Connecting With God

When Slippery Slopes Are The Slipperiest Slope Of All

2011-04-07T04:19:00.000-07:00

Does sin control your life? Don't misunderstand me. When I talk about sin I am talking about those things that are contrary to the law and love of our great and gracious God, who has made himself known to us through His Word, World, Son and sons. When we talk about control, however, we are not just talking about committing sinful acts, or the control that sin can gain over us by longstanding practice or the affect of its consequences.

We are also talking about the secondary affect of the idea of sin on our lives that we often label as a "slippery slope," but is something much more nefarious and damaging than an act of sin because it creates a pattern of thought that cripples spiritual growth and transformation. Perhaps it would be clearer if we referred to it simply as "fear." Yet, it is not just any type of fear. It is certainly not a godly fear that is the "beginning of wisdom." Rather, it is a fear that is supposed to be cast out by love and knowledge and hope and peace, which define who we are as Christians.

This type of fear creates spiritual phantasms where none exist. It fabricates sin in things or people or places or ideas where it simply has not flourished. It is the kind of fear that the one talent man feels as he heads off to his sequestered field to bury his talent for the day the master returns.

Are there true and dangerous "slippery slopes?" Sure there are. We see them all the time, especially in scripture. James makes it clear to us when he describes the progress of sin, letting us know very clearly that it begins in the heart, spreads to our acts and when left alone brings forth our spiritual death, as it again turns inward and destroys that inner spiritual man (James 1:14, 15). We find it in Psalm 73:1-20, where, once again, we learn that slippery slopes begin with sin or sinful thoughts.

Let's consider the life of King David for a moment. His sin with Bathsheba began when, as James said, he lusted in his heart after her. It did not begin when he went to the roof, stayed home from war or accidentally viewed her from afar. It was not sinful for David to stay home, anymore than it was for him to have a roof. Yet, the way some folks look at the Bible and sin, this is exactly what they would have you believe, as they compel you to live in fear and thus under a secondary sort of bondage to sin.

This is what we do when we take matters of opinion or articles of expediency and make them either a sin to use nor not use them. For instance, in the last several years I have preached using an digital projection system with programs like PowerPoint to create slideshows. While most find this beneficial, some find it distracting. Most in either of groups will tell you, "That is just my opinion." A few, however, will so disdain change or progress or the discomfort it causes that they will declare such things sinful, trying their best to argue such from scripture by abusing the Word of God, either adding to it or taking away from it, which in itself is sinful.

The saddest part of it all is the fact that this final sin began with only a fear of the idea of sin where there actually was none. It began not with a genuine slippery slope, but a self-created one. It began not with sin, but a fear of the idea of sin, which lead to it. How often do we see this interfere with congregational growth, personal transformation, worshiping in "spirit and truth," and much more.

Each of can be prone to such behavior and must guard against it. Any of us can so radicalize the notion of sin that we see it even when it is not there. We can fabricate it in others and self and often are lead by it to actual sin. We can be so afraid of violating some principle of truth in worship that we fail worship in spirit. We can be so fearful of not living a pure life that we fail to live at all. We can be so afraid of God's existence that we live like he doesn't exist.

Listen to these words of John. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love"(1Jn 4:18). Is that you? Hopefully as you mature (move to perfection) you will let God's love replace your fear and find freedom in the "perfect law of liberty."

Connecting with God

2009-07-16T12:07:00.001-07:00

Thank you all for visiting my blog. For some time I have been remiss in keeping it up. However, I want to no only recreate the blog, but expand it to include what I feel will be some helpful Bible Study material and recommendations. I do hope you will follow along and be a part of it. Thank You!

Ed

Legislating Morality?

2009-01-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

“You cannot legislate morality!” It seems just about every time we have an election I hear one or two folks make this preposterous claim. Typically, what they really want to say or mean is, “You cannot legislate morality that I am either opposed to or makes me feel uncomfortable, but the ones that protect me and keep me safe are fine.” For instance, most of these folks have no problem with the laws forbidding murder, stealing or other forms of violence. We can play games with words all we want to (calling them “rights” or “civil” issues), but these are moral issues. If they are not and if they do not stem from some higher law that places great value on the sanctity of life then they make little to no sense, but rather are arbitrarily chosen because someone, somewhere simply thought it was a good idea. And who is to say that their good idea is right for me?
The simple fact of the matter is (whether we want to accept it or not) that God, in the long ago, legislated morality, regardless of which giving of the law we are under, for all of mankind. It may be correct for man to say, “We cannot legislate morality,” and in a sense it is true…it does not begin with us. On the other hand, we must uphold the things of God and find within the whole of our lives God’s legislation, mercy and graciousness. In other words, we must make active His laws in our own. This is what our founding fathers had the wisdom to do and what we have foolishly gotten away from. They knew nothing of this nonsense about how we cannot “legislate morality.” They understood that in the end, whether we make the requirement of morality real or not, the moral demand of God will be our judge. You can choose to not go along with it. God has granted you that right. We can choose not to adopt His standard. He has given us that right. However, there are consequences for our choices and upon them our eternity hangs.

Cafe Christians

2008-11-11T06:42:00.000-08:00

For nearly three pre-dawn hours I sat in my office pondering the finer points of a sermon I was to deliver in a couple days. By my side were a number of essentials in this morning ritual. This is my ritual and while it may seem odd to some it is the manner in which I fully embrace my day and come to grips with it, clearly seeing it as a gift from God.

The first item is a small silver medal, kept in a wooden box in my office, one of the few reminders of a lost loved one. On it is a prayer that I use as my stimulus for prayer. The second item next to me is my pair of shoes. I remove them at least while I study to feel fully connected to the gift of this world. Third, and most obvious, are books, the simple smell of which triggers the want, need and desire to be studious and commune with the saints who wrote most of them, but are no longer among us. Finally, though this is not all that is involved, I have a cup of coffee, which I drinking fully, but slowly.

So, there I am, engaged in this odd scene, refining my sermon like a monk reciting some mantra, and in walks one of the leaders of the church. After a cordial greeting, he makes sure that he tells me “You shouldn’t be drinking that coffee…it is the Devil’s drink.” Well, so much for my focus. Switching gears however, I began to explain to him that I am only doing what religious men have done for years.

You see, coffee was not discovered until around 600 AD in the plateaus of central Ethiopia. At first it was worshipped (praised) for its medicinal qualities and was soon being used by the religious as a catalyst to meditation. Soon, coffee growing had spread from Ethiopia to India and from India to France. Europeans loved the strangely strong but enticing and aromatic brew. However, many warned, due to its origins use among pagans, that it was a threat to “Christianity.” The pope at the time, Clement VIII, decided to first try the drink before he issued a pervasive condemnation of the beverage. The result was not denunciation, but approval. As a matter of fact he blessed the drink and declared it “Christian.” His love for a good cup of “joe,” as some describe it, led to the springing up of coffee and tea houses across Europe, where the greatest of minds would gather and help usher in the “Age of Reason.”

