Can we talk honestly?

I watched the VP debates last night. Who won? All the talking heads agree that the answer to that question depends on what the viewer's preference was going into the 90 minute encounter of candidates. An hour and half of non-stop talk did little to change voter's minds. Biden's supporters thought he was the winner. Palin's supporters thought she did just fine, "you betcha." Who lost? We all did. Tired campaign lines were repeated by both candidates, ad nauseum. Each used misrepresentations of the facts, intentionally shading the truth (lying!) to shed the worst light on the other. At the end of it all, I was more disgusted with our political process than ever before. Could a candidate survive if he or she just told the truth? Would the American voters accept being told the truth: that they insist on a nanny government to care for their kids and their grandmas while resisting the taxes needed to pay for such benefits; that they demand that the government defend them against their own greed and stupidity and then resent the weight of all the regulations enacted for that purpose? Probably not.


As I reflected on this, I recommitted myself to an authentic Christian life.
My prayer today is -
"Lord, keep me honest- with You, with others, and with myself! Don't let me hide in clichés, escape responsibility with flimsy excuses, or avoid dealing with the unpleasantness of life by living in fantasyland. Help me to love the Truth and to work with You towards transformation of my heart and mind, so that the beauty of Jesus Christ is seen in me."
Will I always get it right? Of course not. Will hypocrisy be more evident to others than to me? Probably, though I hope they will have the courage to tell me when they see it.

Here's the Lord's invitation. He asks, "Can we talk honestly?"
How will you answer?

"Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted." (Isaiah 1:4-5, NIV)

"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:17-18, NIV)
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Father of creation,
Unfold Your sov'reign plan.
Raise up a chosen generation
That will march through the land.
All of creation is longing
For Your unveiling of pow'r.
Would You release Your anointing?
Oh God, let this be the hour.

Ruler of the nations,
The world has yet to see
The full release of Your promise,
The church in victory.
Turn to us, Lord, and touch us;
Make us strong in Your might.
Overcome our weakness,
That we could stand up and fight.

Let Your glory fall
In this room.
Let it go forth from here
To the nations.
Let Your fragrance rest
In this place,
As we gather to seek Your face.

Let Your kingdom come,
Let Your will be done.
Let us see on earth,
The glory of Your Son.

Let Your Glory Fall
David Ruiz© 1993 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055

A neglected discipline

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You can do it!

"Empower" is a current buzzword. When somebody is said to be 'empowered,' it means that they have been invested with authority, given legal status, or had resources handed to them. We used to talk about providing equal opportunities to people who wanted to succeed, implying that if given an open door, they would take the initiative and step through that door and make the most of those opportunities. Now the conversation is about those who enjoy privilege or status, using their influence to help others climb the ladder of success. Opportunity means I hold open the door. Empowerment means I reach out to help you through the door!

Disciple, God doesn't just point us in the right direction and hope we make it. He empowers us. Take a look at this great verse. Paul, in describing his efforts to bring the Good New of God's kingdom to others says, "I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me." (Colossians 1:29, NLT) Did you note the interplay of empowerment and responsibility? His willingness to work hard is coupled with Christ's mighty power. The apostle accomplished amazing and wonderful things over 30 years of ministry in the Roman Empire. He changed history! He couldn't have done it without the Spirit's power, but God needed his mind, his hands and feet, and his voice.

What does the Lord want you to do, disciple? Are you waiting for Him to 'just do it' in you, expecting some great thing to be done without any blood, sweat, or tears shed on your part? If you answer that with a yes, you're in for a long, long wait. Others will outrun and out-perform you, while you are still sitting in the sanctuary waiting. Engage yourself. Take the challenge in both hands and wrestle with it. All the while, pray fervently for the wisdom of God, the release of the power of the Holy Spirit in you and through you. Expect and engage. When you do, over time, the results will far exceed what you thought possible. God says so. He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." (Ephesians 3:20, NIV)

Need to beat a habit that hinders your holiness? God empowers you!
Want to live as a person whose daily life honors Christ? God empowers you!
Trying to love a miserable person? God empowers you!
Need to forgive someone but find it so hard to get over your resentment? God empowers you!
Called to be a parent raising Godly kids in a culture so hostile to spiritual things? God empowers you!

Are you getting the picture? Now, get up and go at it. And, remember today: "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:16-17, NLT)

Is the sky really falling?

