I didn't catch his name. His name is not important, after all he was just "hired help". But the way he responded to his task caught my eye. Not only did he do exactly what his boss wanted him to do, and he did it well, but he did it totally relying on God. He demonstrated exactly the way I want to live. You can read all about it here.

He was Abraham's servant. This is what he did that I want to do:

• listened carefully to the task.
• asked good questions to clarify the task.
• committed himself to the task, taking everything he would need for the task.
• then he prayed specifically about the task - asking God for divine guidance.
• he got involved in the task - "putting feet to his prayers".
• in the midst of the task, he watched, fully expecting God to answer his specific prayers.
• upon realizing God's answer to the task, he gave God praise for His guidance.
• he told others about how God allowed him to accomplish the task his boss asked him to do.
• finally he reported the task completed to his boss.

Some nameless servant "out there" showing all of us how to live. I'm good with that. Now... how can I put this into practice?

I'm sipping on some of the last fine grinds of my whole bean Mocha Java from Gevalia. Even though the sun is shining brightly, the temps are down a little and drinking the joe isn't uncomfortable.

Wispy Weekend Whispers

Just a couple of random happenings:
This morning I am consuming my favorite Gevalia coffee: Mocha Java. I have brewed it strong and have added just the right amount of creamer. It is wonderful. I am drinking it out of my Caribou Coffee mug that I bought while away on our anniversary weekend. I first discovered Caribou Coffee in Tinley Park, IL where my folks lived. Every time I would visit them I had to get the Mocha from Caribou. One of the few downsides of living in a rural area is that there aren't near as many coffee shops as necessary to sustain life. I bought the mug because I firmly believe that drinking coffee is an experience, not just a vice. (self-justification alert) I explained to my wife that every time I drink from the Caribou Coffee mug I think of our anniversary weekend and the time spent together. The same holds true for my Starbucks mug - (purchased in Seattle while on a missions trip to Ron & Susan Hand's hospitality house to the military). I think of them every time I drink from it. I bought a NYPD mug this last weekend as we were in New York for our teen camp. I'll always remember the guys I took out to NY and the good times we had traveling back and forth. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
Last night we were invited spontaneously to play tennis with friends, Dan & Lindsey. What an awesome time we had! I had not played tennis since 1991 - and probably only played 2 or 3 times in my life. It was great exercise and a lot of fun. I think we are planning on doing more of this in the future. Of course, afterwards we had to get some sweet tea from McDonalds. I think I finally fell into bed around midnight.
This morning I read of Christ's willingness to heal the leper. I often wonder why Christ didn't heal everyone he came into contact with. The same is true with salvation. He, offered to the world, is not accepted by all. But as one who has been touched by His work on the cross, I offer my thanks and gratitude. May your life also be touched by the healing hand of Jesus!

"Join All the Glorious Names" by Isaac Watts - 1707

So this hymn is only like 300 years old but it really packs a powerful punch! Especially these last three stanzas which I've copied below. If you would like to read the entire hymn (I highly recommend it) please click here to go to the "cyberhymnal". It's a very familiar tune.

My dear almighty Lord,My Conqueror and my King,

Thy scepter and Thy sword,Thy reigning grace I sing:

Thine is the power; behold I sit

In willing bonds beneath Thy feet.

Now let my soul arise,And tread the tempter down;

My Captain leads me forthTo conquest and a crown:

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

Should all the hosts of death,And powers of hell unknown,

Put their most dreadful forms Of rage and mischief on,

I shall be safe, for Christ displays

Superior power, and guardian grace.

Hope in the Midst of Circumstances

Hope in the Midst of Circumstances: a Look at Lamentations 3:21-25

Lamentations 3:21-25

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope.

22 The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.

24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."

25 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

When one is beat down by the circumstances of life, (and Jeremiah was - just read the two verses prior to my quoted passage), they are in dire need of hope. Is hope an emotion? Is hope some dream-like platitude we hand out to our brothers & sisters in Christ? Can hope be a reality in the most troubling times of life? Let's examine this passage.

