Where Do You Stand?

 

When it comes to God, marriage, family. On questions of faith, hope, and love. When asked about Jesus, church, the meaning of life.

Your opinion. Your stance. Your beliefs.

They matter.

Where do you stand?

Does anyone even know? Do you even know? What do you believe?

If you can't answer that question, it's time to do some searching. 

No matter where you are in life, now is the time to make a decision. 

Are you with Christ, or are you against Him?

There is no in-between.

This is a fence you cannot straddle. Either you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior and King, or you do not. Either you are going to heaven, or you are going to hell. You know light, or you are in darkness.

It's that simple.

Where do you stand?

 

Hope

 But as for me, I will always have Hope.

A new year is coming.

Ready or not, the calendar is set to change. It matters not if you've accomplished what you set out to do in this past year. Time has run out. It's over. 

How do you feel about that?

What will the new year hold for you?

The answer, of course, is that none of us know. Oh, we may have plans and ideas, goals and ambitions, even dreams and wishes. We can work towards making those things reality, but it is largely out of our hands. It is up to God what He gives, or takes away.

That can be depressing for some. To know that no matter how hard we try, no matter how well we prepare, we may not accomplish what we set out to do. Even if it is a good and right thing.

But as for me, I will always have hope.

This is the first part of Psalm 71:14. The second half of the verse reads, I will praise you more and more.

In this Psalm, the Psalmist speaks of God as a refuge, a place to go when life is hard. He also speaks of God as his hope, even when his plans have gone awry. Despite his hardships, he counts on God to bring him through.  

That's hope.

Not that I will get what I want. Not that my dreams will come true. Not that this will happen, or that will not. Rather, hope is knowing God is there, no matter what. Hope is recognizing the goodness and righteousness of God, even in the storm. 

But as for me, I will always have hope.

No matter what 2015 brings, or lacks, I will always have hope. The Lord is my Refuge and my Rock. He is my Salvation and my God. 

There is no greater hope than that!

As Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man
sharpens another 

 

 

Men:
We're hard, like iron. That's how God made us. Try to form or sharpen iron with something softer, like gold. Know what happens? Nothing. It takes something hard. Like another piece of iron.

God said it this way: 

 

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Like any tool, we have to be made into shape, and then maintained, to be effective. A blade dulls. An axe forms burrs. They all have to be sharpened regularly.

What other man or men do you have in your life who are sharpening you?

Who are you sharpening?

Be iron to another man, and let another be iron to you.

We'll all be better for it.

Post Christmas Blues

After all the buildup. All the craziness. All the chaos.

It's over.

In one day.

It's not uncommon to feel some degree of letdown after Christmas. We've been ramped up for days, weeks, or even months. Now it's come, and gone. Before us lies a long, cold, dark winter (where I live at least).

It can be a little depressing.

Taking down the decorations. Saying goodbye to family. Maybe paying off debt for gifts we really couldn't afford. It weighs on you. Compared to the excitement of Christmas coming, Christmas past can seem . . . well . . . blue.

I get it. I feel it. Not as strong as some, but I'm there with you. Since I was a kid, the weeks after Christmas seem a little longer, the days a little darker. For me, it's mild, and doesn't last long. But for some, it can be a serious problem.

Christmas every day.

What helps me is to remember why we celebrated Christmas in the first place.

Christ. Our Savior.

And He didn't come for just one day. There is nothing special about December 25 and our relationship with Him. He is just as available, just as close, and just as much God on every other day. It doesn't have to be Christmas to think about Jesus.

In fact, if you only think about Jesus on Christmas, that's part of the problem.

He's there, every day. He came for us. You and me. There is no greater gift.

In that way, every day is like Christmas.

Being blue isn't un-Christian.

I had to put that out there. It doesn't mean you're just a fan of Christmas and not Christ. It doesn't mean you don't understand what it's all about.

It probably means you just ran an emotional, spiritual, and physical marathon and you're tired! 

But if you do start to get a little down, remember Christ. There for you, every day.

A bit of Christmas, every day of the year.
 

Christmas, Part 3--A Child Is Born!

In a lowly stable. Wrapped in unworthy cloths. Laid upon a manger.

A child.

The Christ.

Savior.

Upon Him rests the hope of all men. Within Him resides the fullness of God. Around him exists a world He has come to save. Before Him lies a path of obedience.

A child.

God's amazing grace. His unfailing love. His unending mercy.

All within a sleeping child.

He is God.

Born for us.

Do you know Him?

Christmas, Part 2--Spiritual Warfare

For all the joyful anticipation in Heaven, not all celebrated. Those who had fallen anticipated the arrival of Christ in the flesh much differently. They knew the Scriptures as well as those loyal to Father. They knew what was happening. They knew who was coming.

The Messiah!

But theirs was not gleeful anticipation, nor wonder that God would so love the world that He would send His Son to save lost man. No, they loathed the idea of a Savior. Who was man that he should receive such a blessing that they themselves could not? Who was man that God would leave His throne to humble Himself for their sake? Who was man that he should be forgiven?

Satan knew. He knew what this meant.

War.

Satan could not fight against God as God. In that there was no contest. He as the created could not stand against the Creator.

But . . .

