I read the following and it really stuck..."when faith goes to market, it always carries a basket".
Is your faith like that? Do you KNOW that you will have success as God defines success, or do you merely hope? I don't think the disciples hoped for the Way to spread, i think they truly believed and went out each day and worked it, even to the point of gruesome death.
In putting together plans and goals for 2012, are you bringing a basket? How certain is your faith? Don't let it wait or waiver....reach out to someone to talk about it. Being sure of what we hoped for and certain of what we do not see is really that important........
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Follow? Right now? But I have laundry to fold......
Happy Christmas Adam!!!
When Jesus said "follow me" throughout the gospels, i wonder if he really meant accept all that I am, rather than just do what i do. Coming to believe in Jesus as God, as the perfect substitute for our sin, as the one who defeated death and reconciled us to God, is the easy part. Not denying Him is tough, just see Peter.
We deny when we don't put Him first. When we go along with society to get along. When we don't do for others. You'll probably be doing your taxes soon, how was your charitable giving......mine too.
Make the decision to follow Him daily. Seek Him. Serve Him. And share Him. Boldly.
And it is today because in Genesis, Adam came before Eve.
When Jesus said "follow me" throughout the gospels, i wonder if he really meant accept all that I am, rather than just do what i do. Coming to believe in Jesus as God, as the perfect substitute for our sin, as the one who defeated death and reconciled us to God, is the easy part. Not denying Him is tough, just see Peter.
We deny when we don't put Him first. When we go along with society to get along. When we don't do for others. You'll probably be doing your taxes soon, how was your charitable giving......mine too.
Make the decision to follow Him daily. Seek Him. Serve Him. And share Him. Boldly.
And it is today because in Genesis, Adam came before Eve.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Share Him Boldly
Are you ready with an answer when someone asks about the Gospel? Perhaps they don't ask, rather they give you their insight or opinion about spiritual matters. It might take the form of them validating a concept like evolution, or "mother nature". Those conversations are ripe for sharing the Truth.
We sometimes pass on that opportunity because we are not confident in our ability to share and defend the Gospel. Friends, that is not our job to defend it. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are to share our faith. Some might say, it is our responsibility to share our experience, strength and hope.
Our experiences really do paint our thoughts. I've read that your thoughts become your actions, your actions your character and so on. We ALL have something to share from our experience. How did God use you? How did you come to believe? What are you doing with that?
Our strength is dependent upon our daily walk. How are we fed? Physically, if we do not eat, we get weak. Spiritually, it is the same thing. Prayer and preparation are key. How will we know what God says about a subject if we never read His manual?
Hope.....that is the most important of all. That separates us. We have hope in things eternal, not things that will rust and ruin. Hope gets us up and motivates us. Why do you desire to get out of bed each day? Perhaps responsibilities direct your actions somewhat, but those responsibilities are a result of having hope in a better day, or future.
The disciples lived 3 intense years with Jesus. They were constantly learning and growing. You would think that after 3 years, they would be pretty bold and confident. When Jesus was arrested, they fled. For 40 days they hid. Then, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and these once shy, and scared men became living vessels for the Gospel. They preached openly and were persecuted for it. They did not have this until the Holy Spirit came upon them!!!!
God wants us to witness to others, that is part of the Great Commission that Jesus commanded his disciples. We are an extension of His disciples today. Go and make disciples of all nations. How can we do that without sharing Him boldly?
Do not worry about what to say, or how to say it. God will lead. Do not worry about being right or being able to defend the Gospel. You will fail, and you will succeed. But it is God working in you to succeed. We are all called in different ways and at different times. If you share and are rejected, they are not rejecting you, rather they are making a willful decision against God. Pray for them.
Sharing boldly is crucial in both talk and action.....don't forget to live how you preach. St. Francis of Assissi put it,"preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words".
God is in control, allow Him to use you.
We sometimes pass on that opportunity because we are not confident in our ability to share and defend the Gospel. Friends, that is not our job to defend it. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are to share our faith. Some might say, it is our responsibility to share our experience, strength and hope.
Our experiences really do paint our thoughts. I've read that your thoughts become your actions, your actions your character and so on. We ALL have something to share from our experience. How did God use you? How did you come to believe? What are you doing with that?
Our strength is dependent upon our daily walk. How are we fed? Physically, if we do not eat, we get weak. Spiritually, it is the same thing. Prayer and preparation are key. How will we know what God says about a subject if we never read His manual?
Hope.....that is the most important of all. That separates us. We have hope in things eternal, not things that will rust and ruin. Hope gets us up and motivates us. Why do you desire to get out of bed each day? Perhaps responsibilities direct your actions somewhat, but those responsibilities are a result of having hope in a better day, or future.
The disciples lived 3 intense years with Jesus. They were constantly learning and growing. You would think that after 3 years, they would be pretty bold and confident. When Jesus was arrested, they fled. For 40 days they hid. Then, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and these once shy, and scared men became living vessels for the Gospel. They preached openly and were persecuted for it. They did not have this until the Holy Spirit came upon them!!!!
God wants us to witness to others, that is part of the Great Commission that Jesus commanded his disciples. We are an extension of His disciples today. Go and make disciples of all nations. How can we do that without sharing Him boldly?
