Our glorious calling

On Tuesday, America's political landscape experienced an earthquake of sorts, rearranging the chairs in Washington, DC. Most of the punditry that I read attributes the people's overthrow of the Republican party to her drift from the core values of conservatism. Fiscal restraint, a commitment to smaller and less intrusive, more localized government, and true respect for human life and dignity were being eclipsed by bloated budgets, Congressional largesse, and disregard for the value of life and liberty. TFTD is not a political column so I'll leave my opinions out of it, but there is a clear parallel to the work of the Church and the lives of Believers that I draw from Tuesday's events. It is - 'keep the vision clear!'

Why did God call you and me into His Church? What is the vision He has for us?

Our answer to that inquiry is not found in our mission statements. It is much more clear in what we do, the way we allocate our resources. In my humble opinion, churches are always dealing with the risk of becoming social clubs that are all about building ever more comfortable buildings, creating positions of power and prestige for pastors and lay leaders, and becoming more and more shaped by the needs of those inside the walls, rather than serving those still outside. Jesus gave this mission to us: "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20, CEV) The way of life to which those of us who are in His Church are called is outlined in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 where He said these kinds of radical things: "Keep your word. Don't let yourself even think lustfully. Forgive quickly. Practice humility and don't make a show of your faith. Be generous to a fault and don't tell anyone about it. Build your treasure in Heaven, not here on earth." Those are the core values of the Church!

Why are Americans skeptical of Christianity, increasingly looking to other religions for spiritual fulfillment?

We can blame the culture, and to some degree, that may be accurate. Self-fulfillment, pleasure, and wealth are the gods of this age! But, just as the Republicans would be mistaken to blame their electoral losses entirely on those outside of the party, we would be mistaken to blame our world for rejecting our faith. We need to invite the Spirit to shine His Light into our lives, showing us where compromise and fuzzy thinking are obscuring the beauty of the Good News of salvation through Christ, our Lord. Where we perceive that we have lost our focus and/or that we are not implementing the radical lifestyle to which we are called by our Lord, we must be prepared to pray- 'change my heart, Oh God!' Believer, if we want to be effective shapers of our culture, true ambassadors of the Kingdom who enjoy credibility, we must reclaim the mission of our Master.

Where we lose ourselves in selfless service, where we become advocates of those who are poor and oppressed, when we love people to wholeness instead of blaming them for their plight, Christ will be lifted up; and His promise is that 'where I am lifted up, I will draw all to Myself.' And know this! As difficult as it may seem to embrace His mission - there is joy to be found there.

Meditate on His call today. He is commissioning you and me saying:
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
.... And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:37-42, NKJV)

Not beyond the grace of God

Are you ever tempted to think that you or someone you know is beyond redemption, with a life too full of 'junk' to ever be useful in God's hands? When faced with a person's repeated failures, we conclude, "There's just no hope for him. He's a total wreck." I confess that I have said it or at least thought it more than once. This week I re-read most of the book of 2 Samuel, the story of King David's reign in Israel. In a time span of 40 years, he managed to get it wrong - in big and small ways - at least as often as he got it right. Not only is there the well-known story of his dalliance with Bathsheba and murder of her husband. The book also shows us that he was an inattentive father who let his children get away with way too much. In a family crisis, he refused to reconcile with his son Absalom because of his pride, which led to a civil war and the death of thousands. Near the end of his rule, for reasons unstated in the Bible, he conducted a census to find out Israel's military strength and brought a terrible judgment on the nation.

And yet... God loved him, forgave him, and used him to do some wonderful things! David came to understand the goodness of God. When presented with a set of options, none of which was good, he shows his faith in the Lord saying, “They’re all terrible! But I’d rather be punished by God, whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands.”(2 Samuel 24:14, The Message) Ah, friend, what an awesome God He is! His grace is beyond all measure. His love is so great as to defy our descriptions. Our friends and acquaintances, even our families, will give up on us when God is just getting started with us.

I am certain that had I been in Israel at the time of King David, when the Jerusalem Daily News published the headline - "King kills loyal commander in failed attempt at cover-up" - I would have concluded he was beyond hope, a failure, a disgrace; that it was time for a new king.

There is a passage in Ephesians that I read from time to time precisely because I learn, again, the depth of God's grace. Read it slowly. As you do, take special note of the turning point.

"You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:2-10, NLT)

BUT GOD, rich in mercy, loved us so much! That little conjunction, BUT, interrupts a sad story of sin and failure. Just when we conclude that we or someone we know is beyond hope, God steps us and says, "Not so quick! Now, it's my turn!" Paul knew that from his own personal experience. A self-righteous Pharisee, he hated Jesus and His followers, persecuting them intensely. He was hell-bent on destruction, but God met him on the road to Damascus and from that encounter emerged the apostle to the world, the man who, second only to Jesus Christ, shaped our Christian beliefs.

"Jerry, just look at my life. I'm ...." is the way many conversations have started with people who have concluded they are too bad, too prone to failure, to be of any use to God. I am so glad that even when I want to agree with them and say, "Yes, you're right. You are just one big mess," I remember that with God there is no one who is too far gone, beyond hope, past the reach of the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ. So, I respond, sometimes with more faith than anything else, "But God..." And I have watched Him work some amazing transformations.
Thank Him, today, for His grace. Thank Him for second chances, for His offer to take the very things you think have disqualified you from His service and use them to shape and mold you into a servant that perfectly fits His plans and purposes.

____________________________________

Before The Throne Of God Above

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.

One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.

© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055

Forget self-confidence!

Yesterday, I opened the Sept./Oct. '06 issue of Discipleship Journal and saw an interview with Pastor Ted Haggard printed there and it made me feel sick and sad all over again. I realize you may have had enough 'Haggard' to last you for a long time, but indulge me one more time to write about his moral crash. Ted Haggard, in case you've been stuck in the wilds for a week, is the man who led Colorado's largest church until last Sunday, is a prolific author, and the recent president of the National Association of Evangelicals. One week ago today his involvement with a male prostitute and with illicit drug usage was exposed and led to his removal from his ministries.

The question that keeps echoing in my head is: how did he descend into such an ugly, sinful secret life?

Perhaps he thought he was strong enough to fight off temptation by himself. Many of us do! It is hard, very hard, to look in the mirror and admit to ourselves that we have lied, that we have cheated, that lust stalks our mind, that we taste the poison of hatred, that we have been greedy, or such things. So we learn to give our sins other names, as though renaming them makes them less sinful. And we devise schemes that we think will keep us from doing what we know should not do. Still we fail; again and again. The more we fail, the deeper our sense of alienation. The more alone we feel, the more desperate we become. Our desperation leads to the need for an escape, which fuels temptation, against which we feel powerless and so, we do it again - strengthening the cycle. Sin is bigger than you, me, or any living person.

Don't trust that 'knowing better' is a strong defense against temptation, either. On Monday, 11/6/2006, the LA Times, published this excerpt from Haggard's book, Letters from Home. Published in 2002, the book is framed as a letter to the two oldest of his five children, who were preparing for college at that time. In a section called "Live as if there are no secrets," he listed powerful men brought down by lust or lies, including Presidents Nixon and Clinton and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. "Major leaders have lost their positions of influence because of what they did alone in a room," he wrote. "Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that you can do something in secret, even when you are far away from home," Haggard urged his children. "This is a lie, and it will always come back to haunt you." Four years later, Haggard's own life blew up after his hotel room depravity was made public. He knew better but did it anyway. In Romans the power of temptation even in the face of knowing better is made clear. There we read: "I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge." (Romans 7:22-23, The Message)

Trying to self-regulate our behavior is a weak defense, too. Paul reminds us that rules and religion are ultimately powerless to change the sinful nature that resides in everyone of us! “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.” Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires." (Colossians 2:21-24, NLT) In a statement read to the church he had pastored, Haggard spoke of the powerful temptations that overcame his inhibitions. "For extended periods of time, I would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom, then, from time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach."

