frustration.
The women seemed to take no heed to the “don’t add your own soundtrack” warning after the previews. They giggled constantly, cheered when characters were shirtless, awed when they kissed, and the young lady sitting next to me interjected some cat-calling language that I’m sure would bring a lawsuit if directed to her from some construction workers. Surprise, surprise, there is a double standard.
A day before I saw this movie, I witnessed a heated Facebook “argument” over who was going to marry which character. It took a great deal of restraint to keep from jumping in the middle of it and posting a reminder that these people are not real.
Females are reacting to this movie like they are combining heroine and ecstasy, atomizing it, and pumping it though theater ventilation systems. Here is why. Every image and conversation is specifically designed to cater to an unachievable fantasy of what women perceive romance to be. It makes no sense to a logical male mind. For example: A coming threat is leering on the horizon. Conversations are frantic about “preparing” and “training” and “getting ready”. Cut to Edward and Bella lounging in the middle of an idyllic field of flowers having a casual conversation. This happened multiple times. Girls see it as romantic. Guys see it as the illogical nonsense it is.
The one bright spot in the film was support of marriage. Edward’s dedication to abstinence from sex before marriage is a positive. Even in the face of Bella’s constant bombardment pushing for sex, Edward stays constant to his moral commitment. His explanation, however, was a little weak, citing an old-fashioned “that’s how it was” reasoning. Bella ridicules him calling it an “ancient” standard and pushes for a “sex now” mentality. For those of us that work with youth, this sounds too familiar. It appears that Edward is winning this battle so far in the series, much to the chagrin of the fairer sex seated around me. Also, a conversation between Bella and Charlie about whether the institution of marriage has any value comes through with a positive but unlikely “yes” from Charlie, even though he is an unmarried divorcée. Hurray, Charlie!
My advice to women: Don’t get your hopes up. These people aren’t real. No one will treat you like that. Fantasy and reality clash. Men will protect you, but they have physical limitations with no super-human strength, impossible speed, or telepathy, and we can’t change ourselves into extra large wolves. We can’t read minds. Don’t expect it.
My advice to men: See this movie with your girl. She will hold you tight during it and be very affectionate afterwards. Go directly to a sporting goods store and buy a pair of boxing gloves and a 100lb bag – because she will ignore the last paragraph and you will eventually need a safe way to vent your frustration.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
My new friend
I have a new friend. I obsess over her. She’s the first thing I think about in the morning. She’s the last thing I think about before I go to sleep. I constantly think of her good qualities. I crave communication with her. Everything fun I think about, I think “would she enjoy doing that with me?” She inspires me to be better in everything I do.
I felt like that about someone else once. When my relationship with Jesus was new, I obsessed over him. He was the first thing I thought about in the morning. He was the last thing I thought about before going to sleep. I constantly thought of His good qualities. I couldn’t get enough conversation with him. Everything fun I thought about, I thought “would he enjoy doing that with me?” He inspired me to be better in everything I did.
What happened? Did He change? Did He become less amazing? … less inspiring? … less fun? No, and it took a new interest to show me that.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Unique Situation?
Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 (NLT)
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, "Here is something new!" But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don't remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
When we are in a bad spot, it's not uncommon for us to think that our situation is unique. We feel that no one has ever been through anything this bad before, that we are being exclusively persecuted.
Solomon said that there is nothing new. I'm sure he wrestled with a flaky cell phone battery when he was on the side of the road with a flat, right? Probably not. But the notion of being stranded without communication was certainly not new. Even though every situation has not been exactly duplicated, the concepts are not new. Relationships, difficulty with taskmasters (bosses), a lack of resources when they are needed are all models on which there are millions of variations.
The Bible's ability to deal with these concepts makes it a timeless book. When you go through a tough situation, the Bible has a solution to the concept of the problem that can be extended to your specific situation. Search for it!
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, "Here is something new!" But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don't remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.
When we are in a bad spot, it's not uncommon for us to think that our situation is unique. We feel that no one has ever been through anything this bad before, that we are being exclusively persecuted.
Solomon said that there is nothing new. I'm sure he wrestled with a flaky cell phone battery when he was on the side of the road with a flat, right? Probably not. But the notion of being stranded without communication was certainly not new. Even though every situation has not been exactly duplicated, the concepts are not new. Relationships, difficulty with taskmasters (bosses), a lack of resources when they are needed are all models on which there are millions of variations.
