The love of many will grow cold

The H1N1 flu virus is nothing compared to what I'm seeing in marriages these days. Divorce has hit epidemic levels among people in the church. These are Christians who know God's word, but the culture around them, the financial problems of our day and the cooling of commitment to promises has brought us to a time when I am really concerned about what I am seeing. Other pastors I know tell me the same thing. It's a serious problem. When the home crumbles the faith of those in those homes will be in jeopardy as well. I know a number of pastors are working on ways to help couples keep their marriages alive, but many want none of it. I can't tell you how often I have has a couple in my office for counseling and one of them has their arms crossed with a frown on their face. They are done and they will not be swayed from their path regardless of what the bible says. I believe these are genuine Christians, so what is going on? Jesus talked about it in Matthew 24-25. He said that as we near the end of days "the love of many will grow cold". I think we are seeing this now. It means I must do everything I can to care for my marriage and help others do the same. These are difficult days, don't let the days we are in cool your marriage. Be extra careful...the enemy has all his guns focused on the home. If he destroys the home he undermines the culture and the generations ahead who will have no idea of what life should be like. Keep the fires of your marriage lit. The enemy has one major goal- the destruction of your marriage. The best way to win a war is to know what the enemy is doing. Now you know.

Thankful

Today is Veteran's day in our country. It's the day when we celebrate and say thank you to all those who have served and protected us. So, if you have served in the military in any way, thank you. Thank you for your sacrifice.

I'm also thankful this morning because I've arrived at another milestone in life. Today is my birthday....59 years old. It's strange to write that down. It really sounds old, doesn't it? But I must tell you that my mind still feels 20. I just wish my old body would agree. So, as Paul writes in Philippians, To live is Christ and to die is gain. I understand more clearly the impact of those words and am beginning to claim them as my own.

I am most thankful that I live in this time, this place and am part of God's work in the world. What an amazing time to live. I can't wait to see what the year ahead brings. Thanks, Lord, for your great mercy and kindness you have given to us who know you. Thank you.

Quote of the day

“There is nothing—absolutely no circumstance, no trouble, no testing that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with a great purpose which I may not understand at the moment. But as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift up my eyes to Him, and I accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, and I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is. That is the rest of victory.”- Dr. Alan Redpath

Thankful for God's provision

My friend and fellow pastor, Winston, sent me a photo of his new wheels. God has wonderfully provided the money for him to buy a bicycle which he needed for his ministry in Kenya. I'm so glad to see God work in his life and meet his needs and I am thankful to be his friend.
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Would you include Winston in your prayers? He's struggling with some health issues and I am praying for God to heal him. Would you join me in that prayer?
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Men like Winston are the unsung servants of God's kingdom who are reaching their part of the world with the gospel and serving God with what little they have. I love these guys! Men like Winston are my hero's of the faith!

Now for a little fun....

Oh that we would enjoy life like this....a little rock and some time to play.

The "elders" stopped by today

The "elders" stopped by to visit this afternoon. I sure love these guys, but get so frustrated trying to talk to them. They are so sincere, but believe a lie to their own eternal loss. They are extremely well trained to respond to almost any argument about faith and they each have experienced the "burning in the bosom" that is their witness that their faith is true (and mine is not). I always try to give time to visit with them, but it's so difficult. They are rarely open to truth. Their mission is to convert you and their defenses have been well built by their trainers. I will be praying for these guys. They are serving their god and they are sincere, but their god isn't the God of the bible. Their founder did a great job crafting this faith that looks so good and yet is so wrong. I feel bad for these young men, they really are trying to follow god, I just wish they knew the real God...the God of the bible.

Monday's cartoon

We are not orphans!

In my study of Matthew 6 in preparation for the message yesterday I came to a passage I have read hundreds of times before and always missed what Jesus was saying. Then it hit me....suddenly I began to weep as I saw it. Here's the passage and then let's talk,

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So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

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The portion of this passage that had eluded me were these words, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." Then, this week for the first time, I saw it. The pagans don't have a heavenly Father! They are orphans! Orphans have to be worried about food, clothing and a place to stay because they have no one to watch out for them. They are responsible, but the Christian has a Father. We have someone who is taking care of us. We have someone who loves us and like a child in a home with a dad we don't even think about the house payment, the electric bill, will we have food...those are the things that Father takes care of. As his child I run into his house and take whatever I want from the fridge without a worry. Father takes cares of all those things so I can focus my attention on seeking HIM and his rule in my life. He has the rest taken care of. He cares for me. I have a father, I'm not an orphan. When I saw this the whole passage came alive for me. I wept over this amazing truth. Even as I tried to share it with my wife the next day I couldn't get through it without tears.....we are not orphans on our own, caring for ourselves, worried about how we will get food, clothing and somewhere to stay. We have a father. He loves us and is fully able and willing to care for us.