Do not worry about what to say, or how to say it. God will lead. Do not worry about being right or being able to defend the Gospel. You will fail, and you will succeed. But it is God working in you to succeed. We are all called in different ways and at different times. If you share and are rejected, they are not rejecting you, rather they are making a willful decision against God. Pray for them.
Sharing boldly is crucial in both talk and action.....don't forget to live how you preach. St. Francis of Assissi put it,"preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words".
God is in control, allow Him to use you.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I can't write That!!!
Greetings once again! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Let's see if we can get back on a roll.
Writing things down is not only time consuming, after all, who wants to spend time writing or typing their thoughts as opposed to just thinking them, it is also difficult. We struggle to express what we are thinking or feeling in words. Writing is a discipline, it takes time and commitment. We really need to write for ourselves, so we have a barometer or gauge on our growth.
I was discussing with a friend, the struggles and trials of life. He listened patiently and afterwards offered some friendly advise. "Are you journaling"? Three simple words that cut me to the core. I have offered that advice to others who are growing in their faith. Why had I not heeded that advice myself? Because, it takes time and effort. It is a commitment. So I have challenged myself (actually my friend challenged me). I will start writing a journal (not typing in a blog only) and share that with him next time I have breakfast with him.
So now, what to write about. I could complain, write out the frustrations of life. Or, I could write inspiring words to help others through the troubles I've seen. Or, I could write funny snipets of life from a sarcastic point of view. Instead, I find that I sit staring at a blank page, wondering what impact I can have.
Many of us claim, I cannot write. I am not good with the pen. I'll bet Shakespeare's first work left something to be desired. It takes time. Think of anything you are good at, were you naturally good at first or did it take time and practice? Writing is truly a worthwhile endeavor.
So, armed with that little tidbit of knowledge, lets begin. Paper is relatively cheap. Ink, well you can buy 5 pens for under $1. Time....that is another matter. I'll bet you spend 5 minutes watching TV. I do. Challenge yourself to write for 5 minutes before the TV goes on. You are not missing anything. Solomon once said that there is nothing new under the sun. That is especially true for TV.
One last thing....you cannot cry about writers cramp or sore fingers until you have written for a while. Got to build up those callouses.
Writing things down is not only time consuming, after all, who wants to spend time writing or typing their thoughts as opposed to just thinking them, it is also difficult. We struggle to express what we are thinking or feeling in words. Writing is a discipline, it takes time and commitment. We really need to write for ourselves, so we have a barometer or gauge on our growth.
I was discussing with a friend, the struggles and trials of life. He listened patiently and afterwards offered some friendly advise. "Are you journaling"? Three simple words that cut me to the core. I have offered that advice to others who are growing in their faith. Why had I not heeded that advice myself? Because, it takes time and effort. It is a commitment. So I have challenged myself (actually my friend challenged me). I will start writing a journal (not typing in a blog only) and share that with him next time I have breakfast with him.
So now, what to write about. I could complain, write out the frustrations of life. Or, I could write inspiring words to help others through the troubles I've seen. Or, I could write funny snipets of life from a sarcastic point of view. Instead, I find that I sit staring at a blank page, wondering what impact I can have.
Many of us claim, I cannot write. I am not good with the pen. I'll bet Shakespeare's first work left something to be desired. It takes time. Think of anything you are good at, were you naturally good at first or did it take time and practice? Writing is truly a worthwhile endeavor.
So, armed with that little tidbit of knowledge, lets begin. Paper is relatively cheap. Ink, well you can buy 5 pens for under $1. Time....that is another matter. I'll bet you spend 5 minutes watching TV. I do. Challenge yourself to write for 5 minutes before the TV goes on. You are not missing anything. Solomon once said that there is nothing new under the sun. That is especially true for TV.
One last thing....you cannot cry about writers cramp or sore fingers until you have written for a while. Got to build up those callouses.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Can't Pile On a Full Plate
Great to have you back. How is life? Pretty hectic I'd bet. Probably have quite a few activities and interests going on, as well as the random acts of love and kindness that life will throw your way.
With all of the commotion, how can we really "Be still and commune with God"? How important in your life is it to get good directions? Don't we really want to know where we are going, and how to get there? We like to be in charge and therefore, somewhat independent. The truth is that we are not independent. In fact we were not designed to be so. God made us for fellowship with Him, and later, for fellowship with others (see Eve). So, if we are to be in fellowship, doesn't that require some attention and time?
Oh great, you say, more of my schedule consumed by another activity. I would suggest that this activity is the most important and can be the most productive you undertake. Daily, yes I said daily, devotions are key. A devotion need not be a complex, in depth study or analysis. The k.i.s.s. principle allows us to be simple and direct. Allow God to meet with you where you are. You will need to listen though.
We can read in Exodus about how God caused Moses to be cast out into the wilderness as a shepherd for 40 years. Moses was not the person for the task at hand until he had learned true fellowship and oneness with God. It was a process over time.
I believe God is putting us through a process as well. Priorities....where do ours lie? The events and activities we undertake today, will those matter in a week? A month? A year? Multiple years? Think about what will matter and last.
Piling onto our plate of activities with another is not a good idea. Allow yourself to empty some non-priority items off the plate. Allow others to be of service. Focus on first things first. When unpacking from a shopping chore, we usually put the milk and other perishables away first. Don't get caught up cleaning off a shelf in the pantry for the rice when the milk sits on the counter and spoils in the hot sunlight.
