Making Wise Choices

Life if full of choices... from what to wear, what we will do, how we will treat others, what we will eat, etc. Some choices, like what to eat, will probably not be life changing, but what we will invest our time in can be monumental. I think the Charlie Kirk assassination caused many people to think, whether good or bad. For many that question was, what am I going to do with my life... how am I going to invest myself... and where does God fit into all of it? We used to jokingly say, “Do unto others before they do unto you”. Our faith should not be reactionary, but deliberate, grounded in God’s word. Are we to do to others what we would want them to do to us? I think more importantly is to do to others what Christ would have us do. I heard a phrase that stopped me in my tracks. It went like this, “Don’t sit at a table that Jesus would have flipped”. Jesus flipped the tables in the Temple because people were using it to sell goods for personal gain and not to serve God. They had made the house of worship into a den of robbers. The question must be asked if we are where Christ wants us to be, or are we where we feel the most comfortable, but are in danger of Jesus “flipping our table”. What “tables” are we sitting at? Are our actions for our own personal gain or are we willing to sit at the table with “tax collectors and sinners”. This does not indicate a demotion, but rather a willingness to sit with those that are hurting, searching, outcast, and bring them comfort, hope, and Jesus. The world says we should be climbing the ladder of success and taking every opportunity to succeed, even if it means stepping over other people. God says, “Follow me wherever I lead you, and if you experience success, give glory to God by what you do with what you have been given”. Some of our choices should not be split second decisions, but lasting, such as the choice to read God’s word, spend time with Him in prayer, and treat others as God would have us do. To make truly wise decisions requires a full surrender to God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Are you sitting down and celebrating with the world or are you standing for God’s truth. Father, I want to learn to love and serve You more every day. I want my legacy to be one of faith, love, and faithful service. Lead me by the Holy Spirit and give me a heart to love and serve those you put in my life. Amen

How Do Others See You?

There is so much pressure for people to conform to the image that the world dictates for you. So often for women, this image is one that makes them into objects for men to look at. If the women dress provocatively and then think that they should be taken seriously, we have a problem. Some have embraced this attention and use it to manipulate others. Even though they may succeed, it usually doesn’t come with honest respect. It may sound like I am disrespecting women, but it is exactly the opposite. Because I respect women, I want to see them respect for who they are, and not by their appearance, which can be fleeting. We read in 1 Timothy 2, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”...he is strong in the strength of the Lord, and his heart is to be filled with gratitude. The passage goes on to say, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” The gist of this passage speaks to men as well. The beauty that God is indicating here is not turning heads because of the “sexy” outfit that is worn, but the beauty that radiated from within. The world doesn’t understand the respect that men and women should give each other... and God. There is a beauty from how one is dressed, the jewelry that is worn, and the makeup that creates an unrealistic image and often hides the heart. There is many a man that is distracted by a woman’s appearance and it may put thoughts in his heart that shouldn’t be there. A godly woman should not desire to be in the heart of another man unless it is her husband, just as a husband's desire should be in his wife alone. What I have seen is that many women are more concerned with their outward appearance than the beauty of who she really is. I heard someone say today that some people should eat makeup so that they are pretty on the inside, and not just on the outside. In this world filled with hate, we should be more concerned about the purity of the heart over what the world desires. Heavenly Father, help all of us to see that our beauty and identity are not in our outward appearance, but in complete surrender to You. Amen

Limited Visibility

I had to travel a ways to get to a regional meeting for our church. Most of the trip was amazing. It was overcast, but that just meant the sun wasn’t shining in my eyes. Had a little rain, but having the wiper blades on the lowest intermittent was sufficient for taking care of that. As I was getting closer to the destination, there was some fog coming in off the lake. I could see clearly for about 200-300 feet and then there was a white wall of fog. After about 15-20 minutes, that was gone too. It wasn’t until I was entering the town of the meeting that the fog started really causing issues with visibility. Not knowing for sure where I was going or how the streets were laid out, it was a little scary. Our hotel was on a hill and so I was trusting my GPS when it told me to turn up a small driveway. When I got to the top of that hill, behold, a hotel was actually there. The GPS on the phone saved me some major issues. I’m not sure how long I would have needed if I was using an old-fashioned paper map... if I could even find one. I had an idea where I was going, but I leaned heavily on the GPS directions. I have heard people make an acrostic on GPS that says, God’s Positioning System. It could refer to the Holy Spirit or the Bible. Actually, there is an acrostic for Bible too - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Both are true and both are very applicable for what I am sharing and for everyday life. The Apostle Paul was heading to Damascus to arrest and kill Christians. Jesus confronted him, blinded him, and gave him the following message when Paul asked who He was. Acts 26:15-18, "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Jesus is not just offering to restore them, but to bring them to true fellowship with God and other believers. Paul is to open their eyes to the truth, turn them away from darkness and the power of Satan, bringing restoration. God’s GPS at its best. Father, Open our eyes that we may see You in all of Your glory. Amen

