For you that have been following my blog, thank you. I will be away from access for a period of time and need to take a pause on writing. I will let you know when I have resumed writing, but for now, thanks for following.
For a short last entry, let's look at hope. No other emotion can sustain life more than hope. Anger and revenge can motivate you only so long; self-confidence in your own abilities will go along way; but HOPE is a driving emotion that propels beyond human ability through the toughest of circumstances.
I have a friend whose college-age son has a brain tumor that continues to return; often times with great speed. Assisted in prayer by her friends and hope in Christ, as the great healer, Hope continues to hold her up as she faces the hospitals and the news that is often negative.
Men and women who have found themselves in the most desperate situations of peril have survived due to hope; usually hope in God. These are life changing, life enduring times where there is no where else to turn. It is then that we turn to our Creator; even the most devout atheist and agnostic call out to God when "all else fails" them.
Hope can take us miles beyond what we can normally walk; Hope can sustain us with joy through years of chronic pain; Hope can enable us to get through the loss of a child, a sibling, a parent or friend. Lack of hope can take us to suicide, depression or unhealthy habits - searching for some meaning in life.
Hope is not a man-made emotion; it is built in everyone by our Creator, but some have never accessed it. They see no future; see no life beyond this world... but there is; there is another Kingdom that springs with hope.
Hope is what drives me through every day; Faith is what allows my hope to be so real. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Rom 8:24-25 NASU Knowing that those that place their faith in Christ will spend eternity in a place prepared for us is my sustaining hope.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Heb 11:1-3 NASB
If you are going though a difficult time, your faith in Christ can sustain you. Don't worry that it is a crutch; those that are broken need help to heal. The best time to place your trust, faith and hope in your Creator is right now; you will grow in Him and when the difficult time comes like a storm... and it will come, you will be ready to hold tight to the Savior of the World.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
To those that have ears
Spring is an amazing time here at Selah; that is what I call the 5-acres that we live on. "Selah , a technical musical term probablx showing accentuation, pause, interruption"* This is life here; one of our many resident does had her fawn this week and she is keeping the little spotted one protected.
She is always close by, but during the day the fawn is told to stay and be quiet; concealed in the tall grass and clover and shaded by the tall fir trees. The mother doe chases other deer away and lays in the open where she has view of the life she has carried for 5-months. To protect the young fawn, she must draw attention to herself and hope to lure any predator away knowing her speed is her defense.
About half of the property was worked to remove noxious weeds and was planted with five kinds of clovers, some alfalfa and several grass species last fall. Now the crimson clover is finishing its bloom, some of the wild flowers are showing color and the field is alive with flora and fauna.
Like the field, my life has been through some cultivation to bring it to the place it is and even still, like the field, it requires spot treatments to take out the noxious things in my life. When I was young my faith was my own, but it was guided by my parents' example and the listening and reading of the Bible. There is no one that can argue with me that my experience is as the children's song lyric "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"; you can't convince me it isn't real and true.... for me.
Life has had its time to have weeds in it; I'm not proud of those weeds or those times, but they are part of me as are the times that I've been plowed, ground, leveled, ripped, turned, and other preparation. Like the field, my life was being prepared for the harvest. Even so, a field that is all prepared and not carefully planted will turn to weeds and revert to chaos quickly. My life's field was carefully tended by my own submission and a Master Gardener that knew just what needed to be seeded into my life.
So as my example, I look at Jesus Christ and realize that He taught many and His message was clear; to those that have ears, let him hear. Jesus taught the people the way they understood; most were familiar with the farming life and communicated in stories like this one:
"Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." And He [Jesus] was saying, " He who has ears to hear,let him hear." Mark 4:3-9 NASU [ ] emphasis mine
One seed dies, is raised up into a plant and produces 30, 60, and 100 times itself. In other words, by our self we are a single grain seed, but placed in the right hands and planted, nurtured and harvested, our life can bring life to a great increase. Most of us want our lives to count for something.
I have a friend who wants to be remembered when he is gone so his thought was to have his name on a building. I must admit that is a cool thing and is bigger than a tombstone, but as I've watched the local university change the names of the coliseum, the stadium. the library, on and on, it matters who has given money to maintain the building or step up to the plate; in other words, it is about your family paying to keep the family name remembered. It isn't about what you did, but what you do with your money. WOW, what a saddle to burden your family with.
For me, it is about people. Not everyone that Jesus taught came to a saving faith in Him and His Kingdom. They had ears, but if they heard, they did not submit and yield their life to Him. Those that did and those that do, continue to change the world. So, I follow, submitted, knowing that what I do is important because of this logical directive by the Apostle Paul: "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"" Romans 10:13-15 NIV
So from Selah and to all the earth, this is the legacy that I continue to touch lives. My words are only to share that I have experienced life in Christ and it has made all the difference in the world... I have hope; I'm far from perfect; I am loved and there is so much more.
"'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house." Ezekiel 3:27 NASU
Take some time today and experience your own Selah, pause, and chew on words of freedom that will set you free from the burdens that weigh you down.
*(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)
 |
| Last year's set of twins |
About half of the property was worked to remove noxious weeds and was planted with five kinds of clovers, some alfalfa and several grass species last fall. Now the crimson clover is finishing its bloom, some of the wild flowers are showing color and the field is alive with flora and fauna.
Like the field, my life has been through some cultivation to bring it to the place it is and even still, like the field, it requires spot treatments to take out the noxious things in my life. When I was young my faith was my own, but it was guided by my parents' example and the listening and reading of the Bible. There is no one that can argue with me that my experience is as the children's song lyric "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so"; you can't convince me it isn't real and true.... for me.Life has had its time to have weeds in it; I'm not proud of those weeds or those times, but they are part of me as are the times that I've been plowed, ground, leveled, ripped, turned, and other preparation. Like the field, my life was being prepared for the harvest. Even so, a field that is all prepared and not carefully planted will turn to weeds and revert to chaos quickly. My life's field was carefully tended by my own submission and a Master Gardener that knew just what needed to be seeded into my life.
So as my example, I look at Jesus Christ and realize that He taught many and His message was clear; to those that have ears, let him hear. Jesus taught the people the way they understood; most were familiar with the farming life and communicated in stories like this one:
"Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold." And He [Jesus] was saying, " He who has ears to hear,let him hear." Mark 4:3-9 NASU [ ] emphasis mine
One seed dies, is raised up into a plant and produces 30, 60, and 100 times itself. In other words, by our self we are a single grain seed, but placed in the right hands and planted, nurtured and harvested, our life can bring life to a great increase. Most of us want our lives to count for something.
I have a friend who wants to be remembered when he is gone so his thought was to have his name on a building. I must admit that is a cool thing and is bigger than a tombstone, but as I've watched the local university change the names of the coliseum, the stadium. the library, on and on, it matters who has given money to maintain the building or step up to the plate; in other words, it is about your family paying to keep the family name remembered. It isn't about what you did, but what you do with your money. WOW, what a saddle to burden your family with.