From the subject line, you could conclude that I do not buy the alarmist language of our national leaders warning of an impending economic implosion. Honestly, what I know about economics ends with a balanced checkbook and mortgage interest rates, so I won't risk making a silly statement about what whether this is a real or manufactured crisis. Any investment advice I might give would be worth what you paid for it; nothing! But, I am watching all this news with a great deal of interest and no small amount of concern, wondering what it will mean for my future, for the finances of our church and Christian school, and how the crisis will effect the lives of those who are close to the edge financially. My questions far outweigh the answers available.

This I know; this is a time to re-evaluate where I am placing my hope and what I treasure most. And, I know this, too. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to be overtaken with panicky feelings. We need not be sleepless through the night! We need not fear the future. We should check and be certain that we are following God's plan for stewardship of our resources, including choices like: being content with what we have, not spending our future by diving into debt, buying what we need and can afford rather than thing that impress others, exercising prudence in our spending so we are not living above our means, regularly setting aside a sizeable portion of our income for giving to God's work and those in need. Even though a Christian who practices sound stewardship practices is not exempt from the effects of a bad national economy, he has every reason for hope, and a sure faith that keeps him solid as a rock when the world around shakes.

Through the disciplines of the Spirit, he has come to know that his true wealth is not based on his bank account balance. His actual security is not found in gold. Jesus says: “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (Luke 12:15 Message) We need that hear His wisdom, again and again. We live in two worlds - this present one, where we have bills to pay and are tempted by all the 'stuff' that is available to us; and the spiritual world, which is our true and eternal home. After cautioning us about becoming too attached to material goods, Jesus told this story.
“The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’
“Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ “
That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (Luke 12:15-21, The Message)

"We cannot maintain a good life of extravagance and a good conscience simultaneously. One or the other has to be sacrificed. Either we keep our conscience and reduce our affluence by giving generously and helping those in need, or we keep our affluence and smother our conscience. We have to choose between God and man." - John Stott, quoted in Discipleship Journal : Issue 53.

Another familiar passage comforts and confronts us.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)

Is the sky falling? Are hard times ahead? I do not know. I will pray for God's peace to protect my mind. I will choose to live in faith and I will store my treasure in Heaven. And, I will pray for my love for Jesus to grow stronger, replacing my attraction to the trinkets of this world. How about you?
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I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty.
But the One who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion,
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.

I Don't Know About Tomorrow
Ira Stanphill © 1950 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055

Fireworks and Seeds

I enjoy fireworks! First, you see the colorful light design spread across the sky, then you hear the boom of the explosion, then comes the shockwave of pressure you can feel in your chest. It is an awesome display meant to be impressive. But for all of the dazzling effects of sound and light, it's over in seconds, the sky fading to black, the
sound waves rolling off the distant hills. I am also impressed by another kind of power - that which locked into a little seed! You take the tiny packet of potential life and place in the earth. With the right kind of moisture and some heat, it germinates and sends out a shoot that pushes aside the soil and grows, and grows, and grows. If it's a seed of a maple tree and it grows next to sidewalk, over time the growing tree can lift concrete slabs!

Let me ask you to consider how God accomplishes His work. Does He use fireworks or seeds? He uses both. Jesus occasionally did big, impressive miracles to attract attention of the crowds; but the greater work of the Kingdom was the seed of Truth that He planted that continues spreads a lasting influence in hearts and minds of people who receive it into their lives, with faith. Quietly and persistently over time, the Truth changes sinners into saints, transforms entire cultures and makes the world a new and different place. "Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches." Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." (Matthew 13:31-33, NLT)

Let me encourage you today to trust the persistent, quiet power that is locked into the seed of God's Truth. Receive it with thanksgiving. Water it with prayer and reflection. Allow the Spirit to work in you. If you do, you can be sure that godliness will most surely grow in your
character! Occasionally, God may send some fireworks. From time to time, He may choose to do big, impressive miracles; but most of the time His work will done quietly, over time. Give the power of the Word time to grow. Don't be discouraged by the slow pace of change. Don't let charlatans seduce you with promises of spiritual transformation resulting from quick and easy techniques. Instead, be steady. What God brings out of your life will be truly amazing.
Here's a word from the Word, full of promise. I pray it will stir new confidence in you, helping you to wait on His will steadily.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1, NIV)
___________________

The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
The Spirit of the Lord is my victory;
The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
Great and mighty in me.

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
I am more than a conqueror by the power of His Word,
Of His Word.
In the name of Jesus, I can do anything
By the power of His Spirit,
Through the One who strengthens me,
Strengthens me.
The Spirit of the Lord

Billy Funk © 1992 Integrity's Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055