Lessons on Strength

We live in a world that is full of people flexing their proverbial muscles to prove they are the most able. There is the big brother or sister bossing around the siblings. There is the bully that tries to control people by fear and power. Then there is the manager that feels he/she has so much control, they can make life easy or hard, depending on how they are treated. There is the boss that may want to acquire other businesses that is trying to make himself look superior to get the upper hand on any deal. We see it in politics. We see it with wars. I’m not saying everyone does this and is bad, but there are many that don’t respect themselves enough, or know they will be exposed if they don’t keep everyone else on the defense. If that strength comes from honest faithful hard work and they use this strength with respect for those they serve, this strength can be wonderful. If this power is used to prove themselves and also used without care for others, this power will likely be destructive to many. What does the Bible say about strength? First and foremost, we see where true strength is found. Deuteronomy 4, “Because he loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.” All is possible for God and nothing can happen to His people without God allowing... even martyrdom. When God was rescuing His people from slavery in Egypt, He won their battles. What about when people boast that all they have and all they have done has been by their own strength and resolve. Let’s look at Deuteronomy 8, “He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.” It is time to humble ourselves before God giving Him thanks and praise for how He has enabled us to serve Him. Lord, help us remember that all things are possible through You, who gives us strength. Help us to seek Your direction in all things. Amen.

We Have Been Set Free

I was only about eleven years old when the people of Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia. I don’t know all the politics, but I was there when they gained their independence. Today, fifty years later, they are celebrating this landmark event. The country has grown tremendously. Some things are good, and some things have gotten worse. Good or bad, they gained the freedom, the right to make their own choices and govern as they so choose. Unlike the freedoms that a country receives, we have been promised freedom in Christ. A freedom that is not based on the will of man that could change with the passing of time. The believer’s freedom will not be taken... it can only be canceled if we turn away from God. Freedom from what? Freedom from the power of the law. Jesus fulfilled the laws righteous demands when He, a perfect sacrifice, died in my place... our place. Freedom from the power of sin. I’m not saying I no longer make mistakes, but my Father in heaven sees my life through the lens of the crucifixion, so my sins have been atoned for. If I continue to walk by faith, confess my sins, submit my life to Him, I am free. I am not only free from certain things, but I am also free to serve God, free to serve the Christian community, and free to reach out into the world in love to those that hate me. This is not a natural worldly longing, but in Christ, my heart has been transformed. As I think back on my time in Papua New Guinea, the freedom I had physically to ride my bike anywhere in public that I wanted is not so free now. The house in the town I lived in was 50% screen window. Those windows are now covered with metal bars for protection. God doesn’t have to fortify heaven, but we still need His leading and protection. I don’t need a key or password to enter the gates of heaven... I just need faith. Praise God that He does not change. Just as they celebrated the 50 year anniversary with song, dance, drums, etc, we are called to celebrate our freedom. That is done as we gather in God’s house, the church, and lift our voices in hymns of praise. The most important day to praise and worship God is today! Father, to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. In You I trust, O Lord... You are right here beside me everywhere that I go. Amen

