What Winter Teaches Me About God

Enough already.

It's nearly March. I'm ready for sunshine, green grass, and longer days. I'm tired of winter coats, hats, gloves, and snow-covered boots leaving a wet trail across the floor. I long for warm rains to thaw the frozen earth. It's time for God's paintbrush to come out and add some color to this plain white and dirty brown landscape. I'm ready for Spring.

But nooo . . . What do we have, and have to look forward to over the next week? Below zero temperatures, inches of snow, biting winds, and, to top it off, maybe some ice. Thank you, Winter. You may leave now.

Waiting for Spring is like waiting on God.

Oh yes, this is the lesson. And I don't like it. Not one bit. I am ready for Spring to come. I don't want to wait any longer. If I had my way, we'd be cutting grass next week. The flowers would be blooming, the garden would be growing, and we'd all be running around in shorts. I want it, and I want it now. No, I don't want to pull forward and wait for my order to come out. I'll wait right here, thank you very much.

But it doesn't work that way, does it? Just as I cannot order Spring at my whim and desire, nor can I pull up to God's drive-thru and expect speedy service. To get what I want, I have to go through the process. I live in Illinois. I know the seasons. Fall, then Winter, Spring, and finally, Summer. It's the same every year. And every year, about this time, I start wishing it would change. Kind of like when I am praying about something, and God seems to be taking His sweet time answering. I know He knows what He's doing, but really, God, could you speed things up a little?

But when it finally gets here . . .

Oh the joy! That first 70 degree day . . . It's like a taste of heaven. The warm sunshine feels sooo good. The grass will look greener than it has ever been. The flowers will seem brighter than last year, and the smells--so fresh, so clean, so . . . new.

And that's what Winter has taught me about God. Not that He is slow to answer, but that His timing is perfect. Spring will come when the time is right. God will answer when He is ready. And in both, my joy will be the greater for having waited.

What do you look forward to in Spring?

For those who live in places with perpetual warmth--May God bless you and make His face shine upon you. That's not what I really want to say, of course. But it sounds better than, "Don't even think about saying how it's been 70 degrees for months there in Sunny City."

For the rest of you, whose noses are frostbitten and lips chapped like mine, what do you most look forward to as the weather warms? 

 

What I Learned From my Kids

Yep, those are my kids. And sure, you may think they are cute, innocent, and wonderful. Well, actually, they are. Cute and wonderful at least. Innocent? Not always. But here are some things I've learned from my kids.

They believe in you.

Jesus talked about child-like faith. Before I had kids, I didn't know what that meant. But kids believe in their parents. They trust them unconditionally. Every one of my kids has been stuck in a tree, and had to jump into my arms. If I missed, they were going to get hurt, and they knew it. They jumped anyway. That's trust. Don't abuse it.

They need you to be there.

It takes time. It means sacrifice. You'll have to put your own interests and desires on the back burner. And it's not always easy. But your kids need you to be there. And not just present, but active in their lives. They are not, and should not be the center of the universe, but they need you. If you are not there, they will find someone else. Who do you want influencing your kids, you or someone else?

They know how to forgive.

I have wronged my children time and again. I have been angry when I shouldn't have been. I have lost my patience, broken promises, and failed times without number. But you know what? They forgave me. You see, I'm their dad. They love me. They know what it means to forgive. How humbling is that?

They are loyal.

It doesn't matter if the world thinks I can do anything. My kids believe I can do everything. No matter what, they stick by my side. If we were picking teams to play soccer, and my daughter got to chose between me and David Beckham, she'd chose me. Not because she doesn't know who the better player is, but because she's loyal. There's something to be learned in that.

They are temporary.

OK, so I'm getting older. My oldest is a teenager. In many ways, he's no longer a child. He's a young man. Gone are the days of hiding under a blanket and not being found. Gone are the days of being the fastest runner in the house. Gone are the days of believing they will never grow up. It's happening. It's not going to stop. They'll not be children forever, and one day they'll be gone. Do your best, and enjoy it while you can.