God in the flesh? God as man? Could He be tempted? Could He be led to fall?  If so, then there would be no salvation. There would be no Messiah. There would be no hope. And that, Satan knew, was his only hope.

The virgin.

Satan watched her, a serpent studying his prey. So delicate. So fragile. So . . . mortal. Could it be that she really carried God within her? He knew it was so, but yet the idea was so foreign. He could not fathom God leaving His throne for them, or anyone else. The thought disgusted him.

He considered the woman, and the One within her. He sensed the presence of God, recoiled at His holiness.

The Child.

He would be born. It would be as God had said. He would enter the world in the flesh, to live as man. He would walk in their footsteps, share their bread, experience their pain. He would be tempted as they were tempted.

Satan would be sure of that.

Christmas, Part 1--Heaven Prepares

Can you imagine the excitement in heaven as Mary and Joseph approach Bethlehem? The angels look down in wonder, knowing that God Himself resides in the womb of a mere mortal. They know the Scripture. They know what God has told man. They know what is coming. They know who is coming.

The Messiah!

Filled with awe, they consider their God. He has come to save their fellow servants. They cannot quite fathom the love God has for men that He would send His Son.They ponder the reality of a Savior.  It is beyond them to understand, but they know. And they wait.

They know who the virgin is. Gabriel had appeared to Zechariah, then to Mary herself, delivering a message from God. The child she carries is known to them as well. Though He has not yet been born, they have known Him since their creation. He was before the day of their making. And they were about to witness His birth.

Can you feel it?

The excitement. The joy. The awe, the amazement, the wonder, the anticipation! This is the greatest work of God they have witnessed, and they have seen everything. Their understanding is incomplete, as His ways are not theirs. But they know. They know it is big. They know it will change the world.

They can hardly wait!

The man and his wife make their way slowly as the angels watch. Immortal, time is different for them than man, but they are bound by it nonetheless. They must wait with the rest of Creation for this wondrous event to take place.

They pulse with excitement.

The holiness of God has never been brighter. His plan has never been clearer. His majesty never greater. And yet, there He was. Being carried by His created. Not yet born, cared for by His creation. 

Man did not yet understand. But he would. And when he did . . .

Until then, they had to wait. Watching. Anticipating the birth of the Christ.  

It was almost more than they could take! 

Lost, But Not Forgotten

 Ezekiel 34: 15, 16

I myself will tend my sheep . .
Declares the Sovereign Lord .
I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.

We stray.  All of us. From our responsibilities, our convictions, our goals and dreams. Sometimes even from God.

The World Doesn't Care.

If you stray from the world, you are on your own. The world does not care. You are one of seven billion. Few will notice your wanderings.

I am not speaking of physically leaving. I am talking about a desertion of your values, your commitments, your path. The world doesn't care about these things. In fact, the world doesn't like these things. Stray away, and good riddance, so says the world.

God Cares.

Oh yes He does! He says so in Ezekiel, and Matthew, and John, and so many other places. When one strays, He comes looking. The Good Shepherd. The Protector. Father.
He cares. A lot.

He cares enough to send His Son. To die. For His lost sheep.

He Himself came looking, and found you. And me.

Even today, He searches. He calls those who are lost by name. Reaching out, pleading, calling. Come to me! 

Are you lost? Have you strayed?

Listen . . .

He calls . . .

Do You Know Everything?

I love to answer questions. God has given me the gift of teaching, and I love it. The problem is . . .

I don't know everything!

There, I said it!

It can be hard to admit that we don't know. Especially when people come to you thinking you should know. But if you don't know, you don't know! There is no shame in that. As long as you admit it.

But answer a question out of ignorance, and a slippery path awaits you!

Proverbs says it well.

The Book of Proverbs is full of good advice. Here are some words about being wise.

17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fools eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint . . .

17:28 Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. 

18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

18:4 The words of a man's mouth are deep waters . . .

And lastly . . . 

18:6 A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.  

All of that to say . . .

If you don't know, you don't know. Pretend like you do, and you risk being the fool. 

Mistakes--I've Made a Few!

I hate that sign!
Especially from this view,
because it means . . .
I've made a mistake!

I know what that's
like.

Remember the old movie, Planes, Trains,and Automobiles?  
"You're going the wrong way!" If you don't get that, don't worry--it's for us old folks 40 and over. 

I know what it's like to make mistakes. I messed up just the other day, for everyone to see. Altered a picture in one program, which altered it in another, which altered it here on my blog . . . Frustrating!

I wish I could say that's the worst of my mistakes. It's not.

Everyone makes mistakes.

The Bible puts it this way in Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Sin is a mistake. And we know that not all mistakes are accidental. I meant to alter that picture. I just didn't realize the consequences of doing so. My mistake was not sinful, but the same reasoning applies. Whether we intend to or not, we fail. We fall short of the glory of God.

It happens. To me. To you. To everyone. We fail to live up to the standard of God. Our thoughts, our actions, our words . . . One way or another, we're going to mess up. Already have, in fact. We know it. God knows it. It's out there.

What you don't do when you make a mistake.

I realized my mistake rather quickly. What to do? What to do? Not knowing how to fix it without doing more damage, I decided to ignore it, hoping it would go away. It didn't.


