Tomorrow, a self-described "landmark" case will appear before the Supreme Court of the United States. The issue stems from the Obama administration's health care mandate requiring employers to provide contraception and abortion-causing drugs for employees. Implications and ramifications galore could speed across our nation like shock waves come June or July when an expected decision hits the floor. As I thought about this issue, my mind and heart were turned to an attitude of prayer. But something unexpected happened.
Initially, I concluded that my prayer should focus on the Supreme Court deciding in favor of Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood. The owners of these private companies should not have to abrogate their religious freedom and violate their God-given conscience in order to comply with the current government mandate. Being a Christian does not entail a private/public separation of spheres. The Christian faith calls for life in the open. Do not expect me to keep religious values bottled up in the private sphere of life. That's unconstitutional. More than that, it's unbiblical. My identity in Christ supersedes everything else. My citizenship is in Heaven. My faith should be the same in the private and public arenas of life. The free exercise of religion makes no distinction between private and public spheres, sectors, arenas of life. So, the nature of my prayer should have been an open and shut case.
But, it wasn't. Lately, I've been seeking the Lord's guidance in praying according to His will, and not mine. One particular verse captured my attention. Matthew 6:8 says, "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." What if the things I "think" I need are not in complete harmony with what my Father knows I need? When I pray "your kingdom come, your will be done," whose will am I truly seeking? Since my loving heavenly Father already knows my truest and deepest need, why not ask God to bring my heart into alignment with His? That way, my prayer will reflect the Father's desire. Thus, we come back full circle.
Due to the elevated stakes of this case, I want the Supreme Court to protect religious freedom in the public sphere. We may conclude we need a favorable ruling, or the shape of Christianity in America may change dramatically. The million dollar question is this, "Is this what God wants?" I mean no disrespect to Hobby Lobby or Conestoga, because if I were leading those companies and received information that I could be fined as much as $1.3 million or $95.000 a day for non-compliance, I would take that need to my Father. Now, I'm not reducing this to a monetary motive. I know the real issue is biblical truth and conscience. Forcing a staunch believer in biblical truth to violate truth and conscience is unconscionable. But, what if the decision went against religious freedom, and God had designed that to bring about something more glorious? Would I be wiling to sacrifice so much? What if I were told to stop preaching on certain topics or face jail time? What would I pray?
I realize I am asking more questions than providing solutions. Good. Hopefully, your wheels are turning faster than mine. Lord, if your kingdom may spread more rapidly, if your people may become more united, if true believers would turn and flood the throne of grace for mercy and wisdom, if a revival of repentance would sweep across this nation, if churches would become more urgent about sharing the gospel, if we should pray for more laborers in the harvest-ready fields, then break us O Lord. Father, sustain these families affected by this upcoming case. May they receive everything they need from your hand. Gracious God, if losing this case will lead to more glory for your great name, then do exactly that. If this may stir a nation to repentance and renewal, then use it Lord. Sustain your servants. Your kingdom come, your will be done. As always, Father, not my will, but your will be done.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
PARENTED IN A CORNER
The roller glided effortlessly across the floor. Each successive stroke added beautiful color to the pale gray floor. Marveling over the transformation happening before his very eyes left the painter unaware of his surroundings. A sudden revelation transfigured the painter's face which had been beaming, but now looked perplexed and twisted by the reality facing him. Though he had painted brilliantly, he stood trapped in a corner without a viable exit. No, this is not a confession. However, many have committed this cardinal error of painting. Never paint yourself in a corner!
At this time, I will proceed with a confession. I was struck with a startling epiphany recently. By God's word, His Holy Spirit, and subsequent observation, I confronted a cardinal error of parenting. For some time now, I have been parenting myself in a corner. How do you do that? I'm glad you asked.
The best way to understand this cardinal error is through the eyes of experience, in this case my experience. A major battleground has emerged in our home. The lines have been drawn by both sides. The frustration and exasperation has peaked like the majestic Grand Tetons in Wyoming. What is this battleground? It is the periodically cyclonic and oft tornadic bedroom shared by our girls. The room can accelerate from clean to a state of emergency in minutes. If you have children, then can I get a witness?
Here my brilliant parenting skills grab gobs of attention in the display window of wisdom, er, I mean "wisdom." I concocted a wise and soundproof strategy for seeing the job through to completion. "Girls, you have x amount of time to clean your room. If you do not successfully complete this task by x amount of time, then you will receive y punishment." Now that is sound thinking if I do say so myself! There is no way they will want to flirt with the aforementioned disaster, so that room should just about clean itself. You can insert laughter and eye-rolling here, if you like.
After leaving the room, rubbing my hands together as if to congratulate my brilliance, I dared assume the work would be done without a hitch or a glitch. But within minutes, shrill sounds pierced through the fog of "wisdom" hanging in the house, penetrating my ear lobes, banging off my ear drums and bouncing around incessantly in my head. What could possibly have gone wrong? I was crystal clear. The allotted time is more than reasonable. The proposed punishment serves as supreme motivation for getting the job done right. I don't understand.
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
We have many head-scratching moments as parents. As the initial time elapsed and the job remained wildly undone, I faced a choice. Should I uphold my word, or give them another chance? Then, a true light bulb moment occurred. I could double down and give them another reasonable amount of time, while proposing an additional punishment that would surely motivate them. Not only had I parented myself in a corner, I had just parented myself deeper into the corner. Once again, my brilliance was foiled. The time elapsed and the work remained grossly undone. Now, I had to uphold my word and render the punishment.