Kinda preachy I know...but important. Your plate only comes in your size, so switching that out really isn't an option. One needs to be more purposeful on what they put on the plate.
With all of the commotion, how can we really "Be still and commune with God"? How important in your life is it to get good directions? Don't we really want to know where we are going, and how to get there? We like to be in charge and therefore, somewhat independent. The truth is that we are not independent. In fact we were not designed to be so. God made us for fellowship with Him, and later, for fellowship with others (see Eve). So, if we are to be in fellowship, doesn't that require some attention and time?
Oh great, you say, more of my schedule consumed by another activity. I would suggest that this activity is the most important and can be the most productive you undertake. Daily, yes I said daily, devotions are key. A devotion need not be a complex, in depth study or analysis. The k.i.s.s. principle allows us to be simple and direct. Allow God to meet with you where you are. You will need to listen though.
We can read in Exodus about how God caused Moses to be cast out into the wilderness as a shepherd for 40 years. Moses was not the person for the task at hand until he had learned true fellowship and oneness with God. It was a process over time.
I believe God is putting us through a process as well. Priorities....where do ours lie? The events and activities we undertake today, will those matter in a week? A month? A year? Multiple years? Think about what will matter and last.
Piling onto our plate of activities with another is not a good idea. Allow yourself to empty some non-priority items off the plate. Allow others to be of service. Focus on first things first. When unpacking from a shopping chore, we usually put the milk and other perishables away first. Don't get caught up cleaning off a shelf in the pantry for the rice when the milk sits on the counter and spoils in the hot sunlight.
Kinda preachy I know...but important. Your plate only comes in your size, so switching that out really isn't an option. One needs to be more purposeful on what they put on the plate.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Temperature Matters!!
Well now, what could that title possibly mean? Temperature of what?
I am referring to 3 spiritual temperature settings of your faith:
1. Hot-someone on fire for the Lord....eager and hungry to learn more
2. Cold-someone who against spirituality, or rejects the Bible as false
3. Lukewarm-someone who professes with their mouths, yet has not actions or fruit
Of the three, the lukewarm is the scarriest. This person has been exposed to the truth, but doesn't really care or feel any urgency to either know more or pass it on to others. This is a big problem in our church body today.
Oswald Chambers notes in Utmost for His Highest on Sept 27, "Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop". He uses 3 references from the gospel of Luke, 9:58, 9:59, and 9:61 to show different individuals who profess a desire to follow Jesus, but must first attend to other things. The response of Jesus is that doing those other things does not matter and the person should push that aside to follow him. Seems kinda harsh, but the point is "If the Spirit of God brings to your mind a word of the Lord that hurts you, you can be sure that there is something in you that He wants to hurt to the point of its death".
We must remember that God's ways are not our ways. We have limited understanding of God and His purposes for our lives. Lukewarm followers are like the people in that example in Luke who feel the need to do other things before following.
Our faith should not be based on emotion. Though, emotion will be part of the driving force. Obedience is crucial. If you are feeling cold or even mildly warm, get a wake up call. This is serious stuff!!!
Plug in, be of service. Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA had a great mission statement a few years ago, "Seek Him constantly, Serve Him faithfully and Share Him boldly". Great advice for us to follow. More on that to come.....
I am referring to 3 spiritual temperature settings of your faith:
1. Hot-someone on fire for the Lord....eager and hungry to learn more
2. Cold-someone who against spirituality, or rejects the Bible as false
3. Lukewarm-someone who professes with their mouths, yet has not actions or fruit
Of the three, the lukewarm is the scarriest. This person has been exposed to the truth, but doesn't really care or feel any urgency to either know more or pass it on to others. This is a big problem in our church body today.
Oswald Chambers notes in Utmost for His Highest on Sept 27, "Once the call of God comes to you, start going and never stop". He uses 3 references from the gospel of Luke, 9:58, 9:59, and 9:61 to show different individuals who profess a desire to follow Jesus, but must first attend to other things. The response of Jesus is that doing those other things does not matter and the person should push that aside to follow him. Seems kinda harsh, but the point is "If the Spirit of God brings to your mind a word of the Lord that hurts you, you can be sure that there is something in you that He wants to hurt to the point of its death".
We must remember that God's ways are not our ways. We have limited understanding of God and His purposes for our lives. Lukewarm followers are like the people in that example in Luke who feel the need to do other things before following.
Our faith should not be based on emotion. Though, emotion will be part of the driving force. Obedience is crucial. If you are feeling cold or even mildly warm, get a wake up call. This is serious stuff!!!
Plug in, be of service. Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, VA had a great mission statement a few years ago, "Seek Him constantly, Serve Him faithfully and Share Him boldly". Great advice for us to follow. More on that to come.....
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Feeding Sheep
Greetings again!
Sheep are disgusting animals in many ways. They stand out in the elements, in the mud and don't even wear deoderant. According to Wikipedia, sheep are raised for fleece, meat (lamb, hogget or mutton) and milk. A sheep's wool is the most widely used animal fiber, and is usually harvested by shearing. Sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of a flock. Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely unintelligent animals. A sheep's herd mentality and quickness to flee and panic in the face of stress often make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the uninitiated.
They do, however, know the sound of their shepherd's voice. Sheep can recognize individual human and ovine faces, and remember them for years.
