But through me...

This morning, on the way to the church, I was listening to one of my favorite bible teachers. He was speaking about our culture and attempts by many to make all religions melt into one common pond. "All roads lead to God" is the claim. "We all have our own truth" another proclaims. All is well with the world until someone says, "I think there's only one way." Then, with great disdain, the world ridicules the one who makes such a claim. We are in a time when every view is permitted expect the view that access to God is exclusive. That view is not permitted in our melting pot of ideas, but one man claimed such an exclusive place in history. Here's what he said, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." But through me....what an amazing statement. Jesus is claiming that he is the only way to the Father, to God.

When we repeat his claim to a world where all roads lead to God they claim we are intolerant, but what we claim is the claim of our founder who said, basically, if you want to get to God you have to go through me. He is, by his own claim and our faith, the only road to God. If you reject him you have no other road to God. That's the core belief of the Christian faith, it's the belief we are most ridiculed for believing. You see all views are accepted today except for an exclusive view. With so many drowning in sin, looking for hope, this is the wonderful hope we proclaim, you can find God and it's through his son. No one can come to the Father but through Jesus Christ. Exclusive? Yes! Clear? Yes! Simple? Yes! Accepted? Yes, by a few who want to find God. The path? It's only through Him.

A meaningless universe?

C.S.Lewis 'Mere Christianity' page 46

"If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning."

Thoughts on the day

It's Saturday. A crazy Saturday here. I just finished reading 200 pages in a commentary and my brain and eyes hurt. After about 50 pages I feel my brain starting to freeze up..."no more, no more...I can't take it!" I'm taking a mini-mester class on Romans and the text is Douglas Moo's 1,000 page commentary. I love how he writes, but an old brain like mine can only take so much.

In my personal reading I'm near the end of 2 Chronicles. It's fascinating to read how the kings of Israel and Judah influenced the direction and faithfulness of the whole nation. I wonder, are we like that as well? Fickle? Easily led and swayed? I hate to admit it, but we are. Godly leadership is so important for a nation. Without it we seem to wander away from stability and good choices. I know that many would disagree with me, but as I watch the nation of Israel in the bible it seems clear that they were highly influenced by the direction of their king, for good or bad. I'm sure we are no different.

I'm beginning a dialogue with a young person seeking truth, or so they claim. It will be a matter of prayer for me to speak in a way they can hear and understand truth. Of course, in our culture of relative truth it will be hard to find common ground, but I will be working towards that goal. Pray for me in this pursuit.

Mongolian BBQ tonight. Can't wait! It will be great to have dinner with friends and eat good food. I love anything that makes me sweat! This will do it.

As I read and write this afternoon I'm listening to some wonderful alto flute classical music. The alto flute is amazing and rarely heard, very nice and most relaxing!

Ok, back to the books....never too late to learn more....part of finishing well is running all the way to the finish line. I'm trying to intentionally do that. Personally, I can't imagine retiring. It would feel like I've stopped at mile 20 with 6.2 more to go....keep going.....keep running until you cross the finish line.

Saturday's cartoon

The ultimate wireless communication!

Happy Birthday!

Today is my sweet wife's birthday! It's such a blessing to have a mate you enjoy spending the years with. Joye lives out her name and is a blessing to me every day of my life.

Happy Birthday sweet lady, I love you.

Alternatives to fear and worry...

Phil 4: ^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Seasons

I love the seasons. I love the changes that happen through the year. It's fall and everything changes once more. Another season of beautiful leaves I have to pick up. Cool weather I have to dress for. Shorter days that make me grumpy. Fog that makes driving difficult. But it's fall....football, cool weather, freshness in the air, changes in the seasons, it's wonderful!

Have a great fall!

It's not about the storm!

Yesterday I had the joy of teaching through a portion of the gospel of Mark. It's a very familiar passage and we often miss the point that God is making. Here is the passage we worked through and an e-mail dialogue that followed this morning. I hope these thoughts help you as you face your storms,

Mark 4:35-41- That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Mary: I loved your sermon yesterday, but if I understood you correctly, there was one aspect of it that seemed contrary to beliefs I have always held, so I wanted to ask you about it. You seemed to indicate the God sends all the storms into our lives for the purpose of molding our character and teaching us to trust Him. Did I get that wrong?

Mike: Not entirely. What I was trying to communicate is that whether the storm comes from God by his doing OR from the enemy by God’s allowing, the purpose of the storm for God is that we discover him more fully. He doesn’t bring every storm, but sorting out whether it’s from God or the enemy isn’t the main thing. The main thing is that we respond by seeking to trust and know God better through the storm.

Mary: I have always explained away the "bad things happen to good people" occurrences by the fact that we live in a fallen world where we are negatively affected (storms) by sickness, disease and sin that resulted from Adam and Eve's original sin. I thought that most of the storms in our lives resulted from sinful choices that we and others around us make, satanic attacks, or just the decay of a fallen world. I had always thought that God can and does intervene at times to answer the prayers of those who seek Him during the storms; and sometimes chooses not to answer our prayers for intervention because of the greater good that only he can see.