For me, it is about people. Not everyone that Jesus taught came to a saving faith in Him and His Kingdom. They had ears, but if they heard, they did not submit and yield their life to Him. Those that did and those that do, continue to change the world. So, I follow, submitted, knowing that what I do is important because of this logical directive by the Apostle Paul: "for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"" Romans 10:13-15 NIV
So from Selah and to all the earth, this is the legacy that I continue to touch lives. My words are only to share that I have experienced life in Christ and it has made all the difference in the world... I have hope; I'm far from perfect; I am loved and there is so much more.
"'Thus says the Lord GOD.' He who hears, let him hear; and he who refuses, let him refuse; for they are a rebellious house." Ezekiel 3:27 NASU
Take some time today and experience your own Selah, pause, and chew on words of freedom that will set you free from the burdens that weigh you down.
*(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario, Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
How does God rank sin?
When I was about seven or eight I remember I went in to Cent-Wise Drug store and shoplifted a Matchbox car because I didn't have the 99 cents. It ate at me so much that within hours I had told my parents and had them drive me back to town so I could confess my sin to the store clerk and give back the car. It would have been easier to just sneak it back to its display, but I needed to apologize. I never shoplifted again.
Now, I have not been perfect in the last 46 years or so, but am I without sin? no way; daily I have to consider my stand before a perfect, holy God.
Ever wonder how God ranks sin? Which sin does He think is the very worst and which one is... not so much?
Do you think God has something like felony or misdemeanor categories?
First of all, I'm not God and I can't answer for Him, but this much I believe, SIN IS SIN. SIN is missing the mark, so each of the above are sin and they are all sin. God's word doesn't distinguish between one and another, however, one might consider that a mark missed that impacts someone else like, Rape, or Murder, are worse. BUT God doesn't say that. God says He can not look on any SIN. He also sent Jesus to wipe away all our sin and He did it once and for all (all sin, all people).
Our movies, magazines, books, TVs, phones, computers, etc. all glamorize these things and that makes us feel better about our lives. If it is "everywhere" and "everybody is doing it? does that make it less on the sin chart?
Bottom line is we are all guilty of sin and there is only one way to be freed from sin.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Rom 3:23 NKJV
Now, I have not been perfect in the last 46 years or so, but am I without sin? no way; daily I have to consider my stand before a perfect, holy God.
Ever wonder how God ranks sin? Which sin does He think is the very worst and which one is... not so much?
Do you think God has something like felony or misdemeanor categories?
- Murder... that's a big one. What if they deserved it.... just because?
- Adultery.... was once pretty big; punishment was being stoned (not with grass) to death, but with real rocks.
- Stealing - music, taxes, from banks, fruit at the market, pillow from the plane, phone from a car......etc. is there levels of stealing like hotels one to five stars?
- Telling a lie or bearing false witness - that has some heavy implications.
- not honoring your mom & dad... punishment was same as Adultery
- Prostitution? Isn't that legal in the Netherlands now.
- Dishonest weights equates to dishonest business practices.
- Homosexuality, pornography, sexual practices; these are things that are kept quiet.
- How about idol worship; not the carved wood or stone or gold images (not at these gold prices)? No today having other gods and idol worship is anything, beyond God, that you spend your time and money on... cars, work, beauty, guns, sports, etc. etc. Worshiping another God at times was a death sentence.
- Taking the LORD's Name in vain - Swearing. Just because some people have a limited vocabulary doesn't mean it is right.
- Keeping the Sabbath holy, in other words, setting one day aside to rest and contemplate the God who created the universe and holds it all together.
- ooh, keeping up with the Jones....You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. This puts a damper on "Desperate Housewives" on TV. The ads for it are enough to make my skin crawl.
- Excesses of Drugs? Alcohol? Suduku? Food? Sex?
First of all, I'm not God and I can't answer for Him, but this much I believe, SIN IS SIN. SIN is missing the mark, so each of the above are sin and they are all sin. God's word doesn't distinguish between one and another, however, one might consider that a mark missed that impacts someone else like, Rape, or Murder, are worse. BUT God doesn't say that. God says He can not look on any SIN. He also sent Jesus to wipe away all our sin and He did it once and for all (all sin, all people).
Our movies, magazines, books, TVs, phones, computers, etc. all glamorize these things and that makes us feel better about our lives. If it is "everywhere" and "everybody is doing it? does that make it less on the sin chart?
Bottom line is we are all guilty of sin and there is only one way to be freed from sin.
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Rom 3:23 NKJV
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Living Out Loud
I've always been impressed with Joseph; not the Joseph of Mary, the mother of Jesus, but Joseph the self-righteous shepherd boy that God gave dreams and he felt he should share them. So what if they put his ten older brothers down and his father at the same time; that makes for a great family dinner time conversation.... "all of you are going to bow down to me". I'm not sure if it was before this or after that his father gave him a precious cloak made with many royal colors. Hey, in the desert, why hide your favoritism of one son over another. Speaking of which, I don't recall daughters, but that is for another time.
Anyway, what has always impressed me is that Joseph lived OUT LOUD. Everything we know about him was OUT LOUD. He is hated by his brothers, cast into a pit, sold to caravaning merchants as a slave, bought by Potipher who is close to the Pharaoh (his captain of the guard) and then Joseph rebuffs the Potipher's wife's advances. This lands him prison where he does his time.
Now, I have always wondered, after a month, then a year pass, and until he is summoned by the Pharaoh was he daily praising the Lord and worshiping and not anxious about the injustice of his imprisonment? I mean, isn't this where the proverbial "rubber hits the road"?
OK, it says that "the Lord was with him...", I get it, but my humanity wonders if my spiritual discipline would sustain me in the long rough times. Then to add to it Joseph interprets a pair of dreams that come true and the cup-bearer is given back his job and the Baker looses his head. The cup-bearer forgets to tell the Pharaoh of the unjust imprisonment of Joseph and he cools his heals a "full two years". I would be feeling pretty alone at this point if it were not my faith that God is and always has been in control.
Even in prison he is living OUT LOUD! Here is a shepherd boy, learns some management skills on the job, falsely accused of rape, can interpret dreams and when he gets his big break before Pharaoh, what does he say?
"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Gen 41:16 NIV
Humble, knowing that God does not share His glory, Joseph is a tool in God's hand and acts accordingly to save a nation, his family, and a brother he has never seen? No, though that comes later, Joseph acts as the servant of the living God; not as a puppet, but as a committed bond servant willing to give up everything. Joseph interprets both Pharaoh's dreams like before, God gave the dream and interpretation, all things belong to God. And who but a man surrendered to God can do as Joseph did?
Then Joseph goes on to be second in command of the greatest civilization of the time and he helps them survive. He didn't pour over research or take classes in political science, Joseph did what God called him to do; live OUT LOUD FOR GOD! BE SOLD OUT TO HIM AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.
It isn't the last time that God uses a shepherd boy because of his heart. You will never be rich enough, smart enough, strong enough, skilled enough, or fashionable enough to replace what God can do with raw, devoted, available, honest lives that He sees are so rare and ready to be molded.