Some of you right now are scratching your heads at my wonderful parenting skills on display. You came up with your own workable solutions to the problem. You may have spoken them aloud to the computer as you were reading this, in the hope that I might hear you. Some of you may have agreed that the solution seemed wise and doable. And some of you recalled your own parenting corners that you have put yourself in through the years.
Have you ever parented yourself in a corner? The classic phrase that stands out among those who have done so is this, "or else." Do this or else! Finish that or else! I've learned that occasionally I really did not want to enact y punishment, but because I had taken this "or else" stance I had little choice. If I failed to uphold my word, then I would be seen as a flip-flopper in the girls' eyes. My word would morph into more of a suggestion, rather than something to be obeyed. Do you identify with me in this, just a little?
The wheels in my brain smoked and squeaked from repeatedly turning over the perceived lunacy that I had witnessed. Why couldn't the motivation of y punishment motivate my precious girls? Then, like a flash, I was struck with one question. When has it ever consistently motivated me? That's when I knew something had to change.
EUREKA MOMENT
Through God's word, I have been reminded of two fundamental parenting truths. Like my heavenly Father I must delight in unchanging love(see Micah 7:18-20). Paul admonished the Ephesian church to be imitators of God. As a child of God, I should embody this as I discipline my children. The prophet Micah extols God as the unmatchable God who pardons iniquity, and treads those iniquities under foot. He assures us that God casts sins into the depths of the sea. The pressure at the bottom of the deepest ocean is akin to one person trying to support the weight of 50 jumbo jets. Such tremendous weight would crush a man. The weight of our sin crushes us absolutely. Yet, God crushes sin by the weight of His holiness. As an imitator of God, I am to express unchanging love to my beautiful girls.
Practically, here's how that looks. When addressing the dire need to clean up their room before we have to evacuate the house and call a trained Hazmat team, I must set them down and explain to them that I love them unconditionally whether the room gets cleaned or not. Now, if the room does not get clean I will be hurt because I specifically asked them to do something. I will not approve of their disobedience, but my love will be constant. My desire is for them to respond to me in love and obedience, not just at the thought of avoiding punishment. They are not scoring points with dad. Together, we are expressing God's love to one another. My love should be patient, while their love should be responsive. Corners and raised voices be gone!
The second truth that struck me applies to all of life and not just parenting, but I find it particularly poignant here. Jesus instructed his disciples that to love him involves keeping his word(John 14:23). While this may seem to focus on my children, it really focuses squarely on me. God reminds me as a father to not exasperate my children. I dare say the "dirty room" debacle involved some fine examples of exasperation, as my frustration level with disobedience skyrocketed into the stratosphere. Perhaps that was my blood pressure, instead. Regardless, I was the one wallowing in disobedience. I made a manageable situation virtually unmanageable. The way of Christ had been thwarted. Would I really desire my girls to mimic my demeanor? The "or else" strategy must be discarded. I choose to adopt a grow in grace mentality from now on.
In reference to my girls, they must understand the importance of what we are seeking to instill in them. Disobedience will not be handled lightly, but it will be handled differently. No more corners for this parent, until God shows me another corner I have so finely parented myself into unwittingly. My girls will become beneficiaries of grace, more so than they have been accustomed to as we all adopt a grow in grace mentality. I pray they come to acknowledge and understand they can please God by loving and serving their parents. I pray that my wife and I please God by lovingly serving them. That's parenting that allows for a graceful exit from any situation. May the Lord increase us in His wisdom, so that we may imitate Him, so that the life of Christ will flow through our families, that we may walk by the Spirit of God in this jungle of parenthood. James 1:5 instructs in this way, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Let us ask in faith without doubting.
At this time, I will proceed with a confession. I was struck with a startling epiphany recently. By God's word, His Holy Spirit, and subsequent observation, I confronted a cardinal error of parenting. For some time now, I have been parenting myself in a corner. How do you do that? I'm glad you asked.
The best way to understand this cardinal error is through the eyes of experience, in this case my experience. A major battleground has emerged in our home. The lines have been drawn by both sides. The frustration and exasperation has peaked like the majestic Grand Tetons in Wyoming. What is this battleground? It is the periodically cyclonic and oft tornadic bedroom shared by our girls. The room can accelerate from clean to a state of emergency in minutes. If you have children, then can I get a witness?
Here my brilliant parenting skills grab gobs of attention in the display window of wisdom, er, I mean "wisdom." I concocted a wise and soundproof strategy for seeing the job through to completion. "Girls, you have x amount of time to clean your room. If you do not successfully complete this task by x amount of time, then you will receive y punishment." Now that is sound thinking if I do say so myself! There is no way they will want to flirt with the aforementioned disaster, so that room should just about clean itself. You can insert laughter and eye-rolling here, if you like.
After leaving the room, rubbing my hands together as if to congratulate my brilliance, I dared assume the work would be done without a hitch or a glitch. But within minutes, shrill sounds pierced through the fog of "wisdom" hanging in the house, penetrating my ear lobes, banging off my ear drums and bouncing around incessantly in my head. What could possibly have gone wrong? I was crystal clear. The allotted time is more than reasonable. The proposed punishment serves as supreme motivation for getting the job done right. I don't understand.
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
We have many head-scratching moments as parents. As the initial time elapsed and the job remained wildly undone, I faced a choice. Should I uphold my word, or give them another chance? Then, a true light bulb moment occurred. I could double down and give them another reasonable amount of time, while proposing an additional punishment that would surely motivate them. Not only had I parented myself in a corner, I had just parented myself deeper into the corner. Once again, my brilliance was foiled. The time elapsed and the work remained grossly undone. Now, I had to uphold my word and render the punishment.
