Quote of the day

My wife is reading some teaching material that they are writing for the women's bible studies this fall. She said, "Hey, they quoted you!" I was thrilled! Finally, I said something, although probably said before by someone else, that now has my name on the quote line! How great is that?! Here's the quote:



"God's plan is completely different from what you could ever imagine and much more glorious than you would ever expect."



-Mike Messerli

Quote of the day

“The tragedy of life and of the world is not that men do not know God; the tragedy is that, knowing Him, they still insist on going their own way.”

— William Barclay

Erosion

I found this article a few weeks ago, and have been thinking about it since...take a moment, read the story, and then allow me to make a few comments.

February 26, 2007—After rumbling for weeks, part of a poor Guatemala City neighborhood plummeted some 30 stories into the Earth on Friday. The reportedly 330-foot-deep (100-meter-deep) sinkhole swallowed about a dozen homes and is so far blamed in the deaths of three people—two teenagers, found floating in torrent of sewage, and their father, who was pulled from the chasm. Rainstorms and a ruptured sewer main may have caused the sinkhole, officials in Guatemala told the Associated Press. After the collapse, the seemingly bottomless depths gave off tremors, sounds of flowing water, and the scent of sewage. Sinkholes can occur when underground rocks that can be dissolved by water—such as salt, gypsum, and limestone—are inundated. The removal of groundwater can also leave gaps underground that can lead to sinkholes. While the cause of the Guatemala City abyss remains uncertain, it's effects are undeniable.

I was fascinated by this story because of the depth and size of this sink hole. It must have been developing for a long time, and then, suddenly (or so it seems) the earth falls, and leaves this huge hole. The reason it caught my attention is because it reminded me of what the Bible describes when it talks about sin's effects. It may not appear that sin has any effect right now, but its erosion is guaranteed- it's gradual and progressive, but there will be a day when we will see its results. There will also be a day when we will see sin's impact in a life, and in a culture. There will be a day when the "earth gives way" and we will see what sin has done.

People think that since nothing has happened so far then all is well, but there's an erosion going on below the surface that may take some time to see, and then suddenly (or so it seems) life crumbles and leaves a huge hole.

Psa 7:15 He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the hole which he made.


(An afterthought- I realize that this post left something out- the cross of Christ! My thoughts as I wrote, thinking about the sink hole, were meant to deal with the results of sin in our lives apart from the cross. I was not considering the work of Christ in my thoughts, but was focused on the issue of sin in a life not taken to the cross. This whole post looks completely different when seen through the cross, so please understand that the focus of this post is on sin and it's impact apart from Christ's finished work. Thanks. -Mike)

Turning down the volume

Last summer I was in Russia, south of Moscow, with a short term mission team. It was a very interesting week- encounters with the new secret police and all. We developed some great relationships and got to visit with a number of different people. But from this week I learned one thing that stuck with me more than anything else- We had a translator with us, a really sweet Christian lady, Irina, from a city south of Moscow, my lesson came from her. It was a real treat to get to know Irina. But what I want to share is something I learned from her, something I learned from watching her. She had a wonderful, sweet spirit, and it was a real help to us in our visits. I watched her as she translated for us. There were times when the "volume" of the discussion rose with the emotions of each persons passions, and this dear lady did something I had never seen before- she controled the discussion by LOWERING the volume...it was amazing to watch. Suddenly everyone would fall silent so they could hear what she said. She calmed the emotions of the moment by lowering the volume and bringing a gentle tone to the moment.

I had to do that today....I learned it in Russia from Irina....I had commented on a web site discussing faith, and was instantly and soundly ridiculed. I have been through this before, so it didn't bother me at all. So I took what I learned in Russia and applied it to this encounter- I lowered the volume, responded in love. Even though all of this was done with a keyboard it was amazingly effective. The tone changed, and I had a great opportunity for a visit with this person.