Credit: NASA/ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI).
Anyway, what has always impressed me is that Joseph lived OUT LOUD. Everything we know about him was OUT LOUD. He is hated by his brothers, cast into a pit, sold to caravaning merchants as a slave, bought by Potipher who is close to the Pharaoh (his captain of the guard) and then Joseph rebuffs the Potipher's wife's advances. This lands him prison where he does his time.
Now, I have always wondered, after a month, then a year pass, and until he is summoned by the Pharaoh was he daily praising the Lord and worshiping and not anxious about the injustice of his imprisonment? I mean, isn't this where the proverbial "rubber hits the road"?
OK, it says that "the Lord was with him...", I get it, but my humanity wonders if my spiritual discipline would sustain me in the long rough times. Then to add to it Joseph interprets a pair of dreams that come true and the cup-bearer is given back his job and the Baker looses his head. The cup-bearer forgets to tell the Pharaoh of the unjust imprisonment of Joseph and he cools his heals a "full two years". I would be feeling pretty alone at this point if it were not my faith that God is and always has been in control.
 |
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and companion galaxy |
Even in prison he is living OUT LOUD! Here is a shepherd boy, learns some management skills on the job, falsely accused of rape, can interpret dreams and when he gets his big break before Pharaoh, what does he say?
"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Gen 41:16 NIV
Humble, knowing that God does not share His glory, Joseph is a tool in God's hand and acts accordingly to save a nation, his family, and a brother he has never seen? No, though that comes later, Joseph acts as the servant of the living God; not as a puppet, but as a committed bond servant willing to give up everything. Joseph interprets both Pharaoh's dreams like before, God gave the dream and interpretation, all things belong to God. And who but a man surrendered to God can do as Joseph did?
Then Joseph goes on to be second in command of the greatest civilization of the time and he helps them survive. He didn't pour over research or take classes in political science, Joseph did what God called him to do; live OUT LOUD FOR GOD! BE SOLD OUT TO HIM AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST.
 |
A Reflection Nebula in Orion |
Credit: NASA/ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI).
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sacrifices are Messy
Walking through the American Veteran's Cemetery at Maastricht on Easter, I once again considered the blood and carnage of war and the thousands of bodies that lay in honor in the land they had fought to liberate from evil. Their deaths were not in vain, but Maastricht was the first town in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe was freed from the oppression and savagery that Hitler had devised. Though over 17,000 Americans were once buried here, around half were repatriated to America for their "final" resting place. Christ's victory over death also provides hope for the fallen. Not to be forgotten were many thousands of British soldiers as well that Operation Market Garden on September 17, 1944 cost.
Books, movies and personal witness have over and over told of the suffering, the blood shed, the loss of life and limb for the purchase of freedom. Mel Gibson's life is a shambles; few would argue with that statement, but the film, The Passion of Christ, was spot on of the messiness of the sacrifice of Christ's humanity. But The Passion, or any other medium, can not express the divine dimension that went on during that Passover weekend that culminated in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' call to His Father to "let this cup pass from me" was not His inability to endure the human dimension, but the divine one; the gathering of ALL SIN, past, present and future were placed on Him and He would be separated from His Father; that was His sole purpose. His purpose was being about the Father's business and doing exactly what He was told to do. Jesus did not want to face that separation even for a short-time. The sin Jesus took on Himself for you and for me is enticing, but in the end, demands a payment. Jesus changed all that; He paid the price.
Hundreds of soldiers' bodies have yet to be known even 60 years later, but they will still rise in the end. Wars are filled with sacrifices that are messy and the war between good and evil is no exception. There was a price to pay and a willing Man of God to pay it.
Christ's redemption gift reminds us that we have been bought with a price and we are no longer our own. The soldiers' crosses remind us that good people gave of themselves the ultimate sacrifice, messy and permanent for freedom and redemption; may we not forget either sacrifice. Our obligation is not just of a human perspective but also a divine one.
Books, movies and personal witness have over and over told of the suffering, the blood shed, the loss of life and limb for the purchase of freedom. Mel Gibson's life is a shambles; few would argue with that statement, but the film, The Passion of Christ, was spot on of the messiness of the sacrifice of Christ's humanity. But The Passion, or any other medium, can not express the divine dimension that went on during that Passover weekend that culminated in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus' call to His Father to "let this cup pass from me" was not His inability to endure the human dimension, but the divine one; the gathering of ALL SIN, past, present and future were placed on Him and He would be separated from His Father; that was His sole purpose. His purpose was being about the Father's business and doing exactly what He was told to do. Jesus did not want to face that separation even for a short-time. The sin Jesus took on Himself for you and for me is enticing, but in the end, demands a payment. Jesus changed all that; He paid the price.
Hundreds of soldiers' bodies have yet to be known even 60 years later, but they will still rise in the end. Wars are filled with sacrifices that are messy and the war between good and evil is no exception. There was a price to pay and a willing Man of God to pay it.
Christ's redemption gift reminds us that we have been bought with a price and we are no longer our own. The soldiers' crosses remind us that good people gave of themselves the ultimate sacrifice, messy and permanent for freedom and redemption; may we not forget either sacrifice. Our obligation is not just of a human perspective but also a divine one.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Disconnect in the World
Tomorrow is Easter and I'm ready for the joyous celebration! Glory in the Highest, HE IS RISEN. I'm on a river in Holland headed for God's creation of flowers and in the process seeing a number of man's attempts of drawing attention to himself. From man's perspective, there are beautiful buildings, glamorous gardens, magnificent statues, unbelievable works of art and don't forget the Belgium waffle and Belgium chocolate. I have seen the latter in forms that you would blush around your children. It was interesting that the most recognized statue in Brussels is Mannikin Pis, a little boy urinating. But the little ducklings just out for their first swim and the swan plucking out its own down to prepare the nest of two of her eggs; now there is life and beauty that man has yet to match.
Europeans know how to celebrate Easter; not just in their days off, but they decorate everything and prepare for the economic ring of the cash register, then close EVERYTHING on Easter. We have seen homes and hotels decorated in every window with eggs, bunnies, and everything that is far from HOLY. I'm sure that I probably missed the holy preparation for Easter, but the churches I've walked in are beautiful, ornate, hallow, empty and missing the Spirit of the Risen One.
I was watching a video called Easter, the Promise Kept this morning as the ship we are aboard has nothing scheduled for the most influential day of history, the day that hope, forgiveness, and when death was conquered by Christ's resurrection. The ship's staff were more than happy, they put it on a TV for us and then to my surprise, to announce a viewing. What surprised me even more is they asked if they could keep it and run it on Easter at 3:30 when most of the entire ship's guests would be on board; not just on the lounge, but available in every room of the ship! Praise the Lord alone for opening hearts and saving souls.