Some of us think that fear of being shamed and/or internal guilt will save us from ourselves. It won't! We have amazing powers of self-justification. I am speculating, but I wonder how many times Haggard dealt with his guilty shame by rationalizing "I'll never do it again. It was just the pressure of that moment that made me weak."

Here's the part you probably won't like today. Haggard's sin is particularly repulsive to most of us, but in reality, his sin is no worse than yours or mine in the eyes of God! Honestly, which one of is not a hypocrite in one way or another? Which one of can say that our daily lives are in perfect harmony with our professed values? That said, I will go on to say that those who say that they live in by the Spirit should be growing in Christ's grace, closing the gap between words and actions! If his sin becomes an excuse for anyone of us to make peace with with our own sins, we have erred in our conclusion, and failed to gain a thing from his example. His failure should be a call to each one of us to renew our daily commitment to spiritual disciplines that create pathways for the Spirit to enter our lives in a powerfully transforming way. His fall should teach us the importance of staying in touch with those who can call us to account and seeking the Spirit's powerful conviction that will turn us from our lusts and lapses.

Paradoxically, the Bible teaches us to admit to our inherent weaknesses, for 'when we are weak, then we are strong!' Paul says, "Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence." The Message (1 Co 10:11-12)

There it is! Forget self-confidence.... cultivate God-confidence.

"Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 7:24-25, NLT)
_________________________

Take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends with God's children;
Help those who are weak,Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy. Let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Take Time To Be Holy
Author: Longstaff, William D. / Stebbins, George C.
Copyright: Public Domain

God's fool.

The king was delighted to be bringing the treasured Ark of the Covenant of God to Jerusalem. The gold chest which had been the symbolic place of God's dwelling among the people had been part of Israel's national life for centuries; sometimes revered, sometimes feared, sometimes abused. Now, David had dedicated a place in his royal city for it. As the Ark was brought to the city, it was a way of inviting God Himself to be at home there. David was ecstatic and as the procession entered the city with songs and music, he abandoned all dignity, dancing and leaping in the streets! The Bible reports on his action with this simple summary: "David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic." (2 Samuel 6:14, NLT)

One of his wives, Michal, whose life with David can best be described as tumultuous, watched him dancing in honor of God and felt it was a display that no dignified king should allow in public. When David came home, she said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”" (2 Samuel 6:20, NIV) He was not actually naked! He had laid aside royal robes and put on the plain shirt of a priest. But she found it a distasteful, disgraceful performance. His reply to her shows his heart for God- “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord." (2 Samuel 6:21, NLT)

"I am willing to act like a fool to show my joy in the Lord!"
That phrase challenges me today. Am I willing to love and serve God in a way that invites the ridicule of others? What matters more to me, to be 'respected' by my friends or to be devoted to my God? Tragically, this story is often used as an excuse for self-indulgent 'worship.' When somebody wants to just 'do their thing' in a church service, creating a display that is distracting to others, they quote this passage as justification for their actions. What an awful trivialization of a great lesson. The account goes to a much deeper issue than whether it is right to do a dance step in worship! It is about a life that is lived in worshipful abandon for God's glory.

Last week I learned of a couple who are skilled and educated people who have moved to the deep jungle of New Guinea with their children. They live primitively, traveling by boat to the village where they have already spent 6 years and where they will spend another 14 years. They endure loneliness, have experienced life-threatening disease. For what? To learn the language and culture of the tribal people so they can communicate the Gospel of Christ! They have yet to make a convert, but they consider their sacrifice as no great thing in the service of the God they love! Many would label them as fools. Would you? Their lives are a 'dance in honor of their God!'

There are two ways to live - in a way that seeks the best of life, here and now; or in a way that seeks God's honor. They are seldom the same path. One is lived for Self, oriented around creating a comfortable life, accumulating things, avoiding suffering - a way of life much respected in our American culture. The other is lived for God, focused on eternity. Love and service are the primary characteristics of that life. Honestly, not many of us, truly live it. We may live a form of it, but self-interest is never far from our thoughts.

May the story of David challenge us to dance with abandon, to forget ourselves in our passionate pursuit of God! When friends and family question our 'foolish' choices, we can respond, "I was dancing before the Lord!"

Ponder this passage today:
"You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.” Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?
Don’t be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:33-38, CEV)

A grain of salt...

Thinking about staying home from the polls tomorrow because you think it does not really matter? Consider these elections....

• In 1999, Leslie Byrne was elected to the Virginia Senate by 37 votes, less than one vote per precinct.
• Donald Sherwood was elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania by a margin of 515 votes, less than one vote per precinct making this election the closest House of Representative race in 1998
  
• Loretta Sanchez was elected to Congress from California by less than 4 votes per precinct in 1996
  
• John F. Kennedy's margin of victory over Richard Nixon in 1960 was less than one vote per precinct.
  
• One vote per precinct passed woman suffrage in California in 1911.

Tomorrow Americans have a privilege that comparatively few people down through history have enjoyed - the ability to choose their leaders. Political leaders estimate that just a little more than half of those who are registered to vote will actually go to the polls on Tuesday. And only about 40% of people of voting age in the US will vote! I sincerely hope that you are not one of those who says, "what does my vote really mean, so why bother?" The truth is that one vote is powerful especially in a year like this one in which many political contests are too close to call just a day before the elections.

So, some of you are probably thinking, "Jerry, why are you writing about this in TFTD? Isn't the mission of this daily email about encouraging spiritual development?" Yes; and Believer, I am convinced that as a follower of Christ one of the ways we must practice our faith and bring a God-centered worldview into influence in our society is with the ballot. I urge you to pray about your vote. Paul urged the Believers living in pagan societies of his time to bear public witness. He said, "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)

Know why you're voting for that person to whom you give your support. Research the candidate's positions, and vote wisely, not simply emotionally. Have you viewed that AARP ad featuring the 'candidate' who does a great 'song and dance' routine, who smiles widely and serves up supper, but never talks about issues? It's a good one! The point of the ad is that we need to look past the personality to the position. I'm not endorsing the AARP but it is important that we not allow personal charisma or lack there of to be the reason we support a candidate. Nor can we let a candidate's rhetoric guide us alone. Look at their record, at specific votes, at what various advocacy groups have to say about their positions. With a little digging, information is available. (Don't write to me and ask me for whom you ought to vote!)

Truthfully, in very few situations will you find a candidate that perfectly conforms to your ideals. Selecting the person you support will involve prioritizing issues that you consider to be important and then choosing the candidate that reflects the values you list highest on your list. I would encourage you not to be single issue voter. Consider the totality of a candidate's positions.

Here are several issues to consider beyond the normal party affiliation:

• Does this candidate believe that life is sacred with a consistent position on all human life?
  
• Does this candidate seek ways to provide justice to all people- rich, poor, black, and white?
  
• Is this candidate actively concerned about economic opportunity for all people?
  
• Does this candidate show a genuine respect for God's creation, balancing the need for development with environmental preservation?

Jesus tells us to be the salt of the earth. Though we primarily think of salt as a flavor, in His time, salt served a much more valuable function. Since there was no refrigeration, salt was the primary means of preserving foods, particularly meat, from spoiling. Tomorrow see your ballot as a grain of salt, a way of preserving the political process from corruption. Though alone we are like a small grain of salt, our grains of salt, together, can and will make a real difference.

"Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government." (1 Peter 2:13-17, The Message)

A special prayer request

I am terribly sad today, broken-hearted for the Kingdom of God as another leader of the church has apparently sinned terribly against his Lord, his church, and his family.

Ted Haggard, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of New Life Church in Co. Springs, CO, (I attended a small groups leadership conference there in April, 2006) was accused by a male prostitute of soliciting sex on a monthly basis and of using methamphetamine drugs. Haggard has only said there is 'some truth,' to the allegations and has resigned his position as the president of NAE and stepped aside from his position as pastor to 'seek guidance and spiritual counsel.'