They are a gift.

I didn't want kids when I got married. I wanted freedom, and fun, and life. God gave me three children. And you know what? He was right. He was right in knowing that I would love them. He was right in knowing that I needed them. He was right in knowing that in them I would find the very things I wanted. Freedom to explore life through the eyes of a child. Remembering how to have fun. Learning what life is really about. Children are a gift. Be thankful.

They are not easy.

Every lesson above has come with a price. I had to invest in them before they believed in me. I had to spend time with them to learn they needed me to be there. I had to see their tears before I learned they would forgive me. I had to fail them before learning they were loyal. I had to see them grow up before I knew they were temporary.

And now, knowing what they have taught me, I realize what incredible gifts they truly are.



 

What a Basketball Game Taught Me About People

Some friends and I went to a college basketball game last night. It was a great time, something I haven't done since my college days twenty-some years ago. I'm not a sports fanatic, so I learned a couple of things I had forgotten about the game, which I expected. I also learned some things about people, which I didn't. Here are some observations, and yes, there will be a point at the end.

People are willing to make sacrifices for something they value.

We drove two hours to get to the event, and walked several blocks in near-zero temperatures after parking the vehicle. Half frozen, we presented our tickets, which one of my friends had purchased, to get in. We waited an hour for the game to start, with nothing to do but watch (boring) remote controlled toy planes fly around while sitting in uncomfortable seats. Oh, and we were not alone. Several thousand others made those very same sacrifices. And thought it was worth it.

People are loyal to a cause they believe in.

It didn't matter that the team we went to watch is not having a great season. It didn't matter that they were not playing particularly well last night. It didn't matter that none of the championship banners hanging from the ceiling were not from the most recent years. The fans who came to watch them play were loyal. Those fans believed in that team, and came to support them. They believed, and that's all that mattered.

People are zealous when their heart is committed.

Many fans were dressed head to toe in team colors, including painted faces and colored wigs. They screamed at the top of their lungs when the team was introduced. Fury erupted when they felt their team was wronged, and shouted encouragement when the team did something--anything--right.

And it's worth mentioning here the fans for the other team. Outnumbered hundreds to one, huddled together in a small corner next to the most rabid home fans, they were equally on fire. Literally risking physical harm, they raised their voices despite the overwhelming odds, and refused to be silent in support of their cause. They were hated, but they did not fear. Their hearts were fully committed.

So I wonder . . .

How many Christians are willing to make similar sacrifices, to show such loyalty, and to be as zealous for the cause of Christ? Regularly.

As the noise of the crowd enveloped me, I wondered how many of them were professing Christians, and of them, how many had cheered His name so loudly as they did the name of their favorite sports team.  How many of them knew the names of the twelve apostles as well as they knew the team roster? How many, like that tiny group who showed up to support the opposing team, would stand so fearlessly in the face of Christ's enemies?

What about you?

Would you drive hours, brave dangerous temperatures, pay money, and be uncomfortable to worship Christ? Do you follow Christ with such loyalty? Are you so zealous for Him that you proudly bear His name for all to see, that you would stand in the face of overwhelming odds and shout His name?

Basketball is only a game. Christ is eternal life. Who do you cheer for more loudly?

"My Grace Is Sufficient For You . . ."

2 Corinthians 12:-9 (NIV) To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Paul was taken to heaven. Even he did not know if he was taken in body or spirit, and it didn't matter. He saw things, heard things, "that man is not permitted to tell" (2 Cor. 12:3). It was an awesome experience, one which could easily bring conceit to a man's heart.

To prevent Paul from becoming proud, and thus nullify the message given to him, he was given a thorn in his side. Despite much speculation, we do not know what this thorn was, but it was sufficiently bothersome for him to ask Jesus to take it away, not once, but three times. Jesus' response? "My grace is sufficient for you." In other words, what I have already given you is enough; I'm not giving you this thing you ask for.