Where is the focus of Jeremiah when he declares that he has found hope? I think he has focused on 6 things:

• YHWH's lovingkindness - can you appreciate the varying facets of our English translations? ESV - steadfast love; KJV - mercies; NET - loyal kindness; NLT - faithful love; NIV - great love. What a beautiful picture begins to form in our minds as we focus on this enduring love our God has for us!
• This lovingkindness never ceases...or similarly, because of them we are not consumed!
• Jeremiah also focuses on YHWH's compassions or mercies. Similar to the lovingkindnesses of God, but in addition to them as well.
• These compassions never fail: ESV - never come to an end! Oh, the unlimited compassion of God!
• The lovingkindnesses and compassions of YHWH are new every morning!
• and His faithfulness (to us) is great, or abundant!

On what do you focus during the troubling times of life? Jeremiah makes a concious effort, he exercises his will, to focus on God. Because of this focus, he begins to realize hope.

What then becomes his 'new' reality. In other words, what does Jeremiah realize as a result of this intense willful focus on his God and His goodness towards him?

• v.24 - Jehovah is my portion - my possession, the territory on which I reside. He is mine, I am His - what can man, or nature or evil do to me to place me outside His love? Nothing!

As we focus on the goodness of God to us, in the midst of these difficult days, and as we realize our reality in Him, let us not forget our duty:

• v. 25 - we are to wait for Him. there is an implication of tenseness and eagerness in this waiting. We are to look for Him with eager expectation of His moving in our lives. To wait for God with steadfast endurance is a great expression of our faith in Him. We endure, patiently, in confident hope that God will decisively act on our behalf. This is waiting.
• v.25 - we are to seek Him. This is not a haphazard, check the box devotional time. It is to seek with care, to inquire of Him. To be intent on finding God and search Him out. There is passion implied here. It is worship.

What then is your focus in your difficult days? Have you forgotten God? Have you misplaced the reminders of His love and kindness towards you? Do you understand and have you realized your reality in Him? Are you fulfilling your duty? As you begin to focus on God, you will soon be able to say with the prophet Jeremiah:

This I recall to my mind, therefore I have HOPE.

Frisbee Golf... with a slipped disc

Saturday I took four of my teens from the youth group to play Frisbee Golf at Little Big Horn Golf Course in Warsaw. They were part of the team that earned the right to go above the other teams in youth group. We had a great time - didn't quite make 18 holes, but learned a lot about disc golf and each other. My back was hurting by time we were done, due to it being out of place. The doctor is supposedly working on that - but time will tell. After the golf, we headed to Hacienda and enjoyed some wonderful chips, salsa and Mexican food. (all except for Jonathon who decided that popcorn shrimp sounded better).

Can I challenge you to read Psalm 104 today? It is 35 verses long, but so encouraging from the standpoint of seeing God interact, not only with man, but with His creation as well. He alone is worthy of praise!! These verses from Ps.104:

I will sing praise to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
Let my meditation be pleasing to Him;
As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord.

Have you made that conscious decision to rejoice, praise and be glad in God? Can I encourage you to do so? God bless,

death in the city

"The church in our generation needs reformation, revival, and constructive revolution.

At times men think of the two words, reformation and revival, as standing in contrast one to the other, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore.

Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine; revival refers to a restoration in the Christian’s life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of Scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into its proper relationship with the Holy Spirit.

The great moments of church history have come when these two restorations have simultaneously come into action so that the church has returned to pure doctrine and the lives of the Christians in the church have known the power of the Holy Spirit. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation; and reformation is not complete without revival.

Such a combination of reformation and revival would be revolutionary in our day – revolutionary in our individual lives as Christians, revolutionary not only in reference to the liberal church but constructively revolutionary in the evangelical, orthodox church as well.

May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival so that this poor dark world may have an exhibition of a portion of the church returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit-filled life."

~Francis Schaeffer, Death in the City, lectures from 1968

1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.

Let's think devotionally about these verses:

• God has not destined us for wrath - How blessed I am, and undeserving, of the grace of God. Not that I am good in and of myself, but because of His mercy He is saving me.
• but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ - There is salvation in no other name, no other person, but the Person of Jesus Christ. How true the words of my Savior, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
• who died for us - How precious the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ! It is through this awesome sacrifice that I am being saved!
• that whether we are awake or asleep - Eternal life is NOW continuing into the 'future'!
• we may live together with Him - Threaten me with death? There is no sweeter threat! Not only do I have the blessed hope of being in the presence of my Savior and Lord in the near future, but I also have the blessed assurance and comfort of His Spirit which indwells me and fills me to do His will.

I love God's Word and I will continual place my trust in my sovereign Lord to bring me to His presence.

Marriage: Religious Institution or Social Construct?