Some of you right now are scratching your heads at my wonderful parenting skills on display. You came up with your own workable solutions to the problem. You may have spoken them aloud to the computer as you were reading this, in the hope that I might hear you. Some of you may have agreed that the solution seemed wise and doable. And some of you recalled your own parenting corners that you have put yourself in through the years.
Have you ever parented yourself in a corner? The classic phrase that stands out among those who have done so is this, "or else." Do this or else! Finish that or else! I've learned that occasionally I really did not want to enact y punishment, but because I had taken this "or else" stance I had little choice. If I failed to uphold my word, then I would be seen as a flip-flopper in the girls' eyes. My word would morph into more of a suggestion, rather than something to be obeyed. Do you identify with me in this, just a little?
The wheels in my brain smoked and squeaked from repeatedly turning over the perceived lunacy that I had witnessed. Why couldn't the motivation of y punishment motivate my precious girls? Then, like a flash, I was struck with one question. When has it ever consistently motivated me? That's when I knew something had to change.
EUREKA MOMENT
Through God's word, I have been reminded of two fundamental parenting truths. Like my heavenly Father I must delight in unchanging love(see Micah 7:18-20). Paul admonished the Ephesian church to be imitators of God. As a child of God, I should embody this as I discipline my children. The prophet Micah extols God as the unmatchable God who pardons iniquity, and treads those iniquities under foot. He assures us that God casts sins into the depths of the sea. The pressure at the bottom of the deepest ocean is akin to one person trying to support the weight of 50 jumbo jets. Such tremendous weight would crush a man. The weight of our sin crushes us absolutely. Yet, God crushes sin by the weight of His holiness. As an imitator of God, I am to express unchanging love to my beautiful girls.
Practically, here's how that looks. When addressing the dire need to clean up their room before we have to evacuate the house and call a trained Hazmat team, I must set them down and explain to them that I love them unconditionally whether the room gets cleaned or not. Now, if the room does not get clean I will be hurt because I specifically asked them to do something. I will not approve of their disobedience, but my love will be constant. My desire is for them to respond to me in love and obedience, not just at the thought of avoiding punishment. They are not scoring points with dad. Together, we are expressing God's love to one another. My love should be patient, while their love should be responsive. Corners and raised voices be gone!
The second truth that struck me applies to all of life and not just parenting, but I find it particularly poignant here. Jesus instructed his disciples that to love him involves keeping his word(John 14:23). While this may seem to focus on my children, it really focuses squarely on me. God reminds me as a father to not exasperate my children. I dare say the "dirty room" debacle involved some fine examples of exasperation, as my frustration level with disobedience skyrocketed into the stratosphere. Perhaps that was my blood pressure, instead. Regardless, I was the one wallowing in disobedience. I made a manageable situation virtually unmanageable. The way of Christ had been thwarted. Would I really desire my girls to mimic my demeanor? The "or else" strategy must be discarded. I choose to adopt a grow in grace mentality from now on.
In reference to my girls, they must understand the importance of what we are seeking to instill in them. Disobedience will not be handled lightly, but it will be handled differently. No more corners for this parent, until God shows me another corner I have so finely parented myself into unwittingly. My girls will become beneficiaries of grace, more so than they have been accustomed to as we all adopt a grow in grace mentality. I pray they come to acknowledge and understand they can please God by loving and serving their parents. I pray that my wife and I please God by lovingly serving them. That's parenting that allows for a graceful exit from any situation. May the Lord increase us in His wisdom, so that we may imitate Him, so that the life of Christ will flow through our families, that we may walk by the Spirit of God in this jungle of parenthood. James 1:5 instructs in this way, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Let us ask in faith without doubting.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
The Divine Selfie
I know, really, I know. The word "selfie" sends many of you running and screaming in the opposite direction. You either love taking them, or loathe seeing them. I'm sure middle ground exists, but it appears to be rapidly disintegrating like the middle class in America. However, a reevaluation is in order. Like an adept spin doctor, we shall cast the word in a new light.
Yesterday, my wife shared an enlightening video featuring popular blogger, author and speaker, Ann Voskamp. She spoke passionately about Christ and His wonderfully redeemed bride. Her challenge led the listeners into a time of deep reflection, at least it did for this partial listener. I say partial because I only watched a portion of the video, but I saw and heard enough to convict. When we assess our relationship to Christ what do we discover? Have we made seeking Christ into a mechanical business transaction? Lord, forgive us for our sin is great.
You are probably wondering how we can make a fluid relationship into a mechanical transaction, right? I'm glad you asked. Imagine a golf swing for a moment. Classic, timeless golf swings appear seamless and flawless on camera. Unfortunately, my golf swing is neither. The ease and power generated by the polished golfer astounds me. While that swing has been forged through endless hours of repetitive motion and mechanical memory points, it appears both beautiful and fluid on camera. I have discovered that the more I focus on mechanics while I am swinging, the more rigid the swing becomes. I feel heavily restricted and incapable of producing anything resembling a fluid motion. I am thinking so much about the dynamics of the swing, that my swing loses its' dynamic. Confused?
Think about it this way. Our relationship with God through Christ is built upon the mechanics of grace. By spending countless hours soaking up His grace, reveling in His grace, being renewed in His grace, the fluid dynamic takes root. The freedom we have in Christ radiates from our core. We then experience daily renewal, which can be defined as an intense repetitive freshness. I thirst for His grace and goodness, which makes for gladness. This type of relationship is dynamic, fluid and powerful.