That's how the world would have us deal with our sins. Just ignore them, and they'll go away. They won't though. If you do not believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, you will carry them with you beyond the grave into the depths of hell. That's harsh, but that's what the Bible says. Without Jesus, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth in the lake of fire. That's what happens if you ignore sin.

For the saved, there is the temptation to ignore sin as well. Jesus took our sins away, removed them as far as East is from West. Yes. The Bible also teaches that we are to confess our sins. We are to repent, or change our attitude about what we are doing wrong. Jesus warned Christians in Thyatira that they faced severe discipline if they did not repent. Read Revelation 2:18-29. It's real.

What do you do, then?

I hinted at this above. I confessed my mistake. We are to do the same with our sins. We are to confess them to God, and to each other. That doesn't mean that you go out and broadcast your dirty laundry to the world. That is not honoring to God. But what is honoring to God is having a friend, or group of friends, to whom you confess your weaknesses and failings.

This helps to keep us accountable. It is part of repentance. I can tell you from experience that sinful habits are much easier to break when you have a couple of guys who are going to ask you about it on Tuesday morning over breakfast. No one likes to admit a mistake. I sure didn't.

You don't have to carry your mistakes around.

We cannot live in the past. Sin is serious, and habitual sin must be stopped. But there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Some people carry their sin around with them. It's an anchor weighing them down.

That's not God's plan. He desires for us to be holy and perfect, but knows we cannot. His plan has always been for us to find forgiveness through His Son. When you find sin in your life, first of all, stop it! Then confess your sins. Give them to God. Jesus offers to take them from you. Allow Him! You cannot do anything about the sins in your past. Only Jesus can deal with them. Let them go. They'll only weigh you down.

Strive to be sinless, but when you fail, know that we all have. God is merciful through His Son. Mistakes abound, but God's mercy is more bountiful still!

How Big Is God?

It may seem childish, this question. But can you answer it? If it is so simple, why did you pause? You might say, "He's bigger than everything," or "He's as big as He needs to be." But really, those answers are as simple as the question. So I ask again; how big is God?

Creator

Astronomers estimate that over 100 billion galaxies exist in the universe, each with 100 billion stars. Most of us cannot fathom those numbers. Some compare that to the number of grains of sand on every beach on earth. That really doesn't help me. I still don't get it. But God does. He created those stars. All of them. At once. And named every one of them.

Big Bang? Yeah. I'd even go out on a limb and say it was a big boom!

And that's not to mention planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and the stuff out there that we think exists, but cannot prove. We give this stuff the somewhat unoriginal name of Dark Matter. Whatever it is, it's not dark to God. He made it. He even knows what to really call it.

Provider

God made everything. It is all under His control. Anything we have, comes from Him. We exist because He made us! He gives, and He takes away. Why? Because it, what it is, belongs to Him! Your home, the food you eat, the air you breathe, the very body you inhabit, is His. He gave it to you. That's provision.

On the same subject, anything you want must come from Him. Whether you believe that or not, it is truth. Your denial does not change a thing. Deny gravity, then jump. See what happens. God causes the rain to fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. He gives to those who follow Him and those who do not. It is His way. And who can argue? It's His stuff; He can do whatever He wants with it!

Savior

Christ, who is God, died for the sins of all who accept Him. Theology aside, that is hard to comprehend. The death of one sufficient for all. But God says it is so, and therefore it is. Christ is big enough that His self-sacrifice, and subsequent arising, frees us from our burden of sin. Not because of anything we do, but because of what He did. His death saved billions of lives. For eternity. That's big.

So, so much more!

Creator? Yes!
Provider? Yes!
Savior? Yes!

But He is so much more! More than I can explain. More than I can fathom. More than I can even imagine. He is more.

And that, perhaps, is the answer to the question.

How big is God?

He is bigger. Whatever you picture, He is bigger.

That's how big God is!

Any thoughts?

How big is God? Tell us, so we can be in wonder of Him! 

I Didn't Say That!

    

It all boils down to one word.

Communication.
 
When Christ knelt down and scribbled in the dirt with His finger (John 8:6), He was communicating. Not by His words, for He was silent. Not by what He wrote (though I'd love to know what it was!). He communicated by His posture, His expression, His actions. He said something. Loud and clear.

The same is true for us. Everything we do (or don't do!) says something. Every expression, every tone of voice, every posture and stance . . . they all say something. Ask yourself this: Are you saying something Christ would say?

Every word--spoken, written, typed, or even thought. Would Christ speak them?

Every blog. Every comment. Every post on social media. What does God think?

Communication is an unending river.

Communication never stops. Verbal and non-verbal. Intentional and unintentional. Direct, indirect, first person, second, third. Visual. Verbal. Tactile.

Communication is constant. Silence speaks volumes. Appearances matter, whether they should or not. Blink at the wrong time, and the deal's dead. Stare too long and it's over. Timber, pitch, volume, duration are the difference between success and failure. Simple words make you sound like an idiot. Fancy words will label you as out of touch.

The majority of communication is non-verbal. Posture, expression, where and how you stand or sit, tone, eye contact . . .

It's a wonder we can process all of this. But we do. Very efficiently. So efficiently, in fact, that we don't even know we're doing it.