In considering the movie, I was struck by this passage later in my reading:
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NLT
I understand the part about not letting your heart be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, BUT what about "the worries of this life"? There are times I am so guilty about letting my heart be dulled by "the worries of this life". It is good to get away and take a look from a distance of your own life and what it is filled with. It is easy for me to see the disconnect of the world when I see how God has been put in his place.... no let me rephrase that, see how people have forgotten about God and all that He has done by being dulled by "the worries of this life". I look at my life and I can momentarily have my mind crammed full of the world and only because of my love of Christ and that my chains He has broken to set me free, do I quickly come back to Him.
Generations here in Europe have had their hearts dulled by the carousing and drunkenness and the worries of this life; America isn't far behind them as I see what they/we are doing and the change that is occurring. The disconnect in the world has come because we have not listened to some of Christ's last words as He spoke to the people of Jerusalem.
Look at Jesus' words again: "Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
I pray that I might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man. I pray that for you as well. Celebrate Easter as the first Christians did, in gratitude, joy, humility, and the hope that He has promised. He is Risen....He is Risen INDEED!
Europeans know how to celebrate Easter; not just in their days off, but they decorate everything and prepare for the economic ring of the cash register, then close EVERYTHING on Easter. We have seen homes and hotels decorated in every window with eggs, bunnies, and everything that is far from HOLY. I'm sure that I probably missed the holy preparation for Easter, but the churches I've walked in are beautiful, ornate, hallow, empty and missing the Spirit of the Risen One.
I was watching a video called Easter, the Promise Kept this morning as the ship we are aboard has nothing scheduled for the most influential day of history, the day that hope, forgiveness, and when death was conquered by Christ's resurrection. The ship's staff were more than happy, they put it on a TV for us and then to my surprise, to announce a viewing. What surprised me even more is they asked if they could keep it and run it on Easter at 3:30 when most of the entire ship's guests would be on board; not just on the lounge, but available in every room of the ship! Praise the Lord alone for opening hearts and saving souls.
In considering the movie, I was struck by this passage later in my reading:
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36 NLT
I understand the part about not letting your heart be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, BUT what about "the worries of this life"? There are times I am so guilty about letting my heart be dulled by "the worries of this life". It is good to get away and take a look from a distance of your own life and what it is filled with. It is easy for me to see the disconnect of the world when I see how God has been put in his place.... no let me rephrase that, see how people have forgotten about God and all that He has done by being dulled by "the worries of this life". I look at my life and I can momentarily have my mind crammed full of the world and only because of my love of Christ and that my chains He has broken to set me free, do I quickly come back to Him.
Generations here in Europe have had their hearts dulled by the carousing and drunkenness and the worries of this life; America isn't far behind them as I see what they/we are doing and the change that is occurring. The disconnect in the world has come because we have not listened to some of Christ's last words as He spoke to the people of Jerusalem.
Look at Jesus' words again: "Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
I pray that I might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man. I pray that for you as well. Celebrate Easter as the first Christians did, in gratitude, joy, humility, and the hope that He has promised. He is Risen....He is Risen INDEED!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Lost in France
If you are wondering why it has been so long since I last posted a blog, it is because, the hands of the clock move even if I don't. My bride and I are lost in France currently while someone rips and polishes our house. Our goal for nine days was to just unwind and be a couple experiencing some back roads of France together. We have done that and have new roads yet to discover. Thanks to our friend, V, we have a Garmin and when she works (ie, we figure out how to properly program her) she does pretty well. Sometimes her lefts, rights and go for it's are not the easiest to follow and thanks to her, we have found some single lane paths through mustard fields and grain fields, beside cozy rambling brooks and tree-lined tunnels or mini-Arch de Triumph. We've seen more back roads and no toll-"free-ways" today than most Frenchmen see in their lifetime. Our goal is to get lost and still find ourselves eating good bread, cheese and a little red wine.
So that is what has happened from Beaune to Ribeauville, France. We drove over a 1000 meter pass with a bit of snow along the roadside and the chairlifts standing quiet. We stop in little villages that tourist never venture in and the locals speak NO English. We have managed to eat the plate de jour a few times, order Pain Chocolates and Pain Raisins for breakfast without damage the international relations between France the the U.S. We find ourselves in the French culture, ordering cafe au'lait or just cafe straight up for a morning and afternoon hit. We been waking a fair bit, but I see not balance of the calories consumed and the calories burned, so I have to trust God's grace to burn them off in my sleep.
After driving over the beautiful mountain range and seeing the sleepy houses that line the roads, many standing hundreds of years and often ready for some new roof tiles, we wound down to lower plains. One of the many villages had a sign for frommage direct and we jumped at the opportunity to get further off the beaten path. Buy the cheese from the dairy; we bought fresh munster cheese (nothing like munster in America) in Munster at this beautiful dairy farm with a very high standard of cleanlyness. Next was going in to pet the bull calves ready to be sold off; they were so fun and I'd love to have a half dozen back home.
The fields that we had experienced from the Loire valley to Burgandy were half mustard seed in full bloom of yellow and the other half of wheat in dark green (it was a U of O dream) and we couldn't believe that there was such a need for mustard as we saw thousands and thousands of hectars of blooming mustard.... it was beautiful.
While in Munster, we picked up a loaf of fresh bread, some girkens (little pickles), olives, apples, and some local red wine. After our three-course "plate de jour", our groceries would serve up as our dinner and an early rest in bed. OH, the munster was stinky, but once aired, it was very good.
We have been driving an Opel diesel car and it has done very well. It fits our needs well, but diesel runs 1.45 euro/liter, so between fuel and toll roads the first couple of days of chateau viewings, we will walk much of tomorrow. Exploring is on tap and trying to interface with more and more locals. We have found the Alsatians very friendly, and as a whole everyone in France has been very hospitable even with our lace of language skills.
Yesterday in Beaune, the "capital of Burgandy", we saw a hospital that dates back to the 15th century, it was called the Hospice of Beaune, but better know as the Palace of the Poof. It ran until 1971 as a hospital that cared for the poor and rich alike, side by side. It was amazing to see and we didn't even know it was there except we were lead by our hearts to explore the city and see what was in it. This multi-paneled painting done by Wagner 1399-14something was incredible to see the detail and grasp of man's choice.
We have seen a number of churches, but unfortunately, they are now memorials to a faith that was once very vibrant. The buildings lack people and the Spirit of God in them and it isn't improving with the future generations. Past generations knew of the Master and the transformation of lives; those lives willing to care for the poor, tend the sick and comfort the helpless. I don't know what it will take, but God does. People can be so blind to how much they are loved by the God that created them.
 |
| A barn we found that has been out of use for a while |
So that is what has happened from Beaune to Ribeauville, France. We drove over a 1000 meter pass with a bit of snow along the roadside and the chairlifts standing quiet. We stop in little villages that tourist never venture in and the locals speak NO English. We have managed to eat the plate de jour a few times, order Pain Chocolates and Pain Raisins for breakfast without damage the international relations between France the the U.S. We find ourselves in the French culture, ordering cafe au'lait or just cafe straight up for a morning and afternoon hit. We been waking a fair bit, but I see not balance of the calories consumed and the calories burned, so I have to trust God's grace to burn them off in my sleep.