The Bible's ability to deal with these concepts makes it a timeless book. When you go through a tough situation, the Bible has a solution to the concept of the problem that can be extended to your specific situation. Search for it!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
What a Mess!
Rom 8:28-29 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Is your life a mess? Are things not lining up for you the way you planned? Everything is going wrong. Nothing is going right. Plans have fallen flat. In your life, chaos and destruction reign. The worst part is that no one seems to care.
Does this sound familiar? You aren’t the first to feel like this. What’s the solution? The answer can be found in a tapestry. A what? A tapestry. A tapestry is a heavy woven cloth with a rich design. Many are absolutely beautiful. They are like intricate paintings in vibrant varicolored thread. Some have delicate designs that are evidence of true artistry. Some are like portraits. Others have bold panoramic views depicting heroes defeating their foes. Their designs are as varied as the artisans who created them and the materials they used. As diverse as these magnificent works are, they all have one thing in common. From the back, they look like a mess.
That’s right. From the back a tapestry is a mangled chaotic muddle of thread. There are knots and frays and loose ends. The color combinations can be nauseating and seem to have absolutely no coordination. It looks unorganized, unplanned, and unappealing. From the back, a tapestry looks like a rainbow threw up in a cement mixer. If advertised from the back, no one would buy a tapestry.
But that’s not how tapestries are made to be viewed.
Your life is a work of art like a tapestry. Right now it may look like a terrible, unplanned, disorganized mess, but there is a plan. You’re life is being woven together with artistry by a master artisan. He sees your problems. He knows your concerns. Best of all, He cares for you and loves you deeply. He is making sure that every thread of your life is placed exactly right, so your life will be a magnificent work of art, unique and unmatched in value.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Is your life a mess? Are things not lining up for you the way you planned? Everything is going wrong. Nothing is going right. Plans have fallen flat. In your life, chaos and destruction reign. The worst part is that no one seems to care.
Does this sound familiar? You aren’t the first to feel like this. What’s the solution? The answer can be found in a tapestry. A what? A tapestry. A tapestry is a heavy woven cloth with a rich design. Many are absolutely beautiful. They are like intricate paintings in vibrant varicolored thread. Some have delicate designs that are evidence of true artistry. Some are like portraits. Others have bold panoramic views depicting heroes defeating their foes. Their designs are as varied as the artisans who created them and the materials they used. As diverse as these magnificent works are, they all have one thing in common. From the back, they look like a mess.
That’s right. From the back a tapestry is a mangled chaotic muddle of thread. There are knots and frays and loose ends. The color combinations can be nauseating and seem to have absolutely no coordination. It looks unorganized, unplanned, and unappealing. From the back, a tapestry looks like a rainbow threw up in a cement mixer. If advertised from the back, no one would buy a tapestry.
But that’s not how tapestries are made to be viewed.
Your life is a work of art like a tapestry. Right now it may look like a terrible, unplanned, disorganized mess, but there is a plan. You’re life is being woven together with artistry by a master artisan. He sees your problems. He knows your concerns. Best of all, He cares for you and loves you deeply. He is making sure that every thread of your life is placed exactly right, so your life will be a magnificent work of art, unique and unmatched in value.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Murphy's Law
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Sometimes life stinks. Things don’t go our way. Murphy ’s Law engages and it seems that anything that can go wrong does. Why does God allow such things? If He is such a benevolent God, why does anything have to go wrong?
First, let’s get some perspective. We must admit that in order for things to make a turn for the worst, things must not have been as bad before the turn. In order to get the perspective that something is “going wrong” it must have been “going right” for a while. What do you know? Things haven’t always been bad.
Second, let’s look at a caterpillar. It lives its life in relative comfort munching on leaves and other caterpillar delicacies, then one day spins a cocoon and takes a super-long cat(erpillar)-nap. Then one day it awakes. It feels trapped and needs out. It feels abandoned by God. It struggles and struggles. It goes through the worst situation it has ever faced in its entire life. Then it finally breaks free – as a beautiful butterfly. It is no longer confined to munching on the plant it was munching on before, but now has freedom to go anywhere. It has the power of flight. It is much more beautiful. In short, its life is vastly improved.