By this time, my aged companion and fellow worker was not necessarily convinced of the Christian value of coffee, but was growing bored, so I cut right to the chase and said, “You shouldn’t be so quick to make assertions you know little about,” and went back to my work. It was a lesson I had reinforced for me time and again as a preacher. A lesson that says, “Don’t believe all you hear and make sure you know what you’re saying before you say it.”

We all do well to heed those words. As James would say, “Be slow to speak, swift to hear.” In this day, heed those words and live or… go ahead and put your foot in your mouth and suffocate in the generally accepted ignorance. The Devil’s drink is not coffee, but a good strong dose of ignorance on loose lips.

Ed

Refusing God's Way of Escape

2008-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

Holiday shopping can be a very enjoyable task, though often is one that can be very frustrating. What to buy, where to buy it, how to put up with the 50,000 other people trying to get the same thing that you are in a store that seems to only hold 100 people and checkout 10 simultaneously. The experience is also fraught with learning experiences as well. First and foremost are a few lessons in patience. I learned long ago, if you are in a hurry, “Just Say No!” There are other lessons as well, however.

This year while waiting in line to get a last minute gift card at one of the local superstores, I got in line with perhaps the slowest cashier you have ever seen (and perhaps the most frustrated). At one of the busiest times of day her scanner on the counter gave out and would not seem to scan anything. Therefore, after she scanned item number one and it didn’t go, she got the hand scanner (that little gun looking thing that is portable – they ought to give them holsters and teach them quick draw for this time of year) and it worked fine. She then put the scanner away and went back to the stack of stuff the person in front of me was trying to get through the “less than ten items” line. On the second item, the scanner didn’t work either so the woman opened the drawer, got out the hand scanner, scanned the item and then put the hand scanner back. Same thing on the third through fiftieth item… scanner doesn’t work, get hand scanner, put hand scanner back, try counter-top scanner.

The thing that amazed me was not that this was so slow, but the woman’s willingness to continue in something that just wasn’t working and frustrating her to death, especially when she had a perfectly good alternative that she kept ramming back in the drawer. Each and every time she would go to the handheld, but then put it away, as if the other were going to magically fix itself. What a waste of time and energy.

How often does this ring true for us spiritually? We get caught in some desire or want. We begin to bear the consequences. God gives us a way out. However, we just toy with the escape and stay in the frustrating, shame-producing, hurtful, sinful path. How absurd! All the while God gets stuffed back in that proverbial drawer and waits for us to pull him out. Often it is only when it becomes convenient for us, or we, Like King Saul of the Old Testament, have been caught. Yet, God has your solution. Do you want it? He’ll be waiting for you! Don’t waste your time trying to manage the spiritually ineffective and defective. Strive for His perfection by doing His will.

Golden Or Moral Compass

2007-12-07T13:41:00.000-08:00

I will be the first one to tell you that I do not typically get overly excited about what Hollywood does. I become even less excited when people go off half-cocked about something they heard and aunts, cousin’s nephew’s, uncle tell them about something that might be true in a movie or book. Most of what Hollywood does falls well short of true artistic endeavor and even the great talent that is enlisted is done so for the sake of making the almighty dollar and furthering hidden, unrighteous agendas rather than anything that would benefit anyone. This being said, the entire industry is nothing more than a sideline in life, where folks can catch a break from reality once in a while, though there are some great fact based movies that are designed to educate and have a positive message that aligns with Christian values and a deep sense of morals (though they are few).

Thus, when I had heard about the release of the “Golden Compass,” based on the books by known atheist Phillip Pullman, I really didn’t flinch. After all, what impact could it have? However, the more I thought about it, the angrier I grew. I looked at my daughter, whose imagination seems to have no bounds and I began to realize that for her, the thinking process would be a whole lot different. She would not have the experience I have. She would not understand hidden agendas and innuendo. She would not see the story for what it was and discount it? For her, there is the distinct possibility that her imagination could be shaped by her willingness to suspend her disbelief about this movie and a failure to have a firm basis to dismiss the fundamental ideas. In other words, to her it is much more real and believable. To put it in biblical terms, there is a great chance of this child being offended (lead down an ungodly path) in her innocence and lose her fundamental understanding of what it means to be “right” or “wrong.”

With that in mind, I began to explore what this movie and the books that it is based are all about. What I found was shocking, though not unexpected. In reality it is pretty much the same as every other attack that has ever been lodged against Christianity. The standard modus operandi, as is the case here, is to take the failings of genuine Christians or the perversion of the disingenuous and personify them to the extreme. It is no wonder then that most of what Hollywood does, centers on the beliefs of Catholicism, though few of us would ever blur the line between Catholicism and Christianity. From this is born “The Magisterium,” headed by Miss Coulter (Nicole Kidman), where abuse of power and corruption is the norm. It is a place where colorful, loveable and innocent children are abused and oppressed, forcing a fight. Important here is the fact that the word “magisterium” is a real word that is a direct reference to the Catholic church and its authority to teach. Pullman veils his distain only slightly in this regard.

Creating this vile entity he proceeds to write off Christianity as a whole, though he fails in one regard that should be as plain as the nose on any ones face – Christ. The story never takes Christ into account, but instead assumes the failings of men, which the Bible itself is very candid about. The story never entertains such a character or by such refutes anything about the life and ministry of Christ. Odd for a collection of stories designed to kill off Christianity in the minds of children. Instead, again, he focuses his attention on those who claim Christianity and abuse power. Christ himself would have been displeased with such and was in his lifetime, evidenced by things such as his cleansing of the temple.

Before we go farther it helps us to know a little more about Pullman and his intentions in the books and movie. He is an avowed atheist who wrote the series “His Dark Materials” to offset the Christian based teaching found in C.S. Lewis’ “Narnia Chronicles.” It is a three part series (The Golden Compass being the first Installment), which ultimately leads to one of the main characters killing God. As the series progresses, the message becomes more and more antichristian. Thus, the story may pull children in and draw their attention before they even know what they are being taught, like a trap draws an animal. In book two God is referred to only as the tyrant, but by book three he is being called “God,” “the creator,” “Yahweh,” Adonai,” “El,” “the King,” and “Almighty.”

This first movie may not have any overt antichristian messages, but that is the intention. The first movie draws the attention. The second goes a little further and by the third children are to rebel, rise up and slay God.