There Is More to the Story

I was just thinking about turning in my report for church council. I include things like who I visit, who is communed, and other things that I have done throughout the previous month. Even though there may be many things written, there is always more to the story. It doesn’t account for all the study that is done, the people that I stop and visit with at the store or some other activity. There are things that are done that are confidential that don’t make it on the report. Not that long ago, I was visiting with someone about a passage in scripture. The attempt was made that because something wasn’t specifically written then it didn’t happen. I have also heard the opposite said that just because it wasn’t specifically written down doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Both can be true, but both can also be false. So much is found in the context of the verse, but it must also be viewed through the lens of the rest of Scripture. It is obvious that if everything was recorded, there wouldn’t be enough space to contain it all. There were no hard drives back then unless it was made from stone. One of the questions that we must ask is, “Is this essential to the understanding of this passage”? It many ways, it is like a parable... only one main focus. Sometimes in trying to break down a parable, we strip it of its power because not everything spoken of is to be figured out. Some of the parable is just setting the stage. We can’t get lost on pointless details at the expense of the focus... the truth. Does it matter what time of day it is? Do we need to know what everyone did? Were there other people healed, raised from the dead, baptized, or beaten for their faith? Maybe, but in the context, is that fact going to change the message that was given. It is important to know who they were writing to and maybe the reason for the letter. Were they believers in Jesus Christ or were they Jews, still bound by the law? As with understanding any literature, we need to ask who, what, where, when, and why? We might not be able to answer all those questions in any given passage, but it is worth knowing. We also want to know where in God’s word this particular topic has been discussed before, as a guide. It is good to ask questions, but we must finally rest on what God says. Father, we can be guilty of adding and taking away those things that don’t fit what we want to see. Forgive us. Teach us the truth. Amen

Feeling Alone

It is amazing that in a country with so many people, someone can truly feel alone. Is it because they isolate themselves? No. For many, they can be alone in a crowd because no one sees them. Maybe a spouse has been talked down to so often that they don’t see they have value. No one seems to understand or encourage them. They feel alone. Then there is the child that has all sorts of gadgets (or maybe just a phone). Their parents are content to let them entertain themselves, but there is no real interaction. That child may be free to do as they please but still feel alone. You have the worker in the factory or be part of the office team, but you arrive, do your job, and leave, wondering if anyone would even notice if you didn’t show up. Alone. You might be a shut in from a church, but over time, they have forgotten about you. No phone call. No visit. No card. Alone. There’s the kid that doesn’t fit in, the individual with disabilities, the person who lost everything through rough circumstances... all alone. I’m not saying that anyone of us can make it all right. Some “imprisonments” are of their own doing. What I am saying is that maybe we can make a difference in the life of just one of them. God talks about a shepherd and his sheep. As believers, we are called to be both shepherd and sheep. Sheep in need of the care of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. A shepherd, in obedience to God, that takes care of his children... ministering to those in church but also reaching out to the lost souls seeking a better way. One of today’s readings talked about God Himself coming to take care of His people... as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Jesus is talking about restoring them and bringing them back to himself. He speaks of ruling in justice, punishing the sheep who make it harder on all the others... who only look after their own wants. The one’s that push and shove, seeking their own way at all costs will surely face God’s judgement. When He spoke of bringing the sheep home, He included all those that were or felt alone. When life runs you over and everything seems so unfair, remember that the Good shepherd sees you... you are not alone... He comforts his own. Father, in the midst of a world that seems to be marching to a different tune, fill our hearts with a song of hope and praise. Amen

Now Is the Time to Act

I went to the dentist recently to get a filling redone. I informed him that I don’t respond as quickly to the pain killer as most and asked if he could give me the shot for pain about ten to twenty minutes before he was ready to begin. He gave me the one shot and left for about 10 minutes. When he came back, I told him that it was working, but I needed a little more time for the pain killer to kick in. He went ahead and gave me a second shot, I assume because he thought my body was resisting it and not delaying its effectiveness. Although it seemed to take longer than normal, the drilling and the new filling went great without any pain. I was told to wait until the numbness wore off before eating. Usually about a half hour is enough to go back to normal. On this particular day, it was a little over four hours before the numbness went away. During that time, I must have bitten my lip. There was a big white “blister” and my lip looked as if I had been in a fight. It still isn’t healed, but it is starting to look better. The longer my mouth stayed numb, the more likely I would do more damage. We live in a world where many people are walking through life numb to the things around them. They get accustomed to sin and worldly desires. They reach a point that breaking God’s law is no longer a concern for them. Why is this a problem? They like following the ways of the world because they feel they can avoid having to be responsible before God. You see, the longer we stay in this numb condition, the more damage will be done to us spiritually and the harder it will be to recover. I am thankful that I didn’t do more than bite myself. I could have caused some damage that would have been hard to repair. I know the danger of being numb too long... both physically and spiritually. We need to live our faith without outside influences. We cannot be faithful to God and live comfortably in the world. We must pursue godliness and avoid sin, for it separates us from that intimacy with God... it numbs us to the will of God and blinds us to God’s call for us. What are the things in your life that make you numb to the truth and power of God’s word. Surrender that to God. Let Him change you from within and fill you with life once again. Lord, I want my days to be full of life and purpose... Your purpose. That is only possible when You lead me. Amen