After driving over the beautiful mountain range and seeing the sleepy houses that line the roads, many standing hundreds of years and often ready for some new roof tiles, we wound down to lower plains. One of the many villages had a sign for frommage direct and we jumped at the opportunity to get further off the beaten path. Buy the cheese from the dairy; we bought fresh munster cheese (nothing like munster in America) in Munster at this beautiful dairy farm with a very high standard of cleanlyness. Next was going in to pet the bull calves ready to be sold off; they were so fun and I'd love to have a half dozen back home.
The fields that we had experienced from the Loire valley to Burgandy were half mustard seed in full bloom of yellow and the other half of wheat in dark green (it was a U of O dream) and we couldn't believe that there was such a need for mustard as we saw thousands and thousands of hectars of blooming mustard.... it was beautiful.
While in Munster, we picked up a loaf of fresh bread, some girkens (little pickles), olives, apples, and some local red wine. After our three-course "plate de jour", our groceries would serve up as our dinner and an early rest in bed. OH, the munster was stinky, but once aired, it was very good.
We have been driving an Opel diesel car and it has done very well. It fits our needs well, but diesel runs 1.45 euro/liter, so between fuel and toll roads the first couple of days of chateau viewings, we will walk much of tomorrow. Exploring is on tap and trying to interface with more and more locals. We have found the Alsatians very friendly, and as a whole everyone in France has been very hospitable even with our lace of language skills.
Yesterday in Beaune, the "capital of Burgandy", we saw a hospital that dates back to the 15th century, it was called the Hospice of Beaune, but better know as the Palace of the Poof. It ran until 1971 as a hospital that cared for the poor and rich alike, side by side. It was amazing to see and we didn't even know it was there except we were lead by our hearts to explore the city and see what was in it. This multi-paneled painting done by Wagner 1399-14something was incredible to see the detail and grasp of man's choice.
We have seen a number of churches, but unfortunately, they are now memorials to a faith that was once very vibrant. The buildings lack people and the Spirit of God in them and it isn't improving with the future generations. Past generations knew of the Master and the transformation of lives; those lives willing to care for the poor, tend the sick and comfort the helpless. I don't know what it will take, but God does. People can be so blind to how much they are loved by the God that created them.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Crazy Times and the World Seems to be Crashing
We are living in crazy times and the world seems to be crashing on many fronts, politically, financially, environmentally, morally, and spiritually. Fear, greed, poverty, wealth, oppression, power, hate, lust, addictions, jealousy, sickness, and unrest are just a few of the drivers, not to mention natural events. Many seem to want to hide from it all as unrest surrounds us in the news and discussions. As bad as it seems, it's going to get worse. I'm not a dooms-day type person. I only know it will; the book of Revelation says so, and I believe it all to be true.
"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" Revelation 6:15-17 NIV
This picture may be how you are feeling right now; ready to be crushed beneath the giant rock. "I can't keep holding this thing up for much longer!!!" The reality is that we have so little power over anything. We pretend that we are in control, but we control so very little. Today, a sweet Japanese young woman spoke telling how she was wondering the streets of a town they had just moved to when a woman approached her to tell her of a nearby church where she could learn English. With her mother's encouragement she attended and later, as she told it, the Holy Spirit moved her even though she didn't understand all the words that were spoken of Jesus' love for her. Oh, the pain and suffering in Japan; though this woman's family and friends are "safe", she says they don't yet know the peace that she has in Jesus Christ. I cried listening to her thank us for praying as she knows, she said, that our prayers change things in Japan. This is faith that I wish everyone who heard her would embrace.
Over and over I see it, read about it, and have experienced it; though you don't have all the answers, faith in the one true God, is enough to sustain the weight of the crushing world around us.
It may be a crazy time in the world and in your life, but going though the tough stuff in life is easier when you have friends to help carry you, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Even distance does not stop prayer, cards, calls, and words of encouragement or an ear to listen when all seems lost. I've found crying together is better than crying alone as a friend leans in to hand you a tissue and lift your spirit. Even when my friends are miles away, I am never without Jesus. My closest friend on earth is my gracious loving wife. She is my greatest cheerleader, supporter, critic and so much more; I need all these gifts from her and the love she shows me every day is really unfathomable. I know that God crafted her with me in mind.
My friends have also been crafted, but in a different way. I just know that when I need them, they will be there in anyway they can be. I have often commented that you should be able to name your pallbearers while you are still alive; those men that will carry you even when you are alive. These two guys would be leading the pack and I know I have a number of others that would grab a handle when called on. I am very thankful for them all.
So, in this messed up world, get your life squared away by living like Jim Elliot said long before he was speared to death trying to share Christ's love,
Jesus is speaking, "But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative — and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit — he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again." John 14:26-28 NLT
"Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" Revelation 6:15-17 NIV
This picture may be how you are feeling right now; ready to be crushed beneath the giant rock. "I can't keep holding this thing up for much longer!!!" The reality is that we have so little power over anything. We pretend that we are in control, but we control so very little. Today, a sweet Japanese young woman spoke telling how she was wondering the streets of a town they had just moved to when a woman approached her to tell her of a nearby church where she could learn English. With her mother's encouragement she attended and later, as she told it, the Holy Spirit moved her even though she didn't understand all the words that were spoken of Jesus' love for her. Oh, the pain and suffering in Japan; though this woman's family and friends are "safe", she says they don't yet know the peace that she has in Jesus Christ. I cried listening to her thank us for praying as she knows, she said, that our prayers change things in Japan. This is faith that I wish everyone who heard her would embrace.
Over and over I see it, read about it, and have experienced it; though you don't have all the answers, faith in the one true God, is enough to sustain the weight of the crushing world around us.
 |
| My two best friends (other than Jesus & my wonderful wife) |
My friends have also been crafted, but in a different way. I just know that when I need them, they will be there in anyway they can be. I have often commented that you should be able to name your pallbearers while you are still alive; those men that will carry you even when you are alive. These two guys would be leading the pack and I know I have a number of others that would grab a handle when called on. I am very thankful for them all.
So, in this messed up world, get your life squared away by living like Jim Elliot said long before he was speared to death trying to share Christ's love,
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Elliot's peace and purpose was placed in something greater than what the world has to offer; it was placed in Christ and real hope that conquers the fears that come our way, even the fear of death. Once you get this part of your life squared away by asking Christ to be your master, then and only then, can you love your neighbor more than yourself. When you do that, it doesn't matter if the world is circling the drain; you are given peace that is from the creator of the world with confidence that what He has made, He is in control of.Jesus is speaking, "But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative — and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit — he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again." John 14:26-28 NLT
Sunday, March 20, 2011
With AARP just waiting for a reply, I continue to enjoy the wife of my youth, my first wife, and my children. I feel that I am a very blessed man and I have many worldwide experiences in places and people that I cherish from the chair I write. I have witnessed world strife, terrorism, and wars but even in the midst of danger, I have hope that is anchored in Christ and the plans He has for me.
 |
| Very Hot Tom Kha Soup in Thailand |
Some folks reading this blog like to hear the personal parts so to that end here is one. I love to cook and I love to eat. Taste and presentation are both important and the small herbs and spices make all the difference in my enjoyment of the ordinary to the very fine. The food's texture, smell, feel, and freshness is also extremely important. A favorite challenge is to eat a new food and try and guess what is in it and how it is made. Cooking without a recipe is like painting on a blank canvas without any sketch lines. I have a dear friend, John, that is a foodie and as a chemist, he takes analysis to a molecular level ;-)
We are going to be traveling to Europe soon and the bread, cheese and wine combination in one of the countries is calling my name. We plan to stop in small towns and meet the people and savor the local fare. Many thanks to dear friends that got us a Garmin so we could get lost and yet meet up with them on time. This is some vacation time and time to explore new and diverse regions of the world. There are many things to hold us where we are and many that have us travel.