Do you know what happens if someone helps the butterfly by cutting it out of the cocoon – even at the right time, when it is breaking free? It dies. The struggle is an essential part of the process. It is required for the butterfly to have the ability to survive as a butterfly.
Your life is the same. Look back on some of the hard times in your life. Now look at character values those situations gave you: patience, strength, endurance, etc. The hard times in life are the times we grow the most. Although you may not know the purpose, God has a plan behind it. Trust Him.
When life sucks raw eggs and everything seems down, remember these three things: 1) It hasn’t always been bad, 2) hard times produce the most growth and are necessary to build you into the person you need to be and 3) God is working out a plan for you that gives you hope and a future.
Monday, July 27, 2009
God forgets; People don't
Jeremiah 31:34 (NIV)
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the Lord.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."
God's forgiveness is complete. He not only forgives us for the wrong we've done, but He chooses to not even remember them. In His eyes, you are perfectly clean, just like His son.
Our memories, however, stay in tact when we've been hurt. Even if forgiveness has been given you still remember the offense. This is by design.
Since God is omnipotent (all powerful), we really have no power to bring any harm to Him. We can disappoint Him and grieve Him, but we can't hurt him. However, humans do a great job of hurting each other. Even after you forgive someone, they can hurt you again and again. For this reason, God allows us to remember the offense. We have been given this gift so that we don't continually put ourselves in compromising situations that will allow us to repeatedly get hurt from the same injuries. In short, this is a gift of learning.
By learning from our mistakes and knowing who we can trust, it minimizes the chance that we will allow the same person to hurt us in the same way again. Unfortunately, there is a down side to this remembering. It also makes trust a commodity that is difficult to regain. If you are hurt, you are more likely to be cautious to guard yourself from being hurt again. Forgiveness is irrelevant at this point. Self-preservation requires that some trust be withdrawn and reliability be proven before it is restored.
When someone doesn't trust you because of something you've done in the past, remember that you need to show yourself reliable and trustworthy in order to regain their faith in you. New memories must be built to override the old memories. Trust must be built...slowly...and steadily...with care to be trustworthy in the smallest of details.
I hope this encourages you.
I love you for free!
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,"
declares the Lord.
"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more."
God's forgiveness is complete. He not only forgives us for the wrong we've done, but He chooses to not even remember them. In His eyes, you are perfectly clean, just like His son.
Our memories, however, stay in tact when we've been hurt. Even if forgiveness has been given you still remember the offense. This is by design.
Since God is omnipotent (all powerful), we really have no power to bring any harm to Him. We can disappoint Him and grieve Him, but we can't hurt him. However, humans do a great job of hurting each other. Even after you forgive someone, they can hurt you again and again. For this reason, God allows us to remember the offense. We have been given this gift so that we don't continually put ourselves in compromising situations that will allow us to repeatedly get hurt from the same injuries. In short, this is a gift of learning.
By learning from our mistakes and knowing who we can trust, it minimizes the chance that we will allow the same person to hurt us in the same way again. Unfortunately, there is a down side to this remembering. It also makes trust a commodity that is difficult to regain. If you are hurt, you are more likely to be cautious to guard yourself from being hurt again. Forgiveness is irrelevant at this point. Self-preservation requires that some trust be withdrawn and reliability be proven before it is restored.
When someone doesn't trust you because of something you've done in the past, remember that you need to show yourself reliable and trustworthy in order to regain their faith in you. New memories must be built to override the old memories. Trust must be built...slowly...and steadily...with care to be trustworthy in the smallest of details.
I hope this encourages you.
I love you for free!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sold Out
Rom 12:1 (NIV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
What does God want? If He already has everything what does He want? He wants you.
In order for Him to have you voluntarily, He first had to save you from destruction. He did this by Jesus’ sacrifice. If that hasn’t happened yet, that is the first step. Here's a quick breakdown: Like everyone else, you've screwed up. (Romans 3:23) The penalty for being imperfect is permanent separation from God - the source of life and everything good. Separation from life is death, so we're talking about a permanent, spiritual death. (Romans 6:23) God loved you enough that He sent His son, Jesus to die in your place and take that penalty. (Romans 5:8) He offers this substitution as a completely free gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Secondly, He wants you to voluntarily sacrifice yourself. There’s that word again – sacrifice. Jesus set the example. You follow. He wants you – all of you - all your hopes, all your dreams, all your focus, energy, strength, thoughts, intentions. Romans 12:1 says to offer yourself – your entire being – as a living sacrifice. Often we hold something back. It’s time to sell out. You need to have nothing left. You need to go all in. You need to give Him a blank check. You need to give Him all of it. Use whatever analogy you want. You need to give it all. Even giving Him everything, you can’t outgive what He’s given you.
