Together, not alone!

As I knelt in prayer, I felt two hands press on my shoulders and heard voices lifted to the Father on my behalf. It was a rich gift! Yes, that was yesterday in our Pastor’s Prayer Fellowship. In the days following the formal rites marking my Dad’s death, a mild depression has thrown itself over me. I know the signs – broken sleep patterns, irritability, lack of focus at work, a sense of futility. Meaningful prayer is difficult right now for me. So having these two brothers in Christ pray for me was like a medicine. Where my faith is weakened by life’s trials, Chris and Tim stepped in to hold me up!

How thankful I am for the Christian community. We must do all we can to form friendships that allow for the kind of support I received yesterday. We simply cannot allow ourselves to be just a weekly gathering for a seminar or a sing-a-long! We are family. Perhaps we oughta sing the Barney song (from the preschooler’s TV show featuring a big purple creature by that name) at every service. Just in case you don’t know the words, the song says, “I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family. With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won’t you say you love me, too?” Seriously, we have to find ways to turn our words about the love of Jesus and being the Body of Christ into genuine connection and affection for one another.

Jesus reminds us that what will distinguish His people in this world is not doctrinal purity, though it important. It is not sacred rituals, though we find those comforting. It is love. “By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another!” John 13:35 He isn’t just talking about some sloppy sentiment that gets stirred up when the mood is right! He’s talking about caring for those who are hard to love, including the dysfunctional in our circle of friends. Jesus urges us to love everybody. Take a look. “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” he said, “don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.” (Luke 14:12-15, NLT)

Right now, life is hard for many, many people. Uncertainty over the future is an epidemic. Let’s draw together, refusing to be alone! Forget the “Lone Ranger” ideal. It’s idiotic, anyway; a sure way to ultimately fail, to die alone after a miserable existence. Love extravagantly. Take time to listen, to care, to empathize, to share what you have – as little as that might be. Others will see Jesus in you!

Wes Stafford tells about a visit to Haiti and his interaction with Jean Pierre, a little street kid. The lad sought him out and sincerelyl asked, “Mister, are you Jesus?” Wes tried to figure out where the question came from, what prompted it. Then he remembered seeing the boy shadowing him through the afternoon. Wes bought a bag of roasted peanuts from a street vendor and walked off leaving the change with her. On the next block he gave the peanuts to a beggar. Four or five times through the day, he had his shoes shined, as an excuse to engage in conversations with the invisible street people. He had his car ‘washed’ with filthy street water several time by children. He then admired their industry and offered profuse thanks and a generous tip. Jean Pierre watched it all and concluded that anyone who lived like that must be Jesus! - Hope Lives, Group Publishing, 2008

Go and love somebody today – in the name of Jesus!
_________________
Sometimes it's hard for me to understand
Why we pull away from each other so easily,
Even though we're all walking the same road.
Yet we build dividing walls
Between our brothers and ourselves.

The day will come when we will be as one,
And with a mighty voice together,
We'll all proclaim
That Jesus, Jesus Christ is King.
It will echo through the earth;
It will shake the nations,
And the world will see,
See that you're my brother, you're my sister,
So take me by the hand.
Together we will work until He comes.
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side.
As long as there is love,
We will stand.

We Will Stand
Taff, Russ / Taff, Tori / Hollihan, James
© 1983 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

Take Jesus at His Word!

The topic at the School of the Bible last night was trusting God, taking Him at His Word. We read a story from John’s Gospel in which a man came to Jesus to ask Him to heal His son who was in a village miles away. "The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed." (John 4:49-50, NIV)

Taking Jesus at His word is a noble aspiration, but it is not always an easy thing to do. Several complications arise.
What, exactly, is He saying to me?
Am I hearing Him clearly?
Am I projecting my wishes and desires in a way that is causing me to ‘hear’ what I want to hear?
Am I rejecting the whole of His words, picking and choosing only what I want?

The promise of divine healing is one of those areas where a Christian can and should exercise great faith coupled with wisdom! In Exodus 15 where there is the revelation of God where His Name is given as - "Yahweh Rapha"- the Lord, our Healer. Too often we understand that only in terms of miracles of divine healing, but God wants us to take Him at His word in an even deeper way. God made a great promise to His people saying, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”

Do you see the interaction of God and His people? God is the Healer, but His people have a responsibility to live in a way that facilitates health. We enjoy God’s healing, in part anyway, as a result of our obedience to His Word. He understands how we are made and teaches us how to live so that we can enjoy a better quality of life. So we find that healing is not just about a ‘miraculous intervention,’ but also, perhaps even primarily, about living the Word!

I belong to a national group of Christians that provides an alternative to standard health insurance. In Christian Medi-Share, about 35,000 Christian families join together to share medical bills. We pledge to observe a healthy lifestyle. To qualify for membership a person cannot use tobacco products, must avoid alcohol abuse, and must sexually active only within marriage. In addition, we are encouraged by those who direct the group to healthier diets and regular exercise programs, the goal being to conquer obesity, America’s number one health issue. Because we choose to live in ways that promote better overall health, instead of paying $800/$1000 month for health care coverage, Bev and I pay about $400, even at our age! This is a very practical illustration of the Scripture’s principle: living a holy life helps promote a healthy body.

Part of taking the Lord at His Word includes this unpleasant fact. God can and does allow some to suffer and/or to grow ill if they choose to live sinfully. In John 5, Jesus healed a man at the pool of Bethesda, and then gave the man this stern warning. “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14, NIV) Have you listened to the text that is so often read at the celebration of the Lord's Supper? "For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died." (1 Cor. 11:29-30, NLT) Even a superficial reading clearly reminds us that when we take the Bread and Cup as God's people, we accept a responsibility to live God-honoring lives. If we don't, we invite God to discipline us with sickness and even to take our lives! Are you willing to take the Lord at His Word when it is so hard?

Be careful about jumping to a judgment of those who suffer! Is sickness always the sign of God's displeasure or a lack of self-discipline? No! It is easy to reach a snap conclusion based on the 'facts,' in the process getting it all wrong. Jesus' disciples did exactly that. One day they saw something fairly common in their time- a blind man. They asked Jesus, (John 9:2) “Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?” Their smug assumption of moral failure is one that is all too commonly shared even today. Christians who have chronic illnesses not only have to deal with the suffering of their disease, but they must cope with other Believers who too readily conclude they ‘must have done something to be punished.”

Jesus' reply to His disciples requires tremendous faith to accept! “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins, he was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.” John 9:3 Sometimes suffering serves to bring about the purposes of God, to redirect attention to Himself! Can you take God at His word in that situation? Oh, we all want the promises, what what if He asks us to walk a road of suffering or pain? God can use suffering to shape and mold us into the likeness of Christ. He uses these things to call the whole and healthy to compassion and self-forgetful service. And, He even uses these things for a display of His healing power.

Disciple, let me encourage you to ‘take Jesus at His Word!’ Eagerly embrace His promise and His commands. Through obedience that is childlike, discover the joy of living near to His heart, comforted by His Presence. It will allow you to live for the glory of God with grace in times of prosperity and in times of want; through sickness and health, in tests and in blessings. Here’s a promise about eternity that I love! It speaks of that wonderful place where God’s Word is clear, where His provisions for us are fully realized, and where sorrow is banished. Oh, what a glorious experience. Take hold of these words and believe them, won’t you?

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night.
They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.” -- Revelation 22:1-5 NIV
__________________

“When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be.
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory.”

It’s got to get to your heart!

One of the more puzzling things about Christianity is how the same set of beliefs effects those who profess to believe so differently. One person receives Christ Jesus by faith and is totally changed becoming loving, hopeful; a genuinely delightful whole person. Another also comes to faith but remains a bitter, self-centered, critical soul that nobody wants to be around. These two persons sit in the same church, hear the same sermons, say the same prayers- so how can this be?

In a wonderful little book titled, Faith and Doubt, (Zondervan, 2008) John Ortberg suggests that we ‘believe’ on three levels and that the depth of belief has a lot to do with how much our lives are changed, our character transformed.