Pullman himself has said that though he is an atheist and has boldly proclaimed that if there is a God and his like the God described by Christianity, he should be “put down,” the film is not about being antichristian by advocating goodness, wherever it maybe found. Perhaps this is more of a money-making ploy than anything else, kind of like we saw with the “DaVinci Code,” where the message of the book was well-watered before it hit the big screen so that the greatest amount of money could be made. It is hard to make money when everyone is offended by the message. It is hard to not think this when Pullman has been so staunchly antichristian in his writings of the past, where he claim, “My books are about killing God.”

Is there danger in these? Well, the answer is yes, if we allow children to watch unchecked and untaught about the truth in a rightful fashion. I have never been one to simply hide the truth, good or bad, from anyone, let alone our children. The truth here is that there is a movie, it does have some neat looking graphics and, no doubt, loveable characters they can identify with, but also has a message that is flawed. Teach them both – the good and bad – the differences between and the consequences for both. The parent who simply tries to hide these matters from children who can understand, will create only greater curiosity over the matters. I remember growing up with a young girl whose mom would take all the magazines that came into the house and use a black sharpie to cover up pictures that showed too much and words that were not fitting. From time to time I would see the girl in the library at school reading the very magazines mom had edited. She once told me that it drove her crazy to not know what was under the blacked out parts and would come to the library to find out. I don’t think it is healthy to deliberately expose children to the trash the media offers, but we should do more than say, “It’s just not Christian.”

We must teach the truth and that truth says very clearly that there is a God who is the creator of all that is good and who loves us (Gen. 1-3). That truth says this God had a son and came to earth to die for us (John 1, 3) and in doing so set the bar for goodness as high as it could possibly go. Furthermore, we are told man can excel, though often does not, to that level of goodness and be Christ-like in our actions, not abusing power, lacking tolerance and misusing the name of God, though some will. Chances are Pullman has never come to know the God you and I know and may we pray that he does.

Some might say, “Well, aren’t you overdoing it? Isn’t it just a book or movie? How is it any different than Harry Potter or Star Wars or Lord of The Rings, where people rise up against and oppressive forces? There is a dramatic difference between the forgoing works and “His Dark Materials.” The former were stories that seemed, to a great extent, mirror the principals of Christianity or at least did not seek to undermine them. Their authors never said things like, “I want to kill God.” Consider Pullman’s own words. He says, "I've been surprised by how little criticism I've got. Harry Potter's been taking all the flak. I'm a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people—mainly from America's Bible Belt—who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."

So what do we do then? Do we see the movie or not? Seeing the movie is a matter of conscience I believe, but parents would be strongly advised to forewarn their children about the thrust of the movie and discuss these matters with them. Some other advice would include:

· Don’t be like the “Christians” that the movie is supposed to represent. I can understand Pullman on this level. There are a lot of folks out there who have done much to ruin the reputation of Christianity or have left things undone and marred Christianity’s credibility in a lot of eyes. Don’t be like them. Let your words ring true. Keep your promises. Live a pure life. Admit your faults and grow in God’s grace and love.

· Don’t argue that or in such a way that people are left with the impression that Christianity is all about I am right and you are wrong. There is a right and wrong, it is for us to adopt and do, not take and beat others up with.

· Be a servant. Listen to the needs, hurts, desires and troubles of others and help them. Often we fall down here. We see struggling and just simply state the obvious – “Well, that is a sin.” Be helpful and out of God’s grace draw your strength to help others.

· Be prepared. Equip yourself to talk about the movie or books, as well as related topics. Be candid and frank, letting your children know about how some do fail to live up to Christ’s expectations. If you simply condemn the movie and books and have no idea what you are talking about and why then you will end up doing more harm than good.

Also, an article inChristianity Today about this very subject, made a good suggestion about having questions ready for discussing the movie or books with your children. Here are some of their suggestions.

· If we cast off all "authority" and set up "free will" as the ultimate source of guidance, where will that get us?

· Has the world shown us that the human heart is a trustworthy "compass"?

· Does free will lead us always to the right choice?

· If the heroes accept the "truth" of the alethiometer (the compass itself), aren't they letting themselves be guided by just another source of truth—another "Authority"? But didn't the story tell us "Authority" is bad and we should only follow our own hearts?

· If there are "many truths," then aren't these heroes being as self-righteous and wicked as the oppressors by demanding that their version of the truth is better than others?

· What is so inspiring about the battle between the bears? Hasn't this story led us to a place where it's just "survival of the fittest" all over again? Should we really hope that the world falls into the hands of the strongest fighter, rather than into the hands of love?

References

Higginbotham, Steve. “The Golden Compass” Gospel Gazette online publication.

Overstreet, Jeffery. “Fear Not The Compass” Christianity Today online article.

After The Fire, The Fire Still Burns

2007-10-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

“After the fire, the fire still burns.” California was recently devastated by wild fires, fueled by years of dead fall that few were willing to do anything about or allowed to do anything about and warm dry winds. Yet, even after the fire has been, for the most part, put out, the fire remains in many different ways, as politicians do what politicians do best – turn tragedy to their greatest advantage.

Most recently I have heard of an incident where the FEMA Public Relations Officer faked a news conference so that they could allegedly avoid difficult questions about how the fire was handled, the damage that was done and other difficulties of the operation. Since that time, the PIO was fired, but I doubt the incident will die that easy. More than likely other heads will begin to roll, and perhaps should, as the political process gets into full gear. It will be, as usual, party against party, drawing lines in the sand, as was done with other great tragedies like hurricane Katrina, 9/11 and others.

This mindset, however, baffles me. In part I think it is a result of our moving away, as a nation, from Christian principles – principles which advocate unity, not divisiveness, and a mindset that says, seek peace with all men. Is there a time to fight? Of course there is. For sure, however, that is not equivalent to politicizing, where most of the issues are either non-issues or so commonsensical that few would think to argue over them.

Of course, a foundational piece of such principals is integrity, which seems at odds most times with political processes and the men who conduct them. How then do we get back to this place of unity, peace and integrity? Folks, there is only one way! Get back to God. If we can get God back in our thinking then we can wash away all this nonsense. And make no mistake about it, it begins with you.

How often is His thinking your thinking in…the workplace…the school…among friends…during your recreational activities…and so on? Are you continually connected to Him, even when it comes to political process and integrity about it? In this day, make Him your life and share that life with others, encouraging them, for the betterment of our families and our country, to have a like mind.

LOST IN THE BALL PIT OF LIFE

2007-09-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

The kids love going to the play land. There is nothing quite like a pit of plastic balls and some plastic slides to just eat up the hours. I must admit, before the time they began to place a manual full of restrictions on these things, I would get in and play with the kids. It is a blast.