We all have thorns. Physical ailments, difficult social situations, temptations . . . the list goes on. And we pray for God to take these thorns from us. Sometimes He does, but other times He does not. Why?

". . . for my power is made perfect in weakness." 

Sometimes we need a thorn. Something that stabs us, causes us pain, reminds us that we are not perfect in and of ourselves. Something that makes us weak. Why? So that His power can be made perfect in our weakness. So that He can work in our lives despite our imperfections. When we are weak, He is strong. When we can't, He can. Our thorns are signs, and reminders, of those truths.

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses . . .

Paul accepted the truth of what Christ told him. There are some thorns which we are meant to bear, to endure, in order to show that Christ can overcome all things.

Do you have a thorn, something which at first appears to be an impediment to your work for Christ? Don't be so sure. It just may be that your thorn is what allows others to see Christ work in you.

The Lost Art of Gratitude

Sometimes I have to remind my young children to say thank you. Not very often any more, as they are learning to be thankful, and to express that thankfulness. We started with this motto: "You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit!" Say Thank you, and mean it! They're getting it.

Some adults, though . . .

We live in an ungracious, self-centered, society. Nothing is good enough for me. I want the newly-released, ultra-deluxe gizmo, not this perfectly functional model from yesterday. Oh, and I wanted it last week, not today! What were you thinking? Don't you know who I am? I deserve it!

I want it, and I'm entitled to it! That seems to be our mantra today. I've earned it, just by being me.

And it doesn't stop with stuff.

We think we're entitled to the best stuff all right. Whatever our neighbor has, we want better. Keeping up with the Jones' has morphed into keeping ahead of the Jones'.   And not just houses, cars, cell phones, etc. If Larry has 500 Facebook friends, I should have 1,000. If Sally gets invited to lunch, I should get invited on a cruise. If they get, then I deserve . . .

And we Christians aren't much better. At least we know where everything comes from, right? So what do we do? God, I know you want what's best for me. Well here's what it looks like. My wife needs to respect me more. My kids need to be perfect in school, and have a starting position in every sport. My boss needs to realize what I'm worth (I should be the boss). Don't you know who I am God? I deserve it!

We don't mean it when we say thank you.

If we say it at all. Oh, we throw thanks all around. Thanks for coming means thanks for leaving. Oh, you shouldn't have! means you really shouldn't have. Thank you for this food means I'm hungry, let's eat.

Don't think so? Check your heart the next time you thank someone, including God, for something. Did you mean it? Are you truly thankful, satisfied with what you got? Is you heart glad? Or was it reflex, the right thing to say whether you meant it or not? It matters.

God knows the difference. 

Whatever comes out of our mouth, God knows what's in the heart. You might fool Aunt Gertrude into thinking you really like that knitted sweater, but you can't fool God.

We are to give God sincere thanks, not lip service. He doesn't want words. He desires worship. He wants us to realize what He has given us, and to truly thank Him. And why shouldn't we? Do you realize what He has given you? I'm not going to answer that for you. Think about it.

Be thankful.

For so many reasons, be thankful. For what you have, and what you do not. God knows what's best for you. And what really matters, He already gave.

 

Truth Matters--Whether You Believe It Or Not

 Do you realize that your opinion of and on God's Word has no bearing on the veracity of His truths? Let me put that another way. It doesn't matter if you believe what the Bible says or not; it's still true.

Understand what I am saying.

Read that first paragraph again. You can reject every word, refute the authenticity of the writings, argue that there are inconsistencies, or in any other way denigrate the Bible or the holy God who breathed it into being. It doesn't matter. Truth stands.

But it only matters to Christians, right?

Wrong. You're missing the point. If you go to a foreign country, do their laws apply to you? If you disagree with a law, does that mean you are not held to it? Is ignorance of the law a viable defense? Not hardly. 