Mike: First of all, in reality, there are no good people (a theology thing here), but to the bigger issue- we focus on the question “Don’t you care?” What I was trying to change yesterday is to a focus on “Who is this?” I wanted to move the discussion away from US to a focus on HIM. Either he is causing the storm or he is allowing the storm, either way he has a goal in mind for the Christian and that is that we know him and trust him more. Through each storm we will grow in faith or grow in bitterness or depression. It will be one or the other. Faith if we look to him, bitterness and depression if we look at us, our poor circumstance, our sad lives and the storms we are in….IF we focus on “Don’t you care?” we will lose faith and become bitter, depressed. IF, instead we focus on who is this that brought this storm, or allowed it, what is he working on in my life? Then, my results will be a larger faith and closer walk with him. When storms come my question is never “Don’t you care?” or “Why are you doing this to me?”, but rather my question focuses on this- “Lord, what are we working on here? What are you doing in my life? How can I know you better through this?” It’s a matter of whether we focus on the Lord or on the storm. The results will be completely different.

Mary: So I guess I have always seen it as: God allows the storms, and is there for us in the midst of them when we call on Him; but not that he "causes" or "brings" all the storms to us. Can you help me reconcile my thinking?

Mike: You know, I honestly don’t always know the source of the storms in my life. Are they from God or the enemy? I’ve found it doesn’t matter. IF God brought it he has something good in mind for me. IF God ALLOWED it he still has something good in mind for me, so the source isn’t my worry. What I must focus on is the one I trust and reply, “Lord, here I am, what would you have me do in this storm? How do you want to reveal yourself to me through this?” And whether from his hand or the enemy God can work because he would never allow something in my life that he didn’t plan to work out for his glory, so the source isn’t my concern, just my response to him. Does that help a little?

Just remember, it's not about the storm, it's all about him.

Moments

This morning I'm beginning a course on the book of Romans as part of a graduate degree. It's daunting! I only have about 200 pages to read this week. For many taking a full load at grad school they would smile and let me know they have 10 times that much to read, but with all I have to do in the real world this is a daunting task for me. Moments click by and I have to be careful not to waste even one of them....I need every one.

I'm excited for this opportunity, but equally challenged. I hope I use this time well. I pray my poor old head has room for more info and I'm grateful that my sweet wife challenged me to pursue this project even at this age. I thought, why not....I have to do something, might as well get another degree! So, off I go...wish me well.

The plan, provision and purpose

This morning, as I read these words from Paul to Titus, I thought, what more could be said than that? So today, my guest author is Paul. I don't know what I could say that would add anything more to these amazing words, so Paul, today's post is yours.....

Titus 2: ¹¹ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. ¹⁴ He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

Thoughts on a friend

A dear old saint and friend died early this morning. He was 93. In just a few weeks he would have reached 94. His house caught fire yesterday and partially burned. Worried about him I went out to his house to check on him. Amid the fire trucks and firemen I find my old friend Norm. He's well and sorting out what to do about insurance and other necessary things. We visited for a bit. I made sure he was safe, and we talked about where he would stay last night. He has sons in the area and he told me he would stay with one of his sons.

This morning I got the call that during the night Norm died of a heart attack. Apparently the stress of the fire and all that followed was too much for him. I am sad to lose Norm. Even at 93 he was vibrant, clear headed and able to read his bible (9 pt font) without reading glasses. He had traveled widely and been all over the middle east. Often, as I taught the bible, Norm would be my color commentator. He was ornery. That's a right of anyone over 90, but he was sweet. As we studied a book I would often ask, "Norm, when you and Paul traveled through that area what was it like?" And with a smile he would tell us all about it.

How do you describe a godly man of 93? Perfect? Far from it, but he was a wonderful saint of God. He knew of God's care and provision and he talked often about it. He had been well provided for by God. He built his first home with his own hands using salvaged wood and supplies. Norm was an electrician by trade and had worked in that field his whole life. He

was the ultimate paradox in a number of ways, but let me simply say that men like Norm are wonderful blessings to anyone who knew him.

May memories of me be as sweet as my memories of Norm. Thank you, Norm, for loving God and living it out for others to see.

Welcome to the "Finishing Well Hall of Fame" Norm, you did well.

Dealing with me

My biggest problem is not my work, other people around me or even the struggles I face. My biggest problem is ME! I live in a world of people all struggling, for the most part, with themselves. It's all these struggling people clashing together that creates the problems we see around us.

Unless I can deal with the me I see in the mirror I can never work though my issues with you. Paul the apostle knew this struggle himself, we all understand the struggle, but he actually articulated his own battle. Here are a few of his thoughts,

"I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?"

