The Proof is in the Puddin'

When my children were growing up there were uncomfortable moments in our home when Dad had the responsibility of telling them the truth.  How could I be so mean as to infringe on their ‘pursuit of happiness?’ Was I hindering their self-expression, stunting their emotional and psychological health by compelling them to obedience?  One example: knowing that a well-rounded life would serve them so much better as they reached adulthood, I limited their involvement in organized sports to one in the school year.  “Choose one,” I told them, “because you will not go from football, to basketball, to baseball and miss out on other parts of life.”  Oh, what a cruel Dad they thought, but 2 decades later those high school teams are largely forgotten, but family ties and spiritual development they cultivated are of great value!  What they could not possible grasp at age 15 now makes a lot of sense.

Our Father reveals His will for us and asks our obedience!  At times His demands seem meaningless, as if He were intent on robbing us of some pleasure just because He is God. So, what will we do? Will we whine like children, pleading for our own way? Will we arrogantly refuse His will, sure that we know better than He does?  Will we mistakenly substitute our wisdom for His?  I surely pray that we do not!  The cost of refusing His will is steep. Numerous stories from the Scripture show us the consequence of willfulness.  Israel approached the entry to Canaan, the Promised Land, directed by the Lord to go in and take possession of it. The majority of the people heard a report about the obstacles they would encounter and said, “We won’t go!”   It seemed a reasonable choice, by human standards.  But, their willfulness cost them their lives and led to a generation living in the desert as nomads.  David loved Bathsheba. They really clicked. She made him laugh, he delighted her. But there was an inconvenient fact- she was married to Uriah!  David ‘solved the problem’ and took Bathsheba to be his wife. But, God, despite loving him deeply, told the king that his willfulness would bring unending strife to his household and it did.

God’s wisdom will come to those who humbly accept Him and live with willing obedience.  Many, appearing wise, will mock them for their ‘foolishness.’  Consider this:  "We speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:7-12, NIV)

The wisdom of God is unyielding to fad or fashion, transcends cultures and ages. It demands much of us but returns eternal rewards of holiness and peace with God. James teaches us that one of the marks of godly wisdom is humility.  Those who are walking with God will stand strong but not in arrogant pride.  "Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom." (James 3:13-14, The Message)

Are you walking wisely? Are you humbly seeking to hear and know God, led by the voice of His Spirit? Jesus gives us our word from the Word - "But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” (Luke 7:35, NIV)  Or, in other words, “wisdom’s proof is revealed in what comes after.”

Let’s walk wisely in an age of self-willed people who refuse the wisdom of God to their own sorrow.

_____________

In the secret, in the quiet place,

In the stillness You are there.

In the secret, in the quiet hour,

I wait, only for You

'Cause I want to know You more.

I want to know You.

I want to hear Your voice.

I want to know You more.

I want to touch You,

I want to see Your face.

I want to know You more.

I am reaching for the highest goal

That I might receive the prize.

Pressing onward,

Pushing every hindrance aside,

Out of my way.

'Cause I want to know You more.

Andy Park

© 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)

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You are a loved child, never forget it

 

Tony’s ministry is to men in prison and those recently released from incarceration.  He is fondly called, “Dad” by dozens of these guys.  When we talk about the choices (usually involving illegal drugs) that got them tangled up with the legal system, there is another factor common to many, if not most, of these young men – the man who impregnated their mother failed to be a father. They grew up without guidance, without male affection, without the discipline that a loving Dad provides.

It is hard for me to even imagine what life without an engaged and loving father is like. My Dad was always involved, always there, unafraid to show affection, not reluctant to tell me that I needed to shape up! The earliest memories in my life are of my father who took me with him to his work when I was a toddler allowing me to share adventures galore as I moved among his peers. When I was about five he seemed like a god, unafraid and powerful.  As I grew up, Dad became more human to me, a real man.  When I entered the ministry, sharing the life calling he had embraced, I would call him to ask "What do you think about this?"  Sometimes my call was just to hear him say, “I love you, son” feeling the uniquely valued affirmation of my father.

I have a second Father Whose love is an even more powerful influence in my life. He is a constant Presence, the Source to Whom I turn for daily needs, a Friend for all times, and the One from who I take my identity and purpose in life.  Time has only enhanced my love for Him.  You can know Him, too!  Jesus came was to bring us home to our Father. "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."  (John 1:12-13, NIV) Later John wrote "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1, NIV) Take a few moments to think that over!