Still Mourning the Loss

By now, many of you have heard the weeping around the world at the loss of Charlie Kirk. Whether you like his views or detest them, everyone that is honest must admit that he brought dialogue into a world that is separated. Did he try to influence people to think as he did. Without a doubt. Did he try to silence those that disagreed? No. He welcomed honest debate and exchange of ideas. People accused him of trying to manipulate youth who didn’t have the skills to stand against him. He invited these students to bring their professors with to present their ideas. On many occasions, he silenced the crowds to allow the speakers to make their point. So, do I mourn the loss of a great debater and one who facilitated the exchange of ideas? That is indeed a great loss. I think the reason I mourn Charlie Kirk’s death so deeply is that he represented hope, going to the masses and having an honest exchange of ideas. At the heart of what He shared was his incredible love of Jesus. If Charlie could tell us what he thought of all our discussions, I think he would say far too many of them focused on him. He would have us turn our eyes to One who came to rescue us from sin... Jesus. I have been moved by how many people around the world have been influenced by Charlie’s ministry. My greatest desire is that we would not forget what he stood for and his deep love for those around him. Let us keep discussing ideas in the market-place and not remain silent. Let us be unafraid to stand up for what God’s word teaches, even if the world doesn’t understand. The thing that has saddened me most are those that laugh and rejoice at his death. I think it says much more about their hearts and lack of compassion. He was called every derogatory name and yet when challenged, there was never proof. I wept, not because he was a great friend, but because he was doing more to open dialogue without name calling than anyone else I know. I am sad for his wife and two kids who have lost him way too soon. This may sound insensitive, but I am not sad for Charlie Kirk. Why? I read once that true Christians never die... they just change their address. Father, thank you for sending this faithful servant. Open doors for continued dialogue with those we disagree with. Help us to love. Amen

A Day to Remember

Many teenagers today have no recall of the events of 9/11 when the Trade Towers fell. There was a vow made by many not to forget, but I wonder, have forgotten already? Are we in a better place now to stop a similar attack if it happened? Do we thank God for the brave men and women that ran into the building to rescue people, even after they saw the one building collapse. I think about how many people are living in our country that we have no idea who they are. We want to be welcoming as a nation, but we are losing our identity, as many people have not taken classes to become citizens. What are we meant to remember? ... those that died? Yes. I think of greater importance is remembering that we, as a nation, are partially responsible. Because of our ideology? Not really. Every nation has differing ways of thinking. Then what? We need to remember that if we don’t have Jesus, we have nothing. A great nation without Jesus is just a momentary happiness that will end far worse than the Trade Center collapse. If we cease to be one nation under God, I fear that we will be one nation that has gone under. Remembering those that lost their lives shows great compassion, but remembering our failure to trust God is of much greater benefit because that has eternal consequences. As I remember the lives that were lost, a very haunting concept fills my mind and heart... how many of those that died had a living faith in Jesus? In other words, how many entered God’s kingdom of glory and how many didn’t make it. This isn’t a judgement. On any given day, there are hundreds that will be found guilty and condemned to hell. I heard a girl recently that had lost a brother due to a violent attack. At the funeral, a minister of the Word told her, “Don’t let his death be in vain!” Don’t spend your days looking back and reliving the event over and over again. At the funeral, use this moment to encourage people to be prepared. As she was given a platform with the media, she had the opportunity to plant seeds of hope for a world filled with the love of Jesus. She had an opportunity impact the lives of others. With 9/11, we also have such an opportunity. As people speak of the events of that day, don’t let their deaths be in vain. Proclaim the true hope - Jesus. Father, it grieves me to think of all the lives lost through ungodly acts. Stir in us the ability and passion to prepare the world for You. Amen