First, we all have public convictions, things “that I want other people to think I believe, even though I may not really believe them.” In our world of politics this is called ‘spin.’ The public’s perception of what the politician thinks is more important even than what is true. By way of example of public conviction, consider that Christians universally claim to believe in life after death. It’s a basic part of the faith, but the evidence of the way we live shows that for many of us, words about having a home in Heaven are just that- words. We want others to think that we accept this doctrine so we say it.

Second, we have private convictions, things that “I sincerely think I believe,” but that prove to be more illusory in real life. Peter, on the night of the Last Supper, heard Jesus speak of the coming defection of his friends. “You will all fall away,” He told. Peter thought he knew his convictions and replied, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” (Mark 14:29, NIV) He really believed that he was going to stick by the One he loved. But, Jesus knew otherwise. “Peter,” He said, “before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will have denied knowing me three times!” Jesus knew Peter better than he knew himself.

We may go years believing that we believe something, only to run head-long into some huge thing like a health crisis or a financial disaster, only to discover that the songs we’ve sung, the words we’ve said, are without an anchor deep inside of us. Such moments are great revealers of the true content of our mind and heart.

The third kind of conviction, the kind that produces life-changing spirituality is core conviction. Ortberg illustrates this by pointing to gravity! Nobody has to convince a rational person that gravity is real. We simply do not jump off cliffs or out of windows because we know that severe injury or death will result. We believe it to our core. When a person believes what the Bible says about God’s love and forgiveness, about judgment and salvation, about Christ and the Cross, about the life of the Spirit – and those beliefs work their way to the core of their being – their lives will inevitably change.

Our beliefs can change and, thank God, they do. How?

First – immersion in the Scripture! The Bible shows us who God is, how the world works, and what is true. Constant exposure to the stories, doctrines, and promises of the Word changes our core convictions.

Second – confession of sin and repentance! If we keep on living in ways we know are wrong, we slide into self-deception. We learn to rationalize and justify actions we once knew were wrong. As self-deception deepens, we are less conscious of hypocrisy. That is why we must own our failures and do what is necessary to turn from disobedience.

Third – intimacy with the Holy Spirit! Ortberg makes a funny statement but one that makes a lot of sense. “If your Mom was in the room, watching you all of the time, you would avoid all kinds of negative behavior.” How true! Don’t we believe that God, the Holy Spirit, is always in the room with us? Don’t we believe that He sees what we’re looking at on the TV, knows what we’re writing in our email, knows when we’re lying, etc.? Apparently, for many, that is not a core conviction, because they sin quite readily when no human is looking! However, when we invite the Spirit to live in us, when we cultivate a consciousness of His Presence through worship and prayerfulness, we are changed because He here now.

So, here’s the question: Disciple, what is your true creed?
The answer is not necessarily what you learned in Sunday School! The only way to really know what your core convictions are is to observe your life over the long term. The words you say at church, even the songs you sing to comfort yourself, are not always accurate revealers of what you really believe. What you do shows what you think! Jesus said that, not me. “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart." (Luke 6:43-45, NLT)

Walk with the King today, and be blessed!
___________

Search me, O God,
And know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior,
Know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be
Some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin
And set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord,
For cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill Thy Word,
And make me pure within.
Fill me with fire
Where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire
To magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life,
And make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart
With Thy great love divine.
Take all my will,
My passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord
In me abide.

Cleanse Me
Orr, J. Edwin© Public Domain

When Life gets tough; we get ‘tougher!’

Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NLT) Serious words, aren’t they? Even Pastors think about quitting; well, at least changing churches. I’ll admit that when the budget is tight, when lots of ‘people needs’ pile up, when I’m staring at a blank computer screen wondering what to say on Sunday morning, when the pressure is on to produce bigger numbers for our reports – I sometimes daydream about another place, an easier assignment in life. It is an escapist thing, and I don’t linger long in that fantasy land, because it is a waste of time to do so! My son calls me ‘the finisher,’ because he says I don’t know how to quit! I hope he’s right.

In too many situations we too ready to call it quits these days.

• Too many marriages end, not because of terrible abuse or infidelity which are reasons to dissolve the covenant, but just because two people will not stick with each other and work through the inevitable conflicts that arise in life.
• Too many people change jobs when their boss is overbearing, or they are passed over for a promotion, or they get bored. When they do say, “I quit,” they bring financial hardship on themselves and/or their families. The pursuit of ‘better’ leads to one start after another, and often to a life lived far below the person’s potential.
• Too often Joe and Sally Christian quit their church because of a difference with a leader or a dry stretch in the Pastor’s ministry. If they would stick it out, they could find a blessing. Their lack of commitment frequently has unintended consequences, too. For example, Last week a young woman who has been spiritually wandering for about 5 years told me, “It started when my parent’s pulled me out of the church where I had a spiritual home just because they were unhappy. I lost my roots, my anchor, and then my way.” I wonder how many other kids would say the same, if they could?

One of the key traits of a mature disciple of Jesus Christ is perseverance. In the Scripture there are several synonyms for this word: patience, endurance, and longsuffering. James tells us to "Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You’ve heard, of course, of Job’s staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That’s because God cares, cares right down to the last detail." (James 5:10-11, The Message)

The kingdom of God needs more finishers, people who show up even when they don’t feel like it, who do what they’re called and equipped to do even when they’re bored or tired. We need steady men and women who are willing to say: “I know that God has called me. My feelings are secondary to my commitment. I’ll serve, I’ll stay, I’ll love – so help me God!” Those kind of disciples are key players, incredibly valuable, and the ones who get things done for God, often quietly and without accolades – but it matters little, for they serve for the joy of obedience, not for applause or even self-fulfillment. (Yes, I know that paragraph reads like heresy to the average ‘happy hungry’ American who can’t imagine doing anything hard for any length of time.)

Here’s some of the best encouragement you will ever get on the subject of commitment and endurance. "Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

Duty is not a bad word, disciple.
Are you considering quitting- your covenant with your spouse, dealing with that teenage rebel, your ministry, a relationship that is hard, your church? Pray about it! Tell God how you feel. Your emotions are real, so don’t deny them. Then, listen carefully for the Spirit’s counsel. “Run with endurance!”

And remember this glorious promise for the weary, the battered, the bruised who remain faithful to the Lord: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17, NIV)
____________

Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb.
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

And when the battle's over We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown! Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over, We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.

When The Battle's Over
Watts, Isaac / Waters, Harriette / Lind, A.E.© Public Domain

What's it all mean, if anything?

It is quite natural to think more deeply about the meaning of one’s life when death visits nearby! Such has been the content of many of my waking thoughts recently. Burying one’s father, at least for any thinking person, will bring the issues of purpose and significance into sharp focus. If the spiritual dimension is taken away, the outlook is grim, the only conclusion - despair. I am not the first to acknowledge this. Poets write of the futility of life. The timeless words of Shakespeare echo in my mind. His pessimism is never clearer than in these words he put in the mouth of Macbeth at the death of his wife: “Out, out brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Men wise in the ways of the world, accomplished in letters, find grappling with life’s purpose, difficult, too. Bertrand Russell, atheist philosopher from the 20th century, describes human significance, or more accurately, human insignificance, this way: “In the visible world, the Milky Way is a tiny fragment. Within this tiny fragment the solar system is an infinitesimal speck, and within the speck our planet Earth is a microscopic dot. On this dot, tiny lumps of carbon and water crawl about for a few years until they are dissolved back into the elements from which they are compounded.” (as quoted by John Ortberg, Faith and Doubt, Zondervan, 2008) Wow, doesn’t that make you want to jump with joy?