That sounds risky doesn’t it? Romans 8:32-33 says that He has our best interest in mind. He doesn’t treat you as a throw-away. He holds you as valuable. He treasures you. You can trust Him. He’s already sacrificed his Son. He doesn’t want that to be a waste.
Rom 8:32-33 (NIV)
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
According to Barna polls only 1 in 10 Christians live a fulfilled life. That’s because 90% stop after receiving salvation. They’ve never offered themselves. They made God savior, but never made Him Lord. They never put Him in charge. Until that happens, fulfillment is automatically limited. They try to follow Christ, but hold on to something else. Living with two masters can’t please either and makes the servant miserable. You will serve someone. Choosing a single, benevolent master with your best interest at heart just makes sense. Some translations say that this is your “reasonable” act of service.
Sell Out!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship.
What does God want? If He already has everything what does He want? He wants you.
In order for Him to have you voluntarily, He first had to save you from destruction. He did this by Jesus’ sacrifice. If that hasn’t happened yet, that is the first step. Here's a quick breakdown: Like everyone else, you've screwed up. (Romans 3:23) The penalty for being imperfect is permanent separation from God - the source of life and everything good. Separation from life is death, so we're talking about a permanent, spiritual death. (Romans 6:23) God loved you enough that He sent His son, Jesus to die in your place and take that penalty. (Romans 5:8) He offers this substitution as a completely free gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Secondly, He wants you to voluntarily sacrifice yourself. There’s that word again – sacrifice. Jesus set the example. You follow. He wants you – all of you - all your hopes, all your dreams, all your focus, energy, strength, thoughts, intentions. Romans 12:1 says to offer yourself – your entire being – as a living sacrifice. Often we hold something back. It’s time to sell out. You need to have nothing left. You need to go all in. You need to give Him a blank check. You need to give Him all of it. Use whatever analogy you want. You need to give it all. Even giving Him everything, you can’t outgive what He’s given you.
That sounds risky doesn’t it? Romans 8:32-33 says that He has our best interest in mind. He doesn’t treat you as a throw-away. He holds you as valuable. He treasures you. You can trust Him. He’s already sacrificed his Son. He doesn’t want that to be a waste.
Rom 8:32-33 (NIV)
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
According to Barna polls only 1 in 10 Christians live a fulfilled life. That’s because 90% stop after receiving salvation. They’ve never offered themselves. They made God savior, but never made Him Lord. They never put Him in charge. Until that happens, fulfillment is automatically limited. They try to follow Christ, but hold on to something else. Living with two masters can’t please either and makes the servant miserable. You will serve someone. Choosing a single, benevolent master with your best interest at heart just makes sense. Some translations say that this is your “reasonable” act of service.
Sell Out!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Secular Worship
John 4:23-24 (NIV)
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Worship has many forms. Some like to worship quietly and reverently. Some like to worship boistrously and with reckless abandon. Which is correct? Scripture shows both as honoring to God. Styles of worship vary widely. This is probably why there are half a dozen churches within walking distance of mine ... and when I say walking distance, I'm talking about Winter walking through snow walking, not "it's a great day, let's go for a walk" walking.
Music styles are pretty diverse, too. Some churches play strictly hymns. Some play only choruses. Some like repetition. Some can't stand it. Some sing acapella, some use a piano and organ, and some have a full orchestra. I was on The Voyage Blog recently (http://voyageministries.blogspot.com/index.html) and I mentioned that some secular songs cause me to worship God. Why not? After all, true worship isn't the product of music and message. True worship is a by-product of a condition of the heart. True worship is an overflow of adoration. Does the following sound like it limits worship?
Psalms 150:3-6 (NIV)
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing,praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals,praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
I'll blog more on true worship later. Today, I want to see comments on secular music that inspires you to worship. What makes you worship?