Are you living in the love of your Abba (your heavenly Father)?   Here’s what God says about YOU "...you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory." (Romans 8:15-17, NLT) He offers us a relationship full of love, where He is not a remote deity, but rather our "Abba!"  (An Aramaic expression of familiarity. He is our Dad!)

There is no need to tough it out alone. Reach out to your Father, committing your way to Him, seeking His guidance.

Do not stumble through life unsure, confused, alone, and afraid.  Your Father has wisdom for the asking!
The best affirmation ever comes from the Father who knows you best and loves you most.

A loving earthly father enjoys his children. (I know that well for life is at its best when my own children come home for a few days.) The Father loves us to worship and adore Him.  If you let them, the pressures of life,  the many responsibilities that come your way will pull you away from the richest relationship possible.  

Here is the word from the Word - "When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit."(Ephesians 3:14-16, NLT)

____________

This is my Father's world,

O let me ne'er forget,

And though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world,

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King, let the heavens ring,

God reigns let the earth be glad.

Public domain

Stormy Weather

Two storms raged around and in me yesterday.  An emotional thunderstorm shook me with the force of a hurricane!  An amazing thunderstorm whipped rain and hail around our home, dropping a torrent of water that turned my driveway into a river in a moment.  Storms are frightening and awesome, at the same time.  The powerful surge of emotion that swept over me was a long overdue overflow of repressed sorrow and letting go released tension locked in my soul.  The flood that fell from the sky washed the earth, refreshed the lakes, and reminded me of my Amazing Creator God who made this planet for our home.

This morning, I read about a storm that shook Jesus’ friends and led the to a new understanding of Who He was.  It is a simple story that the Spirit applied to my stormy heart and mind. Do not let the familiarity with this passage cause you to rush through it. "One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. On the way across, Jesus lay down for a nap, and while he was sleeping the wind began to rise. A fierce storm developed that threatened to swamp them, and they were in real danger. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” So Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waves. The storm stopped and all was calm! Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” And they were filled with awe and amazement. They said to one another, “Who is this man, that even the winds and waves obey him?”  (Luke 8:22-25, NLT)

Mark, who heard the story from Peter, tells us that Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm - "Peace, be still!" Then, He asked the men who were full of terror, "Why are you so afraid? Don't you have any faith?"  Isn’t that so like our Jesus?  He so often meets us in our storms with comfort and challenge!  His words make us sigh with relief - "Ah!" and  exclaim with the pain of realization - "Ouch!"  Comfort arrives as I see that He can (and will, if I allow Him) calm the storm in my life. Challenge comes when I hear gentle, loving His rebuke – “where is your faith?”   Oh, for grace to trust Him at the height of the tempest.

What storms are raging around you today, friend?  Sickness, financial loss, temptation, uncertainty, tornado, flood are but a few.  Are you arguing with the Lord about why He would allow you to live through such a time?  Instead, ask what you can discover of His amazing grace!  And, please know this – you are a normal Christian if the tempest has temporarily caused you to lose your assurance, to be unable to sense the Presence of the Spirit. But, you are not helpless!  Force feed the Word to your mind and heart.  Seize passages of promise and bring them to the forefront of your thoughts.   The Word speaks often about ‘walking through’  storms and God’s sustaining Presence with us. " But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV)

"Lord, increase my faith," is my prayer. I admit that I pray it with some reluctance.  It is an invitation for more storms!   Those tempests are what He uses to produce deep faith.  Like the disciples, we emerge from them ‘filled with awe,’  when we hang onto faith.   Do you want to grow up in Christ, moving beyond love of this present world- growing out of preoccupations with trivia, celebrities, sports, and such things?   God will let the storms blow.  Follow Him with faith that goes beyond mere emotion, that is demonstrated by steady patient endurance.  And, as we are relieved of our illusion of being a master of the universe, we will learn who God is and thus, to trust Him even more fully to lead us Home.

______________________

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart:

wean it from earth, through all its pulses move.

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

and make me love Thee, as I ought to love.

Hast Thou not bid us, love Thee, God and King?

All, all Thine own - soul, heart, and mind, and strength?