Even David, the poet king of ancient Israel, observed the vastness of the sky and wondered, “What is man?” But, he did not stop with despair or at the natural conclusion of the futility of life. Instead, he looked beyond the natural world and, in faith, connected the naturally inconsequential man with the One who created him and sang this song. "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:3-10, NIV)

Life’s ultimate meaning is not gained by our achievements! Meaning is a gift granted by the Creator who ‘crowns us with glory!’ Anything that you or I may do in this world – be it invention, artistic work, or accumulation of goods – cannot provide meaning beyond the moment. Eventually, likely even before we die, someone will do what we do better, faster, or with greater skill! The things we acquire through diligence will, in the words of Jesus, eventually be eaten by moths or rust or perhaps stolen away! But that which we do for God, those choices that flow out of obedience to His general and specific will for our individual lives, are eternal, surviving even when our body is laid in the ground!

“Prove that, Jerry! How do you know that what you’ve just written is true?” I cannot prove it. It is a choice of faith. Mine is not an irrational faith, nor is it a fantasy. I choose faith in a loving God because there is sufficient evidence for His existence written into the world in which I walk. From time to time, I sense His Presence, glimpse the outlines of Someone greater than time and space into which I am locked for the moment. Therefore, I serve Him. The life He gives to me as I exercise faith and practice obedience is meaningful. Ultimately, I ask myself, “So if you have chosen wrongly, what have you lost? Nothing! If those who reject faith and live only for themselves have chosen wrongly what have they gained? Nothing!

"Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.
All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:9-13, NLT)

Shot through the heart

For a year I watched the arrow of death’s sorrow coming at me in slow motion, yet I could not dodge it! I thought was prepared for the impact, but when Dad died two weeks ago, a pain unlike any other sliced through me. A bleeding wound remains. Sometimes I forget about it for a while, then a memory is triggered and the stabbing hurt re-surfaces. There have been no tears since his memorial, though I wish I could cry! It is difficult to focus and even when I try I feel as though I am living in fog, seeing familiar outlines but there are no defined edges.

Most of my life I have managed my emotions, experiencing them, but not allowing them to rule me. Now my heart full of turbulence. Sorrow refuses to be contained and intrudes on my life at unexpected moments. My grief shows up in other strange ways, too. Earlier in the week, I realized I was trying to ‘fix’ everything around me, straightening up my desk, cleaning up messes, obsessing over details at work, etc. It was clear that I was trying to set things right. Anger flashes out of me at inappropriate moments, too. Hopefully, I won’t do too much damage to others before this thunderstorm in my heart subsides.

Interaction with people, normally not hard for me, is very difficult right now, too. I can feel their uncertainty. Do they acknowledge the obvious and attempt an expression of comfort, “Sorry for your loss,” which reminds me of my pain or do they try for normal, “Hi, how ya doing? Nice day, isn’t it?” and risk appearing insensitive? I feel badly for them because I’m not sure which is best at any given moment, either. The most intuitive person I’ve met was a young teenage boy who saw me coming and hugged me as he said, “Life sucks for you right now, doesn’t it?” What a kid! (Forgive his slang. For the young that word doesn’t have the connotations it carries for those of us over 45. Sucks is just a synonym for bad!)

Most adults try hard to empathize and only end up making me say things I don’t want to say yet again. “Well, his suffering is over.” True enough, but I would still like him with us! “He’s home in Heaven now.” Yes, I believe that, too, but it doesn’t do a whole lot for my sense of loss! Truthfully, explanations are unnecessary. Empathy is enough.

There are two things that are clearer to me since Dad died.

First is that life is really short! We need not be morbid about our mortality, but we are fools to attempt to ignore it. Solomon’s wisdom is compelling. "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” … Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." … "That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." (Ecclesiastes 12:1, 6-7, 13-14, NLT)

Second is that friends matter! Being with people, even though interactions are sometimes strained, lets me experience love. That teenage kid loved me in his unique kid way and it was healing. Life goes on and seeing others functioning, hearing them laugh, listening to the superficial chatter of daily life, carries me forward, too. Again Solomon wisdom is good. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV)

Jesus Christ taught us that life boils down to two things:
“Love God wholeheartedly; and love others like you love yourself.” How true! If our life course is set by those two boundaries, the big stuff will work out.

Again, I want to thank you for letting me walk my journey with you! Last week, many of you wrote to tell me that sharing my thoughts about this was no burden, so I did it again today. God bless you, friends.
____________

As I journey thro’ the land, singing as I go,
Pointing souls to Calvary—to the crimson flow,
Many arrows pierce my soul from without, within;
But my Lord leads me on, thro’ Him I must win.

When in service for my Lord dark may be the night,
But I’ll cling more close to Him, He will give me light;
Satan’s snares may vex my soul, turn my tho’ts aside;
But my Lord goes ahead, leads whate’er betide.

When in valleys low I look tow’rd the mountain height,
And behold my Savior there, leading in the fight,
With a tender hand outstretched tow’rd the valley low,
Guiding me, I can see, as I onward go.

Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

Rufus Cornelius
Public Domain

Dollar's Fall Gives Rise to Anti-christ's Mark?

Watching the economic chaos engulf the world and observing the leaders of nations working valiantly to keep our financial systems from total collapse, I remember those scary sermons about "End Times" that were a staple of my growing up years. We were warned that the Lord's return would be preceded by the unveiling of a "World Government" that would gain its power primarily through economic control. The head of that government, nicknamed 'the Anti-Christ,' would insist on his mark being fixed on our right hand or forehead and any who aligned themselves with his demonic schemes would be doomed. The whole scenario seemed awfully far-fetched at the time. Now, not so much! Here in these United States, we are ceding huge chunks of our personal liberties to the 'government' as long as the President promises to make us safe and secure. The whole country - citizens, towns, states, institutions - is so dependent on Washington's largesse we gladly allow our leaders to do things unthinkable even a decade ago as long as they promise to protect our way of life.

The world is a community like never before. Europe has become a defacto state with the various nations sharing a common currency, a common constitution, and a common justice system. A hiccup in Asia reverberates in London! A terrorist sheik holed up in a cave in remote mountains in Pakistan has held the United States in mesmerized fear now for nearly ten years! We are inter-connected in ways that even futurists of the 1960's could not foresee. Without being overly dramatic, I can more readily conceive a not-so-distant day when the nations of this world would readily accept the authority of a world leader if he could promise to restore economic stability, settle ancient disputes, and produce an era of prosperity.

Revelation speaks of that day. John writes, "Then I saw a beast (Anti-Christ) rising up out of the sea. (a Biblical metaphor for the nations) It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. ... The whole world worshiped the dragon (The Devil) for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. "Who is as great as the beast?" they exclaimed. "Who is able to fight against him?" Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. ... And the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. ... This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. ...

He required everyone-small and great, rich and poor, free and slave-to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666." (Revelation 13, NLT)

"Jerry, you're freaking me out!"
Disciple, do not fear. God is greater than world systems, greater than persecution, greater than anything Evil can bring against us. I've read the end of the book, too. The promises are wonderful, all encompassing, and sure.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns." (Revelation 19:11-12, NLT) Jesus Christ is not defeated. He will come to reign and His power will prevail.

"Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast-miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur." (Revelation 19:19-20, NLT)

Here's a word from the Word. Let it's wonder saturate your mind and heart so you will be bold in the work of God. Ponder it prayerfully today.

"On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. (Remember that Biblical metaphor for the nations?) Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
(Luke 21:25-28, NIV)

I am glad I am a child of the King. Aren't you glad you know Him, too?

More than an expert!

A few weeks ago I had ongoing pain in my neck (really!) and it drove me to call the doctor’s office. The physician I like to consult was not available so they offered me an appointment with another. He came into the exam room, looked at me quickly, and asked about levels of stress in my life. When I mentioned the critical illness of my Dad he said, “That’s it. It’s stress.” He told me to stop by the pharmacy and pick up the prescription he was writing and he was gone. The entire interaction could not have taken more than 3 minutes! I suppose he is a fine doctor. The framed certificates on the wall gave testimony to his various degrees and expertise. Expert or not, he was, at least for me, a terrible healer! I needed more than a diagnosis and a pill. I needed an explanation about how he reached his conclusion and what I might do to avoid the pain in the future. A little genuine human compassion would have gone a long way that day. He did his job, but failed in his mission.