A few days ago, we were at such a place having a good old time. All of ours (save the oldest who has no interest – at least not that he wants anyone to know about) are now able to get up and down, and in and out without any difficulty. However, there seems to never be a time when I have gone to these things that I haven’t witnessed a child climb all the way to the top, only to realize, once they have squeezed into places an adult could not go, that, “Oh! I really am high in the air. I don’t want to…Waaaaaaaah!”

Well that is what happened on our last visit and sure enough, this child’s grandpa had to get down on all fours, bruise his knees beyond recognition and make his way to highest point of this thing and bring his granddaughter back to earth. There was only one problem – he got lost. Fortunately, our daughter was near and with kindness of heart and a love for adventure, she lead both grandpa and granddaughter to safety. The man, as they left, came up to thank us and simply said, “I couldn’t have made it without her.”

My thoughts ran toward the church. Some would say, “Who needs the church?” Well, when life becomes complicated for us and we are on the peak of troubles, many times friends and family will come to our aide. But what happens when they too become entrenched in the mire of sinfulness, or difficulty? What if their best efforts only make the problem worse? When you are part of a family (and I am blessed to be so) like the family of God then you have multiple layers of assistance. In this day thank God for his spiritual family. If you are not part of it, we urge you to seek them.

"God's Frozen People"

2007-08-07T03:48:00.001-07:00

This past winter the northern part of our country experienced some of the coldest and treacherous weather on record. People were stranded in vast frozen wastelands that were created virtually overnight due to snow and ice. Cattle, normally able to withstand the cold, were threatened and many have lost possessions and even their lives to these storms. As I read the reports, it reminded me of something I once read, that draws a parallel to spiritual matters.

It was during the run for the second term for president for George W. Bush, running against John Kerry, when I read an article in a popular news magazine that detailed the spiritual history of President Bush. While I do not remember much about the article, there was a candid admission on his part that caught my attention and that I empathized with in a number of ways. Referring to the religious conviction of his youth and the place where he worshipped, he stated that he dwelt among “God’s frozen people.”

Realizing we are not talking about literally frozen people, we, however, also realize that people, Christians, can be frozen in a number of ways.

First, Christian may be frozen in the sense that they simply do not perceive any obligation on their part to be a part of the Lord’s work. Oh! They may come to worship, but they will not be involved in the mission of making disciples, encouraging their brethren and other edifying activities (Mt. 28:18-20; Heb. 10:24-25).

Second, a Christian may be frozen in the sense that he is unwilling to entertain thoughts that are beyond his ingrained traditions. The issue is not whether one is right or wrong, but a willingness to listen, having readiness of mind to consider all who come with respect and honor. Do we see others as valuable? The Pharisees were guilty of this as they heard the message of Christ, but never would entertain what it was that he said.

Third, we may be frozen in that we never seek spiritual growth. Peter, Paul, James and just about every other New Testament writer tells us we are obligated to grow in our knowledge, understanding, love, patience, kindness, temperance and other aspects of the Christian life.

One of the greatest religious problems of our age, just like most ages, is a lack of willingness to push past simple faith that can stagnate and become mundane, to a deeper relationship with Christ, God and other Christians. It should be unsettling to us to find that most of the churches talked about in the Bible now have no place in this world. Where is that Ephesian church that left its first love? Where are the churches at Smyrna, Philadelphia and Corinth? Where will the church we are a part of be 100 years from now? What can we do today to help assure the future of God's people in our part of the world? We can stop the freezing, break free from the icy bonds and awake to all things spiritual. We can put off the rigid legal mindset and truly seek Christian liberty, liberating creative expression of praise to God. If we leave no room for the next generation to make the gospel person or allow them the ability to express their spirituality in a way that is not only scriptural, but personally relevant then we will become frozen and useless in the master's hand.

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Now playing: Fleming and John - A Place Called Love
http://foxytunes.com/artist/fleming+and+john/track/a+place+called+love

Seeking the Truth

2007-07-13T10:32:00.000-07:00

Global warming this! Global warming that! It seems that everywhere you turn, people are discussing the topic. On one hand we are told that the planet has warmed by a whopping .6 of a degree and, because of such, the world as we know it will be in catastrophic circumstances within the next ten years. On the other hand, science also tells us that the planets Mercury, Mars…and Pluto (though not technically considered a planet anymore), have also warmed, prompting some to ask whether or not these planets are inhabited by “big industry, SUV driving aliens.” On one hand we are told we must reduce our carbon footprint by purchasing “carbon credits.” On the other hand, isn’t 90% of the carbon produced by plants and vegetation, through the natural order of things? On one hand it is all man’s fault – namely the inhabitants of the United States – who created an industrial complex, spewing filth into the sky. Yet, on the other hand, at least 50% of the .6 degree warming trend occurred before big industry was even part of our landscape.

It is confusing, especially given the desire and ability of some to spew their rhetoric loud, but perhaps not so clear. One might be tempted to compare this ongoing debate to the religious world about us – with its many voices clamoring “we have the truth…we have the truth…don’t listen to others…we have the truth…others are wrong…we have the truth.” Just like with the global warming debate, I am sure there is a truth and I doubt it is as dramatic as most would want it to be.

Yet, just like the global warming debate, it should not take us long to figure out, the real problem is not found in asking what truth is, but in asking whether or not we are truly interested in what is true. Many will believe the planet has warmed and it is all man’s fault (rather than just a natural cycle) not because of the evidence, but because they are of a particular philosophical and political bent. Their interest is politics and being right, not what is true. The information they do have is often biased and lopsided and, yet, that seems okay to them.

When it comes to Christianity, however, assuming such a position is errant. Paul said, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Avoid the appearance of evil.” In other words, YOU (as an individual) must seek truth by examination of “all things.” It means you can determine a difference between good and evil. It means when wrong appears you flee from it, regardless of how much it convicts you or how wrong you may have been in your assumptions.

In this day, seek that truth for the sake of having truth. Cling to it when it is found, regardless of what it demands. Make your Christianity personal! Why? Knowing truth (and this includes living your way through it) brings freedom!

Ed

Memorializing Christ In Your Life

2007-06-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed how many memorials we have in our country? Now, make no mistakes, I am not being critical, but one, if they are watchful, cannot help but notice the overflow of walls, statues, fountains, buildings, and so on, that fill our landscape. Just this past year another memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr., was added to Washington’s list of memorials. In Oregon a memorial was built to those from that state who have died in the war in Iraq. Memorials have been built to honor those who died in plane crashes, fought in wars, are the namesakes of towns, and so on. Each day, it seems, we find anew reason and new money to erect a new tribute to some one or a group of some sort.