It happens here, too.

You would think written communication would be less complicated. Wrong. Similar rules apply here. Word choice. Sentence length and structure. Visuals. Punctuation. Accents. The list goes on.

So what?

 None of this is new. Or, perhaps, particularly interesting or insightful. But it does matter.

In every situation, whether you intend to or not, you are communicating. The question is, what are you communicating? Would Christ approve?

Some final thoughts, from the one source of communication we can always trust.
     Proverbs 10:19--When words are many, sin is not absent.
     Ecclesiastes 5:6--Do not let your mouth lead you into sin.
     Psalm 12:6--The words of the Lord are flawless.

You can stop reading here, or you can continue on, and see what'Whats happening in the life of our friend, Christian.


     Christian sighed as he considered the task ahead. He'd been down this road before. You meet with someone, exchange pleasantries, shake hands or maybe accept a short embrace. Sometimes you sit down, but not always. It doesn't matter. Small talk comes first. Then awkward silence. The time has come.
   You clear your throat nervously. They make eye contact, give an encouraging smile. You think you're going to be listened to. You think the person on the other side cares about what you have to say. You think . . . Then you realize.
     They don't want to listen. They don't want to hear. They want to tell.
     He sighed. It didn't matter. Whether they listened or not was on them. All he could do, all he had to do, was tell them.
     The room was dimly lit and dingy. Walls stained a dirty brown spoke of by-gone years filled with chain smokers and poor ventilation. The old tile floor wasn't dirty, really, but no amount of Mr Clean and elbow grease would ever be able to remove the ground-in grime.
     This was where truth came to die. Lies, deceit, and rumors were the rule of the day in this place. Communication? Oh yeah, communication abounded. But none of it was truth.
     He was here to change that.
     He'd not been in a place like this for a long time. Not since he'd changed. He didn't think he belonged here anymore. Or at least he used to think that. Now he knew better. Now he knew this was exactly where he should be. If any place needed light, this was it.
     Redeemer would have been here. No doubt about it. He used to go to places just like this. And they gave Him a hard time about it. If Redeemer did it, and the world hated it, it was right.
     Christian took a deep breath, relaxed his shoulders, and smiled. Somewhere in the crowded room was someone he needed to talk to. He didn't know who yet, but he would. And he didn't know if they would listen. But he couldn't worry about that. All he had to do was be obedient. God would take care of the rest.

Savior For Sale?

                                                                                    Savior for sale!

Clearing out space!

All offers considered!

May purchase with:
Empty promises
Worthless gold
False teachings
Will consider trade!


Christian was furious.

     He'd never seen anything so . . . irreverent. So . . . dishonoring. So stupid. How could anyone put a price on Christ? Any price, he wondered as he read the flyer again. But there it was.
     Savior for sale.
     If he knew who'd put this trash out, he'd give them a piece of his mind.
     His agitated reflections were interrupted when a clean cut, important looking gentleman in a business suit stepped up next to him, peering at the flyer in his hands.
     "What do you make of that?" asked Well Dressed.
     "Disgusting," Christian answered scornfully.
     "Oh really? Why's that?"
     "Christ isn't for sale! He can't be bought or sold for any price!"
     Christian turned to face the newcomer, and saw him reach into his pocket. His hand emerged, fanning a roll of one hundred dollar bills.
     "Oh really?" asked Well Dressed. "I've got a thousand bucks that says differently. All you have to do is take it. Admit that this Jesus you pretend to fawn over is nothing but a bedtime story for children, and it's yours."
     Christian backed away, hands held in front of him.
     "No. Never!"
     "Really? Never?" Well Dressed asked with nasty grin, reaching into his pocket again. "How about for twice that? Or maybe ten times?"
     Christian gaped at the wad of money held out to him. He knew he should turn and run, flee this evil, but . . . He had bills. His wife wanted a new car. His kids needed new shoes. He wanted . . .
     No! He couldn't! It was wrong! Tearing his eyes from the ever-growing fan of green, he turned and ran.
     Well Dressed's voice followed him as he fled, "You'll be back! One way or another, you'll be back."

Would he sell Christ?
     The world said everything was for sale. How much was Christ worth?  Christian told himself that he'd never sell out Christ, no matter the offer. Then he remembered the ten bucks in his wallet he'd gotten in err from the cashier at the convenience store when he'd bought a soda. She thought he'd given her a twenty, but it was only a ten. He'd realized her error later when he found the extra tenspot in his pocket. He meant to take it back,  but . . .
       Then there was that job. The one that involved some shady business deals. The thought of taking it made him uncomfortable, but the money! He could finally give his family the life they deserved. Not to mention buying those golf clubs he'd been eying. He knew in his heart the job was dishonest, but . . .
     That settled it. He was taking the wrong change back. And he wouldn't accept the job offer. The money wasn't that important. He knew the more he made, the more he'd spend anyway. He wouldn't sell Christ! Not for a thousand dollars, ten thousand, or even a million. And certainly not for ten bucks!
     At peace, he strolled down the street towards the store, humming the tune to the new song he'd heard on the radio. He couldn't remember the artist, or all the words, but the tune was catchy. Soon, the whole affair was just a blur. One more day in the life of Christian.