Ok, great info on sheep....but....what does that have to do with anything?
Jesus tells Peter in John 21:17 to "Feed my sheep". Now we know that Jesus was not a shepherd, so just what sheep was he talking about to Peter? Us, of course. We are His sheep. The feeding we need is spiritual, not physical.
If Jesus was telling Peter to pass on the lessons He had taught to the disciples to others, are we to do the same? How? After all, most of us are not pastors. We don't even play one on TV or Sunday mornings.
We all do have gifts from God though. Some gifts are teaching, some are organizing and some are just saying hello and greeting others. We can feed Jesus' sheep by being willing to step out in faith and use those gifts. John Ortberg (recent small group study) tells us to "Get out of the boat"! We should be willing and ready to leave our so called "comfort zone".
We might ask ourselves....what if they reject me, or mock me, or tell me I'm doing it wrong. What if they don't. What if they are receptive. You might never know unless you are willing to take the chance. You might just reach someone who needed to be reached.
You might not become a pastor, but the Bible is filled with examples of non-pastoral people who God used for His great purposes. Take some time to seek these people out in the Word. You can start with the cast of Genesis....remember, Aaron was the priest, not Moses.
Sheep are disgusting animals in many ways. They stand out in the elements, in the mud and don't even wear deoderant. According to Wikipedia, sheep are raised for fleece, meat (lamb, hogget or mutton) and milk. A sheep's wool is the most widely used animal fiber, and is usually harvested by shearing. Sheep have a tendency to congregate close to other members of a flock. Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely unintelligent animals. A sheep's herd mentality and quickness to flee and panic in the face of stress often make shepherding a difficult endeavor for the uninitiated.
They do, however, know the sound of their shepherd's voice. Sheep can recognize individual human and ovine faces, and remember them for years.
Ok, great info on sheep....but....what does that have to do with anything?
Jesus tells Peter in John 21:17 to "Feed my sheep". Now we know that Jesus was not a shepherd, so just what sheep was he talking about to Peter? Us, of course. We are His sheep. The feeding we need is spiritual, not physical.
If Jesus was telling Peter to pass on the lessons He had taught to the disciples to others, are we to do the same? How? After all, most of us are not pastors. We don't even play one on TV or Sunday mornings.
We all do have gifts from God though. Some gifts are teaching, some are organizing and some are just saying hello and greeting others. We can feed Jesus' sheep by being willing to step out in faith and use those gifts. John Ortberg (recent small group study) tells us to "Get out of the boat"! We should be willing and ready to leave our so called "comfort zone".
We might ask ourselves....what if they reject me, or mock me, or tell me I'm doing it wrong. What if they don't. What if they are receptive. You might never know unless you are willing to take the chance. You might just reach someone who needed to be reached.
You might not become a pastor, but the Bible is filled with examples of non-pastoral people who God used for His great purposes. Take some time to seek these people out in the Word. You can start with the cast of Genesis....remember, Aaron was the priest, not Moses.
Monday, September 19, 2011
But I'm not a pastor.....
Ok, how many of us are apprehensive at getting involved in a church group because "we are not pastors".....
I know it kept me back for quite some time. After all, what could I possibly offer? What if someone were to ask me a Biblical question that I could not answer.....what if what if what if.
I do know how to play with kids (I'm still one).....and I do know how to talk to others about sports, food and the weather. I can ask someone where they are from or what kinds of hobbies or interests they enjoy. Starting simple, meet them where they are at. We all have some experience in something. We CAN relate to others!
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. He did not preach a sermon to her or give her deep theological points to ponder.....or did he? He asked her simple questions....sort of meeting her where she was. He was able to tell her something about herself, not because he was omnicient, rather he could see into people by their actions, behaviors and talk. Why would a woman come to the well during mid-day. Because other women from the town would not be there then. Jesus knew her pain as an outcast....his own family thought he needed to be brought home at one point. Jesus had experience with people such as her.
We sometimes fail to understand just how much we have to offer. If we were ever kids (most of you were/are), we might be able to conjure up a memory or two of how we used to play, then use that as a basis for talking to a child today. Don't preach to them, play with them. Make believe.
People don't care about how much you know, until they know about how much you care.
No one wants someone preaching to them (even in blog form), unless they have signed up for a lecture.....do people really pay attention in church? So, don't preach....meet instead.
We all have a gift of something to share. Our experience can be mightier than any sermon. An example of this would be a man who had never rode a bike, but read lots of materials and information on bike riding. A 10 year old had ridden several bikes and knew the thrill of the wind rushing through their hair and the pain of a crash and skinned knee. Which one could better explain how to ride a bike.
Don't be afraid...take a chance. Often your audience will be in need of what you have to say, or they might ignore you.
Go ahead.
I know it kept me back for quite some time. After all, what could I possibly offer? What if someone were to ask me a Biblical question that I could not answer.....what if what if what if.
I do know how to play with kids (I'm still one).....and I do know how to talk to others about sports, food and the weather. I can ask someone where they are from or what kinds of hobbies or interests they enjoy. Starting simple, meet them where they are at. We all have some experience in something. We CAN relate to others!
Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well. He did not preach a sermon to her or give her deep theological points to ponder.....or did he? He asked her simple questions....sort of meeting her where she was. He was able to tell her something about herself, not because he was omnicient, rather he could see into people by their actions, behaviors and talk. Why would a woman come to the well during mid-day. Because other women from the town would not be there then. Jesus knew her pain as an outcast....his own family thought he needed to be brought home at one point. Jesus had experience with people such as her.
We sometimes fail to understand just how much we have to offer. If we were ever kids (most of you were/are), we might be able to conjure up a memory or two of how we used to play, then use that as a basis for talking to a child today. Don't preach to them, play with them. Make believe.
People don't care about how much you know, until they know about how much you care.
No one wants someone preaching to them (even in blog form), unless they have signed up for a lecture.....do people really pay attention in church? So, don't preach....meet instead.
We all have a gift of something to share. Our experience can be mightier than any sermon. An example of this would be a man who had never rode a bike, but read lots of materials and information on bike riding. A 10 year old had ridden several bikes and knew the thrill of the wind rushing through their hair and the pain of a crash and skinned knee. Which one could better explain how to ride a bike.
Don't be afraid...take a chance. Often your audience will be in need of what you have to say, or they might ignore you.
Go ahead.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
What's In It For Me?
Common question many of us ask in almost everything we do in life.....What's in it for me?
It seems on the surface that this is not an unfair question. After all, what motivates us? I suggest it is because we will receive some benefit. You will not intentionally do something that will make everyone mad at you or cause yourself pain. We often are motivated to do something because of the rewards or feedback.
How do we approach God? Do we approach Him as a genie, requesting our wishes to be granted, or as an IRS agent, ready to audit us in judgement? Do we ask permission or guidance, or merely forgiveness or approval of our actions.
Tough questions for me to deal with. I want to be prosperous and successful, but what really is a measure for those? I want to be comfortable and have an easy life....but that really isn't what Christ has called us to.
I was reading in Jonah this morning. Jonah was a prophet of God whom God sent to preach a message of repentance to the archenemy of Israel, Nineveh. This was the capital of Assyria, in modern day Iraq. (There is truly nothing new under the sun eh?). Nineveh was a ruthless and sinful place that caused much suffering to the Israelites. God, wanting to show His love and mercy, ordered Jonah to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance to save the Ninevites from destruction. This might be equated to God sending you to present day Iran to preach forgiveness. Would you go? Well, neither did Jonah. He fled the other direction. (It is a good and easy book to read....so I will not consume you with the details). The point of the book is that God can give forgiveness and mercy to whomever he chooses. Jonah, wanted revenge, he wanted his idea of justice against the enemy to be carried out. Upon his preaching this message reluctantly, he wanted to know what was in it for him.
The last line of the book of Jonah is piercing even for us today. Jonah 4:11 states, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Do we think that way towards our enemies...or do we want OUR justice and righteousness....What is in it for us?
It seems on the surface that this is not an unfair question. After all, what motivates us? I suggest it is because we will receive some benefit. You will not intentionally do something that will make everyone mad at you or cause yourself pain. We often are motivated to do something because of the rewards or feedback.
How do we approach God? Do we approach Him as a genie, requesting our wishes to be granted, or as an IRS agent, ready to audit us in judgement? Do we ask permission or guidance, or merely forgiveness or approval of our actions.
Tough questions for me to deal with. I want to be prosperous and successful, but what really is a measure for those? I want to be comfortable and have an easy life....but that really isn't what Christ has called us to.
I was reading in Jonah this morning. Jonah was a prophet of God whom God sent to preach a message of repentance to the archenemy of Israel, Nineveh. This was the capital of Assyria, in modern day Iraq. (There is truly nothing new under the sun eh?). Nineveh was a ruthless and sinful place that caused much suffering to the Israelites. God, wanting to show His love and mercy, ordered Jonah to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance to save the Ninevites from destruction. This might be equated to God sending you to present day Iran to preach forgiveness. Would you go? Well, neither did Jonah. He fled the other direction. (It is a good and easy book to read....so I will not consume you with the details). The point of the book is that God can give forgiveness and mercy to whomever he chooses. Jonah, wanted revenge, he wanted his idea of justice against the enemy to be carried out. Upon his preaching this message reluctantly, he wanted to know what was in it for him.
The last line of the book of Jonah is piercing even for us today. Jonah 4:11 states, "And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Do we think that way towards our enemies...or do we want OUR justice and righteousness....What is in it for us?
Friday, September 9, 2011
What is Fellowship?
Greetings once again....What is fellowship you ask?
As one of the fingers/pillars of this model, fellowship is an important part of how the Christian life works.
Fellowship could be as simple as becoming involved in your weekly church service. There will always be a need for ushers, greeters, teachers, nursery workers, etc... Once you are involved, you will be amazed at how engaged you become.
A key point about fellowship is that no one of us (even current company included) know all the answers. We need people in our lives that have the experience and knowledge that we lack to help us in making good decisions, as well as to help us understand difficult Bible passages and teachings. It has been said that a person could read a book about riding a bike, but until the wind whips through the old helmet (safety first) and the thrill of balancing on thin wheels hits, you really don't know how to ride a bike.
In Acts 8:28, Phillip meets up with an Ethiopian traveler who is on his way back to Ethiopia from a spiritual pilgrimmage. The Ethiopian is reading scripture aloud, when Phillip inquired if he knew what he was reading. The Ethiopian replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me".