Disciple, are you a good healer, a compassionate Christian who demonstrates the love of Jesus, or are you just ‘an expert’ in soul matters? We may do our job as witnesses to the Truth and still miss the mission of bringing the Kingdom of God to others! There is an old phrase that bears repeating that says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

As we interact with those around us who are fearful of the future, who are trying to cope with illness, who have a broken heart, who are wrestling with destructive habits; it is not enough to dispense a Bible verse or a quick prayer. Advice that is on the mark and Biblically based won’t help others all that much if it is not flowing from a compassionate heart. People need more than an expert. They need a friend who really cares.

Jesus told a story about a man who became the victim of muggers, who left him near death on the road. Two men, experts in religion, saw the man but had no time to assist him. Did they pray for him? Perhaps, but they did not touch him. The Samaritan who came along got down and lifted the man up, took him to a place to recover, and paid the bill! He ended His story with this challenge: "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37, NKJV) Among the many lessons from this story I take away this: there is no such thing as touchless healing! We have to be willing to get involved, to be dragged into the messy lives of others, and to walk alongside of those we want to help.

Do you want to see your extended family come to know Christ?
Get involved with their lives. Go to their gatherings. Be part of their celebrations and sorrows.
Are you concerned about the spiritual welfare of the people who live on your street or who work with you?
Forget being the ‘spiritual expert.’ Become human. Let yourself feel what they feel, and share life with them.

Here’s a word from the Word. "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11, NIV)
______________


Touch through me, Holy Spirit, Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit, Touch through me.

Flow through me, Holy Spirit, Flow through me.
Like a river in the desert,
Flow through me.
Springing fountain, healing stream,
Living water, pure and clean,
Flow through me, Holy Spirit, Flow through me.

My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful, Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in live through me.

Touch Through Me
Rambo, Dottie © 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)CCLI License No. 810055

An Impossible Quest?

The central desire of my life is unattainable by human means and out of my natural reach. What might that desire be? To be a righteous and holy man. I awaken each morning knowing full well that my commitment to the way of Christ will be tested by temptations that spring out of nowhere and/or by unexplainable (from this world's perspective) events that seem to belie the existence of loving God.

As I write this, it is my sincere desire to be full of love towards all people today. Well experienced in real life, I know it is all but certain that I will fail in that quest, in some measure, before nightfall. I could react less than charitably, for example, when some driver of questionable skill makes me slam on my brakes to avoid a collision, or when someone takes up my time when I am trying to complete a task on a deadline; or when fatigue makes me more vulnerable to acting from emotional impulse. Similarly, it is my intent not to judge others, but I may lapse into cynical criticism of someone before the day is over. I truly want to make all choices in a way that puts God and His purposes in first place, but will I today? Literally, only God knows!

So, why engage in a quest so fraught with possibilities of failure? Why not lower my sights and be content with a lesser discipleship? Because I am commissioned and called to be holy. The Word tells me "just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:15-16, NIV) It is not a suggestion! It is a demand made by God, who sets an impossible standard for my holiness - that of His own righteousness.

"Jerry," you may be thinking, "this is foolishness. No one can live under such pressure." I would tell you that you are mistaken on two counts - the first being assuming that aspiring to a holy life creates pressure, and secondarily that it is foolishness to want to obey the Lord's call! The paradox is that if I begin to believe that I can be loving, obedient to God, or a disciple through rational choice alone I will create pressure on myself that is unbearable. But, if I take up the call of the Way of the Cross with faith in His promise and Presence, I will find Jesus' comfort and a soul rest that is not obtainable in any other way. He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30, NIV)

Yoke is not a word generally associated with ease or comfort. A yoke was used for work, for bearing a load! When He calls us to be His disciples, the Lord is not inviting us to a life free of strain but He says if we come to Him and take HIS yoke, not one of our own making, the 'fit' will be right, not chafing. We will accomplish His work in ways that bring us soul-rest, a sense of significance and purpose. The work He asks of us may tire us, but it will not leave us feeling empty or hopeless. To be sure, days will come and go when we will only know obedience: without fulfillment, without knowing 'why' behind the 'what.'

Let me illustrate my point from my recent life experience. Over the six months, I spent many long nights spent tending to my father's needs as he lay dying. I did not always feel joyous about not being able to sleep, nor did I always think of getting him a drink of water at 3 am as something desirable - in the moment. But last week my perspective changed. He died! Now, I treasure the memories of such moments of simple service and wonder why I did not more gladly do even more for him given the cost that was, in retrospect, so small?

Very similarly, when God draws certain seasons to a close in our lives, we begin to see our obedience in a different light and we gain delight in what He has allowed us to do in cooperating with His plans and purposes in our world. If we take the yoke of Jesus Christ and live in obedience, our joy will be perfectly complete when we enter His Presence and see all our lives as He saw them all along! Disciple, He does not ask us to walk alone, nor does He ask us to deal with the people and situations that test our holiness all by ourselves.

Take this Psalm of promise with you into the battle today. It will make you strong and keep you on your feet, even when you're set back by some momentary lapse into sin or failure.

"A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?
They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger.
The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives.
Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124, NLT)
__________

And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me that I am His own.
And the joy we share, as we tarry there,
None other has ever known! - public domain

Walking among lions, kicking cobras

An engaged life is not for wimps! It’s tough to love people enough to care about their problems. Committing oneself to the work of making the world a better place – however one is called and/or gifted to do that – can be exhausting. Creativity demands the application of one’s soul, heart, and mind to allow new ideas to emerge. Sadly many people choose to live without really engaging with their world. They drift along with the tide, making as few waves as possible, hiding themselves in their living rooms transfixed by the glow of their TV screen, avoiding anything that might be difficult or costly.

That life is not for me! I want to love with my whole heart, even when that means having it broken or disappointed time and again. I want to preach the best sermons I am capable of preaching, even if it means spending more time alone in preparation. I want to honor my God in my daily choices even though my sinful nature screams to be soothed by selfishness. I desire to meet the challenges of the world (godless power structures), the flesh (my sinful nature), and the Devil head-on, yielding no ground to any of them in pursuit of the will of God. My prayer is “Lord, first, make me more like You, and second; through me spread the influence and fragrance of Jesus everywhere!” When God calls me to His home, I want to arrive at Heaven’s door with hands dirtied by doing the work of Jesus Christ!

And this I know; such a life is impossible in my own strength. As much as I might admire those who appear self-sufficient and capable of meeting every adversary with their intellect or their fists, I know that the work of God can never be successfully done apart from the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Like the man who answered the impossible call to rebuild the destroyed city of Jerusalem I hear God saying, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6, NIV)

What about you, disciple? Are you hiding out from life? Don’t waste the days, chasing pleasure and avoiding sacrifice. Jesus reminds us that "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"
(Matthew 16:25-26, NLT)

Here’s God’s promise for those who respond to His call. We never walk alone! It’s great! Read it with faith.
"Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble. I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party. I’ll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!” - (Psalm 91:9-16, The Message)

The Path to Greatness

Eight heads of America's largest financial institutions were called to appear before a Congressional committee yesterday. These men move easily among the powerful, accustomed to being served quickly and well. Yesterday, they were scolded like schoolboys, chided for excessive compensation packages and their alleged failure to respond adequately to our nation's current recession. As they sat there looking up at a hack like Congressman Barney Franks, I wondered what was going through their minds? Did they regret taking government funds and thereby giving up some of their autonomy? Were they really regretting the greed that was being challenged or were they merely going through the motions to satisfy the political demands of the season?