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Worship has many forms. Some like to worship quietly and reverently. Some like to worship boistrously and with reckless abandon. Which is correct? Scripture shows both as honoring to God. Styles of worship vary widely. This is probably why there are half a dozen churches within walking distance of mine ... and when I say walking distance, I'm talking about Winter walking through snow walking, not "it's a great day, let's go for a walk" walking.
Music styles are pretty diverse, too. Some churches play strictly hymns. Some play only choruses. Some like repetition. Some can't stand it. Some sing acapella, some use a piano and organ, and some have a full orchestra. I was on The Voyage Blog recently (http://voyageministries.blogspot.com/index.html) and I mentioned that some secular songs cause me to worship God. Why not? After all, true worship isn't the product of music and message. True worship is a by-product of a condition of the heart. True worship is an overflow of adoration. Does the following sound like it limits worship?
Psalms 150:3-6 (NIV)
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing,praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals,praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
I'll blog more on true worship later. Today, I want to see comments on secular music that inspires you to worship. What makes you worship?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Burn Your Bridges
James 1:21
So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
I ran across this passage today. It reminded me of a concept that I teach my students: Burn your bridges. Often when we decide to break a bad habit we leave a way back to it. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we leave a way to make it easier to return to it. I say burn the bridge. For instance, if you want to stop smoking, you need to clean tobacco out of every nook and cranny in your house. Don't go to places where people smoke. Avoid going to place tobacco is sold. If you decide to stop smoking, but leave a pack of cigarettes "just in case," you aren't ready to quit. Burn your bridge. Make it impossible (or at least as difficult as possible) to return to that habit.
This concept translates to any sin or habit in your life. We've got to stop making it easy to sin. In the passage above, the word translated "throw ... in the garbage" literally means to "lay it down and push it beyond reach". In Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner says that it is the word used in the first century to describe someone removing filthy work clothes and putting them beyond where they can influence sleep in preparation to get into a clean bed. How silly would it be to put muddy, sweaty, stinky, filthy clothes back on and climb between clean sheets!
What bridge do you need to burn? You may need to delete an Internet link. You may need to block a channel on your TV. You may need to throw something out (all the way to the outside garbage can). You may need to delete a phone number from your phone's memory. It's individual to you. Burn your bridge right now.
Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
I ran across this passage today. It reminded me of a concept that I teach my students: Burn your bridges. Often when we decide to break a bad habit we leave a way back to it. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we leave a way to make it easier to return to it. I say burn the bridge. For instance, if you want to stop smoking, you need to clean tobacco out of every nook and cranny in your house. Don't go to places where people smoke. Avoid going to place tobacco is sold. If you decide to stop smoking, but leave a pack of cigarettes "just in case," you aren't ready to quit. Burn your bridge. Make it impossible (or at least as difficult as possible) to return to that habit.
This concept translates to any sin or habit in your life. We've got to stop making it easy to sin. In the passage above, the word translated "throw ... in the garbage" literally means to "lay it down and push it beyond reach". In Sparkling Gems from the Greek, Rick Renner says that it is the word used in the first century to describe someone removing filthy work clothes and putting them beyond where they can influence sleep in preparation to get into a clean bed. How silly would it be to put muddy, sweaty, stinky, filthy clothes back on and climb between clean sheets!
What bridge do you need to burn? You may need to delete an Internet link. You may need to block a channel on your TV. You may need to throw something out (all the way to the outside garbage can). You may need to delete a phone number from your phone's memory. It's individual to you. Burn your bridge right now.
Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Friend of God
“What would you do if you really met God?” – Alan Shore
“Probably take Him fishing.” – Denny Crane
I caught this conversation on a commercial for Boston Legal. It jumped out at me as a fantastic answer. What could be greater than taking God with you to do what you love?
God demands our respect and awe. He wants to be our friend. Too often, our devotion to him is compartmentalized and reserved for auditoriums, churches, and “worship centers.” That’s good. Worship him at home, at work, in your favorite restaurant, and while you’re engaged in your favorite hobby by honoring Him by doing your best without reservation. That’s better.
John 15:13-14 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Jesus laid down His life for us. We usually consider that to be a reference to His crucifixion. I think it’s more. He laid down His life for us when he became human. He laid His life down for us when He put His life on exhibition. Everything He did was an example of laying His life down.