This was the question put out by Charlie Bucher & his morning crew on AM 1190 (WOWO - Ft. Wayne) during their "Morning News & Views" segment. At least four people, maybe five, all sputtered and stuttered their way to tip-toe through such a "sensitive" topic. Of course, this "news story" is driven by the decision by the California courts to legalize and recognize "gay" marriage. It is an interesting question. However, I was surprised at the hesitancy of the news crew to address the issue straightforth. Comments varied but were along the lines of: marriage is for those who love each other, homosexuals can't help themselves because they're born that way - so they ought to be able to enjoy marriage, marriage is a religious and social thing because it's been that way for a "bazillion" years, etc, etc.

It is very simple to answer the question of whether marriage is a religious instituion or social construct. But to answer it will depend on your view of God's Word. If you believe it to be the authoritative book that has everything pertaining to life and Godliness, then the question is readily answered. Until you hold that view, you will struggle with being politically correct and speaking at the risk of offense. I hold the former view. I believe God's Word is the authoritative rule in my life. If I struggle with what it says, I struggle with God. If I come to a moment when I must choose between my thoughts on an issue or God's thoughts on an issue - I must choose God's thoughts and ways.

Marriage is an institution set up by God, ordained by Him at the time of the creation of Adam and Eve. It is not an issue of "Law", or man's construct. Moses didn't come up with marriage - God did. God's sacred plan for mankind is that a man leave mother and father and cleave to his wife, becoming one flesh. This isn't just God condoning a sexual union. One flesh goes much farther than that. Thus we see God's boundaries for marriage. One man - one woman - intimacy apart from all others. In the entirity of Scripture we see marriage fleshed out as the Holy Spirit revealed more through the writers of His Word.

I see marriage concisely defined well in the Westminster Confession of Faith, from which I partially quote: "...Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and of the Church with an holy seed; and for the preventing of uncleanness (sexual impropriety, including, but not limited to homosexuality)..."

Marriage is not a social construct. It is an institution ordained by God, initiated by God and held in sacred esteem by God. To distort it is to defiantly fly in the face of a Holy God. There is no other option for mankind to consider - it does not matter what the courts of this land may say - God has given us His best for us in the text of Scripture. To follow it is to ensure joy, peace and happiness as promised by Jesus Christ. To disobey is to invite the wrath of the Almighty.

God, How Could You?

There is seemingly an incredible amount of tragedy hitting this planet as of late. Cyclones take the lives of tens of thousands; tornadoes scream across the Midwest, flinging souls into eternity; Earthquakes undulate the ground and in one fell swoop cause the death toll to sky-rocket in China. Even more are injured - maimed for life, both physically and mentally.

Okay, God. How could you do this? Where is the God of love, grace, patience and goodness that we hear so often about?

Circumstances like these were contemporary in Jesus' day. Hear the words of Luke as recorded in his first account:

Luke 13:1-5
Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Is there any sense to the tragedy taking place around us?

Perhaps the greatest sense we can take away from these biblical current events and even our news events of today is the message that Jesus Christ tried to relate in Luke's account. That is, these events should drive us to our need of repentance. Not only that, the events of the day should cause us to realize that we need to be reaching out to those around us, explaining their need for repentance before they perish. The six o'clock news should be in reality one of the greatest evangelistic motivators in our homes. Thousands over the last several days have entered eternity - all with or without Christ.

God, impress that in our hearts today.

Maintaining Humility in Religious Leadership

I spent some time in John 9 today. Perhaps you are well aware of the story. A beggar man, blind from his birth, is healed by Christ. Quite clearly Jesus explains that this man's condition was not a result of his sin, nor his parent's sin, but so that "the works of God might be displayed in him". (Quick aside: Are you willing to endure what most equate to suffering so that God might receive glory in your life?) As the man follow's the instructions of Christ, he washes the mud from his eyes in the pool of Siloam. Immediately he can see. What a joy that must have been! The crowd witnessing this miraculous experience begin to question him. They eventually bring him to the Pharisees - the religious leaders of the day. This poor beggar man is interrogated by the Pharisees as to the circumstances surrounding the event. They drag his parents in and question them. There is a lot of uncertainty sweeping through the crowd. As this poor, beggar man continues to insist on his experience, he makes this statement concerning the Christ: "If this man were not from God, he could do nothing". That's when the religious leaders, the Pharisees, lose their cool. Their pride spills out of their mouths, "You were born in sin, and would you teach us? And they cast him out."