I suggest that we are in the same boat/carriage as the Ethiopian. That is why we need fellowship. We need people we can trust and confide in. Accountability if you prefer.
This does not come easy or quickly. Relationships must be built over time. In order to trust others, we must allow others to trust us.
How can I make this happen you ask? How do any of your relationships work? Spending time together, common interests, etc. Being purposeful.......
I challenge you to be purposeful in fellowship this very week. Approach your pastor and introduce yourself. Say hello to someone you migh have seen at work, in church, or some other organization that you have notice before and would like to know better. Perhaps someone with more life experiences than you (I did not say older).
Don't expect deep rooted relationships to develop overnight. But do not run from your part or responsibility in them when they do. To get a friend, you first have to be a friend.
As one of the fingers/pillars of this model, fellowship is an important part of how the Christian life works.
Fellowship could be as simple as becoming involved in your weekly church service. There will always be a need for ushers, greeters, teachers, nursery workers, etc... Once you are involved, you will be amazed at how engaged you become.
A key point about fellowship is that no one of us (even current company included) know all the answers. We need people in our lives that have the experience and knowledge that we lack to help us in making good decisions, as well as to help us understand difficult Bible passages and teachings. It has been said that a person could read a book about riding a bike, but until the wind whips through the old helmet (safety first) and the thrill of balancing on thin wheels hits, you really don't know how to ride a bike.
In Acts 8:28, Phillip meets up with an Ethiopian traveler who is on his way back to Ethiopia from a spiritual pilgrimmage. The Ethiopian is reading scripture aloud, when Phillip inquired if he knew what he was reading. The Ethiopian replied, "How can I unless someone explains it to me".
I suggest that we are in the same boat/carriage as the Ethiopian. That is why we need fellowship. We need people we can trust and confide in. Accountability if you prefer.
This does not come easy or quickly. Relationships must be built over time. In order to trust others, we must allow others to trust us.
How can I make this happen you ask? How do any of your relationships work? Spending time together, common interests, etc. Being purposeful.......
I challenge you to be purposeful in fellowship this very week. Approach your pastor and introduce yourself. Say hello to someone you migh have seen at work, in church, or some other organization that you have notice before and would like to know better. Perhaps someone with more life experiences than you (I did not say older).
Don't expect deep rooted relationships to develop overnight. But do not run from your part or responsibility in them when they do. To get a friend, you first have to be a friend.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Why Now?
Ok, the question has been asked, why now? Why would someone want to post a blog in September 2011? I'm gonna tell ya.
The purpose of this is to reach out to several people at one time to start a dialogue or conversation. I believe many Christians are confused about what being a Christian is all about. I'm not an expert, but I do play one in this blog. Actually, this is more questions to start that conversation with a few experiences sprinkled in.
You might have prayed the sinner's prayer, decided to make a commitment to Jesus, are attending a church and trying to read the Bible. But you don't feel any different yet. You have not had your "burning bush" moment. Does that mean you are not saved?
I believe the Christian walk is one that will grow over time. You are no more saved after years of following Christ than you are when you make that decision, however, you understand that decision better, and hopefully, you will bear fruit in that time. Fruits being love, gentleness, patience, self-control, etc...
I am merely writing out suggestions that will help someone (including myself) to take those toddler steps after that decision. I suggest a 5 pronged approach (there is no set way of this). The 5 points are:
1. Prayer
2. Using tools (Bible, concordance)
3. Fellowship (church attendance, group study)
4. Experience (you actually have experiences in life that can help others)
5. Thinking of others
Think of each prong as a finger on your hand. Look at your hand and remember to be purposeful in doing those things. If you get lost, or even don't know how to handle a situation, look at your hand and pick a finger to start with.
Being purposeful on a daily basis means thinking of the 5 fingers and trying to do one of them. This will not in itself earn you salvation (that is from God's grace alone), but it might help you understand it better.
So, over the next few blog posts, I will go into more detail on each finger/prong/point. Please feel free to chime in with your input, questions, and comments.
Thanks, keep reading and God bless!
The purpose of this is to reach out to several people at one time to start a dialogue or conversation. I believe many Christians are confused about what being a Christian is all about. I'm not an expert, but I do play one in this blog. Actually, this is more questions to start that conversation with a few experiences sprinkled in.
You might have prayed the sinner's prayer, decided to make a commitment to Jesus, are attending a church and trying to read the Bible. But you don't feel any different yet. You have not had your "burning bush" moment. Does that mean you are not saved?
I believe the Christian walk is one that will grow over time. You are no more saved after years of following Christ than you are when you make that decision, however, you understand that decision better, and hopefully, you will bear fruit in that time. Fruits being love, gentleness, patience, self-control, etc...
I am merely writing out suggestions that will help someone (including myself) to take those toddler steps after that decision. I suggest a 5 pronged approach (there is no set way of this). The 5 points are:
1. Prayer
2. Using tools (Bible, concordance)
3. Fellowship (church attendance, group study)
4. Experience (you actually have experiences in life that can help others)
5. Thinking of others
Think of each prong as a finger on your hand. Look at your hand and remember to be purposeful in doing those things. If you get lost, or even don't know how to handle a situation, look at your hand and pick a finger to start with.
Being purposeful on a daily basis means thinking of the 5 fingers and trying to do one of them. This will not in itself earn you salvation (that is from God's grace alone), but it might help you understand it better.