Please pray for this man, for his family, for the church he had led - and for the witness of Jesus Christ in America.

I urge you, Believer, not to become defensive or condemning! This is an opportunity to love a fallen brother before the world in the spirit of Christ Jesus and an opportunity to show humility in acknowledging our sinful humanity, the reason we all need a Savior.

In these kinds of situations we are tempted to become angry, accusatory as we hurt and feel the reflected shame of hypocrisy and failure. Don't do it! Cry for this man. Cry for those who will deepen their suspicions of Christianity as a result. And, PRAY - for the grace of God to defeat evil.

Thank you, friend.

May God's peaceful presence be yours today.

Do you know your need?

So where do you put yourself on the sliding scale of acceptability? Come on, now. It is a common human trait to compare ourselves with others in our search for significance. For example, a person might reason - "I'm nowhere near Mother Teresa on the compassion scale, but I'm not Saddam Hussein, either." As long as we can find someone we consider inferior to ourselves, in whatever measure we are using, we can find a certain kind of comfort. We will also remain unaware of our true neediness!

Simon invited Jesus to his house for dinner. Simon was noted in his town for his rectitude. His home was on the right street. His friends were chosen from among the right group. He kept his finances in order. His family knew his expectations and did not challenge him for they had been well taught about the importance of maintaining his reputation in the community. Even his clothes were right, his robes selected to say, "I'm a serious man worthy of respect." Since Jesus was a rabbi with a growing reputation and was coming to town, it was 'right' to invite him to dinner. The evening was done right, everything prepared in detail, nothing left to chance. After all, that was the way Simon, the Pharisee, lived his life. Appearances were important.

As dinner was ending and conversation was flowing among the men, all chosen carefully according to their position, it happened! A woman with reputation in town for being 'available,' showed up and somehow made it into the room. She went straight to Jesus! The silence was deafening. The rabbi was a customer of this woman? How could that be? Anger rose in Simon as his perfectly planned occasion went off script. He wanted to call the servants to usher this woman out, but Jesus was the ranking guest and she was at his feet so it was up to Him to send her away, but ...

Simon gasped for what he was seeing was beyond imagination. She was starting to cry, not just wet eyes, but cascades of tears. She was kneeling down and .... kissing His feet! Then, loosened her hair as though she were in the privacy of her own bedroom. What? She is wiping her tears from His feet with her hair? Surely, they must be lovers. He couldn't even think for moment. Then, his shock gave way to rage. Ever polite, ever the respectable Simon, he held his tongue, but in his mind, he sneered, "A prophet? If He were a prophet, he would know this woman's reputation and drive her off. He wouldn't let her touch Him." Then, he thought he heard Jesus speaking to him. "Did I say that out loud?" he thought to himself. He hadn't; but Jesus heard his thoughts and was answering him.

"Simon, I have something to tell you. ...
“Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”

“That’s right,” said Jesus.

Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said,
“Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (Luke 7:40-47, The Message)

The tragedy of a life like Simon's is that is has no passion for God, no deep appreciation of grace. Self-righteousness obscures the desperately sinful heart that is only made right by a grace awakening. Rigid self-discipline restrains the most egregious temptations from becoming reality, not so much from a desire to be holy for God's sake, but to appear holy for self's sake! "What would they think of me?" is a question asked much more often than, "What does God want from me?" Social respectability takes the place of awesome holiness because it is no the Spirit that gives life, but the Law that rules in death! With little sense of need, the Simon's of the world never come to tears of gratitude, never know the amazing love of God in a way that is beyond reason, beyond theology, beyond religion. "The forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal!"

God's truth to those of us who are so much like Simon is this - "For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins." (Romans 3:23-24, NLT) We don't have to become human wrecks, drowning in flagrant depravity before we realize His love. We need only invite the Spirit to show us our heart, to shine the Light into the corners of our pride, our lovelessness, our self-sufficiency. When we see the truth about ourselves, we have two options - return to the sliding scale of comparisons where we hide our need - OR we can pray, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’" (Luke 18:13, NKJV)

Do you know your need?

Doing what's right.

Mort Zuckerman, editor of U.S. News, writes about two kinds of cultures - the shame culture and the guilt culture - in an article published in the 11/6/06 issue. In that essay, he reflects on the growing problem with cheating in our nation - everywhere from Little League, to college entrance exams, to paying taxes. "Millions of Americans routinely engage in insurance fraud, cable TV theft, and software piracy... and see themselves as decent, law-abiding citizens. ... because," he reports, "they think there is more to gain by cheating than to lose. Inflamed by envy, they seek to be better off." One reason for our lack of integrity is that we are shifting from a guilt culture, that is, feeling guilty because we have a conscience that tells us when we're doing right and wrong; to a shame culture, where we only feel badly about doing wrong if we get caught and are exposed to public ridicule.

That really got my attention! With the erosion of knowledge of absolute 'right and wrong' that has developed right alongside of a growing agnosticism, comes a loss of conscience. With a loss of conscience, comes a lack of self-restraint for there is little incentive to do the right thing unless our actions are monitored by another.

So, who are you when no one is looking? What thoughts do you allow to fill up your mind where no one, except God, can see? Jesus states the principle that we act out of what we think! He said, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, NIV) That being true, the key to changed behavior is not greater restraint or monitoring. If we want to act differently, we must begin to think differently.

Here's good news. We can be changed, from the inside out, by the power of the Holy Spirit of God! It's not easy, nor is it simple. It won't happen in one moment or even in a single day. It's an ongoing process that we can sabotage by a few decisions. But, becoming a good person, with real integrity, is possible. It's a costly choice, and will most likely lead some, perhaps even many, to mock you as naive; or worse, as a fool for not seeking your own advantage.

So, how does it happen?

First, we respond to the Spirit of God with humility and faith to put our trust in Christ as Savior and Lord.

We must be converted! The Bible says that we are born to sin, flawed from the first by the nature we inherit from Adam. There is no remedy for this fatal 'disease' apart from Jesus. So, we begin by praying, "Come into my life and take over, Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive me, and clean me up!" Here's the wonderful promise of the Word. "Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message)

Second, we invite the Spirit to be at work in us on a daily basis, not just on Sunday; not just in some quiet moment in the early morning or late evening, but everywhere, all day long.

Paul tells us to "walk in the Spirit." That's just what it sounds like. Take a daily walk with Him. Don't run ahead, don't leave Him at home. Of course, we can't really do that because God, the Spirit, is omnipresent but we can ignore Him! Be in the Presence of God by praying often, inviting Him to speak to your heart, to shape the thoughts of your mind.

Third, we become students of the Word.

As we read and study the Bible, God's wisdom becomes our wisdom. How should a follower of Jesus live? Start with Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7! Those three chapters can occupy your meditations for a very long time! Then, in Bible studies, in reading good Christian literature, from solidly Biblical preaching learn about the ways of God.

Fourth, discover the spiritual disciplines.

These disciplines are to the development of Christian character what exercise is to the development of the body! If we want to be fit and healthy, we know we must exercise. It's the one factor of good health that physicians universally agree on. 30 minutes a day walking at a good pace is the simplest and most effective way to maintain our health! But, many of us won't do it! Similarly, a solid Christian character is built by daily disciplines - prayer, Scripture intake, worship, giving, confession - to name a few. We choose to do them, not because we have a surge of feelings or because they are 'fun,' but because we have a goal of becoming good, like Christ. Know this, spiritual discipline comes last, not first! If you move this to the top of the list, you will just become religious, not good! Without a genuine change of heart and the daily experience of the life of the Spirit, any practice of spiritual discipline is just another expression of self, and will soon be corrupted into hypocrisy.

Believer, let me ask you straight out... what's in your heart?
Are you joining others in the shame culture, willing in self-interest to do wrong unless you think you will get caught?