Follow me in the life of Christian, an every-day guy in an every-day world, facing the same problems as you and I.


 

That Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best,
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

 

That old rugged cross. Time worn, weather beaten, oft forgotten. Once set in place with care, love, honor. Now neglected, overgrown, and inconvenient. You can see the field in the background, encroaching year by year. One day, perhaps, by mistake or design, the cross will be plowed under. Lost. Forgotten.

Is this your story?

What does the cross of Christ mean to you? As the old hymn says, it is an emblem of suffering and shame. Are you ashamed? Ashamed of the cross, of He who suffered on it?

No, of course not! Here we are, Christians, blogging and networking, proclaiming the worth and cause of Christ. We are not ashamed! Not here, at least. But what about out there?

In the landscape of your life, what place does that old rugged cross have? Placed in your heart by God Himself, it will be worn and weathered by the storms of life. Blood stained, rough-hewn, ugly to many--where do you place it? Is it relegated to the edges of the "more fertile" fields in your life? Is it overgrown with weeds of the world? Is it in danger of one day being plowed under, lost and forgotten?

He deserves better.

It's not about the cross. Not really. It is an emblem of suffering and shame. What is really important, what really matters, is He who was on it. He who overcame it. That's what matters. The cross is a visual reminder of what's important. Jesus.

And yes, he deserves better. The cross deserves better, because it is our representation of His sacrifice, His saving us from ourselves. Not that we need to paint it, gold plate it, make it pretty. In so doing, we cover what it is. 

But we cannot afford to neglect it, forget it, allow it to be plowed under for the sake of worldly gain. It needs to be, deserves to be, has to be placed in front of all. Not hidden away, protected, out of sight. Rather, prominent. Visible. Remembered.

The last stanza.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true,
It's shame and approach gladly bear;
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I'll share.

Will you?

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

 

Church No Longer Needed?

We've heard it all before:

"I'd rather sleep in."

"I listen to great sermons online."

"They're all just a bunch of hypocrites."

"I don't need a church." 

You're wrong. You do need a church. And here's why.

Bodies of believers meeting together is God's plan.

Look at the early church. From the very beginning, when the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem after the resurrection, what did they do?
     Acts 1:14, The all joined together constantly in prayer.
     Acts 2:1, they were all together in one place. 
     Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to teaching and fellowship.
     Acts 2:46, they continued to meet together.
     Acts 2:47, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

But that was right after Christ's death. They were scared, they were confused, and they needed each other. That doesn't mean we have to keep meeting together, does it? Well let's see.
     Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together . . . and all the
     more as you see the Day approaching.

We could go on. The Bible clearly indicates that God intended for His believers to gather together in His name. That's called church.

But why?

Because God said so. That should be enough, but it isn't. We feel like we need to get something out of it for ourselves. And we do.


Going to church puts us in an environment where we are surrounded by like minded people. I know, I know--not everyone in church is a Christian. And those who are, are often far off the path of God's righteousness. And that's part of why we need to be there! Church isn't just about what you get out of it. When the church of Acts met together and God added to their number daily those who were being saved, how do you think those unsaved heard His message of salvation? 

But I digress. We were talking about what we can get out of church. Ever go to church in a bad mood and come out feeling a lot better? Yeah, me too. Ever have a spat with your spouse before church, and then leave not remembering what it was all about? Yeah, me too. Ever . . .

Going to church makes you feel better. On the other hand, have you ever felt guilty about not going to church? Yeah, me too. You know it's the right thing. And that voice of guilt? It's God.

Really?

Yep. That about sums it up. The Church is God's plan. Going to church makes us feel better (because it is good for us). Believers gathered together bring unbelievers the message of Christ. And we know going to church is the right thing to do.

We're not even scratching the surface of how going to church revives your soul, strengthens your spirit, and guides your walk with Christ. We don't have too. You already know.

Going to church is not a thing of the past.
 
Church is as important today as 50, 100, or 2,000 years ago. There is nothing like gathering together with a group of believers, whatever the size, and communing with God. You can't get that through the TV, radio, your ipad, your smartphone. You can't get that laying in bed. You can only get that when you go.

Have I changed anyone's mind? 

Nah. It's up to you to do that. All I can do is nudge you a little. I'll let God take care of the rest. But here's some advice: God wants you in church. You already knew that, and just so there are no excuses, I just told you. Have you ever not done something God wanted you to do, and felt His Spirit speaking to you as a "guilty conscience," or "small quiet voice?" Yeah, me too.

Willing to take that chance?

Get out of bed. Go to church. You'll be glad you did.


 
     
 

What Mark Will You Leave?

We don't like to think about it. Many don't like to admit it. Some refuse to accept it. But the fact is, at some point, we are going to leave this world. What will you leave behind?

For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior, Paradise awaits. Our attitude should be that of 2 Corinthians 5:8, where Paul says, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." 

That is the promise of our eternal inheritance. A life far better awaits us on the other side. Until then, and even after, we affect those around us by the lives we live. What we do leaves a mark on this world.

How will you be remembered?

If people remember only one thing about your life on this earth, what will it be? As in the picture above, will you leave behind a mark that stands out from all the rest? Or will your story blend into the background? Will your mark be different? Will it stand out for the right reasons?