We Need to Be More Like Jehoshaphat

Part of a study today was on 2 Chronicles 20. Jehoshaphat was a godly king. He got word that a great army was coming against him. What did he do? Call up his own army? Start strategizing? No. He went to seek God’s direction. The people that were coming against him were the very ones God had told King Jehoshaphat not to destroy. We read, “See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” They had vowed, before this attack seemed imminent, that they would stand before the temple that bares God’s name and trust Him. We are told that men, wives, children, and little ones stood before the Lord. God’s answer was not that He would empower them to beat the enemy, but that they should take their positions, stand firm, and watch God bring the victory. As they prepare to march toward this massive army coming to destroy them, did the king really believe God’s promise or did he see it a pep talk to prepare them. The army that marched toward battle did not come in military might. King Jehoshaphat put a choir to lead that army with songs of praise and worship. They watched God give them the victory. Read 2 Chronicles to see the rest of the story. Do we have that faith? If you were in Jehoshaphat’s shoes (or sandals), would you be seeking choir members or would you be desperately seeking more able fighting personal? Would your heart be rejoicing in what God was going to do, or would you be in terror wondering what the enemy would do to you? We need to call on God to strengthen our faith and equip us for the battles that we will undoubtedly face in the future. If you sense God calling you, are you stepping out in faith, confident that God will provide or are you looking for someone else to do what God called you to do? Whatever your skill and whatever your call is, face it like Jehoshaphat - seek the Lord in prayer, declare your dependence on God, and then lift your voice in praise. Then go forth. Father, we often fall short of the faith Jehoshaphat had. We get overwhelmed by the enemy. Fill our hearts with praise. Amen

A Closer Examination

I had a dental check-up today. I was braced for getting x-rays, which I hate. Thankfully, that will be my next visit. I had a wonderful talk with the dental assistant. Conversation got tough at times because there was always a dental tool in mouth during the exam. I mentioned that I had a tooth that had become very sensitive lately. She looked at it closely but wasn’t sure what exactly caused the sensitivity. She cleaned and polished everything so that it was ready for the dentist to see. He looked at the same tooth and thought he could see some issues with the filling in the tooth which was probably put in there in the 70's. He figured that the filling would have to be drilled out, cleaned up, and then refilled. He was confident that it would solve my sensitivity issues. What the assistant couldn’t see, the dentist seemed confident of the solution. Only time will tell. We have someone else that sees us more clearly than we can. I am not talking about our spouse or a dear friend. I am clearly referring to Jesus. With the sore tooth, I couldn’t fix it myself. I needed to depend on the expert, the dentist. Likewise, I sometimes find there is sin hidden in my heart that I am not always readily aware of for which I need the expert, Jesus, to remove. I can often hide it from the world and even friends, but it lays bare before my Father in heaven. I can either struggle with my relationship with God or allow Him to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Some of the words from the hymn, “Search Me O Lord” fit this concept. “Search me, O God, and know my heart today; try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; cleanse me from ev'ry sin and set me free.” The second verse also says, “I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin; fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame; grant my desire to magnify Thy name.” The hunger for a pure walk with God and a complete submission to His authority over my life drive me to open my heart fully to God that He might cleanse me and fill that void with His holy fire. My sin drives me to Christ, and my love drives me to be merciful to those around me. Father, cleanse me from all unrighteousness, fill me with Your presence, and direct my heart to do Your will. Amen

Are We Available

I remember when I started serving in my first parish, I was tied to my notes. When I would prepare for preaching, I had to have every detail written down. This would frustrate me at times, because when talking with people before the service, I might find things that really fit the message, but I had no way of including them... after all, it wasn’t in the notes. I always wanted to get away from my notes but, as long as they were nearby, I still depended on them. One Sunday, in my haste to make it to the second church that I served, I forgot my sermon. There wasn’t enough time to get the notes before the service. The phones weren’t fancy enough to take a picture of them and pass it on. What could I possibly do? Well, I had studied the text. I knew the basic outline of what I was going to preach. I had no choice. I prayed, maybe with a little more urgency, and began the worship. When it was time to deliver the message, it seemed to flow beautifully. I still continue to pray, study the text, and have a definite direction for the message, but I rarely preach from notes. The times I do, I feel as if it either comes across disingenuous or, because I have written so many ideas down that the message gets way too long or technical. Today was such a day. Did I say anything false? Not that I know of. Did I include the parts I wanted to present? Of course... after all, I did write it. Did it flow as smoothly as I would have wanted? Nowhere near! I think that I was afraid of being tired from the picnic worship from yesterday that I felt I needed notes. Do I fault someone who only preaches from notes? Not at all. Everyone has a different way that God uses them. We need to know our limitation, but we need to know our God even more clearly. I can’t spend my days wishing I was like someone else. I just need to be available to be used by God. Are there ways God has used you to share His word with others in the past? As you continue to share with others, you will discover your gifts and style. Being available is not being so set on what we want or how we think things should go that we miss His leading and fall short of His call for us. Father, Show us where our weaknesses are and how to overcome them. Help me not seek what’s comfortable, but what’s right. Amen