Repent! Yes, turn to God and pray for a new heart and a fresh start. Ask the Lord to give you a tender conscience that knows the difference between right and wrong, that feels guilt so that you will quickly turn to Him and do what is right - ultimately for the glory and honor of God!

Here is a word from the Word. Take it with you today.
"Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. ... we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NLT)

A day to celebrate LIFE!

This past weekend, a movie called "Saw III" was the number one money-maker in American theaters. The movie is one of a genre called slasher films and features copious amounts of terror, blood, and torture. (No, I have not seen it. I read the website!) For reasons I've never understood, some of us get a kick out of being scared to death by watching psychopaths destroy human beings on film. Of course, I know that what is on the screen is not real. But, why make 'art' out of the horrors that actually do take place in hidden corners of our world? Which brings me to this day, not one of my favorite days on the calendar; the day of little witches at the front door, fake blood, destruction of property, and all things ugly!

Yes, it is Halloween, the time for fright and "fun." But, I'm going to pass on it, as I usually do. Unlike some Believers, my reason for passing up the celebration of Halloween is not fear of demons or worry about being tainted by evil. The power of the Resurrected Christ and the Spirit of God in me has removed fear of the occult from my life. For me there's enough evil, horror, and tragedy in the daily news. I just don't need to have a day to mark the ever-present death and sorrow that stalks our world. My calling as a follower of Jesus Christ is a to be a person who gives life, light, hope, and joy to those in my world.

No, I'm not a crank. I'll meet the kids at the front door this evening with a sugary treat. But, throughout this day, I will be praying for the blessings of God to come to this broken, fallen world were there is so much suffering and sadness coming from deceived sinful people and from the schemes of the Evil One. I will be looking for ways to be a person who gives those blessings - in my words, in my attitudes, and in my actions. You see, I want to be known for being a person who is 'for' something, not for what I'm against, don't you? I'm not against celebrating Halloween, despite the occult and evil themes that are woven into the day. I'm for Jesus and for goodness! I believe we who are His followers should be noted for the rich and full lives we enjoy as a result of His love, rather than being known as cranky people who are always 'against' this or that.

I am a rich man because of knowing Christ as Savior and Lord. From Him, I gain purpose for my life. I am part of a grand plan that God Himself created for the world! From Him, I gain hope. Even death, the great enemy of us all, loses the power to terrify me because in Him I live eternally. From Him, I learn to love because I am loved. No longer must I fight to keep my place in this world, for He has secured me as His own child. From Him, I gain the ability to over-rule the sinful nature that drives others to self-destruction, for the Spirit in me teaches me to "turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. ... and to "live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God!" (Titus 2:12, NLT)

Do you know Him? Have you received the gift of His life?
Then celebrate it! Do not give in to the Pharisees in the church that find every occasion to criticize, condemn, and carp on the sins of the world.
Sing a new song! Make it about the glory of being one of God's own people.

Jesus wants us to live in joyful celebration.
He says, “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)
_______________________

All I once held dear,
Built my life upon,
All this world reveres,
And wars to own,
All I once thought gain
I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now,
Compared to this.

Knowing You, Jesus,
knowing You,
There is no greater thing.
You're my all,
You're the best,
You're my joy,
my righteousness,
And I love You, Lord.

Now my heart's desire
Is to know You more,
To be found in You,
And known as Yours,
To possess by faith
What I could not earn;
All surpassing gift of righteousness.

Oh to know the power of
Your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings,
To become like You
In Your death, my Lord;
So with You to live, and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus,
knowing You,
There is no greater thing.
You're my all,
You're the best,
You're my joy,
my righteousness,
And I love You, Lord.

Knowing You - Kendrick, Graham
Copyright: 1993 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)

Your work is appreciated!

Yesterday, members of the congregation I that I serve as Pastor said, "thank you!" It was an observance of Pastor's Appreciation Day. I have difficulty accepting affirmation. Since I am the privileged one who gets to do what he loves to do in life, I'm always more than a little embarrassed by an event organized in which people thank me for just doing what I love and what God has called me to do! After all, what could be more rewarding than having the trust of people who allow me to teach them God's Word, week by week? I feel like I have a family numbering in the hundreds - complete with kids to love, fights to settle, sorrows to share, and significant milestones to celebrate. Most days I love being a Pastor. (Yes, there days when I complain, but don't we all?)

Today, I want to keep TFTD simple. I want to encourage you to be an encourager.
Brighten somebody's day with a word of genuine encouragement.

For that service person, a sincere, "Thank you," along with a generous tip will do it. For someone who has gone the extra mile with you, a note of appreciation is in order. Keep it honest and, where possible, make it specific. As I read through the cards yesterday, there was one that I could not finish because of the tears of joy that blocked my vision. A father thanked me - in a specific way - for expressing affection to his kids, which he realized was meaningful to them and made them understand that they are people who matter in an often impersonal world. His specific word of thanks made me feel great!

The Word tells us to "speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, The Message) Look for creative ways to do that! In few weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Why not turn the day into a whole month of 'thanks-living?' Purposefully seek out ways to cultivate gratitude. When you find a complaint forming in your mind, and you're getting ready to be a critic, turn it into a compliment or an opportunity for affirmation!

"Ah, Jerry, life's not always rosy. People fail, don't do their job, are sometimes lazy, and take advantage of me." You are right! We're all sinners and we offend each other in a hundred ways - intentionally and thoughtlessly. There are most certainly times when we must correct wrong behavior, when we must speak honestly to another's failure, but must we do that all the time? Is there so little to praise that we feel compelled to be miserable critics, growling our way through the day? I think not!

Truthfully, most of us will respond to affirmation, we will be drawn along to change by genuine praise, much more quickly and effectively than we are driven by criticism.
So, go spread joy today. Give up your need to be 'right,' or 'comfortable,' and encourage. What you give, you'll get, so make it good!
_________________________

Gather 'round me, everybody!
Gather 'round me while I'm preachin' !
Feel a sermon comin' on me -
The topic will be sin and that's what I'm ag'in'
If you wanna hear my story,
then settle back and just sit tight,
While I start reviewin' the attitude of doin' right!

You've got to accentuate the positive!
Eliminate the negative!Latch
on to the affirmative,
don't mess with Mister In-Between!

You've got to spread joy up to the maximum!
Bring gloom down to the minimum!
Have faith or pandemonium's
liable to walk upon the scene.

- Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer

An Upward orientation?

The clergyman at the funeral was saying the right kinds of words, but - for me, at least - it was flat, dry, and devoid of the Spirit. I didn't get the feeling that he thought of God as present in the room or that his intent was to connect those of us in the congregation with the Spirit. I came away from that service yesterday, empty and sad. In what should have been a holy place, a church dedicated to the worship of Christ, I found only a human performance, someone who appeared to be 'going through the motions.' Admittedly, such a conclusion is subjective, but it caused me to think about living my own life with an upward orientation. I asked myself, "Jerry, do you keep your own heart and mind in tune with the Spirit? Are you living your life primarily to please other people or to honor your God? Are you a holy man in whom the Spirit is at home?"

Those are hard questions. I cannot say that I meet those goals anywhere near even most of the time, but I want to! Paul's simple directive - "Pray continually!" (1 Thes. 5:17) is aimed at the same goal. He is not asking each of us to enter a monastic order where we can spend our days in a prayer cell hidden from the pursuits of life. Instead, he teaches us to become God aware, so that all our life is addressed to the Lord. The classic by the 17th century Brother Lawrence "Practicing the Presence of God" is about living in this way. Lawrence was a simple man whose primary duties in his order were not 'spiritual.' Yet, in his kitchen work, he found that he could live with an upward orientation, experiencing the Presence of God.

Paul says that the Believer who lives his life with an upward orientation, who is filled with the Holy Spirit, has a unique quality that is like an expensive fragrance. "Through us, he (God) brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, The Message)

When I first dated my wife Bev, 32 years ago, she wore a fragrance called WindSong. From that moment, whenever I detect that same fragrance, I think of her because the fragrance brings back a memory. The Word says that when we put on Christ, He creates a quality of life in us that is undeniable. We must live so as to turn others attention to God- and for some that will be a life enhancing moment; for others, a reminder that they are dead to God!