Here is a newspaper quote from today: "A big difference, right now, is how interconnected we are. We can view these horrifying events in Japan online within minutes of their happening. Thanks to YouTube and smartphones, we can watch a tsunami wave devastate a town as if it were happening across the street and check a nuclear reactor's status on Twitter.
The world learned of the Chernobyl disaster, mind you, two days after it occurred, after tracers picked up radioactive elements on the clothing of nuclear reactor workers -- in Sweden. A day later.
That kind of relentless, disturbing news can prey on our psyche, and -- if we're not careful -- our pocketbooks. Worry affects our ability to make judgments and, ultimately, decisions -- even financial ones, experts say.
It's why you need to take some steps these days to ground yourself before you make any wholesale changes to your retirement investments or escape from all this with a shopping spree." Oregonian 3/20/11
Today's news discusses the affect that global unrest in Libya, Yemen, and Egypt along with tsunami and earthquake damage in Japan; the threat of radioactivity, and even local crime or events can shake a person's mental status. It is true and yet, I for one, know that my prayers to an all knowing and all powerful God, those prayers can affect much in ways through God's hand than if I had not prayed them. This is not to say God requires my prayers, but that He has directed us to pray and He listens. Something that is not on the same level as these disasters and political changes is a small book, recently released, called Love Wins.
For a number of years I have enjoyed the ministry of Rob Bell through the Nooma video series. I own a number of the DVDs and one year, as a family, we sent the ministry financial support. But the words we speak (or write), mine included, can and will follow us determining the influence and impact that we have in this world. Though I once considered Bell to be cutting edge in communication of faith, I better understand the position he takes; a position that I can't agree with. My words here are more to state my position than to criticize his.
I wanted you to know that I am greatly disappointed in the position Rob Bell has taken. Although I have not read the book, Love Wins, and will not, his interview on MSNBC YouTube was sufficient for me to hear that he does not see the gift of the sacrifice of Christ as the point of transformation and that a person's decision is made in this life, not available postmortem. I believe his assertion is both a danger to those who might think that they will have a second chance and profoundly post-modern in his inclusive universalist hope.
Though I am far from a theologian, I find his comments hermeneutically unsound and his desire for God's love to over-ride God's justice (or any other part of God's character) totally unfounded.
I find Bell's position most unfortunate in so many ways. After researching Bell further during a discussion with my pastor, I have not utilized the Nooma series and find myself now with a box of DVDs that are worthless because of his stance. Though my pastor did not agree with me, we agreed to use watchful eyes and accurate teaching to bring this to light.
Though I am far from a theologian, I find his comments hermeneutically unsound and his desire for God's love to over-ride God's justice (or any other part of God's character) totally unfounded.
I find Bell's position most unfortunate in so many ways. After researching Bell further during a discussion with my pastor, I have not utilized the Nooma series and find myself now with a box of DVDs that are worthless because of his stance. Though my pastor did not agree with me, we agreed to use watchful eyes and accurate teaching to bring this to light.
So before you stop reading as if this doesn't have anything to do with your life, let me say this as firmly as I can. Everything matters about what decision you make while you are alive on this earth; who you say Jesus is to you?
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many." Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV
It doesn't say all; it does not say you get a second chance. Let's just say, I wouldn't bet the farm that you will get a second chance after death to decide to love God... God doesn't change, He has always loved you.
"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. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved ." Romans 10:9-13 NIV
God's love is such that He sent Jesus to live among us; He has revealed it to us in specific and general revelation (see Psalm 19). If Bell's position is right, why have millions of people risk everything in order to share the gospel? Why did Jesus come and sacrifice Himself to take on the sins of the world past, present and future for you and me? Why did Jesus command us,
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Don't be fooled, the decision is yours to make but you must make it before your earthly body dies for love to win.
 |
| Saigon Street = Life Decisions |
Friday, March 11, 2011
A Farmer of the King
 |
| Check out the phone on the right! |
Confucius is quoted of saying: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” I have tasted these three and also a fourth. James, the half-brother of Christ writes:
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting..." James 1:5-6 NASU
I have walked 48 years with Christ on a road, working out my faith and salvation, yet I know that salvation was and is a gift God so desires to give so we can have an un-restricted relationship. He has also given me wisdom both in times of need, and in my walk in general. It is not my abilities that are tested, but the power of the third member of the Triune God, in me.
It is difficult for me to describe the Kingdom, but I know the King; He is my Father, my sovereign, my God. He is perfect in every way; His character never changes. He is all loving, all powerful, all knowing, not bound by time or space, righteous and pure; His is just and jealous, demanding, and forgiving. Yet in these and many more attributes, He remains loving and merciful, just and demanding all at the same time. No one attribute over-rides the others but are held in unity and harmony.
His Kingdom, as we see it on earth is not perfected or complete, yet it remains. It is the very thread that makes up the fabric of the universe. Those that are followers of Christ and by Him have been transformed to be heirs of God's family, dwell in this universe while living on the earth. I, like others in the Kingdom, face an evil foe who desires our glory, but glory belongs to none other than the King of Glory, Yahweh.
The Kingdom is filled with many and Yahweh is the judge and ruler of those subject to Him. As in Middle Ages, there are those that sit just inside the gate, those that tend the gate, those that are more like Knights, and many who shepherd the flocks and plant and harvest the fields. Yahweh God loves all of his subjects equally, but some choose to receive the power from Him and answer the King's call to their station in life.
"And now let the voice ring out with great gladness—we won ones may be the pathway back to God for the others. That is His earnest desire. That should be our dominant ambition. For that purpose He has endowed us with peculiar power.
There is one inlet of power in the life—anybody's life—any kind of power: just one inlet—the Holy Spirit. He is power. He is in every one who opens his door to God. He eagerly enters every open door. He comes in by our invitation and consent. His presence within is the vital thing.
But with many of us while He is in, He is not in control: in as guest; not as host. That is to say He is hindered in His natural movements; tied up, so that He cannot do what He would. And so we are not conscious or only partially conscious of His presence. And others are still less so. But to yield to His mastery, to cultivate His friendship, to give Him full swing—that will result in what is called power. One inlet of power—the Holy Spirit in control." (Quiet Talks on Prayer by S.D. Gordon 1904) This powerful book can be read at Quiet Talks on Prayer.