We remember those who have gone before us for many reasons. That person was rich. This person was famous. She was influential in the community. He was handsome. We remember what most stands out about a person. Keep that in mind.

How about 100 years from now?

As time passes, the details of our lives fade away. Eventually, when Facebook and Google+, Twitter and SnapChat go the way of the dodo, what will be left? In 100 years, what will people say about you? What stories will have been passed down? What lasting impression will you leave behind?

I want people to remember me in 100 years. Not for what I have done for this world, but for what I have done for God. If people remember only one thing about me, if they associate only one image with my memory, I want it to be the cross of Christ.

You choose what people will remember. 

I said earlier that what stands out most about a person is what people remember. We are in control of that. We get to decide how people remember us. Be encouraging, and you will be remembered as an encourager. Give freely from what God has given you, and generosity will be your legacy. Treat your neighbor as yourself, and kindness you will leave behind.

Be Christ-like, and the cross will be your mark.

Your turn.

What are you doing to be remembered for Christ? Share your journey, that we may all remember Him.

If you believe others should consider this in their lives, feel free to share it.





 

Whom Shall I Fear?

The Lord is my light 
and my salvation-
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold 
of my life-
Of whom shall I be afraid?
         Psalm 27:1







Fear is a powerful force. It can motivate us to do great things, or stop us in our tracks. Fear has enabled the weak to run, and caused the strong to faint. Fear can save your life, or send you crashing to your death. Fear is, well, fearsome.

People handle fear in different ways. Some are energized by fear, so they tempt death. Others are so paralyzed by fear they lock themselves in their rooms. Most of us are somewhere in between.

I fear a few things. Snakes. Heights. Being lost. Drowning. Did I mention snakes? Though I fear these things, I do not allow them to control me. Enjoying the outdoors hunting and fishing, I encounter all of these fears. Were I to give in to them, I would miss out on some aspects of life which I enjoy most. Thankfully, my desire to enjoy God's Creation is stronger than my fears. I may carry a stick (for the snakes), but I don't let fear get in the way of living life.

Fear is universal.

Everyone is afraid of something. Crowds. Public speaking. Failure. Storms. You name it, someone is afraid of it. Some fears are founded in past experience, some are learned from others (my dad was deathly afraid of snakes), and some simply seem to be ingrained within us. Regardless of why, everyone has fears, even if they don't like to admit it.

Being afraid is not bad. Many times, in fact, it is essential. If we were not afraid of anything, undoubtedly we would find ourselves in some pretty precarious situations. Fear becomes a problem when it keeps us from enjoying life. God did not intend for us to live in fear. And we don't have to.

God conquers fear.

If indeed we believe in God as our light and salvation, what is there to fear? If God is our stronghold, what can stand against us? That is not to say a Christian should not be afraid of anything. As I said above, some fears are healthy (did I mention snakes?). But we should not be controlled by fear.

God told Joshua, Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Courage is action in face of fear. God did not tell Joshua not to fear, but rather to face his fears knowing that God was with him. Joshua faced a monumental task, and no doubt feared what lay before him. God knew this; that's why He told him to be courageous.

We also must face our fears.

We will encounter fear in our lives. As inevitable as sadness, grief, or pain, fear will find us. At that point, we have two choices. We can give in, or we can remember God's promise. The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. With God, we can face anything.

What do you fear?

Funny, serious, or otherwise, share what you fear, and how you deal with it. Maybe you can help me with mine. Did I mention snakes?
 

What do you value?

The law of the Lord is perfect;

The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy;

The commandments of the Lord are right;

The commands of the Lord are clear;

Reverence for the Lord is pure;

The laws of the Lord are true;

They are more desirable than gold . . .

 

Psalm 19, verses 7-10, provides a list of what we should value. His law. His decrees. Reverence of Him. These, says the Psalmist, are more desirable than gold. We should want them above all else.

What do we value?

How do you determine what is valuable? Review where your money went this past month. Look over your calendar and see what was important enough to write down. Think about how you spent your time yesterday, last week, last month. Those are what you value.

Did you find God? In your bank statement. In your calendar. In your daily itinerary. Was He there? Was He prominent, or did you have to look hard to find Him? Was He more desirable than gold?

He should be.

If we believe what the Bible says, God should be above all else. Not only in authority, which He is, but in what we desire. If you want something, you go after it. You invest your resources, expend your energy, and focus your attention to get what you want. Think about it. What have you been seeking?

My wife. My children. My job. Those three take a tremendous amount of my time and energy. That is not bad. Those are responsibilities God has given me. I serve Him by serving them. But what do I do with the rest of my life?

Distractions are everywhere!

I can occupy my time, spend my money, and use my energy any way I choose. The world is full of opportunity for me to be entertained, fulfilled, and satisfied. I can eat, drink, and be merry. Whatever I want, it is out there. All I have to do is go get it. So, what do I want? More importantly, what should I want?

According to the Psalmist, and many other Scriptures, I should desire God above all else. More than gold. More than entertainment. More than happiness, I should seek God. If I want to be satisfied, truly and completely satisfied, there is only one way. God.