A Day of Worship

Calling all churches. Calling all members. Calling are seekers. Today was our picnic worship day. We had no idea how it would turn out. Would there be more than a handful of people? There were huge tents, bathrooms, a food tent, items for sale, and some ministries represented. Sound checks were done and we waited. A few people started to come in and set up their chairs. Then a few more. By the end of the day, about 400 people came plus another 30 or so volunteers. The music groups did well, a great message filled the place with a guest pastor, and I believe God was indeed glorified. At the end, as we were cleaning up, my wife asked, “What do you see? What do you notice?" We looked where the 400 hundred people had been sitting and all we saw was grass... no cans, papers, straws, programs, water bottles, etc. When is the last time you have seen that many people leave the grounds spotless. I saw many churches and pastors represented there. I heard that many people wanted to grow deeper in their relationship. It was a success! I’m not talking about patting ourselves on the back, but that God is to be glorified. The goal was to bring churches together... check; glorify God... check; and reach a segment not regularly in church... I believe that was also a check. What’s left to do? Pray! Pray that the seeds (good news) that were planted in the hearts of people would grow and bring forth good fruit. Pray for wisdom for those that review what worked and didn’t work so that future concerts can be improved (not sure how though). Pray for leadership if this is meant to be the start of an amazing outreach and evangelism. Pray for the ability to equip other communities to use this as a blueprint for similar concerts. Praise God for the generosity of so many people before, during, and after the program. Pray for other ways that we might impact our communities for Christ and put a call on the hearts of those that will, through God’s leading, bring it to fruition. Who would have thought that an idea God put in the heart of one man could bring about such an amazing outcome. The answer is clearly God. He is not done yet! Whether there is concert next year, or not, God will still call all the faithful. Father, we thank and praise You for such an amazing day and a great time for worship. Continue to lead us in faithful outreach. Amen

Pass It On

The other day I was going to barbeque some food. It always adds a little variety to the flavor. I like to use charcoal for the heat source. When I am ready to start, I don’t pour starter fluid on the charcoal. Instead, I stack it up in a metal “chimney”, put some news paper underneath it, and make sure the bottom briquettes begin to heat up. As heat rises, the bottom pieces start the piece on top of itself. The more that get ignited, the hotter it gets, and the quicker the rest of the charcoal begins to glow red. Once they are hot, I pour them out on the grates at the bottom of the grill, spread them out, and I am ready to go. When the charcoal is burning pure, it generates the heat without the smoke. However, when grease from the burgers drip onto the coals, it creates a wonderful flavor, but also a strong smokey exhaust. I couldn’t help but look at pure coals and see how they should represent the Christian family. Just as the coal does not self-ignite, so we are unable to generate that true glow without outside help. Jesus is the fire that should be burning in our hearts. One will not glow with the Spirit of God within us unless we submit ourselves to Him. Once ignited, those around begin to be affected by its warmth. Like that charcoal, we don’t need a separate match for each coal. That heat is passed from one to the other. Even though we all need God’s word to burn in our hearts, if we take the great commission seriously to go and make disciples of all nations, we see the call to pass it on. I want to share a verse of one of the songs I love, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That's how it is with God's Love, once you've experienced it, you spread the love to everyone

You want to pass it on.” The more coal in the grill, the hotter things get, but as the song states, it only takes a spark to get the fire going. Even if everyone else is unwilling to go with you, it is important to recognize that you are to be instruments to carry God’s word... His love... His spirit. Do feel the warmth of God’s presence when you gather for worship? If not, are you on fire when you arrive, and do you encourage others to grow in His warmth? His fire never dies. Lord, I want to burn brightly for You. Fill me with the warmth of Your love and the fire of Your word. Help me to pass it on. Amen