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So, today you can resign as general manager of the universe, you don't need to worry about all the things that take up your thoughts. You are not an orphan, you have a father and he loves to care for his children who will trust him.

Construction delays

It seems like they have been working on the roads near us for at least 40 years, but it's beginning to look like they might finish in my lifetime. It's taken longer than it should have because we do everything backwards. After an area has grown, business and houses built, THEN they fix the roads. It will be nice when they get all of this work done....until they begin "phase 2".....then it starts all over again.

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My christian life feels like that. God is always working on something and it's usually in an area that is already busy in my life. Then, suddenly bulldozers show up and God begins to work on me. My agenda is changed, my life is altered and I get frustrated as God works. And, I know that as soon as we fix this part of me he will start working somewhere else. I'm glad I'm a project under construction and not a demolition project.

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Saturday's cartoon

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What do you value most?

I read this verse in my study this morning and got convicted. It's amazing what God uses to work in my life. A little verse I've read a thousand times suddenly hits me between the eyes and I have to make some decisions in my life. Here's the verse-

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Matthew 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

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What caught my eye was this, "in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Here is a man who has his whole value system changed in a moment of time and it's changed is a way that gives him joy to sell all he had valued before. Suddenly, all the "stuff" he had accumulated is set out for a garage sale. The stuff he spent good money to purchase....the living room set, the microwave, the flat-screen TV, everything! Everything goes and he sells it all with joy! Why? Because something happened...he found something so valuable to him that all that he valued before suddenly seems like junk. This is a story Jesus used to describe the kingdom of heaven. He describes this kingdom as a hidden treasure that will completely change my value system, that will bring me to the joyful disposal of all I have ever valued to get it. But I have never felt this way about his kingdom.....and so I'm convicted, I'm thinking....I'm challenged to consider....how important is this treasure to me? What would I give up to have it? Would I give up everything else WITH JOY to get it? What do I value most and what am I willing to give up to have it? I think I better talk to God about this....

An offering of thanks

I read this verse yesterday and have been thinking about it ever since. David writes these word, ...

Psalm 50:23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.

...I've been thinking about this verse because of several things in the verse. The first thing was this- to give thanks to God for something is an offering to him. We think of offerings to God as something to do with money, but thanksgiving is an offering of great value to him as well. The second thing I noticed was that to say thank you to God honors him. Thanking him is our verbal acknowledgement of his care and provision for us. I noticed one more thing....and this was something I didn't expect....that giving thanks to God moves him to "prepare the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." To say thanks to God, even in our darkest day, acknowledges his care for us. Shows our trust in him even when we can't see the way and it's that simple verbal expression of thanks that moves God to show us the road ahead. Now, I don't assume this is some magic formula by any means, but the verse has implications that challenge me to be more verbal and intentional about my thanks to Him. That simple demonstration of faith will pave the road ahead for me to see God's work of salvation in my life. So, this morning....in these early hours I want to say "Thank you, Lord!" for your great kindness and love. I'm so grateful that you are Lord of heaven and earth and I can't wait to see what you are going to do with the things that cause me to be up at this hour praying to you. Thank you for what you are going to do! Thank you that I can trust you with the dark road ahead. Thank you that you will illuminate that path for me. Thank you most of all that you are there and hear my every word, my every thought. Thank you.....

The reflection we see in the mirror

This picture has been e-mailed to me on a number of occasions. It's cute and is intended to communicate a message about this particular man, but what it said to me is that this is the painting we would all paint when we look in the mirror. We all see ourselves in much better light than others see us. We see our good deeds and how much we care for others. Those who know us would probably tell us they don't see the same thing at all. We, as humans, have a wonderful habit of being really good actors. The sad part of that is we are best at fooling ourselves. We think we are good-hearted, others see a mean person. We see a servant, others think we are always wanting to be served....You get the idea, don't you? The truth of this cute illustration is that no matter who sits down with a brush to paint what they see in the mirror is always much nicer, much better, much kinder, much sweeter than the reality. Our first challenge as Christ followers is to walk in the Spirit, knowing what we would do in the flesh, and let Christ live his life through us so that this picture really is what others see.

A book report

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I just finished Donald Miller's book, "A million miles in a thousand years" and enjoyed it immensely! I had tried to read his books before and didn't like his style, but this book was a joy to read and a bit of an eye opener for me as well. If you're looking for a book to read I would encourage you to buy, beg or borrow this one. You will thank me. And, no Donald isn't paying me to say this.