So, over the next few blog posts, I will go into more detail on each finger/prong/point. Please feel free to chime in with your input, questions, and comments.
Thanks, keep reading and God bless!
Friday, September 2, 2011
A good mechanic keeps their tools handy and knows how to use them.
Mechanic? What does that have to do with anything?
As the title indicates, a good mechanic keeps their tools handy and in good condition. They also have much practice with them and know how to most effectively utilize them.
Similar to a mechanic, we as followers of Christ have tools at our disposal as well. The Bible is just such a tool. How do we know what the creator God has to say about a subject? Look it up in His holy Word, the Bible. Where is life's instruction manual? The Bible of course.
Now it is a big book, so how do we find things in it? Using additional tools naturally. There is usually a concordance in the back. Look up the topic there. Libraries are filled with "spiritual" materials and books to assist. Just be careful what you read, perhaps even consult with a friend or pastor about what spiritual tools and books will be most helpful.
Yesterday, we discussed (actually I wrote, perhaps you read) how prayer could be a major part of this "Christian" lifestyle. I noted this as the thumb, for an easy reference. Today, is another finger (we do not specificy which fingers due to obvious reasons-just know there are 4 fingers in addition to your thumb). Today's finger is using tools. Two items you should never misplace....your Bible and your putter. Putter? Yes, that is the last club you should use! And of course, your Bible should be a tool that gets plenty of wear from use.
There is nothing sadder than a Bible with a stiff binding and no pen/pencil marks inside.
As the title indicates, a good mechanic keeps their tools handy and in good condition. They also have much practice with them and know how to most effectively utilize them.
Similar to a mechanic, we as followers of Christ have tools at our disposal as well. The Bible is just such a tool. How do we know what the creator God has to say about a subject? Look it up in His holy Word, the Bible. Where is life's instruction manual? The Bible of course.
Now it is a big book, so how do we find things in it? Using additional tools naturally. There is usually a concordance in the back. Look up the topic there. Libraries are filled with "spiritual" materials and books to assist. Just be careful what you read, perhaps even consult with a friend or pastor about what spiritual tools and books will be most helpful.
Yesterday, we discussed (actually I wrote, perhaps you read) how prayer could be a major part of this "Christian" lifestyle. I noted this as the thumb, for an easy reference. Today, is another finger (we do not specificy which fingers due to obvious reasons-just know there are 4 fingers in addition to your thumb). Today's finger is using tools. Two items you should never misplace....your Bible and your putter. Putter? Yes, that is the last club you should use! And of course, your Bible should be a tool that gets plenty of wear from use.
There is nothing sadder than a Bible with a stiff binding and no pen/pencil marks inside.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
How does this prayer thing work?
What is prayer but a conversation with God? How do you converse with others? Do you use flowery language (not usually)? When you talk with someone, do you just ask them requests or pepper them with demands? Hopefully not. Is a good conversation one-sided?
I don't know about you, but conversations are better for me when there is at least 2 parties involved. By now, those of you reading this perhaps have had conversations with others. You have learned how to talk, how to interrupt probably, and how to listen. Yes you say, but that is with another person usually.
I would suggest to you that God is the same way. You might not audibly hear God respond, but I believe he is listening and does respond in various ways.
Prayer is simply a tool we can use. It is the thumb of the 5 tools that I will emphasize in these writings/ramblings. Hitchhikers use their thumb as a way of communicating a need for a ride. We can use our thumb (prayer) as a means of asking God to move us as well. Where do you want to go?
Jesus offered us a guide for prayer in Matthew 6:5-14. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
You might have heard this referred to as "The Lord's Prayer". One point that I get out of this example is that Jesus recommends that we pray for our Daily bread....not a lifetime's worth. Ask God for what you need today, now. In my experience, when I do that, I tend to focus on today, not future events that have not and might not occur.
A point I would like to make is to keep prayer simple. As with the soldier from yesterday's ramblings, you will get more comfortable with practice. I truly believe God wants us to talk with Him. When we do, I have learned that God will talk back, in one way or another.
The thumb (prayer) can be a really valuable and useful tool.
I don't know about you, but conversations are better for me when there is at least 2 parties involved. By now, those of you reading this perhaps have had conversations with others. You have learned how to talk, how to interrupt probably, and how to listen. Yes you say, but that is with another person usually.
I would suggest to you that God is the same way. You might not audibly hear God respond, but I believe he is listening and does respond in various ways.
Prayer is simply a tool we can use. It is the thumb of the 5 tools that I will emphasize in these writings/ramblings. Hitchhikers use their thumb as a way of communicating a need for a ride. We can use our thumb (prayer) as a means of asking God to move us as well. Where do you want to go?
Jesus offered us a guide for prayer in Matthew 6:5-14. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
You might have heard this referred to as "The Lord's Prayer". One point that I get out of this example is that Jesus recommends that we pray for our Daily bread....not a lifetime's worth. Ask God for what you need today, now. In my experience, when I do that, I tend to focus on today, not future events that have not and might not occur.
A point I would like to make is to keep prayer simple. As with the soldier from yesterday's ramblings, you will get more comfortable with practice. I truly believe God wants us to talk with Him. When we do, I have learned that God will talk back, in one way or another.