Rules are rules. And there's this thing about God's rules--they're universal. They apply to everyone. Equally. No loopholes. No diplomatic immunity. No payoffs, bribes, or plead-outs. It's black and white.

Many will disagree.

In fact, many do. Situational ethics are rampant in the world today. Absolute truths are disparaged, viewed as anachronisms of an uneducated and unsophisticated society of times past. Christianity is stamped as being intolerant and hostile. Those who claim the identity of Christian are, ironically, met with hostile intolerance. The only absolute truth the world wants to accept is that there are no absolute truths. That logic works for them.

And Christians, tired and worn, fearful and timid, are allowing themselves to be indoctrinated with false truths that God is only love, that God is only merciful. He is those, yes. But God is also just. God is also a jealous God who will not tolerate wickedness and sin in His presence. Believing otherwise is a lie.

But what about . . .

Go ahead. Finish that sentence. Whatever you want to put in there, feel free. God's got it covered. What about forgiveness? Christ. What about tolerance? Holiness. What about judge not, lest ye be judged? Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. 

Your "buts" don't scare God. Can I answer every question that might come my way? No. But God can. And His Word will. If you look for truth, you will find it. If you hide from truth, it will find you. If you like your odds against God, roll the dice. Myself, I am not a gambling man.

I'm tired, and I believe God must be also.

I'm tired of pandering to political correctness. I'm tired of being afraid of stepping on toes. I'm tired of my rights and beliefs being sidelined, trampled on, and gutted. I'm tired of Christ being defaced.

I'm tired. I'm done. I've drawn a line.

This is my stand.

The Bible is the Word of God. It is true. It is applicable. It is contemporary. 

That's where I am.

Where are you?

But the Greatest of These is Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I Cor. 13:13 


I Corinthians 13. The Love Chapter. Almost required reading at weddings. And for good reason. God gave Paul incredible insight into the power of love, and what love is, and isn't.


How important is love?

In introduction to his topic of love, Paul says, "And now I will show you the most excellent way." He goes on to say that even if he could speak all languages, including the language of angels, without love he would have nothing to say. Even if he had all knowledge and understanding, or faith that could move mountains, without love he would be nothing. Even if he gave everything away, including his own life, without love he would gain nothing.

Wow. That's pretty important, especially considering Paul's story.

 So, how do we do this love thing right?

Something this important, something that, according to God's Word, is greater even than hope and faith, is worth our attention. It's worth doing right. How do we do that? We have to understand what it is, and what it is not.

What love is.

Love is patient and kind. Love rejoices in truth. Love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Love never fails. Love is greater than even hope and faith.

What love is not.

Love does not envy. Love does not boast, nor is it proud. Love is not rude, or selfish. Love does not come to anger easily, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil.

But it's Valentines Day! Where's the romance? 

It's in there. Don't you see it? What is more romantic than a patient and kind lover? Romance novel covers almost always portray the hero standing over a helpless (and breathless) maiden in distress, protecting her. If trust, hope, and perseverance no matter what comes is not romantic, then what is? Unfailing Love. That begs to be on the big screen featuring your favorite love story actor and actress.

On the flip side, is envy romantic? "Hey, honey; I sure wish I had Joe's wife here. She's a real looker." Did that make your toes tingle? Didn't think so. How about boasting? "Gee, Bob, it's a good thing I make more money than you so we can afford this nice restaurant, huh?"  Your husband just slipped under the table. Pride. Rudeness. Selfishness. Anger. Oh, and don't forget score-keeping. Want to kill the romance? Pick one. It'll be a long, cold, and lonely night after any of those.

There are a lot of definitions of love out there.

I think a good definition of love is how we treat others. Want to love, and be loved? Be patient. Be kind. Trust, hope, protect, persevere. Never give up. Do these and the results of love--those things the world wants you to believe is love--will be yours as well.

Home Is Where The Heart Is--For Better Or Worse!