The unfortunate truth is that in our world, there are wolves in sheep's clothing, calling themselves by a name and tarnishing what the name once stood for. Case in point in our media today, the Westboro Baptist Church which is not even remotely connected with any Baptist conventions or associations; nor do their members (71 in 2007) resemble Christ's love of people. Yet some have referred to them as Christians. The term, "Christian" has been bastardized to both extremes like Westboro Baptists on one end and the dilution by the hordes of Americans that consider themselves "Christian" as a default religion, because they are none of the others, on the other end of the term. Therefore, the actions of those that call themselves "Christian" but do not follow God's Word in speech, action, and deed, has tarnished the term. Today, I will often refer to myself as a "follower of Christ" rather than be confused with the world's dilution of "Christian".
As I said, the Kingdom of God is difficult to describe, but I know I am part of it. To that end, I will work the fields, not in my own strength, but in the power and strength of my King. The Apostle Paul wrote: "As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:11-15 NIVSo I live in a Kingdom, that is in the world, but no tof the world; I live in a body that has been called a "tent" that is fading away:
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV
"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.". 2 Peter 1:12-15 NIV
My tent is broken and worn, but I shall use the assets of His that I steward over to bring honor and glory to my King.
"He [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3 [observation, mine] NIV
While I live, and as I was born again, I shall be a most dependent farmer waiting instructions and obeying.
"He [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3 [observation, mine] NIV
While I live, and as I was born again, I shall be a most dependent farmer waiting instructions and obeying.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The End of the Age
We have three, what I consider to be, exception children; all of which shall eclipse their parents in ways too numerous to count. May I share with you as minute slice of how wonderful God has designed them and the processes they are in; our son is getting his PhD in Astrophysics. He thinks, talks, teaches and works on things beyond our galaxy. My wife and I look at each other in wonder, knowing that he probably didn't get this from either of us and it had to be an extra touch from Heaven. I have often suggested he discover the "warp drive" that would give all Star Trek fans hope for the future. He smiles at his father.
There are certain mysteries that the universe has, man will always pursue; and, not to disappoint them, there are many mysteries which they will never understand or their explanations they theorize shall fall short of the truth. Though this will not dissuade them, which I am grateful, their theories require more "faith" than I could find. There is neither a tree of all knowledge that is available nor should we ever be so contemptuous to not believe that God's design and His creation of the universe is fathomless and beyond our grasp as mere mortals.
There are many Christians that follow the notion that they can hasten the end of the age and bring back Jesus by making sure that everyone on the planet has had a chance to hear the gospel; a notion of which I respect, but can't quite agree with. I see this as only difference of opinion on a minor theological interpretation. This is the text of Scripture that they hang the task of worldwide evangelism on.
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:3-14 NIV
First of all I am on record that I believe every word of this statement by Jesus Christ regarding the end of the age. Some people have said that the rise in earthquakes, unrest in the world, and other markers are ushering in the end times. Frankly speaking, to me it doesn't matter if it is or not; I am and will live my life as if He can and will return at any moment (regardless and in spite of any "predictions").
What I question is not Christ's teaching to His disciples and thus to the entire world, but the notion of man's total responsibility for bringing about the results and therefore the end of the world as we know it. Should this notion be true, it puts the return of Christ, which will happen, on the backs and responsibility of man and not on God's sovereign knowledge and timing. I remain in the camp that we should endeavor to be about the Father's business and share the Gospel; as we are doing this, whether I live to see it or not, the Father will again send the Son back for His bride, the Church [this includes the living and dead follower of God's Son]. The commission and power that Jesus gave was this:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 NIV
Please do not get me wrong, I applaud and support the work that is being done by every true follower of Christ to reach out to the lost wherever they may be found in every nation, people group and tribe and I also believe that God grants supernatural power to accomplish His love of mankind. It is not God's desire that any man, woman or child not choose to love Him, but for this, He has given a choice.
The end of this world as we know it is true and yet I don't know or understand how all the events will unfold, Christ's roll-out of the future is sure:
Matthew 24:30-31 NIV
For now, I am content to follow King Solomon's wisdom:
"Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." Eccl 2:24-25 NKJV
One daughter brought me a wonderful apple pie made from scratch by her; we ate last night and enjoyed the company of good friends. My other daughter travels through Israel; experiencing things for the first and second time. My wonderful wife prepared a feast with friends and today I go to worship the King Almighty and hear of His great love for me and forgiveness that I so desperately need and before I leave the building, I shall join with God in communion at His table. Yet, an hour scarcely passes that I do not consider the remaining lost of this world and I pursue the opportunities that unfold before me. For I breath and live at His pleasure and when I draw my last air, my pleasure will be to be in His presence for all eternity.
 |
| Hubble Photo of the Eagle Nebula |
There are many Christians that follow the notion that they can hasten the end of the age and bring back Jesus by making sure that everyone on the planet has had a chance to hear the gospel; a notion of which I respect, but can't quite agree with. I see this as only difference of opinion on a minor theological interpretation. This is the text of Scripture that they hang the task of worldwide evangelism on.
"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:3-14 NIV
First of all I am on record that I believe every word of this statement by Jesus Christ regarding the end of the age. Some people have said that the rise in earthquakes, unrest in the world, and other markers are ushering in the end times. Frankly speaking, to me it doesn't matter if it is or not; I am and will live my life as if He can and will return at any moment (regardless and in spite of any "predictions").
What I question is not Christ's teaching to His disciples and thus to the entire world, but the notion of man's total responsibility for bringing about the results and therefore the end of the world as we know it. Should this notion be true, it puts the return of Christ, which will happen, on the backs and responsibility of man and not on God's sovereign knowledge and timing. I remain in the camp that we should endeavor to be about the Father's business and share the Gospel; as we are doing this, whether I live to see it or not, the Father will again send the Son back for His bride, the Church [this includes the living and dead follower of God's Son]. The commission and power that Jesus gave was this:
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20 NIV
Please do not get me wrong, I applaud and support the work that is being done by every true follower of Christ to reach out to the lost wherever they may be found in every nation, people group and tribe and I also believe that God grants supernatural power to accomplish His love of mankind. It is not God's desire that any man, woman or child not choose to love Him, but for this, He has given a choice.
The end of this world as we know it is true and yet I don't know or understand how all the events will unfold, Christ's roll-out of the future is sure:
Matthew 24:30-31 NIV
For now, I am content to follow King Solomon's wisdom:
"Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God." Eccl 2:24-25 NKJV
 |
| Our twin daughters |
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Wake up before it is too late
The older I get the more amazed I am at the past and how it is both remembered and how it is forgotten. Today is my mom's 88th birthday and after having a lovely dinner of excellent Chinese food (American style), we continued our evening of conversation. I asked her about events over 50 years ago and they were still vivid in her mind, both of warned danger and of experienced absence of the same. So much of our life is shaped by the warnings by others or the anxious thoughts we have. "What if this happens?" The reality is 90% of those things don't happen; possibly because our senses are heightened to the possibility.