Being in relationship to God Almighty, through His one and only provision the Lord Jesus Christ unleashes this powerfully free life. However, if I treat God like a commodity or something that I get to enjoy in exchange for something I give, then I have made that relationship mechanical. It has morphed into a business transaction. I put in X and I receive Y. Grace is lost. Gladness is stamped out. Drudgery is gained. Rigid legalism is tattooed upon my heart, because I have reduced everything to a bottom line, to earning potential. If I don't perform at a high enough level, then my relationship with God will be less than ideal. Where can joy and gladness be found in that type of relationship?
Look at it this way. If I am only in this relationship for what I get out of it, then I am a user. I perform what I must to get what I want. Real love and real joy are strikingly absent from this picture. God should enthrall all my senses, my total being. Heart, mind, soul, and strength should run like a tributary toward the great river of God's delight. The only currency I have to give unto God is my self. Losing my life for the sake of Christ and His gospel is the only way to save and secure life.
Now, that sounds like I am getting something in return. I give up life in order to gain life. The Bible clearly states that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him(Hebrews 11:6). God gives because He is a gracious giver. He is not obligated to bestow His grace. I am a wretch of a man. You are a wretch of a person. But, that did not stop God from giving His one and only Son that we may have abundant life, eternal life. We did not engage in a business transaction. God posted His divine "selfie," Jesus.
Christ is the exact representation of God's nature and the radiance of God's glory(Hebrews 1:3). In Him, the fullness of Deity dwelt in bodily form(Colossians 2:9). Jesus declared boldly that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father(John 14:9). This truth impacts us squarely between the eyes. It penetrates to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart(Hebrews 4:12). That's a selfie I can gaze upon endlessly. The pure freedom of the gift of God's grace is beautiful to behold. I haven't earned it, instead I have responded to His gift. He initiated the relationship. We experience peace and reconciliation with God through union with Christ. That union comes through repentance and faith. I must cease trying to use God for my selfish purposes. Our relationship is built upon immovable principles, but the dynamics of that relationship are fluid and free.
The psalmist captures this dynamic with these glorious words, "Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually(Psalm 105:3-4). Notice that glory and gladness accompany this quest. God delights in finding and being found. The prophet Jeremiah attests that we should seek God wholeheartedly, and when we do we will find Him(Jeremiah 29:13). This search cannot come from selfish motives. It looks nothing like a cold, mechanical business transaction. Grace beckons us forward. God illuminates our path. God wraps us in peace, truth, love, forgiveness and righteousness. He rewards those who seek Him by faith. Here, the heart bursts with gladness. I know I haven't earned one cent of His love and grace. There was not a transaction, but there was a transformation. I will never own a fluid golf swing at this stage of life, but through Christ I am the humble possessor of a dynamic and free relationship with the Creator of all things. He purchased you and me by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!
Yesterday, my wife shared an enlightening video featuring popular blogger, author and speaker, Ann Voskamp. She spoke passionately about Christ and His wonderfully redeemed bride. Her challenge led the listeners into a time of deep reflection, at least it did for this partial listener. I say partial because I only watched a portion of the video, but I saw and heard enough to convict. When we assess our relationship to Christ what do we discover? Have we made seeking Christ into a mechanical business transaction? Lord, forgive us for our sin is great.
You are probably wondering how we can make a fluid relationship into a mechanical transaction, right? I'm glad you asked. Imagine a golf swing for a moment. Classic, timeless golf swings appear seamless and flawless on camera. Unfortunately, my golf swing is neither. The ease and power generated by the polished golfer astounds me. While that swing has been forged through endless hours of repetitive motion and mechanical memory points, it appears both beautiful and fluid on camera. I have discovered that the more I focus on mechanics while I am swinging, the more rigid the swing becomes. I feel heavily restricted and incapable of producing anything resembling a fluid motion. I am thinking so much about the dynamics of the swing, that my swing loses its' dynamic. Confused?
Think about it this way. Our relationship with God through Christ is built upon the mechanics of grace. By spending countless hours soaking up His grace, reveling in His grace, being renewed in His grace, the fluid dynamic takes root. The freedom we have in Christ radiates from our core. We then experience daily renewal, which can be defined as an intense repetitive freshness. I thirst for His grace and goodness, which makes for gladness. This type of relationship is dynamic, fluid and powerful.
Being in relationship to God Almighty, through His one and only provision the Lord Jesus Christ unleashes this powerfully free life. However, if I treat God like a commodity or something that I get to enjoy in exchange for something I give, then I have made that relationship mechanical. It has morphed into a business transaction. I put in X and I receive Y. Grace is lost. Gladness is stamped out. Drudgery is gained. Rigid legalism is tattooed upon my heart, because I have reduced everything to a bottom line, to earning potential. If I don't perform at a high enough level, then my relationship with God will be less than ideal. Where can joy and gladness be found in that type of relationship?
Look at it this way. If I am only in this relationship for what I get out of it, then I am a user. I perform what I must to get what I want. Real love and real joy are strikingly absent from this picture. God should enthrall all my senses, my total being. Heart, mind, soul, and strength should run like a tributary toward the great river of God's delight. The only currency I have to give unto God is my self. Losing my life for the sake of Christ and His gospel is the only way to save and secure life.
Now, that sounds like I am getting something in return. I give up life in order to gain life. The Bible clearly states that God is a rewarder of those that seek Him(Hebrews 11:6). God gives because He is a gracious giver. He is not obligated to bestow His grace. I am a wretch of a man. You are a wretch of a person. But, that did not stop God from giving His one and only Son that we may have abundant life, eternal life. We did not engage in a business transaction. God posted His divine "selfie," Jesus.