A little adventure

What do you want to do today?

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I don't know, what about you....what do you want to do?

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Have you ever had those conversations? We do often. Today we actually thought of something to do and found ourselves in the Farmer's market in downtown Dallas. It's an amazing place to buy fruits and vegetables. A wonderful display of color. A chance to taste a number of amazing flavors....although I did pass on the offer from one vendor who wiped her running nose with the back of her hand and then offered me a piece of fruit from the same hand. I thought better of that offer. We did make a number of colorful acquisitions and hope to be cooking fresh vegetables all week. It wasn't a great adventure, nor one with any risk (other than the runny nose).....just a little adventure that brought this commentary, "I really had a good time."

Monday's cartoon

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Quote of the day

"If you have trusted God for eternity can you trust him for today?"

-Mike Messerli

Saturday's cartoon

Writing your own story

Life is a great adventure....or at least it should be....

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I'm in the middle of Donald Miller's book "A million miles in a thousand years" and I am really enjoying it. He talking about living out his story, or rather realizing that his life is a story lived out. I thought about that and wondered....if my life were a book would anyone want to read it? Would it be boring, scary, an adventure, a narrative or a fairy tale? I'm fascinated by this idea of my life being a story I'm living, a story I'm writing. It has me thinking differently about the events of the day. I'm looking at things a little different than I have in the past. Often a day is something to simply endure or a meeting something to get through, but if, as Miller writes, my life is a wonderful adventure of my walk with God (and it should be) then how am I viewing the events of my days? Am I on a pirate ship looking for adventure or am I on a cruise ship enjoying the moment not really caring about the sights to see? Writing my own story adds an element to life, a texture, that I had never considered. I have no illusions that my life is an exciting adventure, a story of mystery and intrigue, a story of a great hero saving the world, but I don't want to miss the adventure God is inviting me to walk with him. It may not be a story anyone else would want to read, but it's a story I don't want to miss living.

Children, costumes and candy

It's that time of the year...time to purchase mass quantities of candy for all the cute little children who will be visiting your house tonight. It's a great time to see all the "little monsters" making the rounds in some really strange costumes. For them it's great fun. For us it's an evening of answering the doorbell and passing out candy until we exhaust the supply. For our poor dog it's an evening of constant vigil as he guards our home with barks and bravado when he sees the strange masks worn by each child. Halloween, for kids, is all about the candy. For me it's money spent I didn't want to spend....oh wait, it's not time for me to a be Grinch yet. Sorry about that. Have fun and eat lots of candy!

Everyone is invited

Heb. 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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There's an amazing thing that happened a couple thousand years ago. God the son came and died on a tree to provide unlimited access to God the Father for anyone who wants to talk to him. In our day we take this for granted as the norm, but it's not the way it has always been. Now we have unlimited access to God without the need for someone to stand between us, because Jesus has already done that and opened the door to heaven to invite everyone to come in, approach God, talk to him and find all we need to live this life. We are so blessed to be able to come to God and ask for his help. Why don't we?

One of those days

It's one of those days. My brain is empty and I honestly can't think of anything to think about. So, for today.........

More than dreams

Joye and I are watching a video called "More than Dreams." The video tells the stories of five people who have come to faith in Christ. Each of them wanted to know God personally and this video tells their stories. The stories are amazing. The story we watched tonight was told by a man who came to faith in Christ while at Mecca on his Hajj. In the midst of the most holy time in his faith as a Muslim Jesus sought him out and he found salvation and forgiveness of sin.

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We have seen three of the stories and anxiously watch one each night. These stories of faith are so encouraging and remind me afresh of how much God loves us and desires a relationship with us. It's inspiring to know and see that God is still seeking lost sinners. My evangelistic heart is sensing a new fire building....

Monday's cartoon

And, since it's late October, here's one for the season and hopefully a smile instead of a tear-

Happy Birthday!

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Today is my wife's birthday. It's been my great joy (no pun intended) to be part of her life for these 35 plus years. Happy Birthday, sweetie.

Garage Door Opener

As an avid motorcyclist I loved this video. I thought you would like this amazing new garage door opener. You might not get it to work as well as this man has, but it will make you smile.

God has spoken

I take it for granted, but I know I shouldn't. I have a bible....rather, if you know me well you know that I have a bunch of bibles. I love God's word. If possible I'm reading his word at least an hour a day. It brings life into focus for me. I cannot see or understand the world, my life or the situations around me without it. His words are more important to us than the food we eat. I know many people in the world do not know God nor do they know that he has spoken to us. But I'm so glad that he has clearly told us of himself, of the world and has put life in focus. Without his word we couldn't see anything clearly.