As I watched the testimony of these men who are chauffeured about in their limousines, private jets, who live in luxury with amazing perks; the vast difference between worldly greatness and greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven was made clear to me. My Dad knew a kind of greatness that had nothing to do with any of the usual perks of power. He had little wealth! The suit he was buried in was threadbare and worn. He did not command a bevy of assistants who scurried to carry out his wishes. He drove an older car that was full of kid's stuff! Yet, at his death, thousands (literally) took notice that a man of kindness and love was no longer among us. One of my favorite tributes to him is this one: "Pastor Scott has been called home. It was a pleasure to have known him. He helped the police department when strangers passed this way and had no one to turn to. He answered our call at all hours of the day and night. He always welcomed my family and I at the Christmas pageants for many years even though we were not parishioners of his church. Rest in peace." - Doug Koeppen, Chief (retired) Washington Borough, NJ PD Dad did not concern himself about the status of those who called, only their need. And, then he responded with what he had- money, time, love, concern!

Dad was a servant and Jesus says that service is the path to greatness in His Kingdom! "So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(Mark 10:42-45, NLT)

A true servant's heart comes from submission to God first! A person who has not surrendered his heart and mind to the Lordship of Jesus will not consistently forget himself in service to others. The will to power and the demands of ego must die at the foot of the Cross, put to death by the Spirit as we lay down our lives as a 'living sacrifice.' Only then will we even be able to consider giving ourselves away to others, especially those who are, in the estimation of this present world, on a lower plane!

Eugene Peterson writes: "The Christian is a person who recognizes that our real problem is not achieving freedom, but in learning service under a better Master. He also recognizes that every relationship that excludes God becomes oppressive... thus we see the urgency of living under the mastery of God." - Life At Its Best

Disciple, do you want to be great?

First, know what true greatness is! It is not being served, but serving. Today, kneel (literally for it is the posture of reverence) and ask God to take your life - wholly. Borrow the prayer of the Psalm that says, "I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal." (Psalm 123:1-2, NLT) And, having presented yourself to Him, receive the gift of His merciful love, His amazing grace, His wonderful care.

Then, go and give yourself to others. It is His path to greatness!
_____________

Nobody stood and applauded them,
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame.
All they really knew for sure
Was Jesus had called to them.
He said, "Come, follow me."
And they came, with reckless abandon, they came.

Drawn like rivers
Are drawn to the sea.
There's no turning back,
For the water cannot help but flow.
Once we hear the Savior's call,
We'll follow wherever He leads,
Because of the love He has shown.
Because He has called us to go,
We will answer.

We will abandon it all
For the sake of the call.
No other reason at all
But the sake of the call.
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call.

Not for the sake of a creed or a cause.
Not for a dream or a promise.
Simply because it is Jesus who calls,
And if we believe we'll obey.

For the Sake of the Call
Stephen Curtis Chapman © 1990 Sparrow Song (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. / Greg Nelson Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)CCLI License No. 810055

Return to dust, you mortals!

Yesterday I drove to Dad's gravesite. Walking through that field of standing stones I came to the tiny piece of earth that is now the resting place for his body. Seeing nothing but a bare patch of dirt was jarring, to say the least. I do not recall another moment in my life when the short time we are given to live was so clear to me. There were no tears, no words- nothing but a hand on my mouth with the absolute recognition - it's over! "This is it, Jerry. Your body will someday be consigned to the earth - ashes to ashes, dust to dust. So leave a legacy of love and service that will survive your trip to a grave!"

After a few moments of silence, I could only pray, "Lord, make my remaining years count. Find me faithful!" I think my grief took a turn in that moment as well. "No more yearning for Dad's touch or to hear his voice," I thought. "Remember his work, his love- and carry on." My Scripture meditation followed up on that today.
The 90th Psalm urges us to reflect on our mortality, not with dread, but to move ourselves to action! Take a look.
"Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God. You turn people back to dust, saying,
"Return to dust, you mortals!"
For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.... Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." -- (Psalm 90:1-4, 10-12, NLT)

It is both the gift and folly of the young to live with the illusion that life will stretch on forever! No one in his 20's should feel the weight of the years quite as I do today, for it would crush him, and steal away his ability to create and dream. He would start nothing of significance, feeling only the cynicism of Solomon who lamented, "Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless!" (Eccl. 1.2) But one who has lived to mid-life and continues to enjoy the illusion of immortality is a fool of the highest order! He ought to stand in a field of stones often and read those dates to drive home the point that his life is like the dash between the date of arrival and the date of departure.

The thought need not drive us to despair if we know the promise of Eternal Life. The truth of the Resurrection and the acknowledgement of mortality merge to reshape our goals. No longer is feeding the body and tending its appetites so important. Why devote all our energies trying to preserve that which is inescapably destined for a hole in the ground? Our vision grows higher, our pursuits become nobler; our focus on doing those things, spending our resources, giving ourselves to life that really matters! Such is the challenge of the Word.
"In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true: Death swallowed by triumphant Life! Who got the last word, oh, Death? Oh, Death, who's afraid of you now? It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three-sin, guilt, death-are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God! With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort." (1 Corinthians 15:53-58, The Message)
___________

PS - Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you. I promise to move on now and stop dragging you into my grief! I have not been able to acknowledge your notes, your cards, your thoughts - they are so many. Please know, I read each one, thanking God for your love and prayers.
Jerry

What only today offers!

Are you full of anticipation about today? I wish this were a two-way conversation. Some would reply, “Yes, I’m just starting a new job… a new relationship.” Their eyes would sparkle with excitement! Others would say, “Yes, I’m leaving on vacation.” They too would be looking forward to the day.

But, many, perhaps most, would likely say, “Anticipation? Why? It’s just the same old stuff, different day. I’m stuck in a rut, Jerry.” And, they would be wrong. Sure, life is often predictable, boring even. We can’t live on the edge every moment of every day. But, each day offers us many unique moments to enjoy others, to show concern, to discover God’s grace in otherwise ordinary circumstances. Let me tell you an open secret: If we aren’t looking for those moments, they will pass us by!

In his book, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat” John Ortberg tells a story about a relative named Florence. When she died the family was cleaning out her home. In the attic, her grand-daughter found an exquisite set of china. It was a hand- painted set made in Bavaria before WW II. No one in the family remembered EVER seeing the china set for dinner. After inquiries were made to older members of the family, it was discovered that when Florence was very young she was given the china over a period of years. As she received each piece she carefully wrapped it and put it away to use for a 'special' occasion. No occasion ever came along and Florence's precious china remained in the boxes unused after 60 years, hidden in the attic. It would have been given away to the Salvation Army had not an observant grand-daughter taken time to open some old boxes! Now those beautiful dishes grace the table at the Ortberg home at every excuse for an occasion!

That's sad story! Florence feared her precious plates would get broken so she never used them. In reality, they may as well have been broken for all the joy they brought to her life and to her family! She missed the opportunity to experience joy that might have been hers on ordinary days. At least with her precious china, she played it safe, and her treasure was essentially worthless. What a joy that china might have been to Florence and her family if only she saw everyday as an occasion to celebrate life. At the end of her life she would have left a chipped up set of china and every chip would have told another story of a dinner served with joy!

There are two reasons many people live in mediocrity, with unfulfilled dreams and with unmet potential -- Fear and Laziness. Fear is, by far, the more potently crippling force. The Enemy's lie is -- "Take care of yourself. Preserve yourself. Hold onto what you have. Circle the wagons. Don't risk, always play safe."

A man in a story Jesus told bought that lie completely. It is a story about three managers found the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. A wealthy man was going on a journey and called these managers into his office to give them each a trust to care for in his absence. He gave each one just the right amount that he could manage, an amount in keeping with the ability of that man. Years later, the man called these managers to give an accounting of what they had done with his wealth. Two men had diligently worked at their responsibility. They saw opportunity in the ordinary and, over time, they doubled the wealth entrusted to their care.

The third was a pathetic person, apparently fully in the grip of both fear and laziness. He appeared before his old boss with a dirty bag and offered up this line: "Then the servant with the one bag of gold came and said, `Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn't plant and gathering crops you didn't cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is.'" -- Matthew 25:24-25 NLT

“Well, at least he kept it safe,” we might say. But, I assure you that the Master did not commend the man for his risk avoidance! The master’s word to that ‘play it safe, never anticipate the opportunities’ guy are downright terrifying! He said, “That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest…. Throw him out into utter darkness’" (Matthew 25:26-27,30, The Message)

Don't let your life become a story of 'what might have been, if only.' Get on with life today. Take what God has given you and put it to work. Take a risk. No, not the kind of risk taken by fools in pursuit of fantasy!!