The shame of leadership unwilling to accept in humility instruction from one who experienced the touch of Christ. Leadership in the church today needs to take a quick lesson from this passage. We get caught up in our knowledge...our degrees...our mastery of the text. Often when one who just begins to experience the touch of Jesus Christ in their lives shares with us their experience, we scoff - perhaps inside our hearts, but scoff nonetheless. Perhaps we try to quickly instruct them in the finer points of our own theology, pulling apart their 'straw man' bit by bit. The end result? A castaway.

There is a point in time to deal with the finer issues of theology. Theology is vitally important. The weightier things of Scripture are a necessity in our lives. However, there should be a humility in church leadership today, to listen. To listen. To hear what our sheep tell us. To rejoice with them as they experience the work of Christ in their lives. Then, as we rejoice with them, we should be in humility encouraging them in the Word. May we as pastors, elders, missionaries, teachers, professors, instructors of every kind never look down our collective noses at these who are "born in utter sin" and then cast them out as unworthy to handle the truths of a life touched by Christ. How quickly we forget why we are in the position we are in.

In the shop: lessons from the pop-up camper.

We owned a 1973 Jayco pop-up camper. "Owned" - past tense, because my two oldest sons and I have decided to dismantle it. It had become leaky, moldy and past salvaging. Last Thursday evening I brought it home from the farm where it was being stored, and we tore into it. Currently we are almost down to the frame with just three sides to remove. Yesterday as I was working on this during the day I was really surprised with the amount of rotted wood under the aluminum skin. If you would have just taken a look at the outside of the camper, you would have recognized it's age and some of it's "quirks" - but you would have never guessed what lay beneath that green & white exterior: Crumbling, rotted wood. A lot of things were explained as I continued tearing off the aluminum sheets. The hassle and difficulty of cranking the top up was because the crank's mechanism had pulled away from, not only the side wall, but also the flooring as well. This made getting the top up a near impossibility and quite the hassle. There were several other 'discoveries' that just confirmed my original notion that this camper was long past due for a renovation.

Then I got to thinking, as I worked, about how I am just like that camper. Oh, I know I don't look perfect on the outside. People recognize me as having flaws, but over all they think I look 'pretty good' for my Christian age. Little do they know that within me lies a heart that is black. Rotten, and falling apart. Surprised? Hardly - just take time to look 'under your skin'. Hence the need for 'renovation', I think Scripture prefers the term 'sanctification'. What does it involve? Complete transformation. I no longer exist for my own natural desires. I am now in the process of being totally overhauled by my owner. Some day I will be presented in wondrous glory, but currently I'm still 'in the shop'.

Forced labor and the love of God...

Psalm 107:10-16
...There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze, and cut bars of iron asunder...

What a miserable picture this selected passage from Psalm 107 presents: Envision the despair as cloaked in darkness the prisoners moan, chains clanking as these who are enslaved shift positions in a feeble attempt to bring some comfort to beleaguered bodies and souls. Rest does not come. Peace has fled and life is fleeting. Death, pressing in, now breathes it's chilly vapors into their spirit.

How did it come to this? What debauchery was committed to justify such a hideous punishment? Simply: sin. Rebellion against the words of God. Turning their back, rejecting, perhaps even ridiculing the Most High's counsel. Choosing their sin they now suffer the consequences. Imprisoned in a devilish fortress, shackled by their disobedience, they lay in bondage to their heart's desires. Quite regularly they bow their master: their lusts. Repeatedly they find themselves in a desperate struggle to satisfy the insatiable; and consistently they realize the futility of their labors.

How did they get here? What brought them from the frivolity of selfish ambition and pursuits to languish in this depraved state?

God.

His love.

For them.

This loving, merciful, holy God - the One who cannot tolerate sin in His presence - allows them to suffer the rewards for their choices, with the desire to see them turn to Him. He knows that it is in this time of trouble that they will cry out to Him. And He patiently endures the travesty of their choices, all the while remaining nearby to immediately answer their pleas. He does not force Himself on them. He simply waits.

And when they in the deepest, darkest moments of their agony turn to Him, He acts. Swiftly. He saves them out of their distress. He brings them into the light and into life. And He breaks the shackles. The citadel of sin is destroyed through the mercy of God. Bronze gates shatter at His command, bars of iron are cut in two.

Freedom.

