364 Days Until Memorial Day

I didn't write yesterday.

Not because I didn't feel it was a worthwhile topic, but because I couldn't think of anything worthy to say. Those who have fallen for our country, and the loved ones they have left behind, deserve more than cliche, better than rhetoric, and that's all I could come up with.

So I remained silent.

But now I realize something dreadful, something sobering, something shameful.

The dead can't speak.

Obviously, right? Then ask yourself how often we don't speak on behalf of the dead when we have the opportunity. How often does someone run down this nation, our military, us . . . and we say nothing. Those who died to ensure our right to speak deserve more than our silence.

I said that I didn't write yesterday because all I could come up with were the same old cliches and well worn rhetoric we always break out on Memorial Day. I didn't feel I could say something new, so I said nothing at all.

I was wrong.

I would have been right to repeat words that honor our fallen heroes. I would have been right to put voice once again to their sacrifice. I would have been right to repeat their words of the past, because they can say nothing at all.

Their voices are silent, but ours are not.

The graves in Arlington, in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and 133 other national cemeteries, cemeteries private and public--graves marked, unmarked, and below the seas--they are silent. They are a powerful statement, a testimony unto themselves, but those laid to rest there are, in this world at least, silenced.

Are we?

Are we so callous that we can enjoy a day off work, cook out on the grill, drink a few beers, and not say anything about why we are celebrating? Are we so ashamed of our nation that we wouldn't dare bring up the memory of those who died for it? Are we too comfortable, too spoiled, too self-absorbed to care?

I hope not. I pray not. I fear so.

Our voices have not been silenced. Our opportunities to speak lay before us, not behind.

Say it loud, and often.

I am deeply grateful to those who have fallen in the name of the United States of America, and humbled by their sacrifice. It's been said a million times, but it's worth repeating. It reminds us what we have, and at what cost. It honors the memory of the fallen. It offers a bit of encouragement to their bereaved.

It's the right thing to do.

We have 364 days until the next Memorial Day, but why wait until then? What if we remembered today, and tomorrow, and every day what we have, and those who secured it for us? What if we didn't let those flags sit around gathering dust until Veterans Day but instead flew them proudly? What if we memorialized the loss of the thousands which gave freedom to us millions?

What if?

I think we might just be a little more grateful for what we have, and respectful of what it cost.



 





 

Give It All You've Got

Whatever you do . . . 

Work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. That's what Colossians 3:23 says. Whatever you do, give it all you've got. Do your best, because everything we do, we do for, and through, Christ.

That gives life a different perspective, doesn't it? That means everything we do, we should do to the best of our ability. With all our heart. With all our soul. All out, 100%, all the time.

No matter what it is.

That means the little stuff, too.

It's sometimes easy to think this little thing doesn't matter. It's not spiritual work. It doesn't really mean anything. I mean, I'm just mowing the yard, or doing laundry, or playing ball. God doesn't care about that stuff, does He?

According to Paul, yes. Because Paul says whatever you do, work at it with all your heart. To me, whatever sounds a whole lot like. . . whatever. Everything. Anything. If you are doing something, do it as though working for the Lord.

If I'm working for Jesus, I'm going to do the best I can. I don't care what it is I'm doing, if it's for Him, I'm going to try harder than if it were for anyone else. I'll work harder, play harder, try again and again, and never, ever give up if it's for Him.

And according to Paul, everything is for Him.

Good enough isn't good enough.

Ever heard the phrase, "That's good enough for who it's for?" There are several variants of that, but basically it means whatever is done isn't perfect, or even the best it could be, but it's good enough. According to Paul, that's wrong. If it's not the best you can do, if it's not done with all your heart and as though you have done it for the Lord, good enough isn't good enough.

That doesn't mean we have to be perfect, or even good, at everything we do. What is means is that we have to try our best. All the time. Just getting it done isn't getting it done. Not if you can do better. Half an effort isn't going to cut it. That's not working as for the Lord.

You've got to give it all you've got. At work. At home. At church. In the community. With your kids. When you're by yourself and no one else can see what you're doing. It all matters.

It's not about earning God's favor with good work.

If you do the best you can, and the work turns out mediocre, you've done it with all your heart. God is pleased. God doesn't expect us to be good at everything; He expects us to be as good as we can be. It's about putting all your effort into whatever you do. It's about understanding that we live for Christ. Not ourselves. Not anyone else. Christ, and Christ alone.

When we realize we work for Him, that He's our boss, it changes our attitude. When we accept that He is Master and Lord over every single aspect of our existence, then we understand that anything and everything we do should be done for Him. That'll keep us out of a lot of trouble, and it'll make us be the best we can be.

So give it all you've got.

I don't care what it is, do it the best you can. Push yourself. Care. Know that it matters, whatever it is.

Because you're not doing it for yourself, or anyone else.

You're doing it for God.

The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah

He alone is worthy!

Present from before the beginning and beyond the end, powerful beyond comprehension, creator and definer of wisdom, He is worthy. Lord of all things, author of truth, risen from the dead,seated at the right hand of God, He is worthy. Wielder of the sword, judge of men and angels, Lamb, Lion, Son of Man--He is worthy!