Like Paul, I am daunted by this responsibility for as I've already admitted, I fall short of representing Him well to my world too often. Yes, on my own, I cannot consistently live with an upward orientation. Only the Spirit of God, living in me, overcomes my weaknesses and flaws, my sins and my failures. Jesus taught this using a different illustration. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit!" (John 15) We are connected and from Him draw life.

As you venture into your life today, take Him with you.
Right now, take a moment to become 'God aware.'
Now, ask the Spirit to make Himself known - to your thoughts, in your words- so that others, even those who are without faith in God, will say, "When he comes around, God comes with him."
________________________

Father, we step onto the merry-go-round of life and it often gets hectic.
Our phones ring, deadlines come, fatigue sets in.
Please keep us in a place where we are aware of the Spirit.
Don't let us live profanely, grieving You, pushing You to the edge of our mind and heart.

When we start to perform for others, thinking only of pleasing them,
remind us that You are the One we live for, that Your applause and approval
is what really matters. Protect us from empty religion, or even from spiritual acts done
to impress other people. Center our devotion on You.
This we pray in Christ's Name. Amen.

Break the cycle!

In the book of Judges (not one of my favorite Bible books) there are stories that reveal a spiritual cycle that the people of God lived generation after generation.


They enjoyed God's blessings and in the flush of prosperity became apathetic towards Him.
Then, they turned to other gods and the Lord withdrew His blessing from them.
As a consequence, they were unable to stand up to those who attacked them, and they were oppressed by foreign rulers.
In their distress, they cried out to God who, because of His gracious mercy, sent a them leaders that brought them back to Him.
When they returned to faithfulness to their God, they were delivered from oppression into renewed blessings!


This same cycle can happen to us in our own lifetime; and it is common across the generations. I am not talking about the rise and fall of our spiritual emotions, the highs and lows that come to each one. In the course of our walk with God we will traverse mountaintops- from which we enjoy wonderful vistas of faith and bask in the beauty of God's Presence- and we will descend into valleys where we cling to His hand though we cannot see beyond the moment. That is normal Christian life!


Andrae Crouch wrote a song that includes these lines about that:
So I thank God for the mountains,
And I thank Him for the valleys.
I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through;
'cause if I never had a problem,
I wouldn't know that He could solve them,
I wouldn't know what faith in God could do! - Through It All


Of concern to us should be the tendency that we have to drift away from consistent faithfulness in the practice of spiritual disciplines. If we allow our commitment to cool, compromise creeps in, and we find ourselves far from God. Both Moses and Joshua challenged Israel to keep the faith! Moses told them to talk about the Lord at home, on the road, at work, in the morning, in the evening. (Deut. 6:4-8) His point was that they should never let a day pass without renewing their awareness of God's presence. A generation later Joshua said, "Choose today, whom you will serve! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" (Joshua 24:14-16) He, too, was urging them to renew their commitment on a daily basis.


You and I must do this, too.

As life grows busy, it is so easy to become slaves of the urgent matters, leading us to neglect the important things! In times of blessings, we tend to put our spiritual lives on cruise control - leaving our Bibles unopened, our prayers unspoken, and times of corporate worship fewer and farther between. When troubles come, if we have not tended the fire of faith, we tend to blame God rather than run to Him. Our failure to stay near to His heart leads us to being afraid of the very One that is our Hope and Strength.


Here's a challenge from the Word.
Meditate on it for a few moments today as you pray- "Lord, keep my faith fresh, alive- my commitment strong. For Your glory, Amen."

"Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him.
For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:22-25, NLT)

What is different about you?

When Dean trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, he changed- really changed. A coworker who missed his risqué jokes and other things that were part of the 'old man,' said, "What's wrong with you?" I think it might be better phrased, "What's right with you?" Genuine Christianity is about personal transformation. We throw that word around loosely much of the time not actually getting to the real meaning of spiritual transformation.


In Revolution, George Barna writes - "Spiritual transformation is any significant and lasting transition in your life wherein you switch from one substantial practice or perspective to something wholly different that alters you at a basic level. Switching from a Methodist church to a Presbyterian church is not transformational; determining to live in accordance with a Biblical worldview is. Attending Sunday School after years of absence is not transformational; identifying one's spiritual gifts, and grasping the call to use those gifts for the Kingdom's outcomes, and initiating a lifestyle of service to others is..... Transformation is a significant spiritual breakthrough... and you are never the same.. it redefines you."


As Dean discovered, transformation - like all real change - is disturbing. It upsets the status quo and makes people uncomfortable. Jesus was radical about it! Read His shocking words: "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”" (Luke 12:51-53, NIV) Tepid religion that makes nice does not do that! Spiritual transformation does!


A person who has met God, who has confronted his sins and in whom the Spirit now resides, becomes a fanatic about loving God. His life, even more than his words, is a rebuke to those who are living for lesser things. His passion for justice, for holiness, for Christ is so overwhelming that those who do not know God often want the transformed person to go away and take "Jesus" with him. Let's not get the wrong idea here. Some people are just obnoxiously religious! They rudely shove their religion in other's faces, become the office Ayatollah who judges everyone else. That's not the offense of the Cross. That's just being ignorant and rude.

Genuinely spiritual transformed people often say little, but their life is so changed, that their very presence brings others to the realization of their own spiritual bankruptcy. In a story recorded in Acts 4, Peter and John go to the Temple for prayer. On their way they saw a man who could not walk and he asked them for some change. Having no money, Peter and John shared the power of God with him, and he was healed. They got arrested for it! Dragged before the religious council, they spoke passionately and eloquently about Jesus. The transformation from rough Galilee peasants to powerful men of God caused that council to take note that "these men had been with Jesus."

Believer, are you being transformed by 'being with Jesus' or just reformed by religion?

Is your life totally re-oriented around a core love of God or are you just making adjustments, on the edges, in an attempt to be a marginally better person?

If we are seeking God, if we are in a daily conversation with the Holy Spirit, the Bible says that He will "...transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2, NLT)

Meditate on that challenge today! Pray, "Lord Jesus, change me - from the inside out!"

It's no simple makeover, it's a radical life change - a revolution.

_________________________

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine, all my being refine
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

copied - public doman

A missionary - 9 miles from home.

There are hundreds of opportunities to do God's work right where you live. With more available resources, many Believers are taking trips to the far sides of the globe to teach kids, build churches, and share the good news of Jesus Christ in street outreaches. And that's a good thing! Cross cultural short-term ministry in locations far from home can be exciting - exhilarating even. But, there's a mission field right outside your front door! I 're-discovered' that fact for myself yesterday.

I received a call from a woman requesting that I lead a memorial service for a man she loved for 31 years who had died last week. at a relatively young age of 55. At first, it seemed an odd request. The deceased man was a Buddhist! Initially I was inclined to refuse the request, but after listening to her, I felt compelled to do the service. I made certain she knew that I would speak of Jesus Christ and from the Bible. She said that would not be a problem. Arriving at the hall where there would be a brunch after remarks, I found a group of about 25 gathered. They listened quietly, politely, but without visible reaction, to the Scripture, the words, the prayers, and then I sat down, thinking to myself, "Why I am here? That surely didn't go well!" I was at a table with four men, his buddies from work, all in their 50's; men who showed the marks of labor, dressed in work clothes, whose words were rough despite their best efforts to honor the presence of the preacher at their table. As we ate, there was a strained silence for a time so I asked questions about their late friend. "What did he like to do? Tell me a story about him." Gradually they opened up with recollections of the man. Then, out of the quiet, a man sitting at the table said, "I don't hold much with religion. But, I guess he knows now what we're all gonna find out sooner or later." General agreement was mumbled and nodded all around and then they all looked at me! On reflection, I am not all that certain that I said anything all that profound, but when I stood to leave, they thanked me for coming to spend some time with them in their time of grief.