They squint their eyes, breathing deeply this freshness of new life as they rest in the warmth of the Son. Praise now comes easily to their lips. The mercy of God is fresh in their mind. It is a wonder that God would so move in the lives of men!

Oh that we would see and understand the consequences of our sinful choices! Oh that we would see through the deception of the evil one! His palaces are facades that simply mask the concentration camp of consequences. His jewelry, while eye-catching turns to shackles at the stroke of darkest midnight. His party rooms become holding cells for our hearts. His promise of freedom leads to forced labor. His mischief leads to misery and his promise of companionship leads only to loneliness.

How to escape this trickery and deceit you ask? Simply: receive the words of God, heed His counsel. In the everyday moments of life will you turn to what will enable you to see the deception for what it truly is? Disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness is not a futile exercise. It is the only way to ensure your freedom.

I swear!

I'll never forget the first time I slipped up in speech in front of my wife. We were sliding out of control towards an embankment in our little new '92 Plymouth Sundance. Graciously God allowed us only to 'bump' the embankment and all occupants in our vehicle escaped injury. I was an unbeliever then. My mouth was vile. I cursed, swore and used the Lord's name in vain like some people breathed. I could turn it on and off. I kept it mostly off around my wife, family and some church people.

Recently I have been made aware of a trend in Christian circles that takes a very lax view towards untoward speech. That concerns me. There are constant 'redefinitions' and claims that some words aren't so bad, etc, etc. But this desire of evangelicals to get closer and closer to the line of being like the world concerns me greatly.

When I was saved in 1998, God graciously allowed me to put aside my filthy communication and not take it back up again. He did that with many vices I had. I am sensitive to the use of vulgarities, swearing and cursing among God's children. I understand that many people struggle in areas that I do not. I do not attempt to be placing myself on a pedestal here. While this laxness is embraced by the church, it is not necessarily being embraced in the secular world.

I have been listening to ESPN radio's Mike & Mike in the morning. I really like Mike Golic. A former NFL player, he provides great insight into an athlete's mindset. Thursday he and a guest host were talking about the latest 'scandal' in the PGA. It's Tiger Woods 'threat' to break the f...ing neck of a photographer who snapped a picture during his backswing. The guest host and Golic couldn't agree on whether or not this was inappropriate behavior. Mike Golic actually said that in the line of athletics there were times when this would happen and you just had to kind of expect it. He then said something very interesting:

He made the statement that he played with one of the NFL's greatest "D-Linemen", Reggie White. He claimed that he never heard Reggie White curse or swear on or off the field. Staggering statement isn't it? For a lineman in the trenches, struggling against other behemoths and experiencing all kinds of pain, strains and struggles? Why didn't Reggie curse? Why wasn't he vulgar? Why didn't he swear like other athletes?

I submit it was because of his faith.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and behold, new things have come.

Think about it. Does it make sense?

Pressed

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length,
Pressed so intently, it seems beyond strength,
Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul,
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll,
Pressure by foes, and pressure by friends,
Pressure on pressure till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God,
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod,
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings,
Pressed into faith for impossible things,
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured.

~author unknown

I came across this poem in an old book I found while packing up my books for my office move. I liked it's simplicity and message. Hope it blesses you.