Rather, learn to listen to the Spirit as He blows through your life on the ordinary days. Let Him show you the person whose life would be saved by an act of kindness. Let Him lead you to forgiveness, to love, to discovery of a life of no regrets! Life will be richer for the trying.
____________

You are my life, O precious Christ.
You are to me,
The pearl of greatest price.
My love for You will never die.
Jesus, You are my life.

I come to You. I run to You.
There's no greater joy than knowing You.

O Holy Fire, Love's Purest Light.
Burn all desires 'til
You are my one delight.
My love for You will never die
Jesus, You are my life.

O conquering King, conquer my heart
And make of me a pleasing gift to God
My love for You will never die
Jesus, You are my life.

You Are My Life
Steve Fry © 1994 Maranatha Praise, Inc. / Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

Gone, really truly, gone

I will never pick the phone and say, “Hi, Dad. What’s on the agenda today?” again! We will never go to Perkins for breakfast again. He loved that. All his endless dreams will never aggravate me again. Yes, what others found inspiring, I often found tiring and my inner response was often, “Come on, get real, Dad.” He never did ‘get real.’ On his deathbed, he was dreaming about an outreach to homeless people in the neighboring town. Just two weeks ago, after seeing a special about poverty in Haiti, he insisted that I write to somebody and find out how he could adopt six of those poor kids. (I never did that!) On Thursday morning ‘round 9 AM, there was a rip in time. With a sigh, time ended for Dad. Mysteriously some part of him passed through that tear, out of reach. We were left with the shell, a body that looked like him but was not. And now he’s gone.

The sorrow I feel is like a presence stalking me. I laugh, enjoy a child’s smile, love the sunshine, pray, sing – then it takes me, almost physically holding onto me, paralyzing me for a minute, dragging a sob from my throat. I write like I’m the first to know this. And I smile at my wonderment! After all, I have walked hundreds of families through sorrow and loss. I know the process, but this is not rational. It is raw emotion.

One thing that drives that presence of grief back is hope. The Scripture tells me that "we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NLT) From the Word, I learn many things that bring me some measure of comfort. Primary among them is that there will be a Resurrection that will reunite body and soul and all those who await the coming the Lord! And, too, I learn that God is near, His Presence, a refuge. "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!" (Psalm 46:1-3, NLT)

The other gift that makes this passage endurable is love. In this I am a most blessed man. People don’t even really know stop to say, “I’m sorry for you,” and it helps. Grown men and kids alike hugged me yesterday as I moved through the congregation, each embrace a reminder of love. My kids call and listen to me ramble and weep and I feel their love. My wife tenderly holds my hand while I cry, wordlessly loving me. Never before, in my entire life, have I realized how important it is to have a web of love woven as that proverbial ‘safety net!’

There is one more thing that makes this day when I will bury my Dad bearable – his legacy! He was no simple saint. Yes, he loved God and people, no question about that. But, he was a complex man, too. I knew his humanity, his sinful nature. But, I saw him take the Spirit’s power and beat back the powers of sin and darkness – in himself and in the world. I have received notes that tell me of acts, big and small, in which he left a better world, for the glory of God. One man told me that on his first visit to Dad’s church he was greeting by him at the door. Dad asked, “Do you have a Bible?” When the man said no, Dad handed him his own leather-bound study Bible on the spot! Another told me about a time when Dad gently rebuked his harshness with his kids and said, “I always try to find a way to say ‘yes.’” Many have written to tell me how he led them to Jesus and their lives were changed. I am a living legacy, passing along the faith, he gave to me –not so much in his eloquence, but by example.

Tim McGraw’s song urges us to “live like you were dyin'!” Because, we are! Someday, there will be rip in time and we will step through it and be gone. May those who are left to weep have the comfort of the Resurrection hope because we have walked with Christ and in His grace. I want to leave a legacy; not of fortune, nor of fame; but of loving others.
___________


Remember this ....

He has achieved success...
who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
who has enjoyed the trust of pure women,
the respect of intelligent men,
and the love of little children;
who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
and has left the world a better place than he found it,
whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;
who has always looked for the best in others,
and given them the best he had;
whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

Bessie Anderson Stanley's definition of "success" in
Brown Book Magazine, 1904, as quoted in "Dear Abby," July, 1992)

Hupomone

I just get a kick out of saying that word -- hupomone (hoop·om·on·ay). Go ahead, say it again! Hupomone! I've taken leave of my senses, maybe writing in tongues (a new gift?) you think? Actually, I just got you to say a word of Greek from the New Testament. It's a compound word of a prefix meaning 'under' and a root meaning 'remain.' OK, here's the context... "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance (hupomone) the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews calls for us to take a look at the distance runner as an example of how to live as a Christian. Unlike a sprinter who explodes from the starting block, pouring everything he has into a 100 meter dash, we are called to set a pace that we can maintain, steadily and consistently, living for Jesus– with patience, with endurance, with hupomone! The idea wrapped in the word is holding steady even under intense pressure!

All around us we can find examples of people who start something with gusto- only to collapse in the backstretch!
Marriages begin with great romance and fireworks, but too often, fizzle under the strain of kids and bills.
People head into new jobs with the intent of being the 'next best' only to become a place holder, a burnt out functionary, instead of an inspiring performer.
Students go off to college intending to make the Dean's list and too easily get sidetracked into the three day weekend party life style.

And.... yes, people invite Jesus Christ to become Lord and begin their Believer's journey with enthusiasm (interesting word, by the way, that comes from a compound word meaning to be full of God). When Believers gather, they are there in church or Bible class. They are discovering God's will and purpose and cheerfully becoming conformed to Christ Jesus. When they pray, it is with childlike simplicity and earnest faith. Then, again too often, over time the joy evaporates under the heat of temptation and pressure and they turn into pew warmers, preacher critics, with a 'form of godliness that denies the real Power.' Their Christianity becomes more of a habit than a source of joyful life.

Hupomone is not about a BIG start, it's about a faithful finish!

Are you a finisher?
Do you take time to think about commitments, praying for guidance - and only embrace those that you will see through to completion?

Jesus told a teaching story about this.
"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: `He started something he couldn't finish.' Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?" (Luke 14:28-32, The Message)

The implied conclusion is - FINISH what you start! That means - hupomone!

Remember that it isn't "all guts, no glory." Finishers enjoy what mere starters never find: the satisfaction of a job well done, a life well lived, a victor's crown!
Need a boost to stay in the race today?

Here's the way, the follow up verse to the one where we started today–
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in.
Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God —he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame,
whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God."
(Hebrews 12:2, The Message)

HUPOMONE! Say through the day. People will think you're nuts. If they ask, just tell'em you're speaking Biblical! Have fun.

Chasing the mirage?

House, the Monday night medical drama, (Fox TV, 8 PM) is always recorded on my DVR. Strangely I enjoy the medical mysteries that are solved by the rude, socially inept doctor, who cannot sustain a real relationship in his life! A recent episode was about a famed physician, a cancer researcher, who left her work to dabble in various hobbies because, in her words, “I just had to be happy.” The story kept circling back to that theme of seeking personal happiness regardless of the opinions of others or the obligations a person feels to the larger world. In a hundred ways, the writers found places to put in the message that a person must not choose to live ‘doing the right things’ if they really want to be happy. You must chase your bliss! The doctor who had abandoned her career says, “You will only spend one day at the end of your life wondering if you lived in a way that really made a difference, but you will live 25,000 days before that. Those days should be full of happiness.” Are you nodding your head in agreement? It makes so much sense, doesn’t it? It almost got to me, too. I found myself wondering if I was a fool for the life choices I’ve made, if I should elevate happiness as a pursuit.