Each year millions will visit these memorials. Some will simply not understand what it is all about. Others will not care. To them it makes little sense and matters little, save the many dollars that were “wasted” o the project.

Many, however, will come mourning with minds eye focused on the images of battle, faces, personalities, tragedy’s, events or the smiles and voices of dead loved ones, etched into their minds. They will feel the impact and blow! They will know of an emptiness that passers by may not comprehend. Theirs is a personal attachment in the deepest sense. To them a memorial makes sense and they are glad for it.

The difference between the two? The difference lies in the word “relationship.” Even if I can appreciate the memorial and the sacrifice or deeds attached to it, if I do not have a relationship that takes me to the inner circle of its meaning, then, ultimately, my attention wanes. If I cannot see the tie in to me then the memorial will not have the desired impact.

The same is true of Christianity, the cross and Christ. Many, either by choice or out of ignorance, see it not as a relationship, but as a book, set of laws and the mortar and brick of a building. It is something we open for causal tourists who dress nice on Sunday mornings to pay respects to just another memorial among memorials. Perhaps all they see is a price tag, social setting or sales opportunity.

Consider, in this day, these words of John. “By this we know love that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” In other words, we must remember of memorialize Christ and his sacrifice in our lives. However, it goes beyond that. We must act upon the memorial out of our loving relationship with him and love our fellow men. Therein is the heart of Christianity. In this day, remember!

Camping Lessons

2007-05-10T06:49:00.000-07:00

“How would you like to go camping,” my cousin, who was several years my senior, asked my brother and I one summer afternoon when I was around 13 years old. “Sure,” we both said with great zeal. Camping was always an enjoyable experience. It was an adventure, a challenge and has made for some of the most memorable times in my life, though I firmly acknowledge that on few of the camping occasions were we actually prepared for the many interesting (and slightly dangerous) things that would happen.

I remember one particular trip with my brother, our cousin Larry and another cousin named Jim. We decided to go to a state park about 30 minutes from our house and stay the night. We were plenty prepared with fire wood, food, tent, cookware, and other essentials. What we weren’t prepared for was Jim’s odd “sleeping” behavior. He would snore and talk so loudly (somehow at the same time) that it woke us all several times, scaring us to death for fear some odd half wit band of half man half beast militia were bearing down upon us to consume our very lives. At one point he got up and began walking around and we literally had to chase him. In the same night he tried to take all our sleeping bags and make some kind of fortress for him to sleep in. In the end, he finally came to rest in his own sleeping bag, outside the tent. The only problem was that the sleeping bag was on top of the smoldering embers of what used to be our fire. After about 20 minutes (and I am not sure why it took that long) he blurted out with a clarity we had not seen in him all night, “guys…it seems really hot out here…I am burning up.” We paid little attention, as you may expect from sleep-starved companions, until he jumped to his feet with his sleeping-bag-turned-torch still wrapped about him, running like a mad man…well…on fire. Fortunately for him it was starting to rain and, as you might expect, the rain ended up being one of those 100 year rains that didn’t stop for days and flooded us out.

We quickly decided on a midnight venture to the beach, early breakfast and sleep in the car. What a great time! Serious! Odd perspective you may say. Not really, the moments of time indelibly etched on my mind, I have grown to love them, not because of the circumstance; not because of the memories and challenges; not because it is downright funny. These moments are cherished for the people involved. Life may well be defined by the moments we spend together and the experiences we share as we engage in fellowship. “As Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens the countenance of a friend,” the wise man once exclaimed.

In this day share your life, love and Lord with those about you. Make the memories. Cherish the moments. It may not be free from challenge or even danger, but you are helping God define a life without bounds. All will work to your good.

Ed

Boundaries

2007-04-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Life has boundaries! I remember when I was a child growing up in the hills of Belmont county, Ohio, that beside our home there was a man who kept bees for honey. I can recall a number of times going to the back of our property and peering over the fence to look at the white boxes that housed the chaos of noisily buzzing creatures. I don’t remember if it was fear that motivated us or, perhaps, respect, but we never crossed the fence to go near the bees.

Oddly enough, however, the bees had no problem coming to us. I can’t count the number of times, while running through the yard playing, that I stepped on a bee and got stung. I guess that is how we found out I was allergic to them. Nonetheless, they had broken the boundary and had entered our space. Yet, I was the one who paid the price.

I think sin starts that way. It doesn’t start when we cross a boundary. It starts when we are visited by temptation. Adam and Eve didn’t have to go to Satan, he came to them. Thus, it is not only important for us not to cross the boundary, but to protect it from intruders as well. I am reminded of Ezekiel’s charge as a watchman, giving warning to God’s people (3, 33). “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.”

A Day-Old Christian

2007-03-07T12:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had “day-old” bread? For a while it seemed to be a thing of the past and is still in many places. Yet, I was surprised the other day to notice in one of the places where we shop a rack of “day-old bread” and other baked goods. In these racks are placed the loaves of bread that did not sell in a timely fashion and are on the verge of being “stale” and, thus, reduced in price.

At times you can find a bargain on these racks, but often you simply “get what you pay for.” Just last week I saw a loaf of artisan bread on one of the racks – it was baked with fresh rosemary and toasted garlic (two of my favorite ingredients in just about anything). It was enticing, but when I picked the loaf up it was as hard as a rock. Granted, it was “half price,” but a half-priced inedible loaf of bread doesn’t do anyone any good, except for gulls or some other scavenger bird to which you may feed it.

Christianity, folks, is not a “day-old” rack item. Discounted versions or versions passed along from others at reduced potency are just like the loaf of day-old bread – useless and lifeless. Paul told the young evangelist Timothy to “Prove all things.” Many are the men who will simply shop for religion off the bargain rack and think they’ve gotten some great deal. It may look good on the outside, but under closer scrutiny it doesn’t pass the bar of a discerning individual. “Well, mom and dad believed it and that’s good enough for me,” some will say about their stale Christianity. And yet, it is still stale and soon discarded.

Furthermore, just like bread, Christianity can, in a persons life, go through stages of desirableness in the eyes of God. First, fresh out of the oven the zeal is great and the spirit high. Ever have a “fresh out of the oven” piece of bread? It’s soft, warm and tasty. Second, the bread cools, but is still soft and usable. Third, staleness sets in and the bread becomes hard an inedible. As Christians, we must always strive for that “fresh from the oven” Christianity – though it is not always easy. Perhaps if we simply remembered “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness (Lam 3:22), we would have a good start.

