Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Present Day Priests or Posers - Which Are You? - Part 1
2 Timothy 3:1-5 The Message
"Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people."
I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. While swinging my feet to the floor, I reached for the ringing phone. "Hello", I said with a "first-sound-of-the-morning voice". What I heard in response was shocking. It wasn't simply the words, but the tone and pace at which the person was speaking. Apparently, there had been a misunderstanding of some instructions and procedures which put this person in a precarious position.
What shocked me was the attitude displayed in the individual's voice. I had known this person for some time and had always respected this person's faith and spiritual maturity. However, when squeezed by circumstance, attitude and words betraying a Christ-like character were chosen over love, peace and forgiveness.
Needless to say, the miscommunication was corrected, however, in remembering that incident, I have been thinking about how shallow our relationship with Christ often is. One small bump in the road and we testify, with the world as our audience, that there really isn't anything to this Jesus thing. Sure, we know the words, we know the motions and we may even know the verses (and where they are found), but when it comes to the one aspect of Christianity that can make a difference, we don't seem to get it.
In my youth, I could quote the longest passage of scripture and say the nicest prayer whenever I was asked. The sad thing is, one doesn't typically have that request made of them at a wild party or a rock concert. I could say and do all the right things when called upon, but my life wasn't changed!
Look at the list in the above verses. Scroll up and read those verses again. (I'll wait) Can any one of us read through that list without feeling the rod of conviction at our hearts? In the time when Christ was on the earth, the priests were known for "putting on a show". Jesus was always calling them on it!
But we are also called priests. Our work is of a priestly nature.
1 Peter 2:9-10 The Message
"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."
An acquaintance of mine sent me a email reply in which we were discussing spiritual maturity and life change. He said that "we have sown to dysfunction".
To often, as present-day priests, we can only tell of the mostly cloudy day to somewhat cloudy day difference that we have allowed Christ to make in our lives. Sure, we can still look the part, but here is the real danger in that.
"Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people."
I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. While swinging my feet to the floor, I reached for the ringing phone. "Hello", I said with a "first-sound-of-the-morning voice". What I heard in response was shocking. It wasn't simply the words, but the tone and pace at which the person was speaking. Apparently, there had been a misunderstanding of some instructions and procedures which put this person in a precarious position.
What shocked me was the attitude displayed in the individual's voice. I had known this person for some time and had always respected this person's faith and spiritual maturity. However, when squeezed by circumstance, attitude and words betraying a Christ-like character were chosen over love, peace and forgiveness.
Needless to say, the miscommunication was corrected, however, in remembering that incident, I have been thinking about how shallow our relationship with Christ often is. One small bump in the road and we testify, with the world as our audience, that there really isn't anything to this Jesus thing. Sure, we know the words, we know the motions and we may even know the verses (and where they are found), but when it comes to the one aspect of Christianity that can make a difference, we don't seem to get it.
In my youth, I could quote the longest passage of scripture and say the nicest prayer whenever I was asked. The sad thing is, one doesn't typically have that request made of them at a wild party or a rock concert. I could say and do all the right things when called upon, but my life wasn't changed!
Look at the list in the above verses. Scroll up and read those verses again. (I'll wait) Can any one of us read through that list without feeling the rod of conviction at our hearts? In the time when Christ was on the earth, the priests were known for "putting on a show". Jesus was always calling them on it!
But we are also called priests. Our work is of a priestly nature.
1 Peter 2:9-10 The Message
"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."
An acquaintance of mine sent me a email reply in which we were discussing spiritual maturity and life change. He said that "we have sown to dysfunction".
To often, as present-day priests, we can only tell of the mostly cloudy day to somewhat cloudy day difference that we have allowed Christ to make in our lives. Sure, we can still look the part, but here is the real danger in that.
If we are not careful, we can become like the priests that Christ dealt with and adopt an attitude and lifestyle which says - As long as I look good, I don't really have to be good.
Priest or Poser - Which are you?
More on this huge can of worms to come...
Friday, November 13, 2009
Why Wait?
I received a call yesterday from someone who had a heart for God. An individual who had divorced out of their family is in his final days in a long battle with cancer. The caller expressed their concern for this mans soul and asked if I would go see him.
When I arrived, I found that the weariness from the battle and the heavy doses of pain medication would not even allow the man to open his eyes or respond. I leaned close to his ear and prayed a prayer that detailed the plan of salvation.