When He created all things, when He walked the midst of His creation, when He died, when He rose, as He lives, He is worthy. Because He sustains the world and all that is in it, because He is faithful, because He is powerful, holy, true, He is worthy. He is Messiah. He is Emmanuel. He is God. He is worthy!

The Lamb of mercy, the Lion of triumph, the Word of Life, Son of God--He is worthy. Son of Mary, Seed of David, Righteous Servant, Man of Sorrows--He is worthy. The same yesterday, today, and forever; the Alpha and the Omega; the Bridegroom; the Way, the Truth, and the Life--He is worthy!

His name is Jesus. He alone is worthy!

He is . . . 

Love. Mercy. Judgment. Power. Sacrifice. Redemption. Salvation.

Justice. Wisdom. Lord. King. All in all forevermore.

God. Creator. Sustainer.

He is, and will always be.

Mediator. High Priest. Victor.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

He is Jesus.

Behold, the Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

He is coming soon!

Isn't That The Way It Goes?

Things only break when you need them.

Like our air conditioner. It's starting to get warm here, and the allergens are horrible, so we decided to turn on the air. Everything was fine, house was cool, life was good. Until my wife called me at work yesterday and told me the AC wasn't working anymore. The house was 82 degrees, and climbing. Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Sure, we can live without AC. We don't really need it, but it sure is nice. And like most things, you don't really realize just how nice it is until you don't have it. I could live without AC, just like I could live without electricity and running water. People did it for thousands of years. But for the sake of marital bliss and household peace, that's not going to happen.

It's not convenient when things break down, because they never seem to break until and unless you need them. That's the way life goes.

It'd be easy to get frustrated.

In fact, I did. I am. I'm hoping I know what the problem is and can fix it as soon as I get the right part. But what if that's not it? What if we have to replace the whole unit? What if that leads to a new furnace as well? We're also replacing our roof in a couple of weeks. Can we afford both? What if . . .

That's when things start going down hill. We start playing the what if game, and all the sudden the situation seems 10 times worse than it really is. That's not a Christian attitude. That's the work of the enemy.

You see, as Christians, we are not to have a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (II Timothy 1:7). Worrying about the what ifs in life is neither powerful, loving, nor self-disciplined. It's frustration. It's fear

It's wrong.

There is a better way.

Considering the problem at hand, I'm pretty confident I can fix it. If not, then someone else can. It may cost more money than I'd like, but God will provide. He always does. That's the attitude of confidence we are to have. That's the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline we are to call on when times get tough.

Things will break. Life will go wrong. You can bet it will happen at the worst possible moment, too. That is the way it goes. When life happens, we have two choices: Live in fear of the what ifs, or claim the spirit God has given us.

That is the better way.

Are We Fully Committed?

The point of no return.

I've never jumped out of an airplane, and unless God has different plans, I don't think I ever will. It's one of those things you can't change your mind about half way. Once you reach the point of no return, that's it. You're committed. There's no going back.

Following Jesus is, or at least should be, in some ways, like that. When we accept Jesus Christ, when we are saved and born again, we become a new creation. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 

That is a point of no return. When you are created anew, when the old has gone and the new has come, there's no going back. You're committed.

That's radical thinking.

Our small group has been studying the book Radical, by David Platt. It is, for sure, a fitting title. Platt talks about living a life for God, and only for God. He discusses living in such a way that, once you get started, there's no turning back.

He talks about being committed.

I can't tell you I live the life he describes, and even he, in the book, says he doesn't have it all figured out. What I can tell you is that he made me think. Am I living my life in such a way that there is no going back? Have I reached the point of no return, where I couldn't go back to my old life even if I wanted?

Am I committed?

Don't compare yourself to others.

That's one conclusion our group reached during our discussions. Total commitment to Christ looks different for different people. What do I mean? Our group consists of a youth pastor, a young missionary couple on furlough from Africa, an insurance broker, a nurse, two real estate agents, an insurance agent, a nurse, a physical therapist, two office managers, a corrections officer working in a prison, two stay at home moms, a guidance counselor, an engineering supervisor in a factory setting, and a police officer.

That's quite a variety! Each of us is at a different stage in our walk with Christ, and for every one of us, total commitment to Him looks different. Each of us have different resources with which to serve, from time, to talents, to finances. Each of us has a different calling from God, and each of us is uniquely equipped to answer that call.

We cannot gauge our level of commitment based on what somewhat else is doing, or vice-versa. Being committed, and obedient, to God means doing what He intends for you to do, not someone else. My missionary friend told me that just because he's serving in Africa doesn't mean he's any more committed to Christ than someone who serves in their home community. It's not about what you do, it's about how, and how well, you do what God has called you to do.

Ask yourself if you are all in.

That's how you know if you are committed. Have you passed the point of no return, where your new life and the old are no longer compatible? Have you left behind the old and embraced the new? Are you living to please yourself, or God? Who is in control of your life--you, or the Holy Spirit?