Living On Spiritual Junk Food

2007-02-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

Our children have grown up going to the zoo. Any zoo will usually do, though we do have our favorites. Lowry Park in Tampa is certainly exceptional, as well as the zoo in Toledo, Ohio, complete with its world renowned polar bear exhibit. Neither, as well, requires a second mortgage on your house to get in.

If you have ever gone to the zoo (and it doesn’t matter which one) you have no doubt noticed at some of the exhibits the signs that say something like, “Do not feed the animals.” Have you ever looked at what those animals eat and then think about the signs? Most are on all natural healthy diets of food they need to be eating. Will they eat your cotton candy, corn dog, funnel cake and fries and drink your soda? Sure they will, but those who are in the know will tell you it is not good for them and with such a considerable investment in these animals, the zoos don’t want the animals to have it.

Thus, it may be best to reword those signs to say, “Don’t feed our animals the same junk that you feed yourself and your kids. It makes the animals as unhealthy as you are.” Of course in the politically correct society in which we live, you will never see such a sign.

Of course you won’t see those signs in many places of religion either. You know what I mean…the sign that says, “Don’t feed the Christians spiritual junk food.” Too many Christians want to eat on the junk of the world and partake in the pleasures of the world, which kill spiritually (slowly of course so we don’t notice), and yet still be separate from the world. We want to pretend we are in a God controlled habitat, but still, as the world passes by, take the nibbles and bites and handouts it offers. When we do, we are of the same health spiritually as those in the world.

In this day, feast on his word and revel in the glory of a perfect relationship with your creator.

Ed

The Inredible Honk?

2007-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

It was like a scene out of some Laurel and Hardy film. Someone left several huge bags of toys outside my office one day and, as I was hauling them inside, out popped this big green muscle laden toy that I instantly recognized. My daughter asked, “Who is that?” I explained that he was the Incredible Hulk and told her part of the original story. All I got in return was the question, “Incredible HONK?” “No, no, no. It is the Incredible HULK,” I said. “Oh, the incredible HUNK,” she stated with confidence. Finally, I spelled it out “H-U-L-K.” She didn’t much care about the name and the five minute lesson that ensued about proper pronunciation of this word.

I don’t think she ever did get it, but I doubt it is her fault. As she grows, this mistake will disappear. Certain words are just very difficult for children to say, just like there are certain things that many adults find difficult. But just because something is difficult doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Fewer things frustrate parents and teachers more than a child that just won’t try, especially when it is know that the child can do the work well.

The same is true of spiritual things. It is kind of like prayer. The Bible tells us, “You have not because you ask not.” Sometimes, even when we do get the courage to ask, we either don’t believe or won’t take the steps to do our part in seeing the answer. Many have the ability, but few will tap into it and be productive with it. They won’t take the steps because it is hard or requires time and learning. In this day, open yourself to God and the labor he has in mind for you and your talents. You are his child, infused with purpose and ability. Begin by believing in yourself.

Ed

I'm My Own Spiritual Terrorist

2006-12-20T21:24:00.000-08:00

I'M MY OWN SPIRITUAL TERRORIST

“I was sabotaged, set up, conspired against…the devil made me do it!” Oh! How often we engage in the fine art of laying our problems, trials and failings in the lap of someone else, when, in reality, we are the ones who have set ourselves up to fail.

A few months ago while driving past a construction site near my home I had the good fortune of running over a nail. For about a week I nursed the tire, filling it constantly with air, until I could get to a repair shop. Finally, my schedule clear enough to allow for the three hours I would have to wait, I set off to the local superstore’s tire repair shop. As I waited I had the opportunity to watch a couple of employees stack tents on one of those middle-of-the-aisle displays. On one side were some large tents and on the other some more oddly packaged smaller tents.

After about an hour the stackers realized the only thing holding up the large stack of small tents was the heavier stack of large tents. The one stacker turned to the other and said, I kid you not, “As long as nobody moves the larger tents, we should be okay.” Imagine that. Here is a truly lose-lose situation. The point of the display was to sell tents and make a profit. Yet, if they sell them, someone may get hurt.

Many do this spiritually. They stack the odds against themselves and when someone comes along and applies the least bit of pressure, we blame them. Paul once said, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14 ESV). The word “provision” here, according to Greek scholars, means “forethought or providential care.” In other words, we should not make plans that are destined to lead us astray and we certainly should not blame it on others when we do.

Instead, let us make plans for spiritual success, laying up a spiritual treasure in heaven. Consider another of Paul’s thoughts. “For Everyone that sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). What have you sown in your spiritual life? In the end, what will you reap?

P.S. - I am still working on the "unaffiliated" series of articles and will post them later.

UNAFFILIATED

2006-11-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Unaffiliated

I am, from this day forward, “unaffiliated.” That is my aim. Much to our detriment and dismay, it is no longer sufficient in our religious world to claim we are “undenominational,” but must now also mark our "affiliation" in some way. This is regrettable, but, again, it is my aim to be “unaffiliated.” It should be yours too. Before it can be, however, I guess one needs to understand what it means. Let me try to explain.

One of my life’s passions and greatest interests is Bible Study. I enjoy reading the wonderful stories and lessons that just never grow old. Each and every time I pick up the Bible I am amazed at just how true to life the words are and just how much, through meditation and prayer, I can mine from it to not only change my life, but the world about me. Everything seems clear to me. Everything is pure to me. And yet, I cannot spend my life in the book. I must step beyond its pages to be light and salt. I must move beyond its greatness to be the embodiment of it or at least attempt to be. I must be transformed by it and live. My life must be spent for it.

However, when I move beyond the Word to the religious world about me I am often not so comfortable. Man, as one might expect (Romans 3:23), in his striving for polarity and party, has said much about the Word of my God. My fear is that little of it has much to do with that pure, clean and clear Word, but more about supporting our own “religious” contexts. The fabric of our religious world seems torn by agenda, angling and anger. It is worn by politics, parody and pompousness. It is discolored by impure motives, maliciousness and the malignancy of sin, often paraded as pious. Unity is preached but rarely adopted, but either on the most stringent of man made terms or no terms at all – neither of which make for unity. Making matters worse there is a constant pressure to not just embrace the truth, but embrace the bent of some particular group that claims a corner on that market in infinite detail.