Christ is the exact representation of God's nature and the radiance of God's glory(Hebrews 1:3). In Him, the fullness of Deity dwelt in bodily form(Colossians 2:9). Jesus declared boldly that if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father(John 14:9). This truth impacts us squarely between the eyes. It penetrates to the point of dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, even judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart(Hebrews 4:12). That's a selfie I can gaze upon endlessly. The pure freedom of the gift of God's grace is beautiful to behold. I haven't earned it, instead I have responded to His gift. He initiated the relationship. We experience peace and reconciliation with God through union with Christ. That union comes through repentance and faith. I must cease trying to use God for my selfish purposes. Our relationship is built upon immovable principles, but the dynamics of that relationship are fluid and free.
The psalmist captures this dynamic with these glorious words, "Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad. Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually(Psalm 105:3-4). Notice that glory and gladness accompany this quest. God delights in finding and being found. The prophet Jeremiah attests that we should seek God wholeheartedly, and when we do we will find Him(Jeremiah 29:13). This search cannot come from selfish motives. It looks nothing like a cold, mechanical business transaction. Grace beckons us forward. God illuminates our path. God wraps us in peace, truth, love, forgiveness and righteousness. He rewards those who seek Him by faith. Here, the heart bursts with gladness. I know I haven't earned one cent of His love and grace. There was not a transaction, but there was a transformation. I will never own a fluid golf swing at this stage of life, but through Christ I am the humble possessor of a dynamic and free relationship with the Creator of all things. He purchased you and me by the sacrificial blood of the Lamb. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
A TREASURED POSSESSION
Deuteronomy 26:18-19: "And the Lord has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He shall set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, as He has spoken."
Listen to those words again. A treasured possession, a consecrated people. That's what you are. More to the point, that's who you are
in Christ. Notice that the scripture asserts "the Lord has today declared you to be His people." Each day upon rising allow that truth to settle in and impact your disposition and attitude throughout the day. Life's problems may shrink to near nothingness in light of such profound truth.
Suppose you lose your job tomorrow. How will you feel when the bills compile and the mortgage comes due? In those moments the pressure and stress remove our minds from God's interests and goodness. We clearly see our reality. Threatening letters from lenders and creditors haunt us no matter how far we shove them back in our designated junk drawer. You know the one I am talking about. It's a virtual smorgasbord of random, unrelated, jumbled up mess. Strangely enough, the resemblance to your cluttered mind does not go unnoticed. But, if we can return to the light of God's truth, then we will rise above the fear and stress. We are God's people. Do you really think God is oblivious to your present plight?
Next, focus intensely on the fact that God says He will set you, His people, high above the other peoples for praise, fame and honor. This magnificent promise flows directly from a relationship with the Lord of all creation. You are God's treasured possession! As such that guarantees that God will be for you unlike He is for any other. Allow the blessedness of that truth to revive your soul and send your confidence in Him soaring high above with the eagles.
Finally, note that you are a consecrated people. This means you are set apart unto God. You are to be holy. You are anointed to do His will. You are to keep His commandments. You have the sign and seal of God's love and authority on you. As a consecrated people, are we living under that knowledge? Are we living so that any praise, fame and honor that comes to us ascends directly back to God who has placed us squarely in His favor? To God belongs all glory and praise!
Remember, we are a treasured possession.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
AN EMOTIONAL DUEL
The plague
of injustice sweeping through society assaults the emotions like the stench of
decaying flesh violating the olfactory senses. Both turn angrily in the pit of
one's stomach. A news story from last year underscores this reality.
On September 20, 2013, gross
injustice infiltrated the good citizens of Danville, KY. A violent robbery
committed on that day stunned a community, and sabotaged the dreams of a
little boy and girl. A vibrant, happy couple filled with the hope of a
beautiful future together tragically departed this world. This robber
beset with greed, malice, fear, lust and general disregard for life decided to
alter someone's earthly future. In fact, three persons have departed this world
on his account. Increasingly, we witness acts of senseless
violence and gross injustice committed
by sin-riddled hearts.
But, what really punched me in the
gut was the remaining part of the story. This young couple, active in
ministry, have two children. Even more horrifying, the children were in the
store when the shooting occurred. As I paused to pray for these children, thoughts
flooded my mind. This precious one year old will never remember the mother who
gave birth to her. She will not remember a father who held her and kissed her
little tears away. She will never hear the prayers that would have been prayed
over her by her parents. Pictures will have to suffice for memory. I tell you
that is an injustice.
Then I thought about the nine year
old. He will possess memories, but he will also harbor a tremendous void. All the
wrestling, sword fights, games of catch, hugs, tickles and prayers will be
missed. He has learned very early that life situations can be brutal and cruel.
Will he also learn that God is unceasingly kind and sovereign over his life?
And then, my mind nearly drowned beneath a cascading waterfall of devastating thoughts. What if my wife and I
encountered such a fate? All the things we would miss hit me like vicious jabs
from Floyd Mayweather. There wasn't any ducking and diving taking place. Each
pounding blow further disoriented my senses. I thought about all the firsts we
would miss. I contemplated crucial life moments that we would not get to
witness and enjoy. I thought about who would walk my daughters down the aisle
one day. Injustice. Grave injustice. At that moment I realized a spiritual
battle welling up inside me.
When faced with tragic
injustice, we have many options before us. Two particular options took center
stage, bitterness or brokenness. The leading contender for my emotions was the
former. Why shouldn't we reach for bitterness? Why should these precious
children when they grow older not reach for bitterness? Shouldn't the family
and community of Danville wallow in the mire of bitterness? It is after all the
road more traveled.