My biggest problem is ME! I hate that. I want to please God, I want to be who he designed me to be. I want to live as he designed me, but something keeps pulling me down to the base person I was when I first met him. That "me" that causes all my problems, all my anger, my sinful thoughts, my frustrations, irritations, my resentments. All the things that come from that "me".....is not the me God wants me to be. He has created in me a new man, and yet I so easily fall back to that old man. It's so frustrating. I hate it! I so understand Paul's words and struggles. So do you, don't you? We all live with this tug of sin pulling at our hearts, minds and affections, but it's not the end of the story. There is a solution that Paul mentions at the end of his thoughts in this passage. Here's his conclusion,

"Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."

The truth is that my sinful nature will never improve. I have to deal with that and "walk in the Spirit," the new man God created when I trusted him. My old man, the old me, always wants its way...that won't change...it's my reality. It's yours too. My challenge is to choose to walk in his Spirit and not as the "me" who wants his way. Today I'm struggling with me. Frustrated by the man in my mirror, but I know God has provided a better way.

My next step today is to walk in that new way and thank God for his forgiveness and grace.

This struggle will be ours until we finish this life. It's part of the curse, but the hope we have is the Spirit of God in us that gives us the opportunity to live in a new "me" that pleases God. I remember the story of a young man asking his grandfather when the passions of life ebb. The old saint paused for a moment and then, with 85 years of wisdom, responded, "I don't know, but if they ever do I'll let you know."

Dealing with "me" is my struggle for the day. Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Slave or bondservant?

"You gotta serve somebody." These words from Bob Dylan describe more than most know.

The bible teaches that we will each be servants of someone, of one of two masters. One is voluntary, the other is not. Slave or bond servant. Those are the two options. A slave is purchased and then, for the rest of his life, is owned by and slave to the one who owns him. A bond servant picks his master. The term of indenture is the same, a lifetime, but what a difference it would make if you could choose whom you serve!

Paul writes about this in 2 Timothy when he says, "Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do WHATEVER HE WANTS." As I read those words this morning it struck me that the grand cry of our culture is freedom to do what I want, but what they don't realize is it's not their will they are accomplishing, but the will of their master! They are slaves, subject to the master's will and that's what they do....what HE wants. It's a false freedom and a cruel slavery.

In contrast Jesus comes and offers us a place, an identity as a son, a co-heir, a child of the king and not one of slave in bondage to a cruel master. It's a bond servant role, one we take on by our choice, but it's service to a loving God and wonderful savior. For the slave obedience is not optional. They will do as the master says. For the bond servant the whole picture changes....we respond to our master out of love for what he has done for us. It's not by compulsion, but in response to love. What a difference in motivation!

We each are subject to someone. Many to the cruel master the bible calls the devil. They will do whatever he wants even as they think it's their will and desires they are living out. Many others will choose a different master. One who loves, cares and invites our response to him. There is no compulsion to obey as a slave would, but there is, for the believer in love with the Lord, a passionate desire to respond to a God who loves us so dearly. Out of that love my life is one of willing obedience motivated by love.

You're going to serve someone. Slave or bond servant, the choice is yours. This is the great battle of the ages, not who will rule nations or win wars, but who will win the hearts and obedience of man. That's the true battle of the ages. So which are you? Slave or bond servant? There is no third option. One master is cruel, harsh and only wishes your obedience at the cost of your eternity. For your obedience you get nothing! The other master gave his life to provide life for us, sonship, forgiveness and so much more. His invitation is simply, "follow me," and in that relationship based on love I find myself a willing bond servant because of his love for me.

Slave or bond servant, the choice is yours.

A good king rules

Psalm 97:1 The LORD reigns,

let the earth be glad;

There are some beautiful passages in Psalms that speak of God's rule over his universe, but this morning may I focus on just the first line of Psalm 97? The passage is a wonderful worship passage rich with praise for God's work and power, but this very first line in the chapter has a richness that stands alone.

There is something we must know- there must be someone in charge. This world, this universe is simply too amazing to not have a creator! To believe it all just happened takes more faith than to simply believe that God exists, but which God? What we see around us is a friendly world, one that is conducive to our lives. A world of beauty at times and a place of peace if we will seek it. There are some basic things about God that are revealed with a simply look to the creation.

1. God is good. His goodness shows up every morning. We do not live in a world with a jealous Zeus on the throne ready to kill us if we get out of line. The God of the universe is good and he's good to everyone.

2. God is faithful. Every morning the sun comes up. Every night it goes down. We know his faithfulness so well we record sunrise and sunset. He's faithful to us in his promises.

3. God is kind. There is so much to say about this it's hard to know where to start, but let me simply say that God's kindness draws us to him. It's his kindness that makes us want to know more, know him better.

The list is endless, but let me revisit the first line of Psalm 97 with a closing thought, "The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;" A good king rules the affairs of men and has sought out a relationship with us. Even when we reject his rule he still loves, reaches out, is kind and faithful. Be glad, God reigns. It's a good thing!