From this is born a child inconsistent in its ways, flawed in its attitudes and attributes. It is a child few will claim, but most have produced. It is, regardless of what is taught or the name written over its door, the Political Church. Make no mistakes about it, while it is not the current topic under discussion, truth (one truth or faith) does exist – that’s God’s Word. The Political Church is concerned with truth, but simply gives firmer embrace to various aspects of it than others, perhaps pushing certain doctrines beyond their logical consequence or necessity and simply ignoring others that seem to work against political agenda. By way of example, some churches will refer to themselves as “sound” churches, but what they mean is something far from the definition of soundness in the Bible. The word soundness simply refers to “health,” and encompasses not just what is taught, but the practice of said body. What many churches have in mind is, “we never let anyone teach from our pulpit or in classes anything different than what the Bible teaches.” There is a concept I hope all fully embrace. The problem is (aside from the fact that “what the Bible teaches” may not be what we teach – perhaps from simple failure to grow in wisdom) that this is but a small portion of what it means to be “sound.” We’ll ignore the fact that we have unscriptural elders. We’ll ignore the fact that this body of believers has not converted a soul in years. We’ll ignore the fact that we are banking our money for “the rainy day,” to the neglect of actually “making friends of the mammon of unrighteousness.” We’ll ignore the fact that we just “keep house” and still call ourselves sound. At the same time we wage war amongst ourselves and call it “contending for the faith,” when we really mean, “supporting our opinions.”

Truth certainly has its part in the Political Church, but seems to play a minor role, taking a backseat to the elocutions of various political pundits who tout “this” and “that” as the definitive marker between what is commonly referred to, though ambiguously so, as “liberal,” “conservative,” “ultra-conservative,” “progressive” and so on. The tenor of current debates among some of us is certainly proof positive of this point.

In the political church what matters most is stasis. Change is feared, though God’s word demands it (Romans 12:1,2; 2 Peter 1:5-9). The idea that everything should stand still often seems to rule supreme to the detriment of teaching and learning. We have reached the end of such and know it all! We, not the Word, have become the marker, despite the example of the noble Bereans. We have made the parties and politics and we have done it by simply refusing to grow in understanding or denying the fact that we do not always have it right.

In the political church pride, though rarely spoke of with regard to our pious numbers, is the one true attainable attribute. By it we remain is stasis. By it we are enabled to continue our charade of pseudo-religious pursuit, though the Word, again, lists it among the things that God himself hates. Odd, we find fault and teach at length against the attitude exhibited by the Pharisee in Luke 18, which says, “thank God I am not like other men…” At the same time we miss the point that, just like the Pharisee, we missed the point. It is our pride that initiate unrighteous, lopsided judgment and lend our minds and spirits toward a "policing the church" mentality.

I recently had a brother tell me that he could no longer have fellowship with a certain religious work because they had a man on a program who was on a program with a man who was on a program with another man who believed in doctrine X and Y, which this brother claim are false. He went on to say how he could not go to many of the churches in his area because they have somehow been “in fellowship” with someone who was in fellowship with someone in his chain of conspiracy. Adding to the difficulty I was having in listening to his rant, he claimed that there were a small group of men in his area who were holding the line and they had started a lecture and other preaching programs to foster their views.

The problem with all of this is that I know for a fact that the brother of which he spoke does not teach doctrines X and Y, though much documentation can be found CLAIMING that he does. Sadder still, neither one of the teaching is going to, according to the Bible; condemn a person, though many pretend every minute detail is a reason for debate and contention. In reality what this brother was talking about was the creation of a new political agenda, to replace the one he had become frustrated with.

This same story can be repeated time and time again, with different faces and names and is all too common in the fabric of our religious tapestry. Again, truth is truth and it is still waiting for us to take it from beneath our political agenda and pre-fabricated policy, to prosper thereby.

It is my firm belief that the only way this will happen is if we abandon politics and party and propose, as many once did (though in different terms), a non-affiliated status. No school, lecture, preacher’s meeting, or various forms of pseudo church government will have control over me. I am free to study, struggle, surmise and succumb to the grand teaching of God’s Word without the aid of someone’s agenda or party line. Just as I will stand in judgment on my own, free of affiliation, so will I stand here, save the affiliation of the God’s ordained body of Christ. I will embrace the good works of men. I will learn from their efforts and endeavors and yet, I will realize they are mere men as I. I will not ask them to BE perfect, but strive and work for it. I will not ask them to join my party, but to simply be a Christian, living in humble subjection, not to me or any other man or organization, but to God.

Next time we will examine the “political church” in light of the scripture, but having introduced this subject, let me close by saying that we will never truly connect with God unless we can set aside this political mentality.

The Spiritual Spa Treatment

2006-10-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Spiritual Spa Treatments
As we begin our blog journey together, let us begin by discussing a concept that to a great extent has been forgotten by many in our society, though there are a few places of exception – service. A servant’s heart is one that is so full of love for others that room for self and self-serving are hardly introduced. A servant’s mind is one that is opportunity seeking, focusing on how good can be done for others. A servant being centers around the example of Christ and, Christ was a servant. I am fortunate to labor with a loving family of servants at the Pinellas Park church of Christ. May God so bless you as well.