To God Be the Glory

Philippians chapter 4 is an amazing chapter of hope. In verse 4 Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. Paul has had some tough times, and he is excited to see the concern that the Philippians have for him, yet he doesn’t begin with that thought. He wants us to rejoice, but not for what we have or have done, but to rejoice in the Lord and the hope that is ours through Him. Then he goes on to tell them that the Lord was near and that they shouldn’t be anxious about anything but with prayer and petition, they were to let their requests be known to God. We can trust God to do what is right and good in His eyes. In leaning on God, we can trust that He will give us a peace and that our hearts and minds will not be filled with worries or worldly thinking, but our hearts and minds will be guarded by Christ. Along with not worrying, he instructs the Philippians to focus on whatever is true, noble, and right. Then Paul talks about his heart rejoicing as they renew their concern for him in a tangible way. It is about their opportunity and privilege to give, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver and it is an act of worship on our part. No, Paul isn’t looking for handouts because he knows what it is like to have plenty and barely enough. Paul’s confidence? I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. We read in Philippians 4:18-19, “I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Notice he isn’t focused on what he has been given. He points out that their gift may have benefitted him, but even more than that, they are a wonderful gift acceptable to God. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he blesses them, telling them that God will meet all their needs, not out of obligation, but according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. God is indeed gracious and merciful. Then the beautiful verse, 20, “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” There is so much going on in this chapter, but the great parting thought or direction is to give God the glory now and forever. Who have you been living for... yourself or others? Praise be to God. Father, to You be the glory, and honor, and praise. You spoke and all things came into being. You alone are our hope and salvation. Amen

Being Prepared

There is going to be an outdoor worship in McAllister this Saturday. I know the person that God gave this call to. It is intended both to pull churches together in worship and to plant seeds in the hearts of those they may not be in a church. It is not a call for any one church to benefit from the gathering, but to encourage people to grow in their faith. The focus? - “To God Be the Glory”. There will be a new group/individual playing each hour with some sharing in between. Many people will see a concert and maybe have some questions about parking, seating etc., but few will understand that this concert has been over a year in the making. There has been constant building, calling, painting, meetings, and preparation. We have no idea who will be there, but our prayer is that God will direct the hearts of individuals who will benefit. The advertising has been amazing. Last minute projects are being done and weather permitting, all things will be ready to go. My hope was to encourage us to be prepared. I understand that some things are spontaneous, which fits my personality, but the need to be prepared knowledge-wise, spiritually, and prayer cover (that the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts to receive). If going to church, pray for God to speak, ears to hear the message through word and music, and God’s direction for us as a church and individually. When we wake up, lift a prayer for thanks, for wisdom to accomplish God’s work, and to be prepared as Christ’s ambassador. When going to visit with someone, ask for wisdom on what to say/do, their receptiveness to God’s word, understanding as to how we might connect with them or connect them to God. Prayer is definitely a way of preparing our selves and allowing God to prepare others. We can also spend time in the Bible so as to know God’s heart more clearly. Memorizing Scripture can be a wonderful way of being prepared, for God can bring back to your memory those verses that will be most useful. Be open and available for the Holy Spirit’s leading. If they are ready, they will indicate an openness. How long does it take to be fully prepared?... until we stand before Jesus in the final judgement. Father, help us to be open to Your leading, but also prepare us for whatever You have planned for us in the future. Amen

Does Age Matter?

I ran across a list today that said, “You might be old if you used a rotary phone, a floppy disk, a camera with film, had to repair a cassette tape, used a record player, had an encyclopedia set, etc. Some of those items wouldn’t even make sense to kids today. It is humbling and wonderful to see how many things have changed over the years. It does, however, give me a perspective that a teen today probably doesn’t have. I don’t take things quite as much for granted because I understand how far we have come. Hopefully that might be called wisdom. I know of others my age that still have no appreciation for what it took to get here. They are so focused on themselves and getting ahead in this world that they don’t appreciate the progress to get here or there. The Bible tells us in Job 12:12, “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” There is something to be said about what one can learn from successes and failures in life. Sadly, many fail. Proverbs speaks of the fear of the Lord as being the beginning of wisdom. There are many in our great nation that lack the awe and complete surrender to God. Is it only the wise that can have wisdom? Age helps, but it is not the deciding factor. It says in Proverbs 1:5, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance–”. In our youth, we often thought we had all the answers and didn’t need to submit to anyone. Wisdom understands limitations and what they can absorb from others. So, does this age make us shrewd businessmen, experts in our field, and fill us with all the answers? No, unless we learn to listen and learn. What then is the greatest indicator of Godly wisdom? Psalm 71:18 tells us, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” I have heard so many people say, “If only I understood spiritual things then like I do today”. We often learn too late how much living and testifying about our faith could change us, our families, and others around us. If you are younger, I pray that you gain this wisdom early. If you are among the aged, be a living example of faith in Christ Jesus. Father, teach us daily who You are and how we might serve You. May our greatest joy not be in our achievements but in souls saved. Amen