There are a lot of ways to ask the question, but what it comes down to is this: Are you committed to Christ? Are you all in, or are you holding back some chips from the pot, just in case this hand doesn't pan out?

If we are following Christ, truly and fully committed to Him, we don't hold anything back. No part of our lives are untouched by His hand and Spirit. We are so different from what we used to be that we don't fit in back there anymore. We've passed the point of no return. We couldn't go back if we tried.

The greatest part is . . .

I've talked to people who have, for different reasons, jumped out of airplanes. You know what most of them said? I felt like I was flying.

Once they convinced themselves to jump, they experienced a freedom unlike any other.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions from there. 

There's Only One Way Out Of This Mess

The world has gone mad.

That's my conclusion. I don't need to name the social/political issues of the day for you to know what I'm talking about. I don't need to tell you what I saw, what I heard, what I read about in the news. I don't need to say anything about why I came to this conclusion.

You know.

You live in the same world as I. A world full of people wandering around like lab rats in a maze, hoping to find the button that pops out their sweet treat so they can get their fix. A world in which people are attempting to negate absolutes, deny the realities of right and wrong, and pretend to be in control. A world of dead ends, false passageways, and trap doors.

It's madness. Sheer madness.

And it's getting worse.

Every day, things get weirder. I don't know what to expect next, and I'm probably better off. If I knew what was coming tomorrow, I'd probably stay in bed. Seriously. It's getting that bad.

This latest election cycle has been like a really bad reality TV show that could only air on cable after prime time. The state I live in is a . . . disaster seems too light a word. World wide politics are a circus. Morality has become a four letter word. Faith has become blasphemy. Everything is falling apart.

The book of Revelation is making more sense every day.

Is there any hope?

I'm a realist, leaning hard towards pessimism. I doubt very much this train can be stopped before it completely runs off the tracks. Ever seen a train wreck in person? It ain't pretty.

I am also a Christian. I know that God can do anything, and I know that if people turn to Him, this world can be turned around. Are we at that point, prophesied in the Bible, of no return? Maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell.

But if there is any hope, if there is any way to get back on track, it's God. That's right. G. O. D. No man (or woman) is going to fix this mess. No worldly power can help us out of this maze we've trapped ourselves in. As a world community, a nation, a state, a county, a city, families, and individuals. If we don't start looking to God, it's game over.

There's only one way out.

That's to retreat. Turn from the direction we're headed, and get back to where we belong. I'll be honest; I'm not even sure I want that to happen. I'm ready for Christ to return. But if He's not coming tomorrow, I don't want to witness this world get any darker.

The only light that can penetrate this darkness is God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. If we've any chance of finding our way clear of the calamity ahead, it is by seeking that light, and following it, no matter where it leads.

That starts with you, and me. Until individuals turn around (that's called repentance), abandon sin, and turn to God, things are only going to get worse. And I'll tell you right now--not many will find their way out. That path is narrow, and few will find it. But it's the only way.

One day soon, it'll be too late.

Jesus is coming. When He does, if you're still stuck in the maze of this world, if you haven't found that narrow gate . . . I dread to think about the reality that awaits you. Find Jesus. Trust Him as your Savior. Turn from your sins. Flee from the filth that is filling this world. Do it now. Before it's too late.

This is one maze you don't want to be trapped in when the lights go out.
 

God's Got This

God's got a plan.

Yep, He sure does. Believe it or not, despite what seems like chaos in the world, in your life, in your day today, there is a plan. A purpose. A reason. He's got it all figured out.

And you know what? No one--no person, no group, no government, no power on earth, in heaven, or in hell can stop Him. No movement can push Him aside. No agenda can overpower Him. No cause, no catastrophe, no election, no law can render Him obsolete.

He is in control. He knows what no one else knows--the future. Want to know what happens in the future?

God wins.

I don't know when. I don't know how. Looking around the world today, it sure doesn't seem like God is winning. Few are the battles that could be chalked up as victories. Far between are the engagements where God appears to gain ground.

It looks like God is losing. But He's not.

What do you think people thought in the time of Noah? Do you think they expected God to show up like He did? Were they prepared to lose, big time? No way. The world thought they had God on the ropes. They thought they had him in a corner, beaten down, ready to fall.

God had different plans.

Just like today.

There are a lot of people out there today who think they've got God in a tough spot. They seem to think if they pass a law, get enough people organized against Him, and ignore Him long enough He'll wither and die. They seem to think if they have enough earthly authority they can rival His heavenly authority.

They're wrong.

Just like Satan thought he could be God's equal, so do some people. They want to make their own rules, create their own world, govern their own existence. It doesn't work that way, folks. As it was in the time of Noah, so it will be in the last days. People doing their own thing, ignoring God. Until it's too late.

That day is coming. I don't know when. But I know it is.

God's got this.

I don't know how exactly how He plans to deal with all the stuff going on today, but I know He does. He's not surprised, taken aback, or caught off guard. God is, and has been, ready for today. And tomorrow. And until time ends.

God's got this.

Whatever your "this" may be.