Do you want to truly love? Start laying your life down in everything you do. It may not require your death, but it will require you to die to yourself.
“Probably take Him fishing.” – Denny Crane
I caught this conversation on a commercial for Boston Legal. It jumped out at me as a fantastic answer. What could be greater than taking God with you to do what you love?
God demands our respect and awe. He wants to be our friend. Too often, our devotion to him is compartmentalized and reserved for auditoriums, churches, and “worship centers.” That’s good. Worship him at home, at work, in your favorite restaurant, and while you’re engaged in your favorite hobby by honoring Him by doing your best without reservation. That’s better.
John 15:13-14 says “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
Jesus laid down His life for us. We usually consider that to be a reference to His crucifixion. I think it’s more. He laid down His life for us when he became human. He laid His life down for us when He put His life on exhibition. Everything He did was an example of laying His life down.
Do you want to truly love? Start laying your life down in everything you do. It may not require your death, but it will require you to die to yourself.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Your ToBe List
I’m terrible at ToDo lists. I usually start the day with dozens of things on the list and by the end of the day I’ve managed to check off a few, but the next day I have the remainders of yesterday’s list plus enough new ones leave me losing ground.
Sticking to a ToDo list makes me cranky. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels. I may get some stuff done, but the benefit isn’t easily seen. It is very task based. Instead, I’m turning to a ToBe list. Instead of listing things I want to do, I list things I want to be. Today I want to be a good writer. With that goal in mind and the clear benefit in my mind, the tasks necessary to be a good writer (writing) come naturally.
I know that Sunday morning I will want to be a good teacher. Instead of focusing on doing (such as I want to teach a good lesson), focusing on being a good teacher makes me want to study and be better. Teaching a good lesson will then come naturally.
This year you probably started with resolutions. It’s been a few days, so chances are you’ve already broken them. I know I did. Focus this year, on being who you were designed to be. You might want to be a better parent. You might need to be a better son or daughter. You might want to be a better {fill in your occupation here}. We all need to be better role models. Maybe you want to be a better example of Christ. Make a list of the things you want to be and focus on those instead of what you want to do. This year, be all you can be.
Inspired by Chip Ingram.
Sticking to a ToDo list makes me cranky. I feel like I’m spinning my wheels. I may get some stuff done, but the benefit isn’t easily seen. It is very task based. Instead, I’m turning to a ToBe list. Instead of listing things I want to do, I list things I want to be. Today I want to be a good writer. With that goal in mind and the clear benefit in my mind, the tasks necessary to be a good writer (writing) come naturally.
I know that Sunday morning I will want to be a good teacher. Instead of focusing on doing (such as I want to teach a good lesson), focusing on being a good teacher makes me want to study and be better. Teaching a good lesson will then come naturally.
This year you probably started with resolutions. It’s been a few days, so chances are you’ve already broken them. I know I did. Focus this year, on being who you were designed to be. You might want to be a better parent. You might need to be a better son or daughter. You might want to be a better {fill in your occupation here}. We all need to be better role models. Maybe you want to be a better example of Christ. Make a list of the things you want to be and focus on those instead of what you want to do. This year, be all you can be.
Inspired by Chip Ingram.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
God Is Into New
Have you ever wondered why God created seasons? What about procreation? Flowers? Our God is into new.
I’ve been working with youth for a long time … a couple of decades now. When the grunge music came on the scene, so did an interesting fashion trend. My youth, even the trendiest and most wealthy – actually especially the trendiest and most wealthy – were intentionally going to thrift stores to buy their clothes. Shortly after, several jeans companies started selling new jeans that were specifically “distressed” to look like old jeans. My affluent teens didn’t think twice about spending a few hundred dollars (no exaggeration) of their hard earned money (actually I mean their parents’ hard earned money) on a single pair of jeans that looked like they had been used as a rag for changing oil in the car, washed in old coffee grounds, splattered with bleach, then dragged behind the car for a few miles. They had holes and stains. The hems were frayed and the buttons and rivets scratched. I witnessed them buy new baseball caps and bend the brim severely and scrape it along the ground to ruin the newness.