And, it is a deception! Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product of choices that are godly and noble. If a person focuses himself on attaining happiness, he will change course a hundred times trying to hold onto an elusive feeling. That is precisely how millions of people make their day to day decisions and then they wonder, “Why am I so unfulfilled?” After burning through three marriages, moving to yet another town, restarting their live in a fourth new career; they discover that happiness is not a situation or a location. If we choose to focus on self, we make a default choice for something less than God purposed for our lives!

“Jerry, are you the anti-happy guy?” No way, but I do believe that the pursuit of happiness is seriously over-rated in our time. I pursue joy, a similar emotion, but one that comes as a gift to those who put God and others first as Jesus taught in the basic commandments. A life that yields the greater satisfaction over the long term is one guided by the will of the One who designed us.

Jesus Christ says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40, NIV) On another occasion, a man quoted these two commands to Him and His response was, “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:28, NIV) The word, ‘live,’ in the context does not just mean, ‘keep on breathing.’ It includes vitality and refreshment; a life of fullness!

I’m not polishing my halo, so please do not read the next few lines in that way. I share this only as an illustration of the point. A year ago, when Dad was diagnosed with cancer, I realized that not only his life would change; so would mine. Because he lives 2.5 hours away, I knew that my priorities would need to be altered to make it possible for me walk with Mom and him through this valley as love requires. For months, every week I have spent my day off and the two nights before and after at his side. It ain’t always happy time! It’s required sacrifice of time, rest, and money. I don’t always even want to make the trip knowing I’ll come home sad and tired. But, I have experienced great joy in being a support, in sharing the tears, in loving their kids. If I just wanted to be happy, I’d avoid sick rooms and tears! But, loving him has opened the door to a deeper experience of joy, allowing me to know love and give love. God be praised!

Disciple, refuse to chase the mirage of happiness. It will always be one day, one dollar, one experience beyond your reach! Instead, choose joy! Obey God today. Love somebody today. Listen for the Spirit’s urging today and respond with a ready, ‘yes, Lord!’ Here’s a word from the Word. Let it fill your mind as you prayerfully ponder it.

"The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!" (Psalm 32:8-11, NLT)
____________

I have found a wondrous Savior,
Jesus Christ, the Soul's Delight.
Every blessing of His favor,
Fills my heart with hope so bright.

Heav'nly wisdom He provides me,
Grace to keep my Spirit free.
In His own sweet way He guides me,
When the path I cannot see.

Jesus is the Joy of Living;
He's the King of Life to me.
Unto Him my all I'm giving,
His forevermore to be.
I will do what He commands me.
Anywhere He leads I'll go.
Jesus is the joy of living,
He's the dearest Friend I know.

Jesus is the Joy of Living
Alfred Ackley © 1939. Renewed 1967 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

Meeting God under the oak of Ophrah

People who make a difference in the world will live 'on the edge' of impossibility. "Changers" - those people who go against the flow - are willing to risk failing and are willing to be disliked in the process of driving creative change. When I say, "change," I’m not thinking - "blow up the establishment." I am more in the mind of living against the culture of "me-ism" that has become the norm.

Change agents today embrace things like:
-A radical commitment to your marriage that puts nurturing your spouse and children ahead of financial gain and/or personal pleasure.
-A choice to live with less things while investing more in ministry and people.
-Tithing to God, first; and building wealth, second.
-Choosing sexual purity - in thought and actions.

One of my favorite ‘changers’ is a man who God called in desperate times. The people of Israel were oppressed by a powerful neighbor tribe. It was so bad that the Israelites abandoned their homes and fields to live in the mountains in caves. God choose a person to be the catalyst for change. He found Gideon threshing his wheat (that is, separating the grain from the stalks and the husks) in a winepress, hidden away under the oak of Ophrah.

Usually threshing was done on a large open floor where the breezes could blow away the chaff in the process, but this future leader was afraid of the marauders stealing his crop. The Angel of the Lord found him there. "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!" (Judges 6:12) I love Gideon's response. He says, "Oh, yeah? If You're with us, why are we hiding in caves? And, by the way, I'm a hero? Well, you don't know my clan. We're known as wimps and I'm the wimpiest of them!" {my paraphrase!}

As long as you only see 'what is' instead of 'what could be' you will be incapable of change- both in yourself and in your world. God helped Gideon to create a new dream. His story is a fascinating study of the patience of God to develop a man He has chosen for His own purposes. The key to his success is this: The Lord said to him, "I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man." (Judges 6:16) He started a campaign of spiritual renewal which provoked just about everybody in the land. Because he challenged the status quo, his own people sought to kill him!!

Changers irritate people! Nobody enjoys having their life messed up - even it is already a mess! They learn to live without seeing the junk that is piled up in their heart! The Isrealites had come to accept their misery as normal.

After a long campaign, first to win the hearts of his own people and then to lead them to defeat the invaders; Gideon succeeded in bringing about the dream that God sparked in his heart at a hidden winepress in the back country. He led Israel for 40 years and this is the way the Bible sums up his life: "That is the story of how Israel subdued Midian, which never recovered. Throughout the rest of Gideon's lifetime—about forty years—the land was at peace." (Judges 8:28) This was the legacy of a man who saw himself, at first, as "the weakest man, from the weakest family, in the weakest tribe!"

Disciple, set your sights on God’s faithfulness, then ask Him to empower you.
Change starts in our hearts!
Let Him show you the world through His eyes; breaking your heart, pulling you from indifference.

Then, become a catalyst for change - a Kingdom Builder.
May your life be an influence -
-that brings others to wholeness,
-that leads them to freedom,
-that inspires them to love the God who loves you!

Somebody’s watching you!

In the church’s café on Sunday morning, I was reminded of a powerful truth by a little boy about 18 months old. Nathan is a the cutest little tike… blond hair, square little body, twinkling eyes. I sat down on the pew along the wall and as he toddled I reached out to pick him and sit him down next to me. He looked up with a shy smile. I crossed my legs, he crossed his. “Ah,” I thought, “he’s copying me.” So I lifted my hand in a peace sign. Ditto for Nathan! (Well, a was a lop-sided sort of peace sign, but the hand placement was the same as mine!) For the next couple of minutes, what I did; he did. We had fun connecting. I can only hope that if God allows me to be Nathan’s pastor for many more years, that he will find other more important things worth in my life that are worth mimicking.

Surely your son or daughter will pattern themselves, both consciously and unconsciously to be ‘just like’ you. Maybe it’s that neighbor across the street who is looking for spiritual reality who is inspecting your life! Is there a younger Christian looking for a model of faith in you? Somebody’s watching you, disciple. Will your life stand up to their scrutiny? If they look deeper than the surface will they find integrity, sincere devotion to the One you claim to follow? I always attempt to remember that the best lessons are those lived. The choices I make are much more influential, long-term, than the words I say.

With no sense of arrogance or self-aggrandizement we should be able to invite others to follow in our footsteps. Paul wrote to Believers and told them to "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." (Philippians 3:17, NIV) He commended another local group of Believers for learning from his life. "You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble." (1 Thessalonians 1:5-6, The Message)

Make sure your eyes on focused on Jesus Christ as the Perfect Model. Ultimately, He is the Way and we all follow Him. Disciple, I urge you to deal with the inconsistencies, the flaws, the sins so that those who choose you as their model will not be discouraged or disillusioned when they really get to know you! Be mentored and mentor somebody. That’s God’s plan for discipleship.

"Command and teach these things. … Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
(1 Timothy 4:15-16, NIV)

________________

Jesus calls me; I must follow,
Follow Him today.
When His tender voice is pleading,
How can I delay?

Follow, I will follow Thee, my Lord,
Follow every passing day.
My tomorrows are all known to Thee;
Thou wilt lead me all the way.

Howard Brown
Public Domain

Stuck in a rut?