The biblical example of Job
addresses this bitterness and brokenness dichotomy. But another biblical
example clamors for attention. Remember King Hezekiah. He led a powerful
revival among God's people. Through God's power and aid, the king of Assyria
was denied passage into Jerusalem. Life was good. But soon thereafter,
Hezekiah's world would experience seismic upheaval. He became mortally ill, and
after a visit from the prophet Isaiah, his mind turned the prophet's words over
endlessly. "Thus says the Lord, set your house in order, for you shall die
and not live." With a wounded psyche, Hezekiah confronted this prevalent
dichotomy.
Hezekiah chose the latter. He lifted
his voice before the King of Kings. Tears streamed down his face. Heavy sobs
echoed throughout the king's chambers. And God showed up.
God was not obligated to answer
Hezekiah. The Lord is never anyone's patsy. But in His tremendous grace and
lovingkindness, He added fifteen years to Hezekiah's life. After his recovery,
Hezekiah penned solemn and somber words that reach through the sands of time
and cause us to confront the dueling emotions of bitterness and brokenness. We
see both sentiments emerge from Hezekiah, but one ultimately silenced the
other. Brokenness won the day.
Even though the atrocity in
Danville, KY, has nothing to do with me, I have confronted the shadows lurking
in the corners of my heart. I can easily identify with bitterness. I could "justify" my bitterness, for awhile. But, the resultant
bitterness in my soul would eat at me like the bubonic plague. In Ephesians
4:31-32, we receive instruction to remove forcibly every ounce of bitterness
from our soul. Paul follows this injunction with an imperative toward Christ-likeness
exhibited through forgiveness. The choice shifts now toward obedience or
disobedience.
What is needed in my life is a
renewed sense of the need for constant brokenness. Terrible injustice fueled by
rampant sin should irrigate dried up tear ducts. While my heart goes out to all
involved in Danville, especially the children, my heart must descend lower in
humility before my God. Break my heart, Lord, with the things that break Yours.
Never have those words teemed with more life. I want to be broken over a world
in rebellion against her holy, sovereign Creator. I want to weep over sin in my
life and among God's redeemed people. I want to cry out desperately over
blatant disregard for the sanctity of life. What is within your reach?
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
FLEECED: THE SILENCE OF THE WOLVES
Tolerance. This celebrated virtue receives rapt attention from an enlightened society. Life in the melting pot of America presupposes such behavior. With so many different cultures, religions, philosophies and ideals, a functional society must have tolerance. And that is why the irony weighs so heavy.
Last Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York revealed his take on tolerance. During a radio interview, the governor alluded to a schism within the state's Republican Party. He hailed New York as a moderate state for both sides of the political aisle. His inflammatory remarks went like this:
"Their problem is not me and democrats, their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives, who are right to life, pro assault weapon, anti-gay, is that who they are? Because if that is who they are, and if they are the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York. Because that is not who New Yorkers are." (As reported on TheBlaze.com, Jan 20, 2014).
Obviously, a firestorm of controversy has surrounded these remarks. Governor Cuomo asserts that his remarks have been distorted. On that same Blaze article, an entire transcript can be found containing the full context of his remarks. Did he really mean that conservative republicans need to exit the state of New York? Or did he mean to illustrate that they could never survive politically in a state that affirms gay marriage, accepts abortion, and abhors assault weapons? Either way, the gauntlet has been laid.
Placing the "extreme" label upon these conservatives seeks to isolate and exile them socially, morally and politically. Extremists are dangerous. Extremists blow things up to further their cause. Extremists upset societal balance. And here comes the irony? Extremists will not be tolerated, in the truest sense of the word. Yes, Governor Cuomo admitted that these extreme positions are fine, however, these positions are not the opinion of New York. If you maintain this extreme conservative philosophy, you will not survive. Keep your opinions, but expect little good will from the state's majority. Tolerance indeed.
By using the extreme labels, those closer to the center can toss these barbs at the fringe elements. It actually becomes morally acceptable and politically necessary to exhibit intolerance toward these intolerant extremists. Those who preach tolerance then believe in the practice of tolerant intolerance. The greater good is at stake in their minds, therefore the ends justify the means. We have been fleeced. The irony and hypocrisy astound me.
Let's suppose your company transfers you to New York. You openly proclaim that you believe life begins at conception, and that abortion is morally repugnant. You know that these young ladies are making difficult choices and experiencing great adversity, but you also believe in the sanctity of life. This does not render you incapable of compassion, though. Furthermore, you not only own guns, but you support the United States Constitution. To add on to that, you believe God created man and woman, that he ordained marriage between man and woman for all time for all peoples. In light of Governor Cuomo's remarks, what place will you have in New York? Will your religion be tolerated? Or will you be pushed to the fringe?
I find it interesting that the Holy Bible and the United States Constitution could place someone in the extremist camp. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am not offended by these comments. I am first saddened, that the truth of God is not prevailing in our culture. Second, I am alarmed by the growing tide of resistance toward biblical truth first and foremost, and then by the growing resentment toward our Constitution in America. Do not confuse this statement as some kind of unholy mixture of Christ and patriotism. Allegiance to Christ should strike a proper balance with patriotism, but patriotism does not procure allegiance to Christ, for His kingdom is not of this world.
If these remarks teach us anything, they teach us that silence is the goal. Fringe elements have no place in mainstream, enlightened society. Ancient documents need to be ushered into the 21st century, where they can be properly modified and interpreted. The wolves are not silent, but they desire lowly sheep that will remain quiet during shearing. But in the spirit of Patrick Henry, I say "give me liberty or give me death." I am speaking about freedom of conscience, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And if Christ the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed. Understand that followers of Christ should be dangerous--to the spiritual realm. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers, principalities and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Make no mistake, Satan is the prince of the power of the air. I guess I am really an outcast now, for believing in Satan's existence. His dominion has infiltrated this world, but his days are numbered.