It's loud out there! I have been following some of the discussions about faith on the internet and the "volume" is way too high for my taste. Those who ridicule faith are hostile, mean-spirited, and angry. Unfortunately many of those who are believers are responding in the same way....and so no one is listening....but everyone is talking. If we want an audience with the world then our dialogue in person and online must be done in love. We must not respond in the same tones as those we are talking with....it only causes them to put their fingers in their ears and stop listening.

I saw a short "on the street" video asking two questions- 1. What do you think of Jesus? and, 2. What do you think of Christians? I was surprised by the answers. Everyone had great things to say about Jesus (that didn't surprise me), but were not too favorable about Christians.....we have done something wrong....we have not imitated our master, and because of that many are not listening. If you find yourself in an encounter, in person or online, that is confrontational, take a moment, lower the volume and respond in love. In a post-Christian culture the only example of what Jesus looks like may be YOU.

Happy Birthday!

Today is a special day in another way. Today my dad turns 81! I am blessed. My dad is still alive and well. He's been a great example to me in my life. He taught me how to work. He taught me how to be faithful. He modeled a man who is trying to FINISH WELL. I'm honored to be his son. Happy Birthday, dad.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. The day when we remember those who have given their lives to protect our country. For many, it's simply a nice holiday weekend, but I hope you will take a moment to say "thank you" to the millions who have died for this country.

Even today....this Memorial Day...there are men and women risking their lives to protect our country. Pray for them.

Thanks to all of you who are serving our country in the military. Thank you for protecting us.

Monday's cartoon

I don't! -Mike

Choices

Jos 24:15 "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Psa 25:12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

Choices matter! Each choice takes us down a road that has many more choices ahead, but the one thing that isn't available to us, when we have made a choice, is the opportunity to make the choices that would have been on the road we DIDN'T take. What I mean is this- If I choose to get angry with a friend, vent my anger at that person, tell them what I think....then there will be other choices that follow that choice...for me and for my friend, but the one choice I no longer have is the choice to not vent how I feel....and I no longer have the choices that would go with that choice... the choices to be quiet, to forgive, to love, to let an offense go....and to be able to see all the choices that one choice generates from the other person as well.

All of those choices are now gone for me...I didn't take that road, so I have no idea what options there are for me if I had chosen that action. My one choice creates avenues for hundreds of others, but the one choice I no longer can choose is the alternate choice to my first choice......I've gone "west", "east" is not an option for me now. Are you confused yet?

I've been thinking about this in my own life. I have choices to make about what I say, what I do, how I interact, how I respond to my emotions, how I respond to situations, how I respond to everything! And all of that, unfiltered, will be a series of choices that eliminate other choices.

I realize that I need a road map, a filtering system, a way to evaluate my hundreds of daily choices because my heart is selfish. I will not choose well without help...and that's why I read and pour over the bible. It's the road map, the filter that will help me make the right choice so that I have the opportunity to make other right choices ahead.

My wife tells the story of traveling to her mother’s home a few years ago, and on the trip she made a wrong turn onto a toll-way. As soon as she made the choice she knew she had made a mistake, but there was no option to turn around, her choice forced her in the wrong direction….and for 25 miles she had to go in the wrong direction (there were no exits) until she could find an exit, turn around and go the right way. Her one choice dictated other choices ahead of her. And she had to pay for her mistake both ways!

I see this in lives around me. When every choice we make is filtered through the “what do I want” filter those choices will lead us down a road with a whole series of other choices, but we will completely miss all the choices that were on the road of “what does God want”. As I think through this in my mind it begins to cascade in my thinking….the choice and the result….what happens next….it’s like the domino competitions I have seen…thousands of dominoes all stacked in a certain way, and then one domino is tipped over…it creates a cascade of responses from the other dominoes…one choice creates a whole series of results.

Choices matter.

How are you making your choices?

Something different

Ok, time for something different. I love visual puzzles, and here's one. Of course it helps that this is a picture of my favorite food group- COFFEE!