So where do you live?

S. Failure Road? Or maybe N. Memory Lane. Do you hang your shingle on First Opportunity Drive, or over on Regrets Blvd? Oh, now I remember--you moved out to the Lonely Winds Subdivision, didn't you? Uh, great. Congrats, I guess.

Home is where the heart is.

In Luke 6:45, Jesus says it this way, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

We live where we put our hearts. If you allow your heart to wallow in self pity, you'll end up on Woe-is-Me Way. If you focus your heart--your energy, your attention, your
thoughts--on anger, you may very well find yourself living in Madville. You see how this works? Most of these are places you wouldn't chose to visit, and yet there you are, staking your claim. Why?

Pack your bags, and move out!

For goodness sake, if you don't like where you are living, get out of there! Leave Disappointment City and cross the tracks to Second Chance. Get a rental in Hopeville, if nothing else! Stay there 'til something better comes along, but get out of the ghettos! There's nothing there for you. God has something greater in mind.

You can move your heart. Read the passage above from Luke again. What is stored up in the heart is what comes out. Stop stuffing your heart with evil thoughts of anger, self-pity, greed, hopelessness, blah, blah, blah! Pack in some love. Stuff a little grace in there. A healthy dose of gratitude never hurt anyone!

Don't know how?

Start with God's Word, the Bible. Don't know where to start? The Books of Psalms and Proverbs are full of "good things," as Jesus said. Read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Try Colossians--it's 4 chapters, maybe 4 or 5 pages long, depending on your Bible. That's shorter than the lease agreement I signed in college for a summer! Don't have a Bible? There's a thousand free ones online. Come up with a better excuse!

Just open His Book and start reading. Put some good in your heart, and see what happens. Read deep enough, and you'll find where Jesus says He already has a room prepared for you. Know where that is?

Paradise Lane.

God--Are You Out There?

I called out to God, to see if He would answer. I called out in my pain, my fear, my frustration. I sought Him because I had no where else to go. With all my strength, with all my heart, with everything I had, I reached for His heavenly throne.

Silence answered.

I called again, pulling from reserves of will and despair buried deep within my soul.

"Where are you God? Look at me! I am broken! I am crushed! I am . . . dying.  Where are you?"

I held my breath, senses attuned for a sign, a shout, the slightest whisper. Time moved no more as I and all Creation waited. My heart ached. My soul longed. My faith stretched.

And still, I heard not a sound. I felt not the hand of God upon my heaving shoulders. His healing touch refused to brush the tears away. His voice remained silent. His angels absent.

Falling to my knees, strength failed. Emptiness welled up, poured out of my soul. Clenched fists pounded the parched earth. My head rose to scream, but nothing was left. Only a whimper emerged, the slightest of sounds, the last of my breath.

Where are you?
And then He came. Not with a mighty shout and upraised sword. Not with a legion of angels, nor fiery throne. God came to me not from the distant realms of heavenly glory. No, He came, because He was already there.

His presence was the sun on my face, bringing warmth to my soul. His touch was the easterly wind, drying my tears. His voice was the whisper of faith, coming from within.

"I Am."

And then I knew. My shouts had not gone unheard. My screams of anguish were not ignored. My pain, my sorrow, my guilt and shame--He knew. He was never distant, never absent. His hand was there, giving me breath so that I could scream. His strength gave me life, that I could cry. His tears mingled with mine, that I may heal.

I called out to God, and He answered. His faithfulness never fails. His love never ceases. His mercies are without measure.

Amen and Amen!

Would God Like, Share, +1, Retweet, or Repost You?

Let's say God was perusing social media, be it Facebook, Twitter, Google +, etc. Would He give you the coveted click of affirmation? Would He confirm your friend request? Would He follow you? Would He, oh joy of joys, invite His friends to like you?

If your life were a blog, would God comment? Would He come back to read your next post? Would the keywords in your life show up if God did a Google search? Would God sign up on Feedburner to get your blog by email?