A new day will dawn. God will restore all things and set up His eternal kingdom. If saying that labels me dangerous, then I say dangerous is good. Our danger is to the spiritual realm, and it comes from the power of the name--Jesus. Demons must flee by His command. Sickness and death are no match for Him. The very gates of hell and the works of the devil have been obliterated. That makes us dangerous, if we follow our Captain in truth and love. The battlefield in the spiritual realm is the heart, not public opinion. If a person's "god" changes, that person changes. In the hit TV series "Once Upon A Time," the evil queen has the ability to rip out someone's heart and keep it in her possession. As long as she does not crush the heart, the person lives. But while the heart is in her possession, she controls that person. More poignant are the words of Christ, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I don't want to alter opinions, I want Christ to be treasured in people's hearts. I pray for the dawn of the bright and morning star of Christ to arise in the hearts of all nations. Can the tolerant tolerate me? Don't be fleeced by the silence of the wolves.
Last Friday, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York revealed his take on tolerance. During a radio interview, the governor alluded to a schism within the state's Republican Party. He hailed New York as a moderate state for both sides of the political aisle. His inflammatory remarks went like this:
"Their problem is not me and democrats, their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives, who are right to life, pro assault weapon, anti-gay, is that who they are? Because if that is who they are, and if they are the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York. Because that is not who New Yorkers are." (As reported on TheBlaze.com, Jan 20, 2014).
Obviously, a firestorm of controversy has surrounded these remarks. Governor Cuomo asserts that his remarks have been distorted. On that same Blaze article, an entire transcript can be found containing the full context of his remarks. Did he really mean that conservative republicans need to exit the state of New York? Or did he mean to illustrate that they could never survive politically in a state that affirms gay marriage, accepts abortion, and abhors assault weapons? Either way, the gauntlet has been laid.
Placing the "extreme" label upon these conservatives seeks to isolate and exile them socially, morally and politically. Extremists are dangerous. Extremists blow things up to further their cause. Extremists upset societal balance. And here comes the irony? Extremists will not be tolerated, in the truest sense of the word. Yes, Governor Cuomo admitted that these extreme positions are fine, however, these positions are not the opinion of New York. If you maintain this extreme conservative philosophy, you will not survive. Keep your opinions, but expect little good will from the state's majority. Tolerance indeed.
By using the extreme labels, those closer to the center can toss these barbs at the fringe elements. It actually becomes morally acceptable and politically necessary to exhibit intolerance toward these intolerant extremists. Those who preach tolerance then believe in the practice of tolerant intolerance. The greater good is at stake in their minds, therefore the ends justify the means. We have been fleeced. The irony and hypocrisy astound me.
Let's suppose your company transfers you to New York. You openly proclaim that you believe life begins at conception, and that abortion is morally repugnant. You know that these young ladies are making difficult choices and experiencing great adversity, but you also believe in the sanctity of life. This does not render you incapable of compassion, though. Furthermore, you not only own guns, but you support the United States Constitution. To add on to that, you believe God created man and woman, that he ordained marriage between man and woman for all time for all peoples. In light of Governor Cuomo's remarks, what place will you have in New York? Will your religion be tolerated? Or will you be pushed to the fringe?
I find it interesting that the Holy Bible and the United States Constitution could place someone in the extremist camp. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am not offended by these comments. I am first saddened, that the truth of God is not prevailing in our culture. Second, I am alarmed by the growing tide of resistance toward biblical truth first and foremost, and then by the growing resentment toward our Constitution in America. Do not confuse this statement as some kind of unholy mixture of Christ and patriotism. Allegiance to Christ should strike a proper balance with patriotism, but patriotism does not procure allegiance to Christ, for His kingdom is not of this world.
If these remarks teach us anything, they teach us that silence is the goal. Fringe elements have no place in mainstream, enlightened society. Ancient documents need to be ushered into the 21st century, where they can be properly modified and interpreted. The wolves are not silent, but they desire lowly sheep that will remain quiet during shearing. But in the spirit of Patrick Henry, I say "give me liberty or give me death." I am speaking about freedom of conscience, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. And if Christ the Son sets you free, then you are free indeed. Understand that followers of Christ should be dangerous--to the spiritual realm. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with powers, principalities and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Make no mistake, Satan is the prince of the power of the air. I guess I am really an outcast now, for believing in Satan's existence. His dominion has infiltrated this world, but his days are numbered.
A new day will dawn. God will restore all things and set up His eternal kingdom. If saying that labels me dangerous, then I say dangerous is good. Our danger is to the spiritual realm, and it comes from the power of the name--Jesus. Demons must flee by His command. Sickness and death are no match for Him. The very gates of hell and the works of the devil have been obliterated. That makes us dangerous, if we follow our Captain in truth and love. The battlefield in the spiritual realm is the heart, not public opinion. If a person's "god" changes, that person changes. In the hit TV series "Once Upon A Time," the evil queen has the ability to rip out someone's heart and keep it in her possession. As long as she does not crush the heart, the person lives. But while the heart is in her possession, she controls that person. More poignant are the words of Christ, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I don't want to alter opinions, I want Christ to be treasured in people's hearts. I pray for the dawn of the bright and morning star of Christ to arise in the hearts of all nations. Can the tolerant tolerate me? Don't be fleeced by the silence of the wolves.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Frozen?
Lately, rhythmic lyrics daintily waft about the halls of our home. Sounds of singing echo off the walls and wood floors. Delighted children dance and prance, as if no one is watching them. But I am watching, and joyfully might I add.