I wish I could write that he opened his eyes or responded in some way. He did not. My prayer is that he heard my words and that his spirit spoke them to God.
We are a stubborn and procrastinating people. We seek medical attention just before we fall over dead, we seek relational help just before we are about to slam into a proverbial cliff and we seek God when we have exhausted all of man's (ourselves included) efforts and abilities.
Jesus said to come to him to find rest. Rest for our soul and spirit. Why wait until the last minute? Why not make things right in our relationship with God and each other now, so that our lives can be filled with love, peace and joy instead of loneliness, turmoil and grief.
Why wait?
When I arrived, I found that the weariness from the battle and the heavy doses of pain medication would not even allow the man to open his eyes or respond. I leaned close to his ear and prayed a prayer that detailed the plan of salvation.
I wish I could write that he opened his eyes or responded in some way. He did not. My prayer is that he heard my words and that his spirit spoke them to God.
We are a stubborn and procrastinating people. We seek medical attention just before we fall over dead, we seek relational help just before we are about to slam into a proverbial cliff and we seek God when we have exhausted all of man's (ourselves included) efforts and abilities.
Jesus said to come to him to find rest. Rest for our soul and spirit. Why wait until the last minute? Why not make things right in our relationship with God and each other now, so that our lives can be filled with love, peace and joy instead of loneliness, turmoil and grief.
Why wait?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thank You
I've attended two veteran day services in the last 25 hours. I used to take our veterans for granted. I never even thought my own service was anything significant. However, as my father and I develop a closer relationship, I am learning the importance of honoring our veterans.
May we always be willing to give this small portion of our time to honor those who have given much.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Less Me - More Wii
For the past several nights, Alex and Kaitlin, our two youngest kids, have challenged their Dad to competitions of bowling, tennis and golf. I'm not a real gamer, I've never had "game", but spending time with the kids really rocks! It's great to let the cell go to voicemail and remind Alex and Kaitlin, by my actions, that they are my 3rd priority following God and my hazel-eyed and blond-haired beauty-Robin. Of course, I love spending time with the twins as well, but they have discovered more interesting pursuits... ;)
I love this husband/father thing!
Oh yeah, Wii boxing is quite a workout! I may even trade in my "Round IS a shape" mantra for something sleeker!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Infinitely More - A Divine Set-Up
Eph 3:20-21 NLT
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. (Emphasis mine)
I've been doing some more praying and more dreaming during these last few weeks. I'm purposely trying to allow God to expand my vision beyond what I can see with my eyes. The view, what little of it I can see, is incredible! I am really getting excited about what God is doing and has in store for us. I can see how he has been moving, shaping and designing the pieces of his plan so that they easily fall into place.
We're being set-up - by God for something amazing! It's great to be a part of a united family, dreaming the same dreams, sharing a common vision and working together towards the same goal! God's vision is far bigger than I have ever dreamed!
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. (Emphasis mine)
I've been doing some more praying and more dreaming during these last few weeks. I'm purposely trying to allow God to expand my vision beyond what I can see with my eyes. The view, what little of it I can see, is incredible! I am really getting excited about what God is doing and has in store for us. I can see how he has been moving, shaping and designing the pieces of his plan so that they easily fall into place.
We're being set-up - by God for something amazing! It's great to be a part of a united family, dreaming the same dreams, sharing a common vision and working together towards the same goal! God's vision is far bigger than I have ever dreamed!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Trunk-N-Treat - Touching Lives
Saturday, Grace Fellowship had our first ever Trunk-N-Treat Harvest Celebration. I was amazed at the creativity that people displayed in the decoration of their car trunks. We saw a lot of new faces and met many new families from the community.
What struck me, was the sense of unity that we all felt while showing Christ's love for the community. We watched as one of our youth group member's dance troupe performed -that was amazing. It was even more exciting to see a few of those new faces in our services yesterday!
Events like that, give us the opportunity to touch lives - not just lives in the community but the lives within our own church family as well.
Jesus spent his entire earthly ministry touching lives. Can we do any less?
What struck me, was the sense of unity that we all felt while showing Christ's love for the community. We watched as one of our youth group member's dance troupe performed -that was amazing. It was even more exciting to see a few of those new faces in our services yesterday!
Events like that, give us the opportunity to touch lives - not just lives in the community but the lives within our own church family as well.
Jesus spent his entire earthly ministry touching lives. Can we do any less?
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