This may seem farfetched, silly, immature, or just stupid, but it's simply the same question of old put in modern terms. Is your life worthy of God?

Would God smile when He looked through the photos you uploaded? Would He want to follow the links you shared? Would He invite your friends to His page? Would He follow your friends?

Or would God block you? Would your page be too vulgar, your photos too pornographic, your posts too offensive for Him? I'm not talking about your sins being forgiven. I'm talking about what your life looks like. Because it matters.

Most of us have seen a post on someone's Facebook wall or Google + stream we didn't agree with or were offended by. But, unless it was horribly contradictory to our values, or followed a pattern of offensiveness, we were willing to overlook it. But if someone regularly posts garbage that shows up as you scroll through, what do you do? Here comes the cliche: What would Jesus do?

Would God take the time to click the thumbs up on the story of your life? If not, it's time to rethink your content.

The Long, Hard Road of Faith

Consistency. Steadfastness. Long suffering. Endurance.

Call it what you will, sometimes this idea of faith is just plain hard. Boring, sometimes. Doing the same thing over and over, fighting the same fights--sometimes winning and sometimes losing. Struggling, struggling, struggling with no end in sight. After a while, it starts to wear you down.

Know what I mean?

Our hero Christian has eyes which can truly see. He has faced the Dragon, that embodiment of evil. He knows the battle is coming, and has prepared his weapons for war. Do you know what he has to do now?

Wait. Endure. Have faith.

The battles do not come when we expect them. The Dragon does not announce his intention to attack. No, he is much wiser than that. He knows our weaknesses. He knows we often falter when the road gets long. He knows it will be hard for Christian to stay focused on the Spirit World when the "Real World" is so full of distractions.

You see, Christian gets bored. Just like you and me. And there lies the danger.

Faith is not only hard when the mountains are high, the valleys deep, the storms strong. In fact, for some, those difficult times make faith easier. Its a challenge, you see. Spiritual warfare is exciting, exhilarating. You could say that Christian is a spiritual adrenaline junkie. He's never closer to God than when the Dragon attacks.

But when the road is smooth, the path easy? Christian starts looking for side roads. He prefers a shortcut, a direct path to the next hurdle. Sometimes he doesn't like the journey. He's more about the destination.

How about you? When do you struggle in your relationship with God? When life is hard, or when everything seems to be going well?

Don't answer too quickly. Think about it. You might be surprised by the answer.

Christian Prepares for Battle

A relic of times gone by, marked by the scars of battles past. Out of place. Out of time. An anachronism. 

It was his only hope. It always had been. From the first days, when Man battled Evil face to face, to now, when battles were fought in the shadows of the Spirit World. The lands of war had moved, but the weapons of destruction, and the armors of defense, remained the same.

Truth defended against lies. Righteousness battled defilement. Readiness overcame sloth. Faith shielded against the fiery arrows of evil. Salvation crowned victory. The Word slayed the Dragon. As spoken to the Ephesians by the Herald of Truth.

It sounded archaic. Fanciful. The stuff of legends and fairytales.

It was real. True. The necessities of Christian's life. Today.

The Dragon. He was real. He was here. The Battle was coming.

That fiery serpent was growing ever more brazen, refusing to accept defeat. His army was growing, an army of disillusioned and mislead souls. An army of demons and evil. Thousands. Millions. Billions.

Evil was mounting. The Battle was coming. The End was near.

Christian knew not the hour, nor the day, but he knew better than to be caught unprepared. He knew skirmishes would foretell the Battle of the End, and knew those skirmishes would claim the lives of many. Those unprepared would be caught up by the Dragon, to either serve him or face his crushing jaws of destruction.

Either way, they were doomed.

Christian would not be among them. Come that day, that frightful, glorious day, he would fight. Armor in place, sword at his side, he opened his soul to Truth.

I am ready . . .