Saturday's cartoon

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The most important thing

This morning I'm reading in Colossians 1 and come, once more, to verses 13-20. This is an amazing section. It's the description of the incomparable Christ and his place in time and eternity. This morning I got stuck on this one phrase, "so that He Himself (Jesus) will come to have first place in everything." I read that over a couple times and began to think....God is working in this world and in our lives so that Jesus Christ will come to have first place in EVERYTHING! In my life, in my mind, in my priorities, in our government and in our world. God's plan is focused on one thing- the elevation of Jesus Christ above all things. I'm struggling with my words here, but as I think about this my mind wanders to these thoughts....what would it look like if Jesus had first place in everything in my life? In my work? In my family? In our country? In our world? One day he will have first place in everything, but today, in this moment I can begin to fulfill God's plans for the ages by giving Jesus first place in ME. In my work, my life, my family.... What would it look like for Jesus to have first place in me as I think about money? What would it look like for Jesus to have first place in my thinking? What would happen to my fears if he had first place? How would I speak about the government if he had first place? What would happen to my worries if he had first place? If he is really God, and he is, if he really will have first place in everything at some point in the future, how wise would it be for me to begin to give him first place in me and in all I touch? This is the kingdom of God beginning to get a foothold in this world by getting a foothold in my life. When I give him first place I'm introducing the world to the Kingdom of God in an individual life. I'm letting him rule in me...and as he rules in me he transforms how I think, how I view the world, my situations and the world around me. As I give him first place I show the world around me what everything will look like soon...when he will have first place in everything. This rule, this kingdom and his ultimate place in the universe begins with me...begins in my life as I let him rule....join me as we introduce the world to the Kingdom of God by letting Jesus have first place in you.

Marching to Rephidim revisited

In April of 2008 I wrote the following post in two parts. It's been a great blessing to me and to many others over the years. I thought I would share it with you once more....


There is a passage of scripture that I often go to for comfort and reminder. It's a very strange place to go for such things, but it has proven to provide them to me. It is part of the story of the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. They have left Egypt, crossed the sea on dry land, and are being led by God with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In the middle of this odyssey we come to this passage, Exodus 17:1 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD..... . Day by day, led by the cloud and the pillar, they are following God's leading...following him and trusting him. Then, in this short verse we find these words, and they camped at Rephidim... . They camped here by God's leading! But you must see the end of the verse to understand how important this passage is, and there was no water for the people to drink. When this passage first became clear to me this last phrase stopped me, and my response was, "WHAT?!?! You took them to a place where there was no water? And you took them there ON PURPOSE!?" Yes he did. And he will lead us to places like this....places in the desert where there is no water. Dry places, places where we ask, "why did you bring me here?" That will become clear in a moment, but you need to know that dry places are in God's plan for our lives. When you find yourself at your Rephidim know that it didn't happen by accident, God has led you there. He's working in your life....he has a plan.

Let me make this one thing clear- they were led to a place where there was no water. There were 2,000,000 of them with millions of animals, and God led them to Rephidim on purpose....to a place where there wasn't any water. Did I make that part clear yet? Why? That's a most important question to ask. Go back with me a few chapters to a shepherd in the wilderness who comes upon a burning bush. It's the same Moses who now comes to this same wilderness with the nation of Israel in tow. Why did God bring them here? Here's the reason, Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Rephidim), the mountain of God. Let's skip down the visit with God a bit to this verse, Exodus 3:12 And He said, "Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain." God led them to this very place to meet with him, to worship him! But here is what they saw, Exodus 17:2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?" Exodus 17:3 But the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, "Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" All they saw was a desert with no water in sight. What they missed was the fact that God was there waiting for them! In the next few verses God resolves their water problem, Exodus 17:5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Exodus 17:6 "Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. This Horeb is the rock that was split in the middle and from it came water to quench the thirst of millions for months. God provided water, but they had missed the opportunity to ask a really important question, "Lord, why are we here?" They completely missed God in their thirst for water! How often I do that. I miss God in the midst of my "needs."
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So, as an expert in wilderness spirituality, let me suggest that when you come to a spiritual desert and find that you have no water the next thing you say is most important. Having been here many times let me suggest this as your next response, "Hello Father, I see we are in the desert without water. What are we working on today? How can I best glorify you through this time in the wilderness?"

When you find yourself out of work, hurting, wounded, left alone, discouraged, depressed, unhappy or simply thirsty for God and find that he has brought you to a dry place don’t fall into the trap of focusing on your need. Look around, God is there waiting for you….he has brought you to this place on purpose!