Is Saying, “Sorry” Enough?

Recently, there has been a big incident on the internet. At a major tennis match, a player was signing some items for the fans. One item was a hat that he had signed and was handing it to a young boy. An adult reached out quickly and grabbed it from the boy. He quickly folded it up and put it in his wife’s handbag... out of sight... out of mind. When the world saw what he had done, the internet caught on fire. It ended up being a millionaire CEO that did this. His first response wasn’t one of guilt or shame. He told the world that it was his because he was faster. He said it was just a hat, although he made no attempt to return it. Lastly, he threaten those exposing his bad behavior by claiming that he would have a legal team look into what was written and maybe respond legally. I assume things didn’t calm down and the company was starting to get boycotted. The CEO finally claimed that this incident was good because it caused him to humble himself. He went on to say that he didn’t realize the hat was for the boy and claimed to be sorry for it. The problem was that, by his reaction in the videos, it was no accident. So, he tried to avoid the consequence. He tried to blame others. He tried to justify his actions. When all this failed, he then claimed to humble himself and say that he was sorry, even this apology didn’t ring true. How clearly this paints the picture of the sinful individual. Like King David, after having Bathsheba’s husband killed and marring her, David tried to ignore or hide his guilt. God sent Nathan to confront him. Then like the rebellious people of God, they threatened the prophets that spoke of repentance. Then some of the people made the outward appearance of saying they were sorry, but their confession was not genuine. Such people should have no confidence in their forgiveness. There is only one way to address our sin. We need to admit our culpability. We need to know that only through Jesus are we saved. Our hearts need to be broken over what we have done and our desire to turn back (repentance) needs to be genuine. Only then can we know forgiveness. Lord, You tell us that if we confess our sins, you will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Turn our hearts to You. Thank You! Amen

Have You Ever Wondered, “What if?”

I was watching a science fiction show recently where the main characters go back in time, trying to stop other time travelers from altering the timeline. Even though such a concept seems farfetched, imagine if even one tiny thing were changed. What if, through casual conversation, you ended up causing someone to pursue a different interest. This interest may lead them away from meeting the love of their life and in so doing, someone alive today might never have been born. Even the tiniest interaction with the past could complete alter the reality of this timeline. It’s interesting to ponder, but it is unlikely to ever happen. Do we have to go back in time to have such a drastic influence on history? What would life be like if Adam and Eve had never disobeyed God? We would still be enjoying physically walking with God daily. What if Moses had gotten comfortable in Pharaoh’s court? Who would have rescued God’s people. What if Jacob’s son, Joseph, had become angry and not told Pharaoh the meaning of his dream. How many of God’s people would have died in the drought. What if Jonah had listened the first time and never ended up getting swallowed by the whale? Would he have spoken with the same passion and would the Ninevites have repented. What if Abraham hadn’t entertained the “strangers” (who ended up being angels)? Would Isaac have been born? Would lot have been rescued from Sodom and Gomorrah? If Abraham had been obedient, would Ishmael have been born and would Israel and the Middle East be in turmoil today? What about the choices you make? Maybe the person you didn’t help was meant to be the inventor of some great product and now they never will. What about the child that is aborted? Maybe they would be the one to find a cure for cancer. Maybe the person you smiled and greeted as a friend was thinking of causing a great disaster and now will back down from it. I believe that we truly can shape the future by what we do and how we treat others today. If everything is predetermined, then what is the use of trying. Instead of asking, “What if...”, we need to ask, “What now!” Father, You alone know what the future holds. Help us to trust and obey the One that holds that future in His hands. Amen