I didn’t get it. I like bright, new shiny things. I like opening the new impossible-to-open plastic sealed clamshell packages because I know that the contents have never been used by anyone else. When first cracking one open, I like the smell of the new useless plastic trinkets. That euphoric sensation that almost makes you woozy because it’s the first time the molded plastic has breathed. I like the shine of new metal, smooth with no flaws in its surface. I like the burned ozone smell of brand new electronics when you turn them on for the very first time. It excites me to get something new. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve purchased things that I know I already have enough of, just because I want a new one.
Things with no scratches and that new smell have always held much more attraction for me … unless it’s something I really love. When it’s something I really love, I want it repaired. I want it re-made, recreated into something useful again. When I love something, I don’t want to let it go.
Our God spent only seven days creating a good universe with very good people in it (Genesis 1-2). He said he was finished creating. Then Adam and Eve screwed it up. For the first time, it was broken. He’s been recreating ever since. Flowers bloom, attract insects to spread pollen, then die. Next Spring, they bloom again. Man dies, but his progeny lives on through procreation. Even in the end, when the Earth is destroyed, there is recreation into a new Heaven and a new Earth.
I tell my youth all the time that they are lucky I’m not God. (They are quick to agree.) The day the forbidden fruit was eaten in Eden, I would have destroyed it all and started over from scratch. No witnesses, no foul. He didn’t. He loved man too much. His justice required the penalty he had ascribed for rebellion, but his grace provided the sacrifice in man’s stead. Atheists ask me all the time “how could a loving God callously send people to hell?” My response has always been. “He couldn’t. I believe a loving God would probably try to keep people out of hell. In fact, He would probably do everything He could to keep people out of a place like that. I believe a loving God would make personal sacrifice to help people avoid that. I believe He would even sacrifice His own son to keep people out of hell. That’s what a loving God would do. That’s what a loving God did.”
As our calendar arbitrarily changes to a new year, remember that God has provided newness for you and wants to continually renew you. This is a chance to start new and fresh. It is an opportunity to let Him recreate you a little closer to His image. You may need allow Him to recreate you by eliminating bad habits that just won’t die. You may need to allow him recreate in you good habits that just won’t stay alive. You may need to allow Him to recreate strained relationships to strong ones. You may need to let Him recreate romantic relationships into friendships. Allow God to recreate you this year. He’s into new.
I’ve been working with youth for a long time … a couple of decades now. When the grunge music came on the scene, so did an interesting fashion trend. My youth, even the trendiest and most wealthy – actually especially the trendiest and most wealthy – were intentionally going to thrift stores to buy their clothes. Shortly after, several jeans companies started selling new jeans that were specifically “distressed” to look like old jeans. My affluent teens didn’t think twice about spending a few hundred dollars (no exaggeration) of their hard earned money (actually I mean their parents’ hard earned money) on a single pair of jeans that looked like they had been used as a rag for changing oil in the car, washed in old coffee grounds, splattered with bleach, then dragged behind the car for a few miles. They had holes and stains. The hems were frayed and the buttons and rivets scratched. I witnessed them buy new baseball caps and bend the brim severely and scrape it along the ground to ruin the newness.
I didn’t get it. I like bright, new shiny things. I like opening the new impossible-to-open plastic sealed clamshell packages because I know that the contents have never been used by anyone else. When first cracking one open, I like the smell of the new useless plastic trinkets. That euphoric sensation that almost makes you woozy because it’s the first time the molded plastic has breathed. I like the shine of new metal, smooth with no flaws in its surface. I like the burned ozone smell of brand new electronics when you turn them on for the very first time. It excites me to get something new. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve purchased things that I know I already have enough of, just because I want a new one.
Things with no scratches and that new smell have always held much more attraction for me … unless it’s something I really love. When it’s something I really love, I want it repaired. I want it re-made, recreated into something useful again. When I love something, I don’t want to let it go.
Our God spent only seven days creating a good universe with very good people in it (Genesis 1-2). He said he was finished creating. Then Adam and Eve screwed it up. For the first time, it was broken. He’s been recreating ever since. Flowers bloom, attract insects to spread pollen, then die. Next Spring, they bloom again. Man dies, but his progeny lives on through procreation. Even in the end, when the Earth is destroyed, there is recreation into a new Heaven and a new Earth.