See if you can find the hidden "thing" in the picture, and tell me what it is. Also, time yourself...how long did it take? (Just want to see how smart you guys are.)

I believe

“I believe”….these are words filled with content. They imply that I have made some choices about faith, life and eternity. It’s easy for the skeptic to jeer from the bleachers at those of us of faith, but to be a person of faith gives me a great place to rest and view the world around me. “I believe” means I have made some choices….I have chosen to trust someone or something. Here are a few of the things I believe-

I believe there is one God in three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe the bible is the word of God, inspired and preserved by God, and without errors, conflicts or defects.
I believe Jesus Christ is God, come in flesh to provide salvation for the human race.
I believe there is salvation in no one else other than Christ…there is no other name in heaven or earth that will provide salvation for mankind.
I believe he really did die on a cross to pay my sin debt, and faith in him and his sacrifice will provide eternal salvation.
I really do believe in heaven and hell.
I believe that God actually did make the heavens and earth in 6 days.
I believe in Noah and the ark, Jonah and the whale, and all the other stories of the bible…I believe these people really existed and I look forward to meeting them some day.
I believe that God is who he says he is…he is sovereign, Lord of heaven and earth, the only God.
I believe that God loves the human race, and desires that all men be saved.
I believe there are angels, demons and the devil just because the bible says so.
I believe……

There is so much more, but let me stop here. What I want to say clearly is that I have made some choices….I believe the bible. I believe it’s all true. I have staked my eternity on it, and do it with great joy. I have a sure hope, and look forward to seeing God face to face.

Now, I know that when any of us takes a position of faith we become a target for those who disagree. But to make a stand is so important, to know what you believe and why is vital for each of us….where do you stand? Do you have a list of “I believe” for your life? Are you bold enough to share them? Are they important enough to change your life and eternity?

What do you believe?

Fools

Psa 14:1 To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
Psa 14:2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
Psa 14:3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

I've been reading some comments made on a web site that highlights a project by two atheists called "The Blasphemy Challenge". The comments made by some of those who claim to be atheists are amazing! There is no shame in their comments, there is no fear of God in their vile rage, they are bold fools knowing nothing!

The bible calls these people "fools". Fools because they deny God, and will not bow their knees to him. They are fools because they think they know there is no God, when they actually know nothing at all. Their rage against any word of wisdom is venomous. There is no reasoning with them....

Blaise Pascal wrote these words. I think they tell a lot about these "fools" who laugh in the face of God, laugh at the prospect of hell, and ignore the reality of eternity:

"Imagine a number of prisoners on death row, some of whom are killed each day in the sight of the others. The remaining ones see their condition is that of their fellows, and looking at each other with grief and despair await their turn. This is a picture of the human condition."

And yet, knowing that their turn is coming...that death is ahead for each one...they rage against the God who made them. They deny his existence in hopes that it's not true...but death awaits and eternity too. They dismiss the bible out of hand as a fairy tale, and while waiting for their death sentence they play games and laugh at those who are investing in eternity rather than these few years on this fallen planet.

Fools? Without a doubt! Fools because they risk everything, with their fist in the air, to be "gods" of their own fate...and in the process lose everything.

Monday's cartoon

Quote of the day

“Though no one can go back and make a new beginning - anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.”

— Carl Brand

God's amazing grace

It's been several years ago now....it was late one night...Joye, my wife, was out of town visiting her mother....and I couldn't sleep. I had a cold or something like it. I just couldn't breathe. Most of the time my colds are in my head, but this was in my chest and I just couldn't breathe. For some reason I did something I have never done before...I went to the emergency room at the hospital.

Looking back I know why now, but I have never done this before...I just don't get sick, and haven't been in hospital since I was 9. For some reason, at midnight, I got up, got dressed and went to hospital.

In the emergency room a nurse came in to see what was wrong with me. I told her I had a cold or something like it, and just couldn't breathe. She left the room, and in a few minutes came back with a pill and told me to put it under my tongue. I obeyed....