Good(?) Friday

The grass was a blend of greens and browns, still brittle and susceptible to breakage as I walked across the lawn. Stepping around marble slabs and tipped over flower vases I made my way to a maroon tent that covered a hole, it's opening yawning into the darkness of the damp earth. My shoulders shook. The wind was whipping the sides of the canvas and small flecks of frozen precipitation occasionally stung my face. My nose was running. I wished I had remembered my coat that was left hanging in my closet at the house. It didn't matter...really. I had a responsibility that stepped outside the bounds of personal comfort. My friend was hurting.
His mother had passed away on Tuesday. We had received the news around noon that day. It was to be expected, but it was still rough. Less than thirty minutes earlier we had prayed that God would sovereignly show Himself and intervene in this situation. With those words still ringing in my ears I dialed my office phone to reach my wife. My voice cracked as I relayed the news, a small tear squeezed from the corner of my eye. It wasn't the loss that I was feeling - it was a piece of my heart breaking for my friend. He was carrying quite a load.
Funeral homes. This one was an actual home, converted sometime in the past to accommodate groups of grieving people. Today we gathered together to encourage those who mourned the loss of a mother and friend. I don't think I'll ever enjoy going to a funeral home, I guess that is an impossible task. The words of the minister were blending into the swirl of thoughts that swished through my mind.
Good Friday. She had mentioned Good Friday. What was a blip in her speaking was something that smacked me in the face. In the midst of thinking and praying for my friend and his family, I had forgotten what day it was. Today is Good Friday. What is so good about this day we Christians celebrate?
Joseph. He took responsibility to lay Christ in a tomb that day. This day. This day we remember the death of Christ. Comfort was set aside to perform the tasks of burial. It had to be tough. Death never is easy. Not even for believers. Good-byes are rough. Jesus was laid in a tomb, perhaps a last look over a shoulder and then... good-bye. He was gone. Gone.
My friend turned from the couple who was speaking to him, I grabbed his hand. I gave him a hug and told him that I loved him and would be there for him. These times are difficult. His eyes were moist as he began to leave the area of the tent. He stopped, looked back and shed some tears. It was a good-bye.
It is ironic that we call today "Good" Friday. What's the good in death? There is nothing but pain, sorrow and loss with separation. Is there any good? Who cruelly decides these things?
Sunday. It's coming. When the first rays of sunlight encroach the darkness of the tomb, they will reveal a void. The tomb will be empty. Gone. Christ will have risen. He will show Himself to hundreds of followers before transitioning to His rightful place at the side of His Father.
That's the hope we have as believers. There will be a day when we all, dead and alive, will live eternally with our Savior. The pains and struggles of this life will give way to the joy and peace of the next. The joy begins with the pains of death. Seeing the whole picture assures us that this day we celebrate as Christians is in fact...good. It will be worth it all - someday.
Why? Because Christ went before us. Victoriously.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory". Death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore my beloved brethern, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. ~1 Corinthians 15

Lost in the Middle

About a month ago I turned 40 years old. I know - it's harder for me to believe. I picked up a book, at the Biblical Counseling Conference I attended in Lafayette, IN last month, written by Paul David Tripp. (Also the author of Age of Opportunity - one of my fav parenting books). I certainly don't consider myself as one who is in the throes of a mid-life crisis - but there is certainly been some time given to reflection on how my life has been used up to this moment.

Considering I lived the first 30 years for self & Satan, (yeah, it sounds harsh - but that is Truth), I now desire to live the rest of my life for Christ and eternity. This book is helping me realize how most folks view mid-life, how they interpret what they are going through and how to react and respond in a biblical manner.

Nobody is fond of growing older - at least in Western civilization. I think that's an improper way of viewing life. God grants us incredible grace to weather every stage of life and He expects us to mature in every aspect. I want to use this time in my life to demonstrate that I am consumed with pleasing God, passionately following His Word and submitted to His Holy Spirit.

I don't have to be "Lost in the Middle". I can revel in the grace of my God and persevere for as long as He sovereignly determines. Pick up a copy of this book here: www.paultrippministries.org

Blinded by the Idols

Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and have put right before their faces the stumbling blocks of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all? Therefore speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols, in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me through all their idols." ' Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations." ' ~Ezekiel 14

I set up idols.

Idols cause me to stumble in sin.

Idols blind me to the reality of making a choice to be righteous.

Idols separate me from God.

When I haven't dealt with my idols of my heart and I seek God's face in a matter - all He cares about is getting rid of my idols.

Nothing else matters.

All He sees are idols.

He wants to see my face. My eyes.

He wants my heart.

He demands that I not give it to another.

Idols take His rightful place in my life.

Idols estrange me from Him.

When I turn from my idols, I will in turn see God.

When I keep the idols in front of my face, I have a lack of righteous perception in my life.

On Cars, conversion and coffee...

The car died. It wasn't peaceful or quiet. Rather it was noisy and loud and wet. Yes, wet. Actually the whole car didn't die, just the water-pump. I pulled into the Walmart parking lot today after my 6:00am appointment, the car idled very loudly and with a continuous "whoosh, whoosh" noise. A couple of clanks later and I turned it off. As I got out I heard the wonderful sound of anti-freeze pouring onto the pavement. Cool... or hot, as it were. My senior pastor graciously brought a jug of water which allowed me to drive back towards town and the "shop" where I quickly parked the ol' Taurus. They said they'd have it done by the weekend. That'd be nice - except that means I have to pick it up. Yeah, no cash-ola in the bank account. God sure does allow things to happen at the precise time when we have no other choice but to trust Him, doesn't he? Great thing is this: I have no frustration with this, no anxiety or anger or any like emotion. It simply is another time in life where God will show His sovereign provision for us. He graciously and wondrously kept me safe from any kind of accident with the car, kept me from damaging the car mechanically, allowed me to be very close to the shop when the water-pump died and allowed help to arrive in a timely manner. Isn't God good? He is!!