The world would have us believe something else. The right house, the right car, the right job, the right boyfriend-girlfriend-husband-wife, the right stuff will satisfy us. Pursue that lie, and your life will be empty.

Be intentional.

If you truly consider God more valuable than all else, you will seek after Him. It will cost you, but you will gain more than you could ever hope or imagine. Give up that television show and read your Bible. Get off social media for thirty minutes and pray. Give to the needy instead of buying that new car. I don't know what distracts you from Him, because we are all different. But we all need to give up something.

I have to be intentional with my time. If I do not set aside time in my day for the purpose of being with God through His Word, prayer, and meditation, it won't happen. The world sucks up every minute of my life if I allow it. I have to be intentional.

What about you?

Where does God rank in what you value? Share your thoughts, and tell us how you put God first. Your advice just might change someone's life.

      

 

The Path of Life

You have made known to me the path of life; 
you will fill me with joy in your presence, 
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11






The path of life. The road less traveled. The narrow way. No matter how you choose to think about it, God's way is not the way of the world. He has shown us the direction we are to go, it is up to us to follow.

Not always the easiest, smoothest way.

If we were able to see the path of the Lord compared to the path of the world, the contrast would be obvious. The Lord's path may very well appear as this picture, a trail through the woods, a faint line leading us to the light at the end. It may be lonely, even abandoned.


On the other hand, the path of the world may appear as a six lane highway, complete with road signs, streetlights, and jam-packed with traffic. Jump on the entrance ramp, hit the gas, and speed towards your destination. From here, it seems, you could go anywhere.

Sometimes it is not the journey, but the destination that matters.

One main difference between the two paths is where they lead. As the Psalmist says, God's path will lead us to eternal pleasures at His right hand. At the end of that path is light, the glory of God.

The highway of the world, on the other hand, leads somewhere else. Matthew 7:13 tells us, Broad is the road that leads to destruction. And, just to be clear, he continues, and many are on it. The light at the end of that road? They may be ambulances, firetrucks, wreckers. Destruction awaits you.

Getting there is half the fun.

While the destination is the key difference between these paths of life, what we encounter along the way matters. On God's path, we will likely encounter obstacles we have to climb over, hills to conquer, streams to ford. Traveling His path will be work, but it is good work. We will be stronger because of it.

What will we see on the road the world wants us to take? Many things, but only a glimpse as we speed by. We never really get to enjoy what is around us. Most times if you want to see something, you will be looking at it through your rear-view mirror. And while the path may be easy to follow, it is filled with blind corners, hidden entrances, and road rage.  How do you feel at the end of a ten hour drive?

The choice.

You get to choose. Take the path God has shown you, or the one of the world. You already know where they lead. Which will you choose?

Children of God

I can't wait to grow up!

Remember saying that? As a kid, I had it all figured out. When I grew up, I knew exactly what I was going to do, and how I was going to do it.

No one needed to tell me what life was about. I already knew. I mean, Everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten. Right?

The problem is . . .

Well, I did grow up (or at least got older). And, no, I didn't know everything. The older I get, the smarter my parents and others with the wisdom of age become. It's not good to track mud through the house. Money doesn't grow on trees. My room won't clean itself.
Who would have thought?

As I grew up, I learned. That is good. But as I grew up, I also forgot many things. That is not good. Let me explain.

I used to think some things just were. The sky was blue. The grass was green. God made the world go round. I couldn't explain these things, and didn't need to. It was the way it was, and I didn't worry about it.

Now? Well, now I have what is called an analytical mind. I want to explore, examine, and explain everything. I want to know how it works, whatever it is. That gets me in trouble.

Like a Child.

I would never choose to return to childhood, were that possible. People look at me funny when I say this is the best time in my life. This year is better than last, and next year looks on track to set a new record. High school was fun. College was a good time. Being unmarried and without children had certain freedoms. None of that was as good as today.

I do wish, however, that I could reclaim that child-like innocence and acceptance. I wish I could simply accept that more things just are, like I did back then. The grass is green because God likes it that way. Sky-blue is God's favorite color. God is in control. I cannot explain everything, no matter how I try.

It's called Faith.

Believing what you cannot explain is one definition of faith. I have come to realize that, as a Christian, acting like a child is sometimes a good thing. I can't throw tantrums, hide my messes under the rug, or leave my dirty clothes laying around. That's not the kind of immaturity I am talking about. But I should accept that some things just are. The Trinity. Jesus as fully God and fully man. The eternal nature of God. These I cannot explain. I don't need to. They are, plain and simple.

What about you?

As a kid, I used to think chocolate milk came from brown cows. Spoiler alert! 
It doesn't.

But some things I believed back then still hold true today. Have you outgrown your child-like faith? I hope not.

Tell me your favorite Faith like a Child story from your youth. I promise not to laugh--too hard.

 

Giving Thanks to God

 First and foremost, I am thankful for God.

My Provider.

Without God, I would have nothing. Not the air I breathe, the vessel to carry it in, or world in which to exist. Without God, forget about having nothing. I would not be.

My Savior.

Without Jesus Christ, I would have no hope. The air, the vessel which is my body, the world upon which I walk, would be meaningless. If God were Provider alone, though that is more than I deserve, I would be nothing.