The next thing I remember I'm on the floor surrounded by doctors and nurses. I had passed out!

Now, mind you, I had yet to see or talk to a doctor...they simply assumed if I had chest congestion I must have a heart problem, and so they gave me a nitro pill. BUT I don't have heart problems, in fact I had been an active bicyclist riding 20+ miles per day for years. This little pill, meant to help those with heart problems, caused my blood pressure to crash, and I passed out, fell on the floor and hit my head. Now I'm really hurt!

Now, suddenly, I'm getting CAT scans, x-rays....etc., and find myself in intensive care! All I had was a cold, now I'm in intensive care! (That's why I don't go to hospitals!)

But, what I didn't know was that God had a plan, and it really had very little to do with me.

So, I spend a night in intensive care because of the hospital's mistakes....what's going on? The next day some of our men from the church came to visit with me. One of the men, Eric, owned a business, and had an older man working for him who had become very ill. Eric had shared his faith with this man a number of times, and the man had refused Christ or faith....now this man is two rooms down from me in the intensive care unit, in a coma, dying....

After a short visit Eric said, "Since I'm here I should stop and see ____." He didn't see much point to seeing him because the man was in a coma and they didn't expect him to recover...but since he was there to see me he said he would stop by this man's room before he left.

Eric went into the room, the man awoke from his coma, Eric shared the gospel with him once more and this dying man trusted Christ....the next day he died.

Now here's an amazing thing...I was in the hospital by God's amazing plan so I would be in intensive care so Eric would come to lead this man to Christ. What an amazing love God has that he would care for this dying man so much that he would put me through all of that just so this poor man could find Christ!

Now before I finish I must tell you that this man had wasted his life. He was in his 60's when he died. He was an alcoholic, had spent decades in prison and his children were in prison as he lay dying. Like the thief on the cross next to Jesus this man had nothing to offer God but a wasted life and the need for a savior. What an amazing love God has for us that he would die for us when we bring nothing to him but our empty, wasted lives, and in exchange he gives us his life and salvation.

What an amazing love!

Seeing God work in spite of me

Have you ever wondered if you are making a difference, if you are doing anything for the kingdom of God? It is hard at times to keep a clear vision of the goal because of the battles and tasks in front of you. There are days when I wonder, "Am I doing anything for the kingdom of God? Am I making any difference at all???" (I think we all feel this way at times.) Then I read something like this, and I get a glimpse of what God is doing...He's working....and we get to be part of it. Here's my encouragement today:


"Every now and then I post about a great blog I have found. I want others to be able to read and enjoy.
Two blogs that I don't ever like to miss are Joyeful Things , and Finishing Well .
I think I have mentioned Joyeful things before, I have probably been reading hers the longest. Finishing well is her husband who is a pastor. They are so inspiring to me, they are very real and their posts are very inspiring. I don't know them besides from their blogs, but they have ministered greatly to me just through their blogs. If I am ever having a frustrating day I can go read these blogs and they inspire me to get out of my rut. Even though I have never met them, they are a dear couple to me. They have such a heart for God and people. They are some great role-models on this new path of ministry my husband and I have found ourselves on. I glean so much Godly loving wisdom from them.
I actually found both of them through their daughter. I really enjoyed her blog a lot because I could relate to her life. She was a mother of three who were around the same ages as my three and she wrote about her daily life as a mom. I still enjoy reading her blog too. She recently just had her fourth child, and again I find myself on the same path it seems. Maybe I can get some wise counsel from Life in the shoe, as I am thinking I am crazy and my life is about to get even crazier adding a fourth child.
But if you ever need to be inspired, want to read some well written, real people, very thought provoking posts I definitely recommend "Joyeful things", and "Finishing Well" and "Life in the Shoe". These are must reads for me. Just wanted to highlight some of my favorite's."

-Pixiedust

So, be encouraged today...God is working in your life, and at times we will see a little bit of what he is up to....one day we will see it all, and will fall at his feet in worship. What an awesome God!