I tell my youth all the time that they are lucky I’m not God. (They are quick to agree.) The day the forbidden fruit was eaten in Eden, I would have destroyed it all and started over from scratch. No witnesses, no foul. He didn’t. He loved man too much. His justice required the penalty he had ascribed for rebellion, but his grace provided the sacrifice in man’s stead. Atheists ask me all the time “how could a loving God callously send people to hell?” My response has always been. “He couldn’t. I believe a loving God would probably try to keep people out of hell. In fact, He would probably do everything He could to keep people out of a place like that. I believe a loving God would make personal sacrifice to help people avoid that. I believe He would even sacrifice His own son to keep people out of hell. That’s what a loving God would do. That’s what a loving God did.”
As our calendar arbitrarily changes to a new year, remember that God has provided newness for you and wants to continually renew you. This is a chance to start new and fresh. It is an opportunity to let Him recreate you a little closer to His image. You may need allow Him to recreate you by eliminating bad habits that just won’t die. You may need to allow him recreate in you good habits that just won’t stay alive. You may need to allow Him to recreate strained relationships to strong ones. You may need to let Him recreate romantic relationships into friendships. Allow God to recreate you this year. He’s into new.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Gehazi's Oops
Passage: 2 Kings 5
Story Synopsis:
Naaman was an important man, captain of the Aram military machine that had been kicking tail all over the Middle East. He was also a leper. An Israelite servant girl said that God would heal him if he visited his prophet Elisha in Samaria. He got permission and headed there. When he arrived, Elisha didn’t even meet him, but gave him instructions to wash seven times in the dirty Jordan River.
Naaman was furious and almost left. He had cleaner rivers at home and had travelled a long way to see a man that sent a servant to meet him. His own servants pointed out that if he had to do something difficult for healing, he would follow instructions carefully, so he humbled himself and washed in the Jordan seven times as instructed … and was healed of a deadly, contagious disease with no cure. Naaman had a complete change of heart and switched from worshipping false gods to confessing the God of Israel as the One True God.
That’s where the story usually ends when it’s told, but let’s go a little further. Naaman offers Elisha a gift. He had brought with him approximately 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothes. Elisha, refused, showing that God operated differently from the false gods that required gifts for their favor. Naaman left pleased and with a better understanding of who God is.
Enter Gehazi, Elisha’s servant. Gehazi secretly chases down Naaman and tells a lie to get about 150 pounds of silver and two changes of clothes. When he returns Elisha confronts him for corrupting Naaman’s view of God and Gehazi and his family are plagued with leprosy.
So where did Gehazi go wrong? Here are a few hints:
James 1:13-15 NIV
When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (James)
Proverbs 23:7 ASV
For as he thinks within himself, so is he…. (Solomon)
Matthew 12:34 NIV
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…. (Jesus to Pharisees)
Genesis 4:7 NIV
But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” (God to Cain just before Cain killed Abel)
The battle of the spirit isn’t won or lost in the spirit, but in the mind. Gehazi’s first makes his mistake in 2 Kings 5:20, when he thinks to himself that Elisha let Naaman off easy. He missed the point of grace and seeks to get something in return for God’s favor. Naaman, a man who was culturally ingrained with Baal worship, where to get anything required giving something, left Elisha with an understanding of grace. Gehazi, a man who had been around grace in Elisha’s house for much, much longer, completely missed the point. You can see it in his language. Elisha said “as surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve ….” Gehazi said “As surely as the Lord lives …” but conveniently leaves off the “whom I serve” that would indicate that God is really his Lord and master.
Isn’t that just like us? Many sit in church every Sunday, hearing God’s Word, seeing God work, experiencing worship, but completely and utterly missing the point. They’ve experienced church their entire lives, hearing truth and understanding it, but never letting it inside. They believe in who God is, but have never taken the plunge to trusting Him to be their boss. In the end, the reward is spiritual separation from God, the source of everything good. Others, who experience God for the first time, completely turn their lives over to Him and are saved to live everlasting lives.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Belief alone isn’t enough (James 2:19). You must make a confession of Christ as Lord (boss, master, and controller). A true confession means to admit that you’ve done it. If you haven’t really done it, it’s a false confession and holds no merit. When you’ve done this, leave me a comment and I’ll do what I can to help you start your new life!
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