I am not the man today I was 25 years ago and I am thankful for that fact! I am no longer ruled by my temper, full of self-righteousness, quick to judge others, and proud of my puny achievements. I don’t hate those who wrong me, fear those who attack me, or seek to destroy my enemies. I regularly experience the Holy Spirit’s " love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT) Please don’t read this as prideful. Only God could do what is being done in me! And, don’t think I am deceived about having attained goodness by my own efforts!

I am a long, long way from perfect, but I am growing in grace. Temptation stills worms its way into my heart and mind. Too often I allow ungodly thoughts, words, and actions to be my choice but I rejoice in the process described in the Word as being " transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory!" (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV) Praise God I am not who I was and I look forward to who I will be under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit! Religion didn’t do this for me! Immersing myself in church culture and work did not change my heart. The transformation is gradual, the Truth of God replacing the deceptions of evil, the Spirit working to bring understanding, and repentance bringing change. I am unwilling to resign to life and say, “I am what I am.” To do so, would be to get stuck in a rut!

One of the more pathetic sights in this world is a person who has stopped developing emotionally and spiritually. That 45 year old man who is still trying to wear his high school football jacket, who is trying to make what hair he has left look cool, and who is still working to impress ‘chicks,’ is a joke to everyone but himself. Being a teenager is fun, but unless we grow out of that stage we look and act increasingly foolish! Same principle applies to a Christian who refuses to grow in Christ, to develop character, deal with his hang-ups, and move forward. Disciple, if you’re making the same arguments and fighting the same battles today that you fought 20 years ago, I urge you to go to your knees and ask God to rock your world! Engage in a fast, dig into the Scripture, find a spiritual director and; for God’s sake – grow up!

Perhaps all this sounds like too much emphasis on ‘works religion’ and not enough reliance on God’s grace. Let’s be clear. This is not about perfecting one’s self with guilt, psychological tricks, or thumb screws! This is about pursuing God whole-heartedly. Genuine spiritual depth is not about superficially looking better, nor is it about mastery of Scripture trivia! It is about walking with God, being more and more His intimate friend, giving larger and larger chunks of Self over to His mastery. He leads, we follow! To be sure, such intimacy will not just happen to us. He will bring us into situations where we come face to face with some part of ourselves and give us the choice – live to Me or choose to live for Self. By the Power of the Spirit we say, “Yes,” and grow on… to the next challenge point. And so it goes. The Light of Christ shines into the dark places of our lives and we discover the pain of our sinfulness. But, with genuine repentance, we also find the incredible joy of forgiveness and serenity of walking with God. The result is a beautiful holiness that others sense is heart deep, not just a pious affectation that we adopt for certain situations.

Here’s how Paul described the process of spiritual maturation. Ask God to help you to choose this Way and together, let’s make His Name glorious. Take a few moments to soak in his testimony and be challenged by it.

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection (read – completeness or maturity) for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. (Simply put – I am growing up!)

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting
the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:8-14, NLT)
___________

He gave me beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise
For the spirit of heaviness,
That we might be trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord,
That He might be glorified.

Beauty for Ashes
Robert Manzano © 1976, 1979, 1983 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company)
CCLI License No. 810055

It just isn’t natural!

“Nobody ever comes through for me. I am so lonely. My only friend isn’t even human.” The words were sad, pathetic even. While I understood the person’s genuine emotional pain, after just a few minutes of conversation it was clear that he had wrapped himself so tightly in self-pity that no one could get through to him. Even sincere offers friendship were seen through a distorted lens that caused him to sabotage relationships. “Nobody will ever love me,” was an accurate, self-fulfilling prophecy!

John Maxwell writes that ‘a major cause of poor mental health is self-absorption. Selfishness ultimately hurts not only the people around a self-focused person, but also the selfish person himself. … That is the reason that Dr. Karl Menninger (renowned psychiatrist) responded the way he did when someone asked, ‘What would advise a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?’ Most people expected him reply, ‘consult a psychiatrist.’ To their astonishment, he said, ‘Lock up your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone in need, and do something to help that person.’” - Failing Forward, Nelson, 2000

A young husband wept as he talked with me. “How could I have been so dumb?” In counseling, a year ago, his wife had begged him for attention, asked him to be tender, and to take an interest in her. Stupidly, he responded ‘just deal with life. I am who I am and don’t plan to change.’ Months later, with a broken heart, she walked out on their marriage. Only then, did he realize how selfish he was; too late! If he had been willing to learn to give, to forget his need to ‘hang out’ with his friends, his wife would surely have met him half-way. But, he wanted to live on his own terms and now he could, alone.

The wisest Counselor said - "If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?" (Luke 9:24-25, NLT)

Gain by giving. Win by losing. Forget yourself, find yourself!
It just isn’t natural!

Perhaps not, but, it’s the truth!

In these troubled times, most of us will struggle with the instinct to protect ourselves, to hoard our resources, to feed Self first. Take the way of Jesus Christ Who said, "Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” (Luke 6:38, The Message)
___________

There are two kind of folks,
There's takers and givers.
There's gripers and complainers
and big-hearted liv'rs.
It depends on how we choose
to spend our days.
'Cause we can hoard up all we´ve got
or give it all away!

If you want more happy
than your heart will hold,
If you want to stand taller,
if the truth were told,
take whatever you have
and give it away.
If you want less lonely
and lot more fun
and deep satisfaction
when the day is done,
throw your heart wide open
and give it away

Copyright – Bill Gaither

I’ll take one portion of ‘Jesus’

Americans are consumers! We buy stuff to make ourselves feel better, to enhance our status, to make life easier, and just because everybody else is buying it! We are self-centered, our selfishness fed by a whole economic system that depends on creating a sense of entitlement and want so we will spend more to get the things that somebody else says we must have in order to be happy. That’s an issue bigger than I want to tackle today. What’s bugging me is that we bring our consumerism to our spirituality. The practice of Christianity has been hugely changed by responding to consumer demands. “Give me a Jesus Who works for me, makes my life better right now, and promises me customer satisfaction.” While few actually say these words, aren’t they usually just below the surface of our conscious thoughts?

In an article “Jesus Is Not a Brand” published in Christianity Today, January 2009, Tyler Wigg-Stephenson responds to that idea. He writes, “This attitude inhibits the disciple’s growth into living God-centered, neighbor-focused life. Yes, the Christian life brings fulfillment beyond imagination, but such fulfillment is strangely elusive if it is your main priority as a Christian. Indeed it only comes when we seek God instead of ourselves. Those who come to the Church expecting to find brand satisfaction or seeking to save their lives will find neither. … How do we convince people who are dedicated to self-creation that life is really about the grace and power of God?”

It requires a major overall of perspective that can only be accomplished by the Spirit. The Bible calls it conversion and I am convinced that few of us have experienced that in fullness! We love Jesus, but more for the practical things we believe He can do for us (think – “Does it work for me?”); than for the simple delight of knowing Him! Perhaps the current economic crisis in America may prove a boon for disciples by breaking us from our love of stuff and self and driving us into the arms of Jesus.

Then, too, Christianity cannot be all God wants it to be for us, if we are unwilling to radically love others! Over this past year, my travels to central Pennsylvania to care for my Dad, brings me into contact with a culture that rejects consumerism, that is committed to communal living, and that uses material goods less to pursue illusory happiness, than to simply live. Who are these people? The Amish! They have no need for dozens of shoes or outfits. They dress the same- for market, for church, and at home! Nobody impresses their neighbor with a designer name brand. They have no need to buy a new something because it’s fashionable, for fashion is a meaningless concept to them.

Meaning in life for the Amish is not about ‘things’ at all! It is about people. If their neighbor’s barn burns down (as one did recently) the whole community gathers resources, comes together, and rebuilds the barn in days, making a celebration of getting their brother back in business. In Amish culture (admittedly I have a limited understanding) it’s seldom about ‘me’ and always about ‘we.’

We cannot take just enough “Jesus” to make life work! We cannot hold onto our selves and cling to Him at the same time. Ponder these words of Jesus, familiar though they are. Really think about them. They will rock your world.

“You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference?

Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."
(Matthew 6:24-33, The Message)