The thumb (prayer) can be a really valuable and useful tool.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What does "being purposeful" look like?
Welcome back! Those who are visiting again, must be a glutton for punishment.....
Today, I would like to ramble on about what "being purposeful" looks like. So often, we can become intimidated by the Bible. After all, it is a big book with really small print and limited pictures. In fact, the Bible I use doesn't even have pop-ups. That said, where does one start? Genesis 1? That will probably work for some as they muddle through the history of the patriarchs and the founding of the nation (really in Exodus). But what about the rest of us. I mean, we want to read this in order to be able to apply it into our lives. As the apostle Paul said, all scripture is God breathed and worthy of teaching.
A simple suggestion is to start with something more familiar....perhaps the book of John in the New Testament. We will get more on this later. I would strongly recommend that wherever you start in the Bible, it is accompanied by prayer. God will show you what you need if you listen.
Prayer can be as simple as a conversation. He knows your thoughts, so share them with Him. You do not have to be a brilliant theological mind to pray. Believe me....The point is to keep at it.
There is a story about a soldier who snuck out of camp one night to be alone and pray. Upon his return, he was caught by the security guard and taken to the night officer. The officer wanted to charge this soldier with treason, conspiring with the enemy. The soldier insisted that he only went out to be alone to pray. The officer, not believing, told him that he'd better start praying now, because he was in a heap of trouble. At that, the soldier knelt down and started to pray. After a few moment, the officer told the soldier that he could leave, and that no charges would be pressed. He noted that anyone who could pray under pressure must be one that was in a routine or practice of praying.
Today's question is "Are we in shape enough to pray under pressure?" One way to get into shape is practice. You will probably not be able to run a full marathon if you have not been in the habit of running already.
Today, I would like to ramble on about what "being purposeful" looks like. So often, we can become intimidated by the Bible. After all, it is a big book with really small print and limited pictures. In fact, the Bible I use doesn't even have pop-ups. That said, where does one start? Genesis 1? That will probably work for some as they muddle through the history of the patriarchs and the founding of the nation (really in Exodus). But what about the rest of us. I mean, we want to read this in order to be able to apply it into our lives. As the apostle Paul said, all scripture is God breathed and worthy of teaching.
A simple suggestion is to start with something more familiar....perhaps the book of John in the New Testament. We will get more on this later. I would strongly recommend that wherever you start in the Bible, it is accompanied by prayer. God will show you what you need if you listen.
Prayer can be as simple as a conversation. He knows your thoughts, so share them with Him. You do not have to be a brilliant theological mind to pray. Believe me....The point is to keep at it.
There is a story about a soldier who snuck out of camp one night to be alone and pray. Upon his return, he was caught by the security guard and taken to the night officer. The officer wanted to charge this soldier with treason, conspiring with the enemy. The soldier insisted that he only went out to be alone to pray. The officer, not believing, told him that he'd better start praying now, because he was in a heap of trouble. At that, the soldier knelt down and started to pray. After a few moment, the officer told the soldier that he could leave, and that no charges would be pressed. He noted that anyone who could pray under pressure must be one that was in a routine or practice of praying.
Today's question is "Are we in shape enough to pray under pressure?" One way to get into shape is practice. You will probably not be able to run a full marathon if you have not been in the habit of running already.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to T's Ramblings. The purpose of this blog is to throw out random thoughts and receive feedback to get in a dialogue of things that really matter.
Please feel free to share comments, but keep it clean and relevant.
Today's Rambling:
Does Prayer work?
In the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel's faithfulness to God and devotion to his prayer life helps lead him through much persecution. Daniel is thrown to the lions by King Darius, who was tricked by others into issuing a decree that all subjects shall worship the King and the King alone. Daniel, was faithful to God alone and would not worship the King as the decree instructed. King Darius trusted Daniel, however his decree must be followed. Thus, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den. King Darius did not sleep that night and upon first light, went to see if Daniel had survived. Miraculouly, he had. Daniel was freed and in his place, the individuals who had tricked King Darius were thrown into the lions' den with their entire families.
Where are we in our faith today? Do we really believe that God will protect? Do we worship him and pray without ceasing, using words when necessary?
If you are like me, you fall short of this. The good news is that God allows us to grow from our mistakes and provides us with new opportunities.
So, I leave you today with this thought for yourself, "if you are praying for rain, do you have your umbrella ready?"
Please feel free to share comments, but keep it clean and relevant.
Today's Rambling:
Does Prayer work?
In the book of Daniel, we see that Daniel's faithfulness to God and devotion to his prayer life helps lead him through much persecution. Daniel is thrown to the lions by King Darius, who was tricked by others into issuing a decree that all subjects shall worship the King and the King alone. Daniel, was faithful to God alone and would not worship the King as the decree instructed. King Darius trusted Daniel, however his decree must be followed. Thus, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den. King Darius did not sleep that night and upon first light, went to see if Daniel had survived. Miraculouly, he had. Daniel was freed and in his place, the individuals who had tricked King Darius were thrown into the lions' den with their entire families.
Where are we in our faith today? Do we really believe that God will protect? Do we worship him and pray without ceasing, using words when necessary?
If you are like me, you fall short of this. The good news is that God allows us to grow from our mistakes and provides us with new opportunities.
So, I leave you today with this thought for yourself, "if you are praying for rain, do you have your umbrella ready?"
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