My Guide.

Without His Holy Spirit, I would have no direction. The air, the vessel, the world would be a cacophony of chaos and misdirection without His leading. If God were no more than Provider and Savior, I would be lost.

My Complete God.

God is my Provider. God is my Savior. God is my Guide. He is the complete package. I need nothing more.

But He doesn't stop there.

Being everything I need, and providing Himself to me is not enough for God. He has gone far beyond what I could ever hope or imagine in His blessings. Here are a few I have reflected on today:

1) A beautiful, loving, faithful Christian wife.
2) Three children to bless our home and marriage.
3) Three men who are like brothers.
4) A family with ever open arms.
5) A network of friends to hold me up (or knock me down, whichever is needed!).
6) Gifts and abilities to feel useful in His kingdom.
7) The promise of more to come.

I could go on . . .

His blessings are endless. No matter how far I fall, or how often, He picks me up. When I feel satisfied, He reveals something new to reach for. When I get stuck, He pulls me through. When I tire, He carries. Facing defeat, He fights for me. Never alone. Ever faithful. God is good.

Those are some of mine. What about you?

What are you thankful for? Share God's blessings in your life with us, that we may praise Him all the more.

Be Still

How incredibly hard it is to be still and trust God. Often, we think it sounds great. I mean, who doesn't want to kick back, relax, and let someone else take care of everything. It sounds like a dream come true. Until the time actually comes to do it.

What, exactly, does it mean to be still? The Psalmist describes catastrophic scenes of the earth trembling, the mountains falling, the seas boiling. Nations in uproar, kingdoms failing. Wars. Desolation. In the midst of chaos, we are called to do one thing.

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10. It bears repeating: Be still, and know that I am God. What does it mean to be still? In the face of disaster, amid destruction, despite war and failure, being still 

means . . . being still. Quiet. Calm. Peaceful. Sit back, and trust.

Trust? But God, things are falling apart! My life is a mess! Nothing is going my way. I have problems, I have concerns, I have enemies! You don't get it! I need to do something! Please God, tell me what to do!

Be still, and know that I am God.

No God, really! Everything is falling apart around me! All that I have, all that I know, all that I want is spiraling out of control! Please God . . . please! Help me, God, help me . . .

Be still . . .

Still? Peaceful? Quiet? Everything is going wrong, and you want me to do nothing? You want me to trust? You want me to . . .

Be still.

But . . . I don't know how!

The crux of the problem. The foundation of all our worries. We don't know how, or are unwilling to give our lives over to God. Not that we are not saved. Not that we do not know Jesus Christ. Not that we do not claim Him as our Lord. But do we give everything to Him? Not only our gifts, our abilities, our finances, our time--these things are hard enough. But what about our worries? Our troubles? Our trials?

Of all the things we should want to hand over to God, these would seem to be at the top of the list. We're always telling others that we'd gladly give them this or that burden, this or that problem. Sure, we say that, but do we really mean it? God's hands are open, willing to take all we are willing to give Him. Is there something you keep holding back?

Probably. I know I do. Tomorrow's finances. Stress at work. Conflict with my neighbor, my spouse, my kids. The hard stuff in life. The stuff only I can take care of. 

Oh wait . . .

Be still, and know that I am God . . .

In the deepest darkness, the roaring storm, highest mountains, lowest valleys--He is God. We are to be still, and know Him.

What do you need to give over to God?

Let Him carry your pack for a while, and see how it goes. I know you will be pleasantly surprised.

False Guides

The world screams for your attention. Your job, your spouse, your kids, your own needs and desires. Everybody wants a piece of you. And everybody wants to tell you how to live. Television. Facebook. Google. Friends. Family.

Who do you listen to?

Who really matters? Is it your boss? Your spouse? Or is it you? Who will lead you to where you need to be? Not necessarily where you want to be. Where you need to be. There is only one answer.

His voice never lies.

If you listen to anyone else, anyone of this world--including yourself--you follow a false guide. The only true guide is God. His Holy Spirit, our Guide and Counselor, speaks only truth. He tells us what is right, what is good. His advice never fails. Listen to anyone else, and maybe it will work out. Maybe it won't. Are you willing to take that chance?

I have been lead astray many times.
 

I have listened to those other voices. I have walked the path of selfishness. I have been down the road of the world. I listened to those false guides, and before I knew it, I was lost. Often I was far away from where I needed to be before I ever realized I had strayed. 

It is so easy to get distracted. The world is so very loud, including that inner voice that is not of God, but of myself. I want. I envy. I desire. I think I know what is best for me, and I go after it. I listen to the worst false guide of all: Myself.

He does speak!

God reaches out to us. He speaks to us from within, that small, quiet voice that is so easy to ignore. We allow ourselves, or the world out there, to drown Him out. He lets us chose our way. Not because He desires for us to be lost, but because He desires us to seek Him. Were there no choices for us to make, faith would not matter.

We do make a choice, though. Every day, every second, we chose. Will I listen to God, or will I listen to those other voices. Truth, or false guides? Who will I follow? Do I desire what feels good, or what is best? The choice is mine. And yours.

What guide have you chosen?

Have you chosen to listen to Him to show you the way? If so, tell us about it!