On my drive back home, I realized that I had just made a missions trip,' though I'd only traveled 9 miles! I had, for a few moments, stepped into another world that exists virtually outside of my front door. I pray that something I said or did reflected the Light of my Savior to those who were living in spiritual darkness.

We must let ourselves think, even for a moment, that real needs exist only across an ocean or in a land far away. Spiritual needs and opportunities to love others in the name of our Lord are all around us.

Did you know that you could join a team and visit in a local jail for a Bible class and to be a friend once a week?
Did you realize that there are nursing homes that would welcome your presence an hour each week to read to someone, or even to conduct a worship service?
Did you know that Big Brothers and Big Sisters are always looking for volunteers to mentor a child?
Did you know that there are elderly people in our community who would consider a couple of hours a month to help with household maintenance a gift from Heaven?
Have you considered that the people at the lunch table at work might be your mission field?

"Come on, Jerry, my life is already full. I am busy." I hear you! I am not interested in leading any guilt trips today. Perhaps you are already fully engaged in using your spiritual gifts (we all have them!) to accomplish God's work. And yes, I know this too, we each have differing callings and opportunities. Just make sure you're actually seeing the needs and stepping up in obedience to do what the Lord is asking you to do. Jesus led the disciples into the region of Samaria, to be among people that were 'invisible' to them. Then He challenged them as he would challenge you and me: "I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time! “The Harvester isn’t waiting. He’s taking his pay, gathering in this grain that’s ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant." (John 4:35-36, The Message)

Jesus told us that when God's Spirit rested on us, the transformation of our lives would cause us to become living demonstrators of the Truth of His Gospel 'in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' Are you only seeing the need that exists far away? Don't overlook your home town as a place to do God's work. For most of us, it is our mission field!
___________________________

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Ira Sankey © 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055

Honest to God?

In mid-week, when I put on a necktie and jacket, Bev jokes with me about 'putting on my armor!' But she's on the mark. It's amazing what a little strip of silk around his neck and a dress shirt can do for a man's image. If I put on my blue jeans, sneakers, a sweatshirt and a baseball cap, I find people responding to me entirely differently than when I put on a suit and tie. Why? Because each outfit 'says' something about 'who I am' in that moment. Those who really know me, relate to me the same way regardless of my clothing. But, the larger world takes their relational cue from my 'image.' That's a rather harmless illustration of the power of external appearances.

The sad truth is that many of us are all about the external image. We live as though life is one big movie set where we take on one role after another and act it out. The tragedy of this is that in the middle of all the pretending and posing, we often lose touch with ourselves and reality. It takes some real effort and a lot of growing up to stop posing for life's camera! Image building, once the fascination of actors and politicians, is now the obsession of many Americans. "How do I look?" is the key question asked by posers and pretenders. The reality of their life matters little as long as they 'look good' to the world. The superficiality that is rampant in America feeds whole industries that are designed to help us project whatever image we've chosen as our ideal.

So, what's wrong with that? Much, in every way!

First of all there is the issue of integrity. If we choose to appear to be somebody that we are not, we lie! Lying offends God and is terribly destructive. Perpetuating even a little bit of fraud requires increasing effort and more fraud, creating dishonesty that grows with a snowball effect.

Second, projecting an image is all about pride. Image is about the big "I." When we are treating others as a mirror in which we see our own reflection, we will not concern ourselves about their needs. We will not be able to listen well. We will not be capable of being present and attentive. Instead we will be posing and preening like a little girl playing dress up in front of Mommy's mirror! Every watch that tableau? A four year old will try on all kinds of faces, adopt different voices amusing herself with her own reflection. It's funny when it happens with a four year old and a full length mirror. It's pitiful when it happens with a forty year old trying on different 'images' for the world.

Third, who we really are eventually emerges. Better to have been real all along, don't you think? Supposedly President Abraham Lincoln, renowned as "Honest Abe" said, "You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you can't fool all of the people all the time." To which I respond, then why not choose to live honestly, openly, and authentically from the start?

God's word calls you and me to humility. "...serve each other in humility, for “God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5, NLT) Jesus illustrated the quality of humility He desires from us on the night before His crucifixion. His disciples were pretending and posing, puffing and primping, as they fought over their relative importance in their little group. Full of themselves and in love with their images of self-importance, none of them would serve, so Jesus got up from the Passover meal and took up the servant's towel and basin. He made His way from man to man, washing their filthy feet, in the custom of the hospitable household at that time. His choice to take the place of the lowest, though He was the Greatest, shocked and offended those men. Peter protested, "You will never wash my feet!" But Jesus did. "After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you." (John 13:12-15, NLT) I don't think he meant we should have foot washing rituals! He spoke to much larger issues of serving each other without considering whether such service was in keeping with our image!

Friend, are you trapped in pretense and image-building?
Are you trying to be someone other than who you really are, trying to escape some past shame by covering it up, trying to compensate for some hole in your resume by claiming titles you have not earned? Know this - God loves you. Yes, it's true. He knows exactly who you are, what you've done, how you think - and loves the real you. He can use you: not the pretender, not the poser- but the real you. He can forgive your sins, heal your hurts, and give you spiritual gifts that overcome your innate weaknesses. He will maximize your strengths. But the baseline requirement for being used by Him in the most effective way is to become 'honest to God' real.

Ponder this word from the Word today. -- "Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget." (James 1:21-25, CEV)

"I am with you."

Monday I discovered that my riding mower needed the blades changed. After propping it up (safely!) I found I couldn't turn the wrench and hold the blade at the same time. My neighbor, Tom, was working in his yard, so I called out, "Would you help me, please?" An extra set of hands made the job much easier to complete. Could I taken the blades off of the mower deck alone? Probably, but with frustration and skinned knuckles!

One of the memories that brings a wide smile to my face is that of my daughter, Chrissie, when she was a little girl. She was fiercely independent. (I wonder who she got that trait from?) I remember a wintry day when she was perhaps 4 or so and we were preparing to go outside. There she stood in the back porch with her winter parka upside down, her foot in the hood, and she was attempting to put her arms in the sleeves. When I tried to assist she brushed off my offer - "I do it myself!" and then became more and more agitated as her efforts failed.

Maturity brings us the realization that living like the Lone Ranger, aloof and self-sufficient, is not an ideal to emulate, but a foolish fantasy. On TV, the Lone Ranger may appear a romantic figure, but in reality, people who choose that path are just lonely and ineffective. We need each other. Sharing our lives, joining with others in deep and meaningful relationships, is a source of joy and multiplies our effectiveness. One of the keys of a successful life is learning how to relate well to others, how to collaborate on tasks, how to contribute to others and how to receive from others. The best leaders are not those who try to do it all by themselves, or who want to be the star of the show; but rather those who know how to draw together people of disparate skills into teams and then to keep the team inspired and unified!

Believer, Jesus Christ has given you and me a big job to do. "Go, build the Kingdom." I hope you realize that He wasn't telling us to create power structures and wealth building schemes! His commission was that we should go into the world and shine the light that dispels confusion and fear; that we should bring love and compassion that would defeat hatred and apathy; that we should demonstrate the purposeful existence to which God calls us for those who are living without hope. And He promises this- "...be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20, NLT) We are not alone!

When we grow weary, especially after a time of high output, we are subject to falling into the 'Elijah syndrome.' That great prophet saw a great victory on Mt. Carmel with the defeat of the Baal gods. But the victory of Yahweh, the God of Israel, infuriated Jezebel who threatened Elijah with death. Exhausted, he ran off into the wilderness. In his isolation, he prayed a foolish prayer - “I’ve been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,” said Elijah. “The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.”" (1 Kings 19:10, The Message) Doesn't that just ooze self-pity? But God didn't give up on the prophet. Instead, He gave him rest and sustenance and then reminded him that there were still 7000 other faithful Believers in Israel. Then, God told him to go find a man to work alongside of him, someone to whom he could hand off the prophetic responsibilities, and he found Elisha.