The lyrics come from the hit theatrical release, "Frozen." Even I catch myself humming a tune now and then. Alright, I actually sing along from time to time, yet nobody notices. The favorite flavor of the month is the song, "Let It Go." With that in mind, I turn your attention in another direction.
Recently, we were victims of the wicked polar vortex. Apparently global warming allowed for these arctic winds circling the North pole to break apart long enough for an arctic blast of epic proportions. Needless to say, even in the south we experienced some of the coldest air in recent memory. Roll on global warming. But,I digress. Anyway, on a Monday morning in early January, I was driving to my weekly pastor's conference when I noticed something peculiar.
In a low lying area that we locals refer to as the bottom, all the stagnant water was frozen solid. The Obion river consistently overflows its banks, and this water absent from its' true source and having no appropriate mouth succumbed to the wrath of the polar vortex. With nowhere to go but in the ground, this water could not withstand the adverse conditions hounding away every chilling second. But that is not all that I saw that morning.
I knew the river itself was just ahead. I wondered if some water along the banks might be frozen. The building anticipation with each revolution of the tires gave way to the visible affirmation before my eyes. The flowing water flowed smoothly through the river bed. No doubt you could test your membership in the polar bear club by jumping in the river, but the flowing water had not been impeded by the arctic blast. And that's when the Lord began to teach me an important lesson.
Rivers have a source and a mouth. The source is what feeds the river at its beginning. The mouth is where the river flows into a larger body of water. Think on that for a minute. Keep thinking. Time's up. As followers of Jesus Christ we have a source and a mouth. Our source is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 says, "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." God, through Jesus Christ, writes your story. Your story is His story. Listen carefully. Jesus astonished his disciples with these words of truth in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." Apart from Christ, we freeze solid. And why is that?
As we indicated, rivers also have a mouth. Therefore, followers of Christ have a mouth, a place where we empty ourselves. That place is in love and service to the brethren, our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even our enemies. In this sense, the bigger mouth you have the better. For some, that should come as really good news. But don't take my word for it. Galatians 5:13 states, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Peter instructs us in his first letter that love covers a multitude of sins, and that we should employ our spiritual gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God's grace. And Jesus taught and embodied this amazing truth in Mark 10:43-45, "But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." You have a source, an outlet, and a supreme example in Christ. Remember, what we do for these brothers of Christ, even the least of them, we do unto Christ.
When adverse conditions flow down on top of us, we can keep moving because we gain constant nourishment from our source, even as we empty ourselves into our mouth, the people around us. God has made us to be channels of His love and grace. Let us stay within that channel, for if we overflow the banks we no longer have a direct source or mouth. We become stagnant. In the cold that water freezes. In the heat it becomes stale, and then it dries up. Are you frozen? Then let it go for God's glory. Connect daily to Christ and empty daily into those around you. To God be the glory.
The lyrics come from the hit theatrical release, "Frozen." Even I catch myself humming a tune now and then. Alright, I actually sing along from time to time, yet nobody notices. The favorite flavor of the month is the song, "Let It Go." With that in mind, I turn your attention in another direction.
Recently, we were victims of the wicked polar vortex. Apparently global warming allowed for these arctic winds circling the North pole to break apart long enough for an arctic blast of epic proportions. Needless to say, even in the south we experienced some of the coldest air in recent memory. Roll on global warming. But,I digress. Anyway, on a Monday morning in early January, I was driving to my weekly pastor's conference when I noticed something peculiar.
In a low lying area that we locals refer to as the bottom, all the stagnant water was frozen solid. The Obion river consistently overflows its banks, and this water absent from its' true source and having no appropriate mouth succumbed to the wrath of the polar vortex. With nowhere to go but in the ground, this water could not withstand the adverse conditions hounding away every chilling second. But that is not all that I saw that morning.
I knew the river itself was just ahead. I wondered if some water along the banks might be frozen. The building anticipation with each revolution of the tires gave way to the visible affirmation before my eyes. The flowing water flowed smoothly through the river bed. No doubt you could test your membership in the polar bear club by jumping in the river, but the flowing water had not been impeded by the arctic blast. And that's when the Lord began to teach me an important lesson.
Rivers have a source and a mouth. The source is what feeds the river at its beginning. The mouth is where the river flows into a larger body of water. Think on that for a minute. Keep thinking. Time's up. As followers of Jesus Christ we have a source and a mouth. Our source is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 says, "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." God, through Jesus Christ, writes your story. Your story is His story. Listen carefully. Jesus astonished his disciples with these words of truth in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." Apart from Christ, we freeze solid. And why is that?
As we indicated, rivers also have a mouth. Therefore, followers of Christ have a mouth, a place where we empty ourselves. That place is in love and service to the brethren, our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even our enemies. In this sense, the bigger mouth you have the better. For some, that should come as really good news. But don't take my word for it. Galatians 5:13 states, "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Peter instructs us in his first letter that love covers a multitude of sins, and that we should employ our spiritual gifts to serve one another as good stewards of God's grace. And Jesus taught and embodied this amazing truth in Mark 10:43-45, "But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." You have a source, an outlet, and a supreme example in Christ. Remember, what we do for these brothers of Christ, even the least of them, we do unto Christ.
When adverse conditions flow down on top of us, we can keep moving because we gain constant nourishment from our source, even as we empty ourselves into our mouth, the people around us. God has made us to be channels of His love and grace. Let us stay within that channel, for if we overflow the banks we no longer have a direct source or mouth. We become stagnant. In the cold that water freezes. In the heat it becomes stale, and then it dries up. Are you frozen? Then let it go for God's glory. Connect daily to Christ and empty daily into those around you. To God be the glory.
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