Above all else, Christ was a servant (Phil. 2:2)
• He served man before his coming (John 1:1-4)
• He served man in his coming (John 13:1-13)
• He serves man even now (Heb. 7:25)
Are we Christians? Are we his disciples? What that means is that we are not only his followers, but, literally, his learners. Notice this in John 13. “If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Christ was not instituting an act of worship, but giving them an example to follow. Think for a moment about what he has done. Christ was trying to combat an attitude among the disciples that lead them to ask “which of us is the greatest and will, thus, be the greatest in your kingdom?” It began when the mother of two disciples asks for the right and left hand positions for her sons. The debate ensues and in chapter 18 we find that the disciples themselves finally say, “let us just go to Jesus and ask him who is the best.” He tells them, “Unless you are converted and become like little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Well, apparently they don’t get it. As they enter into their final meeting with Christ, the time in which he is going to institute the “Lord’s Supper,” as we call it, they are still debating. Because of this debate, none are willing to do the servants job of washing the feet, a display of hospitality and love. They came to the supper with the same attitude we carry to the spa, “here I am, serve me, pamper me, give me more, more, more.” Yet, there is a spa of spirituality. Surprised? You shouldn’t be. The Bible talks of it often under the heading of “service.” The spa of spirituality is one where we are both worker and customer – serving using the blessings and gifts God has given us and being served as others employ theirs.
Just like the apostles, the Corinthian Christians has a problem understanding this idea of service. You will notice that the great love chapter of the Bible (I Corinthians 13) was written because there were some in the church who had lost sight of the concept of service, the heart and soul of the spiritual gifts. Paul even tells them, “when you come together (using these spiritual gifts) it is not for good.” Thus, he has to instruct them in the motive of service – love (agape - which defined properly, means “self-sacrificing benevolence”).
Christ served. We are called to serve. But maybe that is not the area of this idea we struggle with. Maybe ours is the questions of “how do I serve?” Well, I hate to tell you this, but there is no easy answer. I cannot answer it for you, other than to say, God has given you talent and ability. You may not realize it or you may suffer from esteem issues or other things that keep you from seeing it, but you are a talented individual. Ever notice that when Christ talked about talents he never mentions a zero talent man? Yet, some feel content to excuse themselves from service by saying, “I can’t do anything.” Even if your only skill lies in an ability to sit and write simple phrases in a shaky hand, you could use it for great good. I knew a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer and given only two years to live. All of her life had been devoted to nursing others back to health and taking care of their physical needs. As she neared the end of her life, four years later, she, though dying, still handmade cards, though they were remarkably less ornate than those produced in her prime, for the sick of her church. When she died they found the card materials stacked by her bed and some were even shocked to get cards in the mail from her the day after she had died. One of her final acts in this world was an act of service to encourage some weary soul.
How can you serve? Let us consider that Spa image once again, only think of it in spiritual terms, where you are the laborer. What are the tools we find in a spa? Pedicure, manicure, soft soothing tones, scented oils and incense, massage, masks, peels, scrubs, wax, candling, stones, hands, feet, eyes, ears and touch (not to mention others). Christian service has its tools as well. In many cases, you will find the same tools here as in the spa.
SERVICE OF THE MIND
One of the greatest things we could ever do for another is to study. C.S. Lewis, of Narnia Chronicle fame, once stated, “If all the world were Christian it might not matter if all the world were uneducated. But, as it is, cultural life will exist outside the church whether it exists inside or not. To be ignorant and simple now – not to be able to meet the enemies on their ground – would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen.”
One of the greatest acts of service Christ performed was delivering the will of God. Notice what Paul told Titus in Titus 2:11, 12. “For the grace of god that brings salvation has appeared to all men, TEACHING US that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age.”
SERVICE OF THE EARS
“Thanks for listening,” she said and just broke down in tears. I had said nothing, but showed up on her doorstep two hours ago after I had heard about the tragic and accidental loss of her child. What could I have said? Was anything I did going to ease her pain? Was there some magical potluck favorite I could run by to dry up the tears? No! No! No! All I could do was listen. I may feel helpless, but sometimes that is all I need to do. Isn’t that what the Bible encourages us to do. “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…” (James 1:19). If you want to be a good communicator, good servant, good friend and sister then you will often have to simply sit and listen.
When we say that we do not mean “look like you are paying attention,” but actually listening determining what a person is saying and perhaps why. Ever wonder why so many people don’t like to talk to answering machines. It probably has to do with the fact that we know nobody is listening and to not be listened to hurts perhaps more than many would ever care to admit.
SERVICE OF THE EYES
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the father is this: to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep onself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Yeah, but what has that to do with “sight?” Well, that all depends on how we see the word “visit.” If to us it means “let’s sit and have coffee and cake while ignoring your obvious difficulties” then it means very little.
The word visit here, however, means “go to see; careful investigation.” When we visit those in need, let us constantly ask, “why are we here?” According to James, we should be there to carefully inspect or see what a persons needs are. Why? So we can meet those needs and thus serve. I have met many people who tell me they have gone to visit shut-ins, but when I ask them, “how can we help them, what are their needs,” they just give me a blank stare, as if they didn’t just walk past the lawn that needs mowed, gutters that need cleaned, to enter the house that needs painted where the elderly woman sat in a broken down wheel chair with little to eat and no physical means to make food. All of this is easily perceivable if we are there to “visit.”
SERVICE OF THE MOUTH
“A man has joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season, how good it is” (Proverbs 15:23). It is no mystery that words of encouragement are wonderful, faith-building tools. Yet, you will notice that the Proverb writer makes mention of the “due season” of our words. Word meanings change when spoken in different tones or given a certain quality by, among other things, non-verbal communications. For instance, a person may say “I love you” and their tone reflects dripping sarcasm more than genuine love. Or perhaps they say the same things while avoiding your gaze, scanning some unknown place in the corner of the room with their eyes and shifting in their seat. By all indications, though the tone may be right, they are lying. In other words, when and how we speak are just as important as actually speaking. This, of course, means we must know people and what is going on in their lives. We must be a friend. We must be concerned. We must think about our words and serve through and with them.
Considering that many of life’s problems revolve around a lack of proper, effective communication skills and miscommunications, time and effort are greatly needed in this area. I once knew an elder in the Lord’s church who told me, “I just tell it like it is.” What he meant was, “I have a license to hurt people’s feelings and assert my own opinions as fact.” How tragic. Such behavior may be self service, but not much else.
SERVICE OF THE HANDS
There are several ways we can serve others with our hands. First and foremost we can serve others with the hands of prayer. Paul knew the value of this. “Finally, brethren, pray for us…” (2 Thess. 3:1).
Second, we may labor and toils, making meals, designing or writing cards, arranging baskets for the poor or needful, callusing our left so the right can hand out the money earned, and so on.
SERVICE OF THE FEET
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.” The greatest service that you can ever provide to another is to teach them the gospel. Many in our age are concerned with debate and a refutation over fine points of doctrine that amount to nothing. Many are greatly concerned about riding the hobby horse of condemning what is false or wrong with the church. There is, no doubt, a time and place for debate and condemnation, but as we read the New Testament we cannot help but walk away with the felling that the bulk of the time of the first century Christian was spent in spreading the truth, though often heavily persecuted. Maybe they lacked the time to engage in some of our exercises of futility. Yet, the Bible records time and again in Acts that they “multiplied daily.”
One’s life can defined in a number of ways using a number of terms. If service and servant are not listed high among them, then we ought to go back again and examine once again the life of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, who was, above all else, a servant.

Welcome

2006-10-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to all who are interested in finding God in the everyday and living each God-given and gifted day to the fullest. There are no ivory towers here, but a simple search for the daily affirmation that not only is there a God, but that He is ever striving to work all to our greatest good in all manners.

You can expect to find on this blog a discussion of the everyday - current events, history, language, books, and so on - as it reflects the spiritual nature infused in our world by its creator. From time to time you will simply find the thoughts of this author. Writing your thoughts is encouraged, though we ask that you refrain from foul language, prejudicial and bias attitudes, degrading tones or manners, and suggestive language. Our goal is to be positive and encourage those of Christian faith, who hold to Christian values. If you are not of like mind then perhaps your efforts would be best initiated somewhere else.

Though theological discussions are encouraged, areas of unrest must be dealt with using a two-fold Biblical principle - the Bible has the final say and whatever we say must be of the same loving character with which God delivered it to us in His word.

I do hope you will enjoy the blog! Let me know what you think.