Other powerful life shaping catalysis are expectations. They come in all styles and shapes, both good and bad. Dreams, like the "American Dream" or dreams of fame, fortune, and/or power can drive a person to do many amazing and even dangerous, morally corrupt, even criminal acts, all to reach the allusive dream that is just over the next hill. You know where it is... at the end of the rainbow.
There are expectations laid down by bosses and work that drive us and we in turn use our "position" to abuse our families, friends and character to meet the corporate bottom line and keep our job. Some of us, both men and women, love and crave the accolades that achievement in work can bring. I have seen this in the youngest salespeople who desire to climb the proverbial corporate ladder, only to find the last rung and realize there is nothing lasting at the top. I have seen even pastors who shepherd their flock get trapped in the expectation of tradition, church boards, denominations, and even fall prey to the evil voice that size matters and their measure in man's eyes is the Sunday morning count, the production quality of their service and the cathedral/building size. They, too, find that when it is finished, their trail has left their own children far from a walk with Christ because there was not time for them, only expectations, heaps of expectations of them and their entire family. Christ said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world , yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:35-37 NIV
In our American society filled with some very small churches and some very large ones, we might ask, "What good is it for a man to gain a big congregation, yet have his family crushed... his character smashed... his marriage neglected and trashed ? I'm not singling out pastors, but this conviction is on every person great and small in a society that materialism has become their god. We have attempted to make the one true God conform to our image; the image we want Him to be. How pathetic to think we can turn the table on an Almighty God. It is time we stop trading the important values of life to chase the dreams and expectations of ourselves or others.
We have lost the time honored values of family, friends, faith, trust, virtue, and character. We have traded these things for bigger houses, newer cars, better jobs, more toys, more, more, more of more. Where are the hopes that a little girl might someday become a wonderful, loving mom and wife? Where are the hopes that dad could be at every game and teach his children how to enjoy each others' company, to laugh and play? We have chosen "stars" on TV and pay them with ridiculous sums of money rather than value heroes in real life. Think about it, there are very few heroes in our lives today; only fakes and athletes (real good role models).
Parents expectations can be another area of good or disaster, utter disaster. We take our young children and fulfill our dreams through them; or we seek their achievements so we will look better or feel better about ourselves; often times, their desires are second to our hopes and dreams. We push our children to the brink of their abilities and sometimes beyond;
Our expectations and dreams are killing our children... they are killing us.
It is time Americans revolted within themselves and banished the evil, vile, demon of materialism out of their lives and re-calibrate their goals of life.
2000 years ago, Jesus addressed people headed down the same path; we are just like them, but on the freeway. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Jesus gives us a strong warning about our reality. He will judge and the outcome may be very different than what you thought. Listen to His words: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"' Matt 7:21-23 NIV
Here is another reality check for our lives: Jesus, the Son, again speaking,
"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:34-36 NIV
My best friend is about to be a grandfather for the first time. I am so happy for him. Children are a gift from the Lord, but we, like His disciples get caught up in the doing and forget to just be with the children. We need to be grateful, satisfied, content, eager to please our Heavenly Father. Look at this: "Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there." Matt 19:13-15 NIV
Wake up before it is too late; the dream you are chasing is robbing your soul. The expectations you are trying to live up to will weary you to death and if you ever achieve them, you will see how futile the effort has been... and for what?
 |
| Happy 88th birthday, Mom |
Other powerful life shaping catalysis are expectations. They come in all styles and shapes, both good and bad. Dreams, like the "American Dream" or dreams of fame, fortune, and/or power can drive a person to do many amazing and even dangerous, morally corrupt, even criminal acts, all to reach the allusive dream that is just over the next hill. You know where it is... at the end of the rainbow.
There are expectations laid down by bosses and work that drive us and we in turn use our "position" to abuse our families, friends and character to meet the corporate bottom line and keep our job. Some of us, both men and women, love and crave the accolades that achievement in work can bring. I have seen this in the youngest salespeople who desire to climb the proverbial corporate ladder, only to find the last rung and realize there is nothing lasting at the top. I have seen even pastors who shepherd their flock get trapped in the expectation of tradition, church boards, denominations, and even fall prey to the evil voice that size matters and their measure in man's eyes is the Sunday morning count, the production quality of their service and the cathedral/building size. They, too, find that when it is finished, their trail has left their own children far from a walk with Christ because there was not time for them, only expectations, heaps of expectations of them and their entire family. Christ said, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world , yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:35-37 NIV
In our American society filled with some very small churches and some very large ones, we might ask, "What good is it for a man to gain a big congregation, yet have his family crushed... his character smashed... his marriage neglected and trashed ? I'm not singling out pastors, but this conviction is on every person great and small in a society that materialism has become their god. We have attempted to make the one true God conform to our image; the image we want Him to be. How pathetic to think we can turn the table on an Almighty God. It is time we stop trading the important values of life to chase the dreams and expectations of ourselves or others.
We have lost the time honored values of family, friends, faith, trust, virtue, and character. We have traded these things for bigger houses, newer cars, better jobs, more toys, more, more, more of more. Where are the hopes that a little girl might someday become a wonderful, loving mom and wife? Where are the hopes that dad could be at every game and teach his children how to enjoy each others' company, to laugh and play? We have chosen "stars" on TV and pay them with ridiculous sums of money rather than value heroes in real life. Think about it, there are very few heroes in our lives today; only fakes and athletes (real good role models).
Parents expectations can be another area of good or disaster, utter disaster. We take our young children and fulfill our dreams through them; or we seek their achievements so we will look better or feel better about ourselves; often times, their desires are second to our hopes and dreams. We push our children to the brink of their abilities and sometimes beyond;
Sept. 6, 2007 -- There is a sharp rise in suicides across the board in teens, says the CDC.
They are up 76% in girls aged 10-14, up 32% in girls aged 15-19, and up 9% in boys aged 15-19. It's the biggest spike in 15 years, the CDC's latest teen-suicide statistics show.
Reported by www.stateuniversity.com, January 24, 2011, "Nearly 1,100 suicides will occur on college campuses this year. Many more students think about suicide or make a suicide plan. In the past fifty years, the suicide rate for those age 15-24 increased by over 200%. About 12 people aged 15-24 will commit suicide today – that is one about every two hours.
Caucasians account for over 90% of all completed suicides."
It is time Americans revolted within themselves and banished the evil, vile, demon of materialism out of their lives and re-calibrate their goals of life.
2000 years ago, Jesus addressed people headed down the same path; we are just like them, but on the freeway. "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:24-34 NIVJesus gives us a strong warning about our reality. He will judge and the outcome may be very different than what you thought. Listen to His words: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"' Matt 7:21-23 NIV
Here is another reality check for our lives: Jesus, the Son, again speaking,
"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:34-36 NIV
 |
| My Great-Nephew |
Wake up before it is too late; the dream you are chasing is robbing your soul. The expectations you are trying to live up to will weary you to death and if you ever achieve them, you will see how futile the effort has been... and for what?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)