I see Thy Cross, there teach my heart to cling,

O let me seek Thee, and O, let me find!

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh,

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear;

to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;

teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee, as Thine angels love;

one holy passion filling all my frame.

The baptism of the Heav'n descended Dove,

My heart an altar, and Thy love- the flame.

- George Crosby

Building Bridges or Tossing Grenades?

Last Friday when our Supreme Court issued a ruling that legalized same-sex marriage throughout our country, many Christians, like me, felt a real sense that we have lost our ‘home.’  The myth of the “Christian” nation probably never was true, but in the past there was a collective consciousness of the Bible’s teaching and from the first our society was inarguably shaped by the values of the Scripture. That culture is gone, and it started to erode a long time ago. 

Friday’s ruling just made it clear that the United States has changed, something Christians have known for a while but somehow managed to deny. All the polls and reports for the past 10 years have exposed the shift in attitudes about the place of God and organized Christianity in our lives. One fourth of Americans, when asked about their religious preference choose “none.”   In 2014 alone, 7.5 million left church behind. One third of Americans reported that they never go to a religious service of any kind. “Spiritual” is not defined by knowing God or espousing a faith, but instead by having humanitarian values. A majority of Americans reject the claim that absolute truth is found in Scripture. So, should we be surprised, at all, by this decision? Probably not, but it is one that touched a nerve, going deep into our hearts and minds.

So, how shall we who are Christians live in these changing times? 

More than ever before, we need to examine our lives, close the gap between what we profess to believe and our practice, and pray to be filled with the character of Jesus Christ.  Fear and anger will not serve us or our Lord well! I watched Facebook explode with comments. (Yes, I shared a few, too!)  Some were thoughtful, part of a useful dialogue. Many were not. They were more like emotional hand grenades lobbed in the direction of those considered ‘the enemy.’ They were explosive and destructive, the work of people who are afraid.

Throwing grenades is a lot easier than engaging in thoughtful conversation. A grenade can be launched from the safety of a place behind the lines. A verbal grenade does not require any contact. It feels good to toss one out there and see things blow up.  “That’s one for the Lord,” we think proudly. Really, friend? Is that the best way to win the hearts and minds of others? How well do you respond to attack, accusation, and criticism? When we use tactics that force others into a defensive posture we make interaction almost impossible.

So, do I believe that there is ‘truth,’ that God has spoken and revealed absolutes about the moral choices we make? 
Yes, I do, absolutely! Learning from the example of Jesus, I also know that people must be loved, met at their point of need, their trust and respect earned by humility and service, before I can talk about the issues of their heart! Jesus generally approached others with offers of acceptance, understanding and lifting them up, before speaking to their sin. He saw a man up a tree named Zacchaeus, a cheat and a crook, but He did not ‘call him out’ by naming his sin. He asked, instead, to have dinner with that little man. Jesus’ willingness to eat with him scandalized the respectable Jews.

When a woman who was having an adulterous affair was dragged in front of Jesus for judgment, He did not point out her moral failings, though they were obvious to all. There were no scathing words about her shamelessness, or her failure to understand the consequences of her choices, or her lack of character.  Instead, He offered her dignity. And, then He did say, "Now, go and sin no more."  His worst critics lobbed this grenade – “He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!” (Lk 7:34)  His answer to them? “The Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Paul instructs us to engage ourselves not in grenade tossing but in bridge building. He calls it ‘the ministry of reconciliation.’ As you begin this new week, secure your heart in the love of Jesus, the grace He gives us that takes away our fear. Then, take this word from the Word and get in touch with those who are alienated from God and bring them home!

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. . . . Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  . . . if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:10-21, NIV)

With deep reverence for Christ we shape up, are made new, and reach out to invite others to join us in pursuing the living, loving God who makes all things new. What a great message of hope for our troubled times.
____________________ 

This Is Amazing Grace

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings.

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?

Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings.

This is amazing grace.

This is unfailing love.

That You would take my place,

That You would bear my cross.

You laid down Your life,

That I would be set free.

Oh Jesus, I sing for all that You've done for me.

Who brings our chaos back into order?

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

The King of Glory, the King of Glory.

Who rules the nations with truth and justice,

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.

Worthy, worthy, worthy.

Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham

© 2012 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

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