If you really want to make a difference for God, maximizing both your joy and effectiveness, join a team! If you're looking for a 'perfect' team, you will search for a long time, and should you find it and join it, your presence will ruin it. ('cause you're not perfect, and neither am I.) Bring your strengths, your spiritual gifts, and your weaknesses! Let God use you as you are content to be who you are - no more, no less. And never forget what Jesus promises - "I am with you!"

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today -

"You can easily enough see how this kind of thing works by looking no further than your own body. Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body. It’s exactly the same with Christ....

If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything." (1 Corinthians 12: 20, 26-27, The Message)

Choose!

Making a choice can be a liberating experience. All through the past Summer, I pursued replacement of my car. For three months I spent time on the Internet researching various models, visited showrooms to do test drives, and calculated the difference in costs between buying a used car and a new one. Only God knows (literally) how much time I used (wasted?) in the process of finding another car. Then one day at the end of August, I made a decision. Within an hour's time, I had signed the contract. My choice liberated me from the ongoing search for new wheels.

When we were serving a church in Massachusetts, my daughters approached High School graduation dates and I knew in my heart that God would be sending me to another place of service. In early 1999, I began to pray that He would guide us in the new step. "Where do you want me to go, Lord?" I prayed about the possibility of missions. I considered various regions of the country. I evaluated the gifts He's given me to use in His work. Then, in the Summer of 2000, an opportunity was presented to us and we prayerfully followed through. The choice to accept the pastorate of Washington Assembly in August was liberating. No more wondering, 'where, how, what?'

Making a choice, committing ourselves to a course of action, allows us to move forward. But some of us will not choose, because we want to keep all our options open.

Joshua, at the end of his life, called the people of God together and presented a challenge of choice to them: “Fear God. Worship him in total commitment. . . . If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve—and do it today. . . . As for me and my family, we’ll worship God.”" (Joshua 24:14-15, The Message)

Elijah, a few generations later, called the leaders of Israel together for a show-down and demanded a choice - “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, (the regional fertility god) follow him. Make up your minds!” (1 Kings 18:21, The Message)

Jesus came by the fishing boats of Peter and Andrew and said: “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.”" (Mark 1:17, CEV)

I believe that Holy Spirit is confronting us with the same question today! "Choose! Make up your minds. Come, follow me!" If we answer His call with a clear and unequivocal, "Yes!" we will find great freedom and new direction for life. The wondering and wandering will be over for us. Life will be purposeful. There will be moments of stress, times when we may wonder if we have taken the right way, but if we keep focused on Him, we will not fall or falter, for the choice is made.

To whom do you belong, friend? Is your choice made, or are you still 'on the fence?' Are you trying to protect all your options and as a consequence doing little or nothing for the Lord and His work? Are you miserable because you are trying to keep one foot in the things of this world and the other in the Kingdom of God? Choose! If you are not ready to make Him Lord of all, then do not attempt to make Him Lord at all! He is a jealous God and will not allow you to share your affections with other gods.

I believe that the single greatest reason people find their Christianity so unsatisfying is that they have not truly made the choice to follow Jesus. Many want Him to be their Savior. They want the assurance that God is there for them, that Heaven's door will be open to them when the last act is played - but they want to hang onto their life, to live by their own desires, to say and do what they want, without seeking or submitting to the Lord God. In that double-mindedness, they are, as James says, "unstable in all their ways." They cannot enjoy anything because they are trying to own everything.

So, choose today! If God is really God, then serve Him. Consider these words of Jesus and I pray that they will compel you to choose Him as Lord of life.
"Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.” Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” (Luke 9:61-62, The Message) ______________________

Jesus Is Lord Of All

All my possessions
And all my life,
Jesus is Lord of all.
All my tomorrows,
all my past,
Jesus is Lord of all.

King of kings,
Lord of lords,
Jesus is Lord of all!

I've quit my struggles,
Contentment at last,
Jesus is Lord of all.
All of my conflicts,
All my thoughts,
Jesus is Lord of all.

His love wins the battles
I could not have fought,
Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my longings,
All my dreams,
Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my failures
His power redeems,
Jesus is Lord of all.

King of kings,
Lord of lords,
Jesus is Lord of all!

© 1973 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management CCLI License No. 810055

Step into the river!

Israel was at the door to the Promised Land once again. The second generation, the children of those who had left Egypt were now presented with the opportunity to take what God had promised them. Would they see the hardships and turn back as their parents had done? Would they allow fear to drive them to faithlessness? God said, "Be strong and courageous!" So spies were sent out on reconnaissance missions. Plans were made. The people were on the move. Then, they met their first obstacle- yep, there it was- a river that stretched along the entire border of Canaan, flowing at flood stage. What could they do? They turned to the God who made rivers and He said, "Step into the river and I'll stop its flow!" In obedience to this seemingly impossible directive, Joshua placed the Ark of the Covenant on the shoulders of 12 priests and told them to walk into the river!

Joshua tells the story - "... as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the city of Jericho. Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by them. They waited there until everyone had crossed the Jordan on dry ground." (Joshua 3:15-17, NLT)

I've always wondered what it was like to be one of those priests. What did they think as they waded into that river? How long did it take before they saw the miracle start to happen? Did they hesitate, even for a moment? This story from Joshua reminds me that if I want to enjoy God's providence I must be prepared to be obedient and take the step of faith before I see the result!

It's not hard to jump on the bandwagon once we see the miracle in progress, is it? But, it is a real challenge to do what God tells us to do when all we have is a promise!

For example, I believe in the principle of tithing, that is, giving away the first 10% of my income for charity and the work of God in the world. I also believe that Jesus promised that God would bless the generous person who puts His work first in their finances. When my own financial needs were pressing, it was an act of faith to write those checks on the first of the month, giving away a substantial sum of money. But, I stepped into the river and throughout my life He's always provided for my needs. Now, it's not hard at all, because I've experienced His provisions.

The churches I've led through the years have come to moments of decision, when it was important to move forward in obedience, but when it seemed impossible to do so. At that moment, we had the choice of two roads - fearful retreat or faithful advance. Like the Israelis, my experience has been- to this day - that IF we're moving in obedience to God's directive, He does what needs to be done so that we can move ahead.

So, Believer, is there a river God wants you cross?
Then, stop talking about the decision and 'step into the river?'

This principle applies in so many areas of our life in Christ.
Forgiveness is often a step of faith, offered when we just don't think we can actually do it, and God gives us grace.
As I've mentioned, tithing is a step of faith.
Perhaps God is calling you to reduce your standard of living so you can spend more time doing ministry work. That's a step of faith, isn't it?
Has He called you to take on a new responsibility and you're stalled, focused on the impossibilities? Step into the river!

The Bible says- "What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see .. So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6 NLT)
_______________________

Step into the water,
Wade out a little bit deeper.
Wet your feet in the water of His love.
Step into the water,
Wade out a little bit deeper.
Come, join angels singing praises
To the Lamb of God.

There is vict'ry for the Christian
Who walks the narrow way.
There has been a prize appointed
For the soul who does not stray.
Oh, I want to live for Jesus,
Be all that I should be
So that I can rest with Him
Forever, live eternally.

© 1981 Homeward Bound Music. 1984 Assigned To Kirk Talley Music (Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055

T'is a Glorious Church!

George Barna studies trends in America and writes about them, particularly as they will effect Christian churches. I'm part way through his latest book, Revolution, (Tyndale, 2005) in which he reports on people who are "devout followers of Jesus Christ, serious about their faith, constantly worshipping and interacting with God, whose lives are centered on belief in Christ." These 'revolutionaries' have written off the organized church because they are disgusted with 'do nothing' churches. Barna opines that they "refuse to play religious games... and want to aggressively advance God's kingdom." Well, I surely can empathize with their desire to make a difference for God. I am frustrated by meetings that accomplish nothing, ministries that just spin wheels, and religious systems designed to protect the privileges of a few at great cost to the many.