How 'bout a verse to meditate on? 1 Peter 1:18 states, "...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers..." Do you recall how different life became upon your salvation? When God sovereignly drew you to Himself - life changed!! No longer is there futility in the living, but now we have purpose!! I'm so thankful for the work of Christ in my life!

Today I'm drinking Folgers "coffee". I put it in quotations because I doubt its authenticity. Ha! It does contain caffeine and I did brew it strong today - funny, no-one mentioned that in the office today. Hmmm... must not be strong enough! lol. Good stuff!

The Arrogance Equation.

I was reading in Proverbs 13 today and decided to blog on this verse: (v.10)

Through presumption comes nothing but strife,

but with those who receive counsel is wisdom.

It is pretty much self-explanatory, but a couple things to add to your meditation: The word 'presumption' in the NASB has the idea of insolence, pride or arrogance. How often we stubbornly refuse to listen to anyone else's thoughts on a matter. How often we assume to have it all together, or know it all. The end result invariably will be some sort of disagreement, dispute or discussion that no doubt will leave bitter feelings, anger or harsh words.

On the other hand we have humility demonstrated by asking for counsel. Too many people fear that this petition for advice makes them 'look' like they don't have it all together, are inferior somehow or just plain ignorant of life. I have counseled many that have actually stated that they were embarrassed to seek counsel for that very reason. What a deception of Satan! We should eagerly seek the Godly counsel of those wise men and women that God has placed in our lives!!

My encouragement to you (and me) is to humbly seek the Godly wisdom that God has sovereignly placed in our lives and not be so arrogant so as to assume that we know it all. Its an equation that quickly reduces the conflict in our lives!

Arrogance = Conflict and Humility = Wisdom.

Now, go let this simple truth impact your life!

God bless.

Prov.18 progression of destruction

Proverbs 18:6-7: A fool's lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool's mouths is his ruin, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

So, these are two verses out of Prov.18 that I read today. I read that chapter and studied out every use of any indication of speech, words, etc. There is a very significant progression seen in these two verses - (at least I see it). Let me share what I saw today:

It seems that a fool is characterized by his speech. When someone who is a 'fool' begins to let his yapper run, it brings first of all conflict. (fool's lips bring strife). I am looking at this in a verbal conflict way. As you study this word out, it seems to have a quarreling aspect to it. I don't think that it's a far stretch to assume that someone who is foolish with their speech often is involved in arugments and quarrels. The Proverbs seem to be pretty clear that a fool brings this on himself through his speech.

Secondly, the writer of Proverbs says that a fool's mouth calls for blows. How often and quickly do verbal quarrels lead to physical confrontations! It doesn't take much for the fire of passionate foolish talking to get out of control. You see this same word used in the next chapter when the writer says that judgment is prepared for scoffers and blows for the back of a fool. It is physical violence that often erupts from a fool letting his mouth run wild.

In verse seven we see further progression of foolish talking. The fool's mouth actually brings about ruin. It may start in verbal quarreling; which may progress to physical confrontation, but it quickly leads to ruin. Now this destruction could be death, physically. Certainly many murders have been a result of some fool shooting off his mouth inappropriately. But I think ruin happens in so many other ways as well. How soon a relationship is destroyed with foolish talking! Spouses seek divorce, children run away, employees quit their jobs, church members leave a church and on and on the list goes. Many relationships come to ruin because a fool speaks unwisely with his mouth.

Lastly, the fool's lips are a snare for his soul. The word snare is the word for bait or trap. It's the same word used in Joshua 23: ...know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you... A quick consultation to the Theological Wordboook of the OT states, A snare metaphorically is something that allures one from his real purpose and then destroys him. That certainly puts a period on this downward progression doesn't it? The fool thinks that his speech is actually going to benefit him in some way (perhaps in control over the situation or person - part of the allurement) and actually it snares his soul. He destroys his very self.

I think this very quick look at these two verses at the very least challenges my thinking on the way I use my speech. Consider your speech today. Are you quick to be foolish? Be forewarned then my friend, there is a certain progression of destruction that is laid out for you in Proverbs 18.