But, unlike Barna's revolutionaries, I am not ready to say that the church is a relic of the past. She is God's creation; He loves her, and so, we (yes, Believer - you and I) must work to recapture a vision of her glorious mission that will once again drive us to seek God's power for her, to set aside our petty differences to do His work through her, and to devote our lives and wealth to making a difference.

The facts are that suffering is real. Evil is relentless in its assault on God's world. I see a globe where urban American kids are full of hate, where militant Islamic terrorists want to spread their religion with bombs, where AIDS is killing millions in Africa, where poverty stalks billions (!) of people on this globe. I agree with Barna's 'revolutionaries' that too many Christians close the doors behind them on their safe building and shrug off their responsibility to change the world by saying, "Isn't that awful?" and then singing about the Lord's love for them. Too often we buy into the theories that point to psychological and/or economic issues as the reasons behind the societal 'problems' that are so prevalent. In the last 50 years, the church has grown increasingly irrelevant while the government's role has increased.

Wake up, Believer! We have a high, holy calling from God to be warriors against the Evil one! Do you KNOW that? Government cannot change the human heart and is powerless in the face of evil. Only a Spirit-filled church is equipped to defeat sin and Satan. We can still make a difference, but not if we're locked into defense of tradition, maintaining tepid programs, and escapist theologies.

Does this purpose motivate you to prayer, to serve in compassionate ministry, and to invest your resources in God's work? The Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ is the one great hope for the world because the real issue is EVIL; and if that is true, the solution is SPIRITUAL.Yes, I realize that many American Believers have so personalized their faith in Christ that it has become all about their 'feelings' about self-satisfaction and gaining a home in Heaven while the rest of the world is left to Hell! Many churches -- might I generalize and say, 'most?' --organize their efforts around making a comfortable 'home' for sleepy saints. The building is carefully prepped to be 'inviting.' The sermon is toned to be therapeutic, not too challenging, so as to keep people returning to the services. The lyrics of the songs are focused on "Jesus loves me" but in such a way to make us selfish even with that great truth! "Church-ianity" is a multi-billion dollar business in America that is a lot like football. Church entertains us on Sunday morning, football on Sunday afternoon, but neither makes all that much of a difference in the way we live!BUT... it can be different and it should be! Christian you have a critical role to fill -- first as a warrior. Your prayers (are they weak or powerful?) are strong weapons that can tear down strongholds. Have you lifted your family up to God today? Have you prayed for situations of suffering that need to be changed by Christ's love today? Have you prayed for the kingdom of God to come on earth and His will to be done?

Your service to Christ through vital ministries of the Church is another means of defeating evil. Teaching children, taking the Gospel to a prison, feeding the hungry, giving to a mission, supporting a Christian school, discipling someone in the way of Christ, studying the Word of God so you can share the wisdom found there with your world are just a few of the ways we become catalysts of change - or as Jesus said, "salt and light!" When we are actively engaged in spiritual warfare that meets evil where it is with acts of service and love, then church will become different, too. Shallow sermons about the 'love of God' and vapid choruses that are catchy tunes with lyrics that are all sweet emotionalism won't nourish us. We will drag ourselves together like spent soldiers desperately in need of The Word of God that stiffens our resolve. We will cling to each other because we know we must watch each others' back and make sure that no soldier falls and is left behind on the battlefield.

Believer, re-claim the MISSION! Jesus stated it succinctly at the end of His time on earth. Meditate for a moment on this passage.
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick and heal them.” When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked with them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs." (Mark 16:15-20, NLT)

Here's my prayer for us today -
God, awaken us to the thrill of being in your work to change the world. Fire us with a passion to see slaves to sin set free. Clear our vision so we are not deceived by the illusion of power provided by our material wealth. Bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to thirst for You, to desire You more than anything or anyone in this world.
Holy Spirit empower us, not for silly emotionalism, but for real spiritual warfare. Set eternity in our hearts.
Lord, make us authentic Christians. Save the church from us and from our programs.
For the glory of Jesus Christ's holy name, we pray Amen.

Using Fear to Motivate?

Since 1995, churches around the US have been creating "Hell Houses" in October, capitalizing on the Halloween craze for fright and horror. The concept of the "Hell House" first developed in Arvada, CO by Youth Pastor Keenan Roberts. He created a walk-through experience that featured graphically produced teen-centered vignettes on the consequences of disobeying God's commandments. Promiscuous sex, alcohol abuse, abortion are among the sins that make their appearance in the experience and the ultimate scare is that sinners end up in Hell's flames.It is true that drunkenness, engaging in promiscuous sex, abortion, and homosexual activity are all sins. The Scripture is clear that "the wages of sin is death." But, I would never allow a "Hell House" presentation in the church I lead because I find the whole presentation tragically mis-focused!

The message in the Hell House presentations that people go to Hell because they do bad and immoral things is flat out wrong! Yes, I believe there is an eternal separation from God that is marked by misery, but nobody ends up there because they do immoral acts. If that were the case, we're all doomed. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." Neither you nor I are an exception to that sweeping indictment. My assurance of being in God's house for eternity is based, not on my moral goodness but on the grace of Christ, which I received in response to the Spirit's gift of faith! I am convinced that in this Hell House craze, Christians who are truly concerned about sharing the goodness of Jesus Christ are placing the em-pha'-sis on the wrong syl-la'-ble!

It is religion that depends on fear and guilt as primary motivators. It is a performance oriented, human effort based religion that needs gory, graphic Hell Houses to scare people into church. But true Christianity doesn't! We don't drive people to Christ Jesus. We lead them, with a message full of promise, to Him. Paul says, "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, “Be reconciled to God!”" (2 Corinthians 5:19-20, NLT)

It's hope, not fear, that is our message to a sinful world. Yes, I know that fear is a powerful motivator, but I also know it has a very short shelf life! The fear felt in the dark of night evaporates in the morning's sunshine. The pull of temptation to sin quickly overcomes the terror of God's judgment. As a kid who grew up in church, I heard more than my fair share of 'Hell and damnation' sermons. I attended Youth rallies where the build up to the altar call was long and terrifying! I made many trips to the 'altar' and cried fearful tears of regret as I begged God to forgive my sins... and then days, sometimes even hours, later I went out and did the same things again. Why? Because, fear is simply too weak to restrain the rebellious and sinful heart. When God revealed His patience to me, showed me the depths of His love, and let me know that Jesus died on the Cross to reconcile me to the Father, more than to keep me out of Hell - I was changed. The truth proclaimed in 2 Peter 3:9 became real to me. ". . . He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent," and I discovered the power of transformation by love.

Love is so much stronger than fear! If we would see people commit their lives to Christ, it must be for love's sake alone. They must see such an irresistible grace in Him that they will repent and turn from sin to serve Him wholeheartedly. The Good News is not 'you're a bunch of awful sinners and you're going to Hell!' The Gospel is "We're all sinners who are deeply loved by God, loved so much that He went to great lengths in Christ Jesus to make our forgiveness and reconciliation possible. He loves us and wants us to come home to His house forever." Read Luke 15 again. In that chapter we read 3 stories Jesus told about 'lost' things: a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. In each instance when the lost was found, there was a great celebration. The story of the Prodigal Son is really mis-named. It should be called the story of the Waiting Father. When His way-ward son finally comes home, broken by his own willful sinfulness, the father kisses him, restores him to the family, and celebrates his return. Jesus was telling an 'every-man' story! It is a love story that I can never tell without becoming full of emotion.

This Halloween, there will be no Hell House for me. How about a "Heaven House" instead?
_____________________


Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
was blind, but now I see.

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved,
how precious did that grace appear,
the hour I first believed.